Best ways to save $$

[PattBenatar]

I did a solo B2B in December. I think for the entire 2 cruises I spent 250 bucks for 9 days.

 

I spent 4 bucks daily on my Ice coffees.

40 bucks on pictures.

30 bucks on one excursion (trolley at Key West)

120 gifts

 

rest was tips that were not included-room service, porters

I had money for other things but felt I did not need to waste the cash. I had a great trip minus the gangbanger wedding party on the 2nd cruise. That was a nightmare.

 

I don't drink so that saved me a ton of money. I did order water for the cabin.

[sjn911]

Often there is a best placed hot tub and showers and steam rooms either part of spa but free or separate from spa and free...as well as special serenity area. If a port is not what you like or one time you want to eat later in room or at specialty dining. Meal and show times and port times.... these areas can be more quiet.

 

Read the definitive cheers thread and some things about the soda packages and think what you like to drink. Fancy booze and coffees if important can be enjoyed for less without all the time drinking to be drunk... also in not drink huge amounts if you want to try fancy wines, beer, and coffees..but if you just want a couple of cocktails. beer buckets etc, and your 12 pack of soda and one bottle of wine each for each cruise is enough...alot is saved. You will have to figure how to go and get the extra for second cruise or maybe they will store for you??? Someone will chime in or call and ask.

 

They will keep a bottle of wine for you in main dining room if one does you for 2 nights as a couple....I just loved that as a solo...

 

Most people who are moderate in drinking do better w/o cheers for the price with above caveats.

 

Research your ports on the port boards here to see what you do want and do not want...get good referrals from here if you go separate from ship's tours...and find out clearly they are good with time...missing the ship blows the budget..lol. As many have said some places are just about enjoying a beach there or the port shops and others have a serious wonderful thing you will want to do. Many have a fairly good resort fee at a better beach with so many extras that are cost competitive to a tour...it all varies.

 

Get an idea and then have some freedom also to have some ship time on a port to really maximize an area of ship you want to try that will then be less crowded. I did this in scenic Cabo and basically had the whole view and a waiter to myself..only a few patrons..the lido became a private restaurant with all of that view and everything going on in water...

 

Many people argue about this but there are extra expenses avoided on emergencies if you buy a rather inexpensive insurance package that could get you and spouse a medivac from a foreign port ..or a stay there and cost of betting home and cruise insurance and baggage loss etc.and some things that most wise people feel is being being penny wise and pound foolish to avoid buying..for a two week or back to back cruise you can figure cost and coverage by looking at a site like insure my trip dot com. it is better not to buy from the cruiseline for coverage and usually better coverage for less. I do not know if service offers travelers insurance.

 

If you like spa and special saunas all the time, look into spa packages.

 

For one special spa service they offer specials on the ship as time goes along...like your wife getting a hairdo or something.

 

The continental breakfast and free items on room service are just enough to really add alot..You only have to tip a dollar or two for delivery for the "free" items which are the majority. At a hotel you would be paying so much for that and I LOVE that. People like Blt's and choc cake alot. Ask for toast and crispy bacon on blt..or ask for how you like something...they can usually do it.

 

Bringing water flavorings and coffee flavorings can be a savings and hit. I like the room service coffee with their cream and sugar.

 

Make a limit on the casino and stick to it. Or skip altogether. Sometimes they have rather inexpensive slot pull tournaments. Check the roll call for your cruises here under your cruiseline headings and see about that and a cabin crawl to see all cabins and a cocktail party if the whole group has a meet and greet, sometimes well attended sometimes not..all of this is optional not a have to at all. Depends on what you like and want..it is your time.

 

I have had to go on a super budget a few times and still felt so spoiled. Having a portable folded and packed cooler for your beers you buy on ship or pop you bring on that you can unpack and have room service bring ice 2x a day is great. Or they usually can bring you a bucket bigger than the little ice on if the have those on your ship.

 

Thank you so for your service...seriously...if you know how to get along with people and you do..and are just polite enough and you are..people will bend over backwards to see you have a great time..just ask. You are preparing and will have a wonderful time.

 

One more dumb thing...you can ask for an extra comforter to be put under bottom sheet or more pillows etc..but bedding and beds are usually very nice.

Edited August 23, 2016 by sjn911

[bakersdozen12]

Pre pay gratuities, easier for me to work into the budget as I pay off the cruise than to have a lump charge.

 

 

Prepaying gratuities doesn't save you money. You pay the same amount whether you pay it now or later.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[crazy cajun]

Prepaying gratuities doesn't save you money. You pay the same amount whether you pay it now or later.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

No one said it saves money, It just makes it easier to budget your on board expenses if you pre pay everything you can afford to.

[crazy cajun]

Prepaying gratuities doesn't save you money. You pay the same amount whether you pay it now or later.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

No one said it saves money, It just makes it easier to budget your on board expenses if you pre pay everything you can afford to.

[jmcancruise]

Ok so we have done a few b2b's and have cruised on a tight budget and when we felt we could spend more freely. If you don't want to feel restricted you need to go with the right frame of mind. Make a budget, but go expecting to have an amazing time just being together. After all our greatest memories are not made by the money we spend, but the special moments we share, and they don't need to cost anything. Have an amazing cruise.

[CCLCruiser4321]

That's why we book b2b because airfare costs so much so depending on where you live you might of already saved about 700-800 or more. Other than that it's pretty hard without just not doing things you would of otherwise did

[bakersdozen12]

No one said it saves money, It just makes it easier to budget your on board expenses if you pre pay everything you can afford to.

 

 

The title of the thread is how to save money, though.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Florings]

Not questioning your choice, but if it were me I would probably just do one cruise with no budget worries, rather than a B2B with restrictions.

 

Yes, I was thinking this same thing...one cruise maybe 8 days and have some money to spend.

[BNBR]

Skip Cheers... it just encourages you to drink non-stop all day and night to get your money's worth, then you don't enjoy the cruise.

 

Excuse me!? :eek:

[nealstuber]

That's why we book b2b because airfare costs so much so depending on where you live you might of already saved about 700-800 or more. Other than that it's pretty hard without just not doing things you would of otherwise did

 

 

Could not agree more! I HATE paying for air to cruise. if I do it, it's because I'm really getting bang for my buck.

 

Take a look at Alliegent air in to Daytona. When you see the fares, you might find it worth driving to an airport you might not have thought of, and parking at the backwater airports they use is usually much cheaper. You'll get a direct flight, saving the money you might spend keeping busy at a connecting airport. Just be sure to fly in the day before, especially with them.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[sjn911]

Could not agree more! I HATE paying for air to cruise. if I do it, it's because I'm really getting bang for my buck.

 

Take a look at Alliegent air in to Daytona. When you see the fares, you might find it worth driving to an airport you might not have thought of, and parking at the backwater airports they use is usually much cheaper. You'll get a direct flight, saving the money you might spend keeping busy at a connecting airport. Just be sure to fly in the day before, especially with them.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I also agree, and I may go down in "newer ship" to ok ship with older things I like; to places I have never been; to make it a 16 day with 10 day back to back cruise portion of trip.

 

Also: Wanted to emphasize if you take a cooler, there are restrictions...but "I think if you pack a foldable one" it can be larger...verify this. The carry on ones larger than I think 12 by 12" are taken. They do not want folks rolling on big ones to sort through.

Edited August 24, 2016 by sjn911

[Herfnerd]

Research excursions - don't book thru Carnival but make sure you understand that you have to be back in time for ship departure.

 

We usually set aside a little bit of money each week or pay period leading up to departure. Then use the money to buy gift cards - check the Carnival site for retail stores that sell them or from Carnival online. You can then use the gift cards for anything from excursions to drinks, photos, souvenirs, etc. You'd be surprised how much you can save up buying $25 cards here and there and not have to shell out a huge amount all at once.....

Edited August 24, 2016 by Herfnerd

[VASOXFANN]

I have a Carnival Reward Points MasterCard with BarclayCardUS. Purchases through Carnival earn extra rewards points, and I also use the Rewards Booster to earn extra points. I had enough points to pay the deposit of our next cruise :D

 

I also get Carnival gift cards at a 10% discount using AARP rewards points (you don't need to be a member or even a senior) and use them to pay the balance, prepay gratuities, and take along to put on our S&S card.

 

Consider excursions with local tour providers rather than with Carnival. They are cheaper, less crowded, and sometimes you can even find coupons and save even more $

 

Walk or take local transportation to sites/beaches in port. Do your research ahead of time to be sure it's safe!

[nealstuber]

Oh yeah, the Verizon gift cards... Did not even know they had a reward program till I read it in here and found out I had more points than I could ever use getting a 10% discount on my onboard expenses.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[bigredva]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I looked into the Verizon gift cards and I'll use them to pay off the balance on the cruise. So, an extra 10% off my cruise plus my account on board. So that was an awesome surprise. We're both not really big drinkers so I'm not too worried about the bar tab. But we will probably want to do the steakhouse and I've heard great things about the chef's table so we may do that the 2nd week.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[sjn911]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I looked into the Verizon gift cards and I'll use them to pay off the balance on the cruise. So, an extra 10% off my cruise plus my account on board. So that was an awesome surprise. We're both not really big drinkers so I'm not too worried about the bar tab. But we will probably want to do the steakhouse and I've heard great things about the chef's table so we may do that the 2nd week.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Sounds great and have a wonderful time. Thanks for coming back and have a wonderful time...thanks again for your service. Your choices make a well priced cruise, and very nice cruise, have some 5 star extras at great prices.

 

It is not the Motel 6. A great time is had by many.

Edited August 24, 2016 by sjn911

[Herfnerd]

Huh - didn't know about the Verizon gift cards but we use Sprint. We just buy our Carnival gift cards at Lowes!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Crusin5252]

If you enjoy wine make sure that you each bring on a bottle for each cruise. (not sure how it works for a B2B, with bringing wine on for the 2nd cruise)

 

If you go to the steak house the 1st night of the cruise you get a free bottle of wine with dinner.

 

There are many things you can do on the ship without spending any money, comedy club, trivia, piano bar to name a few.

 

For the port see what info there is in the Ports of call section, many times you can walk around the port or hop a local bus and have a great day in port.

 

Enjoy your cruises.

 

On a B2B each person may bring bottles of wine (per John Heald). You must have both boarding passes to show. One one B2B, the lady had to go get her supervisor as she was not aware we could do this. On our other 2 B2B cruises, there were not questions. You can also take double the amount of 12 ounce cans - 24 per person. you can also bring canned drinks back on board during port stops. You can not bring wine or alcohol back to take to your room.

 

We use the port of call board on Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor to find local tours that are less expensive and better than Carnival excursions. In some ports we have printed walking tours off of the Internet and did them by ourselves or with people from our social media groups. Some ports have beaches that are within walking distance.

 

We do not go to the speciality restaurants as we enjoy the MDR and other free food venues. As we do not gamble and drink very little our onboard expenses are minimal.

 

We also pay for the cruise and our onboard expenses with gift cards that we bought from Verizon and AARP for a 10% discount.

 

Thank you for your service. Have a great cruise.

[SadieN]

.........

 

 

 

..............Packing a sandwich and

 

 

 

............

 

 

 

Have a great time!!

 

 

As tempting as this is DO NOT take anything but commercially packaged food off the ship. We bring cereal bars and hard candy from home. From the ship we take off a few boxes of cereal.

 

Many foodstuffs can bring issues into ecosystems. California is having issues with Med Fruit Flies and Asian Psylliads.

 

Many ports have AG dogs smelling for various things. You don't want the cute port dog sitting next to you. Other ports guards look thru your bags. I've had an AG dog hit on me. She alerted onto my lemon drops.

 

One Princess cruise I had a bug crawl out of my salad. It can and does happen no matter how much they keep it under control.

 

For good, cheap meals we've learnt to ask a local where they would eat. Always have had good recommendations. We usually avoid restaurants catering to the American tourist. On one island we saw lots of locals carrying takeout. Never would have found the second floor Indian restaurant without seeing them. Good, plentiful and cheap. In Mexico we go to the eating area of the mercados.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[mtgman1]

I booked thru Costco Travel and got a free bottle of wine on board and Costco Gift Card coming for the same price as Priceline. I use Priceline to check each day to see if the price has been lowered. My current cruise it has been lowered two times. I can click thru and see which cabins are available on an upgrade. The cruise line won't give you a cash back but they will upgrade you so I call my travel agent with a specific room I want and get upgraded. Went from a inside on deck 2 to a ocean view on deck 4.

Flight. If you use Southwest keep checking each day until you get the price you want and click thru just until you are about to pay to get the total, stop. Then go to Kroger on 4x points gas day and buy Southwest gift card for the exact amount of the tickets. I got $110.00 in free gas on $800.00 tickets. Now pay the gift cards with a credit card that lets you earn miles or some kind of giveback. Be sure you set up an account at Kroger for a portion of your purchase to go to your favorite charity before you buy. I have a BSA troup that gets a few dollars from the purchase each quarter. Go online and make sure you have logged into your Southwest account so you can earn miles and purchase the tickets with your gift cards. Keep checking each day to see if they lower the fare before you fly. If they do you can get a credit for the difference on your next flight if you fly within the next year on Southwest.

I am going to Atlantis Waterpark and bought the tickets online. They were $120.00 for the day online and $150.00 at the park walk up line. I like to take a couple of baggies and put some of the fresh cookies the ship offer as a snack when I leave the ship.

I like to take a taxi from the airport to the ship in Miami. It is only 8 miles and money well spent for me.

Love the Casino. If you go keep moving. I save money by not feeding unfriendly machines and keep moving. Don't stay on one machine unless it is friendly and even then be careful.Make sure your a member of the cruise lines rewards club like Crown and Anchor Society with RCCL. Don't miss the captains party for free booze on formal night. I like to see what the drink of the day is each day and usually purchase it. Sometime their discounted. That all I can think of now. My advise tho is pack half as many clothes and take twice as much money. Thanks again for serving America ;)

[patrice1]

Skip Cheers... it just encourages you to drink non-stop all day and night to get your money's worth, then you don't enjoy the cruise.

 

With all due respect, this is absolutely not true for us. We don't drink any more than what we would otherwise and save money, especially now that specialty coffees, milkshakes and bottled sparkling water are included.

 

I also disagree with the pay dining rooms. I can only speak to the Steakhouses, but they are well worth the small amount of extra money and make a special occasion very nice. I would at least plan for one night in a B2B.

[nealstuber]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I looked into the Verizon gift cards and I'll use them to pay off the balance on the cruise. So, an extra 10% off my cruise plus my account on board. So that was an awesome surprise. We're both not really big drinkers so I'm not too worried about the bar tab. But we will probably want to do the steakhouse and I've heard great things about the chef's table so we may do that the 2nd week.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

Haven't been able to figure out where you are flying from, but I've attached Allegient's destination map. They won't show up on any booking agent, just their website. I'm top tier with American, and usually have enough miles to fly at least DW and I anywhere in the country for free, but I would still use these guys because the Daytona airport is so much more manageable, it's a direct flight, and the prices are so good, it makes no sense to use miles.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[easyboy]

My wife and I are booked on a b2b on Magic in January when I get back from deployment. Cruise isn't totally paid off yet but almost. What are some of the best ways to stretch my dollar as far as I can without feeling like I'm really losing out on the cruise experience? Thanks for your help!

Bring your own bottle of wine.

Participate in ship's activities.

Explore the port's attraction on your own

Avoid the casino.

Enjoy your time with each other.