Save Money While Cruising
Your all-inclusive vacation package may not be as “all-inclusive” as you think. Wake up and smell the $4 lattes, $10 yoga classes, and $15-a-pop souvenir photos. On a cruise ship, incidentals have a nasty way of adding thousands of dollars to your overall cruise cost.
Before your cruise, sit down with your family and discuss what is included in the fare. Come up with a policy about what everyone is allowed to do and buy, and what is forbidden. Here are some strategies for saving money on a cruise ship:
Go indie with excursions
Many, many families blow their budget in the ports of call. Your brochure will talk glowingly of scuba and snorkeling, dolphin swims, and kid-friendly sightseeing. Then comes the big letdown: These ship-sponsored tours can run anywhere from $30 to $350 per person, depending on the cruise line, destination, and activity. Realize that, on average for each port, it could easily cost $300 for a family of four to join one of the ship’s outings. Shore guides frequently expect a tip of 5% on top of the tour price. The easiest way to beat down your off-ship costs is to look outside the ship’s program. Consider purchasing your excursions from an independent tour operator, who likely will offer similar but lower-priced excursions in your ports of call.
Be beverage savvy
Here’s an eye-popper for many first-time cruisers: The drinks ain’t free.
Mix-n-match activities
Every cruise line offers a range of free entertainment, games, and activities. But some of the more interesting activities come with a price tag—perhaps $10 to attend a yoga class or $40 for a cooking class. Build your daily itineraries by mixing free with fee. By the same token, you should stay away from casino completely if you can’t afford to lose.
Curb indulgences
Those lattes and hits of Haagen-Dazs really add up. Give yourself a daily limit for non-inclusive treats, and stick to it. Staged family portraits can cost $30 or more. Obviously, t-shirts, toys, and other gift-shop items can add up fast.
Stay healthy
Don’t forget the hand sanitizer. The ship’s doctor will charge you for an office visit, and you’ll also pay for any medication he might prescribe. However, don’t expect to just hand over your insurance card. Ask your health insurer before you go if you’re covered outside the US. Chances are that, even if you are, you’ll have to pay up front and be reimbursed later.