| Cruising is a great vacation for family on a budget. The | | | | But if it's what you are looking for, then shop smart |
| cruise cost includes almost everything from food, | | | | and watch out for your budget. This one is a big one |
| accommodation and transportation (to different port | | | | that can blow a big hole in your wallet if you are not |
| but not to the port of call). But there are certain | | | | careful. I don't have much self-controlled myself when |
| expenses that are not part of the cruise fee. So today | | | | it comes to shopping. So I set a limit on 1 souvenir per |
| I want to share 5 Expenses that you might not have | | | | person per port. At least they will get to pick |
| thought or aware of when planning a cruise vacation | | | | something from each place that we visit. For the kids, I |
| and ways to keep the lid on those expenses so you | | | | told them $10 maximum and Miss J has learned that |
| won't have to come home with a huge bill waiting after | | | | rule by heart. It's all about training them young. |
| the fun vacation. | | | | 4. Tips |
| 1. Watch Out those Fancy Drinks | | | | Alright, yes maybe they did tell you about tips. But |
| We don't drink period. My husband has some scare | | | | most people forget or didn't think about adding it up until |
| about his liver enzyme a few years ago so we | | | | the last day. The cruise line is pretty good at providing |
| practically cut out all alcohol beverage from our house. | | | | the information of suggested tip per person per night. |
| So it does help us cut down dramatically on the | | | | The tip ranges from $10-$15 per person per day. I |
| spending in this category. Some cruise line will provide | | | | have also heard that some cruise lines have moved to |
| free soda drink (like Disney) but some cruise line will | | | | add service charges instead of tipping. So make sure |
| only provide water and ice tea. So if you can't live | | | | to check your cruise cost before shelling out those |
| without soda, you can bring your own in your suitcase. | | | | cash at the end of your trip. |
| As for wine and other beverage, I'm not quite sure | | | | 5. Expense on Port of Call Day |
| since I didn't even bother to check. But I believe you | | | | The port of call day is pretty much a free style day. |
| can bring one bottle per person. Check with your | | | | You can do whatever you want. Majority of |
| cruise line on their rule. Check on cruise boards like | | | | passengers choose to disembark and enjoy |
| Cruise Critic or Cruise Mates on more tips to cut down | | | | sightseeing or exploring the city for a day. |
| on beverage cost. | | | | If you plan to explore, don't forget the cost of food |
| 2. Portrait Picture? What pictures? | | | | and transportation during the day as it does not include |
| Family portrait on the cruise is a big business and a | | | | in your cruise cost. The ship still provided food on |
| money maker for cruise line. You can end up spending | | | | board but most countries have strict rule of bringing |
| a fortune if you blindly pick every single pictures ever | | | | fresh food, fruit and vegetable to their countries. So |
| taken on the ship. If you think you absolutely must | | | | you can either eat before you leave, plan and budget |
| have those portraits, check out a package and see if | | | | for local food (which I love to do. Otherwise why visit if |
| you can get discount. I have seen the light and aren't | | | | you didn't get to taste local food), or pack package |
| too crazy about those pictures so we came out | | | | food that allows through custom. |
| pretty good at the end with a couple pictures of our | | | | Another expense during the port of call day that can |
| whole family. That's pretty much what we got. | | | | be a major budget buster is the excursion fee. Try to |
| 3. The Shopping Spree | | | | avoid the idea of doing it all. I try to limit to one |
| In each port of call, you will most likely have a flyer in | | | | excursion per port. You will have less than 5-8 hours |
| your room the night before about the great discount if | | | | at the port so make sure that you check all the |
| you shop at certain approved store. I rarely look at | | | | excursion time and length before signing up. |
| those. I LOVE to shop. Who doesn't. But I also love to | | | | Remember that the excursions provided by local |
| explore and spend my money on something else that I | | | | companies are for all cruise ships so they might not |
| couldn't have when we are back home. Buying a | | | | know about your ship time. |
| watch or jewelry isn't high on my list. | | | | |