Advice for not spending a lot of money while on a cruise?

Question

My brother is paying for the entire thing (for my daughter and me) ...so I want to have fun but not rack up his bill. He and his wife are going too. I've heard tips are necessary...are they really? I don't earn much in my profession so I need to be prepared.

Answer 1

Advice for not spending a lot of money while on a cruise?

Stay out of the casino. On a recent HAL cruise, the staff referred to it as the "donation center".

Avoid pay services in the spa. It is a "profit center". The gym, hot tub, sauna, are usually FREE.

Stay away from the bars. This includes sodas and the soda cards. They are expensive and they have a 15% gratuity added to the price. I've talked to folks who had bar tabs that were nearly as large as their fares.

Do not book the ship-sponsored shore excursions. OK, I'll acknowledge that some of the activities would be difficult to arrange on your own. And, they do promise to get you back to the ship on time. But, in many cases, you are paying for something that you could do better and cheaper on your own. Check out the Cruise Critic "ports of call" board.

Eat on the ship. Why PAY for a meal in a port of call when your meals on the ship are included?

Along the same line, bring your own water bottles and fill them on the ship for shore days.

To add to comments already made by others, the ship staff work long, hard hours for less than the US minimum wage. The tips are an important part of their salary. I wouldn't stiff them unless:

1) the service was consistently bad, brought to the appropriate person's attention and no effort was made to correct it or

2) it was for a service that you did not receive; for example, you might not tip the dining room staff if you never dined there (FWIW, this is NOT a good way to save money; the difference in the food is well worth it!)

Answer 2

Tips are the one thing that is not optional. Tips are $10 per person per day. You can set up your own account on the ship and your brother will not have to worry about you running up his bill.

There is nothing else you have to pay for, unless you want to. The ship's photographers will take pictures of you, but you don't have to buy the pictures. All the meals in the main dining room and buffet are included, as are most drinks (including tap water, milk, juice, punch, regular coffee and tea).

Shore excursions are optional. You can always just get off the ship and walk around the town. Entertainment on board, the pool and the children's program are all included. Souvenirs of course cost extra, but you don't have to buy any.

If you want to limit what you spend, set the on board account up in cash. That way you cannot spend more than what you put into the account. You can add more during the cruise if you want. If you don't spend it all, you will get a refund. Or, you can use a credit card. However, then you have to make sure you don't spend too much.

Answer 3

Tips on a cruise are not required just like they are not required when you go to a resturant for dinner. But would you think of not leaving a tip there, so why would you not on a cruise ship where the service is going to be the best you have ever gotten. Most cruise lines recommend $10 per person per day. This can be paid in advance on Carnival and Royal Caribbean and other lines, some also will add it to you ship-board account.

Answer 4

My sister sets up her on-board account with a cash deposit at the beginning of the cruise so she does not overspend. When she reachs her limit, the purser slips a note under her door.

To keep your spending down, be aware that these are the items that will appear on the on-board account:

- tips. $10 per day per guest. You don't tip each day or meal. The tips are extended in a lump sum at the end of the cruise.
- photos. Hard to resist but they are $20-25 per sheet. Only buy the really great ones.
- sodas. $1.75 per can or a soda fountain card for about $40 for unlimited by glass.
- bar drinks. $4-12 each plus 15% gratuity.
- shore excursions. $50-200 per excursion. You can avoid by grabbing a taxi and asking to go to the best free beach.
- spa services. $50-200 each.
- Bingo - $5-10 per card.

Anytime the service personal asks for your "Sail and Sign" card on Carnival or card on any other ship, they are charging the account.

We have hosted 3 family treats on-board Carnival. I give my guest the tip money in cash and ask them to open their own on-board account.

Just ask your brother what his expectations are and plan accordingly.

My sister spends less than $300 of incidental expenses for her family of 3 on a 7-day day cruise.

There are also incidental expenses while in port that you will need to have cash for...taxis, shopping, etc. Take $1, 5 and 10 in US dollars for shopping in port.

Answer 5

Tips are really part of the expense of cruising. Many lines just add them to your bill, and for those who don't - would you go to a restaurant at home, then stiff the server on a tip?

Take it easy on drinks, and stay out of the gift shop. Some lines have either free soda, or you can buy a card that's good for unlimited soda for the length of the cruise.

Enjoy your cruise......

Answer 6

You give tips at the END of the cruise to the room steward and the Maitr'd in the restaurant and at the time of service to bar staff, etc.

Tips will add $100 to $200 to the cost of your cruise and YES they are REQUIED and you will constantly be TOLD how much to give and when to give it.

Answer 7

Take travelers checks and maybe a debit card. You should be able to keep track both ways. Travelers checks might be best since they come in one amount. . .(don't they? lol.)