How to Save Money While on a Cheap Cruise

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By Jeramy Colvin
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Disney Cruises

A cruse can be a great family vacation. Cruises offer cheap, fun, family vacations, but you can spend a lot when on the ship. With the challenges in the economy, cruises are an exceptional vacation value as they include meals and entertainment while on the cruise liner. However, once your purchase your cheap cruise tickets, there are many other charges you can expect on the cruise liner. If you are not prepared, that cheap cruise could lead to a mountain of debt that may last for years. Here is a quick how to have the same fun, and keep yourself out of debt when taking the family on a cruise for your next vacation.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Carnival Cruises

Start off by doing your homework on the cruse line website. Travel deals are not so good if you end of paying for it later while on the cruise. Take time to learn about the ship, the entertainment options, and find out what is included in the cruise package and what is not. It is also good to start to learn about the ports of call, and plan your shore excursions to look for deals while off your cruise liner. Sign up for the loyalty program, look for special pricing on excursions, and seek local only hot spots in the ports of call. A couple of hours of work up front could save you and your family hundreds on your cruise vacation.
Step 2

Disney Cruise Gifts

By your cruise souvenirs in advance. While this sounds a bit crazy, you may be able to save literally hundreds from pre-purchasing your cruise gifts and souvenirs in advance of your vacation. For example, if you plan a Disney Cruise, you can shop online for Mickey Mouse Hats and Donald Duck shirts weeks or months before you go. Hid these items in your luggage, and pull them out on day two of your cruise. Your kids will not know the difference, and you will save 20-50% of what it will cost you on the cruise liner. Seek other ways to pre-buy cruise gift items, as many local stores will carry the same of very similar items for a fraction of the cost of what you will pay while on the cruise liner.
Step 3

Cruise Incidentals

Stock up on cruise incidentals. Go to Walmart and buy sunscreen, lip balm, film, batteries, toiletries. These are necessities on a cruise, and you will spend a lot in the cruise liner gift shop if you forget them. With the airline restrictions, you may be limited with what you can carry on to a plan. Even if have taken a cheap flight to your destination in order to board your cruise, plan to stop off at Walmart or Target before you board your cruise to stock up.
Step 4

Cruise Beverages

By the cruise beverage card. This is only offered on the first day of the cruise, and will save you a lot especially if you are traveling with kids. Generally, non-alcoholic drinks are included at the meals. However, poolside sodas and juices will add up quickly. The cruise beverage card will all your kids to drink fruit juice and soda all day without any additional charges. Additionally, a family of four may be able to get by with just two of these cards and save a few more bucks on the cruise.
Step 5

Get out of the port when you disembark the cruise liner. When in a port, take a cab to a more remote location away from the tourist traps near the cruise ship. For a few dollars, you can take a short cab ride away from the cruise ships and save hundreds on food and drinks. Many vendors near the cruise ships have much higher rates as they have captive customers. This is why it is important to do your homework before you go on the cruise.
Step 6

Watch your spending. In some cases you may be able to use cash to make purchases. If you can use cash on the cruise, then great. This will help you monitor cruise spending. Generally, there is no cash changing hands on a cruise ship. All purchases are done by simply swiping your room card. The charges end up on your cruise bill, which are then charged to your credit card. Therefore, be careful when you make purchases while on the cruise. If you have a spending limit, stick to it. Also, be mindful when off ship when at Islands owned by the cruise line. You can generally use your card at these locations, but also your cash. Use your cash to help monitor your cruise budget. A bargain cruise will end up costing you thousands with interest on a credit card. Use cash on a cruise if you can.
Step 7

Carnival Cruises Towel

Look for the sales. Believe it or not, cruise lines run sales on board too. It common that cruise line gift shops will sell shirts at a clearance table 1 or 2 days into the cruise. Look for the sale table, sometimes at the main pool. You can often get 2 for 1 cruise logo shirts, hats, etc. This is a great way to take home that cruise souvenir and save a few bucks.