Looking for Money Saving Tips for my Cruise?

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Zef H

First is timing. The less demand, the less the cost. Different regions have different high and low seasons. I have seen price differences as high as 50% (when comparing the lower cost to the higher cost).

Purchase your cabin as early as possible. Then watch the price. If the price goes down, you can ask for the new lower cost. If the price goes up, you can keep the old lower cost. I have received hundreds of dollars in savings doing this.

Inside cabins cost less than ocean view cabins, which cost less than balcony cabins, which cost less than suites. Lower decks cost less than upper decks. Thus an ocean view cabin on the lowest deck might cost less than an inside cabin on the highest deck.

Bring your own camera and take your own pictures. If you are interested in a ship board photo, get the entire family/group into the photo (you pay per photo, not per person in the photo).

The tap water on the ship is free and is very drinkable. Don't buy the ship's bottled water. The drinks in the buffet (water, milk, juice, tea, coffee ...) are free. Most cruise lines will allow you to bring a reasonable amount of soft drinks on board with you (if you must have soft drinks). You don't need to by any drinks on the ship.

Same with meals. You don't need to eat in the optional extra cost restaurants. The food in the main dining room is very good and its free.

Usually there is a free ice cream on the pool deck. No need to spend extra for the upscale ice cream.

Eat on the ship (you paid for it) rather than on shore.

If you need something to drink on shore, bring a water bottle with you and fill it with the tap water from the ship (which is free).

Use the Internet on shore, where it is faster and less expensive.

Stay out of the spa and the casino. Stay away from the on board art auctions.

You don't need to be on a ship sponsored tour to go to the beach or to go into town. Just make sure you get back to the ship before it leaves.

Don't order room service. Yes, the food is free, but you will be expected to tip the person bringing it to you.

Bring enough clothing to last the entire cruise, so you don't have to use the ship's laundry. Some ships do have self service laundry (all Carnival ships) and some don't (no Royal Caribbean ships). Sometimes ships will wash an entire bag (supplied by the ship) for a flat rate.

If you are going to buy anything on the ship, do it on the last day. That is when the store will offer some special discounts (sales) and also you can compare all the photographs for the entire week and just buy the one or two best ones.

Get a group together yourself for a shore tour (a taxi driver will charge the same for a four hour tour for one person as (s)he will for four people). Again, just make sure you get back to the ship on time.

Make friends. I invited a family of five to join me on my balcony when going through the Panama Canal. They had booked inside cabins. I met them on the beach at our third port (the one just before the canal crossing).

Keep your receipts and double check the on board account for accuracy (mistakes do happen).

Bring any little things you might need with you, so you don't have to buy them on the ship (Aspirin for example).

Book a cruise that you can drive to (saves airfare).

Some agents will offer you gifts for booking. My agent has given me wine and on board credit. However, it is better to have a good agent that does not offer gifts than a bad agent that does (fortunately I have a great agent who also offers gifts).

If you are going to buy something expensive, know what it costs at home first. Also, make sure you are really getting what you think you are getting (those $10 "silver" bracelets being offered to you on the street are not likely real silver).

Pay cash (don't use a credit card). You are more aware of how much you are spending when you use real money and not plastic money.

johnrklinger

the biggest price saver is when you go on your cruise. Kids out of school equates to high prices. The prices start to drop around september and stay low through may except during holiday weeks. Also, try cruisecompete.com for your booking. Although all travel agencies are required to sell cruises at the same price, they often throw in other incentives such as onboard credit, free excrusions, insurance etc. Speaking of insurance, you can search the web and find better prices than the cruise line or your TA will offer. You can probably get by bringing a12 pack of soda with you onboard. I usually carry a 24 oz mug with ice in it so I am not tempted to buy cokes every 30 min when hanging out by the pool or in the casino. Booking your shore excursions with private venders will save you a fair amount of money. Stay away from the jewerly store onboard. The prices really aren't that good. Bingo is a total ripoff! If you drive to the port, you can usually find hotels with parking / shuttle deals for about $100.

nina

take plenty of your own photos
hook up with fellow passengers and create your own excursion
rent a car
order a bottle of wine or liquor from room service

MomSezNo

You can find more tips than you can possibly use here: CruiseCritic.com, "Boards", then "Money Saving Tips"!

Plan your own excursions ["Ports of Call"].
Don't buy ship photos.
Don't buy alcohol.
Don't buy spa treatments.
Don't go overboard [ha!] with souvenirs.

DO have a good time!!

David V

Okay, I'm just a twelve year old, but if you want money saving tips ask me anything. The best way to save o money and still have a good time is to watch what you do. Wine is expensive. Pictures are expensive.Shore excursions cost money. Pampering costs money. The only thing that's ussually free with the package is your cabin, meals, television (If there is.), and entertainment on board. But I've never been on a cruise. So can I ask a question? How do you get money (Per-say, $100?) in about 20 days? I seriously need the money, since my mom says if I have $100, I can go on a cruise and she'll pay the rest.

shhhhhhhhhhhimhiding

Pre pay your excursions before you go
Take your own pictures
Limit you alcohol consumption
Skip the goodies onboard for gifts

rob123dev123

Most of the amenities on a cruise are free but the biggest spending challenges that I see on a cruise are, bingo, the casinos, liquor, and bottled water.

If you mean spending too much for your cruise in the first place then you should visit www.cruisecompete.com you will be able to get a few different quotes for a cruise.

guy

Without reading answers, I'll just go into saving $$$.
Take at least $13 per person per day for gratuities. You will pay these at the end of the trip, in cash or through voucher on your credit card. There is NO rule which says you must pay gratuities but it is a good idea to pay something to your room attendant. If you like drinking water or soda, take 2 bottles of soda, wrapped in plastic bags, & some CountryTime (or like it) flavored powder packs, in your luggage (not carryon luggage). When you drink the bottles empty, fill with water from the cafe water spout and dump in some powder. Toss the bottle(s) before returning home. You can use credit cards for purchases in the islands (good to let your credit card company know you are going on a cruise). Buy yourself--alone--a T-shirt or such so you know you cruised. Onboard, do not buy souvenirs, photos (they're $20 ea now), clothing (unless on half-price sale), beverages (bottle water now $2.50), alcoholic bevs, or casino chips, or excursions. If part of an excursion is cancelled, visit the excursion desk and ask for 50% discount. You'll probably get a $5 per guest per day fuel rebate (if you booked after Nov 07). Spend any onboard credits or else they will give you a check on the last day of the trip!

cruise junkie

book a inside grantee cabin , that saves alot of cash and who knows maybe you will get a good upgrade. don't buy any pics..take your own. watch you bar tab...and stay out of the duty free shops...they are really stuff you can live without..some folks say don't tip ,but that's really up to you..stay away from the ships shore tours ..but that can be risky, but fun.. remember it's your money spend it wisely.

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