Mum2Mercury

First, notice that the article is called "Cheapism" and "Thrifty Travels", so it was never likely to be an article that'll suit the mainstream cruiser.  I, however, am pretty tight with a dollar.  

My thoughts: 

- Alcohol ... I don't drink much, and I know a number of ways to keep alcohol costs down.  Buy Buckets of Beer from the Pool Bar.  Buy a pitcher of beer from Playmakers.  Buy the cocktail of the day.  Drink in port.  

- Spa treatments ... These are so incredibly expensive that I can't believe any buys them.  My husband won a $50 off coupon for the spa, and he told me to go splurge.  Even after the $50 off, even a manicure was over $100 + tip.  If you want a massage, look for a beach that offers them.  Get your manicure before you leave home.  

- Toiletries ... Do we really need to be told to bring toiletries?  Of course they're going to be expensive in the middle of the ocean!  

- Manicures and Pedicures ... Repetitive topic.  

- Excursions ... They're totally right when they say skip ship's tours /go with private tours.  The quality is better; that they're cheaper is just a bonus. 

- Wi-Fi ... Okay, we're retired and our children are adults, so we don't have any NEED to stay connected to home.  We check in with our kids when we stop on the islands and have no-cost wifi.  Other people's mileage may vary. 

- Premium foods ... Yeah, I'm onboard with skipping up-charge foods.  We find the MDR and Windjammer to be good-if-not-great, and we never have any problem finding plenty to please us!  We'd rather eat what we've already paid for ... and then go out to dinner at home.  

If these people had bothered to research a little more, they could've found plenty of other ways to be thrifty on a cruise.  At a glance: 

- Parking for less 

- Packing lightly to avoid plane fees 

- Booking an inexpensive room 

- Skipping upgrades like The Key 

- Drink coffee from Cafe Promenade (even fancy Iced Coffees) instead of paying for Starbucks 

- Don't buy a bunch of junky souvenirs that you'll just put into next year's yard sale 

40 minutes ago, Ashland said:

FYI for those that care...Mario was on our cruise. Not that that made any difference.

Super Mario?  I met him last year ... or maybe two years ago on Explorer.  

2 hours ago, Tatka said:

I personally would not do it as we don’t have 3 day cruises from ports around us 

I agree that this plan is more feasible if you can drive.  Flying typically adds a great deal to the cost of a cruise.  

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Besides getting us to Diamond, that cruise wound up saving us thousands of dollars over time. My wife always said she needed a balcony (b/c she always had one when she cruised a kid; my first cruise was our honeymoon so I didn't have any opinion other than liking to save money in general). She agreed to try the interior since it was only 4N and the goal was to hit Diamond... and she wound up liking it. She realized we barely used our balcony, spent little time in our cabin, and she enjoyed how dark and cold the interior got for sleeping/napping. We've booked almost nothing but interiors ever since.

We've learned the same thing.  When we were younger and could only cruise occasionally /the kids were still cruising with us, we "had to have" a balcony.  Now that we're retired empty-nesters, we decided to try an interior and essentially no spending onboard.  We're fine with it!  More cruises!

14 hours ago, time4u2go said:

Why not?  If they are in the normal bags, they are little different than a duffle bag.

But chairs, while not super-fragile, are easier to damage than clothing.  I'd be a little concerned about them being tossed around in the suitcase soup.  

You're asking us if you should take another cruise?  Seriously?  

Okay, really though:  How cheaply can you do that 3-nighter?  Inside room.  Can you drive to the port?  Spend little onboard -- I mean, if your goal is to earn perks /save on a future cruise, it'd be sensible to make this a budget trip.  

Toddlers in swim diapers are not allowed in the pools.  If the pool has a splash pad, toddlers in swim diapers are allowed to use that.  And, of course, you can always plan a beach day for your island stops.  

Swim diapers hold in poop but not pee.  I had to learn that the hard way:  I was caught out of the house without a diaper ... but I remember that I had a pack of swim diapers in the trunk!  Saved!  Nope ... the toddler wet that swim diaper, and it ran allll over her car seat.  Doesn't hold in any pee.  

On the other hand, if the disposable swim diaper's not been pooped, you can wash it (in the washing machine) and let it air dry ... money saved.  

Sounds like a pretty good idea to me.  

Several thoughts: 

- If you want individual milk cartons to stay cold, wrap them in a wet napkin and put them in the refrigerator ... or go a step further and place the wrapped carton in your small ice bucket and put the whole thing in your room cooler. 

- It's possible that your ship won't offer individual milk cartons /instead will offer self-serve milk.  If you encounter this, just bring a cup of milk back to your room and treat it the same way.  

- Yes, what you have in your room is probably a cooler, not a true refrigerator.  It will keep cold things cold, but it won't bring room temperature things down to cold ... or, if it does, it'll take days.  

- If anyone can explain to me why my husband, who never eats cereal at home, suddenly wants tiny boxes of Fruit Loops on the ship, please explain it to me!  

9 hours ago, neverbeenhere said:

Well, if you don’t get excited at being on a ship during a hurricane, it could happen.  
I stepped onto the promenade deck during a hurricane, quickly changed my mind. Lockdown came soon after. 

I haven't experienced lockdown, but on a cruise last fall we went through a BIG storm on our last day ... they put up signs /closed off the upper-upper deck, and crew stacked up all the pool loungers /lashed the stacks to the poles so they couldn't blow around.  

2 hours ago, nelblu said:

Wondering how they discovered it so quickly. 

And it was daytime.  I have to believe the rescue teams have a MUCH better chance of success when daylight is on their side.  

2 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I don’t understand why the article mentioned tips for staying safe on board. Unfortunately the passenger jumped off the ship.

Agree.  The article discusses the need for caution near railings.  No, you're not going over the railing unless you REALLY TRY (or, less likely, are the victim of foul play).  No one is just placidly looking over the rail and -- WHOOPS! -- swept out to sea.  No one. 

4 hours ago, Jcol5786 said:

Just wondering why you need to tag these cups? They all will work the same in the Free Style machines.

Reasons for identifying cups:  We're a group of 12, and about 2/3 of the group purchased a drink package of some sort.  We'll be eating together frequently, and it'll be nice to know that you're drinking out of your own cup.  

Thanks, y'all!  

I like the idea of asking for different colored cups, but with 12 people in our group, I don't think it'll completely solve our problem. 

Good idea on bringing straws ... I do try to minimize my single-use plastics. 

I just checked the price online, making sure to emphasize May 2024.  It's $21/pp at the gate.  I thought we paid $25/pp last fall, but I guess I was wrong.  With the coupon it'd be $19/pp.  

I don't know why they make their menus so hard to find -- if you click "images", you can find them.  I'm including a link here.  Entrees run 8-15, bottled water was $2, and beer was about $4.  We bought a couple cans of beer and brought them back on the ship.  Personally, we didn't order food -- we'd been eating plenty on the ship for days, and we'd had a big breakfast.  

I agree you could stay later /catch a taxi (on your own dime) to return later, but would that throw off the transportation for your fellow cruisers?  That is, would the busses /vans /whatever be waiting for you?  

20 hours ago, Signet said:

For me that's nuts 1 day for $279 - The way I see it all you get additional is 2 drinks and some water, along with a cooler to use for the day. - everything else is just there and available all around the ship

Agree.  Yes, it gives you a guaranteed spot to sit, but it's not in a prime location:  your back's to the ocean, and you're a deck above the pool.  If you want a nothing-special seat in the shade, you can find them away from the pool area -- try far forward.  

1 hour ago, nothappycruiser said:

I was told I needed to get permission from guest services the day prior in order to use the bike at port.

This makes no sense.  I can see they might be concerned about you bringing a bike onboard (what if you were a jerk who tried to zip through the Promenade or around the jogging track?), but why should they care what you do with your bike during island stops?  

1 hour ago, nothappycruiser said:

The reasons that make perfect sense to me would include, “we want good relationships with our host countries….if you circumvent the services they provide for a fee, it stresses our good will”.

Again, makes no sense:  Are they complaining about people who plan to walk around town?  They, too, are "circumventing services".  Second, how do they know you don't plan to shop and eat in town?  

1 hour ago, nothappycruiser said:

Another reason (also not articulated) would be, “we don’t have the space/personnel to provide adequate security if all our passengers started to bring bicycles”.

I don't see this becoming a big issue.  Not many people are going to choose to bring a bicycle onboard.  I can see it's reasonable to say that your bike must be stored in your own room, that you cannot ride it anywhere onboard, or even that only folding bicycles should be brought ... but people are allowed to bring baby strollers and handicapped scooters, which are going to "spread bacteria" just the same as bicycle tires.  

You were treated badly, and it sounds like they just hadn't anticipated bicycles and made up some stupid rules on the spot.  

We did this excursion years ago with a private company -- can't remember the name.  LOVED IT.  My husband actually looked into buying an ATV when we returned home.  Specific thoughts: 

- It was maybe the best excursion we've ever taken.  

- It'd rained about two weeks solid before we arrived, so the trails were MUDDY.  Made for a great ride, but ruined our clothes.  I was buying snacks at a stand near the port, and my husband was SO MUDDY that a salesman asked him to step away from his shop, saying he was hurting business!  Then, realizing he'd been rude, the man offered to spray my husband down with a garden hose!  

- If we did this again, I'd pack old things we could throw away (or even pick up some junk clothes at Goodwill).  Shoes too.  

- Bring bug spray and sunscreen.  

- Our kids couldn't yet drive, but we were able to ride double -- worked out fine.  

- The rain was starting up after our ride, so we opted to be returned to the ship /skipped the beach.  That's the kind of thing you can do with a private tour -- you get choices.  

On 5/19/2024 at 11:42 AM, c-leg5 said:

One last point to consider. We have since been totally independently, and via a package from the ship. SOMETIMES (when there is a sale) booking through the ship can be cheaper since it includes return taxi fare so worth checking and doing the math.

I always watch my pennies (which is why I have dollars), so I checked this out:  

- If you were to book this ship excursion today, it'd cost $50.99/pp -- we all know those prices go up and down.  As of today, 2 people could go for $102 through the ship -- that'd include transportation, admission, lunch and drinks.  The works.  

- In contrast, going on your own would cost those same people two $15 taxi rides + two $25 entrance tickets -- $80 (they might print that $2 off coupon and make it $76).  If you were to add a small lunch and a couple drinks, you'd be at that same $100-ish price.  

- The price for going through the ship vs. going on your is is pretty close for a couple.  

BUT I see a couple "your mileage may varies": 

- If your party is larger, going on your own starts to look better because you won't pay any more for those extra people to ride in the taxi.  A family of four could go on their own for $130 + food and drink, whereas 4 people going through the ship would cost $204.  Big savings for going on your own.  

- Consumption of food and drink will vary widely.  The prices are reasonable (and viewable online), but some people (especially in the heat) would opt for a big breakfast on the ship and just snacks.  You'd have to judge for yourself how much you're likely to spend on food and drink.  

- And the biggest detail:  The cruise line's excursion is short -- 8:30 - 11:30.  You'd barely be able to scratch the surface of what Chankanaab offers!  The ship doesn't sail until 5:00 or 6:00, so why not spend more time at the park?  

Several members of our upcoming cruise party have ordered a drink package -- some a Coke package, others an alcoholic package -- and I'm thinking of ordering a "tag" to identify cups.  Can you help me with a couple questions? 

- How many ounces does the cup hold? 

- Or, how wide is it across the lid?  

- The lids have drinking spouts on the side /not straw holes in the middle, right?  

- The newest cups don't have handles, do they?  If so, the keychain style would be easier -- no question about it fitting.  

Etsy name toppers:  https://www.etsy.com/search?q=name tag for insulated tumbler cup&ref=search_bar 

1 hour ago, teddie said:

My take: 

 

If you choose to pay then pay.  If you want to go “freebie” then do that.
 

End of story. 
 

Teddie 

I'd add to that, let's be sure new people are aware that "freebie" is a choice. 

13 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

The daughter that fell off or the daughter that was dropped?

I don't know about the daughter who fell. 

By the daughter who was dropped, I think you mean the grandfather who dropped his toddler granddaughter out a window -- they were in a bit of a different situation; the child died, and they hadn't yet sailed.  That family had big needs, but they didn't need medical care or transportation. 

3 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Most travel insurance "evacuation" coverage will get you to the nearest medical facility capable of providing support. It does not fly you anywhere you want to go. Trip interruption insurance will get you a flight home. But travel interruption insurance has a very small limit which may/may not cover commercial coach travel and will not provide a private air charter or first class travel because "you want to be comfortable". 

Yes, it's absolutely important to know what your insurance covers.  

The price is for a single day. 

And the casitas are a deck above the pool right by the jogging track.  

5 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

We have done both.  It really depends upon your budget.  

No, it depends upon your values and choices.  Just because you have the money doesn't mean you're willing to spend the money. 

3 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

If you can spend $1000-$3000 for a cabana- go for it- we cannot!  But of course if you can not afford  a cabana-  

This is a perfect example.  I can absolutely afford a cabana, but I'll choose to take a second cruise rather than blowing that much money on a couple hours.  And, anyway, I really LIKE the no-cost options on Coco Cay; spending more doesn't enhance my time on Coco Cay.

18 minutes ago, neverbeenhere said:

so, you’re saying you saved $150? 😃

Ouch, no -- I drive a Honda!  

5 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

I didn't see any deals that had not been offered in the past. Wasn't looking at cruises though. And email didn't offer any.

I'm sure it varies, but I reserved this excursion on Black Friday -- and now it was lower.  I know wins are rare, but I found one!  

We went with one cabin when our kids were under 10 ... but they were our own kids, with whom we'd lived all their lives.  You say NEW girlfriend.  That could be uncomfortable.  

When we shared a cabin with four, we always opted for a balcony.  It's the cheapest way to get another "room" ... actual privacy for 1-2 people and a place for Dad to disappear while the girls are changing.  

If you go with a single cabin, learn ahead of time whether your cabin will have a sofa bed or pull-down bunks.  The sofa bed is small.  

If the budget allows, two CONNECTING ROOMS are better, especially as you've already expressed concerns about too much togetherness.  Connecting rooms will be like two bedrooms in your house connected by an internal door.  Means you can come and go into the kids' room without going out into the hallway ... and means you know whether anyone's coming into your kids' room.  It also gives you two bathrooms, two closets, two TVs, and more privacy.  Some people get a balcony /put their kids across the hall in an interior ... I personally would not do that, as it seems a whole lot farther when two exterior doors are between you.  

Again, thinking of budget ... balconies are nice, but (in your situation) I'd rather have two connecting interior rooms instead of a fancier (smaller) room.

On 4/8/2024 at 8:38 PM, chencl27 said:

Hi! We're going on our first family cruise with our girls (5 and 8 years old) and trying to figure out which port would be best to do an excursion and what you recommend. We're stopping in Grand Turks, Amber Cove and Nassau, Bermuda. Thanks for your input! 

If my kids were still small, here's what I'd do in those ports: 

Grand Turks:  Visit the Lighthouse.  As young as your kids are, I bet they've never climbed one -- it'd be a unique experience for them.  Yeah, it's on the far side of the island, but that's a short taxi ride.  No need for an excursion -- but do make a plan for what you want to do.  

Amber Cove:  Take a taxi (or the bus) to the beach.  Bring sand toys, sunscreen and have a great day.  I don't know the MonkeyLand that someone above mentioned, but that sounds fun!  Again, no need for an excursion. 

Nassau:  Nassau is a large port and often has 7-8 large ships docked -- this results in overcrowding, pushing and general unpleasant-ness getting into /once you're in the city.  We've agreed we're never going again.  It might be a good day to stay on the ship, or this might be the day to opt for an excursion -- one that leaves from the dock and doesn't require you to go into the crowded city.  I know the Swim with Pigs excursion leaves from the docks, but your kids are probably young for that.  I don't think excursions are up and running to Blue Lagoon again.  If you are going into the city, the pirate museum is nice, as is Queen's Staircase -- it's just the getting there that's unpleasant.  

Bermuda:  Consider taking a taxi or the public bus to the caves.  This will appeal to young kids, and it'll be different from other cruise activities.  Again, no need for an excursion -- just be up and out early, do your thing and get back to the ship.