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- The particular cruise ship you choose as well as the cabin you stay in can greatly affect your overall experience.
- It’s essential to have an emergency plan when you’re cruising, and getting travel insurance can be beneficial.
- Ensure your credit card does not impose foreign transaction fees, as these can accumulate significantly.
“I’ve had the privilege of snorkeling in stunning Hawaii, observing whales in Alaska, exploring castles in Scotland, hiking around the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, and being amazed by Stonehenge among other places,” shares Judy Schwartz, a former public schoolteacher who has embarked on 47 cruises—and discovered ways to reduce costs along the way. She offers eight cost-cutting strategies for those considering a cruise vacation.
1. Research your ship
While cruising, the ship serves as your accommodation, your means of travel, and your dining venue. Often, it also offers professional entertainment. Essentially, it consolidates numerous financial choices into one experience.
Every cruise line boasts its distinct ambiance and standing. Opting for a cruise that doesn’t align with your character could end up being quite an expensive misstep.
Companies such as Carnival appeal to a lively, party-oriented clientele," states Schwartz. "Norwegian is recognized for offering family-friendly cruises along with additional dining choices." He continues, "Princess maintains an elegant, high-end image.
During her time off from teaching, Schwartz loved sailing with her family. She bonded with other families aboard the ship through activities like trivia competitions, relaxing by the pool, or playing table tennis.
Your cruise ship is not just a means of transportation; it’s like your own floating community. With anywhere from 3,000 to 4,000 individuals onboard, you’ll encounter people everywhere—from the buffets to the speciality dining spots, as well as in the casino and beyond.
2. Choose your cabin carefully
Schwartz mentions, "If you intend to spend considerable time in the room, additional space could be beneficial. Alternatively, you could opt for a less expensive, compact cabin and allocate extra funds towards activities and outings."
She mentions that when she traveled to the Bahamas during winter from the northeast, she greatly appreciated having a balcony room where she could enjoy the sunlight and have some personal space.
Schwartz advises individuals to be thorough when making reservations: "Check the location of your cabin carefully. Whenever possible, try to steer clear of one situated directly beneath the swimming pool or on a deck adjacent to the theater, as these areas tend to be quite loud."
3. Determine the number of drink packages before heading out to sea
Schwartz states that drink packages generally do not provide value for most guests. This is due to various conditions being involved.
- Typically, most cruise drink packages do not start until after you depart from port stops, which means that complimentary beverages are generally available only when you are out at sea.
- If you desire a drinks package, every other adult in your room needs to purchase one as well.
- Tips aren't included.
The ideal customers for a drink package are individuals traveling alone or pairs who anticipate consuming many premium beverages, such as cocktails rather than beer, during their voyage.
4. Know how your insurance operates before you need it.
Schwartz states, “Should you fall ill and require medical attention onboard, your current health insurance might not provide coverage. Additionally, you will have to settle the payment upfront before seeking reimbursement through your insurer. Therefore, consider purchasing additional insurance either directly from the cruise line or via an independent insurance service.” top cruise travel insurance providers Will provide coverage for you during a medical emergency — just ensure you understand what your plan includes prior to purchasing.
The difficult experience I went through involved my husband suffering from a severe infection that required treatment aboard the ship.
Schwartz also mentions that if you're enrolled in Medicare, you might lack coverage when you're abroad.
Schwartz remembered, "During our time in Labadee, Haiti (a privately-owned beach destination), it was extremely hot. As we walked back toward the ship, we witnessed a helicopter arriving to airlift one passenger to the hospital. Such an evacuation could cost upwards of $25,000. Shortly after, we saw yet another helicopter coming to rescue another traveler!"
5. Pack heavy
Schwartz advises ensuring you bring along items that could be quite costly to purchase aboard the vessel. These include:
- Sealed water and wine (if permitted by your cruise line) from Royal Caribbean. a bottle of wine for each adult.
- Medical supplies, bandages, motion sickness remedies, and menstrual products
- Sunscreen and toiletries
6. Read the contract's fine print
Schwartz mentions that cruises come with particular regulations regarding child passengers. Infants younger than one year are generally not permitted to remain at sea for longer than two days.
Norwegian does not permit infants younger than six months old or travelers who are entering their 24th week of pregnancy or beyond.
Familiarize yourself with the vessel’s rules and regulations. Failure to comply might result in your removal from the ship or prohibition from future cruises by the same company. Always show courtesy towards staff members and other passengers.
7. Return ahead of time always
Schwartz cautions, "Return to the ship promptly once it docks at a port. Otherwise, they might abandon you. You could find yourself stranded, and the expense of reboarding the ship may be quite high."
Schwartz loves exploring various stops during her travels, yet she remains quite timely. Whether she’s wandering through the charming streets of Honfleur, France, or navigating the ancient lanes of Tallinn’s medieval Old Town in Estonia, she always ensures she returns to the ship well before departure.
8. Use the correct card
If you require your passport, you should also have a a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees Otherwise, you'll end up increasing the cost of each transaction by approximately 3% whenever you leave the ship to go ashore for exploration.
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