Be sure to search the internet for close in parking with companies that shuttle you to the port. You can save approximately $12.00/day depending on the city you are in.
Check with your mobile phone provider prior to leaving for your cruise to ensure that you know what costs will be associated with phone calls, text messages and data transfer from the various ports you visit. Turning your cell phone off is always the best option if you don’t want to incur extra costs.
Remember to bring along extra batteries for cameras etc., as they can get be quite expensive on the ships or in ports.
When you board the ship and are offered a cocktail be aware that there is most likely a cost for it
If you or people traveling with you drink a lot of soda check out the “soda package” that many ships have. An example would be paying a flat fee of $25 for all soda over a 5 day cruise.
If you did not have a chance to eat while traveling to the port and are starving upon boarding the ship, check the buffet restaurant as they usually serve lunch items that afternoon.
You can use the gym at no charge and on most ships you also have access to the saunas that are in the fitness/spa area
If there is anything at all in your cabin that is not working or not to your satisfaction, don’t hesitate to call and ask if they can take care of it. The staff on ships want you to be happy and will “fix” it if they can.
You can enjoy a “sit down” breakfast and lunch in the dining room vs. fighting the crowds in the buffet restaurant at no extra cost
Some ships have a couple of restaurants in addition to their “formal” dining rooms as options for dinner. They are typically very nice and have a charge of somewhere between $15 and $40 per person. The food served in the formal dining rooms is always very good, but the restaurants with the additional charges are sometimes nice for a “change”.
Room Service is free on most ships – you can enjoy your morning coffee and/or breakfast in your cabin if you like or a late night snack!
If you buy liquor when in a port or from the ship’s store, the ship will keep it and deliver it to your cabin on the last evening of the cruise
Be sure to bring light jackets, sweaters, wraps as the showrooms and lounges are sometimes quite cool
If on a long cruise, the ship usually offers a special to have a “bag” of laundry done for you. Some ships have washers and dryers accessible
Have fun!
