| If you're like just about everyone else these days, | | | | In the United States, lots of cruises leave out of the |
| you're looking for ways to save money. You don't | | | | Miami/Ft Lauderdale area. These cruises typically swirl |
| necessarily want to give up your vacation or stay at | | | | around the Caribbean Islands and the east side of |
| home for one of those pretend "stay-cations" | | | | Mexico and sometimes visit other countries on the |
| though. Fortunately, there are still ways to take a trip | | | | east side of Central America. |
| somewhere exotic without breaking the bank. Believe | | | | Also, the San Diego/Los Angeles area features a lot |
| it or not, a cruise can be a very affordable vacation... | | | | of cruises to the Mexican Riviera (the Pacific Coast |
| if you know how to do it! | | | | side of Mexico). |
| Save Money on Booking Your Cruise | | | | If you don't live in California or Florida, you can still |
| You should never ever, ever pay the brochure price | | | | save money on airfare by picking the closer of the |
| for a cruise. If you do your research, you can save a | | | | major ports. For instance, west coasters might want |
| lot of money. My mom and I are about to take a | | | | to take a Hawaii cruise leaving from Los Angeles |
| 7-day cruise to Mexico, and we are paying less than | | | | while east coasters might want to do the Caribbean. |
| $250 per person. That includes 7 nights of lodging on | | | | Save Money by Being Frugal on Board the Cruise Ship |
| the ship, all our meals, and all sorts of free | | | | You don't want to spend a lot of time and energy on |
| entertainment, in addition to the excitement of | | | | saving money booking your vacation only to run up |
| traveling to a warm climate and escaping our rainy | | | | the credit card onboard. Some of the extras that |
| Pacific Northwest winter. | | | | you will pay for on a cruise ship include alcoholic |
| There are two key times when you can save money | | | | beverages, sodas (for frequent soda drinkers, save |
| when booking a cruise: | | | | money by buying an unlimited soda card), shore |
| Book very early or book very late. | | | | excursions, "alternative restaurants," and shopping at |
| When a cruise is first scheduled (a year or more in | | | | the onboard mall. |
| advance), you can save money by booking right | | | | You probably want to enjoy some of the activities, |
| away. The cruise lines like to get cabins booked as | | | | but know that you can have a great time simply |
| soon as possible and reward those willing to sign up | | | | lounging by the pool, eating at the buffet or free |
| early. | | | | restaurants, enjoying the onboard entertainment |
| You can also get awesome deals by booking "last | | | | options, and going ashore to explore on your own |
| minute" cruises, which is what my mom and I did. | | | | instead of booking expensive shore excursions. |
| When the sailing date is only a month or so out, the | | | | Also, check the balance often on your room card |
| prices start dropping a lot. Cruise lines don't make any | | | | (which is used like a charge card aboard the ship) to |
| money off of empty cabins, so they will drop their | | | | make sure you're not spending more than you want |
| prices drastically to get bodies in those rooms. After | | | | to. It's easy to lose track when you're simply swiping |
| all, they know people are likely to spend on some | | | | to pay everywhere you go. |
| extras during the cruise, so they can take the loss | | | | Okay, that's it for my recommendations on saving |
| when it comes to accommodations. (Don't worry-we'll | | | | money on a cruise vacation. Do some research on |
| talk about those extras and which ones you might | | | | your own, and you'll likely find that a cruise, even |
| want to avoid to save money.) | | | | with extras, gives you a great vacation for your |
| Save Money by Cruising Close to Home | | | | money. Remember that room, unlimited food, |
| If you're lucky enough to live near a port where | | | | transportation to various ports, and entertainment |
| cruise ships depart, you can save a lot of money by | | | | are all included in the cruise price! |
| avoiding airfare. | | | | |