Saving Money on a Cruise 101

I went on two cruises in 2010 one to Alaska and one to Hawaii. Surprisingly I didn't spend as much on-board the ship as i thought I would. In a few installments Ii would like to share with you some tips that will save you some cash on your next cruise.

Remember for the best vacation book with an agent!!

One of the biggest appeals of a cruise ship vacation is its "somewhat" all-inclusive aspect. Your meals, and on board activities are planned and available for your enjoyment, pretty much whenever you feel like enjoying them. Unfortunately, a cruise ship's "all-inclusive" element doesn't mean it's an on board free-for-all. All those port excursions, soda and alcoholic beverages, beauty services, and photos are made available for an extra charge.

Because your cabin key functions as an on board credit card, it is easy to go overboard with your spending. If you're not careful, you could end up with a hefty bill when your cruise ends. Here are a few tips to save money while on board a cruise ship.

Stay away from on board gift shops.
If you're trying to save money on the cruise ship, staying out of the ship's shops should be your first line of defense. Duty free shops are always tempting. After all, there's no sales tax!

It's easy to get carried away, but keep in mind that, while the items are tax-free, the prices may be inflated. A small-ish, inexpensive memento is fine, but if you go on an all-out shopping spree, you may get home and wonder, "Why did I buy this?"

Don't use the phone or Internet services.
Many of the convenient technologies we depend on in our normal, everyday lives are nearly nonexistent on a cruise ship. You're not going to have cell phone service while at sea, and Internet services are priced at a premium, by-the-minute fee, usually around $0.75 to $1.00 per minute. Instead of paying cruise prices, try using your cell phone while on land at a port-of-call -- chances are, you'll get reception. (Consider calling your cell carrier before leaving home and arranging for an international calling package, making these calls cheaper still.) Also, Internet cafes can be found in most ports and are often less expensive than the ship's service. If you're planning on emailing your friends or updating your blog, consider typing the text offline to save time. Finally, don't be afraid NOT to call or email home. Your friends and family know you're on vacation and probably don't need to hear from you.


More to come........