Most individuals retire with ideas of grandeur about what they will be able to do during their retirement years. Many of us look forward to the one time in our lives where we do not have to worry about work and won’t ever have to worry about work again. It is a unique time and is really the only true opportunity we have to get to do all of those things we always had to put off when we were working or building and raising families. For many there is no vacation better than a cruise around the world. It lets you see all of those areas you have never seen before. So, there is no better time than retirement to capitalize on free time and for many that means taking that long-awaited trip that was never quite possible before.
Retirement is a time to have as much fun as possible. After working for your entire life, there is no better way to reward yourself than to take a grand trip or spend a little more money than you think you should. There is no time like the present and no time like retirement. While some consumers embrace the idea of taking a trip and rewarding themselves for long years spent working hard, others worry about the financial impact of taking a trip or letting loose for a bit. After working and saving for so long, suddenly spending more freely can seem wrong. However, if it is your financial situation that is making you question a little splurge here or there or a trip that you’ve wanted to take for a long time, there may be some solutions available to you.
One financial option available to you during your retirement is an annuity. Upon your retirement, you are legally entitled to cash in up to 25% of the pension you have saved before you turn it into an annuity. You can receive this percentage as a lump sum that you can use however you want. It is your money to use freely and do with what you wish. Depending on the size of your overall pension, the percentage you withdraw should really provide you with enough money to take a worldwide cruise, or any other vacation you’d like. In fact, the amount should even be able to provide you with some extras along the way or on your trip.
If and when you are ready to book your worldwide cruise, it is important to book with the most reputable and reliable company you can find. You will be spending a good amount of money and want to get the best service available. You also want to know which vendors to choose and a good travel company will be able to ensure that you receive all of the best services throughout the course of your trip. Cruise companies can vary considerably and there are certainly some that you will want to avoid if you can. If you do some research, which you should, you will find which cruise businesses are the best and most reliable. Again, like any other adventure or life endeavour, you will need to put in some work doing some research. You will be spending a good deal of money and you want to ensure that it is money well spent, especially if you make the cruise your one big retirement vacation.
The best cruise companies will offer very interesting itineraries and this will be your opportunity to visit as many cities and countries as you can along the way while ensuring that you see the locations that are most important to you. Cruise companies and travel agents will be able to give you all the best places to visit. They will also be able to tell you which landmarks to see and which areas you shouldn’t miss while on your vacation.
So, if you feel you have earned the right to start enjoying your life to the fullest during retirement, don’t feel guilty about splurging a little. If you have been working your whole life, now is the time to enjoy yourself. Spend more money than you typically would and see the parts of the world that you never had time to visit before. Retirement can be a wonderful time in your life but you have to take the right steps to really enjoy it. You have spent your whole life working and saving and really you have been working so that you could enjoy retirement! Reward yourself for years of hard work by enjoying a world class vacation.