Are you part of the 92% of freelancers who take work with you on vacation? A non-working vacation is rare for freelancers. It’s tough to leave all work behind when you don’t have paid vacation.
The flexibility of freelancing, which is a major perk for most people, is also what makes it difficult to completely unplug during vacation. Take along your laptop, and you have full access to your work.
Going on a cruise limits your internet options and can help you cut the ties from your freelance work. It’s also a relaxing vacation option that helps you recharge by giving you a mental break from work.
Start planning your cruise and break from freelancing with these tips.
Plan the Length
How long can you afford to stay away from your freelancing business? You can find cruises in various lengths to fit your schedule and budget.
Three to five-day cruises work well if you can’t leave your freelance business for long or if you’re not sure how you’ll feel about a cruise. If you want a longer break, look at cruises that last seven to 10 days.
Shorter cruises may only have one or two stops because there’s not enough time for more. If you want to see more ports, look at longer cruises.
Choose Your Destination
Consider what you want to see and where you want to go. Cruises to Mexico and the Caribbean are plentiful and available in different lengths with various stops. You’ll find there are so many cruises to Mexico to choose from that you can find an itinerary that works with your schedule.
Other cruises are available to go to Alaska, Hawaii, the Mediterranean, Europe, and other destinations. Take into account the travel time to get to the cruise port, especially if you’re planning an overseas trip.
Check out different cruise itineraries. You’ll find different stops on cruises depending on the length, cruise line, and other factors.
Plan Your Work
Before you can pack your swimsuits and formal cruise outfits, you’ll need to plan your work break. If you schedule your cruise far enough in advance, you have plenty of time to schedule your workload around the trip.
Decide if you’re going to work on vacation or not. Ideally, you can take a complete break, but many freelancers do some work on vacation. If you have a strong social media presence, consider scheduling posts to keep those accounts active while you’re away.
If you’re leaving all work at home, create a schedule to keep you on track to finish all client projects before you leave.
If possible, schedule an extra day off at the beginning and end of your trip where you don’t work on freelance projects. The day off before your trip gives you time to finish packing and handling last-minute travel tasks. The day at the end of the trip lets you regroup and get organized so you’re ready to jump back into work.
Notify Clients You’re Going on a Cruise
A cruise is a relaxing way to disconnect from your freelance life and relax. But it’s important to note that you may not have any connection to the outside world during at least portions of the cruise, depending on your destination.
That means you won’t be able to respond to clients while you’re gone. Let your clients know that you’ll be unavailable for that time. You can also hire a personal assistant to field calls and answer emails while you’re gone.
Take the Break You Deserve
Going on a cruise is an ideal way to give yourself a break from freelancing. Plan as far in advance as possible to minimize work disruption.
Check out more of our articles and resources to grow your freelance business and give yourself a little extra vacation money.
