TIPS For Saving money on board....

[SoCalCruiseguy]

On Carnival I have brought several different "flavors" of my favorite beverages plus mixers, cups and those little umbrellas to make it official. Also brought a case of soda, a case of bottled water and a case of beer All put in separate suitcases and checked. The bottles of wine and champagne don't leave my sight, are carried on and are by the way, perfectly acceptable.

Buying the drink coupons in advance is a cool thing. Helps keep the post cruise sign and sail charges down PLUS, all of your taxes and gratuities are included when you use one of the coupons so you save a little there. Also, it pays to by a souvenior glass and then use the coupons to refill them. You get a much bigger frozen drink for what is in effect $5.00 incl the tip instead of $7 and being in a little plastic glass. There is usually no problem bringing beer back onboard from a port call either. On the Conquest they put an article in the CAPERS Newsletter that said "cases of beer" would not be permitted to be brought back onboard. So we all just brought 12 packs back with us in plain sight and had no problems at all.

[FutureFlash]

[quote name='Suzanne123']My biggest money-saver has been not to use the slow connection and exorbitant rates for internet access on board, but wait until we reach a port. I have found much cheaper internet cafes in St. Thomas, Cozumel, GrandCayman, Juneau, Alaska -- even the Panama Canal!
If you are a platinum member on Princess, internet access is free, and probably the other lines have this perk for past cruisers. But if you're fairly new to the line, wait until you get to shore.
Bon Voyage![/QUOTE]

How do you find these Internet cafes? We'll be visiting several of the ports you mentioned next month.

[hunnibee]

I was looking at all of the web sites that have gift baskets that can be sent to the ship. I did not see any that would send to Mobile. Does any one know of any?

Thanks
Shannon

[jack109]

Glory Bound! 20th Anniversary<BR>[IMG]http://www.echlforums.com/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ffff&cdt=2006;8;19;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/IMG]

[dayna84]

there is usually an internet cafe very near where the ships dock. believe me, most ports are tourist friendly. When we were in PV, Mexico the cafe was right before you boarded. The cost was very very very cheap compared to the ship.

[cb at sea]

What are these "gifts" for? Is it someone's birthday or special occassion, or are you just getting yourselves "bon voyage" gifts?

[kenandlaura06]

[quote name='cb at sea']What are these "gifts" for? Is it someone's birthday or special occassion, or are you just getting yourselves "bon voyage" gifts?[/quote]

I think it is for all of those things.

[michelle101]

[quote name='HOSKI']We book our own excursions or on islands we are familar with we do our own thing.
I order drink coupons on Carnival for my fro-fro drinks, only saves about .50 per drink but that is my limit so I don't buy any more than I have coupons for.
I take my own soda as I'm a Pepsi drinker.
If I want cabin gifts (usually cruise for DD birthday) I order from a private company and have it sent to the ship. Some will include beer and my pepsi.
Make hubby buy buckets beer on lido deck verses individual ones at the other bars.
We bought inexpensive snorkel equipment instead of renting each time (savings over time).
We look for hotels in our departure city that have free parking for the week when you fly or cruise.
Always book our own air.
Research each port and look for coupons online.
Take lots of $1s so we don't overtip because we have no small bills.[/QUOTE]
I know your posting was a long time ago but I just read it and was wondering what the name of the company was you used. I have checked a few a they run $26.00/6pack. That's much more than the cruiseline charges.

Any Suggestions?
Thanks, Michelle

[cruisingagainsoon]

Does anyone know of a company that will deliver a case of beer to the Oosterdam leaving from San Diego? I agree that the six pack gift baskets are too much money.

[srlafleur]

[quote name='ripleysmom']
Stay away from the photo gallery.

[/quote]

But, if you know you can resist temptation, have pictures taken anyway - you might win a giveaway like I did when I took a cruise with my mom. 16x20, photo of my choice on canvas. Unfortunately, we're both camera-shy, so the only choice I had was the embarkation photo, when we were laden with carry-ons, paperwork, etc.:rolleyes: Boy, did I kick myself that we hadn't done some of the "glamour shots!"

[Morisnfan]

We discovered Britta makes filtered water bottles. These are great for taking on trips, shore excursions etc. They have a little filter that can be replaced when needed. This really saves tons instead of buying bottles water to bring on board or if hesitant about the tap water (or just don't enjoy the taste)

[craigtompkins]

[quote name='Morisnfan']We discovered Britta makes filtered water bottles. These are great for taking on trips, shore excursions etc. They have a little filter that can be replaced when needed. This really saves tons instead of buying bottles water to bring on board or if hesitant about the tap water (or just don't enjoy the taste)[/quote]

Britta has stopped making these. Do you know of any place that still has them in stock?

[Garrick]

[quote name='cruizinrican']
And do take advantage of the free drinks available but I'd stay away from the ship's water. Drink only bottled to be sure.
.[/QUOTE]

Sure of what? if you drink the iced tea, lemonade, coffee, punch, etc you're drinking the ship's water they hardly make them from bottled.

I always love it when people will buy a fountain coke, but not drink tap water. ummm it's tap water in that coke.

Garrick

[hooked-on cruising]

Hello Cruisers:

Here are my two bits:

First bit: Assuming you have booked your cruise months ahead (and you really should, so that you have plenty to time to plan) - figure out how much you want to spend and can be comfortable with, then save, save, save before sail date and then have a ball onboard, spending on what you like knowing that the funds are there at your disposal - further, start putting the funds away by either feeding the credit card you intend to use (you will end up with a sizeable credit balance) or open a bank account earmarked for your cruise and faithfully deposit (thus save) to this account. Think of it as a treat to yourself - it's your vacation, you earned it, you saved for it so budgeting should be the last thing you need to worry about.
Second bit: Have an idea of what interests you - maybe you are in need of a (yes, I mean ONE only and as in number 1) formal portrait if you do not usually take formal pics at home (just buy the pic, frames are plentiful at home); my hubby and I have started a collection of purchasing one (yes, one again) Christmas decoration for our tree for each place we visit, including the cruise ship itself - so far we have Hawaii and Alaska - we will be going to the Caribbean and Mexico for our next two cruises; cruise logo wear and souvenirs always tease you - select wisely, ie. something that is really useful and that you can AND WILL use again and again - my "greatest" purchase is a zipper pouch that hangs around my neck - it is lightweight and I use this on board - it carries my onboard pass (which is really all I need aboard) and (folded) schedule for the day - this pouch is representative of my first cruise - so no new pouches for me, at least for now.

In addition to all the great previous posts, hope the above is useful! :)

regards,
h-o c

[westernmom]

Crgnjul,

Seychelle makes a really good filtration bottle. You can find them in many sporting good stores or online. Try ebay. My boss travels extensively and he never leaves home without one! He's extremely fussy about cleanliness and is hesitant about drinking in foriegn countries.

You can actually take water out of a gutter and it will purify it enough to drink! We have experimented with muddy water, etc. and our water specialist says it's pure! They have an insulated covering so it keeps your water cold also.

I take one with me all of the time.

[Morisnfan]

[quote name='crgnjul']Britta has stopped making these. Do you know of any place that still has them in stock?[/QUOTE]

We bought ours from target a couple of years ago- I didnt realize they had been discontinued. I see that people still sell them on Ebay if you are interested. There are also supposedly other filters that work in those bottles (if you already have one)

[CBussey64]

[quote name='srlafleur']But, if you know you can resist temptation, have pictures taken anyway - you might win a giveaway like I did when I took a cruise with my mom. 16x20, photo of my choice on canvas. Unfortunately, we're both camera-shy, so the only choice I had was the embarkation photo, when we were laden with carry-ons, paperwork, etc.:rolleyes: Boy, did I kick myself that we hadn't done some of the "glamour shots!"[/quote]


How many pictures do they take on the ships? How much if you bought them all?

[kwil38]

I can only speak about Carnival, but they will take as many as you let them take. There's always someone taking them upon embarkation and when reboarding the ship at a port. Plus there are are several taking them with different backgrounds on the formal nights. You certainly don't have to have you picture taking each time, but it's available if you choose to.

[joejennie]

crgnjul, Try chcking CVS for the Brita water bottles and filters. I saw some at a CVS we were picking up a few things at this weekend. I was going to try and check Wal-Mart to see what their price was. CVS had them for $8.99 and then you can buy replacement filters in a 2-pack. I didn't realize these were discontinued either. Guess I'll pick one up tomorrow :)

[joejennie]

Just checked out the Brita website and they still sell the filter sport bottle :) Here's a link to it.

[URL="http://www.brita.com.au/britaproducts/filtersportbottle"]http://www.brita.com.au/britaproducts/filtersportbottle[/URL]

[sara820]

We have found that internet access on most ships is rather expensive. Prior to leaving home, open a new account with a free service like Hotmail.com. Then when you go ashore, look for an internoet cafe, go in, pay the minimal fee (sometimes less tha $1.00 for a half hour)and send all of your messages. We also create a mail list of our children and best friends so that we only need to send ONE email. Have never had a problem finding internet access. They seem to thrive in port areas!

[Guest rfrenchbaxter]

[quote name='dustyroad']lisa

go to [URL="http://www.carnival.com/"]www.carnival.com[/URL]. under the gift link go to ' specialty items'. in order to buy things here you have to have a booking number and maybe a cabin #. other wise you might be able to call them and buy them over the phone. i have gotten a few things already ( flowers, wine, photo/bar coupons and a nightshirt ordered already. this helps me too not have such a high sign and sail bill at the end of the cruise. and it is fun to have things waiting for you in the cabin. i think the soda and bar coupons are given to you at your table during dinner the first night. have fun.[/quote]

Can you buy the drink coupons for RCCI? If so Where?
Thank you
Rfrenchbaxter

[ldadar]

There is also a Paradise Beach in the Bahamas.

[sea_u_onboard]

I'm not sure if this is mentioned.

Instead of counting on the library onboard to have something to read stop by your local library and pick up a few - most library give a 2 week check out or more.

[hooked-on cruising]

Rfrenchbaxter:

As far as I know, RCCL does not have drink coupons. BUT............RCCL offers soda and juice packages. DH and I make this the first thing we do as soon as board our RCCL ship: BUY THE SODA AND JUICE PACKAGE - it is $6.00 per night (x the number of nights of your cruise). This allows you to consume unlimited amounts from the fountain (no cans) in 99.00% of the venues aboard. There is usually a table set up outside the Windjammer on boarding day for this purpose but I think it is only during the earlier part of boarding day (around lunch time to mid-afternoon).
There is also a wine and dine package, but DH and I are not wine drinkers so we have not availed ourselves of this package.

You can find out more at the RCCL website, under onboard extras.

Have fun on your cruise.

regards from hooked-on cruising