What is your best onboard money-saving hack?

[newtocruiseinblue]

I'm always trying to find ways to save money (probably bc I'm married to an accountant haha). We do not have the all included package this time around. What is your best money saving hack once you're onboard? We are not cheap, just economical and being economical has led us to having a pretty good life. Please share if you have a fun or smart way to stretch your travel dollar. Thank you! 

[BetsyS.]

36 minutes ago, newtocruiseinblue said:

I'm always trying to find ways to save money (probably bc I'm married to an accountant haha). We do not have the all included package this time around. What is your best money saving hack once you're onboard? We are not cheap, just economical and being economical has led us to having a pretty good life. Please share if you have a fun or smart way to stretch your travel dollar. Thank you! 

I would recommend checking your account on a daily basis. If there is a mistake,

Guest Services can correct it. Even if the cruise is only 7 days, it's better to find 

out any errors before the end of the cruise. 

[MichiganFisherman]

Don't buy anything but that doesn't really fall under the fun category. 

[VMax1700]

As has been repeated many times on this forum, the water from the cooler in the Lido is fine to drink and no need to purchase bottled (or canned!) water.

[wesport]

Personally I think we should be focused on spending money so our cruise lines will be around in the future. IMHO

[VennDiagram]

9 hours ago, newtocruiseinblue said:

I'm always trying to find ways to save money (probably bc I'm married to an accountant haha). We do not have the all included package this time around. What is your best money saving hack once you're onboard? We are not cheap, just economical and being economical has led us to having a pretty good life. Please share if you have a fun or smart way to stretch your travel dollar. Thank you! 

 

IMHO the best value (which may not be exactly  what you are looking for) is lunch in the Pinnacle Grill.  There is a cost, but the value is much greater than the cost, IMHO.  My DH agrees, and like you he is "economical" 😉

If you like wine, check out the wine packages that are offered.  For me, they also offer good value.  YMMV.

Edited October 31, 2022 by VennDiagram

[newtocruiseinblue]

5 minutes ago, VennDiagram said:

 

IMHO the best value (which may not be exactly  what you are looking for) is lunch in the Pinnacle Grill.  There is a cost, but the value is much greater than the cost, IMHO.  My DH agrees, and like you he is "economical" 😉

If you like wine, check out the wine packages that are offered.  For me, they also offer good value.  YMMV.

I saw the lunch in the pinnacle grill and that is a good one! I had forgotten about that - thank you! It is exactly what I was looking for and I will check out the wine packages. I was wondering about those as well. Thank you and happy sailing!!

[Mary229]

Buy a HAL gift card from AARP at a 10% savings.  If paired with a credit card reward calendar you can even boost your savings. Use a chase Sapphire card which includes a travel insurance benefit, that is up to a 10% savings depending on your age. 

[pxn748]

Stay out of the casino and spa!

[SeaCapt]

But if you do want to use the spa, get a haricut, or whatever, wait a few days for the coupons to show up in your cabin mail. We usually get something like a "$70 off any service" coupon, and with men's haircuts less than that, it means you get a freebie. For my wife, it means the onboard prices are about the same as a salon at home.

[rgoldstein86]

3 hours ago, wesport said:

Personally I think we should be focused on spending money so our cruise lines will be around in the future. IMHO

If you would like to donate to me, I'd be happy to spend your money to keep HAL sitting pretty. Just kidding (....kind of) 😉. I think the intent here was to get ideas on how to save money for those who might not have so much excess pocket change. Not everyone is in a position to be thinking about the the financial health of multi-billion dollar international companies as opposed to themselves. Any way to be able to enjoy amenities at lower cost is a great thing to know about for me, and I think what the OP was hoping to hear about.

 

I'm also interested in any cost-saving options. I've read about happy hours and 2-for-1 deals on drinks but don't know the details. Following.

Edited October 31, 2022 by rgoldstein86

[PACD_JG]

Stowaway?

 

The truly "economical" made their savings at the beginning of the cruise, not at the end (while onboard).  Haven't you read about all the folks who are cruising for nothing more than port fees and taxes?  They are the real winners who don't have to worry about squeezing nickels, coupons, and happy hours.

[Andi Land]

I like to bring in my own water bottle and individual packets of Propel flavored mix and make my own flavored water. Keeps me from buying expensive bar drinks. I do still have a few but this allows me to limit them. 
I prepurchase a bottle of rum for my hubby so he can mix his own rum and coke drinks. 
 

we set aside money for one specialty restaurant each cruise and wait for an MDR menu that doesn’t appeal and then treat ourselves. 
 

we DIY our own shore excursions if it’s a place we’ve been before. 
 

We are learning that we don’t always need a balcony room. If getting on the ship means an inside or OV, we book the cheaper room. Being onboard and doing more traveling is more Important than room type. 

[newtocruiseinblue]

Yes, just trying to bring a light topic to the board with some positivity. We are clearly supporting HAL and spending money while onboard and I just recently learned about the spa raffle and some other fun ideas. I figured the HAL connoisseurs on the board knew fun free things to do on board or other money saving traveling tips! We like to  spend but do so economically. We also splurge to treat ourselves. 
 

We attend happy hour where the second drink is 25-50% off. We will probably also bring two bottles of wine onboard. 
 

It is good to know about the spa coupons and doing lunch in the pinnacle. 
 

Also, we do this no matter where we travel - not just this cruise. We usually have a good idea of our budget and try to stay within reason but most of all relax and have fun. That is one of the things that we love about cruising Holland America is that all of the meals are included and there are no surprises trying to track down touristy restaurants. Happy cruising! 

[AKJonesy]

We don't buy any drink packages, but we do go to happy hour when HAL offers it.  I read somewhere that it is buy one get one 25% off now v 50% off.  Not sure, but we will probably still go.  Pinnacle Grill for lunch was mentioned and is a good value.  When you buy coffee they have little pastries (for free).  They used to offer champagne at some events.  Not sure if they do that anymore.  Also, this isn't onboard, but I like to pack some treats and have them in my stateroom when I want a bit of candy.  

[mightycruisequeen]

DH & I don't drink alcohol anymore, and that simple lifestyle change has resulted in so much savings on cruises.  Being teatotalers absolutely rocks! 🙂

[Banditswife]

We keep an eye on our onboard spending by checking our balance at least daily.  We try to keep to a budget that we set forth prior to cruise.

For our upcoming cruises we bought the HIA pkg.  Even though we are not big alcohol drinkers, we felt it was a good value for the $50 per person per day. 

Even though going to casino can be costly & wasteful, it does seem that generates future cruise offers.  So we play a bit, keeping to our budget.

[puppycanducruise]

1 hour ago, newtocruiseinblue said:

 

We attend happy hour where the second drink is 25-50% off. We will probably also bring two bottles of wine onboard. 
 

Just a reminder, that there will be a corkage charge of $20 per bottle for every bottle of wine brought aboard, you no longer get any freebies.

[FlaMariner]

We do not buy......

 

• drink packages
• water/coffee
• mini bar (don't touch it and on long cruises ask that the stuff be removed)
• Club Orange/Retreat/Cabanas
• Suites
• Bingo/gambling
• internet
• speciality dining (been to all of them except Rudi's once....never felt it was worth the $$$ and love the MDR)
• cruise ship port tours (unless a one of a kind....we book small tours not w/ship)
• photos (been there, done that)

 

We do buy....

 

• thermal suite (and get our money's worth visiting frequently and love it)
• Spa (Her Majesty enjoys getting spa treatments...she sometimes gets free stuff from the embarkation raffle)
• Sommelier wine package (get package #1 with Mariner discount)
• unlimited laundry (can save on baggage fees and allows us to easily take cheaper transport like trains)
• drinks at happy hour (not big drinkers so could never justify drink packages)
• onboard Future Cruise Deposits
• inside or up to VF balconies (based on itinerary) 

 

My list is not neccesarily a cost savings list but is more about how we roll....which includes savings and splurges so that we are comfortable with the overall costs.

 

I'm so glad we get choices on Holland America Line....We can make our own decisions about services/experiences that have value for us.   

 

 

[cwd79]

We used to stay solely in Neptune Suites. Then one cruise we decided to see how an interior felt. Obviously smaller, and some perks were missed from being in the Neptune Suites but we really enjoyed the savings from staying in an interior. Plus, we now cruise from once or twice a year to four to five times a year now because of the cost savings. 

[ShipWalker]

Use the free dry saunas. Every HAL ship has one.

[DaveOKC]

I book the least expensive cabin I would be comfortable sailing in and then watch out for upsell offers to better categories.  

[cruzer0007]

6 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

As has been repeated many times on this forum, the water from the cooler in the Lido is fine to drink and no need to purchase bottled (or canned!) water.

we also do this, drink tap water (always), and even get it at lounges in the evening (free). I do tip (cash) the servers who bring me water, and after a few days they start to bring it without me even asking.

 

We do not get the drink package, neither one of us can drink enough, day after day, to enjoy our time, and be ahead financially with that approach

 

if we want a glass of wine at dinner (we eat early) we sometimes get a glass (or even a double poor glass) at the very end of happy hour then head to the MDR with it in hand as we enter.

 

we avoid the up charge restaurants, for us the MDR has always been very good.

[newtocruiseinblue]

3 hours ago, ShipWalker said:

Use the free dry saunas. Every HAL ship has one.

Cool! I will check it out!

[newtocruiseinblue]

4 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

We do not buy......

 

• drink packages
• water/coffee
• mini bar (don't touch it and on long cruises ask that the stuff be removed)
• Club Orange/Retreat/Cabanas
• Suites
• Bingo/gambling
• internet
• speciality dining (been to all of them except Rudi's once....never felt it was worth the $$$ and love the MDR)
• cruise ship port tours (unless a one of a kind....we book small tours not w/ship)
• photos (been there, done that)

 

We do buy....

 

• thermal suite (and get our money's worth visiting frequently and love it)
• Spa (Her Majesty enjoys getting spa treatments...she sometimes gets free stuff from the embarkation raffle)
• Sommelier wine package (get package #1 with Mariner discount)
• unlimited laundry (can save on baggage fees and allows us to easily take cheaper transport like trains)
• drinks at happy hour (not big drinkers so could never justify drink packages)
• onboard Future Cruise Deposits
• inside or up to VF balconies (based on itinerary) 

 

My list is not neccesarily a cost savings list but is more about how we roll....which includes savings and splurges so that we are comfortable with the overall costs.

 

I'm so glad we get choices on Holland America Line....We can make our own decisions about services/experiences that have value for us.   

 

 

Yes!! We have similar philosophies!! I never realized unlimited laundry is less expensive than most baggage fees on airlines these days. Thank you!!