Feb
My ideal friend and I got a great deal on a 7 day cruise to the Bahamas in March. We’ll be aboard the Norwegian Majesty and stopping in Nassau, Great Stirrup Cay, Grand Bahama Island, and Port Canaveral.
I am financially independent from my parents (my friends going are not)and money will be tight for me. I will only be taking about $200 for spending purposes (some of which will go towards parking and gas) and i really could careless about soveiners, drinking, or doing a lot of the tourist sightseeing that cost money. I registered to do some private island snorkeling in Great Stirrup Cay for $20, but am affraid that when we’re on the ship is when I will get into trouble.
Never been on a cruise and am wondering what to avoid buying/doing. Wondering if i want to drink can i sneak stuff in in my luggage? Anything come to mind that i should pick up and bring, so i don't end up spending money on the cruise buying (sunblock, sea sickness medicine) Any cruise advise would be great. Im a tiny nervous 
Answer:
Food is covered… So all you need to worry about is booze… Set aside some money for SOMETHING cool to bring home with you… I, personally, would look for Native Monuments Natural Parks and such for when you are not on ship… But I'm in to science and nature…
Scuba dive… Snorkle… or just wander around and enjoy the native culture and food of the places you visit… As long as you go in a group, I doubt you’ll have any problems…
For when your on ship… THAT is very easy…
Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat… Dance… Sun… Eat…
P.S. Bring a lap top… Then you can check out the next port of call and set up an itinerary… You can also price check the Duty-Free stuff for sale on the boat… Just because it is duty-free doesn't mean you’re saving any money…
Perfume is a good duty-free buy but smokes and booze can be bought cheaper at, state, Costco back in the says then at the duty-free shop on ship.
If you do shop a lot on shore, TAKE THE PRICE TAGS OFF before packing…
People that travel a lot learn fast how to make things look like they are not new so that you don't get busted on tax when you come back…
A distant family member from Sweden filled his suitcase with blue jeans for friends and family and even went as far as to wash them before packing to make sure they looked like they weren’t right off the shelf…
Oh… Go to the Bahamas section of Y1A and ask what people there want from the states…
A friend of the family went to Jamaica a few years back and lived like a queen because she brought a case of Bic Lighters and something else you couldn’t get there… I can’t remember… And she was able to “Pay” in trade for food and drink and even getting her very long hair braided and beaded island style all for the price of a hand full of Bic Lighters that she purchased from Sam’s Club for like, $10.00 for a box of 100.
I don’t know what they would want in the Bahamas but I’m sure that people won’t hesitate to tell you…
Answer:
It is not hard to not spend on a cruise. There are so many free activities to take advantage of. Drinking is the main way that you can get into trouble financially so just have a strong will for being sober for a week and there will be no problems.
(the port at Port Canaveral sucks so the ideal thing to do is spend the whole day on the ship. There are not a lot of excursions off the ship to do)
Cruising is the best way to spend a vacation so ENJOY!!
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You can have fun swimming pool lay out under the sun, get to know people on the ship, and get to know locals once you get off the ship… enjoy the beauty of life naturally not so much about material.
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Be a savvy spender
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Just dance the night away =]
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Cruising is SOOO fun and you really dont need much money to do it. I always go on a budget-and its never been a problem!
Here are some do's and dont's for cruising.
1. Stay away from the gambling tables and on ship shops-way overpriced.
2. Minimize on-ship alcohol purchases-take advantage of all the free non-alc. drinks they offer.
3. Most ships allow you to bring ONE bottle of wine per person onto the ship-you have to have it out, not in your luggage, during customs. Dont forget a wine bottle opener! You can also buy alochol duty free on the ship once you’ve set sail.
4. You can bring hard alochol in your luggage by buying and filling empty travel shampoo bottles and stashing them in your toiletries bag inside your luggage. They dont check in there, they only check your cary-on. I did it and it was fine.
5. Bring a book/magazines/Ipod for the laying out days.
6. Use this “what to pack for a cruise” list:
http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/packin…
and dont forget tylenol,ear plugs,sunburn relief like aloe just in case, and your fav. pillow. The ideal motion sickness med's are Bonine and Dramamine-both are at the drug store.
7. Eat BEFORE you leave port and bring water bottles/snacks with you so you dont have to purchase much food or drinks in town. And take the bus instead of a taxi- its way cheaper. Usually the ship has a private bus that’ll take you to town and pick you up later for free.
8. If you want to purchase souvenirs on the streets, remember that you can barter with the locals and get a good deal.
9. Get a schedule of activities and do everything that the cruise has to offer. Theres enough to keep you constantly busy and its all free!
10. When you board, they’ll want to take your debit card/credit card info to begin an on ship “account” so that everything you buy(alocohol, souvineres, ect.) goes on to the account. They give you a cruise card to swipe for all your transactions. Then at the end of the cruise you pay off the entire bill. What they dont tell you is that they charge 15% gratuity on every transaction, and that everything is way overpriced!The money goes FAST, trust me! The better option is to start your account with cash only and then when that money runs out, thats it, your done. And dont forget to tip your personal consierge at the end of the trip.
Have fun, be careful, and stay away from strange bars-lol!!!!
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7 day cruise you will need more then $200, trust me. You can ask about the ships policy on purchasing alcohol on the islands and bringing it back but you’ll probably have to purchase drinks on the boat. You have a cleaning crew and your waiter for dinner on the cruise you’ve to tip at the end of the cruise, usually $20 a piece. Plus any taxi services you all use and food. You can pack sunblock and meds in your suitcase to take on with you so you don't have to purchase it.
Have fun! Im taking a 4 day cruise in March too to the Bahamas
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the best way to save money on any cruise would be not to drink alcohol and not to use the casino. this will save you so much money its not even funny. all your food and non-alcoholic drinks are free on the boat. YES it is possible that you can get your own liquor on the boat if you choose to do so. last cruise i went on lets just state my siblings brought some nonalcoholic some celebration favors. whatever you do dont bring drugs and alcohol BACK, just with you on the way, and make sure its gone before you turn around from your destination.. if you do this, you'll be fine i promise. have a good trip
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Im a very experienced cruiser, heres some ways to save:
1. Avoid the casino, rarely do you win
2. Dont even go in the shops, you will see something you think you most have and but it. (there very overpriced)
3. If your a soda drinker, bring soda on board with you. (you can ge a card that gets you unlimited soda for the ship for about 40$)
4. Dont get any massages, spa treatments, ect.
5. Make sure you’ve enough: shoes, clothes, ect. They have them, but very exspensive on board.
Ohh, and DO NOT call anyone frmo your cell phone, it costs about 3-7$ a minute to call. (this has happened before and we had a 600$ phone bill.
Bring a camera, photos on board are about 15$ on average.
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Don't worry- unless there is a severe storm you won't feel the ship moving at all. A cruise is one of the best and most relaxing vacation experiences I could possibly advocate. But if you don't want to lose all of your money, you need to monitor three things: gambling, alcohol consumption and excursions offered by the cruise ship. All of those things are sure to make you spend money faster than you anticipate! Other than that, just rest and have a great time!
Oh and one more thing– make sure you don't miss the boat if you get off at any of the stops. You are responsible for catching up with the ship later if you miss it!
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You will need more than $200. Your tips for room steward and waiters will be at least $70. Parking at the dock can be $15 a day.
The basic cruise fare includes your room, meals in the regular dining rooms and buffets, room service, shows, and most ship facilities. Many ships also have free pizza, ice cream at various times. sushi, and hot dogs and hamburgers.
There are usually 3 choices for free dining. There’s traditional dining where you’re assigned a time and table for dining. They range from 2 to 10 seats and you have the same diners each time. There’s anytime dining which allows you to go dine any time and you are seated with others dining at the same time. Both are held in large dining rooms with waiters. Then there’s the buffet which is usually on the top deck. It is open to all and many people always use it for breakfast and lunch.
The extras are first tips. Figure about $10 per day per person for the tips to the room steward and wait staff. This is optional and some cruise lines automatically charge you. It can be adjusted or reversed at the end of the cruise. You should also tip a few dollars if you use room service. All bar drinks will have 15% added for a tip.
Many ships have alternate dining facilities that have a service charge of $15 on up. It may be a steak house or an Italian restaurant for example. There are also specialty coffee bars that have a charge. All bar drinks including sodas have a charge. The only free bar drinks are at the Captains Reception and the Repeat Cruiser Reception. Don’t assume that the drinks being offered when you board are free. They are not. Bar drinks are $6 and up. Some ships are even charging for juice at any meal other than breakfast.
Some cruise lines sell a soda card for about $4 a day. It is only for fountain soda. Unless you have 3 sodas a day it isn’t worth it. You can also buy a specialty coffee card which gives you 15 for about the price of 12.
There is a charge for any personal service such as laundry, salons, private trainers, etc. Spa treatments are very pricey, $50-$100. There is also gambling which includes the casino, bingo ($10-$20 per session), and sometime deck games such as horse racing. A ship photographer will be taking pictures all over the ship and at special occasions. They cost over $10 each. Phone calls in the room are about $8 a minute. Some ships have cell phone service. You’re charged for international roaming by your phone service at about $2.50 per minute. There is also a charge for using world wide web service on a ship but it is cheaper than phone calls.
Sundries are very expensive. Figure at least double the normal price. If you need a watch you’ll find no superior prices anywhere.
Off ship excursions are high-priced. They start at about $30 and can be in the hundreds. You can book them on the ship or go on your own. The ship will not leave without you if a cruise excursion is late. With one you did on your own they’ll not wait.
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