On Board Expense Cutting for 2009

On-board expenses are the life-line of the cruise industry during this recession/depression. While secret coolers to carry your booze on-board have been successful. (Cruise Packngo), cruising becomes a lifestyle. You want to be sure not to bite too hard at the hand that you look forward to literally feeding you again in the future. Use some of these tricks, but only to the extent that you keep your expenses close to what you would pay for similar products and services where you live.

Be sure to try the DOD (Drink of the Day) each day. They're lower priced, and you'll find some exciting new drinks to add to your favorites. Avoid all drinks with umbrellas, and don't order by brand unless you have the taste and sobriety to tell the difference. Don't try to impress others with your selection, they're too busy thinking of themselves.

Buy liquor on-board on the first leg of a Back-to-Back cruise (2 or more cruises in a row on the same ship and cabin), consume it on the second with free juice mixers.

Bring or buy a single water bottle, and refill it with the clean distilled water from your tap.

In casino's, do the matching free chip offer, and gamble it at the craps table. Don't feel pressured to win. This is supposed to be enjoyment, not work. Concentrate, and make good gaming decisions. Always look at it from a cost per hour perspective. your losses over time should not exceed the cost per hour of your other pastimes (golf,bowling,etc.). When you're over that cost per hour, it's time to hit the nickel machines (Remember to play maximum coins.), or just go enjoy the many free activities available on the ship.

Get your hair and nails done at home before you leave.

Make sure to attend all of the captain's cocktail parties for which you are eligible. Get aisle seats so that the servers are constantly passing you with fresh drinks. Order drinks 2 at a time, and make your last order just before the captain speaks. The bar usually closes the second that he opens his mouth.

Shop for jewelry aboard and ashore, than amaze yourself by the savings you can get at home by watching Jewelry TV.

If any of the above tricks take away the feeling of being a special person at a special occasion, don't do them. With the price you paid for the cruise, do you REALLY have to scrimp?