How to save money on Princess?

[Kat_in_Texas]

My, my ... so much bitterness! Come on guys, lighten up!! :rolleyes:

 

I for one appreciate reading all of the tips for saving money. Will I use all of the tips? No. We are going on a cruise to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and we plan to do it in style. We will dine in the speciality restaurants if the mood strikes, we have scheduled what we hope will be fabulous excursions, I will enjoy my lattes and cappucinos while roaming the ship, and we will definitely hit the casino!

 

But as I said, I appreciate the tips. I love the tip about taking wine that Princess offers to avoid a corkage fee ... I will definitely take our own wine aboard, maybe even a case of water and perhaps a few sodas. I don't consider it a "hassle" at all (nor do I consider it cheap) to throw several tiny tubes of Crystal Light in my luggage to avoid buying more expensive drinks during the day. I am not above using the self-serve laundry facilities or washing out a few garments in the sink to save some cash on laundry services either.

 

I'm fortunate to have the resources to splurge, but when it's this easy to save some money why would I not do it? Remember, there is no status in overpaying!!

 

Thanks to all who have posted (reasonable!) posts here. These are great tips! :)

[meemeec]

OK but don't apply your ideas to everyone. I cruise because I like it, I am retired so I'm always on vacation:eek: . The more I save when I cruise the more I can save. You are entitled to your option so my advice to you is don't read this thread.then try to force your opinion on everyone else. Enough said.

 

Excuse me?? I was merely stating how WE plan for our cruises. In no way was I applying my ideas to everyone. What works for us doesn't work for everyone. Chill out.

[ldoc31]

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.

 

I guess this just sounded like those who bring their own soda etc. weren't worthy of cruising. No one is saying not to save before hand, but savings while aboard isn't a crime either.

[A Sixth?]

How about saving by bringing one of those big wheeled coolers aboard with you full of tasty treats like wine coolers! :D :D :D

 

You can take it ashore on port calls and buy treats and soft drinks and beer to eat and drink on the beach.

 

Be careful though, some cruisers really hate those coolers and may try to torch them on your balcony to get rid of them ;-)

 

 

(Ain't I a stinker)

[meemeec]

I guess this just sounded like those who bring their own soda etc. weren't worthy of cruising. No one is saying not to save before hand, but savings while aboard isn't a crime either.

Well said.

Whatever it "sounded" like wasn't what was meant. We all see our vacations differently and expect different things.

Amen

[livsea2]

I have read a couple times that there isn't a corkage charge if you bring a bottle of wine that is on the Princess menu. This makes no sense to me wouldn't it be the other way around? I would think the would "penalize" you for bringing a wine that they could sell you at a profit and let it go if you brought a wine they didn't have (would have bought your wine princess but you don't have what I like).

 

Second, what would be the purpose of putting a deposit on more than one future cruise. Presumably you could do this deposit on each future cruise as you take them (?).

 

Trolls behave please just honest answers from honest cruisers. (there seem to be a high number of trolls on this thread!)

Thanks

[Seal]

:confused: Second, what would be the purpose of putting a deposit on more than one future cruise. Presumably you could do this deposit on each future cruise as you take them (?).

 

Maybe I don't understand the above quote--we have many deposits on many future cruises for this next year--we either book onboard or using the $100 deposits we have purchased--Can't beat the $100 deposits--use them or get your money back

 

Good to me

 

Nancy:D

[A Sixth?]

:confused: Second, what would be the purpose of putting a deposit on more than one future cruise. Presumably you could do this deposit on each future cruise as you take them (?).

 

Maybe I don't understand the above quote--we have many deposits on many future cruises for this next year--we either book onboard or using the $100 deposits we have purchased--Can't beat the $100 deposits--use them or get your money back

 

Good to me

 

Nancy:D

 

I made two future cruise deposits for each of my wife and myself this past January when I was on the Sun Princess and now wish that I'd made one more deposit each.

 

That's because since making the deposits I booked the Crown early January using one deposit, then a week later decided to make it a back to back using the second credit.

 

I am now thinking of booking a spring break cruise, but I'm out of future cruise deposits so will have to cough up extra $$$$$. It's actually made me put off booking for now.:(

[srlafleur]

Formal pictures - we had planned on buying pictures ahead of time anyways - that is why we had the photos taken otherwise we wouldn't have bothered doing it.

 

Have pictures taken anyway! You don't have to buy them, but you never know...I don't know if Princess does it, but I took my mom on a cruise last year on Carnival, and on the last night, won a 16x20 canvas photo - my choice of any we had had taken. It would have been awesome if we had a few "nice" pictures to choose from, instead of having to settle for the embarkation photo of us laden with all our bags, disheveled from a day of travel.

[Zebboriah]

Just want to let you know that I brought a 12 pack of soda on board when we went on our cruise on the Campphire Princess last week and THEN....we went to WAL MART in Puerto Vallarta to buy more.

 

Sure hope we didn't ruin anyone's vacation...

 

 

No one seemed to care that we were carrying a few bags back on to the ship. It amazes me how bent out of shape people get over something so simple that other people do.

[wdonnieb]

I'll tell you how I did it on this most recent cruise on Sapphire.

I spent $240 in investment in chips in the casino. I played blackjack by the rules and only played with other players that were playing by the rules. I cashed in my $2600 in winnings in three days and paid my online account with the proceeds and kept the rest in cash. I actually came home with more money than I left with and with no charge to my credit card!

:-)

Donnie

[A Sixth?]

Just want to let you know that I brought a 12 pack of soda on board when we went on our cruise on the Campphire Princess last week and THEN....we went to WAL MART in Puerto Vallarta to buy more.

 

Sure hope we didn't ruin anyone's vacation...

 

 

No one seemed to care that we were carrying a few bags back on to the ship. It amazes me how bent out of shape people get over something so simple that other people do.

 

Some people are naturally more controlling than others, it's human nature. Many don't even know it's part of their character and for some who do there's little attempt at controlling it.

 

Hey when you're the boss at work and wants it done your way.... that's one thing, but it's a very negative trait when practiced out side of their sphere of influence.

[TNTLAMB]

Some people are naturally more controlling than others, it's human nature. Many don't even know it's part of their character and for some who do there's little attempt at controlling it.

 

Hey when you're the boss at work and wants it done your way.... that's one thing, but it's a very negative trait when practiced out side of their sphere of influence.

 

Thats about the most brilliant thing I've read here in some time. I'm almost afraid to mention that as my wife and I are not huge drinkers, we have also been known to share the large fooffo Drink of the Day in an extra glass or that the show lounges and bars serve coffee at no charge, we tip in cash for the service.

[LARGIN]

I'll tell you how I did it on this most recent cruise on Sapphire.

I spent $240 in investment in chips in the casino. I played blackjack by the rules and only played with other players that were playing by the rules. I cashed in my $2600 in winnings in three days and paid my online account with the proceeds and kept the rest in cash. I actually came home with more money than I left with and with no charge to my credit card!

:-)

Donnie

I agree, however there is usually one player that sits in and is either drunk or has no clue in how to play.. For some their first cruise experience is also their first gambling experience. I was playing next to a woman that got so mad watching how another was playing, that she threatend to throw him overboard. :D

[Kat_in_Texas]

Now THAT'S the way to save money on a cruise, Donnie!!! Awesome!

 

Hope some of that type of luck goes with us on our May cruise! Funny, Ms. Luck never seems to travel with us when we go to Vegas though, darn it. :rolleyes:

 

Happy Sailing!

[A Sixth?]

I'll tell you how I did it on this most recent cruise on Sapphire.

I spent $240 in investment in chips in the casino. I played blackjack by the rules and only played with other players that were playing by the rules. I cashed in my $2600 in winnings in three days and paid my online account with the proceeds and kept the rest in cash. I actually came home with more money than I left with and with no charge to my credit card!

:-)

Donnie

 

Now and then I have luck like that, problem is it's more then than now!:(

[AliceS]

Donnie,

 

Good for you, not that you won, the interesting thing is that you found other people who knew how to play blackjack on a ship. We always find the strangest players on the ships. They split 10's, hit 15 when the dealer has a 6 and every other no no. What ship were you on? We're always on the ship of fools!

 

As for saving $$$$ on a cruise, how about going down a peg or two in category to save? We do that once in a while. Sometimes a balcony, sometimes obstructed view. We still get there though and save enough to go again soon. I have only visited mini suites and unless I'm upgraded to one, I will never be in another. If you only go once in a while, go for it, but if you want to save and go again soon, take what you can afford.

[RetireeWannabee]

Great tips, folks!

 

I'm taking Mom to Alaska, her first cruise, my second. It's the trip of a lifetime for both of us, and after sooo many years of wanting to do it, the time is NOW.

 

I plan to bring a bottle of Bailey's, since we both enjoy it (and I can save at least $15 off the menu price), some water, and maybe some pop. Not entire cases as we wouldn't consume that much. I don't have a problem with bringing that bottle all the way from Indiana - I admit to being Cheap and don't want to risk paying another $7 for the same thing in Anchorage! We'll have those insulated coffee mugs, and the Bailey's will be a fine addition!

 

I'll be bringing water on the flights, anyway, so whatever bottles are left, into the fridge.

 

We're flying in the night before to avoid potential delays. We can board at noon for the 9:30 pm sailing - I plan to find that First Day buffet and not buy lunch in Anchorage/Whittier! Yes, yes, find it tacky if you want, I prefer to think of it as Practical.

 

We're staying in a hotel that has airport and train station shuttles so we don't have to hire a cab or rent a car. Frees us up to tip well for bag handling.

 

While I have signed up for Princess excursions, they are merely safety net plans to have a slot should my non-Princess excursions not come thru (I'm still in the homework stage...) Dog-sledding on a glacier is A MUST, and no reason I can't shop around to see if I can save a few hundred on it. Most of our savings will be on excursions, as we plan to get the full Alaskan flavor, but will try to economize. That may include taking some room service food into port with us. Apples, sandwiches, cookies, whatever.

 

It's easy for us to not go to the spa or casino since we don't really go in for that kinda thing anyway. I will, however, seek out the free drink opportunities!!! I expect to drag Mom into the piano bar at least once as I think that is the only nightlife she would be remotely interested in.

 

We plan to eat all our meals on the ship since they are "paid for". If the free coffee is horrible, we will buy some elsewhere on the ship, as coffee is, in our family, a necessity ; )

 

bottom line, we won't be shelling out for a bunch of extras on the ship. To me, that's the easiest way to not get Sticker Shock when it comes time to settle up.

[JLC@SD]

I'll tell you how I did it on this most recent cruise on Sapphire.

I spent $240 in investment in chips in the casino. I played blackjack by the rules and only played with other players that were playing by the rules. I cashed in my $2600 in winnings in three days and paid my online account with the proceeds and kept the rest in cash. I actually came home with more money than I left with and with no charge to my credit card!

:-)

Donnie

 

Most people go home with a $240 charge on their account (or $240 less cash) after losing in the casino. It is hard to call that an investment.

[tinabc]

I'll tell you how I did it on this most recent cruise on Sapphire.

I spent $240 in investment in chips in the casino. I played blackjack by the rules and only played with other players that were playing by the rules. I cashed in my $2600 in winnings in three days and paid my online account with the proceeds and kept the rest in cash. I actually came home with more money than I left with and with no charge to my credit card!

:-)

Donnie

Wonderful Donnie, my brother won big and paid for his entire cruise. By the way I'm a huge fan of yours. I watch you all the time!

[soymilkisgood]

Why don't all of the BIG money makers that just so happen to be reading these tips on saving money (ironic don't you think) take their cruises on these ships:

 

Forbes:

Most expensive summer cruisesCategoryShipPrivate-Yacht CharterThe AnnalieseResidential-Community YachtThe WorldAlaskaLegacyTransatlanticQueen Mary 2ArcticNuclear IcebreakerSelf-enrichmentCrystal SerenityFilm FestivalSeabourn LegendNorth AmericanQueen Elizabeth 2MediterraneanSilver WindFamilyDisney Magic or Disney Wonder

 

Then they would not have to worry about the rest of us that are trying to save money?

 

:D