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Some powerful tips on saving on your cruise


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I thought Id share some ways I saved us some serious money on our upcoming Celebrity cruise in December. First I scope out 3 or 4 itineraries that will work for us and spend sometimes months waiting for the price we want. I comb thru several TA"s while I wait and see what extra perks I can get. Sometimes you can even get them to compete with each other to get the best price and or perks.

This particular cruise I had to wait 8 months before I finally pulled the trigger. It wasn't so much the price but the extra perks I got from my chosen TA. Theirs was in the form of beverage pkg, tips included, $275 OBC and coupon book.

So as soon as I booked, I applied and got the Celebrity credit card which has 2 special offers for 2 $100 OBC. Basically spend $1000 bucks in 2 months which we did with final payment and the other comes with your first Celebrity purchase. There is a $69 annual fee but you still come out $131 ahead. Theres other perks to have the card too.

Next I scoped out flights for months on end too. Just booked these this week. Once I narrowed the flights I wanted thru the company I use to find competitive prices, I went directly to the airline booking site and booked thru them.

American airlines gives you $100 statement credit and free checked luggage for up to 5 people so I went with them for the flight down. The annual fee is waived the first year so I will cancel it when we get back in December.

Delta gave us the best price coming back with $150 statement credit and also free luggage for up to 4 or 5 people. Again you can cancel once you get back. I just cancelled my Delta card from last winters cruise and got a new one in my wifes name.

So with all that we saved just under $400 on this upcoming cruise. There are endless ways to use reward cards as long as your willing to jump thru their hoops. Most airlines have them and so do most cruises. This 11 day cruise in the southern caribean with a balcony and everything included besides extra tips for cabs and porters will be a bit over $2000. (with airfares)

We will use our $475 OBC on some wifi, portraits, a specialty dinner or 2 and some booze to bring home for later, and my obligatory t shirt and coffee mug I get on every cruise.

 

Hope this helps someone for a future cruise and Id love to hear ways you save some serious money on yours!

 

Kirt

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  • 2 weeks later...

Choices that give you a lower price:

 

- A port city to which you can drive

- An off-season date

- A modest cabin

- Private excursions

- Pack clothing you already own instead of buying new

- Pack plenty of sunscreen, Tylenol, etc. so you won't need to buy onboard

- Skip the specialty restaurants, bingo, and the spa

- Visit the gym, but skip the for-a-fee classes

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I agree that this was a lot of work but at least there was some reward at the end. How often do we work really hard and feel as if we have absolutely nothing to show for it? I'm all for whatever travel hacks I can use to save. I use hotel branded credit cards, airline branded credit cards, and cash back credit cards that have the occasional promos that allow you to save on airlines, hotels, cruises, etc. Free uber ride? I'll take it. Discount on airport parking through Groupon? I'll take that too. Every bit helps. I just recently got bonus airline miles that will cover my flights for the next 2-3 trips.

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I am looking for a coupon/promotional code for Spencer Ambrose Tours in St. Lucia, where we will be cruising to in Feb. 2018. On the tour website when you try to book, there is a spot to enter a coupon/promotional code. Does anyone know where to find one?

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OP, you're a person after my own heart! I too am a big-time planner and comparison shopper and totally understand everything you went through. I'm retiring in a few weeks and DH and I plan to do quite a bit of traveling and I am really looking forward to having the time to seriously go through all the money-saving motions. I just applied for a travel rewards credit card to take advantage of the bonus miles and other travel perks, and plan to start doing more of that. My credit score is in the 800's so I can afford the hit of applying for new cards. I've used cash-back cards for years but if we're going to step up our travel it just makes sense to move to a travel rewards card.

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  • 2 months later...
Yikes, you opened 3 new credit cards? This is horrible for your credit score and I would not recommend doing this at all.

 

I guess it depends on your circumstances - I wouldn't do it myself because I'm protective of my score and would also need to unlock my credit (locked due to the Equifax hack), but maybe the OP doesn't have the need to be looking for serious credit anytime soon.

 

That said, I did get a Delta card a few years back for the extra baggage allowance and a lounge access pass, so I should never say never. :)

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Choices that give you a lower price:

 

- A port city to which you can drive Not an option for everyone, but we are able to drive to Baltimore or NY/NJ ports. We did fly to Miami once for a Western Caribbean, and will have to fly again for certain itineraries. There are options for flights though that can make airfare reasonable (and don't forget parking expenses).

- An off-season date

- A modest cabin We do splurge here and go in balconies, but try to watch for deals. We do spend time on our balcony though - staring at the ocean from the privacy of my cabin is a splurge for being frugal in other areas.

- Private excursions Sometimes they are cheaper, depends on the excursion. Many ports have plenty to do just walking too if you are able.

- Pack clothing you already own instead of buying new Absolutely, although sometimes your size changes and you have to buy something. Thrift stores can have great finds.

- Pack plenty of sunscreen, Tylenol, etc. so you won't need to buy onboard We err on packing too much, but it all fits and eventually gets used at home.

- Skip the specialty restaurants, bingo, and the spa We have done some specialty dinners, but only if we have extra OBC (had an excursion cancelled the first time we tried one) or a special occasion.

- Visit the gym, but skip the for-a-fee classes Use the stairs and walking track for added cardio and crowd avoidance - both from elevators or if you hit the gym at a busy time.

 

We do most of these. We don't do drink packages unless included - it's better for us to pay as we go. We don't use the casino. We watch for sales for gifts from the shops, but don't buy just because it is on sale.

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