Like others have said, I don't want to spend my vacation worrying about every little penny, but I also don't want to spend months afterward paying off the credit bill or wishing I hadn't spent so much. Yes, I want to look back and remember how much fun I had, but at what expense...mostly it depends on your means and not spending so far above it that you will regret it later. I also prefer to take advantage of what my paid cruise fare includes for free and have more left over later to cuise more often. I book as early as possible for a rate that is competetive and then watch the rates closely. If they go down for the category we have, I call the booking agent and ask for a refund or for an upgrade.
With that said, we are not drinkers so that in itself provides a huge savings when sailing. We take along a 2 liter bottle of Diet Coke and enjoy it occasionally in our cabin or poolside. Replacements can be purchased easily on shore if necessary. Otherwise, we are content with coffee, tea, juices, and water. We bring a travel mug from home so coffee can be toted outside the buffet to drink after dinner while awaiting the show or to lectures and such. Bottled water is really not necessary as I assume all drinking water on board must be filtered anyway. We simply bring a re-fillable bottle with sport top (used for travel as well) that can be washed out in the cabin sink and re-used daily.
We also do not gamble and in 5 cruises have not spent one penny in a casino. We prefer to avoid the smoke-filled areas anyway, so really nothing lost for us. If the ship provides a free incentive Bingo card, we go and play but never purchase any more. It actually amazes me how quickly and how much people spend money on Bingo - adds up fast with very little return or hope of winning. Doesn't sound like fun to me, but to each his own, I suppose. And, as an aside, I do appreciate those people who spend frivolously on drinks and gambling because they help keep my cruise fares reasonably priced. :D
Specialty restaurants - we will try one or two if on a longer cruise and are celebrating a special occasion while on board and usually have OBC to use for it. We have done a 9, 11 and 12 day cruise and usually are fine with enjoying the included dining options even on the extended trips.
Photos, spa treatments, shore-excursions are all over-priced and to be avoided if possible unless you have OBC to use up. We did splurge once though for on-board professional photography on NCL and we were not disappointed for the price. These are much more worth the cost than those quickly taken impromptu shots by the roving photographers. Art and gems are basically geared to encourage impulse buying and therefore are adamantly avoided, if for nothing else but principle! :mad:
Shopping in the ports is far more interesting, affordable, and provides souveniers of your trip - why would I want to spend time and money shopping on the ship? The only exception to this would be on end of sailings sea days when many cuise lines run $10 sales of all sorts of items. I got a beautiful silver clutch purse for $10, a pretty $10 costume ring and a matching watch/earrings/necklace set for $30 on RCCL. Now those were bargains and have brought many compliments when worn!
Someone else mentioned Park N Cruise hotel specials. This is a great option! We sailed recently from NYC and the parking for 9 days would have been $300 at the port. Instead we booked a Fairfield Hotel near the Newark airport for about $120 (which included a great breakfast), used the free hotel shuttle to the airport and then booked a transport from the airport and back for about $60 round-trip for 2. Our car was parked for free at the hotel in a secure area and we didn't have the hassle of navigating NYC traffic or finding our own way to the port parking area. Almost a 50% savings and got a good night's sleep and breakfast in the bargain! We used a similar option at Port Canaveral as well and it worked equally well. Great deal!
We have thoroughly enjoyed each and every cruise without spending a fortune. We make the most of the food, entertainment, organized activities, fitness area, ping pong, etc. that incur no extra charges and have never once felt as though we were missing out on anything. And in the end we have full recollection of every glorious minute, memory, and dollar spent :p. Can't wait to cruise again!
Welcome to Tightwad Cruising - What Do You Do?
in Saving Money on Your Cruise - Tips & Advice
Posted
Like others have said, I don't want to spend my vacation worrying about every little penny, but I also don't want to spend months afterward paying off the credit bill or wishing I hadn't spent so much. Yes, I want to look back and remember how much fun I had, but at what expense...mostly it depends on your means and not spending so far above it that you will regret it later. I also prefer to take advantage of what my paid cruise fare includes for free and have more left over later to cuise more often. I book as early as possible for a rate that is competetive and then watch the rates closely. If they go down for the category we have, I call the booking agent and ask for a refund or for an upgrade.
With that said, we are not drinkers so that in itself provides a huge savings when sailing. We take along a 2 liter bottle of Diet Coke and enjoy it occasionally in our cabin or poolside. Replacements can be purchased easily on shore if necessary. Otherwise, we are content with coffee, tea, juices, and water. We bring a travel mug from home so coffee can be toted outside the buffet to drink after dinner while awaiting the show or to lectures and such. Bottled water is really not necessary as I assume all drinking water on board must be filtered anyway. We simply bring a re-fillable bottle with sport top (used for travel as well) that can be washed out in the cabin sink and re-used daily.
We also do not gamble and in 5 cruises have not spent one penny in a casino. We prefer to avoid the smoke-filled areas anyway, so really nothing lost for us. If the ship provides a free incentive Bingo card, we go and play but never purchase any more. It actually amazes me how quickly and how much people spend money on Bingo - adds up fast with very little return or hope of winning. Doesn't sound like fun to me, but to each his own, I suppose. And, as an aside, I do appreciate those people who spend frivolously on drinks and gambling because they help keep my cruise fares reasonably priced. :D
Specialty restaurants - we will try one or two if on a longer cruise and are celebrating a special occasion while on board and usually have OBC to use for it. We have done a 9, 11 and 12 day cruise and usually are fine with enjoying the included dining options even on the extended trips.
Photos, spa treatments, shore-excursions are all over-priced and to be avoided if possible unless you have OBC to use up. We did splurge once though for on-board professional photography on NCL and we were not disappointed for the price. These are much more worth the cost than those quickly taken impromptu shots by the roving photographers. Art and gems are basically geared to encourage impulse buying and therefore are adamantly avoided, if for nothing else but principle! :mad:
Shopping in the ports is far more interesting, affordable, and provides souveniers of your trip - why would I want to spend time and money shopping on the ship? The only exception to this would be on end of sailings sea days when many cuise lines run $10 sales of all sorts of items. I got a beautiful silver clutch purse for $10, a pretty $10 costume ring and a matching watch/earrings/necklace set for $30 on RCCL. Now those were bargains and have brought many compliments when worn!
Someone else mentioned Park N Cruise hotel specials. This is a great option! We sailed recently from NYC and the parking for 9 days would have been $300 at the port. Instead we booked a Fairfield Hotel near the Newark airport for about $120 (which included a great breakfast), used the free hotel shuttle to the airport and then booked a transport from the airport and back for about $60 round-trip for 2. Our car was parked for free at the hotel in a secure area and we didn't have the hassle of navigating NYC traffic or finding our own way to the port parking area. Almost a 50% savings and got a good night's sleep and breakfast in the bargain! We used a similar option at Port Canaveral as well and it worked equally well. Great deal!
We have thoroughly enjoyed each and every cruise without spending a fortune. We make the most of the food, entertainment, organized activities, fitness area, ping pong, etc. that incur no extra charges and have never once felt as though we were missing out on anything. And in the end we have full recollection of every glorious minute, memory, and dollar spent :p. Can't wait to cruise again!