People going out on their first Caribbean have a lot to look forward to and a lot to take in. A cruise vacation is a great, economical way to see many places in a single journey and only have to unpack once. The reason a cruise is so economical is because of all of the things that are included in the cost of the cruise. For one price you get your lodging, your meals, most beverage, things to do, places to go and shows to see.
Some Items Not Included
As a first time cruiser you might fall into the thinking that your cruise is “ALL INCLUSIVE.” Some lines even say they are just that. However it’s usually not exactly “ALL” inclusive. Things like cocktails, specialty deserts, specialty coffee, spa services, photos, steak houses & more will not be included in the cost of your ticket. Even some things that you might think would be included, like a visit to the infirmary, is not going to be included.
So just be prepared. Budget for it. Some of these things you will want to do. Having your picture taken or a trip to the spa is just something you have to do to complete your cruise experience. That’s not to say you won’t enjoy your cruise if you don’t take part in these activities, but unless you only want to drink water, tea, coffee, lemonade & apple juice, you’ll want to make sure you have your bar card ready.
Tips On Saving Money
There are some cruise lines out there that do actually do “ALL” inclusives if you look around, but there are some ways to save a buck or two on some of these extras. Some cruise lines do have a soda card which will provide you with unlimited soda throughout your cruise. The spa will usually offer big discounts on treatments that are delivered while the ship is in port since there are less people on board. The bars will have drink specials or a drink of the day at a reduced rate. So if you keep your eyes and ears open you’ll be able to find a deal. Read the ship’s newsletter each day and listen for announcements. Sometimes to drive in more business the spa will make special deals over the PA system only.
So be ready with your cruise card. Just keep an eye on your budget cause it is pretty easy to spend more money on the cruise then you did to take the cruise.