Best Tips & Hints to Save $$

[Aussie71]

Hi everyone, when travelling overseas in the past we have always tried to be as conscientious as possible when it comes to spending. We have found that if we make small savings here and there, the money is available when we want to treat ourselves to something special. We have found, it's those bits and pieces that add up. By taking this approach we have discovered that overseas holidays are not out of reach of regular Australian families.

However in saying all of this, we are first time cruisers. This became particularly apparent when I read a helpful comment about BYO lanyard to save $7.00. For our family it would be a saving of $21.00. It was right about then that I thought, 'oh no what other hidden small extras will there be'. We have no experience in cruising.

Everyone collectively has so much valuable information and I find myself wondering if anyone else has other tips and hints on how to make the 'good ole' Aussie dollar stretch that bit further on a family cruise?

In addition, can there any recommended books out there specific to cruising the South Pacific? I have the Lonely Planets Vanuatu & New Caledonia travel guide, although there is nothing specific to cruising it may help at the ports. weird I know, but it's kind of a tradition for us to buy the LP guide for the countries we are travelling to.

[Megagirl]

Hi there Aussie71

 

Welcome to the world of cruising. We've sailed several times, and have picked up lots of tips along the way.

 

Taking your own soft drinks can be a big saving to some families if you drink a lot of them. Some passengers just pack a carton in a 'woolies' green bag, put a luggage label on it and put it through as checked baggage, i.e. not carry it onboard. The only beverage which you can't take is alcohol. We've taken 'lite' milk for my fussy husband, people take poppers etc.

 

You don't need to spend a lot of money onboard, but with your first cruise everthing's new and souvenirs are tempting. We drink a fair amount of wine when we cruise and that's what takes up most of our spending money. Cause we've been several times, we don't do many shore tours now. Our last cruise was 16 nights. We spent $1000 onboard, and $100 ashore in Fiji and $100 ashore in Tonga.

 

If you drink lots of water, take an empty bottle with you. This can then be filled from the ship and taken ashore to save buying bottled water onboard. You can take snacks onboard also, such as chips, lollies if you indulge in these.

 

Take basic first aid items as these things are expensive onboard, i.e. bandaids, panadol etc.

 

You don't need to go to the restaurants which have a cover charge. It's nice for a special occasion, but there's certainly plenty of free food onboard, too much sometimes!!!

 

Hope these tips help.

 

Jenny:)

[Sandielle]

Hi Aussie71. Big tip! From the moment just before you board the ship you will have your photographs taken by the Ship's Photographers! First your Embarkation Photo, then they snap you at dinnertimes, shows, getting off the ship at ports etc etc ad nauseum They are expensive and they (miraculously) nearly always are great photos. (They must have an 'instant magic' air brush or something, because they are up on the boards for you to be tempted withing a couple of hours!!!!) If you want to save money, DON'T LOOK AT THEM! OK, a couple of souvenir photos are OK, and they do great portrait photos on formal nights, so maybe you can buy one or two.

 

Also, the set of DVDs of the cruise are not worth it either. You can see it in the making on one of the TV channels in your cabin, also ad nauseum.

 

I won't mention doing your own tours - sometimes it's OK, sometimes not, depending on the port. You will find lots of hints in the Ports of Call section here.

 

OK that's a start. Others can add more, I'm sure. :rolleyes::)

[thied]

WE all way buy a few portrait photos, and the set of DVDs of the cruise if they have them.

[Aussie71]

Thank you both for sharing the information. I am sure others will also benefit from your advice also.

[Sandielle]

You're welcome. If you can think of any questions, no matter what, just ask.:)

 

I've thought of a couple more. There is a line stretched across the shower to hang small items such as undies which will dry overnight. Take some pegs or one of those hanging 'thingies' with their own pegs. There is only one power point in the cabin and a shaver point in the bathroom, so if you want to charge cameras, laptops etc, take a power board. (There is a hairdryer in each cabin so you don't need to take one, free irons in the laundrettes. Washing machines take Aussie gold coins - so it's handy to have some of these.

 

Oh and take some duct tape. Very handy if your luggage is damaged - they are not gentle when they throw your bags on board. Also handy for taping drawers if it's rough. (Don't worry, that hasn't happened to us.) I've even heard of some people taping up hems if they come down. :D

[thied]

Are you in Brisbane?

[Aussie71]

No we will fly from Rocky to Brisbane. We are still debating if we will fly in on the same morning that we sail out. It would save us a nights accomodation. However, in staying that we have nearly missed an international flight in June a couple of years back because of flight delays (fog) in Rocky. On the other hand, we have sayed a night before in Brisbane and Gold Coast just to be sure of flights etc and the kids were bored. When travelling with kids, we have found it is good not to do too much hanging around especially when they are eager to get started on the holiday. Although, hubby has said that he never wants to cut it so fine again. I think if we arrive in Brissy before midday on the same day as we depart it should be okay.

[croydonCruiser]

If you are confident travelers I'd recommend doing your own tours, not the P&O ones. They are extremely expensive. For instance, on our recent cruise to NZ, P&O were charging (from memory) $189 AUD per adult and $149 per child to do the Taeri Gorge railway tour. I booked directly and paid $84 NZD per adult and both kids were free. The only difference was that lunch and unlimited drinks were available on the P&O version, and we had to get to the station ourselves. It was a huge saving!

 

I'm assuming you are going to the Pacific Islands. At some of the smaller islands where you tender ashore, it will pretty much be a swimming at the beach day. At Noumea, where you disembark, there will be many tour operators offering numerous tours. The Chou Chou train is a good one, especially if you have kids. I assume Vila is the same, but I haven't been there for over 20 years. You should be able to find plenty of information on yours port of call if you search this forum.

 

I hope you have a fantastic first cruise! If you have any further questions, just ask.

[Waihekean]

What a lot of first timers don't know is that we Ozzies and Kiwi's pay considerable more for our cruise then the Americans, so shop around for the best cruise price.

 

I.e. book through an American travel agent (TA) when possible and when the cruise line allows it. For example I have saved so far $800NZ per person on my current booking and hoping for another discount 4 months out of my cruise date. Unfortunately Princess line does not allow these discounts, nor does HAL, Costa & Cunard.

Currently Celebrity, Carnival. Crystal, MSC & NCL do allow non resident bookings.

 

Or build relationship with local TA. Also enrol for specials to be e-mailed.

Another opportunity is to buy reduced fare when cruise lines offer sales after the 90 day final payment date. These will not be the best cabins, but boy! the price can be considerably lower.

Ofcourse going inside cabin will be a lot cheaper.

 

Avoid bingo, the casino, jewelry and art sales. You might want one spa treatment, but be aware!! they are trained to sell you their over prized products and most people fall for that the first time.

 

Have a sale away cocktail and at the shows, but drink for the rest most your drinks in the buffet and at meals. Ship water is really good, fruit is free. Have a coffee card if available.

 

Go to your roll call to meet other cruisers on your ship for tips and sharing costs of taxies and excursions and the like.

[Sandielle]

No we will fly from Rocky to Brisbane. We are still debating if we will fly in on the same morning that we sail out. It would save us a nights accomodation. However, in staying that we have nearly missed an international flight in June a couple of years back because of flight delays (fog) in Rocky. On the other hand, we have sayed a night before in Brisbane and Gold Coast just to be sure of flights etc and the kids were bored. When travelling with kids, we have found it is good not to do too much hanging around especially when they are eager to get started on the holiday. Although, hubby has said that he never wants to cut it so fine again. I think if we arrive in Brissy before midday on the same day as we depart it should be okay.

 

I see you are on the Pacific Dawn. I would fly down the afternoon before - I've heard of too many misses and near misses. There are a couple of motels across the road from Portside which are reasonably good so I hear, a cinema in the Portside complex as well as cafes and fish and chip place and parks nearby. It's not far from the CityCat landing at Brett's Wharf, so a trip on that might amuse them.

 

If you have nerves of steel you can fly down early the same morning. You -can book your luggage in early about 8-ish and not long after that they start checking in. Boarding usually starts at 10.30 am with priority boarding for suites and minisuites, and the other early arrivals. People who have to board in wheelchairs have priority too, but it depends on how many there are because wheelchairs are limited.

[1HORRIE1]

I would like to suggest the "Trip Adviser" web site. Dial up your destination and there are discussions on best dining, day tours, markets, duty free shops, best places for money conversions, etc - the Vanuatu is particularly good. As for ship booked tours - the chou chou train in Noumea was about half price as compared to the prebooked cruise ship tours and on our recent NZ tour, there were always plenty of tour operators just waiting for the casual unbooked tourist. Big savings!

[Aus Traveller]

A lot of good advice, but some isn't applicable for this particular cruise - Pacific Dawn, seven days to Noumea, Lifou and Vila. There aren't any coffee cards available on P&O and this cruise wouldn't be booked through an overseas TA. :):)

 

I agree with Sandy that the DVD of the ship isn't worth buying and from what I have seen people often buy one only on their first or second cruise and probably never look at it again. On formal night you can take your own camera and ask someone to take some photos of you with an interesting 'ship' background. The ships photographers formal photos are well done and it could be worth getting one of your whole family as a momento. We did when our whole family was on a cruise, but we had pics taken with different backgrounds so we could select the best one.

 

Noumea - I suggest you book tours when you get ashore. Go ashore fairly promptly and check out what is available in the cruise terminal. You can go on the sightseeing 'train' (not a railway train), go to Duck Island for swimming/snorkelling, or on a bus sightseeing trip. Aussie dollars are accepted. In addition, you can walk around town as the ship docks only one block from the main square. There is a small market upstairs in the cruise terminal. The prices aren't too bad and some of the things won't be available in your other two ports.

 

Lifou - walk to Jinek Bay for snorkelling. Maybe walk to the church on the hill. Watch the locals singng near the jetty where the tender (small boat bringing passengers from the ship) pulls in. There is a small market here but not as good as in Vila.

 

Vila - Suggest you get a taxi and go to the Cascades for a swim. This is an amazing place and I guarantee you will all leave there with a smile on your face. It is about a 45 minute drive, then 25-30minute walk on a path through the rainforest. Entry to the Cascades is AUD$20 (I don't know if there is a reduced price for children). Have the taxi wait (they don't charge for waiting time) and pay right at the end. Have the taxi drop you at Fung Kuei (duty free alcohol so cheap!!). You can then walk through town and the markets. Negotiate with the taxi driver. The trip I mention (even including going past a few sights - Chiefs' meeting house, parliament house, lookout, past a local village - on the way to the cascades) should cost AUD$50 ($60 at most) for the taxi full (not per person). Taxi ride from town back to the ship is AUD$10. These prices are much more than they charge on days the ship isn't in town and it is not taking advantage of them. After going back to the ship you can have a late lunch then walk back off the ship and wander through the markets outside the wharf area.

 

Have a fantastic cruise.

[bmu]

those were great tips Aus Traveller. Did you have tips for other ports, perhaps Isle of Pines, Mystery Island?

[Aus Traveller]

those were great tips Aus Traveller. Did you have tips for other ports, perhaps Isle of Pines, Mystery Island?

Yes.

 

Isle of Pines (tender port). Usually at 11am the locals put on a song and dance show a couple of hundred metres from the jetty where the tenders land. It is on the left.

 

Swimming - You can stop at the first beach on the left. The sand is soft and white and there is shade under the trees on the edge of the beach. It would be very safe here for children because the water gets deeper at a very slow rate. (Is that understandable??) Pedal boats are available for hire.

 

Snorkelling - Walk further - at the Y junction take the right hand option and walk a couple of hundred metres to the big rock in the ocean. Snorkelling is just around the rock (don't climb on the rock). Sand is soft and there is some shade.

 

Tour to Bay D'Oro is great.

 

If you are not into the beach stuff you can walk (25 minutes) to the ruins of the old penal settlement. At the Y junction take the left hand option and walk past the little convenience shop. The ruins are on the right. It would be better to have closed-in shoes because everthing is rather over-grown, but it reasonably interesting. You can walk into the cells.

 

Mystery Is (tender port). Swim and snorkel although I haven't found a great snorkel area. The best spot is supposed to be on the side where the tenders land, in line with the end of the airstrip (that is to the right when you get off the jetty).

 

The locals have a good market (they accept AUD). They have a bit of entertainment (the older men playing music) and they have a 'cannibal pot' where you can have your photo taken. They put on quite a pantomine for that. They sell lobsters, but I would be hesitant to buy because they aren't refrigerated and there is no ice.

 

Locals offer a few tours that they sell at their 'tour desk'.

[cjm66]

 

Mystery Is (tender port). Swim and snorkel although I haven't found a great snorkel area. The best spot is supposed to be on the side where the tenders land, in line with the end of the airstrip (that is to the right when you get off the jetty).

Locals offer a few tours that they sell at their 'tour desk'.

 

I did find a great snorkel area on one of the local tours offered at the tour desk on the tender side. Cost $20 AUD , probably less pp if you are not a sole snorkeller as I was.

 

Colleen

[rugbypopsie]

All good advice you can have a fantastic cruise experience without breaking the bank. Set yourself a daily budget and stick to it. Look for drink specials, stay away from the SPA (mega dollars)..there is nothing wrong with building one night in a speciality restaurant a one special photo on formal night into the budget......ships tours are always more expensive and generally not necessary..if you feel lucky just do bingo on the last day thats when the big prize goes off..you need to experience what the ship has to offer not feel that you have missed out..eating out in Noumea is expensive..there is a supermarket just opposite the cruise terminal however so you could take a little picnic or snacks with you.

 

Sue

[Aus Traveller]

All good advice you can have a fantastic cruise experience without breaking the bank. Set yourself a daily budget and stick to it. Look for drink specials, stay away from the SPA (mega dollars)..there is nothing wrong with building one night in a speciality restaurant a one special photo on formal night into the budget......ships tours are always more expensive and generally not necessary..if you feel lucky just do bingo on the last day thats when the big prize goes off..you need to experience what the ship has to offer not feel that you have missed out..eating out in Noumea is expensive..there is a supermarket just opposite the cruise terminal however so you could take a little picnic or snacks with you.

 

Sue

Good advice. :)

[bmu]

this is a great thread, thanks heaps all for the tips. My only cruise has been a 4 night Sydney to Auckland, so our island one will be a new experience and tips for saving money appreciated - leaves more in the bank to pay for the next cruise!

[Sandielle]

this is a great thread, thanks heaps all for the tips. My only cruise has been a 4 night Sydney to Auckland, so our island one will be a new experience and tips for saving money appreciated - leaves more in the bank to pay for the next cruise!

 

That's my way of thinking too, bmu. :)

[Aussie71]

Yes, I also appreciate everyones tips and hints to save dollars. My hubby and I notice how much extra it costs us when we take the kids (anywhere). Not just the cost of the trip but the additional extras.

[irukandjisting]

Just coming off a cruise - wow the drinks were sooo expensive - minimum 9 dollars for a glass of wine and 7.50 for a beer - I drink a Coke or two most days 2.75 and maybe an Iced Coffee in the Atrium 4.00.... both reasonable

 

Spent zilch basically on shore excursions - walked off ship in Noumea and for 15 dollars did the 1 hr bus tour which included a follow up shuttle to any place we had been to... Champagne Bay was zilch as was Lifou - Vila was a 3 dollar each way mini bus into town

 

Had my passport 'stamped' for 2 dollars in each of the four ports

 

Gave a few dollars to the kids on the islands that showed us their turtles and lizards

 

Tipped the welcoming band on Champagne Bay

 

Bought boardies and beach bags, magnets and postcards

 

Took my own fabulous photos thankyou

 

Didn't shell out 6.95 for a container of Pringles from the cruise shop

 

Didn't do meals outside what is provided - so much food anyway - the last thing I would think of doing

 

Did relish my 'alone' time on non smokers Deck 7............. ahhhh - where were the other 1,999 passengers?? lol

 

And how did I pay for my cruise?? - grab a Just Juice container - throw all your change in - and that averages around 20 dollars a week for me - my cruise cost me nothing to purchase, it was all in the Just Juice bottle

 

I tipped the waiter, the lovely waitress in the Atrium, the nice young guy in the casino where I won 50 dollars on a 10 dollar input - slipped him 10 dollars as I walked out - and tipped the cabin steward

 

I think all up I spent only about 200 on the 10 day cruise

 

Back 4 days and have already put away 30 dollars towards my next cruise...

[cjm66]

We are in the save on shore to spend at sea crew.

• I buy glassware and clothing at thrift shops,
  
• scan the web for on line bargains,
  
• borrow books instead of buying ( well apart from absolute must haves to read again),
  
• don't have airconditioning or a swimming pool,
  
• avoid high cost mobile phone bills with a "granny" plan,
  
• make my own jewellery ( a dubious saving so Harry says)
  
• and run one small economical car, which we do not replace every second or third year.
  

This allows some leeway for cruises, theatre and ballet tickets and small jaunts between cruises. On board no photographs, trademarked souvenirs or other add ons and on Princess we take full advantage of the take on board wine policy - hope it is still operational this cruise.

 

Colleen

[windsor26]

I would recommend a private tour in Vanuatu and these people have been most helpful

http://www.Atmosphere-vanuatu.com Bernadine has been most accommodating

 

Have a great cruise we rarely spend more than about $350 on board a 14 day cruise for the two of us so don't worry it is not necessary. You really do not even need to take nibbles of your own on board There is always enough in the buffet that you can load a plate and take it to your cabin or the poolside.:p

[dougo in oz]

You've received some great advice here.

 

DOn't be put off by taxis in Port Vila telling you $20 into town - we paid $10 last May, but do be careful about carrying money - young kids there were trying to scam money from people and I've heard of a couple of incidents where passengers were bashed and robbed.

 

One other tip re the photographs. The photographers set up the backdrops ages in advance sometimes so grab your camera and get someone to take your photo with a nice backdrop !!

 

One other, if you want to drink wine at dinner, buy a bottle, have a glass each and ask them to put it away for the next night. It works out cheaper to buy a "cheap" but nice bottle of wine compared to buying it by the glass.

 

Also, if you want to tip but are on a limited budget, consider giving your cabin / waiters say a box of chocolates (bring on board, don't buy on board) and an amount of cash that you feel comfortable with.