Minimizing costs

[cathyoo]

OP.. best of luck in your job search. I hope you have some good news before you leave for your cruise. If you don't please make sure to leave your troubles and worries at the port.

 

I'm sure you are going to have the time of your life.

[salty dingo]

I think the easiest way to save is to avoid purchases from the ship's bars. There's really no way in my mind to justify paying $5 for a beer if you are on a tight budget. It really can add up. Just bring your own if you drink.

 

I look at excursions as a "must" because they make memories and this may be your only chance to see an area. Just do your research. There is no reason to pay big money to swim with dolphins if you can have just as many memories walking around town, going to a museum or cathedral, or exploring an old fort, and spending a fraction. Be smart in your choices.

 

I can do without purchasing photos and stuff onboard. I have enough t-shirts at home to last a lifetime. I'd rather take my own pictures as souveniers. They are free. DW sees things differently so we do end up buying some junk, but it is minimal.

 

Don't think you should buy liquor on board or in port. I have done this countless times, but the small customs allowance you get and the small amount you can save on a bottle does not justify the hassle of carrying bottles back home. Next cruise, I'm going to just say no to "deals". Same goes for jewlrey, art, etc.

 

Really, it is not that hard to find, at the end of the cruise, that your onboard account has little else on it but the tips. Bring a reasonable amount for port tours (up to you, I would sugest $50 per person per port) and enough for travel expenses and parking, etc. I think you will be surprised how affordable cruising is.

[ray98]

Just do not buy anything. Everything you 'need' is already included....any money that is spent on a ship is for extras.

[simkoreb]

Some of the best things I have done at a port were just walking around or taking a cab for cheap to a close beach. Just research your ports well, but usually a day at the beach is great. When my husband and I were on a budget, we would split an appetizer (sp?), order 2 cokes, and enjoy a nice day at the beach for very cheap. That would hold us over until we went back to the ship. Probably the cheapest way we have enjoed the ports. If you can find someone to split cab ride costs with, that is also a help.

 

We rarely spend money on the ship, and just enjoy the activities that are free, and food that is included.

[salty dingo]

Just do not buy anything.

That works off the ship, as well ;)

[T. Advisor King]

I can understand if they can't afford extra tips, but they should not remove the auto tips. They will receive the same service as everyone else. Starving students don't go to the same restaurants as well to do people. If they go out to eat they should tip, if they can't afford the cost of the meal and a tip then they should stay home. There are a lot of ways to save money on a cruise, stiffing the staff shouldn't be one of them.

 

If I'd gone to somewhere like ... say, Outback Steakhouse with my friends when I was in school, I would have tipped what I could afford - say between 10-20%. Now that I've been working 20+ years, I'll still go to Outback (just went in Vegas two weeks ago), but will tip closer to 20%. I don't think you're "stiffing" anyone on a tip if you are tipping based on your ability to pay. I think a "fair" tip for younger people (who typically can afford less) is less than the fair tip for older people who are established in their careers. I'm not sure how old the OP is, but clearly "ability to pay" is an issue.

[Milaandra]

You are not required to put up a credit card or put up a cash deposit when you check in.So you won't be tempted

 

You aren't???

 

On NCL we had to. We had booked last minute, too, so you should have seen us scramble to get one in time! :eek:

[Milaandra]

- although each adult passenger may bring 2 bottles of wine per, if that appeals to you, and you can have it at the dinner table, and your server will cork it and save the rest for your next dinner! Got a Trader Joe's nearby? You can buy a couple bottles of 2 Buck Chuck for fancy dress night if that would appeal to you.

 

There is a corkage fee, which some people are charged and others aren't. (From what I have read on these boards)

 

An appertif in your cabin while getting ready for dinner is a more frugal idea!

 

Frommer's on-line tend to have free information about self-guided walking tours. You can't get much cheaper than Shank's pony! If you read about a place you feel is worth paying admission, check reviews. It will help you determine the things that are really worth spending your limited cash.

 

I wouldn't feel bad about not tipping extra. Carnival set what they think is a fair gratuity. Personally, I figure I'm easy to take care of...I'm not a pig in the cabin, I'm not demanding in the dining room, I'm not in a rush for a drink...I don't need extraordinary service, just decent service overall, which is what we are paying for with the auto-gratuity.

[Milaandra]

You aren't???

 

On NCL we had to. We had booked last minute, too, so you should have seen us scramble to get one in time! :eek:

 

According to Carnival, you need either a credit card or a $200 deposit per person.

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Sail_And_Sign_On_Board_Account.aspx

[njmomof2]

If I'd gone to somewhere like ... say, Outback Steakhouse with my friends when I was in school, I would have tipped what I could afford - say between 10-20%. Now that I've been working 20+ years, I'll still go to Outback (just went in Vegas two weeks ago), but will tip closer to 20%. I don't think you're "stiffing" anyone on a tip if you are tipping based on your ability to pay. I think a "fair" tip for younger people (who typically can afford less) is less than the fair tip for older people who are established in their careers. I'm not sure how old the OP is, but clearly "ability to pay" is an issue.

 

I'm sorry but I can't agree with this. I worked as a server a number of years ago and frankly, worked just as hard at the tables with the "less able to pay younger people" as I did for those more "established" and able to pay. Believe me, it sucks to be stiffed by people because they don't make enough to pay for the food and a decent tip besides. And often, those "kids" made me jump though hoops and left a couple of dollars on the table for a meal that cost a good chunk of change.

 

We were also booked on a cruise that was supposed to be leaving on August 22nd. Booked it back in November 2007. Well, dh was laid off in April of this year. I had already booked non refundable airfare (for my family of 4 and my mom). I waited as long as I could, then cancelled the trip. I could not justify spending the cost of the trip when we were without an income and we had no idea how long it would last. As for the airfare, I called the airline, spoke w/ a supervisor and they agreed to waive the change fee, depositing the cost of my airfare in an account to be used w/in a year.

 

If you're going ahead with the trip, I'd imagine you are paid in full and the money is spent, so why not go? But for me, if I had to be considering how I was going to afford anything beyond the basics on the cruise, and worrying about the tips, I would be rethinking the entire cruise itself.

 

As for the advice here, most have given you great ways to enjoy your cruise w/o running up money on your account. The ship provides everything you need. Enjoy it. But please, tip the recommended minimum to the staff. They work just as hard regardless of your financial situation in life. Don't penalize them.

[BlueC5Kitten]

There is a corkage fee, which some people are charged and others aren't. (From what I have read on these boards)

 

The corkage fee is for the dining room, I believe.

 

I simply pack my own corkscrew and enjoy the wine in the water glasses provided in my room.

[hazeleyez3]

Like others have said, you don't have to spend a lot on the cruise to enjoy it.

 

My husband and I don't drink alcohol or soda on the ship, avoid the casino, don't bother with pictures, and skip the specialty restaurants. There have been many times where our only costs were the tips, and if they were prepaid we didn't have anything on our bill at the end of our cruise.

 

We have enjoyed all of our cruises and have never gone hungry, thirsty, bored, and God knows my "camara-happy" husband doesn't leave us with a lack of pictures.

[kelz66]

You are not required to put up a credit card or put up a cash deposit when you check in.So you won't be tempted

 

SO don't and you will not be responsible for nothing,not even tips but do those in cash at what ever you can afford.The suggested amount is $10

Steve

 

:confused::confused:

 

Don't you have to put up either or???

 

When did this change?

 

Back in April you needed a credit card or a cash deposit.

 

You do not get your Sign and Sail card without it.

 

:eek:

[mississauga]

But please, tip the recommended minimum to the staff. They work just as hard regardless of your financial situation in life. Don't penalize them.

 

 

I and many others agree with you but there was no need to address this to the OP as he has already posted that he will keep the auto-tip in place.

 

by original OP:We plan on tipping, so that isnt a big deal

 

might not tip much extra though, at least not on this cruise.

 

:o

[sallyb]

Your room steward will bring wine glasses for you (but then maybe you would feel that is worth extra tipping) and you can carry a glass of wine to dinner with you.

[steveaaaaa]

According to Carnival, you need either a credit card or a $200 deposit per person.

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Sail_And_Sign_On_Board_Account.aspx

 

Can you please copy and paste the wording that it is required and you will not be able to board if you don't?

 

There is none. I sailed on the Glory last year and friends sailing with us had their credit card declined.They found us on board and I went to the pursers and put them onto my card. They were let on the ship with no cash deposit and no credit card.

The reason their check card was declined was they had a daily limit and when they flew in that morning and got the rental car they swiped a $250 hold on it.They returned the car because the airbag warning light was on and got another car,they credited the first swipe and reswiped for another $250 using the $500 daily limit.The credit takes a few days to go back.:eek:

 

 

Steve

[Linsuesue]

I would keep checking the Carnival website to see if the cost of your cabin has gone down. You can get an onboard credit from Carnival or your travel agent, if you booked with the Early Saver. It might be a longshot, but a $25 credit would you get a drink or coffee card so you could treat yourself for a couple of days.

[bjr928]

Can you please copy and paste the wording that it is required and you will not be able to board if you don't?

 

There is none. I sailed on the Glory last year and friends sailing with us had their credit card declined.They found us on board and I went to the pursers and put them onto my card. They were let on the ship with no cash deposit and no credit card.

 

If no card or cash was required, then why did they have to hunt you down and have you put them on your card?

[steveaaaaa]

If no card or cash was required, then why did they have to hunt you down and have you put them on your card?

 

 

Because they wanted to purchase things,buy photo's ect. It was never their intent not to put a card down, it was just declined,that day.

 

Steve