How to save money on Princess?

[FSULB]

We're taking our first cruise (ever) on the Diamond, Inside Passage, this May. The more I read through posts, the more I see comments about how everything costs $$ once you're on the ship (from coffee to the spa to internet, etc.). So, to you experienced cruisers, I ask this question- what are the best ways to avoid a gargantuan shipboard tab when traveling on a Princess cruise?

 

Thanks!

[Ethel5]

Don't get spa treatments, stay out of the casino, order only a few drinks during the cruise, research shore excursions and don't book them through Princess. Buy souveniers away from the ship dock-the further away the cheaper they become. Don't buy a whole new wardbobe for the cruise.

 

Enjoy!

[Pam in CA]

So, to you experienced cruisers, I ask this question- what are the best ways to avoid a gargantuan shipboard tab when traveling on a Princess cruise?

Easiest way is to not buy the premium, extra-cost items. The coffee is fine, there's excellent quality ice cream served at lunch, in the afternoon and evening, take advantage of the drink of the day specials, go to the auctions and drink the free champagne, and you're on vacation, you don't need the internet.

[Stranger1]

I think the easiest way to save money on Princess is to get a printout of your bill each day. Once you see what you're spending, it's easier to stick to a budget. When it's just funny money, it's easy to overspend.

[cruiseryyc]

The only coffee you have to pay for is "speciality coffees" at the Pastry shop.

[madelinerose]

Too bad Princess doesn't have interactive tv like Carnival does. IMHO, being able to view your account balance, book excursions, etc. from the convenience of your cabin 24/7 is a wonderful thing. ;)

 

I think the easiest way to save money on Princess is to get a printout of your bill each day. Once you see what you're spending, it's easier to stick to a budget. When it's just funny money, it's easy to overspend.

[luckyking]

My 2 cents worth of advice....

Take a couple of bottles of wine with you. If you purchase a bottle of wine at dinner, drink half and save the other half for the next night....they will mark it for you and keep it.

Do the research and book shore excursions with independant operators. You'll save about half of what the cruise line charges and they are usually smaller groups with better personal attention.

Do your shopping/eating/drinking away from the pier area.

Avoid the casino

Only play one game of Bingo, not two.

Buy a bottle of booze for your room and make your own drink to take out on the deck.

Avoid the spa. Get a massage at home before you leave to get you ready for your vacation and spend WAY less.

Book a Future Cruise while you on the ship. You will be eligible for a shipboard credit next time.

Build 'travel money' into your budget. This is the one thing people forget but there are so many little expenses you incur on the way to/from the cruise itself.

[A Sixth?]

My 2 cents worth of advice....

Take a couple of bottles of wine with you. If you purchase a bottle of wine at dinner, drink half and save the other half for the next night....they will mark it for you and keep it.

Do the research and book shore excursions with independent operators. You'll save about half of what the cruise line charges and they are usually smaller groups with better personal attention.

Do your shopping/eating/drinking away from the pier area.

Avoid the casino

Only play one game of Bingo, not two.

Buy a bottle of booze for your room and make your own drink to take out on the deck.

Avoid the spa. Get a massage at home before you leave to get you ready for your vacation and spend WAY less.

Book a Future Cruise while you on the ship. You will be eligible for a shipboard credit next time.

Build 'travel money' into your budget. This is the one thing people forget but there are so many little expenses you incur on the way to/from the cruise itself.

 

Excellent advise. Especially the part about ordering a bottle for your room. We enjoyed happy hour with our friends in our cabins before dinner. It didn't preclude us also having a drink or two in the bars, just kept it down.

 

The biggest thing is avoid the casino and do your own tours. If you're worried about getting back to the ship on time, do 1/2 day morning tours.

 

There is no reason that your extras need break the bank. We've done cruises when the money was tight and had every bit as much fun as when we were able to spend a little more on ourselves.

[meemeec]

We save to go on vacation.......we don't go on vacation to save. :D

[snowblower]

I agree with above. One additional thing if you are wine drinkers. We take wine on every Princess cruise. As for the corkage fee, we have never been charged. I have been told by many dining staff that if you bring wine to the dining room that is on the Princess wine menu, no corkage fee. Bring wine that is not on the wine list, then there will be a corkage fee. How do you figure out what to bring to avoid the corkage fee????? Go here:

 

http://www.princess.com/onboard/services/gifts/cellars.html

 

You should not be charged a corkage fee for any wine on this list....

[FSULB]

Thanks for the suggestions- keep them coming!

 

How about some more "tricks" (instead of "don't spend on ____" ) ?

[A Sixth?]

Thanks for the suggestions- keep them coming!

 

How about some more "tricks" (instead of "don't spend on ____" ) ?

 

Well, since it's a nearly all inclusive package on Princess, it pretty much boils down to "don't be too tempted to spend spend spend...

 

The best Tips and where the average Joe spends a few bucks is tours and booze. Pre-arrange your tours online or just off the dock can easily add-up to 300-400 saved on a five port itinerary per couple. Also bringing your own wine or beer aboard is perfectly fine, there's even a fridge to keep it cold. People do smuggle booze too, but bottles for your cabin are available through Princess at pretty good prices all things considered.

 

The best souvenirs are the ones you take with your own camera. I like to buy local stamps and mount them in frames as souvenirs, whole sheets sometimes, 50 stamps to a sheet, one cent a stamp, the best fifty cent frame-able gift you'll ever get, a bit of matting and a dollar store frame.... you get the idea.

[partyboy]

Thanks for the suggestions- keep them coming!

 

How about some more "tricks" (instead of "don't spend on ____" ) ?

 

Don't leave your booking with Princess. Shop around for an online TA you feel comfortable with or have one recommended to you by someone you know and transfer it over. There are plenty of full service online TA's out there. Let them earn your business. You'll save hundreds of dollars per person.

 

Once you're a Princess past passenger, keep checking the Princess web site pricing for price drops. Just saved $96.pp because I just spotted some past passenger pricing.

 

On your next Princess cruise, if you decide to have friends or family join you, check out the benefits both you and the people you refer can receive just by referring them. The information is available on the princess website!:)

[Charliesmom]

Not only do you have a $100 per person deposit when you book a cruise onboard, but you get shipboard credits according to length of your future cruise and your stateroom size. You do not have to specify when you will be travelling, as long as it is within a 4-year period. Your deposit is refundable.

 

One important way to save money - don't buy soda. Drink coffee, tea, iced tea and juice (available free in the morning, but not afterward). You can also bring your soda onboard when embarking.

 

Eat your ice cream at meals, when it is free- don't buy it.

 

Roberta

[sunnylin]

Thanks for the suggestions- keep them coming!

 

How about some more "tricks" (instead of "don't spend on ____" ) ?

 

We just got back from the CB sailing 2/18 - 2/25. Here are some things we did that really helped us save some money:

1. Decide ahead of time a certain $ amount you hope to spend on your cruise - bring that amount of cash and bring to the pursers desk to put on your account. Then check your account every few days. We did just that and yes we still went over our "budget" by $170, but at least we had a starting point and didn't just go into it with a "whatever" kind of attitude. We were flexible and knew we'd spend more, but it does help to have an idea to start off with.

2. On Port days come back to the ship for Lunch. This was a BIG money saver for us. In St. Thomas and St. Martin it was great to come back to the ship - eat lunch - change out of bathing suits - grab whatever and be off again.

3. Schedule excursions on your own and don't think you have to have an excursion at every port - there is probably plenty to do and see right at the Port.

4. On Formal nights - have someone take lots of pictures of you with your own camera when you are all dressed up. We did do the Ships Formal Pics, but I also have a lot of nice photos on my own digital with me and hubby all dressed up. Look around the ship for nice picture taking spots you will find lots of them. Even a "real" sunset :)

5. Bring Bottled water - soda - or whatever else you like to drink and keep in your own fridge - or at least bring a water bottle that you can refill as you go off the ship.

6. Bring MORE sunscreen than you think you are going to need. We brough two good size bottles and just had enough for the 2 of us. If you run out it is expensive on the ship and out at the Shops. This also goes for any other OTC item you may need....aspirin, band-aids, dramamine, etc..

7. Don't forget about the 15% tip added to every drink order.

8. If you plan on snorkeling - bring your own equipment - not only is it more hygenic - it will save you money in the long run. We had never snorkled before, but knew we were going to give it a try on our own. We each purchased the complete set at Costco $39.99 and were very very pleased with it, and now we own it!

9. If you want the drink of the day ask for it in a "regular" glass - it is less expensive than the drink in the souvenier glass. I also think that all drinks come in 3 sizes and the bigger the drink - the better the value.

10. Find the Free Ice Cream - this was served on our ship everyday at 3:30 in the "closed" half of Horizon Court. I say closed, because they were no longer serving lunch buffet, but set- up 2 ice cream sundae stations. They never announced it, but it was there every day. :p Yummy!

I am sure I can think of others, but hopefully this is a good start!

Enjoy!

linda

CB Princess - 2/18-2/25...Ah where to go next??

[Paulras]

I've never been on Princess (yet) but I have my own money saving ideas from other cruises:

 

- never buy art at the auctions. I have about $2,000 worth of art that I never hung and my research online has told me that I paid too much.

 

- if you go to the casino and win, go immediately to the purser and pay down your bill with the cash. It's alot easier to run back to the casino the next night with your winnings and lose it all.

 

- if your intention is to sightsee in port, most have cabs or vans waiting for you at a fraction of the price as the ship excursions. Grab a few friends from onboard and rent a van for a few hours. It'll be cheaper and you'll usually get a better tour that doesn't have to follow a pre-set itinerary.

 

- if you know what excursions you want to take before you leave, check online to see if they're offered by booking direct instead of through the ship. I booked a helicopter tour once that saved each of us $80 and we rode with others from the same ship that paid the ship price.

 

- if you drink soda or bottled water, buy a 12 pack in port. There are usually stores near the dock so you can carry it on as you're coming back. Cheaper and more convenient than purchasing onboard. Most ships have a mini-fridge in the cabin to keep them cold.

 

One thing I do want to point out is that even though you are trying to save money, please remember to provide for tips for your wait staff and cabin steward. It's only about $10/pp/day and it's how they make the little money they get.

[bdjam]

We save to go on vacation.......we don't go on vacation to save. :D

Amen, sister!

[Mmm...coffee!]

There is no need in my opinion to bring lots of bottled water with you. Just bring a couple large bottles and re-fill them every night. You can cool them off in the fridge. The tap water on board is great and perfectly safe to drink for the vast majority of people.

 

Ship's tours are always a big expense. Sometimes it is possible to arrange your own tours. It can be a lot of work to do so, but sometimes others on the same cruise might have space on one they are arranging. Find or start a roll call for your cruise to see if this is an option.

 

Limit the amount of photos you purchase.

 

If we subtract the cost of tours we take, our expenses are not that huge and we enjoy our fair share of cocktails. We find Asti Spumante goes just as well with a special occasion as Dom Perignon, and is a whole lot cheaper.

[LICRUISER2GO]

we had that also on celebrity...maybe they dont want you to look:eek:,if you look you may spend less:)

 

Too bad Princess doesn't have interactive tv like Carnival does. IMHO, being able to view your account balance, book excursions, etc. from the convenience of your cabin 24/7 is a wonderful thing. ;)

[thecoop]

Along with everyone else. Bring your own sodas - one or two cases of your favorite drink makes the trip. Bring a case of bottled water. Keep it in the fridge. Add the instant Lemonade, flavored iced tea packets to it from Lipton or Crystal Light. My wife brings a couple bottle of water onboard with her and fills it with crystal light and takes them with us on excursions. You can also order room service (a couple sandwiches) bring ziploc bags with you and you have an instant lunch/snack on excursions. We rarely paid for meals off the ship, yes I know we are cheap. We did buy the souveniers that we wanted though. Remember to haggle or bargain with the local people, they may go down on the prices of certain items. In Mexico we never paid what was marked on the items. Wife bought this big (about 3 feet in diameter) wooden wall hanging, they wanted $80, she asked if they would go lower, guy offered $50, wife said too much, started walking away, guy said $40, wife walks out of store, guy comes to door and offers it for $25, she bought it. Pays to try to haggle. We have bought other items that way as well. Have also paid full price on a few items, but not many.

 

Take the crystal light with you to dinner/lunch and when they fill the water glass, add some of it and you have instant flavored drink.

 

Also take your own alcohol (we dont drink it) onboard and make your own drinks in your room and carry them around with you.

 

On our upcoming cruise to Alaska in May we will be bringing insulated cups for hot tea and hot chocolate. Bring a couple tea bags, sugars, hot chocolate packs also. This way you are not tempted to pay for it onboard as well.

 

Always bring your own sunscreen and all other sickness medicines including bandaids. We made a hug list of items to take with us, probably wont use 1/4 of them but they will be there just in case. If you want the list, let me know.

[meemeec]

Along with everyone else. Bring your own sodas - one or two cases of your favorite drink makes the trip. Bring a case of bottled water. Keep it in the fridge. Add the instant Lemonade, flavored iced tea packets to it from Lipton or Crystal Light. My wife brings a couple bottle of water onboard with her and fills it with crystal light and takes them with us on excursions. You can also order room service (a couple sandwiches) bring ziploc bags with you and you have an instant lunch/snack on excursions. We rarely paid for meals off the ship, yes I know we are cheap. We did buy the souveniers that we wanted though. Remember to haggle or bargain with the local people, they may go down on the prices of certain items. In Mexico we never paid what was marked on the items. Wife bought this big (about 3 feet in diameter) wooden wall hanging, they wanted $80, she asked if they would go lower, guy offered $50, wife said too much, started walking away, guy said $40, wife walks out of store, guy comes to door and offers it for $25, she bought it. Pays to try to haggle. We have bought other items that way as well. Have also paid full price on a few items, but not many.

 

Take the crystal light with you to dinner/lunch and when they fill the water glass, add some of it and you have instant flavored drink.

 

Also take your own alcohol (we dont drink it) onboard and make your own drinks in your room and carry them around with you.

 

On our upcoming cruise to Alaska in May we will be bringing insulated cups for hot tea and hot chocolate. Bring a couple tea bags, sugars, hot chocolate packs also. This way you are not tempted to pay for it onboard as well.

 

Always bring your own sunscreen and all other sickness medicines including bandaids. We made a hug list of items to take with us, probably wont use 1/4 of them but they will be there just in case. If you want the list, let me know.

 

If I had to cruise this way.....I'd never do it. When does the vacation start if I have to schlep 2 cases of soda and another case of water???? Then, of course, the bottles of wine and alchohol. Plus...packing envelopes of lemonade, tea and hot chocolate AND insulated cups???

This describes camping.....not cruising.

[ncruiser]

Don't leave your booking with Princess. Shop around for an online TA you feel comfortable with or have one recommended to you by someone you know and transfer it over. There are plenty of full service online TA's out there. Let them earn your business. You'll save hundreds of dollars per person.

 

Once you're a Princess past passenger, keep checking the Princess web site pricing for price drops. Just saved $96.pp because I just spotted some past passenger pricing.

 

On your next Princess cruise, if you decide to have friends or family join you, check out the benefits both you and the people you refer can receive just by referring them. The information is available on the princess website!:)

 

Just where do you search to find the past passenger place to see if your cruise price has changed?

Can you get this cheaper price even though you have already paid the complete price for your cruise?

Thanks!

[cruiseryyc]

Hey MEEMEC - you took the words right out of my mouth. Take your own tea bags ???? Last time I looked tea was free, as is coffee.

[flamomo]

If you like to go to the casino, plan to allow a specific amount per person per day. That way you can plan this entertainment expense into your cruise budget.

When you are in the casino, and you double the amount you started out with, cash out of that machine and start over with a new bill. Don't use the money you cashed out to play with.

Instead, take that money to your cabin and put it in the safe. Leave it there until you disembark. With a little luck, you might be surprised how much money you will get to take home.

I use this method, and use the casino winnings as the starter fund for saving for my next cruise.

[sammiedawg]

I think the soft drink card is a great deal, usually 25 to 30 dollars for unlimited soft drinks anywhere on the ship. As others mentioned buy soft drinks or bottled water off the ship in ports. avoid spa and casino charges. Eat breakfast and lunch on board if at all possible, I always laugh when I see cruise passengers ordering meals in the local restaurants near the port. You can get on and off the ship as needed. Avoid specialty restaurants, they are not necessary, esp for your first cruise. Avoid wine tasting which charges a fee, there is lots to do for free on the ship. Make sure you go to the Captain welcome party for free drinks. I would encourage you to take tours of the port cities, dont skimp on sightseeing. Choose sightseeing instead of bingo or alcohol. As other people said, you can book some port tours on your own. Some people rent cars for the day. We've generally taken the ship tours to make sure we saw the highlights and the tour guides are generally very knowledgeable. Sometimes time is money when you're on vacation, you can choose early morning departures to give yourself time to explore on your own later. avoid buying the nonsensical souveneirs in all the stores, they just weight down your luggage. You can book tours then cancel them up to a couple days before the tour leaves. Read the Alaska port of call section and Alaska guidebooks for ideas and information on the must do's .Alaska is a great trip and the Diamond is wondeful. As someone said, book a cruise on board for $100 and get free cruise credit next time around. Keep checking the price for the cruise you're taking and ask the TA to discount if the price drops, most will do that until final payment.