Teala

these are all such great tips, not just for newbies but for everyone!

what i am going to say is pretty similar to everyone else!

where we save:

-NO excursions from the cruise line! (researched online and did cave tubing in belize for $35 bucks pp, instead of the boats $90 pp :D)

-No photos, unless dire (we didnt bring a water camera to jamaica, so had no pics from dunns falls so i bought the ones from NCL and i dont regret that, but i will never buy a formal shot. can always find someone to take it w/ my camera!)

-I Make sure to bring drug store essentials (i learned from experience that sunblock can run you $15.00 and cold medicine can be $10.00, ouch)

-Interior cabin all the way! Lowest category too. (as ppl always say, you dont spend much time there, and we dont get seasick so low on the boat is fine with me. i could use the exercise going up and down stairs anyway ;))

- No specialty restaurants (the dining room is so great, why bother?? although i did the teppanyaki on NCL jewel once and it was the best meal of the trip...)

- I love Iced Tea! (So no soda's for me.)

- No spa on the boat (i always manage to find massages on the beach somewhere, and i gotta say i love that atmosphere, and its a fraction of the price)

- Cheap souvinirs (i like to get something from each place but it doesnt need to be pricey like art or fine jewelry. i collect turtle figurines or get some cheap beaded jewelry. or things like hot sauce or alcohols. something really FROM the islands i guess)

where we spend:

- BAR TAB! (DH drinks A LOT so we allot a large amount for this....:rolleyes:)

- I do like the casino slot machines (but we allot a certain amount for this, like mayyyyybe 30-50 bucks for each of us, so its still fairly frugel. when its spent its spent. last cruise we went in with 9.25 and came out with 100.00!)

- Pre cruise night (it helps us to breathe a sigh of releif! we come from new england so weather can be an issue. but still, we get an inexpensive hotel)

thats about it!

I was on a gluten free diet for several years, and went on a NCL cruise while i was on this restrictive diet. i felt bad asking for special items, so i didnt say much about it and tried to figure out what i could have on my own. i had written to the cruise line to tell them of my needs, and figured they had forgotten about it. somehow though, the maitre d found out on the second day and actually scolded me for not saying anything! after that, he would look for me, bring me special food, special cookies, and special warmed bread every night. he also notified the dining room if i wanted something special for breakfast. i had eggs benedict for the first time in years because of him :)

i remember one night he didnt see me come in cuz i was late, and i didnt want to bother him so i asked my waiter for the bread. she brought some out, which was still frozen in the center :/. he saw me later and said 'i thought you didnt come tonight!' and brought me my cookies. needless to say, he got an extra tip from me and DH.

while in the airport waiting to fly home i hear someone say behind me, 'hello my gluten free friend!' it was him! he was flying home for 2 days, then flying back to work more. still so friendly even off the ship. what a guy!