Thread: Money Saving Ideas

Please share any money saving ideas you may have. We are doing this cruise on a budget. We don't gamble, so that's not a big deal.

patty

Originally Posted by hopingtocruise

Please share any money saving ideas you may have. We are doing this cruise on a budget. We don't gamble, so that's not a big deal.

patty

If you are trying to do this cruise on a budget, I'd recommend you stay out of the spa of the ship also. The services are through Steiner and can be overpriced and followed many times by a hard sell for equally as expensive products.
We keep our soda bill down on board by drinking ice tea and bring interesting sodas back from the places we visit...some have been delicious, some ghastly, but it's cheaper and really fun.

Depending on the port, you might take off on your own or use the cruise ships tours. Tours themselves can also vary in price. Those tours with a meal included will generally be more expensive. Skip the meal, take a walking tour, it's better for you, and cheaper!

Thanks for the great suggestions Localady! My husband and I are heading out on our cruise on 4/17

Also, you may want to do the research before going on a cruise and figure out which ports you can truly do on your own versus taking a ship's tour. There are many ports where you can navigate your own way through with little more than a tourist map. This could potentially save you a lot of money by not taking the ship's tours.

Depending on how much you drink..... you can really run up a tab quickly. We always take our own liquor on-board. We have never had a problem, we do it very discreetly We always have travel mugs with us and mix our own in our cabin and off we go. Wine at dinner can really be expensive on some ships too.

Don't buy any Photos

Carefull review what is included in your cruise price and stay away from activities that are not in price.
Also read here some tips about it:
http://www.truecruise.com/cruisetips_money.aspx

We, too, try to research the ports and see what we could do on our own. When we're not scheduled for a shore excursion, either thru the ship or thru an indy contractor, it leaves us free to do as we feel at the time. We do this most of the time anyway.

We're not gamblers and not big drinkers so my hubby says the cruiselines probably lose money on us.

We also bring on bottled water (hubby is allergic to the ship's water so he makes his own coffee and tea; girl prefers flavored water so we pack that, too) and Pepsi (I prefer it to coke products). We pack those in a plastic crate, slap a luggage sticker on it, and it gets to our cabin just fine.

We usually buy maybe a couple of the photos. These can get quite pricey so if one of you is an excellent photographer, so much the better. Just try to get others to take photos of your whole party so someone's not left out.

All good ideas.
Here are several other simple tips to save money:
-Also make a good packing list. The boards have some good lists.
For example. Pack sun tan lotion,small first aide kit ( asprin, alka seltzer, sinus medicine,dramamine, female products,etc...) extra camera film, camera batteries. You can purchase anything on the ship but these supplies always cost allot....( supply and demand )
By making a good list and packing well- you can save some money.
-Bring a carry on water bottle and fill it up before going ashore-its hot out and bottled water expense can add up.
-If you purchase a cocktail do not buy the ones in the souvenier glasses. They cost more.Also cruise lines usually offer several "drink" specials of the day. these will cost less.
Enjoy your cruise
Nadine

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....


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