Once you’ve decided on a cruise line, there are even more ways to save money before you leave. Read about a few of our previous cruises for sample tips – Chile, Antarctica (huge discounts on Antarctica if you book now from many operators) and information I’ve received in the mail showing ginormous discounts and bargain cruises everywhere. An abundance of cruise ships with unfilled staterooms and heavy discounting going on. Below are a few examples….

For example, there are two different Soda programs on the NCL Star if you are traveling with children. No! Cruise ships usually don’t include anything other than juice, water or milk. We had seven teens with between 13-17 and there were two packages to pick from. Which one would be best? Which one was more economical?

fun in the Mexican sands off an NCL cruise to Mexico
Soft Drink Packages Available:

Package 1 – Teen Passport Program, ages 13-17 had: …20 non-alcoholic drinks, including non-alcoholic smoothie in a 12-14 oz. glass
The teen and a guest were entitled to an afternoon dance party with the D.J., pizza and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. The Teen also receives an invitation to a “Farewell Frat Party” on the last evening of the cruise. Passports are not replaceable if lost.. (None of these activities ever took place.)
…Note. ***Purchase of this package does not serve as the required registration for the Teen Program’s activities. A parent or guardian must register their teen by seeing any member of the youth staff once onboard….

Package 2 – …Teen Soda Program (ages 13 and older) had just unlimited Fountain Soda which included: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Tonic Water, and Soda Water. The entire cruise must be purchased. Non-Refundable. Prepaid at $6.25 per person per day x Cruise days plus 15% gratuity and applicable taxes along with a Souvenir Thermal mug included in the purchase of the program…

NCL gives you a book of tickets with tear outs for each drink and no one asks any questions if an adult wants to use any ticket or even share a book. We opted for Package 1 only because there was no additional tax which made it more economical and even ended up with leftover tickets. By the way, don’t even think of trying to smuggle a case of soft drinks on board. One or two cans…okay…but everything goes through a scanner on ship and they will confiscate it. That goes for bottles of liquor too. Again, they’ll be confiscated and held until disembarkation.

There is also a Kid’s Crew Backpack package for the under seven year olds that includes a backpack, t-shirt, hat and souvenir mug. That’s a fun souvenir for them to have.

Shore Excursions and other packages:: Some shore excursions are worth it and others not. Think carefully about what you want to do ahead of time and factor in the cost. Each cruise stop is loaded with cab drivers and opportunities to do your own thing or join an excursion on the spot. Come with lots of money because nothing is cheap.

parasailing in Mexico 

selling purses on a Mexican beach
Inside Rooms: If you aren’t claustrophobic, this is a chance to save big. Inside rooms are roomy, you’ll spend your days and nights outside the room, using it for sleeping and changing clothes only. Consider it. Also, the lower you go in the ship, the more stable the ship is. Try to avoid the bow (choppier) and stern (vibration) areas.

Extra Costs: You will be hit with very costly gas surcharges and port taxes. An ad for a $450 for one-week cruise doesn’t have these charges included in that amount; and there are the gratuities. NCL…View image… adds a gratuity for each person for every day. No choice on that either. The gratuity is less for children and I don’t begrudge the staff gratuity. Just know before you go. The NCL charge was $10 U.S. per day per person, and $5 U.S. per day per child.

Transportation to and from the ship: NCL offers transfers to and from LAX Airport to the Los Angeles World Cruise Center where the Norwegian Star is berthed for $25 U.S. per person each way. For two persons or less, use them. A taxi runs a $59 U.S. (flat rate) and holds up to seven. You do the math. Take a taxi or hire transport if you are a big family.

Check to see what your ship offers in the way of “Honeymoon/Anniversary/Bon Voyage, etc.” packages before sailing. Oldest son, Michael ordered the $79 Special that included: sparkling wine and strawberries in his stateroom upon embarkation, canapes delivered to his stateroom one evening, honeymooners’ champagne and cake party, honeymoon photograph, and dinner for two in Le Bistro…View image… with a complimentary bottle of wine. A really worthwhile package. The supplement for dinner in Le Bistro is $15 U.S. per person, the least expensive bottle of wine runs $26 U.S., then throw in the other gimme’s and it’s “such a deal.”

teens giving a “thumbs up” on the NCL Star
Cruises have never been cheaper, more fun and travel to more exotic places. Book one now while the going is good! (Online Exclusives – Find the Perfect Cruise)

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico