- Field Day |
- Buildings Alive |
- Visions |
- CLGBT |
- Green Community |
- Fun & Free S#!T |
- Crossword |
- CL Space |
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The cheapskate's guide to saving money on cruise vacations
Posted by Sean Bowes on Sun, Jun 13, 2010 at 1:00 PM
It is officially summertime and cruises to the Caribbean are going for some great rates. You can book a five-night cruise departing from Tampa or Fort Lauderdale for under $450 per person. All meals are included and the ships stop in places like the Keys, the Bahamas and Cozumel, Mexico. It seems unlikely that cruise ships could make any money with such affordable rates to tropical destinations. After all, it costs more money to stay at the Embassy Suites Downtown Tampa hotel on the same nights, and breakfast is the only meal included.
But once you board the ship, it all becomes clear: cruise liner companies have you marked as a cash cow, and rightfully so. Tasty rum drinks, professional photographs and expeditions are all very tempting and sell for a premium. Plus, you are there for a vacation; you shouldn’t have to worry about being frugal. You're there to relax and stuff your face from the dozens of eateries on board. You shouldn’t go for broke, though. Preparation can save you from crying on the drive home.
First off, figuring out the pesky business of drinking on board. Most ships have water, tea and juice for free, or you can purchase “soda cards” which allow for unlimited fountain drinks for a few bucks a day -- a smart buy. But, for those serious about their drinking, which is generally a fair amount of the cruisers, the bar tab can easily go past the amount you spend on your room.
Do not bother decorating liquor bottles in wrapping paper and pretending they are birthday gifts, it is a red flag and won’t work. Also, scratch the idea of putting your vodka in your empty mouthwash bottle. Even the strongest dish soap won’t get rid of the Listerine flavor in the bottle, ruining your alcohol.
Be bold. Carry a big water bottle full of clear liquor right past security. Don’t even bother shoving it in your suitcase. If you become nervous, take a sip. It helps calm the nerves.
If you prefer darker liquor, such as rum or whiskey, you have to be a little craftier. The Contact Lens Institute estimates that over 35 million Americans wear contacts, so clean out one or two contact solution bottles and put the booze in the empty bottles. The lids are sealed watertight, and the containers are not transparent like water bottles. They generally hold 12.5 ounces each. Why not bring two?
Besides the bar, the other massive revenue source is the casino. Avoid it at all costs. They call it gambling for a reason, and the house has great odds. If you must gamble, play roulette; the rocking of the ship makes watching the little white ball roll across the numbers even more fun. All you have to remember is to bet on black.
Cruise lines like Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean all offer interior rooms without windows for low prices during this season and early fall. The rooms are basic, but housekeeping is generally top-notch and sometimes wildly creative with their towel folding expertise.
Bottom line: Use some of these tips and you won't be spending a ton on what was supposed to be a rather inexpensive cruise vacation.
Latest in Daily Loaf
-
Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign playlist — Spotify style
-
Another Mitt flip-flop? 2010 interview reveals praise for individual mandate
The Supreme Court might take the issue off the table for the election, but Congressional Republicans seem intent on doing whatever they can to put the issue on the ballot in November.
-
GOP holding up unemployment benefits for recipients who don't have a GED
The GOP also wants to include urine testing for anyone requesting unemployment benefits.
- More »
Top Commenters
Comments (0)