What is your best onboard money-saving hack?

[newtocruiseinblue]

With ice tea and lemonade as included beverages, my husband makes himself an Arnold Palmer with 1/2 ice tea and 1/2 lemonade. ☺️  I like the creativity 🥰

[keysey222]

On 11/1/2022 at 4:40 PM, Mary229 said:

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?

Prior to the cruise. It took about 3 days into a 7-day for the money to appear in our onboard account.

[keysey222]

On 11/1/2022 at 8:45 PM, sandiego1 said:

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!

This doesn't surprise me one bit. The previous cruise we did the shore excursion guarantee on was in Norway and the excursions were easily $80-$100 more per person through HAL. They even charged just under full price for our 2-year-old, who turns out what supposed to be free on all the private versions (they honored this when giving us onboard credit). The price differences were honestly egregious.  This is why we received so much onboard credit and HAL actually owed us a few bucks at the end. 

[Hlitner]

My answer to the OP will not be popular  Go on a different cruise line!  Not all lines have a budget policy with add-ons, nickel and diming, etc.   But if you must you must so lets talk about lines like HAL.  We never buy bottled water as it is silly to pay more for water than gasoline.  The water out of the tap is fine and if you want to get more choosy you can get your tap water in the Lido where it is run through extra filters.  We completely avoid the casino, especially when there is smoking (which saves having to constantly launder clothes to get out the stink).  BINGO is another thing we avoid (I used to help run bingo for our fire department and know about the lousy odds).  

 

And then there are the onboard shops, photo gallery, art auctions, etc.  All to be happily avoided although there are times when the art auctions are the best entertainment at sea as we watch folks overpay (in a big way) for machine made glycee prints.  The art auctions are a big money maker for the cruise line which is why they allocate it plenty of space and even loan some cruise line staff to help the well compensated (via commissions) auction staff.

 

And now HAL presents a new opportunity to spend money which are the add-ons in the Pinnacle and even the MDR!  We just live with what is included.  When we want really good food we dine off the ship :).  So here is a hint.  If you want decent lobster (I am talking live Maine Lobster or big cold water lobster tails) take yourself to Kelly's Landing the night before you board your cruise at Port Everglades.  Kelly's Landing also has some of the best New England Clam Chowder I have had outside of New England.

 

And finally, we avoid (like the plague) just about any cruise line excursion except in the very rare instances when we cannot possibly do things on our own or with a small group private tour.  Cruise line excursions are horribly overpriced, horribly overcrowded, and our least favorite way to experience just about anything on land.  Consider that paying $50-$60 per person for a simple walking tour is just crazy.  Go out and do your own walk and if you really want a running commentary just use a Smartphone to get a free walking tour guide.

 

Hank

[newtocruiseinblue]

23 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

My answer to the OP will not be popular  Go on a different cruise line!  Not all lines have a budget policy with add-ons, nickel and diming, etc.   But if you must you must so lets talk about lines like HAL.  We never buy bottled water as it is silly to pay more for water than gasoline.  The water out of the tap is fine and if you want to get more choosy you can get your tap water in the Lido where it is run through extra filters.  We completely avoid the casino, especially when there is smoking (which saves having to constantly launder clothes to get out the stink).  BINGO is another thing we avoid (I used to help run bingo for our fire department and know about the lousy odds).  

 

And then there are the onboard shops, photo gallery, art auctions, etc.  All to be happily avoided although there are times when the art auctions are the best entertainment at sea as we watch folks overpay (in a big way) for machine made glycee prints.  The art auctions are a big money maker for the cruise line which is why they allocate it plenty of space and even loan some cruise line staff to help the well compensated (via commissions) auction staff.

 

And now HAL presents a new opportunity to spend money which are the add-ons in the Pinnacle and even the MDR!  We just live with what is included.  When we want really good food we dine off the ship :).  So here is a hint.  If you want decent lobster (I am talking live Maine Lobster or big cold water lobster tails) take yourself to Kelly's Landing the night before you board your cruise at Port Everglades.  Kelly's Landing also has some of the best New England Clam Chowder I have had outside of New England.

 

And finally, we avoid (like the plague) just about any cruise line excursion except in the very rare instances when we cannot possibly do things on our own or with a small group private tour.  Cruise line excursions are horribly overpriced, horribly overcrowded, and our least favorite way to experience just about anything on land.  Consider that paying $50-$60 per person for a simple walking tour is just crazy.  Go out and do your own walk and if you really want a running commentary just use a Smartphone to get a free walking tour guide.

 

Hank

Rick Steves offers some pretty good waking tours on his app "Rick Steve's audio Europe". I did one in Venice that Rick made with the public transportation boat through the canals - it was amazing. You can pause, slow down, speed up and skip through the audio tours on the app as well so it made it really easy. We also went in several HAL EXC tours through the Mediterranean, which we absolutely loved and enjoyed every moment. This was pre-COVID. We just did another Mediterranean cruise through Celebrity in July and, although we absolutely loved the ship and onboard experience, the tours felt incredibly rushed. This was partly due to the post-COVID world that we are in now. We have two HAL cruises booked and one Celebrity, so we will be doing a combination of on our own things and special shore excursions. Thanks for the tips!! Cheers

[Hlitner]

12 minutes ago, newtocruiseinblue said:

Rick Steves offers some pretty good waking tours on his app "Rick Steve's audio Europe". I did one in Venice that Rick made with the public transportation boat through the canals - it was amazing. You can pause, slow down, speed up and skip through the audio tours on the app as well so it made it really easy. We also went in several HAL EXC tours through the Mediterranean, which we absolutely loved and enjoyed every moment. This was pre-COVID. We just did another Mediterranean cruise through Celebrity in July and, although we absolutely loved the ship and onboard experience, the tours felt incredibly rushed. This was partly due to the post-COVID world that we are in now. We have two HAL cruises booked and one Celebrity, so we will be doing a combination of on our own things and special shore excursions. Thanks for the tips!! Cheers

We are big fans of the Rick Steves books and his published (in books and online) walking tours.  My only complaint about his books is that we suggest avoiding his recommended restaurants.  You will generally find them full of tourists (each with their Rick Steves book).  Whatever they were when Rick Steves published his book, they are not the same now :(.  But his walking tours, when downloaded on a phone, are usually wonderful and they give you turn-by-turn directions.  The best part is the cost...Free!  Consider a couple can save $100+ every day they use one of those walking tours instead of booking a walking excursion.  Another issue I have with walking tours are the guides tend to direct folks (or take them by the hand) into stores which pay kick-backs to the guide.  It is a big con.  We live in Puerto Vallarta (for part of the year) and I watch those cruise line walking tour groups being taken into stores that we would not give the time of day (we have lived in PV for 16 winters).

 

Hank

 

 

[newtocruiseinblue]

8 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

We are big fans of the Rick Steves books and his published (in books and online) walking tours.  My only complaint about his books is that we suggest avoiding his recommended restaurants.  You will generally find them full of tourists (each with their Rick Steves book).  Whatever they were when Rick Steves published his book, they are not the same now :(.  But his walking tours, when downloaded on a phone, are usually wonderful and they give you turn-by-turn directions.  The best part is the cost...Free!  Consider a couple can save $100+ every day they use one of those walking tours instead of booking a walking excursion.  Another issue I have with walking tours are the guides tend to direct folks (or take them by the hand) into stores which pay kick-backs to the guide.  It is a big con.  We live in Puerto Vallarta (for part of the year) and I watch those cruise line walking tour groups being taken into stores that we would not give the time of day (we have lived in PV for 16 winters).

 

Hank

 

 

Yes, seems to be on every excursion. My hubby likes to joke "and now I'm going to be taking you to my brother-in-laws shop to look around" 😂🤣

[pghflyer]

Great tip on the 10% off AARP discount.  

https://www.aarp.org/rewards/redeem/#all_rewards=undefined&sort-by=default&type=filter_travel

 

Unlike the other cruise gift cards on AARP, the Holland has very few limitations on use at all, which  makes them great (ex. RCL is only valid with direct new books with RCL and not valid onboard or with TAs!!). I mean, it looks like you could buy up to (5) $500 gift cards a month (at a cost of $450 each). So if planning to use towards onboard charges, I assume you could just use it at the ship customer service desk before the last day? 

 

How would this work for a booking made with a TA, can TAs accept these or does one need to somehow apply it directly with Holland?

 

Edited November 3, 2022 by pghflyer

[albingirl]

I don't play bingo or do the casino.  We don't buy much in the shops and we take a cab and go to alot of places on our own. In Europe, however,  we have had some magnificent tours worth every dime.  Generally, We don't spend wildly and manage just fine. Tap water is my middle name.

[Mary229]

2 hours ago, pghflyer said:

How would this work for a booking made with a TA, can TAs accept these or does one need to somehow apply it directly with Holland?

Simply give your TA the car number and pin and they can pay your fare 

[ShipWalker]

Step 1) Go to the Lido and get a tall glass by the water/juice area.

Step 2) Take it to the Lido Dessert bar and have them fill it with ice cream.

Step 3) Order a coke with a straw.

Step 4) Make an ice cream float.

Step 5) Enjoy and be the envy of all that see it.

Edited November 3, 2022 by ShipWalker

[newtocruiseinblue]

11 hours ago, ShipWalker said:

Step 1) Go to the Lido and get a tall glass by the water/juice area.

Step 2) Take it to the Lido Dessert bar and have them fill it with ice cream.

Step 3) Order a coke with a straw.

Step 4) Make an ice cream float.

Step 5) Enjoy and be the envy of all that see it.

Love it!

[MAVIP]

On 11/2/2022 at 9:53 PM, daisy-mae said:

There is at least one cruise line that provides a scale near the purser's desk on the day before debarkation so that guests can weigh their luggage before leaving.

m.s. Rotterdam: at least the decks I stayed in or visited the last nights: a scale near the elevators.

[fsufancc]

Not really money saving, but a hack nonetheless. It takes me about 10 minutes to be ready for dinner and Mrs Fan takes 30 minutes or more.  I head up to the buffet and create a charcuterie plate with cheeses, some thin sliced meats, olives, cherry tomatoes, crackers or bread (with butter), whatever they have. I grab 2 serving wraps (napkin with silverware wrapped inside). We are most always in a balcony cabin, so I bring in the table from the balcony. Put the cloth napkins on the table as a tablecloth and set out the plate of finger snacks. We can nosh and snack while getting ready for dinner. We normally bring 2 bottles of wine on the ship (this will be our first HAL cruise - so not sure about the wine allotment) and I pour a couple glasses of wine. It makes for a great "happy hour" in our cabin.  Before we head up to dinner, I clean up and stack the plates, and put the table back.

[KroozNut]

18 hours ago, ShipWalker said:

Step 1) Go to the Lido and get a tall glass by the water/juice area.

Step 2) Take it to the Lido Dessert bar and have them fill it with ice cream.

Step 3) Order a coke with a straw.

Step 4) Make an ice cream float.

Step 5) Enjoy and be the envy of all that see it.

 

TBH, I would not be envying that! 😉

[Florida_gal_50]

20 hours ago, ShipWalker said:

Step 1) Go to the Lido and get a tall glass by the water/juice area.

Step 2) Take it to the Lido Dessert bar and have them fill it with ice cream.

Step 3) Order a coke with a straw.

Step 4) Make an ice cream float.

Step 5) Enjoy and be the envy of all that see it.

People really envy that?  It seems like it would be so easy to get themselves.  I've never liked floats.  Seems like a waste of good ice cream.

[Florida_gal_50]

4 hours ago, fsufancc said:

Not really money saving, but a hack nonetheless. It takes me about 10 minutes to be ready for dinner and Mrs Fan takes 30 minutes or more.  I head up to the buffet and create a charcuterie plate with cheeses, some thin sliced meats, olives, cherry tomatoes, crackers or bread (with butter), whatever they have. I grab 2 serving wraps (napkin with silverware wrapped inside). We are most always in a balcony cabin, so I bring in the table from the balcony. Put the cloth napkins on the table as a tablecloth and set out the plate of finger snacks. We can nosh and snack while getting ready for dinner. We normally bring 2 bottles of wine on the ship (this will be our first HAL cruise - so not sure about the wine allotment) and I pour a couple glasses of wine. It makes for a great "happy hour" in our cabin.  Before we head up to dinner, I clean up and stack the plates, and put the table back.

You have to pay corkage on every bottle you bring on no matter where it is consumed.  I believe its $20 a bottle but I may be wrong on that.

[FlaMariner]

......and w/3 Star discount, Sommelier package #1 comes out to $25 a bottle.  Not being picky wine people, it's not worth it to us to shlep bottles onboard to pay $20/a bottle boarding fee

 

(8 bottle package #1 $258.42 (includes 18% bar tip) - $54.75 (Mariner 3 star discount) = $203.67/8bottles = $25.46/bottle)

 

Source is my 12/2021 OBC account.

[USN59-79]

Remember there are some things that you can do off the ship without paying inflated prices.  We usually take long cruises, so I will need a haircut.  I have gotten them in China, Mexico, Taiwan, etc. for about ten percent of the shipboard price.  Realize that pharmacies in most countries have different rules than in the U.S.  In Istanbul I had a tooth infection.  Walked into a pharmacy, told the pharmacist my problem and she suggested an antibiotic and sold it to me.  Looked it up in the ship's library onboard (they still had libraries then) and found it was probably the most prescribed antibiotic for that type of infection.  Problem solved for about $5.  

Ray

[crystalspin]

5 hours ago, fsufancc said:

We normally bring 2 bottles of wine on the ship (this will be our first HAL cruise - so not sure about the wine allotment) and I pour a couple glasses of wine. It makes for a great "happy hour" in our cabin.  

As others said, there are no "free" bottles that you bring on. Unless you can drink very cheap wine or prefer significantly expensive wine, it's probably not worth it to tote your own with the corkage of $20@. Any bottle you buy on board can be brought to your stateroom. If you buy a Sommelier Suite (see @Crew Newsrecent flyer here:

https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Sommelier-Suite-2022.pdf )

the bottles can be delivered to your cabin or held for you in the dining room -- any mix thereof.

 

I like your style!

Edited November 4, 2022 by crystalspin

[DaveOKC]

33 minutes ago, FlaMariner said:

......and w/3 Star discount, Sommelier package #1 comes out to $25 a bottle.  Not being picky wine people, it's not worth it to us to shlep bottles onboard to pay $20/a bottle boarding fee

 

(8 bottle package #1 $258.42 (includes 18% bar tip) - $54.75 (Mariner 3 star discount) = $203.67/8bottles = $25.46/bottle)

 

Source is my 12/2021 OBC account.

At the 50% discount I JUST paid $80 for a 4 bottle package (Cellar #1).  At $20 a bottle, far less expensive and hassle than bringing your own onboard, for us non-sophisticated drinkers! 

[FlaMariner]

34 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

At the 50% discount I JUST paid $80 for a 4 bottle package (Cellar #1).  At $20 a bottle, far less expensive and hassle than bringing your own onboard, for us non-sophisticated drinkers! 

 

I'm clawing up the ladder and will wear out the 50% 4 Star wine discount hopefully soon!!!!

 

So let's see, in my example of the 8 bottle #1 package.......My price would drop from $203.67 to $148.92/8 bottles = $18.62 a bottle......bring it on!  Life is good! 4 Stars here I come...someday soon..LOL

[newtocruiseinblue]

10 hours ago, fsufancc said:

Not really money saving, but a hack nonetheless. It takes me about 10 minutes to be ready for dinner and Mrs Fan takes 30 minutes or more.  I head up to the buffet and create a charcuterie plate with cheeses, some thin sliced meats, olives, cherry tomatoes, crackers or bread (with butter), whatever they have. I grab 2 serving wraps (napkin with silverware wrapped inside). We are most always in a balcony cabin, so I bring in the table from the balcony. Put the cloth napkins on the table as a tablecloth and set out the plate of finger snacks. We can nosh and snack while getting ready for dinner. We normally bring 2 bottles of wine on the ship (this will be our first HAL cruise - so not sure about the wine allotment) and I pour a couple glasses of wine. It makes for a great "happy hour" in our cabin.  Before we head up to dinner, I clean up and stack the plates, and put the table back.

Love this!!!

[newtocruiseinblue]

5 hours ago, crystalspin said:

As others said, there are no "free" bottles that you bring on. Unless you can drink very cheap wine or prefer significantly expensive wine, it's probably not worth it to tote your own with the corkage of $20@. Any bottle you buy on board can be brought to your stateroom. If you buy a Sommelier Suite (see @Crew Newsrecent flyer here:

https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Sommelier-Suite-2022.pdf )

the bottles can be delivered to your cabin or held for you in the dining room -- any mix thereof.

 

I like your style!

Question on the wine package - do they walk you through it or let you taste the wines prior to making your selections or is that not a thing? 😊 We are leaning towards a wine package. 

[Florida_gal_50]

28 minutes ago, newtocruiseinblue said:

Question on the wine package - do they walk you through it or let you taste the wines prior to making your selections or is that not a thing? 😊 We are leaning towards a wine package. 

You could pay for a wine tasting.  If you have certain questions they may be able to help.  I don’t think you can randomly taste wine for free.  Why buy? You could just do that every day 😛.