How to Save Money on a Cruise…

How to keep costs down on a cruise…

So you’ve decided to go on a cruise. Congratulations! You’re in for a great time. Maybe it’s your first ever or one more of several you’ve already taken. But, you been hearing and reading about how much cruising has changed and that it’s become more expensive and less all-inclusive.
So you’ve decided to go on a cruise. Congratulations! You’re in for a great time. Maybe it’s your first ever or one more of several you’ve already taken. But, you been hearing and reading about how much cruising has changed and that it’s become more expensive and less all-inclusive.

Well, cruising has never been all-inclusive. On my very first cruise – it was actually on the SS Lurline from San Francisco to Honolulu, we still had to pay for tipping the staff and buying most of our alcoholic drinks. But, back in the 60’s, lots of free adult beverages were offered and the price for drinks was pretty low.

My first “real” cruise was on a cruise line which no longer exists – Sitmar and it was a wonderful, wonderful cruise line. It was known more for its service than food but our food was superb and we had the same wait staff as the president of the line – their table was right next to ours. It was a 14-day cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to the Caribbean, through the first set of locks in the Panama Canal and back to Florida. The “drink of the day” cost a whopping $1.50 and it was a big drink. OK, it was maybe 20 years ago? Still very different from cruising today.

Sadly, nowadays you might be charged for sodas (sometimes even in the dining room) cocktails, wine, etc., ice cream, alternate dining venues and sometimes fees to participate in certain activities (ie” ice skating) You’ll also pay extra for shore excursions but that is nothing new. (See below for tips on how to save money on these excursions.)