25 money saving tips for your next cruise

Staying home is less hassle.... Corporations can go to hellkkl

I guess I'm confused about the mini bar. I would think those are costly. Didn't you say first day free? I'm going down another rabbit hole and going to Google it lol

The best money saving tip?? Simply don't book a cruise. Light up the grill in your back yard and make some hamburgers.

Great tips! Thanks Don!

Some telephone companies have things called travel packs where you pay $10 a day while on cruises, so it can save you hundreds of dollars if you still want to keep your mobile phone on to make calls/texts etc

Drink $100 worth alcohol between 6pm and the time I pass out. Challenge Accepted.

Never soda, I do water every place, don't do specialty restaurants, I am NOT paying for all the stuff they are advertising and still having a great time...

Ty Don
.great tips...🥰

the tip about getting your cash at the casino is great

Holland America has a good deal on their soda card: pay $25, get $50 worth of fountain drinks. Each drink runs about $1.50.

Do you have any suggestions for third party travel insurance companies?

Best way is to save money is not have any charging privileges .

Hi Don... great information thanks👍👍

Another great video! Awesome tips!

Do all cruise lines include espresso based coffees in the drinks package. I know that Celebrity does.

I do not know why folk would rather tip on their own. I like it on my credit card as I get points, plus I am not bothering to get the right bills up together or trying to arrange a time to give to each. I think it is what they say then they give nothing.

Thank you for all the tips

I drink mostly water and iced tea. On my cruises with RCI, my wife ordered the soda package and I didn't need to. For the most part, I turned off my smart phone and put it in the room safe. Amazing tips in this video, Don. Thank you.

Don's 25 tips:

1. Review the on ship News Flyer for daily specials and deals
2. The best day to book your specialty dining is on the first evening as this is the slowest night
3. Book the SPA on a Port Day, they run specials as those are the slowest days

4. When paying your bill, always check your receipt first so you don't double or over tip
5. When on port where the excursion is near the ship, tour by foot instead.
6. Do not use the ship to shore phone if you know you'll be going on shore where roaming rates may be cheaper. Always check that International Roaming is off on your cell when boarding.
7. It may be cheaper to buy a soda package verses buying them separately due to the tips
8. Discover the restrictions on bringing alcohol or other beverages on board in your carry-on baggage
9. Cork an unfinished bottle of wine and ask the waiter to save for a later meal.
10. Purchasing last minute cruises may not yield cabins in the best parts of the ship
11. Book your cabin for your cruise as early as possible, monitor for price decreases
12. Discover what is free and what is not
13. Put your cell phone on Airplane mode when on board
14. Set a maximum limit on Gambling, there is no gambling regulation on the ship.
The payout rates are less than a land casino. Day 1 or 2 on the slots are
15. Pack as few bags as possible, understand what the airlines require first. Plus you pay tips for tips to handle them.
16. Don't fall for the ship sale pitches and deals. Save your money for when you return home
17. Avoid the on ship photographers on board and use your phone instead
18. Do not buy souvenirs on board or anywhere near dock near the ship
19. Use any credit the ship provides you for on board dining or gratuities and not wasting the credit
20. Defer the beverage package purchases until Day 2 and beyond
21. Eat on the ship if you are close enough if near the port to save money
22. Seminars sometime give away products or something for free. They might be worth investigating
23. Book your travel insurance through a 3rd party if possible verses the cruise line.
Determine if any of your Credit Cards include travel insurance when booking
your travel (air and cruise). Compare your CC coverage with what the cruise line offers.
24. If you have complementary fridge services have them customize the contents for you
25. Cash out of the ATM can cost you up to 20% in service charges, instead go to the casino buy chips then sell them back.

What companies do you recommend for travel insurance? I loved all the tips. There is one more that I do. I always take a gift bag with Tide Pods and Bounce Fabric softener sheets for the room stewart. I give it the first time I see my room stewart and always get better service. Plus I tip extra at the end of the cruise too.