Top Tips to Avoid Overspending on Your Next Cruise Vacation
- Don't overshop pre-cruise. Review the onboard dress code. Take appropriate clothing out of your closet, and see where you can mix and match, creating more outfits with fewer pieces. Accessories can go a long way to create a new look. Remember - no on one the cruise has seen your wardrobe before. As far as they know, it's all new!
- Pack Lightly. Most airlines now charge for checking more than one bag and some may charge for every checked bag. Pack efficiently and lightly. Airlines routinely add "overweight" charges for bags more than 50 pounds. Check with your airline before you pack to find out the restrictions. Weigh your luggage on your home scale before you leave home to avoid surprises.
- Travel Smartly. If you're driving to the portm, start early in the morning - say by 3 or 4 am to avoid traffic, and drive when temperatures are cooler. You'll save a bit on gas by avoiding traffic. If you're flying, consider using frequent traveller miles.
- Take Time to Relax. While a cruie is an inclusve vacation, extra charges add up fast if you enjoy spa treatments or extensive shore trips. Step back from the "do it all" mentality. Relax, soak up the sunshine, enjoy a jog or read a good book. Have your "mani/pedi" at your home salon before you go, avoidng the pricey shipboard spa.
- Balance Shore Trip Action. Whether your are booking shore trips from the cruise line, or through a less-expensive independent tour company, it's easy to get excited and book tghe longest, most extensived tour in every port. But once onboard, you might find that tiring. Perhaps book a longer trip in your most anticipated port of call. Then balance that the next day with a shorter shore trip or evfen a self-guided walk around a port city or to a safe local beach. As the shore excursion office or Kidd's Cruises & Tours for ideas. Keep track of the cruise line deadlines for canceling any pre-booked tours so you won't lose money.
- Shop Smartly Ashore. Cruisers are huge spenders in foreign ports of call. If you want to shop, check prices of similar items at home so you can smartly compare. If bargaining is acceptable at a particular port, start low and go higher, but in many cultures, if you bargain, it's assumed you will buy. Some travelers also say they take only a limited amount of cash ashore and only one credit card (or none). That way you simply won't have a choice about overspending.
- Don't Go Ashore Hungry. Eat breakfast or lunch before you depart on any shore trip. Buying drinks, snacks and meals ashore can add up. If you're booking two half-day tours - return to the ship for lunch. If you do dine ashore, read menus and check pricing before sitting down, as well as compare several restaurants.
- Buy Drink Packages Wisely. If your family likes wine with dinner, or the kids live on soda at home, ask the line immediately upon boarding what the options are for wine, beer and soda packages.
- Save on Spa Packages. If you're a spa enthusiast, take the spa tour on arrival, and find out what's offered. Book immediately if you must have a particular treatment on a particular day, since the best times book up quickly. Be sure to ask about first-day specials and packages, which provide several treatments at a discount. Some good specials are often offered on port days.
- Temper Onboard Buying. Avoid buying on the first or second day. Remember, you're touring ashore and you might want a souvenir from a tropical island. Then, at the end of the cruise, if you want the line's t-shirt, by all means, buy. But give yourself time to shop around. Also, remember if it says "duty free" it may be a good deal (or not!), but you'll still have to pay US Customs duty when returning home.
- Have a Separate Casino Budget. Enjoy casino play but keep your wallet intact by creating a separate casino budget. Once the casino pot is gone, it's gone. Another tip is to visit the casino only an hour or less before another activity, like dinner, or the evening show. You'll leave the casino at an appropriate time, before you're tempted to keep playing when you're down.
- Watch Internet Use. If you plan to use the ship's internet service during the cruise, definitely buy a package of minutes, it's more economical than paying as you go.
- Check the Bill. During the cruise, you'll receive a copy of your estimated cruise bill. Check it carefully, as mistakes do happen. If there is one, contact the Guest Relations or Pursers desk.
the best tip of all...
- Book Early with Kidd's Cruises & Tours! This will get you the best and most competitive rates, and we can often offer shipboard credits or coupon books to help you save even more.
- Don't overshop pre-cruise. Review the onboard dress code. Take appropriate clothing out of your closet, and see where you can mix and match, creating more outfits with fewer pieces. Accessories can go a long way to create a new look. Remember - no on one the cruise has seen your wardrobe before. As far as they know, it's all new!
- Pack Lightly. Most airlines now charge for checking more than one bag and some may charge for every checked bag. Pack efficiently and lightly. Airlines routinely add "overweight" charges for bags more than 50 pounds. Check with your airline before you pack to find out the restrictions. Weigh your luggage on your home scale before you leave home to avoid surprises.
- Travel Smartly. If you're driving to the portm, start early in the morning - say by 3 or 4 am to avoid traffic, and drive when temperatures are cooler. You'll save a bit on gas by avoiding traffic. If you're flying, consider using frequent traveller miles.
- Take Time to Relax. While a cruie is an inclusve vacation, extra charges add up fast if you enjoy spa treatments or extensive shore trips. Step back from the "do it all" mentality. Relax, soak up the sunshine, enjoy a jog or read a good book. Have your "mani/pedi" at your home salon before you go, avoidng the pricey shipboard spa.
- Balance Shore Trip Action. Whether your are booking shore trips from the cruise line, or through a less-expensive independent tour company, it's easy to get excited and book tghe longest, most extensived tour in every port. But once onboard, you might find that tiring. Perhaps book a longer trip in your most anticipated port of call. Then balance that the next day with a shorter shore trip or evfen a self-guided walk around a port city or to a safe local beach. As the shore excursion office or Kidd's Cruises & Tours for ideas. Keep track of the cruise line deadlines for canceling any pre-booked tours so you won't lose money.
- Shop Smartly Ashore. Cruisers are huge spenders in foreign ports of call. If you want to shop, check prices of similar items at home so you can smartly compare. If bargaining is acceptable at a particular port, start low and go higher, but in many cultures, if you bargain, it's assumed you will buy. Some travelers also say they take only a limited amount of cash ashore and only one credit card (or none). That way you simply won't have a choice about overspending.
- Don't Go Ashore Hungry. Eat breakfast or lunch before you depart on any shore trip. Buying drinks, snacks and meals ashore can add up. If you're booking two half-day tours - return to the ship for lunch. If you do dine ashore, read menus and check pricing before sitting down, as well as compare several restaurants.
- Buy Drink Packages Wisely. If your family likes wine with dinner, or the kids live on soda at home, ask the line immediately upon boarding what the options are for wine, beer and soda packages.
- Save on Spa Packages. If you're a spa enthusiast, take the spa tour on arrival, and find out what's offered. Book immediately if you must have a particular treatment on a particular day, since the best times book up quickly. Be sure to ask about first-day specials and packages, which provide several treatments at a discount. Some good specials are often offered on port days.
- Temper Onboard Buying. Avoid buying on the first or second day. Remember, you're touring ashore and you might want a souvenir from a tropical island. Then, at the end of the cruise, if you want the line's t-shirt, by all means, buy. But give yourself time to shop around. Also, remember if it says "duty free" it may be a good deal (or not!), but you'll still have to pay US Customs duty when returning home.
- Have a Separate Casino Budget. Enjoy casino play but keep your wallet intact by creating a separate casino budget. Once the casino pot is gone, it's gone. Another tip is to visit the casino only an hour or less before another activity, like dinner, or the evening show. You'll leave the casino at an appropriate time, before you're tempted to keep playing when you're down.
- Watch Internet Use. If you plan to use the ship's internet service during the cruise, definitely buy a package of minutes, it's more economical than paying as you go.
- Check the Bill. During the cruise, you'll receive a copy of your estimated cruise bill. Check it carefully, as mistakes do happen. If there is one, contact the Guest Relations or Pursers desk.
the best tip of all...
- Book Early with Kidd's Cruises & Tours! This will get you the best and most competitive rates, and we can often offer shipboard credits or coupon books to help you save even more.
Labels: bargains, cruise ship
posted by Betsey Shapiro | 5:44 PM
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