Favorite money saving/thrifty tip?

[euphscott]

They say not to do it but we have done it every cruise for 21 years. Take some plastic baggies and pack yourself a lunch so you don't have to buy lunches off the ship.

 

What we have been known to do is take boxes of cold cereal from the breakfast buffet and use those as in port snacks if we know getting back to the ship will be difficult in time for lunch. I've never been chastised for this behavior. Then again - I don't know anyone has seen me do this!

[KCTravel]

Thanks everyone for sharing one great tip after another!

K

[MrsZee]

I will never play Bingo on a ship again. I thought it would be fun and we *might* win something. The game was over in two minutes, no fun was had and I had just paid $20 to sit in the theater for a few minutes.

 

I will also carefully plan out everything I might want on on the cruise and make sure I have it so I don't have to buy it. Example: My hair gets frizzy in humidity. I didn't bring anything to smooth it down and ended up spending $20 on a bottle of gel at the salon. Also, I forgot foundation and wanted to cover up the sunburned face with "raccoon eyes" for elegant night. That cost me $30 in the shops.

 

Those little things add up so fast.

 

Also, this trip I am going to try something new. I do not like the taste of regular coffee but love specialized coffees. Instead of going to the coffee shop and paying $5 for a cup, I am going to get the free stuff from room service or the MDR and take little single serve specialty creamers (chocolate or caramel) and make my own.

[MrsZee]

Another tip I have for myself... this is our third cruise and we have all the souvenirs we would need from Carnival. We have three coconut monkey heads, three whale tail cups, an arsenal of DOD cups, the towel folding books, two Carnival Beach towels, a stuffed Funship freddy, a stuffed toy from their build a bear, a toy ship, etc etc. This time, the only souvenirs will be a magnet, a Christmas ornament, and a ship on a stick!

 

Also, with those DOD cups, refills are cheaper. Save that cup and reuse it! The bartender will wash it for you if you like.

 

And the airbrush tattoos are fun for a little while, but you will not tan through them and will end up with a CRAZY tan line, so don't waste your money. Also, don't get one and then take advantage of a spa special massage, because the oils will take it right off.

[osucruise]

A couple I have are, and do not know exact name, but bring these pouches of individual drink mixes (or koolaid tabs). They come in individual packages and you can pour and mix with bottle water. There are like cranberry, cherry, etc. I then would buy a bottle of vodka and make a drink in water bottle to carry around. Clear as mud????? buy you a portable emergency pack....been on several cruises and used something at least once from it each trip (advil, ibuprofin, etc) only a very tiny one like $10. If you have to buy one of those from ship store you are pretty much in the red, plus what you don't use bring home.

 

Usually if we fly, we pack empty water bottle and a couple of frozen sandwiches on carry on to airport and then fill water up at fountains (after security check) and eat our sandwiches on flight....makes it go by more quick. On way home we also usually get a box or 2 of cereal from room service on cruise and bring to snack with on at airport or layovers. Airports are more expensive then the cruises.

 

Thats all I can think of now.

[LuckyZ]

2 suggestions for saving money:

 

1. Don't buy any photos from the cruise line

2. Don't go to the casino

[skye02]

I wish I could contribute my ideas, but this will be my first cruise!! I will summarize what I'm doing to save $$.

 

• We are smuggling booze.
  
• We will bring 1 bottle of wine (per person) and a 12 pack of mixers (per person).
  
• When we port we will get another 12 pack of mixers (per person).
  
• We hired a driver for Cozumel to take us to the great sites.
  
• We are parking at the hotel and taking a shuttle to the ship.
  
• We have an interior room, and I check almost daily for the cost to go down (Early Savers). So far, we have $120 on board credit!
  
• I'm bringing a fabric shoe rack for the back of the bathroom door (toiletry storage), and a sign for our door (for recognition).
  
• I will pack an alarm clock, a GPS (to name islands we pass), a sharpie and highlighter, zip locks, a multiple outlet plug-in, ipod and speaker.
  
• I will email copies of passports to myself in case they're misplaced.
  
• I will write our odometer reading on a large piece of paper and post it, so others see I'm taking note.
  
• We will order room service immediately and get some cookies to place in zip locks for snacks for the cruise.
  

 

 

What is the deal with the odometer reading? I've never seen a mention of this.

[miched]

.

 

Complain about everything so the cruise line gives you a refund to shut up.

 

On the last day remove all of the tips.

 

Wouldn't recommend doing any of that but it always seems as if the person described in the first instance also uses that as an excuse to remove tips.

 

.

[duncmelsmom]

If you park in valet parking before the cruise, write down the odometer reading and put it on the dashboard OR take a picture of it. I read where some came back from a cruise and found their car had been used. There was mud in the passenger's side. Doing this tells people that you're making note of the reading and will know if the car is used without permission.

[sharonsorlie]

We are staying here:

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60805-d88395-r46025486-La_Quinta_Inn_Jacksonville_Airport_North-Jacksonville_Florida.html

 

A lot of people who do reviews for Fascination stay here and I've not seen any complaints from CC members.

I used a promo code and got the room for $40, and then parking is $5 a day with free shuttle, so the total will be $65, instead of $75 at port, AND the room is included.

 

Make sure Varsity(http://www.thevarsity.com/history.php) is on your list if you pass through Atlanta if you're into the greasy chili dog/burger thing. They have the best onion rings, ever but if you're not used to a greasy meal occasionally, be prepared to stop at a rest area soon :\

 

where did you find the promo code?

[vivavegas]

.

 

Complain about everything so the cruise line gives you a refund to shut up.

 

On the last day remove all of the tips.

 

Wouldn't recommend doing any of that but it always seems as if the person described in the first instance also uses that as an excuse to remove tips.

 

.

 

rotflmbo

[CRUISE4JANE]

This is something else we will do - we will try some foods that come highly recommended, (Like the Key Lime pie in KW) but we already paid for the food on the ship. We won't carry food off for snacks unless it's prepackaged. Don't want to risk local agriculture.

 

Yes, I heard about that pie. :) Need to try it. Can't see eating out other than a snack and drink as I can eat on the ship.

 

I will limit the amount I spend in the casino. I never did that before. I can save a nice amount here. :eek:

 

I am bringing 2 bottles of wine on ship. Never did that before either. Do I dare smuggle? :eek:

 

In the future, I will book cruises off season. I am spending double the amount to go on this cruise because we are going with family & friends and the kids are out of school. After this, off season for DH and me.

 

I fly out of my hometown, therefore save on airfare. If I want to fly, I do land vacations. I am not that much into ports as I am into other places. Yep, like Las Vegas, New York, Disneyworld.

 

My husband is the saver and I am the spender. But on trips, he tends to overspend and I will tell him....................no more T-Shirts, jewelry etc. etc. etc.

 

I will always book ES. Price drops I have received are $470, and I still have until July 1 to get OBCs. :)

[sharecruises]

Just found a price drop for ONE of the 3 nights I and some others with me have booked in Seattle

 

price drop of $40 per room....was able to "rebook" at new rate and cancel old booking :)

 

Love it :D:D Keep checking everything for price drops/online deals etc :)

[mjmiller]

I do not understand why people would be outraged by this great idea?

I love it.

These outraged people- Are they the same ones that sneak bottles of liquor on and take off automatic tips?

 

There is a HUGE difference!!!!

 

Bringing food into port is illegal by the port countries - it is NOT something the cruiselines have instituted. It is also illegal to bring food from other countries INTO the U.S. - when you go thru the lines and they ask if you have any fruits, vegetables, meat, etc.... This is due to pest infestation / health concerns.

 

It is legal to take prepackaged goods into ports - little boxes of cereal, granola bars, etc.

 

When it comes to the booze factor - that is something that the cruiselines do to increase their beverage revenue. It is not illegal or potentially harmful.

[Rob&Bonnie]

I mean really CRUISE4JANE - no JEWELRY :eek: Let's not let the other husband's know about your plan, we don't want THAT idea to catch on..:rolleyes:

[ManyMore]

If you are traveling with young children you know they are going to want some sort of toy or something.... before you leave check the bidding sites (not going to name a name) and look for Carnival stuff or perhaps other gifts from places you are traveling. Pack them... don't tell the kids and just give them one or two while cruising. It will be something new without out you having to pay top dollar on the cruise. There are often tee shirts and the like as well.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

No drinks....

[seaturtle5]

They say not to do it but we have done it every cruise for 21 years. Take some plastic baggies and pack yourself a lunch so you don't have to buy lunches off the ship. Many people on this board are apparently outraged by this but it saves tons of money especially for families. The one thing I never forget to pack is zip lock baggies.

 

The first cruise we took with Carnival, the agent that booked our cruise (a Carnival employee) told me to use this trick so I don't know why others would be outraged. ;) It's a big help if cruising on a budget. We have only done this once as we enjoy eating in most ports to get a feel for them, but do carry the boxes of cereal from breakfast for the kids to snack on during the day.

[TriciaEMTB]

The first cruise we took with Carnival, the agent that booked our cruise (a Carnival employee) told me to use this trick so I don't know why others would be outraged. ;) It's a big help if cruising on a budget. We have only done this once as we enjoy eating in most ports to get a feel for them, but do carry the boxes of cereal from breakfast for the kids to snack on during the day.

 

Omg do you people read people get outraged because it is illegal to take foods that are not prepackaged into port off the ship

 

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[kapcruiser]

Couldn't agree more!

 

So, here one of the big ways to save money. LOTS of research! Check out (if you haven't already) the ports boards right here on Cruise Critic. Of course as many have stated you can book private tours and that can save money but the big savings come when you are the leader of your own excursion. Yes, I know this can come with risks etc but so can many things. Here are 2 examples:

1. In Grand Caymen there are 2 excellent snorkling places within walking distance of where the ship docks and both are free (one is a shipwreck and one is a lot of fish)! I found photo direction of where to go on the boards. Others pay to go on a boat that takes you to the shipwreck one but if you are an ok swimmer then its FREE!

2. In Barbados I wanted to swim with the Sea Turtles - the excursion was at the time I think $50 or $60 per person for the bus, boat and the snorkle with the turtles. On the boards I found directions taking the city bus ($1 pp each way) to the beach where the turtles are. Then you look out to where the other snorklers are and you can swim up and see the turtles.

No, it wasn't free but we spent less then $5 for the two of us plus we spent time lazing on the beach after we snorkled for free (we brought our own towels).

 

Good luck![/quote

 

Do you remember which beach?

[Room Service!]

Omg do you people read people get outraged because it is illegal to take foods that are not prepackaged into port off the ship

 

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

What did you say?:confused:

[Bryanhoop]

The $5 dollar bill trick initially sounds good, but cash is outdated, and every time you use it you're coming up behind.

 

Just get a rewards credit card and put all the money you earn from it into your travel account. That way, it is actually free money.

[CruiseMomCrystal]

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet, but definitely book through a travel agent who offers additional on board credits! This can really help to soften the blow of the cruise price!

If you need suggestions for an agent that offers higher on board credits than most just message me. I'm glad to help a fellow cruiser :)

[luv2cruise65]

To take a budget friendly cruise this time we are going to STICK to the casino limit:rolleyes:, not purchase photos, not purchase the soda card (I never drink enough to justify card) and I plan to go cruise shopping in my own closet, especially for the formal nights:). I have picked up some really good tips from here as well! Thanks!

[donnaandtim]

This is how we save money to travel with.

 

I have a part time job, I bartend on weekends, so with my paycheck I go and buy a gift certificate from my TA, all my tips I change into US money and put away in a piggy bank marked USA. Closer to the date of the cruise I buy travellers checks for our excurions.

 

Lets just say these last three weeks I worked both jobs and bought a 700.00 gift card. My tips were just over 2000.00.

 

Guess who is doing some shopping and I still have about 6 months to go befor we cruise this last