Top 10 Ways to Save Money on a Cruise
1. Photographs. Take your own camera and get table-mates to take photos at dinner. If there are locals in costumes, musicians and such at the dock, give them a tip and take photos with them yourself. Ask a new friend to take yours, and you offer to take theirs.
2. Spa treatments. Set your appointments for the days your ship is in port, and you could save as much as half.
3. Don't eat out in port. If you can combine breakfast and lunch, or return to your ship for lunch, you'll not only save money, but probably have a better meal anyway.
4. Have lunch in the specialty restaurants instead of dinner. Some of them offer a reduced cover charge for lunch, or no extra charge at all.
5. Get coffee at the buffet and skip the fancy coffee bar. One word of caution -- room service coffee usually disappoints.
6. See if your travel agent can get you onboard spending coupons. You can save money on boutique purchases, bingo cards, drinks, spa treatments, and other items.
7. Buy an internet package if you expect to check e-mails or communicate with folks back home. It's a cheaper than paying by the minute as you go.
8. If you drink a lot of soda, get a "soda package."
9. Most cruise lines will allow you to bring aboard a bottle of wine for a special occasion and just pay a corkage fee in the dining room (or specialty restaurant).
10. Avoid the "ala carte" food venues -- chances are you can get the same thing in the main dining room.