All-inclusive cruises make for lucrative
vacation options -- you get to visit several islands in one trip, the
destinations are beautiful and exotic and most importantly, the stay on a
cruise ship is a unique experience. In many ways, the ship is quite
like a tourist destination itself since it has several entertainment
options, including spas, massage parlors, lounges, swimming pools and
fine dining restaurants. Makes for a complete holiday experience, right?
Not quite. The total cost you spend on a cruise might far exceed the amount you intended. One of the many reasons why cruises are so popular is because it's easy to find affordable all-inclusive packages. These deals claim to include accommodation, meals and other activities. More often than not, however, these all-inclusive prices are extremely misleading, and people tend to believe them and budget without paying attention to the fine details. After all, they are on a ship which is thousands of miles away from the mainland, floating in the middle of the sea. Where could they possibly be forced to spend money? The answer is simple enough -- on the ship itself.
To save money, try to explore a port on your own terms. Ask your cruise manager for a few maps, learn a few words and phrases of the native language, and get ready to venture forth all by yourself (or with friends and family). For all you know, it might be prove to be an adventurous jaunt, and you're sure to save a ton of cash by avoiding the group tour. A travel book is as good a tour guide as any, and with friends and family in tow, you can rest assured you're in the best tour group around.
The best way to avoid hidden expenses is to be aware of them before you book your cruise, and even more so once you're on the cruise. Be on the lookout for these hidden costs and don't hesitate to ask the staff in case of any doubts.
Not quite. The total cost you spend on a cruise might far exceed the amount you intended. One of the many reasons why cruises are so popular is because it's easy to find affordable all-inclusive packages. These deals claim to include accommodation, meals and other activities. More often than not, however, these all-inclusive prices are extremely misleading, and people tend to believe them and budget without paying attention to the fine details. After all, they are on a ship which is thousands of miles away from the mainland, floating in the middle of the sea. Where could they possibly be forced to spend money? The answer is simple enough -- on the ship itself.
How to Minimize Your Cruise Expenses
1. Shore Excursions
Under normal circumstances, cruises offer different kinds of excursion packages when a ship docks at a port. These could range anywhere from a brief shopping trip to a more exhaustive city or town tour. Passengers are often tempted to take these tours to overcome a language barrier or stay with their fellow passengers and avoid getting lost. The problem is that these trips are priced exorbitantly high.To save money, try to explore a port on your own terms. Ask your cruise manager for a few maps, learn a few words and phrases of the native language, and get ready to venture forth all by yourself (or with friends and family). For all you know, it might be prove to be an adventurous jaunt, and you're sure to save a ton of cash by avoiding the group tour. A travel book is as good a tour guide as any, and with friends and family in tow, you can rest assured you're in the best tour group around.
2. Alternative Dining
Even if your package says "meals included," the ship will have many alternate dining options, which will invariably be more exquisite and thus expensive than the ones provided with your package. If you are on a particularly long cruise, chances are that you'll be tempted to dine at a restaurant that offers a spectacular view along with pristine food. The temptation is understandable, but satiating it won't come cheap. You can end up paying a few hundred dollars for a meal that would normally be a fraction of the price on land. Try to resist this temptation if you are running on a tight budget. Food is available 'round the clock free of cost, and the quality is satisfactory and sometimes even great. This being said, it's okay to splurge on a nice meal once in awhile (or once in a trip). After all, you're on a vacation.3. Alcohol
Always fancied having a glass of champagne or wine aboard a cruise with the endless ocean in the backdrop? Be prepared to pay more for alcohol than you would on the mainland. Alcohol prices tend to be very high on cruises, and even non-alcoholic beverages, including bottled water, soda and juices, are priced higher than normal. To cut down on your expenses, look for complimentary drinks (usually, one drink per meal is provided free of cost) and happy hour promotional offers.4. Spa and Salon
What's a cruise without some pampering at the spa and the salon, right? Usually, these services are not included in your cruise package, and you are required to pay extra for them. Charges at salons and spas tend to be sky high, so get your haircut and spa trip in before you jump on the cruise. Avoid frequent trips to the salon, and carry your own hair dryer, nail polish, straightener and any other toiletries you'll need. Finally, look for discounts, and don't hesitate to ask about any hidden costs.5. Tips
On a cruise, you will be expected to tip a lot of people, right from room service to waiters to bartenders. On average, passengers end up spending $10 to $12 per person, per day in tipping costs. Unlike other hidden costs, there is really no way to save money on tips. To the contrary, this is one area where you shouldn't hold back. People on board work hard to make sure that you have a memorable experience, and it's only fair that you tip them well. A good tip might even help make your stay a little better.The best way to avoid hidden expenses is to be aware of them before you book your cruise, and even more so once you're on the cruise. Be on the lookout for these hidden costs and don't hesitate to ask the staff in case of any doubts.