10 Biggest Cruise Rip Offs To Watch Out For
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- Опубликовано: 27 авг 2024
- Discover the 10 biggest cruise rip offs that you need to watch out for, and tips on how to avoid or overcome them. There are a number of things that, if you are not careful, you could find you are being ripped off and spending too much on. These are the 10 main rip offs that I have seen and watch out for when I go cruising.
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Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 74 cruises to date.
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As a highly experienced cruiser (38 separate cruise bookings so far), I can tell you that this gentleman knows exactly what he is talking about. One of few posters that actually does. Thumbs up!
only 38 ?
ivor nappinion 😀😀😀😀😀😀
Since you are quite a big cruiser...have you ever injured yourself on board and not been able to get off the ship for the ports?
I hope to get there Renee!! Just 8 for me.
Renee Labis this might be a stupid question, but are the alcohol free on cruise ship?
One of the things I love about cruises, is NOT being online at all. My phone is in airplane mode the entire time and it's amazing
As somebody who worked onboard for several years this is sound advice. Also be aware that in many ports the taxis that have access into the port are paying a premium to be there and charge more. Often just walk outside the port and a taxi can be significantly cheaper
I have read that rideshare companies charge much more to pick up at airports, you're better off taking a free shuttle to the nearest hotel and getting picked up there.
L
I've never been on a cruise nor are planning to go on one. But your videos are so entertaining as well as educational, I can't stop watching!
You have to take a short like 3 days! I love cruising.
You should try going on at least one! You might love it!
My husband swore he'd NEVER go on a cruise, no way, well I booked us a stateroom. He still said he wasn't going. This was a Delbert McClinton Sandy Beaches Cruise with tons of great artists. This was the one time this cruise left from San Diego & traveled down the west coast of Mexico & back up. One day in, my husband is lovin' it! I knew it.
I've never been interested in going on a cruise, but I git hooked on these videos, and now I'm thinking I'd like to try one.
Find a really cheap 7 day alaska one
mini bar , I remember when we went on our first cruise with mini bar, we nearly fell in the trap of drinking the drinks provide in the cabin,
We were on a cruise which stopped in Greece and we wanted to go to the Acropolis, the tour price from the ship was about a hundred dollars each. We got off the ship walked to the train station, paid one euro each for the train ride, about five euros each to enter the Acropolis, and when we had finished our tour of the building it cost one euro each back to the ship, we also bought an ice cream for three euros each, so all in all a good day out for both of us cost approximately twenty euros, bargain 👏👏
By having to pay to get back do you mean to actually board the ship or get to it?
@@gamingknight4763 sorry for the confusion, it was one euro to get the train back to the train station near the ship from the Acropolis, and then we walked the short distance back to the ship, no charge to get back on the ship, hope this clarifies 😀
When I walked the Acropolis it was free. Lots of construction at the time. What I missed was a guide to tell me things. I love learning while standing or touching the building.
Excellent tip!
Did you have problem with the communication/language, to get to the place and to buy things?
English is my second language (it's not perfect)
@@kathyms. we did ask a local lady how to get to the train station and she couldn’t speak a word of English and we don’t speak any Greek, but she realised we needed help and she called over a chap who could speak some English and he explained in pigeon English how to get to the station, which was spot on and they were both very helpful and we all parted ways smiling and waving 😃😃. Getting the train tickets and into the Acropolis was no problem at all, most people in those positions can speak English so it was fine 😄. I think most people in these countries try to help you, like we would here, so don’t be put off, just give it a go, but remember to give yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship before it sails, as they will wait for an organised tour but not too keen to wait for individual couples, happy sailing 😁😁
The spa would be on the top of my list. Overpriced and hard sell tactics.
In the day my lady friend and I would go up to the sauna and make use of them.
Now using the spa pool, sauna etc, you can often get a deal on them for the first day of the cruise. We paid 200 for a weeks worth, every morning, go work out and the steam, sauna, pool, jacuzzi and hot bed with oranges apples and Kevin water. Made it the best cruise ever!
Yeah the spa got us on our first cruise, but we managed to get a % refund.
@@Av8rThor this! I always get the spa pass and I'm in there all day long.
I fly, but if I cruised,I would use this guy's advice like crazy.I still enjoy this site a lot.
I used to work for one of these cruiselines, and what the gentleman says it's real: a regular coke for example can cost you various times more than in a regular market.
They offer you mostly occupancy and food, what you spend in the ship's bar will be their earn...
Thank you sir for guiding the new(and why not, no so new either) travelers...👍
One is paying for convenience like a bottle of water in the desert.
Excursions: he speaks truth! For a group of 4 (mom, dad, 2 kids) the cost adds up. In Aruba, it would have cost over $75 each (this was in 2002) to go to the beach! A local cabbie took us to the Radisson, where we used the beach, had a lovely lunch under a palm-leaf canopy, 2 went parasailing, cabbie picked us up promptly at the designated time: all for $50! (We tipped him very well). On the same trip, in Curacao, the tour prices were outrageous, so we took our chances with the cabs at the port. We lucked out big time! A local, saving up to buy property (on the island, there is the landed wealthy and abject poverty, without much middle ground) took us in his van, which he had outfitted with speakers and a microphone. He took us to the Curacao liqueur distillery, which we hadn't planned but the kids enjoyed it and even got to taste! Then he drove us on a full tour of the island, and he arrived within 5 minutes of the cave tour we wanted to do; tickets were cheap! He drove us back, got us there in plenty of time for departure, and the whole thing for 4 was well less than the $100+ EACH that ship-based tours would have cost. Plus we avoided the crowds. And yes, we tipped him very well too; I hope he is enjoying his own property by now.
Also, be careful of the shops directly near the ports you are going to, most of them if not all are owned by the cruise ship companies. Grand Caymen downtown souvenir shops for example.
....and almost all of the jewellery shops in Alaska, I might add. Skagway (pop. ~1,500) has 15+ shops in the cruise season, and none outside that season. They are owned by the cruise lines and relocated to the Caribbean and the South Pacific for the rest of the year. Then back to Alaska in May. I am a jeweller and have seen a number of ripoffs (on diamond qualities) and certainly no bargains!
Good tips Gary. Regarding the medical centre, although expensive they may be the only option. My wife and I were on a 40 night cruise from Australia to the UK via Sth Africa. My wife had heart problems when we were sailing along the West coast of Africa with no scheduled stops for many days. The ships doctor and nurse were fantastic. It cost around $2500 for a stay in the on board hospital but it was completely covered by travel insurance. I would never travel without insurance.
With my medical issue of Epilepsy, I would not travel without insurance.
How do you get that medical insurance? It's not the same one offered by the cruise line l imagine...
@@mfernandez1941 You buy separate travel insurance and medical is included along with loss of luggage, cancelled flights etc. Your travel agent sells them or you can get them on line or often through your bank if you use a credit card. I travelled a lot so I used to buy an annual policy on line which covered myself and a travelling companion (my wife). It was cheaper on line and used the same underwriter as the one from the travel agent. You can buy a policy just for the term of your trip so it's money well spent. I have never used the cruise lines policy but they may cover medical so check out their inclusions.
Thank you so much for the detailed information!
@@johnphelps9788 Thank you for that information as well.
My wife and I are traveling from Argentina to Antarctica in February 2020 and have bought a Wi-Fi package that is costing us $400 USD for the 14 night cruise. We are leaving our 19 year old, autistic son at home and its vital we have contact with him the whole time we are away. It's a small price to pay for peace of mind.
I've been to 6 cruises and all the points mentioned confirm 100% to my experience.
Ah shut up
@@thomascochran5826 Too late my dear, I said it 1 year ago.😂
@@magal55 LMAO
Another item I found to be a ripoff- the exchange rate given by the purser if I wanted some local currency. Also, on a cruise where one of the perks was 5 specialty dining dates, I had to wait in a long line to reserve the dinners. In general waiting in lines for anything while on a cruise is the biggest negative I encounter.
0:23 Rip Off 1
1:41 Rip Off 2
3:47 Rip Off 3
4:48 Rip Off 4
5:53 Rip Off 5
6:55 Rip Off 6
8:09 Rip Off 7
8:56 Rip Off 8
9:43 Rip Off 9
10:23 Rip Off 10
Thank you ✊🏾💯❗🤗
Good list! We just cruised and they had a Starbucks on board. We found the coffee on the main deck was just as good
😁😁😁
Bring a mini flashlight. You'd be surprised how often you could use one.
Excellent suggestion!!!👍🤔
Many cell phones have one.
We had a medical emergency where my son had a severe alleric reaction on his 16th birthday. It was indeed quite expensive to be treated on board, but our travel insurance covered all of it except for the epi-pen.
Wtf why not the epi pen ? American insurance?
@@adamrower8993 It was travel insurance we bought before leaving BC. I think they in turn charge the BC government for whatever they can since BC will cover some things if you get sick or hospitalized out of country. I know that BC will NOT cover epipens (we buy extended insurance for this) so it seems that the travel insurance will not either.
If you plan to spend most off the day off the ship when it is in port, time a mid-day break so you can get lunch on board your ship. You have already paid for that meal as part of your fare. A brief return to ship will give also you a chance to drop off those heavy shopping bags, wet swimsuits, take a quick shower and change into fresh clothing before going back on shore.
Never buy "art" onboard your cruise ship when they are hosting an art auction on board, if you want to be sure you are buying genuine art and that the artist is actually getting paid. Those limited edition prints are not so limited. If you must buy art on vacation, buy originals directly from the local artist in the port or buy local art from an onshore art galley. Many of the foreign art galleries in the tourist areas will package and ship the art to your home and help you with any customs paperwork so you do not have to deal with excess baggage on your flight home or surprises with your county's customs officers.
Instead of buying expensive cocktails, wine or beer onboard your ship, buy much less expensive drinks in one of the many bars within walking distance of where your ship or tender docks -- get that drink on the way back to the ship while keeping a close watch on the time so your ship does not sail without you. If you want to have candy bars, cookies/biscuits or other commercially packaged snacks when onboard, buy these items onshore instead of in the cruise ship gift shop. Some of those foreign snacks are both tasty and inexpensive.
Be aware that any bottles of wine or liquor you buy onshore at those great foreign prices will be taken from you by the ship's crew when you go through the security screening to board your ship and will be returned to you with your luggage at the end of the cruise. You will have to declare the liquor and other foreign purchases when going through you county's customs screening as well as possibly being charged for excess baggage by your airline.
Never pay for teeth whitening treatment onboard your cruise ship. The whitening with leave your with a mouthful of sore teeth for a day or two and diminish your enjoyment of those cruise buffets. Also, if you get teeth whitening done back home by a licensed dentist, you have some guarantee of a quality job and the opportunity for legal recourse if there is a bad outcome.
If you absolutely must have a t-shirt or other souvenir with your ship's logo on it, wait until the last day of the cruise when the unsold merchandise in the ship's giftshop will be deeply discounted.
Linda Wright The midday break is a great idea, we’ve done that many times (check the times the buffet is open on that day, you may have a lot of flexibility in timing). I’ve waited for the T-shirts to get discounted near the end of the cruise, but they weren’t. So don’t be disappointed if the discount never happens.
Wow. Great advice.
@@schwan44 Carnival always has the end of cruise discounts!
I wish I had seen this before I booked my first cruise. I’m a solo traveler and I was wondering why my booking went from the per person price to double. Now I know. Thank you!
Yes rooms are meant to have a minimum of two people in them... if you travel alone you will be charged to cover the two people minimum.. Best to go with a friend then you share the cost of room
@@christinefrieb3769 I'm willing to pay more for my sanity...lol
I am a solo traveler as well. Keep in mind you receive double the points
@@AnnnnnaQ me 2
That's what I don't like about cruises.
Great list...I would also include specialty restaurants. For every one that is truly exception, there's two that are not really different from the main dining room. For example, Norwegian has really pushed specialty dining with their most recent boats often having nearly 10 specialty dining restaurants--some of them quite expensive. I have had a $50 steak in their specialty dining room and then gone to the Haven Suites restaurant or main dining room and had a similar steak for free.
Speciality restaurants usé same kitchens and same chefs as other restaurants on ship
@@barbaracameron5610 In many cases but not all.
From what I heard, the appeal of these restaurants is the ambiance. Some say it is worth it, others do not. I am one who wouldn't find it to be worth it.
A big reason why we always use Princess is because we are now Platinum members (or higher) so we can get a certain amount of free wifi.
I’ve only cruised a couple of times - I hated being on the ships for the most part - but the one thing I found to be universally true was that the official excursions were the worst, both in terms of cost and quality. The best excursions I took were either booked in advance by me, where I booked excursions from a land-based tour company, or when I just got off the ship and paid a local to take me and my friends on a sightseeing tour.
I know what you mean. For a lot more you can pay for a tour that comes with your own guide for each port. I've done that a few times and had an amazing time. You get to meet new people who are on the trip with you. I can no longer travel alone so it works when I don't have anyone else to go with.
David G Austin The selling point of the cruise excursions is that if you're late the ship WILL wait for you. If you go on your own, then it's on you to be back on time.
David, a lot of cruisers told me to go by the old saying "the locals know best." I'm not surprised you said your experiences were much better with locals taking you on a tour.
I remember we booked a snorkeling excursion with a local boat Captain. Only one other group was with us. We were in the water the whole time. The cruise excursion looked like something from a Simpson's episode. Double tier boat packed beyond safety. We talked about it with our table mates over dinner. For about 100 each they got 15 minutes in the water.
We did Havana hop on and off bus tour, even though we have been to Havana twice whilst we were holidaying in Cuba, the trips we did with the hotel company only took us to some of the sites, it did not matter the hop and off tour the running commentary was in Spanish, we saw a few things we did not see during our day trips in Havana, plus with the added bonus of the cruise ship stopping in Havana overnight it gave me and my parents the chance to have a few drinks in Havana in one of the local bars.
A Scottish couple on one of our cruises latched onto me as I am as tight as a duck's arse. In port at Casablanca, he changed a fiver and had change left over afterwards. But at the end of the cruise when we had to settle up our cruise cards, he outdid me. They were held back because they had spent exactly NOTHING.
Some would say gambling on the cruise line can be a rip off with low payouts and high table limits.
And the smell of cigarette smoke is nauseating. Perfect reason to stay away.
Can you go on no smoking cruise ships ?
William Goode yes
@@barrybalik5877 it's a big boat. If you "detest" people enjoying tobacco, then stay out of the tiny tiny smoking areas.
@@barrybalik5877 btw, some people might find you smelly, but we're polite enough to keep our mouths shut about it ;)
I purchased a $2,000 art onboard a cruise ship once, only to cancel 3 days after disembarking. We discovered the same artist in a gallery in Las Vegas, and purchased a one of a kind original for $2,200, far more detailed and personal than the one on the ship, which was meant for mass production (metal art). The gallery owner had a 2nd home in my city, so we even got free shipping the following weekend.
For a first time cruiser- I truly appreciate your videos… especially this one! Thank you so much
1. WiFi
2. Excursions
3. Spa
4. Ship Photograph Gallery
5. Bottled Water
6. Single Supplement Charges
7. On Board Shops
8. On Board Medical Center
9. Art Auction
10. Coffee / Dessert Shops
Sy Guzman thank u
You are the real mvp! Thank you.
@@SheCoupons ❤ Happy 2020!!!
how about the casinos ? An example would be Blackjack. Dealer hitting on soft 17 , BJ paying 6-5
@@MrJaccdem 💛 The video didn't list the casino but I guess you can always stay out of the casino if you don't want to play or lose money.
We were on a Holland cruise on which the tap water in our room came out with rust and major sediment. After three days they admitted they couldn’t fix it. So we got free bottled water for the rest of the cruise. We weren’t worried about showering in it. I would have been sad if there had been no bottled water. And, yes, this was the exception. We love Holland.
HAL is great. We've been on 7 cruises so far, (some were back to back, so really it was 12), and all have been with HAL. No reason to switch for us unless we want an itinerary that they don't have.
Great advice! I learned about all of them over several cruises.What I did not know was that there are land based clinics at many ports! One other thing I have recently been experiencing is pressure from the bartenders for tips. I was told not to tip them (unless they gave excellent service) because of the large fee already added to each drink.
Gary can I take my own wine/ drink aboard & replenish at port stops. My beef with the cruise line is the added on gratuities with literally everything I do
@@paulinewait6575 *It depends on the Cruise Line. The Main ones will say*
*no to alcohol... Although some will say yes to Champagne and wine to* *drink in room (but again depends on Cruise)*
*Don't try to sneak alcohol in your luggage.They will likely find it via*
*search screening. So the bottom line is to check with ship regulations*
*before you book. Have fun, but do your homework. Merry Christmas.*
When an 18% gratuity is added to the bill, the server DOES NOT receive the entire amount. I asked one of the servers on HAL how the 18% worked and the server got 10% of it. The rest went to a "pool" and was divided between the other workers on board. In the case of the daily gratuity HAL charges, 35% goes to the cabin stewards, 35% goes to the waiters/servers in the dining rooms and the other 30% goes into a pool for the "hidden" staff, ie: cleaners, busboy, dishwashers etc.
That Wi-Fi tip is spot on. Went on a seven night cruise to Alaska and inadvertently left my phone on roaming for 4 days before I noticed. Got a bill for $460 from my carrier. Ouch! My own fault but I am definitely more careful now.
As a retired physician, one feature of cruising that was disturbing was the fact that the quality of medical service on cruise ships was generally inferior to that available at home. On one cruise I had to do a Heimlich manoeuvre on someone choking in the dining room, while the ship doctor just stood there and didn’t have a clue as what to do for the choking passenger. The one positive feature of this besides saving the man’s life, was that I didn’t have to buy another drink or bottle of wine at dinner for the rest of the cruise. The other passengers were very appreciative.
Same experience on my recent cruise
In that case, I am going to jump out of my chair to perform the Heimlich maneuver.........endless alcohol!
Consider cruising with Viking. Wi-VI, bottled water, excursions included in fare. Best of all, no casino on board
Great comment! Viking Cruise Line is the only one we will use because of all the crap going on with other cruise ships. We had a horrible experience on Carnival with stopped up toilets and tubs, no air conditioning and surly staff. We would not repeat that fiasco for a million dollars and that is a fact.
That’s cool. Except I love casinos
Susan T One way or another, you pay for every luxury you receive.
Difference that matters to some are the age and interest of fellow passengers.
Not a fan where most of the fellow Cruisers think “Lights Out” is 10:00pm...except in the on-board Casino.
Love that there are so many choices.
They only have a few freebie excursions. I think there’s 3 on my upcoming 13 day cruise. The rest are not cheap And if your physically challenged there is hardly anything available . May be more fun to just stay on board
But considered very expensive overall!
I developed a desire to start cruising just recently, and I’m really enjoying these videos. They are very different then the others I’ve seen.
My wife and I had not had a Formal Photo taken since our Wedding. We had a 20th Anniversary Cruise, so, we factored in the cost. It was cheaper than the local photographer.
Great idea !!!!!!
We had not had a family photo for years. We decided to take them and see how they turned out. I liked that if they were horrible we were not obligated to buy them. They were phenomenal! Plus, like you said it was cheaper than a local photographer!
I did the same with my family. I think the photo was $10 or $15 dollars. I don't bother with the photos anymore. They all tend to look the same
@@anitapickens7377 I here you Anita have been on a few cruises myself your right about that. Itt's better to bring your own camera let someone else take your picture tthere on board, usually a better outcome with that.
I have recently returned from a 14 day cruise and your advice is spot on. The problem of solo travelling is not well catered for yet on Australian cruise lines.
As another Aussie, the Australian market isn't set up for singles, whereas, the US market is. And the savings can sometimes easily pay for your airfares
I fully agree with that. Same goes for gay cruises none operate in Australian waters
To some extent I would agree on the single supplement charge. For ships with solo cabins, my experience is that they go quickly and are generally in less desirable locations: above the theatre, near the anchor/winch machinery etc.
A note on the spa pricing. You will find the premium pricing and add-ons at most luxury spas anywhere, land or sea. Having worked at Forbes 4 star spas for almost 10 years I can say that though you pay a lot, the therapist doesn't get paid as much as you think. They may get 20% of the service cost, not get the full 20% gratuity that is automatically added on, and if they don't hit their sales number can have their pay cut further or position terminated. So if possible waive the added gratuity and tip your therapist personally.
Therapist.....where did that job description come from. It's all garbage.
I did buy a 12 pack of water for $4.50 for the room. I'm cool with that.
Gary, as always you are spot on. I'm continually amazed at the "revenue generators" the cruise ships have ongoing. For instance, Carnival offers their Cherry On Top shop--why oh why would you spend many dollars there when just a short walk will get you the same thing on the Lido deck??? All your other points are exactly correct. Well done. Love cruising, hate rip offs.
I actually work in travel, and I have to say a lot of the things you mentioned I had no idea about. Thanks for the information.
Excellent tips! I never buy wifi, water packages, drink packages, buy art, buy jewelry onboard, or get spa treatments. I even get free wine or champagne at the art auctions. I do hate the single supplement. I paid 100% of the fare on my first cruise to Mexico. Thank you again for excellent videos! I also never buy the photos. We take our own or ask someone to take a pic.
Package is not worth? I counted I will drink for free after 5 drinks per day:D
After 13 Cruises I feel I can say, Gary is SPOT ON with this advice ❤️❤️❤️
We got ripped off once and it was upsetting to the point of spoiling the holiday 😐
I've done the match on solo cabins. One time it was a difference of a dollar between the cabins w/single supplement and the solo cabin. Re: the water, I have found that the bottled water people can NOT be re-trained. They don't even drink tap water at home and I don't even try. I always grab a teabag (fruit ones are great) and put it in my water bottle. You get iced tea.
Great tips, I totally agree with the spa. We spent alot at the spa, and were suckered in with the hard sell on products. It was our honeymoon and first time cruising so we just decided to enjoy the whole experience and vowed next time, we avoid the spa all together 😄
Agree! The spa is a rip-off!
Why do you need to go to a spa on a cruise? What is so special about it? Seems that just making it seem special on cruise is how they hook you.
Beside a rip-off the spa personnel have no license in massage. I asked in a free tour one time and really got laid into .
Once I got lucky getting a really stylish haircut like Barbara Streisand bob. The stylist was amazing. I gave her a good tip. But unfortunately they were out of that product she used on my hair. I saved $200 as that Italian made stuff was priced on the 🚢. But I bought a similar for $50 while in Italy.
You forgot the included gratuities such as the room steward or the table servers. Inform the purser that you will pay direct and to remove the automatic gratuity from your booking. Then you can pay the steward and table server with CASH at the end of the trip. Much better for them.
Doesn't that mean that all the other non visible staff don't get a share? i.e the pool attendants, the people that clean the ship, wash your bed linen etc etc :(
They’re going to charge you anyway so you may as well pay when booking.
We took a cruise to Grand Cayman and used Google maps to walk across Georgetown to the Cayman Spirits Co. It was an available excursion but we did it for free, with the exception of the alcohol we purchased. Next we unexpectedly got a ride with a nice local lady who took us to a genuine Caribbean restaurant basically unknown to tourists. Then we called a cab to take us back to the ship with plenty of time to spare. It was an unforgettable experience and I can't wait for our next cruise!
I agree with everything except the Spa and Excursions. I agree there is an upcharge for both but you are paying for convenience with the Excursions, as mentioned. I have done tours from the ship and independent tours. Really just depends on the size of the group I'm going with and length of tour. There is a sense of comfort knowing you won't be left by the ship if something happens with a long tour.
I will do a spa treatment every once in awhile as a treat and I usually do it on a port day. Again, more of a treat for me.
Gary, Another Outstanding Cruise Video. I've done 15 cruises, I wish I had watched this before I stepped aboard the first one. You are an excellent blogger!
I hate when a cruise ship has single cabins but they are still charging a massive supplement vs the cheapest twin cabin of the same type. It's often at least 50%.
see if i understand this: I pay the fare for passage - cabin, food. they want, say, USD4000 return. because i travel alone but have paid the 4 grand they're gonna charge me at least another say 50% and my fare now becomes $6000? do i have that right?
@@STScott-qo4pw yes, it can be double the price if it is a 2 person cabin but if the cabin only fits one person, it’s supposed to be, only a little more than say $4000.
I have never taken a cruise. Thank you for the video. At 53 I hope to take my first cruise this summer by myself.
You are still a bit young? ;)
My advice would be to take a short cruise, 3 or 4 days to see if you like it and if don't get seasick. I've seen a person take a 12 day cruise for their first one and spent half the time confined to their cabin throwing up.
Quicksilver Did they take the strong dose of seasickness pills and still throw up?
@@schwan44 They didn't have them and refused to get anything from the infirmary due to cost.
@@quicksilver2510 i worked on a ship for 13 years in the casino cash desk on celebrity, we give them for free if you come to us and ask, also infirmary has them in the free dispensers for crew(not sure if guests have them). So ask a cabin stewart and he can get it for free for you as well :) they give it out like candy for the crew, cant afford to have sea sick crew ;)
Agree with everything except for coffee. The speciality coffee shops usually serve excellent coffee especially when compared to the slop they call coffee at the buffet. Which I have never found drinkable. May be ok on the upscale lines such as Oceania but not drinkable even on the premium lines.
Similar with the gelato shops. Much superior to anything you get anywhere else on board.
Gary...You are always cruising. I'm so JEALOUS!!!
I’m jealous of me too ...!!!! I can’t quite believe how fortunate I am
You are envious not jealous.
Use the proper word.
What is so fun about spending time on a floating toilet?
HAPPYTOWN LEADSTOMYHOME I’m soooo jealous too.
There is at least one posibility to cruise cheap(er) or for free(or even get paied to cruise) 🙂.
I agree with the photographs , we only bought two on ship and this was on our first cruise
The casinos weren’t mentioned but stay out of them if you don’t want to be ripped off! Smuggle your booze on board if you can. I never go on the ship’s excursions either.
Casino techniclly does not qualify as a rip off because the person should know exactly what can happen at a casino.
My view anyway
Or have your porter get alcohol for you, in port. Don't forget the tip.
Chances are you will be caught if you try to smuggle in booze. I believe that when you first embark, you are now allowed to take on board a bottle of wine to be consumed in your cabin, just tell them you have it with you. You can also bring on board a certain amount of soda and bottled water. If you are going to do either of the last 2, I would recommend that you get into your port city a day early and find a grocery store, if they have them. The grocery stores in Europe may not be generally nearly as large as in North America. The U.K. have supermarkets now.
@@hume6900 there are RUclips videos on how to put liquor into wine bottles without detection.
@@gregkienle3378 I haven’t heard this one. Will they actually do it for you????
You already touched on this, but the toiletry items sold like nail clippers and a hair brush and such. This can be avoided by Googling a cruising checklist before the trip.
While I agree that the art auction is a rip off the upside is most offer free champagne at them so I always go to them have a few drinks and leave never bidding on anything.
Nice.
@@purselmer5931 This is the sort of genius that I come to youtube for. :)
@@Jarrod86202 LOL, right???
Is it free to attend and just observe, or is there some sort of entrance fee?
@@ilovesparky13 So far on the cruises I have done that have an art auction there is no fee to go to the auction and they are generous with the bubbly. On one or two that I remember you have to register for the auction but you are under no obligation to bid.
I used a reusable water bottle with a filter and worked out great for my family and me
Yep I will take my small filter kit with me.
Yep the insulated bottles or even a flask keeps drinks cold for hours with ice cubes added
I can confirm the spa prices, the basis massage on NCL Getaway --- was 150.00 plus 20% gratuity. I said okay, I'll treat myself...NEVER AGAIN....it was not worth it.
Spa is crazy expensive. It was $258 with gratuity for 80 minutes massage on cruise I am on
Happy Ending ?
@@michaelvoisey8458 You can do your own happy ending with pay-per-view for a lot less than $258.
@@53pittmanjt Yes but it is not as good
@@michaelvoisey8458 You gets what you pays for. And of course one's cashflow is a factor. Try mineral oil. We should prolly stop this discussion as this is a family channet :-)
I have never cruised, but the shopping of a cruise itself seems to be already an adventure in itself. We will see.
My wife and I have had the idea of spending our next holiday on a cruise. This annoying pandemic has put all plans on hold but when things are back to normal we are going to look at a local cruise first so as to 'get our sea-legs'. One of the first things we will also do is to look at more of these excellent video tips. Thank you, Gary.
Hop On Hop Off seems like it marks you out as a “TOURIST”. But they are a Very good idea! You can ride as long as you like. The tour guides are very often informative and funny. The big plus for me is you learn where you want to visit on your own. Mark the location on your map and plan all or part of your following days going to your favorites. That is if you are staying in the location for more then a day.
Hate to tell you this, but people on cruises ARE 'tourists'. I know we dont like to admit it but we are !
On MSC They wouldn't serve tap water at any restaurants. We bought some in port and they tried to take it, but we were able to make a case for us having a human right to potable drinking water , plus some begging nicely and they let us keep our eight 1 litre bottles. This was some years ago. I don't know if it is still that way, that you can't be served tap water.
Great tip about the excursions! The hop on hop off bus is always the way to go. Also, I didn't realize how expensive it is to use wifi on board! So crazy! Thanks for another great video!
Thanks!!! Appreciate you watching. I love hop-on hop-off busses
Wifi onboard is sent through a maritime satellite which is expensive
It’s good to do some research on every port to find what works best. Sometimes the city is in walking distance, no excursion needed, or cheaper to book a local tour. Sometimes you can even take a regular local bus to your desired destination. Other times, I have found that the excursion offered through the cruise line is the best option, showing you the whole island for example. It also makes sense to watch out for the description of the vehicle that’s used on the excursion. Open safari vehicles can be quite scary, while buses are usually safer.
WiFi cost the cruise company an absolute fortune, as the providers of this service charge unbelievable high amounts. Check what super yachts pay, crazy amounts..
Another big rip up in my opinion is the specialty restaurants. I noticed at least on the two cruise lines on been on which is Princess and Royal Caribbean, menu of the food venues that are included in your fare also I have some of the items that you would pay a premium at a specialty restaurant.
I was wondering, when it comes to sailing single. Would it be better to book closer to the cruise date when the liner is looking to fill vacant Cabin? After all, a single person in a double Cabin brings in more money than sailing with that Cabin vacant.
I've actually found some great sales on board on embarkation day. Plus there are often things on the first day that you won't see later on in your voyage. So it's worth checking out even if you end up not buying anything.
So, glad I found your channel! Great info for novices like me who plan to retire and enjoy life!
Thanks 😀 Appreciate you watching !
Bonnie Macaraig he is so good & informative.
Agreed 100%. Such a shame the operators see rip-offs of their captive audience as good business. It spoils the warm, friendly and polite atmosphere they try to encourage.
True
How did they rip you off?
It’s a choice
Although I like my Wi-Fi, I feel like cruises are a good way to get away form all that and give us time to relax and enjoy the cruise and spend time with people :)
We do a lot of research about the ports we are stopping in before hand so have a good idea what we want to do. Unless it’s a really exceptional excursion we aren’t interested in giving up our money.
Great advice. My friends went to a resort as a day trip and had spa treatments in Fiji. I had a hair cut in Vietnam for $10 instead of $65 on the ship. If you like brewed coffee buy a coffee card or drinks package.
I hope the cruise lines don't start banning you after this. Seriously, it shows you're not just a cruise line spokesman pretending to be an objective reporter. Thanks.
Hope not too !! Balance is so key I think and I try and do that overall ! I love cruising and want to get as many people to try it and love it too, so making sure travellers well informed about the pitfalls as important as the wonderful parts to have a good time. I hope the cruise industry understands that!!!
@@tipsfortravellers I'd rather know a few tips than to have a really nasty experience to tell EVERYONE!!! the cruise ships won't like that either ...people should know so that they can make and educated decision (?) It's their money and if they have a great time they will be repeat customers which is evident in the comments
Isn’t this all common sense?
Ship sponsored shore excursions do cost more; however, if you are in an area where English is not widely spoken, roads are not clearly marked and you are not familiar with the area, you need to evaluate the risk. Also, if you want to see something that is several hours away from your port, a ship sponsored tour will make certain that the ship will wait if the bus is late. If you are not on a ship sponsored tour, the ship will not wait for you.
I have done both official and unofficial tours and found benefits in both. Relax and enjoy man.
If you purchased travel insurance, it will usually reimburse you for the cost of medical center visits. We found our only trip to a ship's medical center (40 cruises, this was the only use) to be less than the cost of a doctor visit/prescription in the US.
Thank you for mentioning all these areas, Gary. Special warning about art auctions on cruise ships: they have been court cases based on fraud from the auctioneers. Be very careful when they tell you that your art is a Picasso or a Rembrandt. Ask yourself how likely it is to have these kinds of quality artists represented on a cruise ship. Check online for court cases. Having said that, I have purchased several inexpensive pieces of art that are still on my walls and I enjoy them every day. I never pay more than $100 for a piece of cruise art. Buy it because you like it. Do not buy it because you think it’s a good investment. It is not. And be careful with regard to shipping. Read online comments about Cruise art that was never delivered or was damaged in shipping.
Also, to save on excursions, buy and bring your own snorkeling gear and just follow the crowds. You’re guaranteed to have something to do if you get to port without any plans or ideas. And the cost of snorkeling gear is less than 1 excursion and you can use it at every stop.
I wouldn't go snorkeling on a fjords cruise but ok
@@normalisboring2831 Question: Are there enough lifeboats for the passengers and crew?
I would also suggest to follow the crew. I have and found excellent internet cafes and food stores at reasonable prices. They know the best spots in every port of call. Keep your eye open and learn.
Best advice ever. Clear, concise advice.!
My friend and I bought what we were told was gold chains and braclets .. they turned brass weeks later. Lesson learned.
An important benefit of 3rd Party tour guides >>> my "bathroom" needs are unpredictable and sudden. I am NOT incontinent, but I have learned to team-up with 1 or 2 other couples, rent a suitable-sized taxi (with tour guide) and let the driver know in advance of my unpredictable bathroom requirements. Often, these independent drivers can better map the route they will take, based on the availability of public bathrooms (and/or bathrooms in commercial establishments). We ALWAYS have a ball, get to see everything, and >> have no 'accidents'. (I've done this in Casablanca, St. Maartan, Cozumel, etc.)
I turn off the tech when on vacation.
Me too. It goes in the safe and I listen to music on an old ipod
Always wonderful information. Gary you are so warm yet direct and clear. I’ve enjoyed and recommended / shared many of the videos. I’m on the celebrity silhouette in March.
Since my first cruise in 2006, I started planning early and making to do lists and the day before if we are driving to the port the next day is I will do a spa day the before we leave and the day after we get home and it is much cheaper and I am so relaxed because I have done all my packing, the dogs are at the boarding facility etc.
We disconnect from all social media while on vacation and want to soak in all of what we want to see and do while on vacation. No need to contact anyone as we have planned well in advance and our family has all of our trip plan and emergency trip info on who to contact and how to reach us during our trip and how the cruise can contact our family.
Great tips in your videos. We enjoy watching them and we can't wait to cruise again in the near future.
Hop on hop off buses are wonderful…I’m surprised that more folks aren’t taking their own photos.
To point number 8, medical care, I would urge everybody regardless of how healthy to get travel health insurance. It‘s very cheap, will pay for the onboard medical center and could save you from financial ruin.
The shops have good deals on inexpensive ladies evening bags. I always pick up 2 or 3 for gifts for my girl friends.
I have a question, can you eat in the lounge area if you bring a bento box from the buffet area, or are there places where you can’t bring food and drinks? Are there places you can go to be quiet or relax to read a book and have a cup of tea if you’re allowed to take food or drinks out of the buffet area? Do most cruises have a library, reading room or something to be very quietly social? Can you use a fan in your room?
Carnival uses a 3rd party company for the spa services and the spa techs only get paid from sold services--hence the hard sell for spa services.
You are simply the best! I continue to learn so much from you. Thank you for another excellent video.
Re: Art: You don't actually have to bid to buy artwork. You can submit an offer to the dealers for substantial savings. The auction is really just for show - you can haggle! Often, you can match (or beat!) prices found online and from the distributor (Parkwest galleries). I have actually bargained about 30-40% off the asking price on 2 pieces I bought at sea, and these were exclusive to the cruise ships (They were Romero Britto pieces that had been given the 3D treatment).
Some excursions are extremely expensive and safety is no guarantee. Zip-lining can cost you US$300 or US$400 for an ice field tour as they carry you by helicopter.
Awesome information. Thank you! I’m going on my first cruise next week. A seven day Alaskan cruise.
It has been my experience that you can get good deals on fine jewelry if you do your homework before going on the cruise. For example, if you are looking to buy a particular brand of designer watch, check out the prices sold locally in your stores and compare those prices. I have purchased designer watches and other fine jewelry cheaper on the cruise ship than at home. But you must know your price points before embarking on a purchase to avoid paying too much.
Going with premium and luxury cruise lines can eliminate alot of these since these items would be included.
river cruises and oceania ocean olife includes excursions, even airfare sometimes and transfer airport
Yeah, must be nice to be rich and able to afford that upgrade. *eye roll*
My wife managed to slice the end of her thumb off on a Cunard cruise. The medical department charged over $400 to look at it and arrange a taxi to the hospital. The Norwegian hospital only charged around $40 to X-ray the thumb numerous times, re-attached the thumb and supply all the dressings and sling.
It took me a few cruises to learn some of these, you’re spot on
So, everything the cruise offers.
Short answer: yes
I think the preset tipping is another area. I usually go to service counter last night and tell them I want it removed. I'll tip who I want, as I want. Don't try to sell me a "cheap cruise" then make me subsidize your staff separately and in addition to my cruise price (and port fees and taxes, etc.).
Recognize that the per-person, bottomline tips, each day, added to your bill, goes to everyone......not just the people you see. The "cheap cruise" is the 21st century standard with very low upfront costs, and the cruise lines make their money on the backend. Don't wait until the last night.....recommend tips each day, or "front end" your cabin steward. The staff will approach you after the second day, in restaurants, the pool, even at the buffet, and make your stay incredible. Your cabin steward will reward you...trust me. Tipping everything at the end does not motivate people while you are on board.....to me it makes no sense.