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/
Only gambled one time on a cruise from LA to Mexico and hit first pull on a slot. It paid double what the cruise cost. Naturally the Devil in me was telling me to keep playing and the Angel kept reminding me that I technically just got paid to go on an 8 day cruise. I never went back to the casino after winning.
I keep in mind the One Truth of gambling. THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS. If I want to gamble, I won't waste time and money playing against the house - slot machines or kenjo(?) or anything else that's random. The casino can afford a much better mathematician than I can. No, I'll play a game where I'm collecting money from other players. The house's share is just gambling tax. If I ever decide to gamble, I'll train myself to be the best damn poker/blackjack player in the whole casino. That's the only way to win at gambling.
I got a Casino offer, free inside cabin and $500 Casino credit. Now I cruise alone most times so I expected to pay some more for double occupancy. Nope, I paid my port charges and tax, about $400 Canadian. I got a 10 day Alaskan Cruise. I saved about $2000 on my fare. I usually win in the Casino. Lets hope I'm lucky, I'm leaving soon.
We also got a “free” cruise offer at a local casino. Just pay for port fees. We decided to book the Alaska cruise as it was 10 days. ( more ports add up to more port fees). We decided to upgrade to balcony cabin, liquor package and gratuity package. I will book shore excursions with the cruise ship. Nothing is “free”. But we are looking forward to it.
I do a refundable deposit for two major reasons: 1) The future is unknown so cancellation might be necessary, and I wouldn't want to lose my deposit. 2) I am one of those people who keeps checking for deals up until final payment, and that doesn't work if the deposit is non refundable. (Example: I have a cruise reservation for 2024 that has a huge price drop in May (between the cruise and airfare, I saved $1,780 by rebooking).
I have to pick my own cabin. I’m very picky about where my cabin is and I don’t trust the cruise line to give me a room to my liking. I need to have that control of my experience.
Definitely probably YOLO'd a bit to much on our upcoming cruise, but it's our first one and we're excited! These videos have been so helpful to get us ready and know what to expect.
Our first cruise is coming up, and next week I start filling out the Ultimate Cruise Planner. I'll check that I actually own all the things I want to pack. Gee, I wonder who sells that planner? 😃
The last cruise I did with one of the very large cruise companies, they nickle and dimed so much that I asked reception when were they expecting to install the coin operated toilet roll dispensers.
I had multiple spa treatments booked, I was quite clear that I did not want to be offered anything else to buy. The person proceeded to attempt to sell me stuff. When I was done with that treatment, I promptly cancelled the rest.
I only have been on three cruises between 1995 and 2020. Unfortunately, the nickel and dime problem has been increasing exponentially between these two dates. In fact, in 2020, it was getting so annoying to pay for all these extra perks, which used to be all free in 1995, that no one in my immediate family (we always cruised as a large group) is interested in cruising anymore. Now, they all go all-inclusive beach resorts.
Agreed! The nickel and diming is getting to be ridiculous. My husband and I absolutely love cruising. I don’t know if we’re going to cruise as often because if that.
It’s important to remember all that, both when booking and on the ship! Cruise lines make tons of money on us travelling alone! Also, what they call studios, or the single cabins, are few and expensive. And comparing prices, the studios often cost more than if we pay 200% on a regular cabin. It makes for very expensive vacations, as much as I love cruising with Celebrity. They don’t even offer a last-minute special for solo travellers on unsold cabins. But I think the industry will evolve.
My fiancé & I got engaged this past 4/20. On 4/27 we went to book our honeymoon cruise for this Nov & when we opened the website it showed us a BOGO 60% off in the next “15hours”. We got a 10night RC cruise in a “spacious” balcony cabin for $2,405 & a $225 on board credit. I personally think that’s a good deal
A lot of the late night buffets have disappeared. So if you’ve been out dancing/partying and go up to the lido late at night there is usually mile long line at the 1 restaurant that is open. Therefore you go back to your cabin to order room service, which is no longer free.
I’m taking a cruise on The Beyond 2024. I found your videos very helpful on tips for cruising. You have a very pleasant way of explaining the Do’s and Don’ts . Thank you.
We have 3 Princess cruises scheduled and we are doing standard on all of them. We don’t drink nor drink much pop. No fitness classes, etc so we just pay for upfront gratuities and wi-fi for one on 2 out of 3 cruises 🚢
Another great video - you are on point! Regarding cruise sales, be careful and compare the total cost of the cruise, as we have found that when sales are offered, many times the original cost of the cruise has been increased to keep the cost of the cruise about the same costs. Non-refundable deposits can save you money. However, we just experienced with Celebrity, if you book a cruise onboard with a lower deposit ($200), if you cancel the cruise you will be assessed the standard nonrefundable cost of $800. I could not agree more the main dinning room experience has been reduced to make the speciality dinning more appealing. Anymore, we just include the cost of a speciality dinning package, coving about half the nights of the cruise, in our cruise budget. Pre-paid gratuities has also resulted in guest spending more money as there is more and more pressure for additional gratuities. Fares on new ships are always higher, this also results in cruisers spending more money...
For budgeting purposes, I always look at the advertised price and DOUBLE it (and usually it ends up even higher). The cruise lines don't want to raise the advertised price. If you compare the base prices to 20 years ago they haven't changed all that much. What has changed is what is included in that price and the level of service you get. The price on the EXTRAS has gone WAY up. Everything from gratuities, drink packages, excursions, specialty dining (which was not really a thing before), the spa, the shops...the list goes on and on.
I watched a lot of your videos before going on my first cruise. Thank you for all the helpful tips!! I definitely felt prepared and was so organized. And yes, these cruise lines somehow do make you spend more money. We all tried to limit our spending on the ship but ended up spending more. Scanning the keycard just seems so easy until you open the app to see what you spent😂
Just been on a Viking cruise, very good, booked when cruise first released as we knew when and where we wanted to go. So a good price, (2021 cost for a 2023 cruise). Picked a mid ships balcony cabin which was exactly what we wanted. Viking now have 10 ocean going ships all similar spec and very new, 930 passengers per cruise. Couldn't complain about any of it. Fare includes drinks at mealtimes (so if you drink a lot in bars a package could work) and 24 hour cabin food service included, they actually say they don't "nickle and dime". Older quieter guests, no casinos race tracks, fun fairs so depends on what you want. But this is quality. This is just our experience as customers, travelled with Viking once (been on other lines over a few years). This is a very useful channel!
I feel that Viking is definitely one of the best cruise lines out there! We have a trip booked with them for 2025 and 2 cruises on other lines beforehand. I’m pretty sure the contrast will be stark.
@@NL4915 They were very good, you won't be disappointed! Have some friends who went on a Princess cruise in Alaska several years ago, they enjoyed that but we haven't been on one of their cruises. Anyone on here tried them?
One mistake I made was being a little too excited to book a future cruise onboard. They enticed me with onboard credit. I think they are banking on the fact that you are at sea, and aren't going to compare prices online. I booked a cruise that was much more expensive than I could get it for online after I got home (even taking into consideration the onboard credit). Thankfully, the deposit was fully refundable, and I was able to cancel and then rebook at the better rate.
I have been on 2 casino offer with NCL and I believe it does save me money I'm just paying Port cost and taxes and gratuities and I am still able to get all of the free at Sea perks, but that does entice you to spend a little more in the casino because you are saving the cruise fare if you budget your gambling you can actually make out pretty good
My hubby won a pretty good chunk of money in the casino on our first cruise. I rarely do things for myself but he told me to pick anything I wanted in the spa. I decided on a facial (first ever). I had no idea about upselling skin products. My first 45 minutes were amazing. But what I thought would be an hour long facial wasn’t. The last 15 minutes was trying to get me to buy way overpriced products that I’d never use. After about 8 minutes of me saying “No, I’m not buying anything”, she kept trying so I just grabbed my purse and the extra tip I was going to leave and left. I’m in the beginning stages of shopping for a new vehicle and I can’t tell you how many phone numbers I’ve block practically 4 times a day for the last month from multiple calls from the same salespeople.
I was pretty achy with my last cruise, so they tried to sell me everything under the sun for my sore muscles. I told her no. But she was trying to convince me. She was really an amazing massage therapist, though.
@@ilovebonjovi1992 that’s how they make money. But to me, not pushing a customer after they’ve said no more than once could affect them in the long run with referrals. BTW, I love Bon Jovi too. I “discovered” them when they first released Runaway when I was 16. Stood at the door of a club to watch them the first time in Houston because I wasn’t old enough to drink(drinking age was 19 then)
Hi Ilana. We're taking a cruise as part of a family obligation (cruising has never appealed to us). We're embarking from Baltimore to Quebec. We'll be on board for 11 days and in Quebec for a week. We figured that as we're going to be on a ship for 11 days, we might as make the best of it, so we upgraded our drink package, our specialty restaurant package, and our WiFi package. Since then, I've been addicted to your videos to know what and what not to do. Oddly (and here's your "I told you so moment") the closer we get to embarkation date, the more excited we're getting. I think I'm looking forward to the relaxation and food element of it. Either way, I'm going to catch up on some reading as we booked an aft balcony room. I think it may be the same room you had if you cruised on the Norwegian Sky. I just wish Salem wasn't such a far excursion from the ship as it doesn't give you much time to really enjoy the town. I just wanted to thank you so much for all your wonderful information and incredible videos. We think we might be as ready as we can possibly be for first time cruisers.
This really does sound like a nice itinerary & trip, even if unindented 😂. That aft balcony is going to be awesome! I think you made the right choice to have the different packages - I’m thinking it’s NCL & their drinks & specialty restaurants are very good
@@LifeWellCruised Yes, it is NCL. We downloaded your cruise planner a few weeks back and it is helping immensely. I also did myself the favor of paying this trip off up front so the thought of payments wouldn't haunt me. I think it makes it easier to enjoy knowing it's not on a credit card collecting interest.
@@halfirish8056 I wasn't expecting to do this cruise, but if it's on your bucket list, don't wait. Enjoy it now. You'll either walk away saying "that was fun", or you'll start planning the next cruise. Life is too short to rely on a bucket list. Grab the opportunity. Say yes to the fun. Instead of a bucket list (that sounds so final), make a "trips I will actually take" list. I've flown to Europe so many times, but a cruise is nothing I ever expected for me. The closer it comes, the more I'm looking forward to it. I get the feeling this may not be my last.
Well, I just came back from that first ever cruise on NCL on Sunday. And I did get suckered into one big additional expenditure. I came up the forward stairs to the 16 th floor and there was a bunch of the Mandarin Spa ladies offering a free 5 minute or so chair massage. Ten minutes later they had me all signed up for a 50 minute plus free extra 25 minutes $199 plus 20 percent gratuity hot stone full body massage. She tried to sell me a foot massager too as I have mild peripheral neuropathy and some kinda gel but I wasn't having any part of it.
I usually try to get my cruise paid off in full before I step on the ship. I prepaid gratuities, internet, beverage package, any specialty dining, water/soda for the stateroom, shore excursions, and any other items that I don't want to travel with (reef friendly sun screen, snorkel mask). I also make sure I have on board credit and/or buy cruise cash so that anything I purchase while on the ship is already paid for. The cruise lines probably look at me and go "OH BOY! This cruiser has a completely fresh wallet!", while ringing their hands back and forth. Unfortunately for them, I stick to my budget and I have never had a charge go to my card that is on file. I am usually buying souvenirs for family and friends in the shops on the last sea day to use up as much of my on board credit/cruise cash as I can.
You said you prepay for the reef friendly sunscreen and your snorkel? Does that mean they have that ready for you when you get on the ship? It's been a long time since I cruised so I'm trying to prepare😊
As far as the casino rates, I use them and I just say that I am prepaying for my next cruise in the casino. Pretty much it. I do spend a lot. But to each his own. Great video and information. Thanks Ilana.
We have used the casino rates on Princess several times. We are recreational gamblers and love the casino. The key is to budget how much you will spend in the casino. We do this on land casinos also. The majority of the time we either spend very little or bring home a little extra. Ultimately we save several thousand dollars on our cruise cost.
I think another way, if you're a solo cruiser, is through double occupancy rates. Also, and I don't know if this is going to be controversial or not but prepaid gratuities on drink and dining packages. I always throw an extra dollar or two after I order a drink and I tip the wait staff in the restaurants. But, the cruise lines charge the prepaid gratuities.
I'm going on a cruise next week and really need a spa treatment. To save $$$, instead of using the cruise line's, I purchased a Groupon to have a similar service done close to home right b4 the cruise. That cost is about 70% less than on board and I'm supporting a local business and the associated tax revenue that goes along with that. Fortunately, I am not flying to my embarkation port (rail is cheaper, just was fast and much more civilized), so I won't be twisted like a pretzel while traveling.
Honestly, Casino cabin comps are a good value for us because we are going to gamble anyway. Ceasers comps rooms, sometimes flights lol. Its the same thing But, of you dont gamble anyway, I would not recommend doing so to try to get a "free cruise." You still pay port fees, taxes, gratuities, etc.
Our latest cruise in February, we used specialty dining for the first time. Only because we had a lot of on board credit. I was actually disappointed by the two times we did it on Rotterdam in Pinnacle and Tamerind. In Pinnacle, they put us near the kitchen. And there was a general disdain of the staff. We certainly don’t expect subservience, but it felt like we were not worthy. Tamerind was mostly that food seemed equivalent with main dining room. We have always been very happy with HAL main dining. So, experience in specialty dining confirms we stay in main dining room in the future.
I’m rooming with a cousin who booked with a casino offer. Since I don’t gamble I’m coming out ahead. It’s cheaper for me and I’m okay with it. It’s a great deal for me🙂
Life had caused us to cancel our intended cruise in October, but we've managed to get one in late September with P&O Australia from Sydney to Noumea return. Booking non refundable and guaranteed mini suite in MA category (access to Byron Beach club, but not labelled as a Byron Beach club mini suite) has saved us over 40% of our fare - AUD$2914 v AUD$5000. Same cabin without the Byron Beach club 'look' and located in the same grouping on deck 9.
I prefer refundable deposits as insurance in case something comes up. I also like to choose my cabin and don't want to be placed at the stern. I tried telling the spa crew that I don't want to buy a bunch of products to look younger... that has never worked for me. Another money maker is the products that the fitness center tries to sell when offering free seminars and they also charge for some classes.
On my recent cruise with Princess we got honeymoon gift - 50$ SPA voucher but I didn't use it because prices of spa treatments were absurd. Even with that voucher I wasn't willing to spend so much on massage or something. But I recon some people would catch the bait and spend the money.
I prob wouldn’t use it either. I have followed Ilana’s suggestion to just say up front that I won’t be buying products, but then the service was very lackadaisical. In fairness to the therapist, massage is a physically demanding job, and I’ve seen a breakdown of what they earn…without a healthy tip and the commission from a product sale, it’s only about $10 an hour. So, no reason for them to knock themselves out for me. Better to hold out for someone with a fresher wallet than mine!
Good info as usual. ❤ But cruise lines are a finely honed business; cruisers think they’re getting value but the reality is the upsell. It’s like Disney when you get inside, all monetary hell breaks loose. 😂 …but I like cruising!
We have been on 5 cruises in the last year, 4 were casino rates. We have another booked for September 11 on casino rate. We got a inside cabin plus port charges for $420 plus I get feee drinks in the casino $200 free play and $200 ship credit. I usually spend around $500 in the casino per trip. We just got back July 6th and I Spent about $550 in the casino. So it’s worth it for me. My son wanted to go with us and he doesn’t play in the casino, and it was almost $2000 for a inside cabin.
I only go on casino it's the only way I can afford to cruise. Yes you have to spend time in the casino and also spend money there. If it's something you like to do anyway and it must be a moneymaker for the cruise ship as theymake you walk right through it to get anywhere. I find the perks better than the regular deals personally.
Royal Caribbean definitely has confusing math and they do it by design. So annoying to list prices without gratuities, taxes, fees, etc. Just seems very shady but they all do that. They definitely try to nickel and dime you. Everything is too expensive. The MDR for sure isn't the same. I refuse to spend extra on food when price was ridiculous to start.
I am definitely using an agency next time. Really got burned with booking direct on my last cruise - it's way too confusing (I think deliberately so) in the post covid era.
@barbaralazier8352 yes please. My husband used to book everything for us and since he's passed away I'm intimidated to try to do it on my own. Also dreading the extra fee for being solo :-(
Been casino comped cruises with RC for the past 10 years or so. You need to be disciplined and stick to a budget. Cruise costs 3-5K so if I keep my loses below that it works. If I leave up even better. MGM will match your RC status so that helps. Love your channel always the best tips
I wish I'd seen this before my last cruise... I'm pretty new, only 2 under my belt, but I learned the hard way after the last one. My first cruise was 2019 and everything was great - I booked directly with Celebrity and felt that I got a good price without all the pressure that seems to have become standard. This year, I also booked directly with NCL and learned what a bait and switch it was after the fact. Free at sea, BOGO, etc. was a scam in my opinion. The NCL rep was nice but really pushed everything. I won't patronize that line again for many reasons but the bait and switch was the biggest. Live and learn. I suppose much of this has to do with the lines trying to recoup their losses after covid but it still doesn't justify the sneaky tactics.
Nonrefundable deposits are mandatory for suites on Royal. In my opinion they're worth it because of availability. On board credits are only used for purchases ON BOARD. Some people are confused but if they aren't used while on the ship, they're lost 😢
We have been cashing in on the gambling cruises and the bummer is is that we are cruising the same company. When you are offered the free cruise you have 30 days to make a selection and hopefully the dates you want are not already sold out. We both won a casino cruise so we are headed to the Eastern Caribbean in March and Alaska in August. For the money we spent/lost we could have easily paid for a few cruises of our choice. Safe travels all!
We will only book refundable deposits. You touched on selection of cabin selection, but I think the cruise lines are using balcony cabins as a way to make more money. I've seen some, where a balcony is twice the cost of an inside cabin.
We feel like when one sale ends, another comes up and they final price is usually about the same. I have never needed to cancel a cruise so non-refundable vs refundable has never mattered to me. The dining food has definitely gone from great (often incredible) to just good. The dining service has gone the some way with some exceptions (a few incredible server teams still exist). When we started cruising years ago, you’d meet your head waiter and maitre’d the first dining. Now, there have been cruise when we never saw them.
Good Afternoon 😊 I really enjoy your videos and information. We went on our 1st Carvinal Breeze trip. I really enjoyed it. Your tips are very helpful .
I like Black Jack but I don't spend a lot of time in the casino. I live in Phoenix and only live an hour from Vegas by air. I cruise NCL and what I like to do is enter the Black Jack tournament. I think it's $35.00. You can do it on the app and your little card is in your cabin when you get to the ship. The tournament happens on a sea day and if you finish in the top you can win some cash or free cruises.
@dianabaker7653 $35 is the buy in and you get a set amount of chips to bet over I think seven hands. There are several dozen rounds. You can buy into as many rounds as you want. When everyone who has played who has entered the seven players with the highest chip count from a single round plays for the prizes. I hope that made sense. 😊
My husband gambles if he ever gets a chance, so get something out of it is good for us. Yes he spends a lot, but that's his vacation. Same thing for us in Vegas. We get comped well.
Learned early on (the hard way) to stay out of the spa, so I do. Do go to the casino with a set budget and expectation of not winning (have seen others win so I figure it is possible). Will do a couple specialty dinings which are usually special but not always. Not interested in the art/jewelry/photo sales. I just walk on by all the sales tables set up on embarkation day now; those are the upsale specialists.
@@KitKat-kw4ed instead of offering free upgrades, they send you an email asking if you want to bid in an auction for a cabin upgrade. About two weeks before you travel, they see how many unsold higher grade cabins there are, and upgrade the highest bidders into them. You may get a bargain, but you may be stuck with a cabin in a poor location.
I did enjoy the Infinite Veranda and I was skeptical b/c I am a balcony kinda girl. I did have the bed near closet configuration. I can see how it switching it around change the whole vibe of the cabin
Went on a 7 night casino cruise to Bermuda cost $600 for taxes port fees etc spent my on board cruise credits at the casino and enjoyed the rest of my cruise . My drink and dining package payed for my cruise. I would have spent more $ at home but I stayed out of the casino after my credit was gone and skipped the shops
Unfortunately the spa staff has to sell product as they have a quota they need to meet. We are the customers the cruise line does not love as we do not meet their spend on board expectation. Love sailing and want to enjoy the destinations as well as time on board.
I'm very new to cruising. My wife and I are going to Alaska next summer. I did quite a lot of research before settling on HAL as our cruise line. We got a package deal that included the fancy drinks package, crew gratuities, upgraded wi-fi, dinner at a premium restaurant, and a shore excursion. I don't mind the up-selling and tactics. We all have to eat, and I'd rather have them figuring out ways to reduce their costs while providing an affordable experience for some but also a premium experience for others. Understanding all the different options and costs for everything is part of the fun. We're embracing it and enjoying the ride.
[affordable experience for some but also a premium experience for others.] That is a great way to put all Cruising experiences. Our bucket list Alaskan cruise included no excursions or specialty dining. We just didn't have the funds. Thankfully, Cruise ships can't charge for the scenery and, although incredibly bland, include food. Walking around the ports is still free, and some of the shows abroad, are actually watchable. The pools and spas are very usable on port days when most of the crowd is ashore. And the bars, you don't have to drink, have some actually talented people performing. But at the end of the day, Alaska is worth it all. A beautiful and almost magical place for us flatlanders. Stika had eagles flocking around like common birds back at home. Juneau had hundreds of shops right outside the ship. Enjoy and take lots of pictures!
I don't spend a lot of time or money in the casino, but I still get offers for free interior rooms and free drinks in the casino. My husband likes the slots and gets offers for free suites and drinks everywhere, so those are the ones we go with lol. But as an example, we had a free suite cruise last month with free drinks that cost us under $400 for taxes/gratuities. We didn't spend the $3-4000 that would have cost us in the casino, so we came out ahead. I'm a part of some facebook casino groups and I see people talking about losing five, ten thousand dollars during a cruise which boggles my mind. My husband will take about $1000 for the casino, I might play on one or two hundred. Sometimes he comes out ahead, sometimes he breaks even, but he never loses more than what the cruise would have cost.
I do enjoy Princess Plus and Holland Have it all. You make some good points about these. Have it all gets me $200 for excursions but I spent $1000 on excursions on my next HAL 11 day cruise! They know what they're doing!
I just sailed on the Holland America Eurodam . I hate in two specialty restaurants don’t get me wrong. They were very good but believe me the food in the dining room was delicious. I would’ve never of missed, especially restaurants. I only had to pay for one of them as one came in my package.
Regarding the casinos at sea, they are essentially unregulated and the cruise lines can set whatever odds they want for their tables or games. Last I checked, the best overall odds are found in Las Vegas. I would take a hard pass at any gambling at sea.
There'll soon come a time when vacationing anywhere will just become a thing for rich people. I'm cruising for the first time ever this coming September from LA to Mexico, one of the reasons was looking for a more affordable, much needed vacation. Las Vegas hasn't provided affordable options for working class people like me for a very long time. Gone are the cheap buffets, affordable hotel rooms, etc. I'm going to try this cruising stuff, but already with the cost of fees and taxes, preparation, excursion costs, drink package cost, I'm starting to see that no, cruises aren't a cheaper option.
Only once did I book a non-refundable BUT I went to PR a day prior to be safe and was very glad I did. There were 16 no-shows on departure. Turned out the flight with ALL of them on board had to turn back over some malfunction. They all missed the ship. Can you say ouch? I doubt the cruise line comped them at all and big whoop on the airline even if they got vouchers. 1 minute late to a departure game over.
HAPPY FRIDAY llana and your family hope you have a great day and magnificent weekend of fun joy xoxo 😘 🏝️🏝️🩵🩵🩵🏝️🩵🩵🌞🌞🌞💛💛💛💛💛🌞🌞🏝️🩵🩵🏝️🌞🌞🌞🩵🩵🩵🩵💛💛💛🌞🌞🌞🏝️🩵🩵🩵🏝️🏝️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️
I cruise NCL, and I retired 9 years ago. My wife and I go on a cruise 3-4 times a year. I get the drinks I want. I do the shore excursions and purchase them from NCL. With my $50 dollars off 1st and 20% off both for being a frequent cruiser. I can’t get them cheaper. I like the race cars and my wife buys a bottle of wine. If the bill at the end is few hundred dollars or a few thousand, I do not care.
My casino offers are greatly appreciated! As a solo traveller, I don't have to pay a single supplement with my "free" cruises. And I play minimum bets and would be playing regardless, so the free offers and freeplay dollars are an added bonus. The cost of my 3-week Mediterranean cruise would have been prohibitive otherwise. I just hope the offers keep coming...
I would mention the "Seminars", "Chats" or "Conferences" about a certain topic and they are actually a sales pitch for some product. Also, I have to confess, I am a repeated YOLO-ist! Sue me!😁😂😂😂
The way one particular cruise line up sells, is by selling packages for internet, gratuity, and drink pack and than throws in other goodies. Whereas if you purchased only what you needed, it would be significantly less...Not a deal breaker, but for some that have cruised for a long time, it leaves a little sour taste in the mouths
Booking in the the official USA website has different promotions/discount than Booking in the official European or international website. (Using a VPN) requires that only one of your party has that citizenship in order to apply the discount or promotions. May or may not include the tip etc.
Art auctions are a loser. My late Father called that type of paintings “ Art by the Yard.” Casino rates can work if you don’t mind an inside cabin. Whales(big spenders, losers) get the suites but they usually lose more than that in the Casino. Unfortunately, cruise lines are trying to retire their massive debts incurred during Covid by screwing the cruiser with all these nickel and dime extras. We like to cruise but at a reasonable cost. So many potential cruise customers are reconsidering their cruise vacations. Are they a real value compared to the beach or an All-Inclusive? 😂After we take the cruises that we already have booked I will look at the bottom line and decide. I think a lot of others are going to do the same thing. Time will tell.
We get a few casino deals but don't spend enough to get anything Free...however our friends get free suites and he comes home a few thousand ahead every time...but he has craps down to a science!
We get great casino rates-we enjoy gambling-not big-but we don’t pay for drinks-not big drinkers-we buy nothing on the cruise ship-no spa -maybe 1 paid dining option-/no excursions-we can’t vacation anywhere and get more bang for our bucks!!! We now always cruise Carnival-Diamond-we get fantastic deals!! They get casino money-enough to get our perks!!!
I need to know where my cabin is and always pay for it😢... mid ship, decks 8 or 9, close to elevators and stairs but not that much, away from noisy venues...😅
I am going soon on the NCL to the British isles and as I am not happy with their customer services, I am going to be very strict with my budget. $50 a day for 2 people is out budget On The Boat.
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/
Only gambled one time on a cruise from LA to Mexico and hit first pull on a slot. It paid double what the cruise cost. Naturally the Devil in me was telling me to keep playing and the Angel kept reminding me that I technically just got paid to go on an 8 day cruise. I never went back to the casino after winning.
Ooooh smart
I keep in mind the One Truth of gambling. THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS.
If I want to gamble, I won't waste time and money playing against the house - slot machines or kenjo(?) or anything else that's random. The casino can afford a much better mathematician than I can.
No, I'll play a game where I'm collecting money from other players. The house's share is just gambling tax. If I ever decide to gamble, I'll train myself to be the best damn poker/blackjack player in the whole casino. That's the only way to win at gambling.
@@juliatarrel1674in blackjack you are playing against the house. Learn pai gow poker
You are one of the few that walk away.
Good on you!
Damn, I need your self control!
Specialty dining. Never spend a dime on that. I find the included food to be more than enough for me.
This is why I've fallen in love with Virgin. They don't nickel and dime you the way the other cruises do.
I got a Casino offer, free inside cabin and $500 Casino credit. Now I cruise alone most times so I expected to pay some more for double occupancy. Nope, I paid my port charges and tax, about $400 Canadian. I got a 10 day Alaskan Cruise. I saved about $2000 on my fare. I usually win in the Casino. Lets hope I'm lucky, I'm leaving soon.
We also got a “free” cruise offer at a local casino. Just pay for port fees. We decided to book the Alaska cruise as it was 10 days. ( more ports add up to more port fees). We decided to upgrade to balcony cabin, liquor package and gratuity package. I will book shore excursions with the cruise ship. Nothing is “free”. But we are looking forward to it.
I do a refundable deposit for two major reasons: 1) The future is unknown so cancellation might be necessary, and I wouldn't want to lose my deposit. 2) I am one of those people who keeps checking for deals up until final payment, and that doesn't work if the deposit is non refundable. (Example: I have a cruise reservation for 2024 that has a huge price drop in May (between the cruise and airfare, I saved $1,780 by rebooking).
The art auction and sales are a major money trap. The art seldom is worth what you pay for it and certainly won’t sell for that price later.
Good point
I am surprised they are not selling NFT's on board. About the same value for money.
I almost got suckered into the art auction trap on time.
Isn't the art all prints ??? Or are they originals?
Same with cruise ship jewelry
I have to pick my own cabin. I’m very picky about where my cabin is and I don’t trust the cruise line to give me a room to my liking. I need to have that control of my experience.
Totally! Always!
Your content has helped me prepare for my first cruise in less than 30 days. Thank you!
Princess is now charging cruisers for what was always free. I must say I’ll probably never cruise with them
Definitely probably YOLO'd a bit to much on our upcoming cruise, but it's our first one and we're excited! These videos have been so helpful to get us ready and know what to expect.
Hehe it’s true. We can’t take it with us, right? 😂
Our first cruise is coming up, and next week I start filling out the Ultimate Cruise Planner. I'll check that I actually own all the things I want to pack. Gee, I wonder who sells that planner? 😃
All of your videos are helpful, informative, and enjoyable!
The last cruise I did with one of the very large cruise companies, they nickle and dimed so much that I asked reception when were they expecting to install the coin operated toilet roll dispensers.
I canceled most of my spa treatments for my first cruise in November because of hearing about upselling.
I had multiple spa treatments booked, I was quite clear that I did not want to be offered anything else to buy. The person proceeded to attempt to sell me stuff. When I was done with that treatment, I promptly cancelled the rest.
@@elizabethdurham1657 same thing happened to me!
And they aren't that good to begin with. I merely had an okay message. So I'm definitely avoiding in the future...lol
I only have been on three cruises between 1995 and 2020. Unfortunately, the nickel and dime problem has been increasing exponentially between these two dates. In fact, in 2020, it was getting so annoying to pay for all these extra perks, which used to be all free in 1995, that no one in my immediate family (we always cruised as a large group) is interested in cruising anymore. Now, they all go all-inclusive beach resorts.
Agreed! The nickel and diming is getting to be ridiculous. My husband and I absolutely love cruising. I don’t know if we’re going to cruise as often because if that.
We find all inclusive resorts to be worse - the sod is nasty and the drinks have no alcohol. We still find cruising to be worth it.
It’s important to remember all that, both when booking and on the ship! Cruise lines make tons of money on us travelling alone! Also, what they call studios, or the single cabins, are few and expensive. And comparing prices, the studios often cost more than if we pay 200% on a regular cabin. It makes for very expensive vacations, as much as I love cruising with Celebrity. They don’t even offer a last-minute special for solo travellers on unsold cabins. But I think the industry will evolve.
@@elizabethdurham1657 So far, I haven't heard any complaints all inclusive resorts. I guess it is dependent on location.
Funny you said that. We just booked a large waterfront lake home for next year’s family vacation. Cheaper and way less crowded
My fiancé & I got engaged this past 4/20. On 4/27 we went to book our honeymoon cruise for this Nov & when we opened the website it showed us a BOGO 60% off in the next “15hours”. We got a 10night RC cruise in a “spacious” balcony cabin for $2,405 & a $225 on board credit. I personally think that’s a good deal
A lot of the late night buffets have disappeared. So if you’ve been out dancing/partying and go up to the lido late at night there is usually mile long line at the 1 restaurant that is open. Therefore you go back to your cabin to order room service, which is no longer free.
It's not? What cruise line?
I’m taking a cruise on The Beyond 2024. I found your videos very helpful on tips for cruising. You have a very pleasant way of explaining the Do’s and Don’ts . Thank you.
We have 3 Princess cruises scheduled and we are doing standard on all of them. We don’t drink nor drink much pop. No fitness classes, etc so we just pay for upfront gratuities and wi-fi for one on 2 out of 3 cruises 🚢
Another great video - you are on point! Regarding cruise sales, be careful and compare the total cost of the cruise, as we have found that when sales are offered, many times the original cost of the cruise has been increased to keep the cost of the cruise about the same costs. Non-refundable deposits can save you money. However, we just experienced with Celebrity, if you book a cruise onboard with a lower deposit ($200), if you cancel the cruise you will be assessed the standard nonrefundable cost of $800.
I could not agree more the main dinning room experience has been reduced to make the speciality dinning more appealing. Anymore, we just include the cost of a speciality dinning package, coving about half the nights of the cruise, in our cruise budget. Pre-paid gratuities has also resulted in guest spending more money as there is more and more pressure for additional gratuities. Fares on new ships are always higher, this also results in cruisers spending more money...
Great points! Thanks for sharing
For budgeting purposes, I always look at the advertised price and DOUBLE it (and usually it ends up even higher). The cruise lines don't want to raise the advertised price. If you compare the base prices to 20 years ago they haven't changed all that much. What has changed is what is included in that price and the level of service you get. The price on the EXTRAS has gone WAY up. Everything from gratuities, drink packages, excursions, specialty dining (which was not really a thing before), the spa, the shops...the list goes on and on.
I agree on the art auction! They try to trap you so good!
We stay away from the casinos! Lol.
Love this, Very informational!
I watched a lot of your videos before going on my first cruise. Thank you for all the helpful tips!! I definitely felt prepared and was so organized.
And yes, these cruise lines somehow do make you spend more money. We all tried to limit our spending on the ship but ended up spending more. Scanning the keycard just seems so easy until you open the app to see what you spent😂
Just been on a Viking cruise, very good, booked when cruise first released as we knew when and where we wanted to go. So a good price, (2021 cost for a 2023 cruise). Picked a mid ships balcony cabin which was exactly what we wanted. Viking now have 10 ocean going ships all similar spec and very new, 930 passengers per cruise. Couldn't complain about any of it. Fare includes drinks at mealtimes (so if you drink a lot in bars a package could work) and 24 hour cabin food service included, they actually say they don't "nickle and dime".
Older quieter guests, no casinos race tracks, fun fairs so depends on what you want. But this is quality.
This is just our experience as customers, travelled with Viking once (been on other lines over a few years).
This is a very useful channel!
I feel that Viking is definitely one of the best cruise lines out there! We have a trip booked with them for 2025 and 2 cruises on other lines beforehand. I’m pretty sure the contrast will be stark.
@@NL4915 They were very good, you won't be disappointed! Have some friends who went on a Princess cruise in Alaska several years ago, they enjoyed that but we haven't been on one of their cruises. Anyone on here tried them?
One mistake I made was being a little too excited to book a future cruise onboard. They enticed me with onboard credit. I think they are banking on the fact that you are at sea, and aren't going to compare prices online. I booked a cruise that was much more expensive than I could get it for online after I got home (even taking into consideration the onboard credit). Thankfully, the deposit was fully refundable, and I was able to cancel and then rebook at the better rate.
True there is that onboard excitement for booking a future cruise
I have been on 2 casino offer with NCL and I believe it does save me money I'm just paying Port cost and taxes and gratuities and I am still able to get all of the free at Sea perks, but that does entice you to spend a little more in the casino because you are saving the cruise fare if you budget your gambling you can actually make out pretty good
I just think you are so awesome! I'm learning so much from your channel to go on my first cruise!❤
You’re so sweet! Thanks for watching
I’ve only been in one of the specialty dinning once. But it was for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary- it was worth it!
My hubby won a pretty good chunk of money in the casino on our first cruise. I rarely do things for myself but he told me to pick anything I wanted in the spa. I decided on a facial (first ever). I had no idea about upselling skin products. My first 45 minutes were amazing. But what I thought would be an hour long facial wasn’t. The last 15 minutes was trying to get me to buy way overpriced products that I’d never use. After about 8 minutes of me saying “No, I’m not buying anything”, she kept trying so I just grabbed my purse and the extra tip I was going to leave and left.
I’m in the beginning stages of shopping for a new vehicle and I can’t tell you how many phone numbers I’ve block practically 4 times a day for the last month from multiple calls from the same salespeople.
I was pretty achy with my last cruise, so they tried to sell me everything under the sun for my sore muscles. I told her no. But she was trying to convince me. She was really an amazing massage therapist, though.
@@ilovebonjovi1992 that’s how they make money. But to me, not pushing a customer after they’ve said no more than once could affect them in the long run with referrals.
BTW, I love Bon Jovi too. I “discovered” them when they first released Runaway when I was 16. Stood at the door of a club to watch them the first time in Houston because I wasn’t old enough to drink(drinking age was 19 then)
Hi Ilana. We're taking a cruise as part of a family obligation (cruising has never appealed to us). We're embarking from Baltimore to Quebec. We'll be on board for 11 days and in Quebec for a week. We figured that as we're going to be on a ship for 11 days, we might as make the best of it, so we upgraded our drink package, our specialty restaurant package, and our WiFi package. Since then, I've been addicted to your videos to know what and what not to do. Oddly (and here's your "I told you so moment") the closer we get to embarkation date, the more excited we're getting. I think I'm looking forward to the relaxation and food element of it. Either way, I'm going to catch up on some reading as we booked an aft balcony room. I think it may be the same room you had if you cruised on the Norwegian Sky. I just wish Salem wasn't such a far excursion from the ship as it doesn't give you much time to really enjoy the town. I just wanted to thank you so much for all your wonderful information and incredible videos. We think we might be as ready as we can possibly be for first time cruisers.
This really does sound like a nice itinerary & trip, even if unindented 😂. That aft balcony is going to be awesome! I think you made the right choice to have the different packages - I’m thinking it’s NCL & their drinks & specialty restaurants are very good
@@LifeWellCruised Yes, it is NCL. We downloaded your cruise planner a few weeks back and it is helping immensely. I also did myself the favor of paying this trip off up front so the thought of payments wouldn't haunt me. I think it makes it easier to enjoy knowing it's not on a credit card collecting interest.
That sounds like AMAZING cruise. I’m wanting to do an east coast cruise. Definitely on my bucket list. Have fun and relax!
I loved that cabin!
@@halfirish8056 I wasn't expecting to do this cruise, but if it's on your bucket list, don't wait. Enjoy it now. You'll either walk away saying "that was fun", or you'll start planning the next cruise. Life is too short to rely on a bucket list. Grab the opportunity. Say yes to the fun. Instead of a bucket list (that sounds so final), make a "trips I will actually take" list. I've flown to Europe so many times, but a cruise is nothing I ever expected for me. The closer it comes, the more I'm looking forward to it. I get the feeling this may not be my last.
Well, I just came back from that first ever cruise on NCL on Sunday. And I did get suckered into one big additional expenditure. I came up the forward stairs to the 16 th floor and there was a bunch of the Mandarin Spa ladies offering a free 5 minute or so chair massage. Ten minutes later they had me all signed up for a 50 minute plus free extra 25 minutes $199 plus 20 percent gratuity hot stone full body massage. She tried to sell me a foot massager too as I have mild peripheral neuropathy and some kinda gel but I wasn't having any part of it.
Pricing upgrades per person per day is also a tactic they use. $20 pppd sounds cheaper than $140 for a week, so people jump on it.
I usually try to get my cruise paid off in full before I step on the ship. I prepaid gratuities, internet, beverage package, any specialty dining, water/soda for the stateroom, shore excursions, and any other items that I don't want to travel with (reef friendly sun screen, snorkel mask). I also make sure I have on board credit and/or buy cruise cash so that anything I purchase while on the ship is already paid for. The cruise lines probably look at me and go "OH BOY! This cruiser has a completely fresh wallet!", while ringing their hands back and forth. Unfortunately for them, I stick to my budget and I have never had a charge go to my card that is on file. I am usually buying souvenirs for family and friends in the shops on the last sea day to use up as much of my on board credit/cruise cash as I can.
You said you prepay for the reef friendly sunscreen and your snorkel? Does that mean they have that ready for you when you get on the ship? It's been a long time since I cruised so I'm trying to prepare😊
As far as the casino rates, I use them and I just say that I am prepaying for my next cruise in the casino. Pretty much it. I do spend a lot. But to each his own. Great video and information. Thanks Ilana.
We have used the casino rates on Princess several times. We are recreational gamblers and love the casino. The key is to budget how much you will spend in the casino. We do this on land casinos also. The majority of the time we either spend very little or bring home a little extra. Ultimately we save several thousand dollars on our cruise cost.
I think another way, if you're a solo cruiser, is through double occupancy rates.
Also, and I don't know if this is going to be controversial or not but prepaid gratuities on drink and dining packages. I always throw an extra dollar or two after I order a drink and I tip the wait staff in the restaurants. But, the cruise lines charge the prepaid gratuities.
I'm going on a cruise next week and really need a spa treatment. To save $$$, instead of using the cruise line's, I purchased a Groupon to have a similar service done close to home right b4 the cruise. That cost is about 70% less than on board and I'm supporting a local business and the associated tax revenue that goes along with that. Fortunately, I am not flying to my embarkation port (rail is cheaper, just was fast and much more civilized), so I won't be twisted like a pretzel while traveling.
Honestly, Casino cabin comps are a good value for us because we are going to gamble anyway. Ceasers comps rooms, sometimes flights lol. Its the same thing
But, of you dont gamble anyway, I would not recommend doing so to try to get a "free cruise." You still pay port fees, taxes, gratuities, etc.
Our latest cruise in February, we used specialty dining for the first time. Only because we had a lot of on board credit. I was actually disappointed by the two times we did it on Rotterdam in Pinnacle and Tamerind. In Pinnacle, they put us near the kitchen. And there was a general disdain of the staff. We certainly don’t expect subservience, but it felt like we were not worthy. Tamerind was mostly that food seemed equivalent with main dining room. We have always been very happy with HAL main dining. So, experience in specialty dining confirms we stay in main dining room in the future.
I love watching your videos! So honest and fair!
I’m rooming with a cousin who booked with a casino offer. Since I don’t gamble I’m coming out ahead. It’s cheaper for me and I’m okay with it. It’s a great deal for me🙂
Lol you’re definitely the winner here 😉
Life had caused us to cancel our intended cruise in October, but we've managed to get one in late September with P&O Australia from Sydney to Noumea return.
Booking non refundable and guaranteed mini suite in MA category (access to Byron Beach club, but not labelled as a Byron Beach club mini suite) has saved us over 40% of our fare - AUD$2914 v AUD$5000.
Same cabin without the Byron Beach club 'look' and located in the same grouping on deck 9.
I prefer refundable deposits as insurance in case something comes up.
I also like to choose my cabin and don't want to be placed at the stern.
I tried telling the spa crew that I don't want to buy a bunch of products to look younger... that has never worked for me.
Another money maker is the products that the fitness center tries to sell when offering free seminars and they also charge for some classes.
Casino offers only work out to great deals if you don't spend more in the casino than the actual price of the cruise...
Good point 😂
I purchased the Have It All with HAL for my fall 2023 Mediterranean cruise.
I am surprised the cruise industry is not doing time share and extended auto warranties.
Hahahahahahahaha!!! Don’t give them any ideas!!
Haha
Just give them time and a way to figure it out….
On my recent cruise with Princess we got honeymoon gift - 50$ SPA voucher but I didn't use it because prices of spa treatments were absurd. Even with that voucher I wasn't willing to spend so much on massage or something. But I recon some people would catch the bait and spend the money.
I prob wouldn’t use it either. I have followed Ilana’s suggestion to just say up front that I won’t be buying products, but then the service was very lackadaisical. In fairness to the therapist, massage is a physically demanding job, and I’ve seen a breakdown of what they earn…without a healthy tip and the commission from a product sale, it’s only about $10 an hour. So, no reason for them to knock themselves out for me. Better to hold out for someone with a fresher wallet than mine!
That’s a good one. Congrats!
@@khoover5150 good point. I didn't know they are transferrable as there were our names on it. Will definitale remember next time ☺️
Good info as usual. ❤ But cruise lines are a finely honed business; cruisers think they’re getting value but the reality is the upsell. It’s like Disney when you get inside, all monetary hell breaks loose. 😂
…but I like cruising!
Drink packages when one person in cabin does not drink and 2nd passenger a modest drinker!
The, "Non-Compulsory", Room Gratuity. Guilted into paying more money and any Cruise Lines has NEVER proved that it goes to the crew.
Former crew/staff here. I can confirm it goes to the crew.
That is not evidence.
We give it directly to the crew member. That is one way to make sure they get it.
@@dawnhines994 thank you for sharing
We have been on 5 cruises in the last year, 4 were casino rates. We have another booked for September 11 on casino rate. We got a inside cabin plus port charges for $420 plus I get feee drinks in the casino $200 free play and $200 ship credit. I usually spend around $500 in the casino per trip. We just got back July 6th and I Spent about $550 in the casino. So it’s worth it for me. My son wanted to go with us and he doesn’t play in the casino, and it was almost $2000 for a inside cabin.
I only go on casino it's the only way I can afford to cruise. Yes you have to spend time in the casino and also spend money there. If it's something you like to do anyway and it must be a moneymaker for the cruise ship as theymake you walk right through it to get anywhere. I find the perks better than the regular deals personally.
Royal Caribbean definitely has confusing math and they do it by design. So annoying to list prices without gratuities, taxes, fees, etc. Just seems very shady but they all do that. They definitely try to nickel and dime you. Everything is too expensive. The MDR for sure isn't the same. I refuse to spend extra on food when price was ridiculous to start.
Thanks for sharing! I definitely look at the total price as it’s all confusing
Really good video. thanks,
I now book through my awesome travel agents.. All those offered are too confusing. It is hard to tell if is a good deal or not ❤🎉
This is so true! Mind boggling 😂
I am definitely using an agency next time. Really got burned with booking direct on my last cruise - it's way too confusing (I think deliberately so) in the post covid era.
If you need a great travel agent I would be happy to recommend one
@barbaralazier8352 yes please. My husband used to book everything for us and since he's passed away I'm intimidated to try to do it on my own. Also dreading the extra fee for being solo :-(
Yep percentage means nothing they just raise the regular cruise fare price so it looks like your getting a deal.
Been casino comped cruises with RC for the past 10 years or so. You need to be disciplined and stick to a budget. Cruise costs 3-5K so if I keep my loses below that it works. If I leave up even better. MGM will match your RC status so that helps. Love your channel always the best tips
Thanks so much for sharing! Smart to have a limit
Booked two Celebrity cruises with non refundable deposits. Saved around $400 on each. Ended up cancelling one of them so it balanced out, lol
Lol, at least it balances
Thongs are wrong but that makes them so right, the cheekier the better!
I wish I'd seen this before my last cruise... I'm pretty new, only 2 under my belt, but I learned the hard way after the last one. My first cruise was 2019 and everything was great - I booked directly with Celebrity and felt that I got a good price without all the pressure that seems to have become standard. This year, I also booked directly with NCL and learned what a bait and switch it was after the fact. Free at sea, BOGO, etc. was a scam in my opinion. The NCL rep was nice but really pushed everything. I won't patronize that line again for many reasons but the bait and switch was the biggest. Live and learn. I suppose much of this has to do with the lines trying to recoup their losses after covid but it still doesn't justify the sneaky tactics.
Nonrefundable deposits are mandatory for suites on Royal. In my opinion they're worth it because of availability. On board credits are only used for purchases ON BOARD. Some people are confused but if they aren't used while on the ship, they're lost 😢
Very true. I agree makes sense for suites
We have been cashing in on the gambling cruises and the bummer is is that we are cruising the same company. When you are offered the free cruise you have 30 days to make a selection and hopefully the dates you want are not already sold out. We both won a casino cruise so we are headed to the Eastern Caribbean in March and Alaska in August. For the money we spent/lost we could have easily paid for a few cruises of our choice. Safe travels all!
We will only book refundable deposits. You touched on selection of cabin selection, but I think the cruise lines are using balcony cabins as a way to make more money. I've seen some, where a balcony is twice the cost of an inside cabin.
We feel like when one sale ends, another comes up and they final price is usually about the same. I have never needed to cancel a cruise so non-refundable vs refundable has never mattered to me. The dining food has definitely gone from great (often incredible) to just good. The dining service has gone the some way with some exceptions (a few incredible server teams still exist). When we started cruising years ago, you’d meet your head waiter and maitre’d the first dining. Now, there have been cruise when we never saw them.
Good Afternoon 😊 I really enjoy your videos and information. We went on our 1st Carvinal Breeze trip. I really enjoyed it. Your tips are very helpful .
That's awesome! I'm so glad you enjoyed your cruise!
I lost $1500 on my last cruise, but was comped Balcony on the Icon of the seas (cost $6k to book myself)
You mean you actually lost cash?
I like Black Jack but I don't spend a lot of time in the casino. I live in Phoenix and only live an hour from Vegas by air. I cruise NCL and what I like to do is enter the Black Jack tournament. I think it's $35.00. You can do it on the app and your little card is in your cabin when you get to the ship. The tournament happens on a sea day and if you finish in the top you can win some cash or free cruises.
Fun!
Does the $35 cover anything besides the tournament? What is the usual minimum bet in your experience?
@dianabaker7653 $35 is the buy in and you get a set amount of chips to bet over I think seven hands. There are several dozen rounds. You can buy into as many rounds as you want. When everyone who has played who has entered the seven players with the highest chip count from a single round plays for the prizes. I hope that made sense. 😊
Thank you! I think I’ll sign up for my upcoming Alaska voyage on Jewel!
@dianabaker7653 For $35 it's good fun. On the Bliss there were hundreds of ppl watching you really felt like a high roller for a few minutes. Lol.
My husband gambles if he ever gets a chance, so get something out of it is good for us. Yes he spends a lot, but that's his vacation. Same thing for us in Vegas. We get comped well.
Learned early on (the hard way) to stay out of the spa, so I do. Do go to the casino with a set budget and expectation of not winning (have seen others win so I figure it is possible). Will do a couple specialty dinings which are usually special but not always. Not interested in the art/jewelry/photo sales. I just walk on by all the sales tables set up on embarkation day now; those are the upsale specialists.
One you've not mentioned, but we've accepted on the last two cruises .... invitations to bid for paid upgrades.
Good one
How/when does that happen?
@@KitKat-kw4ed instead of offering free upgrades, they send you an email asking if you want to bid in an auction for a cabin upgrade. About two weeks before you travel, they see how many unsold higher grade cabins there are, and upgrade the highest bidders into them. You may get a bargain, but you may be stuck with a cabin in a poor location.
I did enjoy the Infinite Veranda and I was skeptical b/c I am a balcony kinda girl. I did have the bed near closet configuration. I can see how it switching it around change the whole vibe of the cabin
Specialty dining is what gets me every time!
You are so right on. Recent cruise and all the things you said. Still a great experience and bang for your bucks. Txs so much
Went on a 7 night casino cruise to Bermuda cost $600 for taxes port fees etc spent my on board cruise credits at the casino and enjoyed the rest of my cruise . My drink and dining package payed for my cruise. I would have spent more $ at home but I stayed out of the casino after my credit was gone and skipped the shops
Unfortunately the spa staff has to sell product as they have a quota they need to meet. We are the customers the cruise line does not love as we do not meet their spend on board expectation. Love sailing and want to enjoy the destinations as well as time on board.
Thanks for sharing!! I definitely can understand
I absolutely hated the upsell I the spa! So much I didn't return to the spa!
I'm very new to cruising. My wife and I are going to Alaska next summer. I did quite a lot of research before settling on HAL as our cruise line. We got a package deal that included the fancy drinks package, crew gratuities, upgraded wi-fi, dinner at a premium restaurant, and a shore excursion. I don't mind the up-selling and tactics. We all have to eat, and I'd rather have them figuring out ways to reduce their costs while providing an affordable experience for some but also a premium experience for others. Understanding all the different options and costs for everything is part of the fun. We're embracing it and enjoying the ride.
[affordable experience for some but also a premium experience for others.] That is a great way to put all Cruising experiences. Our bucket list Alaskan cruise included no excursions or specialty dining. We just didn't have the funds. Thankfully, Cruise ships can't charge for the scenery and, although incredibly bland, include food. Walking around the ports is still free, and some of the shows abroad, are actually watchable. The pools and spas are very usable on port days when most of the crowd is ashore. And the bars, you don't have to drink, have some actually talented people performing. But at the end of the day, Alaska is worth it all. A beautiful and almost magical place for us flatlanders. Stika had eagles flocking around like common birds back at home. Juneau had hundreds of shops right outside the ship. Enjoy and take lots of pictures!
I don't spend a lot of time or money in the casino, but I still get offers for free interior rooms and free drinks in the casino. My husband likes the slots and gets offers for free suites and drinks everywhere, so those are the ones we go with lol. But as an example, we had a free suite cruise last month with free drinks that cost us under $400 for taxes/gratuities. We didn't spend the $3-4000 that would have cost us in the casino, so we came out ahead. I'm a part of some facebook casino groups and I see people talking about losing five, ten thousand dollars during a cruise which boggles my mind. My husband will take about $1000 for the casino, I might play on one or two hundred. Sometimes he comes out ahead, sometimes he breaks even, but he never loses more than what the cruise would have cost.
Thanks for sharing the info :)
I do enjoy Princess Plus and Holland Have it all. You make some good points about these. Have it all gets me $200 for excursions but I spent $1000 on excursions on my next HAL 11 day cruise! They know what they're doing!
I just sailed on the Holland America Eurodam . I hate in two specialty restaurants don’t get me wrong. They were very good but believe me the food in the dining room was delicious. I would’ve never of missed, especially restaurants. I only had to pay for one of them as one came in my package.
Great video! You really made me rethink some of the ways I spend money
Regarding the casinos at sea, they are essentially unregulated and the cruise lines can set whatever odds they want for their tables or games. Last I checked, the best overall odds are found in Las Vegas. I would take a hard pass at any gambling at sea.
i like the $10 tshirt, purse or watch sales
There'll soon come a time when vacationing anywhere will just become a thing for rich people. I'm cruising for the first time ever this coming September from LA to Mexico, one of the reasons was looking for a more affordable, much needed vacation. Las Vegas hasn't provided affordable options for working class people like me for a very long time. Gone are the cheap buffets, affordable hotel rooms, etc. I'm going to try this cruising stuff, but already with the cost of fees and taxes, preparation, excursion costs, drink package cost, I'm starting to see that no, cruises aren't a cheaper option.
I risk 200 bucks only in the casino on every cruise we got a free 7 day cruise offer and used it had to pay for port fees and tips all else was free
Only once did I book a non-refundable BUT I went to PR a day prior to be safe and was very glad I did. There were 16 no-shows on departure. Turned out the flight with ALL of them on board had to turn back over some malfunction. They all missed the ship. Can you say ouch? I doubt the cruise line comped them at all and big whoop on the airline even if they got vouchers. 1 minute late to a departure game over.
Wow!! That’s too bad
That’s a shame. Does RCL give onboard credits for their missed cruise?
HAPPY FRIDAY llana and your family hope you have a great day and magnificent weekend of fun joy xoxo 😘 🏝️🏝️🩵🩵🩵🏝️🩵🩵🌞🌞🌞💛💛💛💛💛🌞🌞🏝️🩵🩵🏝️🌞🌞🌞🩵🩵🩵🩵💛💛💛🌞🌞🌞🏝️🩵🩵🩵🏝️🏝️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️
Same to you
@@LifeWellCruisedThanks 😊
Lovely candle, and great tips!
I cruise NCL, and I retired 9 years ago. My wife and I go on a cruise 3-4 times a year. I get the drinks I want. I do the shore excursions and purchase them from NCL. With my $50 dollars off 1st and 20% off both for being a frequent cruiser. I can’t get them cheaper. I like the race cars and my wife buys a bottle of wine. If the bill at the end is few hundred dollars or a few thousand, I do not care.
Love your videos always a joy and learn so much and i appreciate you so much xoxo 😘 🩵🛳️🩵🏝️🌞🏝️💛💛💛💛💛🛳️🏝️🌞🌞🌞🏝️🩵🛳️🛳️🏝️🌞🌞🌞🏝️🩵🩵🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🩵🛳️💛💛🩵🛳️🏝️🏝️🩵🛳️
Thank you so much & have a wonderful weekend Lauren!
@@LifeWellCruised Of course Hugs 🤗
Thank you for info packed vids 😊
My casino offers are greatly appreciated! As a solo traveller, I don't have to pay a single supplement with my "free" cruises. And I play minimum bets and would be playing regardless, so the free offers and freeplay dollars are an added bonus. The cost of my 3-week Mediterranean cruise would have been prohibitive otherwise. I just hope the offers keep coming...
I would mention the "Seminars", "Chats" or "Conferences" about a certain topic and they are actually a sales pitch for some product. Also, I have to confess, I am a repeated YOLO-ist! Sue me!😁😂😂😂
Lol yes
The way one particular cruise line up sells, is by selling packages for internet, gratuity, and drink pack and than throws in other goodies.
Whereas if you purchased only what you needed, it would be significantly less...Not a deal breaker, but for some that have cruised for a long time, it leaves a little sour taste in the mouths
Booking in the the official USA website has different promotions/discount than Booking in the official European or international website. (Using a VPN) requires that only one of your party has that citizenship in order to apply the discount or promotions. May or may not include the tip etc.
Art auctions are a loser. My late Father called that type of paintings “ Art by the Yard.” Casino rates can work if you don’t mind an inside cabin. Whales(big spenders, losers) get the suites but they usually lose more than that in the Casino. Unfortunately, cruise lines are trying to retire their massive debts incurred during Covid by screwing the cruiser with all these nickel and dime extras. We like to cruise but at a reasonable cost. So many potential cruise customers are reconsidering their cruise vacations. Are they a real value compared to the beach or an All-Inclusive?
😂After we take the cruises that we already have booked I will look at the bottom line and decide. I think a lot of others are going to do the same thing. Time will tell.
We get a few casino deals but don't spend enough to get anything Free...however our friends get free suites and he comes home a few thousand ahead every time...but he has craps down to a science!
We get great casino rates-we enjoy gambling-not big-but we don’t pay for drinks-not big drinkers-we buy nothing on the cruise ship-no spa -maybe 1 paid dining option-/no excursions-we can’t vacation anywhere and get more bang for our bucks!!! We now always cruise Carnival-Diamond-we get fantastic deals!! They get casino money-enough to get our perks!!!
I need to know where my cabin is and always pay for it😢... mid ship, decks 8 or 9, close to elevators and stairs but not that much, away from noisy venues...😅
I am going soon on the NCL to the British isles and as I am not happy with their customer services, I am going to be very strict with my budget. $50 a day for 2 people is out budget On The Boat.