What Extras Do You Get and Which Do You Skip?

So cruises are supposed to be all inclusive, but they really aren't these days. Since this thread is about saving money, what extras do you get and what do you skip? (I realize some may be specific to certain ships). Here's what I'm thinking

Get

• Drinks a la carte (mostly DH as he likes soda and specialty coffees)
  
• Dreamworks Character Meal
  
• Required Taxi rides depending where we go
  
• Coral World (St Thomas stop)
  
• Beach stops - perhaps rent chair or water toys if available
  

Skip

• Pricey staterooms (we have Promenade Interior...which we're happy with as it'll be fun for our kids)
  
• Specialty Dinners (why when MDR is included?)
  
• Excursions (unless we decide to do 1 out of 3 stops)
  
• Beverage Package
  
• Spa Packages
  

I guess our list would be similar to yours. We haven't taken a ship's excursion in years.

Hmm... for me excursions and photos are my weakness. Disney 24Mbps internet.... YES!

Captain's tour? Sign me up!!!

http://www.usatoday.com/experience/cruise/cruise-buzz/behind-the-scenes-tour-how-a-cruise-ship-works/2986403/

We like doing whatever we wish on the ship and in ports including drink packages and shore excursions and specialty restaurants.

Fortunately, we aren't shoppers so seldom buy things. We don't enjoy gambling on ships so don't spend much or any money in the casino.

LuLu

We like doing whatever we wish on the ship and in ports including drink packages and shore excursions and specialty restaurants.

Fortunately, we aren't shoppers so seldom buy things. We don't enjoy gambling on ships so don't spend much or any money in the casino.

LuLu

Right...forgot about the casino. I don't touch it, but can see DH going on some nights after the kids and I go to bed.

As for excursions, if it was just DH and I, then we would probably do a tour of some kind. But that would probably bore our kids and the other excursions are just beach drop offs (which we can do ourselves by taxi...and leave when we are ready) or too adventurous for our family.

Drinks and casino....we don't do photos, or pay for excursions...we will rent chairs, etc. at a beach....

But we do book at least a mini-suite!

Do:

Soda Package

Casino

Frozen Drink/Beer/Wine occasionally

Private Excursions

Balcony Cabin

Don't Do:

Specialty Restaurants

Ben & Jerry's

Photo's

Ship Sponsored Excursions

Watch/T-Shirt Sales

Spa

Salon

DO: soda package - no alcohol packages. We drink a lot of pop, but not enough

alcohol to justify the price.

Private excursions - ship's excursion ONLY if I can't find a reputable and

reliable private vendor

Cabin with a view - oceanview or promenade view.

Laundry special - if there is a decent laundry bag special, we will do this

so that we can pack less.

MAYBE: Specialty dining - have never seen the need before, but our upcoming

cruise has Giovanni's which is supposed to be excellent - may just have to

try it out. We love Italian food.

DON'T DO:

Spa / Salon: Overpriced on board. Much more reasonable at home.

Alcohol packages: We don't drink enough to justify the extra cost.

Photos: Generally won't buy any, unless they are really great, though we

may do so this time so that we can have a decent family photo.

Bottled water package: I may have been born at night, but it wasn't

last night. Don't get me started on this one.

Casino / Bingo: Don't really see the thrill in giving my hard earned

money to make someone else wealthy when I get nothing in

return. Never has interested me in the least. Wish other

passengers would simply hand their money to me rather than

lose it to the casinos.

Pay extra for priority/early boarding: We're still getting on the ship too.

Suites: At this stage, we cannot afford the suite life, with a family of 5,

though the space would be nice, hard to budget the extra cost

with so many other expenses to be concerned with. Might be nice

if it was just the two of us. We don't send a lot of time in our

cabin anyway.

That's my list.......

We are a middle aged couple, we have no children.

What we do indulge in -

Drinks, both non-alcoholic and cocktails

Specialty restaurants & specialty dinners such as the Chef's Table, Sommelier's Dinner

Liquor tastings

Duty Free shop for liquor to take home

Transportation in port

Lunch in port

Museum and attraction costs in port

gratuities

What we don't spend extra for -

Internet usage

Shore excursions

Casino

Photos

Lessons when there is a free fitness center to use

Laundry services

Spa services, but we do want to book use of the thermal suite this time around :)

Our upcoming cruise we were fortunate to receive several perks when booking, including a beverage package for each of us and two complimentary dinners in the specialty restaurants, and some OBC. That will be a savings. Our upcoming cruise is our 20th Wedding anniversary cruise so we splurged and bought a nice big bouquet of flowers for our cabin, flowers for formal night, and we booked an aft cabin per hubby's request. We do like a balcony cabin, once we tried one it became a must, especially for a Bermuda cruise. It's nice to sit outside and read or people watch in port. I have to admit we do enjoy spending some downtime in our cabin most days, just to relax and refresh. The irony about the aft balcony though is I found out when we are docked in Hamilton Bermuda, the aft part of the ship faces a shipping container storage facility! lol Hopefully our view will include at least a bit of ocean view. :D

Lorie

Things we do:

- Balcony cabin

- Individual drink purchases

- Private shore excursions, including drinks, taxis, whatever -- rarely meals

- Penny and nickle slots in the casino

- Gym

- Keep an eye out for mistakes on our bill

- Tip fairly

Things we don't do:

- Specialty restaurants

- Drink packages

- Bottled water

- Upsell coffee or fresh squeezed juice

- Photos

- Johnny Rockets

- Spa

- Bingo

- Souveniers

Noticed a couple of people who say they don't do Johnny Rockets, each to their own, we never went there either until last cruise on the Independence of the seas, it was absolutely brilliant, the nominal charge was so worth it, the staff were so entertaining, will definitely be going there later this year on Explorer. Happy Cruising:):)

I'm a solo traveler, so I mostly skip following because there's no second person to pay, compromise and/or argue with[emoji4] :

Specialty dining packages

Drink packages

Cabin with a balcony (unless its a upgrade from a price drop)

Room service that has a service charge

Casino Tournament, tables and $5-plus machines

Shore Excursions that over $80 per person

Spa Services

Souviners

What I will spend for myself:

1-4 drinks (alcholic or not)

Penny machines at the casino

1-3 inexpensive Speciality meals (lunch and/or dinner)

Interior room (or an upgrade from a price drop / low price)

Shore Excursions under $80

Jewelry / trinkets (if it looks good and reasonable priced)

DSC for one person (far easier to pay and stomach than for 2 & more)

What I buy now for family since my prefer travel time happens to be a couple of weeks before Christmas (less hassle to carry around and way cheaper too[emoji5] ):

Alcohol (Rum or Vodka)

Watches / earrings for the under 21 (their mothers would kill me if I brought liquor for the teenagers[emoji21] )

Hat / bag/ or bird statuettes for mom (she likes collecting them)

Cruising is still a good deal all round - just need to know what's good for yourself and person(s) you're with. When one tacks on all the meal and drink packages, that when it get expensive plus you have to force yourself to get your money's worth of those packages- which is not relaxing at all.....

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I guess our list would be similar to yours. We haven't taken a ship's excursion in years.

Our biggest splurge are the ship's excursions. We've been leaning his way for ship guarantees, and the assumption that they're safer (at least they know where you're suppose to be). In North America, or Caribbean Islands known for low crime, we've been booking ourselves.

My question is, how do you book privately, or do you stick more to shopping and beaches nearby?

Our first cruise is going to be in October, and our biggest splurge (other than the cruise itself), is going to be excursions. Neither of us have ever traveled in the Caribbean and I don't feel comfortable trying to get around by ourselves. So one will be through Carnival, one will be through the group that we are sailing with, and one will have to be with a reputable tour guide we hire ourselves due to the place we want to go. In all these excursions are going to cost us an extra $630.

What we will be saving money on is drinks. We don't drink alcohol, and fortunately my husband just gave up soda, so the ice teas he drinks and the water I drink will be free on the ship we are sailing. Since we won't have to pay for the Bubbles or the Cheers package, we'll be saving between $200-$800.

We also won't be eating at the Steakhouse for $35/person. While it would be nice, I can't see paying for a meal when free ones are available. May not be as good, but we are not going on a cruise for the food.

Our first cruise is going to be in October, and our biggest splurge (other than the cruise itself), is going to be excursions. Neither of us have ever traveled in the Caribbean and I don't feel comfortable trying to get around by ourselves. So one will be through Carnival, one will be through the group that we are sailing with, and one will have to be with a reputable tour guide we hire ourselves due to the place we want to go. In all these excursions are going to cost us an extra $630.

 

What we will be saving money on is drinks. We don't drink alcohol, and fortunately my husband just gave up soda, so the ice teas he drinks and the water I drink will be free on the ship we are sailing. Since we won't have to pay for the Bubbles or the Cheers package, we'll be saving between $200-$800.

 

We also won't be eating at the Steakhouse for $35/person. While it would be nice, I can't see paying for a meal when free ones are available. May not be as good, but we are not going on a cruise for the food.

I feel the same as you on the specialty restaurants. We'll go to the MDR each night which is good with me.

And can totally understand why you are signing up for excursions. It's a good way to see a new place and you don't have to wander off by yourselves when you don't know the area.

Enjoy your cruise!

The answers for this depend so much on where you are going.

Caribbean: minimal excursions because...well I don't find the excursions all that interesting.

Alaska,Europe, etc: excursions are a big deal but I do private excursions 98% of the time.

Destination and time of year make a difference if we get an inside, ocean view or balcony. A transatlantic usually means no balcony unless it is a great deal.

No to spas, bingo and fee classes.

Yes to very limited wine at dinner and DH has a small casino budget.

My husband and I are going on our first cruise together (His first my second: My first was with family so totally different priorities!).

This has been a super helpful thread!!

Here's what we have agreed on so far!!

WE WILL splurge on:

1. EXCURSIONS: Either through the ship or independently. We will be in ALASKA!! Going out in a float plane, seeing bears and taking a narrow gauge train is the ENTIRE point of our trip!!

2. SPECIALTY RESTAURANTS: The minimal charge is totally worth it for my husband who is a huge foodie. This is where he feels it is adding to the quality of our overall trip.

3.SHOPPING/ EATING ASHORE. Every vacation involves some type of extra cost with grabbing a bite to eat or getting a unique souvenir of the trip. We expect this and don't feel it is unreasonable. We WILL likely return to the ship for dinner each night mainly because it will be more relaxing to just stroll around the ship afterward and go to our room instead of making our way back to port or fretting about the time.(But a money saver bonus no doubt)

4. OCEAN VIEW STATEROOM: For My DH who gets a little claustrophobic it will be worth it for him to feel comfortable and relaxed even if we don't plan on spending a ton of time in the room!

5. TUX RENTAL: My husband is a rugged outdoors man. I have NEVER seen him in a tux. He doesn't own a suit and instead of buying one or worrying about it, we will just take advantage of the onboard rental service. He'll wear it to our specialty dinners and formal nights. 100% WORTH it it me!! (**sigh)

WE WILL NOT splurge on:

1. DRINK PACKAGES of any kind. We don't drink enough to justify the cost! We will likely bring a couple of bottles of wine to enjoy at our specialty dinners (We live in Oregon so we have some great wine options!!) But if DH wants a cappuccino or a soda we can likely get one ashore. (or just pay those few extra costs)

2.SPA : not only WaaaY overpriced, but why would I want to waste time inside when I can be on deck enjoying ROCK CLIMBING, SURFING or SWIMMING!! and seeing Beautiful Alaska floating by.

3.BALCONY: Although I might change my mind if we were cruising somewhere warm. If I won't be spending long periods of time lounging in the sun or sipping coffee I can just as well hit the deck for my fresh air.

4.CASINO: as others have said...No,Just No.

5.VALET/ PRIORITY BOARDING: My husband can carry our bag and we are perfectly able to wait (If either of those is an issue, tons of bags, small restless children, medical issues ect.. It could totally be worth the cost)

So there's my list!! Once we have taken our trip I might come back and let you know if our minds were changed!!

My husband and I are going on our first cruise together (His first my second: My first was with family so totally different priorities!).

This has been a super helpful thread!!

 

Here's what we have agreed on so far!!

 

WE WILL splurge on:

 

1. EXCURSIONS: Either through the ship or independently. We will be in ALASKA!! Going out in a float plane, seeing bears and taking a narrow gauge train is the ENTIRE point of our trip!!

 

2. SPECIALTY RESTAURANTS: The minimal charge is totally worth it for my husband who is a huge foodie. This is where he feels it is adding to the quality of our overall trip.

 

3.SHOPPING/ EATING ASHORE. Every vacation involves some type of extra cost with grabbing a bite to eat or getting a unique souvenir of the trip. We expect this and don't feel it is unreasonable. We WILL likely return to the ship for dinner each night mainly because it will be more relaxing to just stroll around the ship afterward and go to our room instead of making our way back to port or fretting about the time.(But a money saver bonus no doubt)

 

4. OCEAN VIEW STATEROOM: For My DH who gets a little claustrophobic it will be worth it for him to feel comfortable and relaxed even if we don't plan on spending a ton of time in the room!

 

5. TUX RENTAL: My husband is a rugged outdoors man. I have NEVER seen him in a tux. He doesn't own a suit and instead of buying one or worrying about it, we will just take advantage of the onboard rental service. He'll wear it to our specialty dinners and formal nights. 100% WORTH it it me!! (**sigh)

 

WE WILL NOT splurge on:

 

1. DRINK PACKAGES of any kind. We don't drink enough to justify the cost! We will likely bring a couple of bottles of wine to enjoy at our specialty dinners (We live in Oregon so we have some great wine options!!) But if DH wants a cappuccino or a soda we can likely get one ashore. (or just pay those few extra costs)

 

2.SPA : not only WaaaY overpriced, but why would I want to waste time inside when I can be on deck enjoying ROCK CLIMBING, SURFING or SWIMMING!! and seeing Beautiful Alaska floating by.

 

3.BALCONY: Although I might change my mind if we were cruising somewhere warm. If I won't be spending long periods of time lounging in the sun or sipping coffee I can just as well hit the deck for my fresh air.

 

4.CASINO: as others have said...No,Just No.

 

5.VALET/ PRIORITY BOARDING: My husband can carry our bag and we are perfectly able to wait (If either of those is an issue, tons of bags, small restless children, medical issues ect.. It could totally be worth the cost)

 

So there's my list!! Once we have taken our trip I might come back and let you know if our minds were changed!!

This isn't too far off from ours.

1. Excursions: We sail for ports, and I want to experience culture, see the sights, or have some fun.

2. Specialty Dining: Only if it's inexpensive and I'm tired of the alternative. RCL's sides get a little old so we may try Italian or Mexican to break it up. I don't see the point in upgrading from one steakhouse to another. Bistro on Celebrity for $7 is a wonderful break from the Buffet at lunch.

3. OV or Balcony, if reasonable. We'll settle for a porthole or Promenade too. Though if an Inside Cabin were $599 and the OV $999 for a 7 day, I would go Inside.

4. Art Auctions: We were really quite dumb on our first cruise, I'll leave it at that. I told my wife very specifically on the 2nd cruise, "I'll only buy art if Andrew Bone is offered for $100", then on our 3rd cruise, "I'll only take Igor Medvedev is offered as a discount display model." Well, now we're 3/3, and now my criteria is I'll buy a Picasso for a PENNY!!! :eek:

The Duty Free store isn't all that great. Bought two bottles of normally expensive liquor for $20 each. Two days after we got home in FL went to a grocery and they had the same liquor also on "special" for $22 each...DOH.

So a sale is a sale and there must not be much duty on a bottle of booze after all?

There are a ton of great ideas on this topic.:) Thanks.

We are going on our 1st cruise this summer..our 7th Anniversary

We originally booked a balcony, but my fear of heights started to get to me so we call and changed to a promenade room, which I am excited about because we love people watching, that change saved us $450.

We booked our excursions through the cruise line as this is the 1st time either of us have been to the Caribbean.

Have not booked any specialty restaurants but did buy drink packages, his has alcohol mine does not. DH doesnt want to plan everything out (I am a planner) he wants to be able to do a little spur of the moment things.

We also booked a pre-cruise trip to Universal Studios through the cruise line and saved another $300 because tickets and early entry into the parks as well as transfer from airport to hotel and hotel to port.

Not going to book spa or salon packages, they just seem way to expensive and I will get both done before we leave for vacation.

Get:

1. a la carte speciality coffee (usually 1-2 per day per person)

2. hubs likes a wine at dinner

3. Usually do one night speciality restaurant

4. some internet

5. private excursions (we have found most private excursion companies cater to the cruise ships and never have had a bit of trouble getting back to port on time)

Skip:

1. photos

2. casino

3. spa (although, may try the Thermal (spa) Beds on our upcoming cruise)

4. drink packages (just don't drink enough to justify it)

5. usually never do any onboard shopping (or port shopping either for that matter)

WE WILL splurge on:

 

1. EXCURSIONS: Either through the ship or independently. We will be in ALASKA!! Going out in a float plane, seeing bears and taking a narrow gauge train is the ENTIRE point of our trip!!

When we cruised Alaska...I remember our excursions being at least as much or more then the cruise its self!! We did some major excursions...well worth every penny! But, you are right...alaska isn't where you want to to pull back on excursions. :)

Do:

~ Book a balcony or OV cabin. There are 3 in my family and an inside, except on Disney, is just to small for us and feels like a closet. I'd do an inside with 2 ppl but no more than that.

~ Wine or liquor tasting. Totally worth it to add to my growing knowledge of wine. I'm not a full-blown oenophile yet but getting there. Besides that I barely drink unless I'm on vacation and I like getting ideas for which cocktails to order.

~ I enjoy a nice steakhouse whenever I travel so that tradition extends to my cruises now they have a separate fine dining venue. Wouldn't go to a specialty restaurant for Italian food. Carnival offers it free for lunch anyway.

~ Spa. I usually indulge when the price is right after a few days of specials. Yes, it's expensive but I go to high-end spas on land on occasion so it's worth it to me. When else am I gonna treat myself if not on vacation?

~ Duty-free shopping. I love to shop so I will buy a few bottles of tequila or rum, cosmetics, perfume, jewelry, bags and clothing if I see something I like and feel it's a good price. I usually wait for a sale towards the end of the week onboard or at a port after I've had a chance to compare prices. I haggle if I'm in the mood. Part of the thrill of shopping!

Don't:

~ Play Bingo or in the casino. I'm not good at gambling so I'd rather save my money for shopping or drinks than watch it slip away in a matter of minutes.

~ Cruise-sponsored excursions. Tried it once in Cozumel because that was the only way to book it and it wasn't the best experience. Never again. I'm fine with researching and finding my own excursion or just making it a beach day.

~ Drink package. I like wine and some cocktails but the price is too high to justify it.

~ Ship tours. Not interested in spending $100 to see the galley or any other behind-the-scenes area. I just don't get the allure. Seems like easy money for the cruiseline.

I didn't understand the op statement about 'supposed to be all inclusive' we have never been on one advertised that way

Lately by taking up the booking perks like free drinks package we gave seriously reduced our onboard spending Bill

We don't have a do or don't list, we go with the flow on each cruise and do what we fancy and what we can afford on that trip

So sometimes we will not go anywhere near the spa, other times we will

Same goes for the shop and photos

our first is Pride of America in Sept. I booked all our excursions thru NCL. For us it was the right choice. We don't drink or gamble or eat really fancy on vacay. I do like good coffee. To each his own.