What is your best onboard money-saving hack?

[sandiego1]

Depending on the length of the cruise, it could be cheaper to do the $20 “stuff a bag” laundry instead of the daily package

[oaktreerb]

The first thing we do is remove the contents of the refrigerator/cooler.  You can also ask your steward to do it. Then I fill it up with snacks and drinks for those times when there is no food available on the ship.

Juice is available in the Lido only at breakfast.  You can take a glass back to your room later (mixers or instead of a soda).  Take cookies back to the room for a snack.  Fruit too, since they no longer provide in room.  Refill your water bottle from the sink.  

 

Get a map of the area you are visiting and plan your own “city tour”.  Check out public bus routes for the area.

[Banditswife]

For the past few cruises I packed my own coffee creamers.  Most coffee I have had from any lido machine is way too strong for me.  I add hot water & my favorite creamer to make it tolerable.  This works for iced coffee too.  Fill my own tumbler w/ ice from lido then add the strong coffee & my cream.

 

I agree about the lower category cabin, we don't spend much time there anyway, so why pay for a balcony or a suite when an inside is much less expensive.  Now if they offer us a good deal on an OV or higher, sure we will take it.  Also depending on where you are going, sometimes the benefits from a veranda are worth the cost.

 

Laundry: we are Platinum on Carnival, so laundry is included.  But on HAL, we use the "by the bag option."  We can pack much lighter knowing we will have it sent out 1-2x per every 7 day of the cruise.

[vswan]

On our last cruise we had OBC that we had to use or lose on the last day, so we are not big spenders once onboard. We used the OBC to pay the daily service fees, the laundry bag and a few beverages along the way. We are not big drinkers but both enjoy a beer sitting on the balcony. During happy hour we were able to purchase, BOGO and put into our fridge for when we wanted them ( think this may no longer be BOGO). DH likes the free sauna, we have had the spa coupon also - think they sent out to those who do the tour on the first day.

 

Research online before you go. The port section of CC has a lot of helpful info about the destinations and how to save money and still see what you want to see. We have also become very proficient at public transportation. LOL

[VMax1700]

Beer!

I am not a beer drinker so I may be wrong on this one, but I have purchased a 'bucket' of beer (for a specific purpose), which was cheaper than purchasing individual bottles. If I asked that they not be opened then I could take them to the stateroom and store them in the fridge for rationed consumption! 

[Sherry H]

I got a question that I hope will save me money.  As a 4 star, I get 50% off mini-bar purchases.

However I am going on a Zaandam cruise and have an oceanview room with no fridge!  I know I can rent a fridge but I see in some of the cabin photos, cans of pop on the vanity.  Will I be able to request diet cans of coke left for purchase. If so, I don't really need to rent a fridge.  After all, we have ice.

I hope my question made sense!!

[Mary229]

48 minutes ago, Sherry H said:

I got a question that I hope will save me money.  As a 4 star, I get 50% off mini-bar purchases.

However I am going on a Zaandam cruise and have an oceanview room with no fridge!  I know I can rent a fridge but I see in some of the cabin photos, cans of pop on the vanity.  Will I be able to request diet cans of coke left for purchase. If so, I don't really need to rent a fridge.  After all, we have ice.

I hope my question made sense!!

I don’t know the direct answer to your question as I never buy off the minibar.  I do buy my soda or Perrier at the bar unopened and carry it to my room.   Also some have recommended a foldable cooler to stash your ice and drinks.  I will see if I saved that link

[crystalspin]

12 hours ago, newtocruiseinblue said:

It is exactly what I was looking for and I will check out the wine packages. I was wondering about those as well. 

Be aware that the wine in Sommelier Suites is for consumption in dining room(s) or your cabin, not in bars/lounges/theatre. That might affect how many bottles in the package you choose!

[crystalspin]

10 hours ago, newtocruiseinblue said:

We will probably also bring two bottles of wine onboard. 

Just to make sure you know there are no more "free" bottles that you bring on board: all bottles have a $20@ corkage charge (even if you drink them in your cabin). This can save you money if you like either very cheap or very expensive wines, but for middle of the range wines I find it a wash.

[oldbluff]

13 hours 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 second lunch in the Pinnacle Grill. Usually a great experience at a reasonable fee. I believe it is only open for lunch on sea days. 

[AFNavigator]

You can save by buying Club Orange if you have a specific cabin or higher tier category class in mind.  For example, if you want a particular V-category balcony cabin, you can book the lowest obstructed balcony fare, buy Club Orange, and get upgraded for free to your preferred cabin.  We did that and the fare came in $60 less than the V-cabin cost, and that was after the $350 Club Orange fee.  

[bluetardis]

I bring my own drink mix, for my water bottle. But I do buy the coffee card. Also bring my own 12pack of soda. I’m also in an inside cabin

Edited November 1, 2022 by bluetardis

[LMaxwell]

15 hours ago, SeaCapt said:

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.

They wouldn't let me use that $70 Off for a haircut this weekend.  Only on a Haircut with other services that would have been $110+. 

[keysey222]

Something to do prior to boarding is taking advantage of their best price shore excursion guarantee. We did this with our last cruise to Norway. It took less than an hour for me to find the same excursions at substantially lower prices and submit them to HAL. They'll credit you the difference in cost plus 10% extra in the form of onboard credit. We got hundreds of dollars credited to us. It took care of our specialty dining, gratuities and extra small purchases (we had the Have it All, so drinks were already included). We owed nothing at the end of the cruise for the first time ever.

Edited November 1, 2022 by keysey222

[Mary229]

6 hours ago, keysey222 said:

Something to do prior to boarding is taking advantage of their best price shore excursion guarantee. We did this with our last cruise to Norway. It took less than an hour for me to find the same excursions at substantially lower prices and submit them to HAL. They'll credit you the difference in cost plus 10% extra in the form of onboard credit. We got hundreds of dollars credited to us. It took care of our specialty dining, gratuities and extra small purchases (we had the Have it All, so drinks were already included). We owed nothing at the end of the cruise for the first time ever.

Thanks for the reminder. I have never tried it but will!  So did you wait until onboard to notify them of the difference or did you handle it before the cruise?

[KroozNut]

On 10/31/2022 at 8:01 AM, FlaMariner said:

• drinks at happy hour (not big drinkers so could never justify drink packages)

 

Don't know how many times we see this when discussing beverage packages. They're not just alcohol, and they can be cost effective when you factor in the other beverages that they include.

[Mary229]

9 hours ago, keysey222 said:

Something to do prior to boarding is taking advantage of their best price shore excursion guarantee. We did this with our last cruise to Norway. It took less than an hour for me to find the same excursions at substantially lower prices and submit them to HAL. They'll credit you the difference in cost plus 10% extra in the form of onboard credit. We got hundreds of dollars credited to us. It took care of our specialty dining, gratuities and extra small purchases (we had the Have it All, so drinks were already included). We owed nothing at the end of the cruise for the first time ever.

Well I went through all of my upcoming shore excursions and HAL was the same or a better price or a better experience in every one.   I have more in mind but will keep this policy in mind   Thanks again

[Banditswife]

1 hour ago, KroozNut said:

Don't know how many times we see this when discussing beverage packages. They're not just alcohol, and they can be cost effective when you factor in the other beverages that they include.

Agree:  here is my math- HIA pkg is $350 per person for a seven day cruise. When you calculate $100 shore ex credit, $45 specialty dining credit, Low level WIFI $20 (value to me)- then you are left with $185 for drinks over the course of 7 days.  Will I spend approximately $25-$30 per day on drinks like coffee, soda & non alcoholic beverages?  Yes, plus I might experiment & try things I might not have otherwise tried.

                                       

[FlaMariner]

9 hours ago, keysey222 said:

Something to do prior to boarding is taking advantage of their best price shore excursion guarantee.

 

Your experience has me wanting to give this another try.

 

I tried it last year on an excursion and they came back and because of some minor variation (I forgot what it was but seemed minor at the time) they would not honor.....So I thought all excursions have something small different and this would never really work.

 

I'll try again and thanks!

[Florida_gal_50]

56 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Well I went through all of my upcoming shore excursions and HAL was the same or a better price or a better experience in every one.   I have more in mind but will keep this policy in mind   Thanks again

I feel like hal has decreased their shore excursion prices over the last few years at least where I tend to go.  I can’t speak for Alaska because I live where it feel like it’s cold 10 months of the year and I don’t want to pay to be cold.

Edited November 2, 2022 by Florida_gal_50

[Mary229]

1 minute ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I feel like hal has decreased their shore excursion prices over the last few years at least were I tend to go.  I can’t speak for Alaska because I live where it feel like it’s cold 10 months of the year and I don’t want to pay to be cold.

I agree plus I use the 10% discounted gift card.    I usually do look before booking but with this reminder I thought I would look again.   I sailed Alaska this summer and though I didn’t use any shore excursions I did look.  Alaska excursions are expensive regardless where you buy them and HAL is in line with the private operators.  

[Florida_gal_50]

42 minutes ago, Banditswife said:

Agree:  here is my math- HIA pkg is $350 per person for a seven day cruise. When you calculate $100 shore ex credit, $45 specialty dining credit, Low level WIFI $20 (value to me)- then you are left with $185 for drinks over the course of 7 days.  Will I spend approximately $25-$30 per day on drinks like coffee, soda & non alcoholic beverages?  Yes, plus I might experiment & try things I might not have otherwise tried.

                                       

Same.  I tend to watch what I spend on drink wise because my vacations cost a lot already.  When I have the package I’m more likely to drink coffee, Perrier or even virgin drinks.  I do tend to have a couple liquor drinks in the evening so it’s likely a wash.

[sandiego1]

54 minutes ago, FlaMariner said:

 

Your experience has me wanting to give this another try.

 

I tried it last year on an excursion and they came back and because of some minor variation (I forgot what it was but seemed minor at the time) they would not honor.....So I thought all excursions have something small different and this would never really work.

 

I'll try again and thanks!

I’ve had the same issue. On one excursion, HAL had a person to escort you from the ship to the train(in Alaska). It was a very short walk. In Flam, they stop for a single pancake while on the Flam railroad.They justified charging substantially more for both excursions. We bought them independently. For Flam, it was over $100pp more. That’s one helluva pancake!

[schildiams]

On 10/31/2022 at 7:32 AM, Mary229 said:

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. 

How do you buy these cards?

[schildiams]

On 10/31/2022 at 3:17 PM, newtocruiseinblue said:

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

What's the fee?