A cruise is a great way to see more of the world on a single trip. However, if you’ve never had the opportunity to experience one before, it can be difficult to know if you’re getting a good deal.
There are a lot of options available to you, and you’ll find that some of them are best avoided.
Here are four of the most common ways first-time passengers end up wasting money.
Booking at the Wrong Time
As with any holiday, booking at the right time plays a huge part in how much you end up paying. Most travelers try to book at least four-to-six months in advance. If you’re looking to travel to a popular destination, especially during peak times, you may want to book even earlier. The first three months of the year are the best time to book. As this is when providers like Cruise Deals make the most aggressive offers.
Assuming Everything Is All-Inclusive
What attracts many people to cruises is the idea of an all-inclusive experience. It’s important to note that extra features like spa treatments, alcoholic drinks, and shore excursions to the mainland are not normally included in the price. Many ships also include specialty restaurants in addition to the main dining rooms too. While these are a great way to treat yourself, they’re another additional expense so try not to overdo it and blow your budget.
Excess Shore Excursions
Shore excursions often seem like the best way to make the most of your time on land. The cruise provider can often set up trips to the mainland for passengers. These typically cost much more than third parties. Likewise, with a little research online on the main tourist attractions available, you could head out into the city yourself and make a significant saving. Just remember to make sure you’re back in time before your ship takes off.
Spending Your Nights at the Casino
It’s now common for almost all major cruise lines to have a casino below deck. When combined with a lot of free time and the potential effects of alcohol, though, this can be a big problem, especially if you have a budget to stick to.
While it can be tempting to gather a group of friends around the blackjack table or roulette wheel, you should always try to quit while you’re ahead. There will be a number of other onboard activities available to you to take advantage of instead.
kathy downey says
Wow,thats some ship.Thanks for the tips !
Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard says
never been on a cruise – good tips especially the one re: all inclusive
Lesley F says
I have never taken a cruise before but these are some great tips
Denise M says
You make me want to cruise. Thanks for the inspiration!
Lynda Cook says
This was a great post with amazing tips, I could see where I would make the mistake of over spending
kathy downey says
Thanks for the money saving tips
Wayne Lecoy says
I liked your 4 Ways Rookies Waste Money on Their First Cruise post.
I have never gone on a cruise but if i do i know have some great tips.
Florence C says
Thanks for the tips. I have not been on a cruise but definitely was educated on saving money reading this post.
Karen Nadeau says
Thanks for these great tips.
Darren Scrubb says
Great information I will use when I take my first cruise around the worlds.