i would agree that cruising with ncl or carnival gives you best value for your vacation dollar.
any cruise fare will cover your room (cabin), food, entertainment and if you purchase nothing on the ship or do no activity for cost, you can walk off the ship at the end of your cruise owing nothing.
please DO factor in the cost of gratuities which can run about $ 12 per day (minimal if you consider you have dined at least 3 meals for the day, plus someone has made your bed and cleaned your bathroom -- sometimes 2 x in a day) -- you may adjust if service is not good, but don't stiff the staff as some cruiselines do no pay a salary or wage, and your gratuity payment is what the staff earns.
think also to give extra at the end of your cruise to show your appreciation if the staff has gone beyond what they are expected to do. ie my steward went and got me motion pills when i was seasick (didn't have to ask), or an officer helped me get tickets to a show bec i was in a seminar at the time the tickets were released (i didn't ask, he heard my conversation with my husband and asked my cabin # and when i wanted to see the show) extra gratuities should always be given to the recipient IN PERSON, never through an intermediary.
there have been many good tips offered in this thread that is worthwhile noting.
excursions often can be arranged privately once you get off the ship and into the pier area -- at half the price that the ship offers them, but know what you want to see. look over the ship's offerings and return times and ask for the same itinerary from the vendors on shore. with privately arranged tours the ship will not wait for you if you come back to the ship late, so come back early. if the tour is arranged with the ship, if you are delayed, the ship is obligated to wait for you -- difference to keep in mind.
cruising on a budget
in First Time Cruisers
Posted
i would agree that cruising with ncl or carnival gives you best value for your vacation dollar.
any cruise fare will cover your room (cabin), food, entertainment and if you purchase nothing on the ship or do no activity for cost, you can walk off the ship at the end of your cruise owing nothing.
please DO factor in the cost of gratuities which can run about $ 12 per day (minimal if you consider you have dined at least 3 meals for the day, plus someone has made your bed and cleaned your bathroom -- sometimes 2 x in a day) -- you may adjust if service is not good, but don't stiff the staff as some cruiselines do no pay a salary or wage, and your gratuity payment is what the staff earns.
think also to give extra at the end of your cruise to show your appreciation if the staff has gone beyond what they are expected to do. ie my steward went and got me motion pills when i was seasick (didn't have to ask), or an officer helped me get tickets to a show bec i was in a seminar at the time the tickets were released (i didn't ask, he heard my conversation with my husband and asked my cabin # and when i wanted to see the show) extra gratuities should always be given to the recipient IN PERSON, never through an intermediary.
there have been many good tips offered in this thread that is worthwhile noting.
excursions often can be arranged privately once you get off the ship and into the pier area -- at half the price that the ship offers them, but know what you want to see. look over the ship's offerings and return times and ask for the same itinerary from the vendors on shore. with privately arranged tours the ship will not wait for you if you come back to the ship late, so come back early. if the tour is arranged with the ship, if you are delayed, the ship is obligated to wait for you -- difference to keep in mind.