Budget Tips & Ideas

[redcat72]

My sister is coming on a cruise with us soon. She has never really been on a big vacation before in her 40+ yrs. This will be her first cruise as well. She doesn't have a lot of money, and my brother and I are helping her out so she can go. We are going to treat her to a few things on the ship. But I also wanted to share some budget trip tips with her. I thought you guys might be able to help me out with some ideas??

 

I remember reading something back in February that if you go to the art auction, you can get free champange there, or was it when you "Meet the Captain"?

Thanks for any other ideas I can share! :)

[PAGA]

Here are some things that come to mind:

 

Free champagne at the first art auction.

 

Free champagne/cocktails (pre-made drinks are butlered on trays) at the captain's reception.

 

Stick to the free lemonade, ice tea and tap water instead of paying for sodas.

 

Stick to the free soft serve instead of paying for Ben & Jerry's

 

Spa services are often discounted on port days.

 

Watch the daily newsletter for the drink of the day -- usually $3.50 or so instead of $5 or $6.

 

If you're going to have wine at dinner, purchase a package -- also, if you have wine at dinner and don't finish the bottle you canhave your waiter cork it for you to be served again the next night.

 

Avoid Bingo -- it's expensive if you don't win!!

 

The gift shop sometimes has sales towards the end of the week.

 

$50 betting $1-2 a spin on the roulette wheel in the casino lasts a whole lot longer than $50 playing any of the other table games (and no skill needed!!)

 

The specialty (extra charge) restaurants are nice, but not a necessity for those on a budget.

 

Budget ahead of time and set the money aside at the beginning of the week for tipping.

 

If you're on a Voyager-class ship be sure to attend the festival-thing in the Promenade on the afternoon of boarding -- there are some raffles, free Bingo cards, key chain give-aways, rum tastings, etc.

 

Most ports in the caribbean can be enjoyed without an excursion -- especially if you've never been there. Even if you want to head to a beach, it's usually cheaper to do the research ahead of time, then take a cab than to do the ship's excursion. See the port of call boards for great ideas.

 

Avoid those poolside and welcome aboard cocktails in the pretty v-shaped striped glasses -- you're buying the drink and the glass! Around $9.

 

Most of all, relax and enjoy. Other than alcohol and maybe $100 in the casino, we often go the entire week and don't spend a dime above and beyond our cruise fare and tips. I always think we're going to get stopped by Customs when all we have to declare is a $8 t-shirt!!

[PAGA]

Also just saw there is a special board here on cruise critic for money saving tips...

[jamiski]

I usually play the 5 cent slots in the Casino. I allow my $5 or $10 per night (depending on how broke I am) I can usually play for about an hour. Also, I'll usually drink tea or decaf at night to keep myself from buying the costly drinks.

[Nliedel]

If you are going to play table games in the casino get someone to show you how to play beforehand. You can do it on a budget, I do, but I knw the rules of Craps and how to play Blackjack so I don't toss good money after bad.

[cruisin'gal]

If you are a soda drinker bring your own can soda. Order room service for sandwiches, fruit to bring with you on your shore excursions, so pack ziplock baggies and soft sided cooler. Ride the jitney if your going to the Bahamas, $1 fair will bring you where you what to go and you'll enjoy being and talking with the locals. Enjoy your cruise, Laura

[N.FL Cruisers]

Redcat,

 

I don't have anything to add to the big list so far, except I think it is very sweet you are helping her to have a vacation of her lifetime!

[Valentine's Mom]

If you want to take food off the ship go for packaged foods such a cereal granola bars and such. They really frown on taking fruit and such off the ship and you can be fined if the find it.:eek:

[cmason]

Drink of the day is always a good deal, and it is even better if you order it without the souvenir glass. Just ask.

[Nliedel]

actually some countries forbid food that has not been inspected. In those countries you are jepardizing the countries agricultural system, which may be closely monitored for certain pests. While many countries would not have this restriction it is best to remember you are a guest in someone else's home and follow their laws and regulations. Always ask before you remove food from the ship for use on land.

[wolfcathorse]

Is the free champange at the first art auction only for those who are registered to bid?

[Aldeya]

Is the free champange at the first art auction only for those who are registered to bid?

 

No, for everyone attending.:)

[sherry7]

Great ideas!

 

Ship's photos are fairly expensive ($20 for an 8x10). Instead of buying the first one of yourself you see and possibly regretting it a couple of days later when you see better photos of yourself, just save your photos in a stack. At the photo center, they have a special corner where you can collect all of your photos for 'saving' until you decide what to buy. If you don't see it the spot, just ask an employee.

 

Also, instead of getting reprints of formals, etc on the ships (same price as above), there is a official release form you can print off to have the picture copied at home. (I can't find the link for this, can anyone help?) I scan our formal photos at 900 dpi, and have them printed on glossy Kodak Royal paper at Adoramapix.com. This is a professional photo shop (not shoddy drug store prints) and the quality is excellent. I couldn't tell the difference between my originals and the reprints I had done. Plus, I had some printed in other sizes as well. Actually, they didn't ask me for the release form, but I had it just in case.

[Linda/Ohio]

My aunt went oon her first cruise with several of us cousins last April. She was on a budget-as she is a recent widow. Other than tips--she spent about $20 on a 3 night cruise--for a photo. She had a wonderful time. She is not a drinker--so everythiing else suiited her just fine.

 

If she is a wine drinker--I believe you can take a bottle and have a taste in your cabin. the room steward will bring glasses upon request.

[Sascol]

If you want to take food off the ship go for packaged foods such a cereal granola bars and such. They really frown on taking fruit and such off the ship and you can be fined if the find it.:eek:

I have never seen these types of foods provided on a cruise. Where do you obtain these?

[osiebosie]

We don't purchase photos until the end of the cruise. Otherwise, you can spend major bucks before you know it. We usually just buy one or two.

[jw01]

If you are a soda drinker bring your own can soda. Order room service for sandwiches' date=' fruit to bring with you on your shore excursions, so pack ziplock baggies and soft sided cooler. Ride the jitney if your going to the Bahamas, $1 fair will bring you where you what to go and you'll enjoy being and talking with the locals. Enjoy your cruise, Laura[/quote']

 

Is that in Nassau or Freeport?

[TPKeller]

Budget ahead of time and set the money aside at the beginning of the week for tipping.

The tip calculator is a very big help if you decide to do this one!

 

http://members.aol.com/CruiseTip/

 

Theron

[Rala]

Sascol-- Sometimes there is this kind of snack in the shops area onboard, but usually the price is inflated quite a bit. I would just bring a few with me from home. Also, if an excursion is so long that you will miss a meal, some sort of provision is made so you can get something to eat/drink (ie. box lunch provided by tour, stop at a restaurant or convenience store, etc.)

[FunCruiser56]

Here is the link for the photo release form

http://www.image.com/guest-postcruiseCopyrightReleaseForm.cfm

 

Bring your own bottle for water and fill on the ship before you go on tours. Water will run you $2-3.50 +tip a bottle! You can also buy from Walmart little single serve packs of crystal lite or Walmart brand and have a refreshing drink on your tour- just add it to a bottle of water.

 

When your shopping, try the local liquors for free in the liquor stores then you know if you like it before you spend the money-

 

Our kids like to grab a box of cereal from the buffet and take it in their daypack for a snack on tours we also pack juice boxes we bring from home with us.

 

Bev

[redcat72]

Thanks for all the tips!! I will check out the budget area of the board too. Just thought I'd first get some ideas specific to Royal Caribbean. :)

Wish I could find some video of the Granduer - I have a great Mariner video to show her.

[Snoopywy]

The hints are so helpful to me.. because i am a first cruiser ;)

[benjidog]

:)

Wish I could find some video of the Granduer - I have a great Mariner video to show her.

 

This is DH and my first cruise. I've been doing lots of exploring the internet and reading CC and looking at pictures. I've decided not to share the pictures with DH. He's going to be over whelmed when he sees the ship. I'd rather he be surprised and I get the pleasure of seeing his face. Maybe you're better off not showing sis a video.:D :D :D

[Cruisechick82]

I have to second the idea about not buying drinks. I just don't understand how people can spend $6-$7 each for a drink! And you'll see people ordering several of these at dinner. If you have the money that's great, but I just can't imagine spending as much on alcohol as the cruise costs!

 

We have only been on one cruise for our honeymoon and we only spent about $300 total for everything onboard including shore excursions, photos, souveniers, etc at every port.

[barbyma]

 

Our kids like to grab a box of cereal from the buffet and take it in their daypack for a snack on tours we also pack juice boxes we bring from home with us.

 

Bev

 

I love those little cereal boxes! They make terrific snacks! You could also bring yogurt from the Windjammer if you bring a small insulated lunch bag.

 

Barb