Mar

12

How to Avoid the End of Cruise “Drinks Bill Surprise”

Filed Under Cruise, General, Savings, Tips |

I realized yesterday that it had been far too long since I had posted anything here (the challenges of a startup I suppose) and  asked folks (via twitter - I’d love to connect with you too, via www.twitter.com/stuartma) for ideas. I was really pleased to get many responses from folks with a whole host of suggestions. It was fantastic. I am planning to go through a bunch of them, but I thought I would start with a real tough one: managing the potential of end-of-cruise sticker shock.

Now unless you are an avid cruiser, you may not realize that after you board them, cruise ships are - for the most part- cashless, but not free places, where each and every purchase is charged to your cabin account using a pass card that usually doubles as your cabin key and ship entry pass. That could be drinks, store purchases, wine at the restaurant, spa treatments, shore excursions: you name it. Every time you buy something, you sign for it and it gets added to your bill. Often, gratuities are added automatically as well. All this charging can lead to a bit of a shock at the end of the trip. So how do you avoid that? Here are 5 suggestions:

  1. Go to the Purser’s office and ask about setting a limit on your purchases. They can often do this, and that way when you reach it, you know earlier than upon departure.
  2. When you order wine in the restaurant, ask the Wine Steward to keep any remaining in the bottle for the next evening. They usually will, and then bring it back out to you the next day.
  3. When lounging by the pool, enquire about any “drinks of the day” or other available specials. Often these are offered and might give you the chance to try something new - and get a deal too!
  4. Consider paying your cabin charges with travelers checks at the Purser’s office, at least for some of it. You can typically make a payment anytime during the cruise. One time, when my Wife and I did particularly well at the Casino, we went straight to the Purser and put our winnings on our tab.
  5. Consider taking advantage of spa services during port days. Many lines offer special pricing while the vessel is docked at a port of call, and coming back from half a day exploring to an expert massage on board can be a lovely thing - even moreso when it’s a deal.

Beyond these, you may wish to consider some luxury lines which include many on-board amenities, including drinks, in-room bars and even some shore excursions.

But the real thing to remember with cruising is that, despite on-board expenses, it is really tremendous value. A ship that’s right for you, new exotic ports, great dining, excellent entertainment, enriching lectures, superb kids facilities - most of it included. And being at sea under a blanket of stars? Well, that’s free.


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2 Comments so far

  1. Ryan Coleman on March 12, 2008 12:37 pm

    Couple of tricks I’ve learned:

    1. At least on Carnival they will sell you a bucket of beer. 4 beers for the price of 3, along with a bucket of ice to keep them cool. If you keep the bucket in your room the stewards will top it up with ice for you.

    2. Some cruise lines will let you bring a bottle of champagne or nice wine on board with you. So if you have a special occasion while on your trip you could bring a bottle along and save yourself a few bucks.

    3. If you want to push the envelope a bit you can also try this… When we cruise we always fly in the day before the boat leaves to avoid any plane issues etc. The night before, we make a run to the local store and pick up a few bottles of wine and a case of beer and pack it in our suitcases. As long as you’re reasonable (i.e. a whole suitcase of booze will likely dissapear) you shouldn’t have a problem. w/beer I’d suggest making sure it’s one they stock on board.

    Bonus Tip: Buy a bucket of beer and keep it in your room. Then, as you take beers out,refill it from the case you brought on board. Your friendly stewards will be happy to keep it cold for you the rest of the week. ;)

  2. Kathryn Lagden on March 12, 2008 12:44 pm

    #4 is very interesting, I didn’t realize that. On my first cruise last December I did pretty well in the casino and it would have been much easier to pay down our tab on the spot instead of bringing home the cash with the intent of applying it to the visa bill.