gr8times4us

enjoy the romance...stars, moonbeams, sunrises and sunsets.

every evening my hubby and i take a few minutes to walk on the deck and tell each other how happy we are to be there together! Years ago when we were first married and did not have 2 pennies to rub together little did we believe we would ever be on such a beautiful ship, in such a beautiful place, with nothing to do but stroll the deck and gaze at the stars.

well said!

I trust you tipped accordingly (= $0 with a note on the receipt regarding why.) If not, try it. Research shows that only 1 in 27 will complain. But if all of us let management know, practices changes. And, management actually appreciates it because they know that 97% of profit comes from repeat business. (I'm not making these #s up: I'm a marketing professor -- they come from the BBB.) They realize that people talk with other people -- on the ship and on the boards. And they're smart enough to alter practices that create complaints.

 

Doubt it? Look what's happened to the "art" auction house that was selling fakes, overstating the values, etc. Not only were they sued, the cruise lines they were with booted them off their ships.

I totally agree!

People don't complain if they get a bad meal, bad service, etc.

Not only do they not go back, they tell all their friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers and sometimes even strangers!

I have learned to tell management, owner, etc when I was not pleased. I am always calm & civil, but to the point.

They usually want to know if an employee or a product they are selling isn't up to snuff.

I have sometimes received some type of compensation on a bad meal or a coupon to retry a product that I was not happy with.

It pays to let management know when you aren't happy, BUT also when you are pleased!

My husband likes his beer so we're usually on the hook for close to 200.00 on a seven night cruise for that.

I try to only play bingo once or twice, it's too expensive.

Cruise lines have a soda package, a water package and a wine package. Where is the BEER PACKAGE?

We haven't cruised in a few years, so how much is it to play Bingo now?

I am really enjoying this thread, getting some good tips and a few laughs! :D:D:D

ChevyCruiser !

 

You need to change your title to: Cruising on a Budget 101

 

What you do is neither considered being a tightwad, cheap, or whatever other adjective you might want to put on it. You enjoy cruising, your way, and if more people took your hints they would probable be able to enjoy cruising too.

I totally agree! I like to consider my self as being very economical and not a tightwad or cheap !

I am a confirmed garage sale addict and I shop for cruising stuff even when I don't have a cruise in my future. For example I just found a brand new sealed Coleman poncho for $.25. Retail price runs $6.00-7.00. So I start saving even before I get on the ship! :D I have also found pareos NWT (new with tag) fanny packs NWT, a Polo back pack, 2 new leather passport holders, a working mini travel alarm clock, mini flashlite, a United Colors of Benetton camera bag, a compact folding bag (for all those soveniers) suction cups with hooks (for bathroom mirror to hold shower cap, etc) oh and the shower cap NIP (new in package)

We usually book an inside cabin for several reasons:

We get the same food, entertainment etc

(but don't have to pay $$$ for scenery)

We can go up to the pool deck to get a great view.

We're not in our room much, just to sleep & change for dinner.

Easier to find your things in a smaller room. ;)

If we want an afternoon power nap ~ we just have to turn out the lights!

Plus, I do recommend that you keep an eye out for price drops. We booked our next cruise early this spring for next Jan. The price recently dropped and we ended up getting $340 OBC!

NOW if a cruise line wanted to upgrade us to an owners suite, I would Definitely take it! :D:D Any offers? :confused:

gr8times4us

Me also! Plus it is so much easier with kids because I can do a quick scan to make sure everybody has thiers.

To the OP No they don't hand them out, but they do have them in the ships store and they make a great souvenier for about $6. They are a lot cheaper in the ports (about $2 to $4) and I pick one up at each new port I go to. They are much more fun to wear at work then the plain ones handed out by my employeer. That way everybody gets to see where I was last :D

If you want a lanyard with your ships logo or name, just go to eBay and bid on one! Or a towel, a fanny pak, a beach bag, a t-shirt or just about anything. Just put your ship's name in the search bar and be amazed at what you can win!