How not to break the bank while onboard?

[killintime]

Hello. We are sailing on CCL Victory this month, and have been reading these boards for months as we planned the cruise. I have seen so many great tips for saving money while onboard. I was wondering, for all of the frugal cruisers out there, what is the least amount you had charged to your onboard account during a cruise? How did you do it?

We are just curious as we try to plan for the amount of money we will need to budget for onboard expenses. We are newlyweds and I just finished grad school and haven't started working yet. This is our honeymoon, so we are not going to deprive ourselves of a good time while onboard. We are not bigtime drinkers (will bring a bottle or two of our own wine) and I am not a shopper. DH managed to spend more on the ship then the cruise cost him the last time he sailed. I have seen the stories about huge S&S bills at the end of cruises, so I thought I would put a post out here to see what the opposite end of the spectrum is.

Thanks!

[Katie333]

You'll save yourselves a big chunk of your bill by not falling prey to the many (and sometimes tempting) onboard sales such as photos, booze, souvenirs, gambling and shore excursions.

 

Our last cruise was only 4 days but our bill was $70. We did excursions on our own, paid cash for tips and only bought one or two of other aforementionned items.

 

On other cruises, we were around $300 including tips but had shipboard credit both times. I love the shipboard credit!

[killintime]

Katie-Thanks for the response. Yes, the digital camera will be our best friend. I think we can have a great trip for a lot less than we are expecting. I got a little freaked out when I saw some previous posts about spending hundreds per day onboard. We booked our excursions with private companies rather than paying the ship's price. I think that cost less than half of what the ship charges. Since it is so cold and nasty here, the beaches are so appealing! $70??? Wow...that's impressive!

 

Two weeks and counting!

[Cotton]

Congrats on taking a honeymoon cruise.:) I usually take five night cruises, and I'm a solo cruiser. I'm not a cheapskate, but I am budget-minded.

 

Beverages - I take 3 bottles of wine on board. I buy one bottle of wine in the dining room (the waiter re-corks it and brings it back out the next night). I purchase the Drink-of-the-Day in the regular cup instead of the Carnival souvenier glass, as it's a coupla bucks less that way. I don't get carried away in the moment and tip extra for those drinks - the 15% tip is already included in the price. I also take a 6-pk of 16-oz. bottles of Coke on board at embarkation. (This is allowed by Carnival.)

 

Photos - I do buy ONE photo, the smallest one, 5x7? I usually buy the one they take just prior to boarding the ship, as it has the date and port of departure. I use that as the cover for my cruise scrapbook. Otherwise, I ask fellow passengers to take pics of me anywhere on the ship that would make a nice keepsake. They never seem to mind.:)

 

Excursions - I haven't done an excursion since my first cruise in 1987. I like exploring island and ports on my own. I just grab a cab and go wherever I want. (I do a lot of homework prior to the cruise, so I know what I want to do at each port.) MUCH less expensive to go out on your own.

 

I take advantage of the complimentary champagne at the art auctions. I also like having a respite from the daily activities by going to 'tea time' at 3pm on sea days. Lovely way to spend a few minutes, and the tea sandwiches and petit fors are wonderful.

 

I don't scrimp on anything I want to do, see, eat, drink..... I do it all, but my S&S bill is always VERY low. It can be done, believe me. Some folks do get carried away, and are shocked when they see their account.

 

(My son's S&S bill for his cruise last year was more than his cruise fare....!):eek:

 

Hope y'all have a wonderful voyage!

[mwebb]

I agree with the previous poster. Also,If you havent booked yet,get an inside guarantee.This at least gets you on the ship- same shows, ports and meals- you really do not spend that much time in the cabin. Someday I would love a balcony- but Im a single mom with two teens and we have been blessed to be able to cruise once a year for the past 7- just by being frugal.It can be done if you avoid bidding at the art auction, playing bingo for $20 a card, buying scratch off chances, limiting the number of ship photos- (usually the one on formal night is very nice), take a large thermal mug that you can fill with ice and the free ice tea, fruit punch or lemonaid when you are sitting poolside,research ports in advance- a cab for $20 bucks is a whole lot better than the $50 pp the ship might charge for an island tour.Consider taking some pop and water of your own on board. Take a small collapsible cooler and ziplock bags for beach days.Order sandwiches, snacks from room service the night before (can't take fruit off the ship)- Be aware that some of the islands are ridiculously expensive- i.e. $32 for a tuna sandwich in grandcayman. $35 for a t shirt similiar to the ones you may find in Cozumel for $6. Or eat a hearty breakfast on port days and skip lunch altogether- God knows everyone eats enough on these cruises.. Have a lovely honeymoon- most of us can remeber at one time being on a newlywed budget.

[starketcher]

I got my thriftiness honestly....My mother had a $20 S&S bill (outside of her tips) on the last cruise she went on. She bought 2 tshirts that they had marked 2/$20. In ports, she spent $125 total. Most of that was either transportation, 1 tour (that I negotiated to $10 for each of us), 1 banana daquari (sp) she's not a drinker & I wound up drinking most it, a Dr. Pepper, and a couple of souvenirs.

 

I've learned to take excursions on my own, winging alot of them. The tour guides will drop prices as the ship clears and they need to fill seats. I also get the lunches packed, smuggle my vodka and some beers, limit my gambling, go to the receptions with the free booze, etc. I dont go so overboard that I dont enjoy myself...quite the contrary!

[fun cruiserz]

Katie333 - Thanks alot for not letting your best buds in on the trick on taking off the automatic tipping off the S&S card and tipping in cash instead. We are going to do that on this cruise since last time we only ate in the dining room once and will probably only eat there once on this cruise. (you know how DH is a lobster freak, so I told him we could go on Monday night to the dining room so he could have lobster).

 

We are also not doing the shore excursions through Carnival this time so that will save us some money as well. Hoping to get our S&S card under control this time around. Last time it was over $700!!

[killintime]

I didn't know that taking the automatic tips off of the sign and sail card was an option. Did you just prepay the automatic tip before the cruise? I know that is an option. Or do you just have them take it off of the S&S card altogether and pay an appropriate amount at the end of the cruise? I don't mind tipping...we tip very well for good service, but I would rather tip with cash so we have control over it. Planning to take a stash of ones and fives to tip along the way. How does this work? I have no problem with the $10/day/pp tip (and more if earned) as long as the service is good.

 

Thanks!

[Cotton]

I didn't know that taking the automatic tips off of the sign and sail card was an option. Did you just prepay the automatic tip before the cruise? I know that is an option. Or do you just have them take it off of the S&S card altogether and pay an appropriate amount at the end of the cruise? I don't mind tipping...we tip very well for good service, but I would rather tip with cash so we have control over it. Planning to take a stash of ones and fives to tip along the way. How does this work? I have no problem with the $10/day/pp tip (and more if earned) as long as the service is good.

 

Thanks!

 

There are two ways to pay the automatic $10 per person per day tips.

 

Pre-pay - This means you have paid your tips at the same time you paid for your cruise. (If you do this, of course the tips will not appear on your S&S account.) However, by pre-paying, you do not have the option of reducing/removing the tips - as they are already paid that it's a done deal.

 

Automatic tipping - The tips will be the first entry on your S&S account. These tips may be increased, reduced, or even removed if you choose to do so. However, MOST passengers leave the tips in place, as it's a very fair amount. I do this, and then tip extra at the end of the cruise to my cabin steward.

 

It's all up to you. Carnival put this plan in place several years ago, because too many passengers were 'stiffing' the crew.:o This is the only way they can be assured that the proper personnel will get the tips they work so hard for.

 

Note: Many of the dining room waiters also work in the Lido Deck buffet area. So - just because you don't have dinner in the dining room every night doesn't mean you shouldn't leave your tips on your account.

 

Hope this explanation helps?

[starketcher]

I agree with what you said about the waiter working on the buffet! They need to be tipped too. Removing the tip because you do not eat in the dining room is wrong! These waiters work in all areas and need to be compensated. Not tipping because it runs up your S&S is a slimy way of controlling your spending.

[killintime]

I wasn't looking for a way to get out of paying tips. I am sorry if my post led you to believe that. I was just wondering what is more convenient...paying with the credit card or paying cash tips. I am much more likely to tip MORE with cash then I would if it is on the credit card. I love to reward great service with a big tip. Since I haven't been on a cruise before, I am unfamiliar with how the charges are applied. We are putting the pre and post cruise hotel on the credit card we plan to attach to the s&s card. Paying cash for tips just seems more sensible since I won't be paying interest on it later. I don't want to be seen as cheap or to be perceived as doing something "wrong". I saw the earlier post about paying cash for tips and just wondered how one could go about doing that. Didn't mean to upset anyone...sorry!

 

[twodudes]

You haven't upset anyone. I too would much prefer to tip where it is warranted. On Splendour in 03 we ate in the dining room once, and the food/service was so ordinary we ate every other meal in the buffet. At cruise end we tipped the chefs/waiters in the Buffet, and our room steward. As non-US citizens, we are still firmly of the belief that tipping is for reward of good service, not a right of passage!

[starketcher]

My response was to FunCruiser who stated they removed their tips because they wree just eating in the dining room one night, but were eating elsewhere on the Lido deck. The waiters on the lido work in the dinding roomtoo, so to stiff the waiter in the dinding or only tip for one night is wrong.

 

I understood what you meant. You can take a cash amount to the purser to be applied to you tips where it wont run up your S&S.

[Cotton]

Killin - Don't take offense. Sometimes, one post answers another and other posters think they're talking to them. Just the way of the boards. (Stark explained his reply.) See? You asked nothing wrong. We were all newbies with questions at one time. Keep on asking whatever you need.:)

[hooked-on cruising]

Hi Killin!

 

Congrats on your wedding!

 

OK, first off if you have not prepaid the gratuities, you will need to budget for them as part of your onboard expenses. Gratuities are obligatory. As you know, it is about $10.00 per day per passenger. (However, I find that it is easier to budget for this if it is worked into the price of the cruise and paid for with the cruise payment.)

 

Having said this, check out drink packages - juice and soda drink packages - unlimited consumption. I have only ever travelled on Royal Caribbean and taking advantage of this package really helped! It is $US6.00 per person per day. No limit on soda and juice consumed (no cans though), just pay the total number of days x $6.00 per person, as soon as you board and you can begin consuming in every single bar, restaurant, etc.

 

Stay off alcoholic beverages as much as possible. You came to enjoy the cruise, not to consume alcohol, which you can do at home!

There is even a wine package. Check this out if you are wine drinkers.

 

Try to stay away from the special drinks offered to you at onboard parties - you know the ones that the waiters pass around and every one takes one with no if, buts or maybes. It is being served, so why not, they look so good! But when the bill comes, well, it could be another story: so when did I drink these????? These can cost at least $6.00 per drink! And these can add up so very fast! I would not deny that they are good, real good! OK, have an alcoholic drink or two or three if you really need to, but as has been said on previous posts, there are FREEBIES to be had so why not take advantage of these - they are there for you and your enjoyment!

 

Yes, there will be photographers galore on formal night. Depending on your preference, dressing up on formal night is really part of the whole cruising experience. And surely you might want to take home a remembrance. How often do you and your spouse take formal pics anyway! Yes, one photo can cost you at least US$20.00, but if you just select one (or one each for the two of you), you will have a beautiful photo (or two) (and souvenirs) for your living room! Don't need to buy the frame on board if you do not want to. There is a vast selection in the stores waiting for you at home!

 

So let's say you are going for a 7-night cruise - your onboard purchases could look like this:

Gratuities $70.00 (if not prepaid with cruise price) -obligatory

Drink package 49.00 -optional

One Photo 20.00 -optional

Allowance for

onboard souvenirs 25.00 -optional

total per person 164.00 (with the big item being the onboard gratuities)

 

So you see, it is possible to spend $0.00 on board (with prepaid gratuities)and still have a wonderful memorable cruise! But do be kind to yourself, allow yourself a little slack - it is your vacation, have a good time, spend just a little and a little can go a long way!

 

Bring with you life's necessities - Tylenol/Advil, Imodium, Gravol, whatever you are used to using at home to mend a runny nose, full set of toiletries. etc. You get the picture - if you were at home, you would need these any way, no need to go out and buy new ones, use what you are using at home and bring home what you have not used.

 

Lastly, join activities aboard - some activities can earn you "dollars" and these "dollars" can be accumulated and then exchanged for souvenir items at the end of the cruise. Most activities are free and are designed to be entertaining!

 

Yes, you can always pay to enjoy the spa and its treatments, have a hairdo and makeup for formal night, visit the casino, shore excursions, etc. etc. - but do these really contribute to a successful vacation for you? The operative words here are PRIORITY and BUDGET - it's your call.:)

 

Hope this helps. Have fun on your cruise!

 

sincerely,

Fernanda Ho

Vancouver, B. C. Canada

 

RCCL Radiance of the Seas - October 2004 (Hawaii)

- May 2005 (Alaska)

RCCL Freedom of the Seas - December 2006

[Cotton]

quote=hooked-on cruising]Hi Killin!

 

Hooked, you have made some valid comments; however, Killin will be on a Carnival ship, so I'll add a few things:

 

...............I have only ever travelled on Royal Caribbean

There is even a wine package. Check this out if you are wine drinkers.

There are no wine packages on Carnival.

 

Try to stay away from the special drinks offered to you at onboard parties - you know the ones that the waiters pass around and every one takes one with no if, buts or maybes. It is being served, so why not, they look so good! But when the bill comes, well, it could be another story.

The Captain's Party is a great place for complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

 

Bring with you life's necessities - Tylenol/Advil, Imodium, Gravol,

I agree with this. These products are very expensive in the ship's shops.

[Katie333]

Sorry Funcruiser lol! :) I thought we'd already swapped our tips.

 

Star, I don't think anyone is suggesting eliminating tips, especially to those areas where you frequent. I just meant by paying in cash you could reward those people directly and not have $150 tacked onto your S&S card. Getting a big bill after a fun cruise is always kinda depressing even if you are actually spending the same amt of money elsewhere.

 

I stand resolute to my first suggestion though - book private as you've done killintime, better experience much much cheaper (wish someone had told me about that my first time). We've also done it without a tour all together and had some great experiences by just hopping a cab a la Cotton style. :)

[killintime]

Thanks to everyone for all of the great tips! We will definitely try many of the ideas posted here. We opted to only do one excursion (booked on our own with Sonny Liston) on St Thomas. We will probably get a ride to the beach on our own in St Martin. And, we will just walk Old San Juan as many of the others have suggested since we arrive there in the evening. I am not much of a shopper and would rather spend time seeing the island or lazing on the beach.

 

Keep the tips coming!

 

13 days and counting......

[filomene]

Hello everyone,

 

We just booked a VERY spontaneous cruise on Norwegian's Dawn and the budget is very tight.

The last cruises we ended up with 800 to 1000 on SS cards. My husband and I like a predinner drink in our cabin and a bottle of wine with dinner. This is our total drink for the day. I just checked Dawn's wine list and nothing under 30.00. On an 11 day cruise this will kill us.

 

Can anyone out there confirm 2 things: a) can I bring a bottle in my luggage to drink in cabin ?? b) can I bring my own wine to the table and pay a decorking fee like we did with RCCL ?

Please give me a concrete answer if you know. And I REALLY do appreciate you taking the time.

[Cinderose]

One thing to remember for saving $ is on Carnival the more toward the end of the cruise you will notice items go on sale. Such as 2 t-shirts for the price of one or gold 1/2 price - if your into those things.

Carnival offers you a drink card that you can purchase for getting all the soda you want during your cruise for one price, but in case you didnt know it also includes smoothies, which are quite tasty. Purchase your soda card AFTER you have left port and you dont have to pay tax on it. If you think you are going to want to drink purchase the prepaid drink coupons they cost $19.00 and you get 4, this price includes your tip. We buy one set of 4 per day we are sailing and it helps to limit our budget and consumption of alchol. Besides these are paid for before you sail and not added to your S&S. (These coupons are given to you at dinner the first night of the cruise) - (You go to Carnivals website under gifts to purchase) and if if you have any left over you can use them on your next cruise.

 

Cinder

94 Monarch of the Seas

04 Ecstacy

05 Conquest

06 Sept 8th- on the Paradise

[funinthesun86]

The only items on our bill on our last two cruises were the tips and the small amount we spent at the internet cafe to stay in touch with our children at home each day. We do not do ship excursions, preferring to take a taxi to the beach whereever we dock. 13 days till our next cruise, and looking forward to another great time!

[killintime]

Funinthesun.... We are sailing on Carnival Victory on 1/22 as well. Just wanted to say hi! 12 more days...can't wait!

[VonS]

ofare ridiculously expensive- i.e. $32 for a tuna sandwich in grandcayman. $35 for a t shirt similiar to the ones you may find in Cozumel for $6.

 

 

Hi.

My husband and I have a home on Grand Cayman and spend a lot of time there. We are curious as to WHO was charging $32 for a tuna sandwich. We have NEVER run across anything like that!

[Baxter]

Never mind...answered in other posts.

[Packedready]

We just cruised on the Norwegian Star. This cruise was booked 1 month in advance, it was a Christmas sailing so it was twice as expensive. I studied these boards and learned how to save money. I brought 32 bottles of bottled water as it is $3.50 a bottle on board. We drank them all. That would have been over $100. We also brought 4 12 packs of diet coke on board, They sell for $2.50 each. We also brought another case in port with no problem bringing it onboard. We brought rum with us in water bottles to mix drinks in luggage, no problem. We didn't bring wine as they charge a $15.00 corkage charge. They have a anniversary package that we bought. It gives you 2 bottles of wine and one night at the specialty resturant, dipped stawberries delivered to your room with one of the bottles of champagne. It is there when you board. We took it to the dining room and there was not corkage charge. They also give you a champagne party, theres another bottle of champagne. Also part of the package is one picture 5 x7. Go the the art auctions, more champagne. For us our bill was low $500.00 for 8 days and we had a bottle of wine every night and they are $30.00 plus 15%. Wait for the last day on the cruise to buy tee shirts, etc. They reduce them 50%. Don't buy any specialty drinks. We also did our own tours.

 

One more thing, we were in Puerto Vallarta and we wanted to see if we could get a bottle on the ship. We bought a pint and my DH put it in his front shorts pocket, walked on the ship with his hand in his pocket, no problem. We wanted to test it and did it again, once again no problem.

 

If you have any questions let me know.