25 Cheap Cruise Travel Hacks You NEED for 2024!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Planning a cruise? Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner. It's a 47 page cruise travel planner with packing checklists, shore excursion planning forms and much more! ($10 off for a limted time). Details here: lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-cruise-planner/

[@annetteabbott5612]

I love this Planner!! So helpful with everything!!

[@LifeWellCruised]

@@annetteabbott5612 I’m so glad you like it! Thanks for your purchase ☺️

[@JavierBardem09]

Thank you so so very much for all your tips. Super helpful 🙏❤👍Have an upcoming Carnival cruise to Half Moon Cay and Nassau, Bahamas. You did mention about driving to the Cruise port and we are doing that and would you recommend the cruise port parking or a private private who offer a cheaper price. "Safe cruise parking" is right near the Miami port. Any idea on this??

[@jataenrucker1015]

Just ordered! So helpful! Sailing in June

[@catieorth7686]

One of our little hacks: we only cruise once a year (due to budget and work schedules) but throughout the year, we purchase restaurant gift cards… we buy one per month and put them with our passports…. That way, all of our meals are covered for the road trip to and from port, as well as extras for while we are at the hotel. When cruise time comes, it is wonderful not to have to worry about these things!!!

[@LifeWellCruised]

So smart 👏

[@DrixxMadison]

Don't forget you can also save 10% by buying the cruise line's gift card through AARP. (There's no minimum age to be a member 👀).

[@barbaraswindlehurst4386]

Kroger has gift cards and I have purchased Carnival & Hollland America cards at my local grocers. I purchase the gift card for my upcoming cruise and get gas points so I save money in at least two ways.

[@lenaapple1974]

That is an awesome hack! :)

[@valenciawhitehead9589]

Great tip! And around the holidays, many merchants offer bonus cards with the purchase of any card.

[@barbaralazier8352]

1. I got a pre-paid Visa Conversion card through the bank. I load the amount I have budgeted for the cruise. I can covert it into any currency that I wish. The biggest bonus-there are no foreign transaction fees to pay. 2. I put a fixed amount into my Travel account each month. It is amazing how painless it is and it mounts up fast.

[@anitaclue9868]

Great plan!

[@madgeclarke6128]

Wowo thank for the information iam going and a group cruise it my first time

[@1hope4beauty]

That’s really smart

[@jackiegromacki686]

Since you can't bring a heating pad bring hot hands packets. If you need them for cramps.

[@lindatonya197]

I always take my heating pad for back pain 😮

[@designdoctor247]

​@@lindatonya197they let u bring it?

[@ellie7922]

Just bring an old-fashioned hot water bottle. Fill with hot water from the tap in the bathroom and use for cramps. Bring it empty.

[@sonnyc4105]

A lot of great ideas. This is for the late night snacker. I bring a plastic tupperware container for cookies and other bakery items from the buffet for late night munching.

[@patricianeubert642]

Or zip lock plastic bags.

[@c4l977]

I do the same. I like to get chips from the buffet for when I have a salty craving.

[@kittiyasaengduenchai4300]

I never go cruise before but is it allow to take food from buffet? .I plan to go on cruise so need lots of info.Thanks

[@amycrunk9244]

Yes you can fix a plate at the buffet and take it to your cabin

[@reganboomershine1153]

@@kittiyasaengduenchai4300 like the other person said, you can fill your plates and take them back to your cabin. And usually you just put your empty plates out into the hall for the steward to take away. I’ve been on one cruise so far, and I would fill multiple bowls of frozen yogurt before bed and take them all back to my room to eat 😂😁 it was truly luxurious

[@blackestabyss]

This is how I save money to take on the cruise... in the time leading up to the cruise - when I'm out shopping for groceries, or whatever else I need, every time I check out at a register that gives the choice for "cash back", I get a $20 and stash it away for my trip. It adds up quick!

[@amycrunk9244]

Me too!! I have a pocket I hide it in and start building a stash!!

[@joed7125]

All good advice, my favorite is "Travel Insurance" ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS get travel insurance. Face it, most people could eat the cost of their trip if something unforseen happened. However, it's my understanding that if your from the US your health insurance does not cover you once you leave the US. A sickness or injury abroad could cost thousands and you are at their mercy. The bill has to be paid before you leave. We have witnessed this ourselves once on a cruise. Someone fell hard on the pier, Carnival couldn't help as they have no liability there, they laid there until someone from the port came and got them.Yes other passengers helped as much as they could, but that only goes so far. Travel insurance is super cheap for what it covers. If can afford to cruise, you can afford travel insurance.'

[@marshillmike]

A balcony is essential to me and my wife. Warm weather, cold weather, I'm not going to scenic locations and not be able to step outside on my own balcony to enjoy the scenery. That includes Antartica next month.

[@rjnolesRU]

I totally agree and I always bring a SW radio (I'm a ham and can't bring a transceiver, but I love sampling local and distant radio on the balcony) also I recommend binoculars for the balcony. Happy cruising!

[@PamelaVMason]

@@rjnolesRU I brought binoculars on our cruise to Spain and Rome. Lots of beautiful details way way way up in the ceilings and domes of the cathedrals there!

[@Dave17101]

3:50 A tip on refilling your water bottles. Do not refill them directly into the bottle. Use cup or glass and then pour it into you bottle. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen the tops of refillable water bottles hitting the spout where the water comes out. I see people leave bathrooms without washing why would I expect them to wash their water bottles?🤢

[@jodijanz4991]

My partner is so picky! We are spending a lot more than we need to on our next cruise because he won't budge on cabin type, etc. So, I make him pay the difference! Lol

[@sunseekermama]

That sounds reasonable to me😅

[@eminiarvii]

@@sunseekermamaand reasonable for me too

[@afrisbee7695]

Where's a SAFE and inexpensive place to park in Fort Lauderdale? Tia

[@LifeWellCruised]

Haha nothing wrong with that 😉

[@sandrawilkinson2557]

@@afrisbee7695 when cruising I find a hotel that offers park and cruise. There are some hotels that not only offer free parking, but a shuttle also.

[@cindydobby6298]

My money saving tip is to book an obstructed balcony, usually much less than a regular balcony cabin

[@cbradyorganize]

We often do this when booking a suite and don't really notice much, if any obstruction.

[@iancarbarns]

You mean book an OBSTRUCTED balcony?

[@mariareyes-ku6194]

Obstructed cabins or interior cabins are the less expensive one depending on the cabin category.

[@lauraashlock7053]

If you are cruising out of Tampa, FL, there is a free streetcar that runs from downtown hotels to the cruise terminals. We recently saw many people taking advantage of this service in Tampa.

[@roblampley]

We are taking our first cruise in 25 years (anniversary), and I came across this video, specifically the part about checking with the cruise line to ensure you have the best price. I made a phone call and based on that call I will be saving $1,500 and was able to get the drink package, save $400 on excursions, and get 2 specialty meals. So, in all, it saved me upwards of $3,000. Thanks, Ilana, for the great advice. The cruise line said that I could call every day up to 120 days before the cruise and they would adjust the price. After that, they would only adjust one more time inside of the 120 days.

[@mariareyes-ku6194]

I personally do that for my cruise and for my clients because I am a travel agent. On our last cruise, I checked the pricing on RCCL’s website (my TA access) and found the cabin price went down by over $300. I adjusted the price and they reimbursed that money back. If the price goes down after you do the final payment, they can reimburse it or add it to your cabin as onboard credit.❤

[@justjessy0115]

Wait so i already paid my cruise off (its my 1st cruise) i did it all thru the RC, i didn't know about a TA. So if i call RC, & the price is lower, i could get $ back?

[@tanikokishimoto1604]

One thing about snorkel gear... I wear glasses; buying the eye mask with lenses appropriate to your eyesight is a must if you want to see anything other than blurs. You'd have to do this on your own ahead of time. (I have not taken them on a cruise - but on a vacation in Great Exuma, they performed stellar). No, you don't need prescription level. You just will want to see!

[@jodeegu]

Excellent advice! My 20 y/o hated snorkeling and refused to go with me. Then she mentioned that she couldn’t see anything anyway. Whoa! I never thought about how nearsighted she is. I bought her a mask with lenses that were right for her prescription and it changed everything. Now she loves snorkeling and is planning to learn to scuba dive.

[@donnawhalen8833]

While on a Mediterranean cruise, each couple in our group was responsible for planning an excursion. All went well, and it was the best vacation ever!

[@robinshultz2927]

I get a beer IN A MUG. After you drink the beer, take the mug with you. Use it to make your own lattes later in the buffet. Fill the mug with coffee and milk and enjoy. A beer mug is usually 16 ounces which is twice the size of the regular 8 ounce coffee cups. Less trips to the coffee pot!!

[@allyrooh3628]

I bring the crystal light packets and a water bottle and that way I always have flavored water. Three packages are usually included as a perk when I book my cruises but I still take them because I don’t always want soda and I sometimes just wanna make a drink in my room.

[@mariareyes-ku6194]

I totally recommend that too and we do it when we travel. It saves you on drinks and calories.❤

[@shanc3462]

This is my first cruise, so I am not able to take water on carnival?

[@dstnyEPT]

RCL has the "Drink of the Day"--depending on which ship you're on, they can range in $5 each up to about $12 each, but is cheaper than buying a regular-priced drink--and gives you a chance to try a new drink at a discounted price!

[@mariareyes-ku6194]

I totally agree with this one. If you want to enjoy a drink, get the drink of the day.

[@haggiskiwi]

#18 GET TRAVEL INSURANCE. GET TRAVEL INSURANCE. GET TRAVEL INSURANCE. We had to cancel a transpacific cruise, travel insurance probably saved us 10s of 1000s of $s.

[@WolleyIsYellow]

One of our savings hacks is we use a small cheap wooden chest that we glue shut and drill a hole in it. We put any loose change and bills in it. We don't touch it until a week before our cruise. It's a fun surprise to see how much we save!

[@marthagrant143]

We have booked with private shore excursion providers several times, and we have always had excellent experiences. We research carefully looking at reviews on Cruise Critic, Trip Advisor, and other review sites. My rule of thumb has been how far away is the excursion destination, how safe is the destination, etc. Sometimes the private excursion has not been much cheaper, but the group is smaller, making the overall experience more personal and time efficient. I have found that the providers are very cognizant of departure time for the ship, and they get us back with plenty of time to spare. In fact, the one time we got back to the ship late, we were on a ship excursion. Of course, the ship waited for us, but our other travel companions who had been on private excursions were on board watching for us to get back. How funny is that?

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks for sharing your experiences

[@samanthahoover2238]

I was lookking on line at trip advisor and all the other sites that you mentioned in this comment and am not sure how to book an excursion with them?

[@lenaapple1974]

Just a note, things happen - so while they may be very wary of ship departure time, as they do want people to come back to them - the ship will NOT wait should something hold you up on a private excursion! But as you said, be mindful of the distance etc too.

[@crystalcardenas5937]

I saw a passenger using princess cruise coupons & asked her how she got them & she said she at the front desk. I went to the front desk & said they would give to me as a courtesy but that those are provided by the travel agents. The coupons were obviously for on board & included…$10 of casino free play when u spend $20, embarkation day speacial free bottle of wine “wine of the day” for speacialty dinning with reservation of 2 or more, free chocolate dipped strawberries with purchase of a bottle of Champaign for stateroom delivery, $40 off 75 min aroma stone therapy treatment, free Stanley with purchase of any $45 princess souvenir package (includes ship model, mug, magnet, pen & cap), free men’s hair cut with purchase of 55 min men’s shave, $10% off one shore excursion valued at $100 or more & other coupons

[@brettparnell8254]

We were on NCL Escape last month. My mom and dad bid $120 CAD pp and were upgraded all the way from a interior to an XL balcony.

[@Pavelpetuniablue]

Hope you don't mind my ? but where does this bid thing get involved? I've cruised 20 times and have never encountered this. If You're onboard the ship that means you've already paid.

[@brettparnell8254]

@@Pavelpetuniablue NCL sends out emails to people before their cruise to bid and puts it in the cruiseline app

[@lvredgrl5201]

@@brettparnell8254Celebrity too.

[@richardgotshall2703]

On port-intensive cruises, we book an inside cabin since there won’t be much of a chance to watch from a balcony.

[@SGriffin-p5j]

Unlike many others we always take the ships excursions if we can not walk to what we wish to see. We have had two private tours that caused us a lot of stress even though we were able to get back to the ship both times. The difference in price is not worth having that stress on what is suppose to be a relaxing time away from the every day.

[@troplightn]

I do the same, but have found some of the larger third party excursion companies also have the back in time guarantee. We have done a couple and had good experiences so now I am considering more of them.

[@lenaapple1974]

@@troplightn I bet those are the same companies that do the actual ship excursions. I am not sure how they would have guarantees since the ship only guarantees ship excursions if not back on time. I think that is the only way around that.

[@PatsyMellen]

On RC if you sign up for another cruise the first day they will give you a bottle of champagne. So we would bring a glass of orange juice back to the room to make our own drink. Always bring our two bottles of wine when we cruise. We have gone back to an interior room because of prices for a balcony are out of sight! We don’t do WiFi to save money. We’re happy cruisers. 😎

[@sheltonmcmillian677]

I was cruising before specialty dining. It seems like all the Meals on the buffet and in the dining room were much better then.

[@teresachapman7959]

We live in Georgia and always drive to Florida ports when we cruise. We park at the port parking lot for a daily rate. We find it less of a hassle with luggage handling, as well as, cheaper to travel. We always enjoy the road trip to Florida. Thanks for your great advice.

[@lenaapple1974]

I have to say, I have done a few alternate options for parking. The best one I have found is the premier garages in Miami. Their shuttles are quick and it isn't far. We drop off the bags and everyone else and my husband takes the car to park, and shuttles back so it is faster. I have only done port parking in Ft Lauderdale, WPB and Pt Canaveral. I personally don't mind the increase in price for all the convenience that comes with it! Love the park and sail hotels!

[@cadybh]

First cruise departs early next week and I am binge watching your videos to absorb as much as possible. Awesome video as usual, Ilana!

[@LifeWellCruised]

So exciting!! Have an amazing cruise!!

[@dingomom95]

@@LifeWellCruised I have to second this statement. I am cruising in 219 days and have binge watching your videos for over 2 months now. Thank you for the information. This cruise is on my bucket list. So excited to cruise.

[@ShelleyAR4487]

Good job you guys! Her videos are spot on and so very helpful. I also like Sheri with cruise tips TV. Enjoy your trips and you will be hooked cruising after that!

[@dingomom95]

@@ShelleyAR4487 I can't imagine loving being on the ocean more then when I was in the Navy. I always vowed when I got out I would go on a cruise and not work. I'm looking forward to it.

[@tracielang9500]

Us too on the 13th

[@funcatvideos3732]

We go on Spring Break each year. Starting in January I label 50 envelopes with the numbers 1 through 50. Each week, I fill a few envelopes with cash according to amount on the envelope. That was I have alittle over $1200 for tipping and the casino. I always have some leftover at the end of the cruise

[@LifeWellCruised]

Love this!!

[@michaelheckman9576]

Also, sometimes I know just what you’re going to say about a particular topic…. but I listen anyway because it’s just comforting somehow.

[@ginniserena]

I know, for instance, she will mention wine or drinks. I don’t drink and I am starting to think that on my first cruise I will be navigating through alcoholics. No one ever mentions a soda package.

[@jesusxfreak2]

If you are an AARP member you can find some of the gift cards for some cruise lines and it may be a discount. We sail Carnival and save $10 per $100 gift card. We buy these before the cruise. And if you are not an AARP member I would still suggest putting money onboard ahead of time that way you're not having to pay for everything all at once.

[@daltman23]

You can pay for your cruise with these too. And they sell $500 cards as well.

[@BeefromSC]

I already do several of these tips! I just thought a few days ago to start saving my small bills in my cruise jar for upcoming December cruise to Jamaica!!! I also take a few snacks on the cruise like a snicker bar, M&M’s; I always want to take Skinny Pop Popcorn for my movies on the Lido Deck or the cabin, but packing space!! A few ziplock baggies is also good to grab a few cookies from the buffet area, or your snacks to carry off when walking around the Port areas. Thanks for sharing 🛳️🛳️

[@LifeWellCruised]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing

[@keithabuckingham3379]

Have used Viator and Shore Excursion group. Both great. Can get Rakuten rebates with Viator.

[@dawnpowers7626]

Book an inside cabin. Works better on a smaller ship because they're the ones with more outside public spaces open to the public.

[@CruisingEngineer]

To save money on a Disney cruise (that's a whole topic in itself) we use the "Sommelier Bin' in the lounges. The Sommelier Bin are open bottles of wine that have maybe a glass or two still in the bottle. The bartender has access to the bin. You say you want a red, a white, or a champagne and the bartender shows you what is available and you get a glass or maybe more to empty the bottle (just saying on experience) for $10.

[@meddyven]

This is super clever and perfect, without going overboard on a full bottle.

[@CruisingEngineer]

@@meddyven Yes, and I've tried new wines and champagnes that I normally would not order because they were very expensive.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Wow! Love this tip! Thanks for sharing

[@daynacartier8641]

Omg….you just blew my mind with the Sangria and mimosa suggestions!!!! My husband and I don’t drink much and we would bring bottles of wine, however this is fantastic! It would last longer and who doesn’t love a mimosa in the sunshine ☀️. We will definitely try this on our cruise next month! This Canadian thanks you! 💕 Love you videos 😃

[@eminiarvii]

Hi Illana 1. Took a tour by the company Tours by locals in Curacao It was 9 Hours and included, cultural, sightseeing all over the island, walking tour, beach, stop at a local restaurant for only..ta dah. 120 dollars it was one if the best tours having a tour guide who was born and raised there and saved a bundle of money from what would be offered on ship. 2. I opened a second savings account and put all extra money into it and a regular small draft from my checking to go there…out of site out of mind for my cruise extras. 3. The other recommendation like i did on an ncl cruise is to get a lower grade cabin ( i usually get a balcony) i do not mind interior cabins) and spend some of the money saved for a specialty area. It was the Vibe and i still came out less but still had a quieter more relaxing place because of no balcony. 4. Your planner is in full use for my upcoming 2025 21 day cruise❤🙂🚢. Thx Lynn

[@LifeWellCruised]

These tips are great! Love the idea of the splurge on Vibe while saving on the cabin 👏

[@cheriedoughan5583]

We are Hilton Honors members. We have been able to park our for 14 days for free plus they have shuttles to ship.

[@dancehallmango]

Which hotel in Miami?

[@raxterwot7940]

We always drive to the cruise ports. Nowadays air travel is so crazy with delays and cancellations. Since we are retired, there's no rush to get to the port and no rush to get home.And we try to plan our routes to stay off interstates, get to see alot more scenery and local flavor...

[@bethanyaudion9441]

One of my money saving hacks is packing a 64 ounce plastic pitcher and low and/or zero calorie flavored drink mix envelopes/tubes. I then use water and/or ice from the buffet to make my own flavored beverage, which I carry around in a reusable bottle/flask. (I store the partially full pitcher in the stateroom fridge. I use the envelopes/tubes that make 64 ounces at a time instead of single use 8 ounce ones because the 64 ounce ones are cheaper per ounce. I pack clothing such as socks within the pitcher so that it is not wasted space in my suitcase.)

[@LifeWellCruised]

Love that

[@WantonBaby]

Dirty socks on the return trip ???

[@bethanyaudion9441]

No, I replace the socks with souvenirs on the return trip.

[@marybrimage8046]

I would pack socks in ziplock bags before putting in pitcher.

[@kaycatslave4978]

Two things we do to save on cruises: We buy AARP cruise line gift cards - Carnival, Holland America, Celebrity and a couple other lines offer discounted gift cards, limited to 5 per month, so advance planning is needed. HAL has an 8% discount on their cards, Carnival and others are 10% off. I consider that I almost always save at least enough to cover gratuities and sometimes more. Also, we empty the mini-fridge right away when we get to our cabin. We buy unopened bottles of beer during BOGO happy hours and keep them in the mini-fridge. We then take a cold beer to dinner with us - no corking fees with beer.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Great suggestions! Thanks for adding your tips here :)

[@julieb7882]

We have always saved change in a jar. Now we add some ones and fives throughout the year. We turn the change in at the bank for small bills, which covers most of our spending and tip money on a cruise.

[@sandramacpherson6896]

When I have $1.00 and $5.00 bills I put them away. Depending on how long before I travel I can end up with quite a bit. I do this even when I do not have a trip or cruise planned.

[@timwoody3835]

If you’re cruising Hawaii don’t book the shore excursions. Instead get a guide book and see where you want to go, then rent a car on each island and go where you want when you want. For instance at Hilo you can rent a car and drive to the volcano and still have time to visit the orchid gardens, the rainforest zoo or Rainbow Falls.

[@DonLekei]

I almost always book my own excursions unless I have a lot of OBC or the port stay is short enough to be a concern. It not only saves money but 4 to 12 people on a trip is so much better than 40+ on a ship excursion. On one cruise we selected a combination that it turned out nobody else chose that day and we ended up with just us a driver and a guide and a tour of the Panama locks and just the two of us visiting an Embari village. It was like being on The Bachelor!

[@davidtowne1196]

Travel insurance I learned the hard way. Had a 8 day cruise at the end of covid booked on RC. Our early morning flight from Hartford was delayed numerous times due to a tornado watehes up and down the east coast. By the time we got to Miami and to the port (20 minutes late) RC denied us boarding. The ship was still there and hadn't departed.It was the first weekend of spring break. We lost the whole cruse fare. RC did nothing for us. Luckily we found a room to stay in that night and got on a Norwegian cruise for 7 days the following day. Needless to say our $1800 dollar vacation turned into a $4500 dollar vacation because we hadn't gotten travel insurance.

[@TravelWithCeleste]

So sad.

[@happycruiser]

If you are CDN or US military, active or retired, ensure you get your credits or discounts on various cruise lines. Also see if you can get military discount at hotels. We use Marriott who does great military discounts.

[@patti1044]

We rarely take a cruise line tour unless it involves travel a distance from the port. We did discover excellent audio tours when we were in Europe last summer - download into your phone. Start at the point that you are given and the tour is at your pace. Last year it was raining in Prague and we could walk at our pace, then stop for a coffee if we wanted. Worked great as well because time was not limited . We also enjoy finding a local food tasting tour if the time works - group has always been small and the tour so interesting.

[@helciobmello]

Nive video as always. Please let me add the following: 1. 3:47 Better to use a glass to refill your bottle 2. If you have to fly or drive to the embarkation port, consider a back-to-back cruise so that the flight/drive cost is diluted among the cruises you take. 3. About the shareholder benefits, you do not have to buy 100 shares on the same day. If you like you can buy some as the price drops until you reach 100. However unless you are familiar with the stocks market you better turn to someone who is just in case. 4. If you are a gambler you can get discounts or even a free cruise at the casino. Even if you do not bet too much you will end up getting offers by e-mail. Cheers!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks for sharing

[@MrWatlow]

My wife and I both got offers for a free interior room on Royal Caribbean Casino offers. They allowed us to combine those two interior room offers into one ocean view offer and then they allowed us to add a little extra money to it for a balcony. The amount of money we took to gamble with was $1500. Out of that we only spent $920. And came home with the remainder. When we upgraded the casino offer we added $170 to it to get the balcony; so that along with the port fees that we had to pay the cruise actually cost us $1430. We did some research for the same balcony if we just went to Royal Carribean‘s website to book it, it was $3600. So we saved over 50% by going to the casino and gambling. We are very happy!😁😁😁😁😁

[@melodeekistner2936]

My husband doesn't want to pay for a drink package on our cruise (which departs on Sunday!). I like really strong coffee so I'm bringing some Starbucks Via instant to add to the free dining room coffee. On our last cruise, which was a number of years ago, the coffee wasn't that good. Perhaps it's improved but this is my work-around in case it hasn't. Would love to hear your thoughts on the new Princess App.

[@bronzefox9035]

We take our own coffee too. There was coffee at the 24 hour Royal Prominade Cafe but it was not strong. We also bring our own flavored creamer.

[@calvalgal]

I bring instant coffee from Cafe Bustelo because I enjoy strong coffee as well!

[@nrgpokemon5158]

Did you enjoy the new Lavazza coffee on Princess? We both really appreciated the change!

[@Puglover130]

Wow that shareholder tip is something I never heard about!! And for some the pricing would really make sense. Carnival (so also Princess, holland and Cunard) is cheap as is NCL. However MSC and RC wouldn’t make much sense if you were investing just for the perk. You can get Carnival or NCL (100 shares) for about $1200! Would really work esp if you go on long cruises - $250 credit per cruise!

[@barbb]

The shareholder perk will depend on how you book the cruise. If you get a deal (ie casino offer) you will not be able to get that perk. FYI

[@LisaPinTN]

​@@barbb I take advantage of free rooms from the casino all the time and have never been refused stock perks for obc on Princess.

[@annaburton768]

Using a Southwest travel cc has accrued me many free flights that I have used to get to cruise ports Highly recommend!!

[@lorijennings8628]

I just got two rt tickets from chgo to Seattle for July alaska cruise with points from southwest cc. Big savings

[@Jodster223]

I have used Shore Excursion Group, Viator, or Tours by Locals. Just be mindful of the time yourself.

[@queenscatsandcastles]

I save with my direct deposit with a % going directly into an account for my vacations. Also pack clothes that do not wrinkle. Saves time and money. Bring your own first aid kit, over the counter meds, sewing kit, make up, & toiletries. Purchase the photo packages ahead of time. Save 10-20%. Because you will want the professional photos. Bring a travel mug to take on your excursions & for use on the ship!

[@DRoth2150]

Here are two tips of mine: 1. Consider flying in an extra day early. If you can save $100/person on airfare by flying in a day sooner and the extra night in a hotel is $200, you can save money depending on how many people are in your party. A family of 4 could save $200 in this scenario. 2. Leverage a savings account to save and pay for your cruise. Instead of making monthly payments, put money in a higher interest savings account with no minimum deposit. I'm taking this approach for a cruise I have in September. I'll earn over $100 in interest between when I started saving and when I make final payment. That's not life changing but I'd be a fool to leave that on the table.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Great tips

[@ellensaslovsky6838]

We have used Viator tour company many times and have found them to be excellent

[@meaganpucksuzy]

We’re cruising for the first time this summer for our honeymoon! 🥳 We’re so excited about the ports we’ll be visiting in Iceland and Scotland, and I’d love your tips to get the absolute most out of a day in port! Thanks for your helpful videos, Ilana, from a fellow Montrealer 😌

[@richardgotshall2703]

Make sure the cruise line knows it’s your honeymoon. Sometimes you get perks.

[@michaelheckman9576]

Have fun you guys. Those sounds like great ports. And watch more of Ilanas videos about cruising. I’m jealous you’re cruising. Actually we’re cruising in April to Mexico.

[@LifeWellCruised]

That’s awesome!! I haven’t been to these ports, but you’ll find videos and reviews & tips for the specific ports that will help. Nice to meet a fellow Montrealer :)

[@nancyc1196]

Which cruise line and dates? We are sailing Princess in the British Isles June 8 for 12 day cruise. We are going a couple weeks ahead for this cruise. First time to Ireland to visit family genealogical roots.

[@patti1044]

What ports and how much time in port? We are headed back to Iceland, Greenland, Canada again this summer - beautiful areas.

[@robertshaw6844]

We have booked excursions with Viator, and have been very pleased.

[@sandraridgway1282]

My husband and I have used Viator all over the world! The tour guides and drivers have been excellent, and the groups are much smaller than ship excursions.

[@connieledford1745]

My travel money saving hack is that I live in Florida, so I can drive to any of the ports 😊

[@johnd.9]

Lately I have only been cruising on Norwegian Cruise lines. They do not allow beverages, alcoholic or non, as you board the cruise. There's something in the fine print about a corking fee if you do bring alcohol. The only exception is distilled water for CPAP machines.

[@sunseekermama]

I just love your diy sangria idea Ilana! I do use the shareholder perk for sure! I also change my c.c. category to travel right before I pay in full, and use that "cash back reward" to pre-purchase obc.

[@jdoe836]

1. Snorkel Gear - Purchase from Costco, it's good stuff. 2. Driving - This is smart, especially if you're mid-Atlantic. Two day drive to all Florida ports and one day to NYC. If the drive is more than four hours, plan on spending the night at a hotel the night prior. 3. Excursions - Have a backup plan if an excursion gets canceled PRIOR to cruise so you can get the benefits. 4. Interior Rooms - Use a deck plan mapper to help choose your room, see what's above and below. 5. Transfers - Stay at a hotel that has a free shuttle to the terminal and back (if available). 6. OTC meds - This is a definite must! Especially motion sickness pills. 7. The SPA - Visit the spa when in port. I saved $130 on a 75 min massage and facial. THE PLANNER - I looked for online free versions, Ilana's blows the freebee's away. Worth the purchase. Unrelated - Magnetic hooks, be sure to buy the strongest you can find. The set I bought wasn't strong enough to hold wet swimsuit or dry towel.

[@troplightn]

Another tip I use for Carnival... They sell bottles of water ahead of the cruise on their website. They are delivered to your room at boarding. Those bottles are not very expensive and I buy enough to last the whole cruise. I believe they are only for sale prior to sailing. They aren't easy to find on the site, I just search "water" and they come up.

[@kimhayes7075]

I think all the cruise lines offer the purchase of water before the cruise…

[@sassycat0222]

My first cruise was september and we had an oceanview cabin. I really enjoyed it. However, we are going to Alaska this September and we splurged on a balcony

[@CindyWilton-ee7sx]

On our last cruise, we stayed in the Fort Lauderdale at a hotel with the port shuttle service, this year, we’re driving down in our RV and parking at the cruise lot, so we don’t have to rush to catch our flight home and we can still do some travelling before heading home

[@kengodbold1142]

I prefer driving to ever flying. I just have to total up the cost of parking for the length of cruise and find that on longer cruises it is cheaper to rent the vehicle I drive to the port. The two catches are picking a company close to the port to drop off and pick up later and that you have to wait for them to open on the morning of your return.

[@StlDave1]

I bring my own snorkeling gear because I have the prescription lens so I can see. 😊

[@GodsTreasuredWitness]

We have booked 1 excursion outside of the cruise and it was by far our fave! Snorkeling in Sitka, AK was simply not an available excursion. We found Selkie snorkeling company and they were amazing!! It was really affordable this past July (like less $100 per person), but I just checked and they are now $180 per person! They also included round trip transportation from the cruise terminal. Highly recommend it, even after the price increase. I have a cold intolerance and the provided wet suites kept me warm (fingers and toes didn’t turn white in the 45 degree water!) It was also my very first time snorkeling and the guides were amazing / patient with me :)

[@jackredmond6023]

We love your beautiful Buddy! We used to go to the Art Auction to get free Champagne. The Champagne is not very good, but was worth going for a little while. Of course, don’t buy any items at the auction as that will wipe out all of the savings! 😂

[@carolgravius9312]

I have heard so many tips and tricks through the years but you definitely have the best!! I love the diy beer and wine tips. I will definitely do this on my next cruise. Thank you for the way you present your information. You always get right to it. Congratulations on your success. You deserve it!❤

[@rosshageman951]

I agree with the drive to the port idea. We live close enough to Baltimore and drove there for a cruise in 2023. It was great.

[@KLH631]

We had two days in port in Bermuda and booked our excursions direct with the company. I saved so much money that way! Definitely brought my own 1st aid kit too.

[@valatchison1126]

Glad, I wasn't the only one to purchase stocks during the shutdown. Unfortunately, I purchased it very early so I paid lots more than it finally dropped down to but still got a deal on Royal stock during the first week of the shutdown. Won't sell it for years since we want the perks.

[@rwgillespie57]

When I first heard about the shareholder OBC, I moved some funds around in my retirement account to purchase 100 shares of CCL without spending anything out of pocket. As just an investment it hasn't performed well, but we've more than made up the purchase price in "free" OBC.

[@heidi_d]

How do you prove you’re a shareholder?

[@scottwalker7939]

thank you for your videos. wife and I go next week for our first time. I'm sooo excited and nervous all at once..lol

[@sherrijustice6482]

Can you bring flavor packets for your water? Like Crystal light?

[@peggywoods4327]

I've brought mine no problem. I always bring some electrolyte packets too.

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

Occupancy and prices are _way_ up. Even though I'm fine with rough weather and repositioning cruises, I'm still finding myself priced out of the solo market.

[@aronosonaicul8779]

I think I used Cruise Watch to get $977 off the price on our cruise. We used the saving to get more excursions. Our travel agent warned us it could void other things like cancellation of the cruise. I didn’t understand it but did not effect us.

[@gailbenes]

Love your tips I would definitely recommend travel insurance

[@jeffdinter600]

Yes I use shipmate to track prices for my cruise. And for our 2024 Alaska cruise according to my travel agent, we have saved close to around 6 to $800 that's not too bad

[@jimwisnieski6355]

Wow 🎉❤🚢 you made it to 250K subscribers. Congrats!! Keep up the great videos and you’ll be at 500K in no time. Enjoy your cruise!!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Awe thanks!! 😊

[@ac5us]

I have a Carnival credit card. I put everything on it, and pay it off each month. When I have enough points to get 1 1/2 times the value, I book a cruise.

[@shannonparkin9384]

We used Rome In Limo for several private tours in Italy and they were wonderful and always made sure we were back to the ship well before sailing. They offer tour sharing so it’s like a semi-private tour but less than 10 people in the group instead of 50+ on the cruise line coaches.

[@dalemills7926]

Hi Llana , just got off one this morning ..love your tips ! I love living here in Florida...we too need these tips also

[@michaelheckman9576]

Ilana, your dog is sweet. But they are definitely family. So can you give us some ideas about pet sitting / kennels / pet worries, etc. It’s always one of my biggest concerns.

[@denisehatch1772]

Goggle Wine Cocktails, there are so many you can make on a cruise ship. Honestly, a Merlot, and a coke make an easy quick Italian Sangria if you can't find juice and fruit, same with a Spirt..

[@Blackjack691]

The only problem that I can foresee with booking your own off book excursions, is if the itinerary changes. This has happened to me twice last year, where we bypassed the ports where I had excursions booked. Luckily the excursions were booked through the cruise line and we got onboard credit.

[@kimhayes7075]

We booked a non-ship excursion for last cruise, and the port was canceled. I just called the people we were taking the excursion with, and they immediately refunded our money. That’s actual money, not a shipboard credit, lol!

[@Blackjack691]

Thanks for the info@@kimhayes7075

[@sandraridgway1282]

I have a Royal Caribbean Visa. I charge whatever I can, and pay my bill in full each month. I use my rewards points for onboard credit on Royal and Celebrity, and use the credit for our gratuities. We cruise several times a year, and this has saved me a lot of money.

[@pamelam890]

Not cruise related but we will be in Montreal in May celebrating my son's high school graduation. What is the number one thing to do. Love your channel.

[@GodsTreasuredWitness]

Also, we got the Royal Caribbean credit card (I usually wait to get cc’s until they have a great introductory points offer. There is $0 credit card fee and we now qualify for a free 4 night cruise (minimum ocean view room) just by using it to pay off our big birthday cruise next summer (40th & 18th!) One airfare will also be included with our delta perks (and when we flew to Seattle in July we only spent like $50 on both tickets thanks to the credit card points - seats in delta comfort too!) Just be sure to pay off your credit card in full every month :)

[@cindyann9571]

Happy New Year🎉 thank you for all the great tips!! I am saving small bills in a jar as we speak for my cruise in March❤

[@cennethiam495]

That 2nd hack 😮‍💨 because driving alone can be exhausting but I understand the need to save money

[@sanchezhandymen3444]

So if you forgot cash for tipping-or whatever, you can go to the casino charge the room to gamble, turn around and get the cash from the cage or the machines they have. They will charge your card on file (usually your bank card) for it and you avoid ATM fees. Works for small amounts $100 to $300 BUT I have never needed more so not sure if there are limits.

[@robertk4552]

We are a family of 5 and have driven to Florida 3 times for cruises from Austin, TX. 6 days hotel (3 each way), food, plus cruise parking fee was far cheaper than flying 5 of us.

[@teresacahlik6887]

Just booked a RCL cruise this morning for our anniversary. I wanted to try Princess, but they kept raising their price as I was watching the last month. So therefore we switched to RCL. We did this same cruise 2 years ago for our anniversary and we’re well pleased.

[@anitaclue9868]

Frustrating…..the prices were actually changing as I was trying to find my best option(several days this happened). I’m not playing games, booked cruise with different company. 😠

[@LifeWellCruised]

Awesome, enjoy!!

[@ashleyboss5544]

I’m not sure this is a money saving hack as much as we are just lucky ducks, but we had one of our older daughters move close to the Galveston cruise port last night and another one of our daughters is moving to Tampa in June/July. We usually cruise out of Mobile or New Orleans, but…now that we have a place to stay in Texas and Florida I think our options are a lot broader 😊

[@lorijennings8628]

I would love some recommendations for night before cruise hotel suggestions in seattle pier 91 i believe. I prefer airport transportation to hotel and from hotel to port

[@karinaday4690]

I applied online for a Wise money visa travel card, basically a Visa debit card, was quick and easy. I just transfer my currency onto it and you can have sub-currency accounts with up to 20 other currencies. I converted the correct amount to the currency of one of the countries we are visiting and paid my visa and excursions in their respective currency. Part of the reason why I did this rather than using my credit card to accrue travel points is because there are frequently fraudulent transactions people have issues with in this location. 😊

[@marymiddleton5324]

I have price alert on ship mate. I recieved 500 on board credit on my upcoming carnival cruise.