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Last updated on December 28th, 2023 at 09:42 pm
Cruise vacations are a terrific way to get out and see the world. But, if you’re like me, and don’t want to overspend, check out some simple tips for saving money on a cruise.
While cruising vacations can be quite expensive, they are incredible and offer some of the most impressive and luxury vacation opportunities. With a chance to see the world and tons of different activities to get involved in onboard, going on a cruise is a great way to vacation.
But if you’re a little strapped for cash and have a cruising vacation coming up, then you might need some help to finance it. Or, maybe you just want to travel on the cheap so you can save up for another vacation. Either way, here are our top money-saving tips to help ensure that your budget stretches for the duration of your trip.
Top Tips for Saving Money on a Cruise
Don’t Pay for Excursions
Here’s one of the best ideas for saving money on a cruise: if you do your research well before you go, you’ll know exactly what you want to explore in each port and can book independent trips which are cheaper–or explore on your own.
Booking the cruise-led excursions can be informative, but expensive, and when you’re watching your pennies, exploring alone is much more cost effective. Plus, this means you can go at your own pace and see exactly what you want to see.
Just getting off the ship to walk through the city or along the beach can be amazing when you’re visiting a part of the world you’ve never seen before.
Get a Drinks Package
Although it may seem like you’re paying out a lot of money at once initially, getting a drinks package is one of the most cost-effective ways to finance your drinks on board.
If you’re planning to drink alcohol, it tends to work out much better to have pre-paid for an all-inclusive package, so you won’t be stung with a huge bill at the end.
Airplane Mode Your Phone
While staying in touch with family and friends is important, it can be costly, especially with there being no cell signal out at sea.
By putting your phone in airplane mode for the majority of the time, and only turning it on when you need it, you’ll be able to avoid a costly bill–and save your battery. When you’re in restaurants and cafes off-ship, connect to free Wi-Fi if you need to get in contact with people, check emails and texts, or post to your social media accounts.
Skip the Expensive Souvenirs
If you’re calling at a port, and you don’t really feel like exploring, staying onboard is a good way to save cash. You’ll avoid all of those overpriced touristy items. That’s not to say you shouldn’t pick up a memento or two during your trip, but remember, that photos can be great souvenirs. That’s especially true if you can get them off your phone, enlarge them, and put them in a frame. That’s a much better reminder of your trip than a tee shirt that will probably end up in a donation box before too long. [Read: 10 Unique & Memorable Souvenir Ideas for Your Next Vacation]
By following these simple tips for saving money on a cruise you’ll be able to see some noticeable savings without having to sacrifice enjoyment of your trip. In other words, yes, you can have a great cruise vacation on a budget!
Are you an experienced cruise-goer? Do you have any other tips for saving money on a cruise? Leave us a comment below.
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Also read:
4 Important Tips for Taking Your First Cruise
6 Important Benefits to Look for When Choosing a Credit Card for Travel
Flight Hack: How to Use the 24-Hour Rule to Save Big
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