Hidden Cost of Cruising # 9

9. Photos and Camera Equipment 

What You'll Pay: Cruise travelers are often lured into dropping big bucks at the onboard photo gallery, where an 8x10 photo can easily cost $20 or more. Buying additional batteries, memory cards and other camera supplies will not only cost you more money than they do back home, but will eat up precious vacation time, as well. 

Savings Tip: If you're worried about blowing your budget on photos, just say no thanks when the ship's photographer asks to take your picture. Or, resist the urge to "just check out" the photo in the gallery -- once you see the printed version, you're more likely to want it. Take your own pictures, and rely sparingly, if at all, on the ship's photographers. On the equipment side, buy plenty of batteries and other camera supplies at home -- and bring more than you think you will need, just in case.

My Cruise Outlet Royal Caribbean WOW Sale

Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas luxury c...Image via Wikipedia
For two special days—May 3 and 4, 2011—take advantage of this My Cruise Outlet exclusive offer to get the most out of your Royal Caribbean International family cruise.


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Hidden Cost of Cruising # 10

10. Internet 

What You'll Pay: Whether you bring your own laptop and take advantage of shipboard Wi-Fi or park yourself at the computer center onboard, you will pay extremely high rates for often slow Internet connections. Most lines charge about 75 cents a minute for pay-as-you-go plans and offer packages that reduce the cost to around 55 cents a minute for buying Internet time in bulk. 

Savings Tip: You can usually find cheaper Internet centers in port, if you don't mind using some of your onshore time to check your e-mail and surf the Web. Check Cruise Critic's port profiles for Internet cafes close to your ship. If you bring your own laptop, look for cafes and other establishments with free Wi-Fi. 

Visiting Disney World

Compliments of TodayatWDW:
Did you know: All four theme parks have Tip Boards where you can check attraction wait times and show times

Hidden Costs of Cruising # 6

6. Laundry 

What You'll Pay: As at land-based resorts, laundry and dry-cleaning charges on a cruise can be steep. Self-service launderette are the best choice. (Typically, washing and drying one load of clothes comes to between $2 and $4). 

Savings Tip: You have two options here: pack enough changes of clothes for the cruise, and do the wash back home, or bring your own travel-sized detergent, wash necessities in your cabin sink, and hang-dry them in the shower.

Hidden Costs of Cruising # 3

the perfect martiniImage by chris.corwin via Flickr8. Carbonated and Alcoholic Beverages 

Hidden Costs: In general, most cruise lines charge for all carbonated and alcoholic beverages along with bottled water, specialty coffees and wine at dinner.   

Save your Money: Watch for happy hour or two-for-one specials. Watch for activities with free drinks, such as Champagne art auctions or Captain's cocktail parties. Order a bottle of wine at dinner (yes you have to pay for it) whatever you don't drink, will be tagged with with name and served at your next meal upon request.  Most cruise lines offer wine packages, by three or more bottles at a reduced rate.  Unlimited soda packages are also available on most cruise ships.  Bottled water will be a premium on the ship, get your own in port for a fraction of the price.  
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Royal Caribbean Double American Express Points

Awesome offer for American Express Members!
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Hidden Cost of Cruising # 7

7. Tipping 

What You'll Pay: Tipping policies vary by line; many recommend about $10 to $12 per passenger, per day, to be distributed among those who provide key services -- dining room waiters, assistant waiters and cabin stewards. If you have butler service, be prepared to tip extra. Bar tabs are automatically charged a 15 percent gratuity. 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. 

Savings Tip: Generally, tipping is not an area where you can save money. You can adjust the auto-gratuities at the ship's purser's desk or choose to tip below the recommended amount if you feel you've received subpar service. However, Cruise Critic discourages this in most cases. The ship's crewmembers -- particularly the waiters, assistant waiters and cabin stewards -- work hard and depend on tips to round out their salaries. Unless the service has been extremely poor, tip the recommended amount or add a little more, if you can, for outstanding attention.



Hidden Cost of Cruising # 2

2. Alternative Dining 

What You'll Pay: While meals in the ship's main dining room and buffet venue are typically included in the cost, cruise lines have been adding numerous for-fee venues to their ships. You can pay anywhere from a few dollars for an ice cream cone at an onboard Ben & Jerry's or gelateria to $35 for a meal in a specialty dining venue or a whopping $75 for an exclusive Chef's Table experience.  

Savings Tip: Don't go! You can typically find 24/7 dining for free onboard, and main dining room meals are often quite good with multiple courses and decadent desserts -- and there's always room service. If you're tempted by the specialty options, just be sure to budget the price of dinner into your onboard spending. Some lines, including NCL, occasionally offer early-bird two-for-one dining specials at their for-fee restaurants for passengers who are willing to eat at 5 p.m. 




Hidden Costs of Cruising # 4

4. Spa and Salon Treatments 

What You'll Pay: Cruise line spas charge rates equal to high-end salons.  A massage is typically about $110 to $150, with more exotic treatments running into the $200 to $500 range. Passes to thermal suites and thalassotherapy pools average $15 to $30 per day, with cruiselong packages also available. Most shipboard spas are operated by Steiner's of London, and the staff, work on commission. 

Savings Tip: Take advantage of spa discounts, typically offered on embarkation and port days. And, check your ship's daily program for spa treatment specials that may be available one day only or during certain hours. Resist that product sales pitch. Or, be bold right up front -- and ask not to be bothered with sales pitches at all



Packing Tips for Alaskan Cruise

From May through September, temperatures range from 40°F to 70° F during the day and drop into the 30’s and 40’s at night. The best way to prepare for this range of temperatures is to dress in layers and to be prepared for anything from bright sunshine to light rain.  Here’s a list of items to include when packing for an Alaska trip.
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Wool or fleece sweater or liner
  • Turtleneck or a comfortable protective long sleeve shirt
  • Comfortable footwear suitable for hiking and walking in wet conditions (Be sure to break in new shoes before your trip.)
  • Good socks
  • Warm hat/rain hat or headband
  • Gloves
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Travel umbrella
  • Light weight tote or backpack
  • Lip Balm
  • Good camera with extra batteries and variety of film speeds
  • Spare memory card and battery for digital cameras
  • Travel-size binoculars
  • Sunglasses

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Hidden Costs of Cruising # 5

5. Onboard Activities 

What You'll Pay: While many onboard activities are free, many special activities incur extra fees. Among those are fitness classes like Pilates, yoga and spinning; wine-tasting events; after-hours baby-sitting for the youngest children; behind-the-scenes tours and casino play.    

Savings Tip: You can certainly keep entertained with free activities. Attend the production shows, live music performances, cooking demos, pool or trivia games and free lectures -- or simply spend your time chilling by the pool, reading a book or chatting with your traveling companions. If you're intrigued by the for-fee activities, set a budget, and choose which ones are most interesting. 



Royal Caribbean April Special

Royal Caribbean International FlagImage via Wikipedia
Take the family on a Royal Caribbean Cruise and get something FREE for yourself!
Receive a complimentary spa treatment and specialty dinner for two when you book a balcony or above stateroom by April 30! 
Book by April 13 and take advantage of 50% reduced deposit, too!

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Hidden Cost of Cruises # 1

1. Shore Excursions 

What You'll Pay: Cruise lines sell shore excursions, so you can make the most of your time in port, but they do inflate prices above what the actual tour operators charge. You can find details and pricing in the line's shore tour booklet, on its Web site or at the shore excursions desk onboard. Prices for these excursions range from about $25 for a quick city and shopping tour to more than $200 for some all-day tours, overland programs including meals and snacks, and such over-the-top 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're 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. 
Local festivals and craft displays can be sources of good, free entertainment. Parks, beaches and art galleries showcasing local work are other free or nominal-charge attractions to check out. If you decide to hire a car and driver to give you a private tour, always agree on the price (and, in the case of a tour, which specific points of interest will be covered) before you get into the car. 




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