If you are going on a cruise and want to stay within your budget, there are a few key things that you must know. A cruise can make for a very relaxing and fun holiday, but it can also get expensive if you aren’t well-educated. Most people don’t take into consideration all of the additional costs associated with a cruise once you get onboard. This article can help you have the time of your life while keeping your spending under control.
Get a Restaurant Package
While you certainly have the option of eating in the main dining hall (which is free), you might want to opt for a package that will allow you to visit some of the other restaurants onboard. One of these packages will let you dine at certain places on the cruise ship a certain number of times during your trip. Take the time to look over some of these options before deciding which package you want to buy. This can be an excellent way to save money on your cruise.
Look for Special Deals
Most restaurants on cruises offer discounts at certain times of the day, so you will need to be aware of this. You could save some money by simply eating one of your meals a bit earlier or later than you normally would. Make sure that you check to see if this is the case with the cruise that you are going on.
Go to the Spa on a Port Day
You will most likely be able to get a fairly steep discount on a spa visit on a port day. This can provide you with the perfect opportunity to get a relaxing massage and other services for some pampering. If you are willing to stay in while most of the people on the ship are out and about, you will be able to save a decent amount of money. Take a look at the spa services you have to choose from so you know what your options are.
Give Appropriate Tips and Nothing More
Make sure that you give the wait staff on the cruise ship appropriate tips without going overboard (no pun intended.) A tip of 15-20% is fairly standard in most places, but bars on cruise ships often include the gratuity in the bill. You can always leave extra, but it might not be a good idea if you are on a tight budget.
Explore by Yourself
You have the option of going on guided tours on port days, but they are going to cost you extra. Going off on your own can save you a lot of money, and it will give you the perfect opportunity to have an exciting adventure. Just make sure that you know where you are going and stay safe. It’s a good idea to learn about the areas that your ship will make port in before you go on your trip. This will make it easier to get around by yourself without any major issues.
Get a Drinks Package
If you plan on drinking alcoholic beverages while on your cruise, make sure that you look for a good drinks package to get. Those who do not have one of these packages will likely end up spending a lot more money than they planned to. You will be given a certain number of drinks that you can order each day before you start paying extra. There are certain packages that offer unlimited mixed drinks or beer for a certain amount. Take all the time you need to find a package that will match your needs. It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for specials on drinks throughout the cruise.
Explore Your Cruise Options
Perhaps the best way to save money on a cruise is by taking the necessary time to research your options. There are lots of different cruise lines that you can go with, but you will need to narrow down your choices. Make sure to choose a company that has a solid overall reputation. Go online and look for reviews of a few different cruise lines before choosing one in particular.
Take a close look at what you will get with each cruise so that you can get as much as possible for the money you spend. Some cruise lines are better than others about giving their customers good deals. If you know someone who has taken a cruise in the past, you should ask them if they can give you a recommendation.
Anyone who is planning on taking a cruise needs to keep all of these things in mind, because it is far too easy to go over budget. These tips will allow you to enjoy yourself on your trip for less.