Ways to Avoid Spending a Single Penny on Board Your Cruise
Chris Morse, Corporate Travel / The Travel Center / Senior Travel
Can you spend nothing on board your cruise? (And actually survive)
This is for those who want to spend as little as possible on a cruise and avoid all those additional charges that tend to add up by the end of a vacation at sea.
You don’t have to break your budget on a cruise. Save money with these cruise tips
Cruise lines make a significant portion of their revenue from onboard sales. Things like drinks, spa services, shore excursions, and specialty restaurants can add to an already fantastic cruise experience. However, all the extra expenses can add up quickly and exceed the cost of the cruise itself if you’re not careful. Have you ever been shocked when you get your bill under the door on the last night of the cruise??
On the one hand, I believe a cruise is a great opportunity to indulge and not worry about trying to spend as little as possible on the ship.
However, those on a tighter budget who still want a wonderful cruise vacation without having to worry about overspending will appreciate some of the tips in this article. Especially for Seniors!!
Here are ways to avoid spending any extra money once you’ve boarded your cruise ship.
Just drink water, juice, and coffee
If you’re not already an avid water drinker before the cruise, this could be a tough pill to swallow. However, by drinking water and other free beverages on board a cruise ship, you can save yourself a boatload of money.
In addition to water, there are typically a variety of included juices, as well as complimentary coffee and tea. On cruises where I want to save some money, I usually have an orange juice for breakfast and some hot coffee to get me started, then just drink water throughout the day. I make fresh brewed iced tea by ordering the following: I order hot tea, two tea bags, Earl Gray, and two glasses of ice. I make it right at the table and it is delicious! Did not have to spend $4.00 on Dr. Pepper!
Stay on the ship
Any time you get off the ship—with the exception of a cruise line’s private island— everything you want to do or eat will cost money. Cruise Lines do provide many services and edibles for free while at port. The also offer seminars, games, programs while docked at a port.
So, when you get off the ship and get hungry or want to enjoy an amusement those costs can add up. If you really don’t want to spend an extra penny, just stay on the ship and enjoy all it has to offer.
Get the most out of included places to eat
Most cruise lines offer more included restaurants and eating options than ever. But whatever cruise line you are on make sure you do some research and find every single eatery that is included in the price. Then take advantage of all of them. Get the most out of what you already paid for. The MDR (Main Dining Room) will offer excellent quality on most cruise ships, but you can check out the menu on the cruise ship’s app ahead of time. If that night’s menu doesn’t appeal to you check out the buffet or another included restaurant.
Most cruise ship now has small eateries that you can visit and grab a taco, burger, hot dog, salads etc. that are all complementary. Check them out! No additional cost.
Pack Right To Save Money
It’s easy to forget to pack certain things during your cruise. And anything you do forget you can probably buy on the ship or in a port. All of these items will be double the cost from Home. but by being prepared during the packing process you will save yourself the trouble of having to pay a premium for things like sunscreen, bug spray, and water bottles. (Remember, if you’re going to be drinking water during your cruise having a collapsible water bottle will come in handy). Bottled water on all ships starts at $3.50 per bottle. What I do is go to a bar, get a glass of water (it is free) and put it into my water bottle or drink it. Saves me about $50 on a 7-day cruise.
Buying commonly forgotten items in the gift shop on board your ship is convenient but it sure isn’t cheap.
Avoid cruise ship Wi-Fi fees with a good mobile plan
Wi-Fi is available on every cruise ship these days, and the download speeds you can get are very impressive. But these Wi-Fi plans are not free and can really add to the budget if you have multiple devices you want connected. Cost will average $20 per day per unit.
By using a good cell phone plan with international data included you can at least get by until your cruise is over. Most plans are $10 per day per phone. If you do not use it one day, you are not charged, only when you use the plan.
Do not use your phone while at sea, keep it on airplane mode. Only use the phone while on land, it is only $10 per day for all calls to almost anywhere in the world. Check it out with your mobile carrier
Replace a paid shore excursion with self-guided tours
Shore excursion costs can add up quickly, especially on a cruise with several ports of call. If you’re on a family cruise, these costs can multiply. However, you don’t have to purchase these excursions through the cruise line.
Every port that you will visit will have tour vendors outside the dock area. They will offer you great pricing on their tours. By choosing one of these vendors, you will save a lot of money. HOWEVER: Make sure that your vendor looks professional, and make sure that they will get you back to the port on time. If you do not use an excursion that is purchased on the ship, the ship will leave without you if you are not on board when the ship departs from the port.
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Senior Travel/The Travel Center
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