10 Secrets to Save Money on a Cruise
While cruises are set up on the surface to be money-saving ways to see the world, they can certainly eat into your pocketbook. They can nickel and dime you to death if you are not careful. That said, cruises absolutely can be what they advertise if you are smart going into the trip and know how to do things. Here are 10 awesome secrets to ensure that you save money and get what you are paying for:
Consider a Hurricruise
A hurricruise is simply a cruise that is scheduled during hurricane season. Although there is a little bit of risk you can use travel insurance to offset that. Most of the time the weather is wonderful and the rates are incredibly low. Take advantage and you might be shocked at just how cheaply you can enjoy all the same things!
Eat the free stuff or book restaurant packages
Cruise ships often offer packages both for drinks and restaurants but there are almost always free options on board. If you are cool with the freebies, by all means simply enjoy that. Otherwise a package ahead of time will save you money most of the time.
Tip reasonably
Tipping is a very tricky thing on a cruise ship. Most of the tipping is done in advance when you buy a trip as a gratuity charge is common. That said, most folks tip individual service as well. Be sure to figure out ahead of the trip where tipping has already been done and don’t feel badly about not doing so twice. Ask questions when you come on board.
Go solo in port
If you head off with the crowd to the planned activities in port, it will often cost you some money. Instead, plan a day on your own. Enjoy the local area and make some enjoyment for yourself. Book your own guides and make sure that you are back to the ship well in advance to avoid problems.
Forget about home for your trip
When you see the charges to call home from a ship you will understand this tip clearly.
Get drink specials
If you partakes of the spirits on board, make sure you utilize the drink specials being offered. Otherwise you will find yourself paying through the nose for it.
Consider cheap fun aboard the ship on port days
When others are getting off the ship for fun at port, you might consider staying on board to enjoy the fancy stuff at reduced rates. Massages, games and countless other luxury items will be severely discounted while the ship is mostly empty.
Buy everything you can in advance
The last thing you want to have to do is buy anything on the ship itself. The cost of basic items is brutal. Spend a good deal of time going over your list in advance of the trip and be careful not to forget basic needs.
Bring only what you truly need
While you don’t want to under-pack, you absolutely don’t want to over-pack either. The luggage expenses can be rather insane on board these cruise ships so make sure you pack the necessities. The other stuff should stay home. You won’t be bored on a cruise ship. There is always something to do so bringing something to entertain yourself is kind of wasteful.
Resist the impulse purchases
On board the cruise line, you are going to be constantly tempted. There are insanely large numbers of things you might want to buy like crafts, clothes, jewelry, food and the like. Resist those impulse purchases and you will be off to a huge head start in savings on the ship.
Saving money on a cruise ship is very similar to saving money on any vacation. The only difference is that you are on board a ship in the middle of the ocean. At that point, you only have the options you bring for yourself or the ones that the ship provides. Make sure that you are not caught being forced to use the ship options and you will be in great shape.