Exactly! We've done that several times. We got some lunches for under $20 on sale. One of our favorites was the Taste of Royal on RC that we got at a good price.
The day pass to the spa is a great value. We waited a few days and they had a $40 unlimited in and out pass. It was great, we went to the spa 4 times that day! 😊
Excellent video! I usually dine in the steakhouse three or more nights per cruise. I've never thought to just order the surf n turf in the MDR for 1/2 the cost, brilliant!
Years ago, we went on a southern Caribbean itinerary with Princess. It was a week long cruise, but it also had 5 port stops. They had also recently changed the smoking rules so that my husband could no longer enjoy a cigar on the balcony. So for the same price as a standard balcony, we chose a window suite. It was huge, with floor to ceiling windows the length of the cabin, a soaking tub in the bathroom, and all the perks of a suite (mini bar, specialty dining breakfast venue, and room service). Added bonus was that the window suites had their own quiet corridor, and the cigar bar was close by. 😎
I’ve been using aarp gc’s almost exclusively for a while now and and started donating plasma and using those funds to buy the gift cards. Our cruise that embarks in 4 weeks we have a balcony and are going to the steakhouse for the first time. Our first two cruises we did excursions at each port. This time we’re only doing one and gonna see what we can’t get into on our own at the other port. Getting really excited and can’t wait.
The best that was shared to us and we continue to advise is to get a balcony for a scenic trip like Alaska, Norway, etc. Trips are longer and the route has long stretches of time withthose views. And, the DaySpa/Thermal Spa is great, especially at colder destinations!!
Carnival's FTTF (Faster To The Fun) used to be very affordable. Nowadays it is pretty expensive for what you get. I am now Platinum so I do not need FTTF anymore. My favorite part of it is the priority embarkation and debarkation.
Just subscribed. What took me so long???? Loved your idea about turning the dining room experience into specialty dining by ordering off of the menu. Will be using this tip on the Utopia on Oct 28th.
We’ve done FTTF on our last two cruises, and both times, when we needed to visit Guest Services, the lines were quite long and we were so happy we could get in the much shorter line. And this was not on the first day of the cruise - one was in the middle, and the other was on the last day. We felt it was worth the money and will be doing it again on our next cruise. But, as they say, YMMV. 😊
I always get excited when I see you've done another video. The numbers display is so cool and creative. You'll be at 100 K soon I am sure. You really got me thinking about paying extra steak or lobster at the Main Dining Room. That does sound like a cheaper way to get better food.. Thanks. BTW,I still haven't found those Celebrity coupons on AARP. It's definitely not under cruised under benefits on the App.
Although a drink package is undoubtedly expensive, it is nice to be able to order whatever we want without thinking that we might not like it but have to finish it because we paid for it.
Princess Plus is definitely worth it since it includes gratuities. RCL's Key isn't worth it unless you barely pay more for wifi that you would have gotten anyways.
Great video. I don't think you should spend of the drink package, especially on a port intensive cruise or on Carnival with their private islands. My thinking is, if not having the drink package makes you control your drinking, it is a good thing. Many lines allow you bring a bottle of wine each. On Carnival, we do get the wine package. It is reasonable and we would normally get a bottle of wine with dinner. We did NCL with Free at Sea, where the drink package was included. We didn't drink anymore. We do get Faster to the Fun when they have tender ports. It can take forever to get off the ship on tender ports, unless you have an excursion through the cruise line. We like to be able to drop off our bags in the room when we first arrive. We are not that young anymore. Dragging around our carry-ons until 1:30 is a pain. Next cruise we will be platinum, so Faster to the Fun will not be needed. I would say, a balcony room is an absolute must for any cruise in Europe or Alaska. As for specialty dining, it all depends. For example, I hear people raving about the Italian specialty dining. I have tried them a couple of times and always was disappointed. We grew up with Italian restaurants in S. Philly and NYC. Ship board ones just seem a step above Olive Garden. The steak houses are similar to a Ruth Chris, which I like. The problem is, I can go down the road to a Ruth Chris anytime. I have already paid for the MDR so the Steak House is not that great of a value. Now the Chef's Table is a whole different thing. At least on Carnival, it is a deal. You would pay 2 to 3 times more for a Chef's Table on land. Carnival has an Ji Ji's Asian Kitchen. It is currently $24. It is a good deal. Service is fantastic.
You have to do the math for your own individual situation. The rule of thumb I'm hearing is that you'll break even at 6 to 8 drinks per day. That may sound like a lot, but consider they're using 1 ounce shots, not 1.5 ounce. If you're in the habit of drinking 3 doubles at 3 ounces each, that's 9 drinks right there. It's also different per cruise line. We're looking at Princess Plus that includes the drinks, prepaid gratuities, and wifi, and for me, those 3 items alone are worth it. Then add 2 premium desserts per day, 2 "prix fixe" meals per cruise, and a few other niceties, and it's a slam dunk.
I cruised 30 days last month on Holland America and Celebrity in Alaska and Hawaii. I paid the cruise fares and the gratuities. I paid additional gratuities to the room stewards. I paid about $100 in Laundry on HAL and about $25 on t-shirts and post cards over four weeks. Nothing on excursions as we made our own plans. On excursion in Juneau would have cost of $270 for two through the cruise line, cost us about $80 when we did it on our own. We spent nothing on specialty dining. You will note that once cruise lines like RCCL and NCL start emphasizing specialty dining, they let the included options go to heck. And Celebrity is getting more and more like RCCL every year.
Great information, although I don’t agree on the Beach Club at Coco Cay. I think it is so worth the extra money, especially if 2 ships are in port that day. The Beach Club is such an elevated experience, with a menu that rivals specialty dining, amazing service and such a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere. Well worth it for me!
I love coco cay cabanas. The hideaway cabana with the pool was my favourite but it’s adults only. Granted it is expensive but I just like the service and central spot for my family to always come back to if they wonder off.
We just had a sunset corner balcony yon Celebrity Reflection. Our itinerary was messed up by Milton and we had two sunny sea days and starry nights. We did soend a lot of time out on that balcony even though it was a 4 nighter.
Non-ship excursions arranged early in the day (to avoid late return) can save bundles of money ( be aware that mountainous and cool climate mornings are often foggy!)
I never thought of ordering off the "specialty" menu in the Main Dining Room as a cost savings, but I see it! Wish I would have done that on my last cruise. MDR food on Norwegian was just "meh."
Have to agree with Faster to the Fun. We booked it for our cruise that was supposed to have four tender ports, but the itinerary changed and we hardly used it. Good for boarding day though, no waiting. We aren't going to buy it for our cruise next year.
Get a 3 speciality dinner package to save some dollars but get variety for food options or Pre book a meal at a discount to add a single meal to mix it up also
If you have a tender port (you can always check these in advance), then the "Faster to the Fun" makes a HUGE difference, saving you a lot of time on your already limited port time.
I recently had a cruise with a stop in Catalina. I got the first tender into port with zero issue at all despite not having FTTF. It just seemed that most people didn't want to get out of bed yet.
I definitely splurge on food, drink, and wifi packages as well as an ocean view cabin (unobstructed)... everything else is not as important to me and is a maybe.
Not for me: drink package, photos, art, jewelry, cruise line excursions, spa, balcony. Yes to specialty dining, esp. chef's table. I mainly do transatlantic cruises.
Yes, my last Carnival trip, I had to lug my bags around because my flight got to port early so I went ahead and boarded. When I have more control over my arrival time, I just show up later and head straight to the room.
Love your video. I learned about AARP gift certificates from your channel. Sadly, it doesn’t look like they carry Princess gift certificates any longer. Have you heard anything about this?
I am *hoping* that splurging a little bit in the casino will lead to them sending us some *freebies.* I don't know how much I have to spend to get that, but I've already set some limits in my head, which, when the time comes, is going to be what I put in the account.
What people do with there money is going to depend on way to many variables. I'm Retired and going to spend it on what makes me happy don't give a rats ass what you do, with yours
I've never understood purchasing anything on private islands. As for Carnivals FTF, I'd say only if the majority of your ports are tender ports and you book nothing but third party excursions..and only if you book those third party excursions that start shortly after you dock..and won't agree to wait because you are in a multi ship tender port. That such a narrow range as to say don't bother for 95% of cruisers. Bag drop off..why? Just give everything to the porters.
Never give everything to the terminal porter. There are many items you must carry on the ship in your carry on bag. Also, there are items you may need especially if your luggage is late or missing the first evening.
@@dchenkin02 theres virtually nothing needed that much that you cant carry in pockets, a smal lbag or backpack. And the odds of luggae not showing up to the next day are ridiculously small. No one needs a full sized bag or carry on with them whiel boarding.
Most Americans don't live near the ocean. Also, most Americans don't know the species of lobster in the North Atlantic, Caribbean, Pacific coast and elsewhere in the oceans are not the same. Lobster on a cruise is frozen, not the same as buying a live Maine lobster in New England high end seafood restaurant.
Great advice. When I want to try specialty dining, I often save by going to lunch instead of dinner. Sometimes half the price
Exactly! We've done that several times. We got some lunches for under $20 on sale. One of our favorites was the Taste of Royal on RC that we got at a good price.
5:24 - Having a balcony on a Panama Canal transit was well worth it!
The day pass to the spa is a great value. We waited a few days and they had a $40 unlimited in and out pass. It was great, we went to the spa 4 times that day! 😊
Love me some day pass. Wayyyy cheaper than a service and you can go as long as you like.
Excellent video! I usually dine in the steakhouse three or more nights per cruise. I've never thought to just order the surf n turf in the MDR for 1/2 the cost, brilliant!
Me neither.
Definitely a Spa pass. It saved our rainy Bermuda cruise this past Spring.
I never realized you can get a spa pass. Sounds like a something I will do on our Hawaii cruise.
Years ago, we went on a southern Caribbean itinerary with Princess. It was a week long cruise, but it also had 5 port stops. They had also recently changed the smoking rules so that my husband could no longer enjoy a cigar on the balcony. So for the same price as a standard balcony, we chose a window suite. It was huge, with floor to ceiling windows the length of the cabin, a soaking tub in the bathroom, and all the perks of a suite (mini bar, specialty dining breakfast venue, and room service). Added bonus was that the window suites had their own quiet corridor, and the cigar bar was close by. 😎
On a 34 day cruise we booked HAL Neptune suite, it was so worth as we could relax in our suite when we did not want to be with other passengers.
I’ve been using aarp gc’s almost exclusively for a while now and and started donating plasma and using those funds to buy the gift cards. Our cruise that embarks in 4 weeks we have a balcony and are going to the steakhouse for the first time. Our first two cruises we did excursions at each port. This time we’re only doing one and gonna see what we can’t get into on our own at the other port. Getting really excited and can’t wait.
I haven't had any issues with the buffet or MDR. In my opinion, both are really good.
You said what I tell my clients! Thanks😎
The best that was shared to us and we continue to advise is to get a balcony for a scenic trip like Alaska, Norway, etc. Trips are longer and the route has long stretches of time withthose views. And, the DaySpa/Thermal Spa is great, especially at colder destinations!!
Great video! Thanks for all you do!
This video was EXTREMELY helpful!! THANK YOU!!
Glad it was helpful!
I have ordered lobster in the dining room for a much cheaper price then visiting the specialty restaurant. Great call out!
Thank you for a very informative video… Lots of great tips!!
I like having a window and I've found ocean view is nice and much cheaper for me as a solo cruiser
Thank you! I'll definitely look into the thermal pass for the day spa when I get on board :D I really enjoy all the extra amenities :D
Cool video thanks. Have ya ever cruise on Holland cruise? If so do you have video? I seen some videos but I value ya most
Carnival's FTTF (Faster To The Fun) used to be very affordable. Nowadays it is pretty expensive for what you get. I am now Platinum so I do not need FTTF anymore. My favorite part of it is the priority embarkation and debarkation.
Just subscribed. What took me so long???? Loved your idea about turning the dining room experience into specialty dining by ordering off of the menu. Will be using this tip on the Utopia on Oct 28th.
Thanks! Be sure to tell your friends...acquaintances... enemies... people you randomly see on the street.
We’ve done FTTF on our last two cruises, and both times, when we needed to visit Guest Services, the lines were quite long and we were so happy we could get in the much shorter line. And this was not on the first day of the cruise - one was in the middle, and the other was on the last day. We felt it was worth the money and will be doing it again on our next cruise. But, as they say, YMMV. 😊
I always get excited when I see you've done another video. The numbers display is so cool and creative. You'll be at 100 K soon I am sure. You really got me thinking about paying extra steak or lobster at the Main Dining Room. That does sound like a cheaper way to get better food.. Thanks. BTW,I still haven't found those Celebrity coupons on AARP. It's definitely not under cruised under benefits on the App.
Thanks. Those are a lot of fun to do! Just checked and Celebrity is listed for me (along with Carnival, RC, and HAL).
Although a drink package is undoubtedly expensive, it is nice to be able to order whatever we want without thinking that we might not like it but have to finish it because we paid for it.
Princess Plus is definitely worth it since it includes gratuities. RCL's Key isn't worth it unless you barely pay more for wifi that you would have gotten anyways.
I agree on not paying for faster to the fun.
Great video.
I don't think you should spend of the drink package, especially on a port intensive cruise or on Carnival with their private islands. My thinking is, if not having the drink package makes you control your drinking, it is a good thing. Many lines allow you bring a bottle of wine each. On Carnival, we do get the wine package. It is reasonable and we would normally get a bottle of wine with dinner. We did NCL with Free at Sea, where the drink package was included. We didn't drink anymore.
We do get Faster to the Fun when they have tender ports. It can take forever to get off the ship on tender ports, unless you have an excursion through the cruise line. We like to be able to drop off our bags in the room when we first arrive. We are not that young anymore. Dragging around our carry-ons until 1:30 is a pain. Next cruise we will be platinum, so Faster to the Fun will not be needed.
I would say, a balcony room is an absolute must for any cruise in Europe or Alaska.
As for specialty dining, it all depends. For example, I hear people raving about the Italian specialty dining. I have tried them a couple of times and always was disappointed. We grew up with Italian restaurants in S. Philly and NYC. Ship board ones just seem a step above Olive Garden. The steak houses are similar to a Ruth Chris, which I like. The problem is, I can go down the road to a Ruth Chris anytime. I have already paid for the MDR so the Steak House is not that great of a value. Now the Chef's Table is a whole different thing. At least on Carnival, it is a deal. You would pay 2 to 3 times more for a Chef's Table on land. Carnival has an Ji Ji's Asian Kitchen. It is currently $24. It is a good deal. Service is fantastic.
You have to do the math for your own individual situation. The rule of thumb I'm hearing is that you'll break even at 6 to 8 drinks per day. That may sound like a lot, but consider they're using 1 ounce shots, not 1.5 ounce. If you're in the habit of drinking 3 doubles at 3 ounces each, that's 9 drinks right there.
It's also different per cruise line. We're looking at Princess Plus that includes the drinks, prepaid gratuities, and wifi, and for me, those 3 items alone are worth it. Then add 2 premium desserts per day, 2 "prix fixe" meals per cruise, and a few other niceties, and it's a slam dunk.
Very helpful
Art and jewelry are both over-hyped and over priced on a cruise ship.
Look, the people who buy those things subsidize the rest of us. They make the cruise line money so we don't have to.
I cruised 30 days last month on Holland America and Celebrity in Alaska and Hawaii. I paid the cruise fares and the gratuities. I paid additional gratuities to the room stewards. I paid about $100 in Laundry on HAL and about $25 on t-shirts and post cards over four weeks. Nothing on excursions as we made our own plans. On excursion in Juneau would have cost of $270 for two through the cruise line, cost us about $80 when we did it on our own. We spent nothing on specialty dining. You will note that once cruise lines like RCCL and NCL start emphasizing specialty dining, they let the included options go to heck. And Celebrity is getting more and more like RCCL every year.
Great information, although I don’t agree on the Beach Club at Coco Cay. I think it is so worth the extra money, especially if 2 ships are in port that day. The Beach Club is such an elevated experience, with a menu that rivals specialty dining, amazing service and such a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere. Well worth it for me!
I love coco cay cabanas. The hideaway cabana with the pool was my favourite but it’s adults only. Granted it is expensive but I just like the service and central spot for my family to always come back to if they wonder off.
We just had a sunset corner balcony yon Celebrity Reflection. Our itinerary was messed up by Milton and we had two sunny sea days and starry nights. We did soend a lot of time out on that balcony even though it was a 4 nighter.
Non-ship excursions arranged early in the day (to avoid late return) can save bundles of money ( be aware that mountainous and cool climate mornings are often foggy!)
It's foggy unless it's raining... :)
I never thought of ordering off the "specialty" menu in the Main Dining Room as a cost savings, but I see it! Wish I would have done that on my last cruise. MDR food on Norwegian was just "meh."
Day spa pass and beverage package are my splurge. Sometimes dining package.
Thank you for sharing! Has anyone ever told you that you look like Frankie Avalon?
Agree
Did unlimited wi-fi free at sea $22 pp per day unlimited drinks
Did 4 excursions so far. $240 excursion deciding.
Have to agree with Faster to the Fun. We booked it for our cruise that was supposed to have four tender ports, but the itinerary changed and we hardly used it. Good for boarding day though, no waiting. We aren't going to buy it for our cruise next year.
We splurged on an oceanview cabin VS. an interior. I will not waste my money on specialty dining since I already paid for so much great included food.
I have been very disappointed in specialty dining. I rarely go anymore
Agree but at least on NCL I enjoy the complimentary dining!!!
Get a 3 speciality dinner package to save some dollars but get variety for food options or
Pre book a meal at a discount to add a single meal to mix it up also
My casino perks (free drinks in the casino, free room) earned me enough cruises to get priority boarding/shuttle service for no extra charge.
If you have a tender port (you can always check these in advance), then the "Faster to the Fun" makes a HUGE difference, saving you a lot of time on your already limited port time.
I recently had a cruise with a stop in Catalina. I got the first tender into port with zero issue at all despite not having FTTF. It just seemed that most people didn't want to get out of bed yet.
I definitely splurge on food, drink, and wifi packages as well as an ocean view cabin (unobstructed)... everything else is not as important to me and is a maybe.
If you don’t have a balcony, on Royal, snag a deck area cabana bed for free, that makes up fort not shaving balcony
Not for me: drink package, photos, art, jewelry, cruise line excursions, spa, balcony. Yes to specialty dining, esp. chef's table. I mainly do transatlantic cruises.
As far as priority on the tender boats; when you search for a cruise the website will tell you if a port is a tender port.
FTTF used to be totally worth it until they increased the price. Just being able to not worry about my bags was my biggest asset.
Yes, my last Carnival trip, I had to lug my bags around because my flight got to port early so I went ahead and boarded. When I have more control over my arrival time, I just show up later and head straight to the room.
Love your video. I learned about AARP gift certificates from your channel. Sadly, it doesn’t look like they carry Princess gift certificates any longer. Have you heard anything about this?
I saw princess gift cards yesterday in the rewards section of AARP
Hmm, I just checked and nope, I don't see them.
What is the name of that cenote in your opening scene?
I would splurge for running water and electricity . . . but nothing more.
SKIP the art auctions!
I’m dumb….. I paid over 600 for the streaming package for a 17 night Hawaiian cruise…… so much money
It sounds like you’re getting kickbacks from cruise lines.
"Don't buy stuff on the cruise line's private island."
"Sounds like you're getting a kickback."
Yes WiFi is expensive. But you want expensive. Try airlines. Up to $35 for WiFi on a 3 hour fkight
FTTF is not worth it for us.😊
I can’t stand hearing his voice either!💙💙💙
Sorry I posted this to the wrong place😂
I am *hoping* that splurging a little bit in the casino will lead to them sending us some *freebies.*
I don't know how much I have to spend to get that, but I've already set some limits in my head, which, when the time comes, is going to be what I put in the account.
What people do with there money is going to depend on way to many variables. I'm Retired and going to spend it on what makes me happy don't give a rats ass what you do, with yours
I've never understood purchasing anything on private islands. As for Carnivals FTF, I'd say only if the majority of your ports are tender ports and you book nothing but third party excursions..and only if you book those third party excursions that start shortly after you dock..and won't agree to wait because you are in a multi ship tender port. That such a narrow range as to say don't bother for 95% of cruisers. Bag drop off..why? Just give everything to the porters.
Never give everything to the terminal porter. There are many items you must carry on the ship in your carry on bag. Also, there are items you may need especially if your luggage is late or missing the first evening.
@@dchenkin02 theres virtually nothing needed that much that you cant carry in pockets, a smal lbag or backpack. And the odds of luggae not showing up to the next day are ridiculously small. No one needs a full sized bag or carry on with them whiel boarding.
I think it's subjective to the particular person. Some people like content creators have to have WiFi a lot don't need it...its in a way subjective.
What is it with Americans and this thought that lobster is something special?
A giant bug.
What it us with non Americans that you think all Americans are the same person?
Most Americans don't live near the ocean. Also, most Americans don't know the species of lobster in the North Atlantic, Caribbean, Pacific coast and elsewhere in the oceans are not the same. Lobster on a cruise is frozen, not the same as buying a live Maine lobster in New England high end seafood restaurant.
I'm not a fan but I live in the Midwest so it's definitely a treat for those who like it. Lobster is also super-expensive where I live.
So true, thanks for sharing on ways to save, I completely agree!!!! 🛳️🛳️