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Cruises are nearly all-inclusive vacations. I say nearly because, well, there are ways to spend money above and beyond what is included in the price of the cruise. Only on the most upscale, deluxe cruises are shore excursions or alcoholic beverages covered. And needless to say, what you spend ashore is entirely at your discretion. But there are ways to cut down on those sneaky expenses that can put an ouch in your wallet.
First of all, don't go nuts buying clothes before the cruise. Chances are good that you already have what you need in your closet. No one will remember that you wore that same gown on formal night on the last cruise you took. You can wear it again. And cut down on accessories. You don't need a different handbag -- or shoes, for that matter -- for every night. Look at your evening outfits and decide which bags and shoes match the greatest number of outfits. If you have a bag or pair of shoes that match only one outfit, leave them home. Gentleman, if you don't perspire badly and can manage to keep your dinner off your shirt, you can wear it more than once; just change your tie.
Second, you can cut way down on the number of daytime outfits. People really tend to overdo it in this area. How many bathing suits and pairs of shorts and T-shirts do you really need to hang by the pool? Two pairs of shorts and two bathing suits will get you through a 7-day cruise (or even longer) with no problem.
Third, if you like to go to the spa (always extra $$), think about making an appointment off-peak, which is usually when the ship is in port and people are ashore, which is the time the spa will run specials.
Fourth, if you have kids, consider buying the soft-drink package, and if you plan on using the internet or Wifi services pretty regularly, get a pre-paid minutes package.
Last, if you're not terribly particular about what kind of cocktails you consume, consider ordering the drinks of the day, which are usually a buck or two cheaper than other spirits and cocktails.
If you can think of any other ideas for saving money on a cruise, I'd like to hear about them, so post a comment.
-- Joe L., CruiseCounselor
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2 comments:
Memorabilia is another area where people tend to overspend. It is quite tempting to buy keepsakes in those oh-so-appealing (but oh-so-overpriced) gift shops; however, over the course of a seven-day cruise, there are sure to be plenty of free give-aways, such as t-shirts, key chains, pens, and photo albums, headed your way. If you play a few rounds of trivia or excel at pool games and table tennis, you will most likely go home with your share of souvenirs...and your bank account won't suffer.
What a great point, Carol. Which reminds me of another thing: shopping at ports of call.
People -- particularly Americans -- really go overboard (pun intended) shopping near passenger ship terminals. Only occasionally are significant deals to be had, and frequently the merchandise isn't even authentic -- that is, made in-country. (The Chinese make products for everyone, not just America.) One would be well advised to shop less and sight-see more.
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