5 Ways That Can Help Pay For your Next Cruise While on Quarantine

The cruise industry really took a hit during the recent outbreak. Things start slowing down as major cruise lines temporarily halt cruises as most countries from different ports of call closed their borders to all forms of air and sea travel. While cruising seems like a pretty bad idea during this worldwide pandemic, it won’t stop us from pursuing future cruise plans and once again sail across vast blue waters and white sand paradise destinations.

While self quarantining during this COVID19 crisis, here are some awesome ways to earn some cash and start paying off your next cruise adventure. Just remember that personal safety is of utmost priority. So stay home and stay safe for now while planning for your next cruise ahead.

Note: While there are several ways to earn extra income while at home, some of them can take a while to add up. These tips are what I would personally recommend to stay ahead of your cruise budget. Also, I have to remove several items on this list because some companies have decided to suspend services due to the current COVID19 crisis.

#1 Start Driving for Uber

While most people are practicing social distancing and quarantining themselves within their homes, some employees like hospital workers, grocery store employees, and public safety officers still need a ride to get to their workplace. This is only if a full lockdown has not been set into motion. 

During a pandemic, it is vital that you keep yourself and your passengers safe at all times. Here are some tips to remember:
a. Keep your vehicle clean and decluttered. Remove any personal items and unnecessary items from the back seat.
b. Sanitize after each passenger. In partnership with some companies, Uber is offering drivers sanitizers so they can disinfect between rides. However, supplies are understandably limited at this time.
c. Avoid unnecessary contact with your passengers like hugging or shaking hands. Always keep a bottle of hand sanitizer just in case.
d. Practice social distancing within the vehicle by not overcrowding your vehicle and have your passenger sit in the back seat.
e. Keep yourself safe. This means practicing all the above, wear a mask, and don’t do it if for any reason you are immunocompromised or belong to an at risk population.

#2 Start Picking Home Gigs

If your job does not allow you to work at home, then why not find something you can do at home and get paid for it? That’s right! Get paid for tasks you have skills for so you can work outside your old 9 to 5 routine in this on-demand gig economy.

Here are some popular gigs you can find on Fiverr and Upwork:
a. Make explainer videos. With the social media revolution, making explainer video is an effective way for small businesses to extend their reach to millions of potential clients via targeted marketing. You can start by checking out links of these awesome 2D animation softwares called Toonly and Doodly with discounted promotional prices.
b. Graphic Designing. Whether it is designing Pinterest, company logos, brochures or cover pages, you can put your designing skills forward and get paid for it.
c. Social Media Marketing. Yes, the ubiquitous social media with its endless opportunities and possibilities. It’s the perfect gig that helps you make a quick buck especially if you have some experience in social media marketing. 

Please click here for a great list of Fiverr gigs you might be interested in.

#3 Rent Your Car and Get Paid Cash

If you don’t want to drive strangers around with Uber, then you should consider renting out your car and make some cash.

Getaround is a car sharing platform that lets you do just that. They even have an app that lets renters unlock the car with their phone so you won’t have to meet up in person to exchange keys. Renters save money while cash comes in to your pockets to help pay for your next cruise!

With the constantly changing government regulations on the COVID19 pandemic, there might be changes to how they are implementing this program. Just to be safe, be sure to disinfect your car each and every time you rent out our car. If Getaround is informed that your car has been in contact with the virus, your car will be deactivated from the platform. You will need to sanitise and quarantine the car for 4 days (96 hours) before being able to make it available again.

#4 Sign Up for a Cash Back Credit Card

Some cash back credit cards offer a sign up bonus when you spend a certain amount during the first few months. For example, Bank of America offers a $200 sign up bonus for spending $1000 during the first 90 days from card activation. That’s an amazing deal!

Oftentimes, these offers are made by credit card companies that require a high credit rating in order to qualify. Plus, most of these cards have high interest rates. This should not be a problem if you can stick to your budget well and pay the entire balance at the end of each billing cycle. 

My wife and I use cash back credit cards for all of our everyday purchases and pay everything off after each cycle. Each year, we usually get around $1000 in cash back towards our cruising budget while paying absolutely nothing in interest.

#5 Watch for Unnecessary Fees and Charges

Just to be clear, this will not make you earn, but it will help you save what you would have spent money on. With the COVID19 pandemic causing temporary closures of businesses within our communities, be sure you’re not getting charged for services you’re not getting. I’m talking about fitness classes, music services and other subscriptions that you’re not getting during at this time. 

This is also a good time to check your statements and watch for recurring charges. You might still be getting charged for a magazine subscription you are no longer receiving. As the old saying goes, a penny saved is a penny earned. In our case, a penny saved is a penny towards your next cruise venture.