Thread: Money Saving Ideas

I wondered when I bought my plane tickets which midnight they used I always assumed it was Midnight eastern... thanks for clearing that up.

Hi everybody - For our Mercury Mexican Riviera cruise last Nov, I bought a Tux from J. C. Penny for $99.98 - The coat ($69.99) and pant (29.99) come separately so you can buy the right size of each. They have a shirt, Tie, Cummerbund and cufflinks and studs set for $30. You can even get Patent Leather Formal shoes for $29.99 if you want to be totally formal. The tux looked and fit great.

I went to Burlington Coat Factory today and picked up a nice sequined jacket and a top for $27. They had nice formals too,but not exactly in my price range.

patty

I like my collars tight. But a little secret to not being choked by a small collar and tie is not to button the top shirt button. Leave this button open and "snug up" the tie. The tie will cover the button as if it is secured.

If you live in the Northeast K & G Menswear also has specials on tux's. You can find one for less than $100.00. Around Christmas 05, they were selling them for $50.00-$75.00!

Originally Posted by Bombero

Money Saving Tips......

We've picked up a lot of new members, since I first posted these 'Money Saving Tips', so I'm posting them again for all the new members. I've condensed them all into one post to save time...

You live and you learn.. After as many cruises and as much traveling as I have done, I've picked up many money saving ideas, which I will share with you. You don't have to agree, or even try them, but you'll be losing if you don't..

Money Saving Tip, #1...
When you get on board and find your cabin, immediately check all the bottled water and little Nip bottles (sometimes located on the vanity or in the little ice box) to see if they've been opened and refilled by the previous occupant. If the cap seal has been broken, immediately notify your room steward for the following reasons.. First you don't want to drink out it, and second, if he notices it after you move in, or when he inventories it on the last evening of your cruise, you'll be charged for it. I've heard of this happening several times to people...

Money Saving Tip, #2...
Remember to take along your favorite over the counter medications (asprin, aleve, dramamine etc.) when you cruise.. A few ships still give out dramamine, but due to peoples reactions to different medications and the liability problems brought on by the law suit society we live in today, most have now stopped. You now have to buy them in one of the ships stores, which can be very costly. For example, a one day supply of dramamine, 'a 4 pack', can cost about $3.99-$4.49 on the ship "I know." For a couple dollars more you can get a bottle of 100, at Walmart, or the like before you go.. This is true of most OTC medications, so a word to the wise is to take them with you...

Money Saving Tip, #3...
Never buy your bottled water when leaving the ship for an excursion, or a little shopping. You can buy cold bottled water, soda, or beer, almost anywhere you go, and it is about 50%, or less, than the ship is selling it for.. If your on a real tight budget, keep the empty bottle and refill it on board before leaving for the day...

Money Saving Tip, #4...
If you think your going to be away from the ship at lunch time and are short on money, call Room Service before you go and order a couple sandwiches and some fruit.. Bring along a few zip-lock bags and a softside lunch box from home and you can take your lunch with you. Put the sandwiches in zip-lock bags and put them in the soft side, along with a zip-lock bag containing ice to keep the sandwiches fresh. Food may be very cheap where your at, but it can also be very expensive...

Money Saving Tip, #5...
Are you on a budget and still want to take a tour? You can book your own tour/excursions after you arrive in port and save 50%, or more off the same ship tour/excursion. Ever notice all those vendors holding up signs advertising the same tours that are advertised on the ship? You can save 50%, or more and most of the time get a better tour/excursion. These men are independent vendors and have business cards, websites, email addresses, cell phones for emergencies, and will give you a good tour in hopes of a word of mouth referral to friends.. A lot of people think this isn't safe, but we've done this a least three dozen times without a hitch. We were just in Puerto Rico on our last cruise and booked the 'old San Juan/new San Juan tour' (also included were two forts, Rum distillery and shopping) for $15. each. We went in a fairly new air conditioned bus that held 12 people. The same tour purchased on the ship was $33. each...

Money Saving Tip, #6...
This one may not save you money, but will save a lot of time. Bring along a 16 to 24 oz insulated mug to put your coffee, iced tea, juice, or water in, from the beverage stations located around the ship. Then you can go out on deck, or to the pool area with it and not have to make so many trips back for a refill. It also works well for other types of mixtures.

Money Saving Tip, #7...
If your traveling to St Maartin, did you know that you can walk into Philipsburg in 15-17 minutes? The water taxi cost $5.00 each, round trip, but you still have to walk 200 yards and wait sometimes 15 minutes or more for it to arrive, unload and reload to take the 8 minute ride into town. Same coming back.. Instead you can walk through the Welcome Center, out the front gate, turn left and in minutes be in town with $10.-$25.00 more spending money in your pocket... Also, walk a little bit. Things keep getting cheaper, the farther down Main St. you walk.. Walk a little, save alot...


Build Your Own Emergency Kit...
We have heard many request on what would be handy to take on a cruise...
Here is our survival kit, that has come in handy many times....

First: You'll need two Zip-lock bags (freezer type are stronger)

In the first bag we place a dozen or so each (in separate snack-bags): Dramamine,
Asprin, Advil, Tylenol, Zantac (or equivalent), Immodium AD, and/or any other
OTC medication you favor or need. (The above can be very costly on the ship and
you're S.O.L. if the shops are closed)

In the second bag we place the following: Band-aides (about a dozen assorted),
Tweezers, Scissors, Nail Clippers, Small multi-use Pocket Knife (Swiss preferably),
Can/Bottle Opener, Small Sewing Kit, Safety Pins, Rubber Bands, Pens, High-liter.

Also handy are: 3-way Gang Plug, 12' Extension Cord, Night-light, Deck of Cards,
Several sizes of Zip-lock bags, Several (Tall Kitchen) Trash bags for dirty, or damp
clothes.

All of the above take up very little space in your suit case and can be purchased at
most Dollar Stores, Dollar General, or Flea Markets for very little. Tailor it to fit your
own needs. If you intend to travel a lot, you will use most of these items sooner or later.... Bombero....


.

Hi,
All excellent Ideas and happily I've already packed this stuff, but it's still a great read.thanx

Originally Posted by Bombero

Money Saving Tips......



Money Saving Tip, #2...
Remember to take along your favorite over the counter medications (asprin, aleve, dramamine etc.) when you cruise.. A few ships still give out dramamine, but due to peoples reactions to different medications and the liability problems brought on by the law suit society we live in today, most have now stopped. You now have to buy them in one of the ships stores, which can be very costly. For example, a one day supply of dramamine, 'a 4 pack', can cost about $3.99-$4.49 on the ship "I know." For a couple dollars more you can get a bottle of 100, at Walmart, or the like before you go.. This is true of most OTC medications, so a word to the wise is to take them with you...

.... Bombero....


.

This came home loud and clear on our recent trip to Korea. My wife needed a common over the counter medication to calm a problem she had after taking an antibiotic. There was no way we could get this medication anywhere at any price without going to a clinic for an exam.

Moral of the story, if you even think you may need it, take it.

If you want fresh flowers in your cabin--we pick them up on our way to the ship--in Fort Lauderdale at the Publix (grocery--can pick up bottled water, soda, etc. while you're getting flowers) Much cheaper!!

I always hated waiting for the room steward to bring a vase back to the cabin (way too anxious to get to the buffet) so I bought a folding vase online! Folds totally flat, it is so cool!!
Barbara