You have probably
heard the term "all-inclusive" applied to cruises every so often. But
while a voyage is one of the best values around since all major expenses
(lodging, meals, snacks, activities and entertainment) are indeed included
in the fare, there are some items -- mostly of a personal nature -- that
are out-of-pocket expenses. "Ready money," Lord Byron once said, "is Aladdin's
lamp." So set aside some cash to cover these expenditures to truly make
your next sailing the cruise of your dreams. And to make sure the incidentals
don't break the bank for you, here are some tips on saving on the "seven
seas":
Shore Excursions:
Read the line's shore tour booklet and attend the port lectures given
aboard the ship that provide you with more details about the organized tours available
for sale on the ship. Prices for these excursions range from about $25 - $45 (£15 - £40) for a half-day city tour, to more than $200 (£150) for some all-day tours, overland
programs including meals and snacks, and such exciting offerings as helicopter
flight-seeing and hot-air ballooning.
Savings Tip: While
you may wish to sign up for some of the ship's tours (particularly if
you are not familiar with the port and do not speak the language), you
also have the option to tour independently at a fraction of the cost --
or even for free, if you go on a self-guided walking tour. Before setting
sail, request free planners with maps, calendars of events and attraction
brochures for the ports of call on your itinerary from tourist boards.
Check out books on your destination from the public library, and visit
Web sites such as this one, particularly our Ports of Call, to give you ideas for touring in the ports. Look over the
calendars from the tourist offices for festivals or crafts displays (sources
of good, free entertainment) during your visit. Art galleries showcasing
local work, parks and beaches are some free or nominal charge attractions
to check out. Museum and native crafts exhibits are other inexpensive
options. If you decide to hire a car and driver to give you a private
tour (generally less expensive than the shipboard excursions) or just
to take you to the center of town, always agree on the price (and in the
case of a tour, what specific points of interest will be covered) before
you board the car.
Alcohol and other Beverages: Alcoholic beverages and wine are not included in the cruise fare on most
lines (with the exception of some ultra-deluxe lines). And your tab can
add up: Hard liquor, cocktails and wine range from $3.50 - $8 apiece, depending on cruise line (higher-end lines tend to charge more for drinks); soft drinks will run $1.50 - $2. Prices for liquor, cocktails and wine on U.K. cruise ships vary from £2.50 - £7, and bottles of wine start at around £10. Tea and coffee start at £1.50.
Savings
Tip: Most vessels advertise "daily drink specials" you may
want to try. At meals, iced tea, milk, coffee and juices are complimentary.
If you are traveling with children, find out if your ship offers "soda
packages" that feature unlimited sodas during the cruise for about $15 - $20 (£10 - £15). Or bring-your-own -- we pick up soda six-packs in port. Be forewarned, though: cruise line policies on bringing alcohol onboard are highly restricted.
Casino Gaming:
Shipboard casinos keep getting bigger and bigger, so it is safe to say that
the lines are doing well at their tables and slots.
Savings Tip: Set
a limit as to how much you wish to risk and leave if you lose it. Or better
yet, avoid the casino altogether -- there are plenty of other diversions
onboard, like music for dancing, production shows, variety entertainment
and TV-style game shows that will not set you back a penny!
Spa: A massage
is typically around $90 - $110 (£50 - £90). Take advantage of ship discounts on port days. Most shipboard spas are operated by Steiner's of
London, and the staff, who works on commission, often gives you a sales
pitch (they sometimes even call it a "prescription") that calls for you
to buy several of their products.
Savings
Tip: If
you get a sales pitch and do not want the products, just smile and say you will think about it and
get back to them. Or be bold right up front -- and ask not to be bothered with sales pitches at all. Another tip: check your ship's daily
program of activities for ads for spa treatment specials that may be available
one day only or during certain hours of a given day.
Souvenir Shopping:
You probably want to purchase something to remember your cruise, and it
may take a lot of willpower to pass up on the beautiful -- and expensive
-- figurines, perfumes, designer fashions and leather goods if your budget
does not allow for them.
Savings
Tip: Avoid
temptation by not browsing in the boutiques onboard and ashore if you
cannot afford to buy. If you do plan to purchase some souvenirs, check
the prices of merchandise at stores back home and bring pages of their
sales catalogs for the particular items you are interested in to compare
prices (they may be cheaper at home). Good, inexpensive souvenirs include
handicrafts from outdoor markets and street vendors, and local products
such as coffee, jellies, etc. purchased at grocery stores in the ports.
Laundry: As at land-based resorts, laundry and dry cleaning charges on a cruise
can be steep (approximately $2.50 to $3.50 (£1.50 - £3) to wash a T-shirt, for instance).
Check to see if there is a self-service launderette and use it (typically,
washing and drying one load of clothes comes to about $2 - $3).
Savings
Tip: If
there is no launderette, pack enough changes of clothes for the cruise
and do the wash back home.
Film and Other Camera Needs: Getting additional film, batteries
and other camera supplies will not only cost you more money (generally
$1 to $2 (£2) more per item than the same articles bought at a discount store
back home), but precious vacation time as well. Ships' photographers typically
charge $7 - $9 (£5 - £8) per photo, $15 - $20 (£10) per formal portrait.
Savings
Tip: Buy
plenty of film and other camera supplies on sale at home -- and bring more
than you think you will need, just in case. Take your own pictures and
rely sparingly, if at all, on the ship's photographers.
Tipping: Many lines recommend about $10 per person per day to
be given to the dining room waiter ($4 per person, per day), assistant
waiter ($2 per person, per day) and cabin steward ($4 per person, per
day). If you have butler service, be prepared to tip that crew member $4 per day. Bar tabs are charged a 15 percent gratuity automatically. When the
maitre d' performs a special service, such as arranging for a birthday
cake to be brought to the table, he should be tipped as well. U.K. travelers will find that tips are typically built into the cruise fare. You can, of course, give tips for exceptional service.
Savings
Tip: These
folks -- particularly the waiters, assistant waiters and cabin stewards --
work very hard. Unless the service has been poor, tip the recommended
amount. And add a little more, if you can, for outstanding attention.
Fuel Surcharges:
In 2008, just about every cruise line in the land (including mainstream cruise lines and most niche, such as eco-oriented, soft adventure and river companies) responded to the starkly escalating cost of fuel by levying fuel surcharges on cruise trips. As the price of a barrel of oil starkly dropped in the fall, every line removed the charges.
Shore Excursions:
Read the line's shore tour booklet and attend the port lectures given
aboard the ship that provide you with more details about the organized tours available
for sale on the ship. Prices for these excursions range from about $25 - $45 (£15 - £40) for a half-day city tour, to more than $200 (£150) for some all-day tours, overland
programs including meals and snacks, and such exciting offerings as helicopter
flight-seeing and hot-air ballooning. 
