I’ve never really considered myself a book club person. I’ve been an avid reader my entire life—I read fast, and like most readers, I have my favorite genres. The idea of being assigned a book I might not be interested in, and then having to meet up with others to sit around and talk about it, didn’t exactly sound compelling.

But when my oldest daughter started a book club and asked me to join, I gave it a shot. At the very least, it was a good excuse to see her once a month—even if only via Zoom.

We thought we were sailing from Rome. Instead, we stumbled into Civitavecchia—a quiet, cobbled port town that seemed unremarkable at first glance. But over two nights filled with late-night piazzas, local wine, and unexpected charm, this little ancient city became one of our favorite travel memories.

What was supposed to be a simple train journey through northern Italy turned into a scenic detour, a taxi hunt in a sleepy mountain town, and a reminder that sometimes, the best stories come from the plans that go sideways. From Civitavecchia to Tirano, with a little help from kind strangers and a lot of patience, our adventure unfolded—just not exactly how we mapped it.

Having cruised for over ten years, I’ve learned many ways to sail and explore the world while staying within a budget and not missing out on the fun. From budget-friendly excursion ideas to money-saving pointers while onboard the ship, these easy tips will help you get the most out of your trip without breaking the bank. 

What will I do today? A whole day stretched out, with no obligations and no clock to race against. And the truth of it hit me: I’m retired. I have nothing to do.

With the rising costs of travel, knowing how to save money on cruise fares and related travel can make your cruise experience even more enjoyable. Beyond cruise fare special sales and booking years in advance, there are other ways to make cruising even more budget-friendly.