Your Hack #13 is spot on...the exact type thing occurred to us in Belize - we took a private company, they took us to the same location the ship was going, served us wine on the bus, fed us a small lunch after the event and even carried our tubes ( about 2/3 of a mile) through the tour until we arrived at the river - one more thing the tour guide loved his country and explained so much to us and kept us laughing a lot...when we were at the river, we saw our cruise ship passengers carrying their tubes and not looking like they were having fun. Most importantly, the private tour was about 60% of the cost of the ship tour and we were very happy to give our guide an additional tip
@@joegalka1 It sounds like you guys had an amazing excursion! We will be in Belize for the first time later this year... Would you mind sharing who you booked with? I'd like to look them up!
I totally agree! We ALWAYS book our excursions directly through the Tour company. I pay about half of what the cruise line charges. Plus, if you do end up running late, there is a number you can call to the ship to let them know you are running late and they may wait for you.
So I watched this yesterday and you talked about seeing if the price for the cruise drops and to email the line and see if you can get a price adjustment before your last payment. My last payment is this week but I decided to email Virgin as I was watching the video and was able to get a price adjustment within 2-3 hours! THANK YOU! I'm unable to do it for my cruise for next month, but I will definitely continue to keep this in mind!
A hack I learned was to create your own suite by booking two adjoining rooms with a balcony. Did this once and they removed the partion that usually exists between balconies. Also, it was like having a 2 bdrm, 2 bath suite. Of course do the math to make sure the savings are there.
If connecting staterooms costs the same as a suite, I'd take the suite. Suite passengers get perks that you wouldn't get otherwise. When I travel in a suite, I get free alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks in the suite passenger lounge. There are also many other advantages.
@@GeeBee212 Agreed, if the prices are the same I'd rather have access to the private lounge and restaurant vs more room but often times the suites are more than 2x the cost of a balcony room so I would say it just depends on the price!
Just an FYI I believe Princess may be one of the few that you can be sure if self-service laundry. We just got off 14 days in Alaska by combining northbound and southbound trips. We planned for 7 days of clothes and washed on day 7 when the ship was virtually empty because it was turnaround day for the new passengers getting on board. It is a total of $6 for wash and dry and you don’t need change. Your medallion is swiped and it gives you tokens. Bring your own soap pods to save a lot. Just a tip. We found that the highest decks have more washers because they are catering to suite guests up there, but anyone can use them.
Oh that’s great. Wondering if you experienced a lot of rain. I have been to Alaska 6 times and this was the most rain ever. I was on NCL Bliss in May 2024 and Royal Princess this last week.
@@sheri1972 Our helicopter/dogsledding excursion in Juneau was cancelled due to the rain and then the next day even though it was nice in Skagway, our excursion was interrupted because of a mudslide from the rain the day before. Our helicopter tour operator said it's the most reason they've seen in 27 years in business.
After more than a few cruises, I choose my cabin type and location very carefully. The optional upgrade will not necessarily give you a choice of location. This is especially true for those who need the location to be in the mid ship for a smoother ride, those who want to be near or far from the stairs and elevators, or not located under or below a busy or noisy activity area. About the gratuities, some of the crew may be aware of whether or not you've paid the gratuities and will base their personal service to you accordingly. Paying the gratuities ahead and also being generous with your cabin steward and other crew members will greatly improve your overall experience. It's amazing how much your cabin steward can do for you if you have a special request. This, in my never to be humble opinion, is not a good place to try to save money. Also, be aware of any special onboard credits offered such as being over 55, military and veteran status, place of residence, and more. Be aware of the Family at Sea presentations and do give a like and subscribe. They have top notch information for cruisers of all experience.
@@bluefluke7585 Thank you for the endorsement, I truly appreciate that! It's funny - I'm currently working on two videos that cover nearly exactly what you're saying (one on cabin locations and the other is a more general video but in it I specifically say the crew members often know if you remove gratuities and your level of service will be adjusted)... It's like you're in my head 😜 Thanks for watching...happy sails!
One hack that I do for vacations in general is to pack everything I bring in one suitcase which i pack inside the next larger size suitcase. This way I have plenty of room to bring souvenirs back and only have to pay for the extra suitcase on the return trip. Great for cruise vacations as well. A hack my friend uses is to bring mostly socks and underwear that will be "retired soon" and then throw them in the garbage instead of bringing them back home. Creates room for more souvenirs. Interesting.
@@FamilyAtSea Sharing is caring. If the vacation is 7 days or less, I will use the small and medium suitcases. However, for my 14-day Norwegian Star cruise from Lisbon in Nov/Dec, it will be medium and large. Especially with 4 days in Porto before and 5 days in Dublin afterwards.
@@johnd.9 That sounds like an incredible itinerary! I worked for a company based out of Dublin earlier in my career and I'm hoping to make it back there sometime soon on a cruise ship. Happy sails!!
@@desertinutah And you will LOVE the Mediterranean... Check out our recent vlog episodes from our sailing on the Celebrity Equinox through the Mediterranean!
Hi, thanks for all the tips, I'm a rookie solo cruiser first time was last year, and even tho I knew zero I had a lovely time and fell in love with the experience and have booked again for this year. Some of your ideas could have been very useful last year, but we live and learn don't we? You have introduced some great ideas to me - thank you
I've found cruising is a great way to travel solo. You can do your own thing but have support. and if you make new friends, you can hang around with them.
@@elnamayberry Obviously based on the name of this channel, I typically cruise with my family, but I did my first solo cruise and truly enjoyed myself. Solo cruising isn't for everybody but it's amazing for the right person!
Another one you missed: book your next cruise onboard. There is often OBC offered, and the reservation can be transferred to your TA of choice for further savings. Norwegian has both the Cruise First and Cruise Next programs, which give you discounted deposits. Also, a tip for adult cruisers: if you see your cruise is offering Kids Sail Free, do your research via social media to see the effect it has. KSF has been a nightmare for us more than once with many, many families taking advantage of that, and the kids run amok. Doesn't always happen, but we've definitely experienced it ourselves many times.
@FamilyAtSea Norwegian's is easy! If you can explain Royal's Next Cruise in a way that makes sense, I'd appreciate it! To me, unless you're on a Royal cruise that coincides with a release date, i struggle to see the value, but we ALWAYS buy Norwegian Cruise Next certs when we're on a cruise!
Right from the beginning I was hooked after seeing the WVU wall plaque. Great video, spot on with all the hacks. Another hack I tend to use is to book on older ships as they tend to be less expensive as the newer ships with the bells and whistles.
I like to bring drink packets instead of bringing soft drinks. I dont really mind the cost of soda...I just don't like or need all the sugar. And...I get exactly what I want.
@@rickros3677 That's actually a really good idea that I hadn't considered before! I stick to the Zero sodas when I drink them, but drink powders would be even better. Thanks for sharing and watching!
Travel agents will definitely not give anything out of their commissions. The benefits cost them nothing. The moral of the story is read the "FINE PRINT". The video could be shorter but good content. Best value for money is inside cabins since you only sleep in your cabin. I worked at Royal for years and noticed that very few guests actually used their balconies regularly. Guests just take a balcony or suite for bragging rights which is a stupid concept but hey guess not everyone can be humble😊. Just remember if you upgrade while onboard on certain cruise lines into suite rooms you will not get all the benefits compared to if you booked the cruise before embarking.
@@Libra67jtc Somebody else mentioned TAs aren't supposed to give kickbacks (and I would never ask for one or even taken one), but I've seen them offered on a daily basis by TAs who have large followings on Facebook, so it definitely exists. Where I think TAs bring value with regards to price though are finding pricing abnomolies that can save people big money + having group rates that will save people considerably over retail. (they also can do many other things to provide a better experience beyond simply saving people money) One other thing to note - I couldn't care less about the rooms, but the value for me in a suite isn't in the rooms or the bragging rights (who cares?), but the private lounges and restaurants that offer an opportunity to escape the crowds without a doubt makes them worth it if the price is right. I appreciate the helpful feedback. It's feedback like yours that helps me continually improve (if you look at my more recent advice videos like this one, you'll see they're much shorter). Thanks again and happy sails... You are appreciated!
Great hack ideas. I appreciate your advocacy for using a travel agent to get the best price, it is true that agencies do quite often have better rates than booking direct with the cruise line. But you made one comment about some agents will discount their commission to lower your price, well actually cruise lines frown upon travel agents doing this and will even ban an agent from selling their product if caught doing this. Asking a travel agent to discount the price of a cruise by cutting into their commission is like asking a waiter in a restaurant to pay for part of your meal from thier pay check, it just isn’t right to do. 😊
@@dalebetts5658 I appreciate you sharing your perspective! I've never personally asked for anything but I do see your fellow TAs doing that pretty frequently so I had no idea it was against regulations! That's good to know... Thank you for watching!
Highly recommend buying a bus/ferry pass when docked in Bermuda. Do this on a day your ship is docked overnight. Inexpensive. My daughter did this last year. 17 years ago my husband and I got a bus ferry pass combo. You can explore all the beaches. Recommend Warwick long bay beach.
Great advice, thank you! We haven't made it to Bermuda yet! We were supposed to last year and they rerouted our cruise... Looking forward to it when the time comes!
These are great tips. I did do the tip of calling the cruise line when I saw a sale, and we had 2 back to back cruises, and saved $750 on one, and $900 on the other. I don't see any cancelation available for tips, and truly just wish they would either add to the price, or truly give us the options. But don't call optional, what isn't (the cruise line solicitation on board is another pet peeve). I subscribed, because we are trying to cruise as a replacement for expensive airfare while we take our winter trip away.😊
@@elizaC3024 Awesome you were able to save so much money... Love hearing stories like yours! I have another video being published tomorrow that will help you save even more!
We cruise with our kids but even we prefer the sailings during the school year when there are less kids! I think even our kids appreciate well-behaved kids 😜
100% agree, the price difference is huge. We did this and all we really did was check with the school teachers to make sure there were no scheduled exams. 🎉
See my long lengthy post of how I found out about all of these things the hard way over a 20-year period. Guaranteed to hit home and make you laugh add all the crap I didn't have available to me then that I would today. I would be so much richer
Hi! New sub here; great job on the video. I totally agree with all of your tips. Another way to save a bit on specialty dining is to book it well before your cruise. Some cruise lines have pre-cruise dining specials, and I like to take advantage of that. Blessings!
About bidding on upgrades, if you're looking to do this, that's great, but also keep an eye on the cost of just paying to upgrade. We did this in 2022 on NCL for a 2BR Haven suite. As the Haven got close to selling out, I checked the price of our desired suite vs our upgrade bid, and it was close enough to just book it. That way we were guaranteed to get it, we were able to choose our suite from the few that remained, and we got the double Latitude points for sailing in the Haven that we would not have gotten if we had won a bid. Ultimately, the Haven sold out, so we were glad we decided to do it the way we did.
@@pamelam9621 Yes, the offseason differs based primarily on the weather in different locations. In Alaska for example, they really only sail April - October but the prime months are June - August, so if you cruise there during what they call the shoulder seasons (April, early May, September), the prices are quite a bit less. In the Caribbean it's heavily related to when kids are in school and hurricane season (June - November).
Very nice videos. Clear speech and nice photos. About the laundry: I take detergent sheets and a water proof bag and do my own. 40$ for a load? That’s , as you say, “crazy”
That's a good idea, I'll work on something to cover those things! Norwegian includes a drink package in their base pricing (you only pay taxes and gratuities), but that just means you're paying for it on the frontend. If you get the Internet/WiFi package when you originally book your cruise with MSC, it's typically only $4-500/person so that's honestly probably the best deal out there, but you're going to get nickeled and dimed on plenty of items on every cruise line out there unfortunately (unless you book the high end luxury lines that are truly all-inclusive). If you have specific questions, let me know... Happy sails!
Normally, a third party excursion is a good way to go. However, having the cruise wait for you is not the only benefit (which we needed in Osaka when the traffic returning to the ship took 2 hours longer than expected). One other reason for a cruise line excursion is refunds for canceled excursions. We had to miss a port in Fiji, the cruise line refunded us but others on the ship with 3rd party excursions were out the cost of the excursion. Many may not have these experiences, but twice I've had a cruise line excursion be the best option.
These are great tips. I did do the tip of calling the cruise line when I saw a sale, and we had 2 back to back cruises, and saved $750 on one, and $900 on the other. I don't see any cancelation available for tips, and truly just wish they would either add to the price, or truly give us the options. But don't call optional, what isn't (the cruise line solicitation on board is another pet peeve).
@@elizaC3024 Really happy you were able to save so much money... That's awesome! You can discuss gratuities onboard but I don't think they'll let you before the cruise. Happy sails!
I have heard that some ports in Jamaica can be dangerous, especially to do on your own. And some third-party companies are not as concerned about getting you back to the ship on time. I’ve just heard these on other channels and there might be a travel advisory about certain parts as well.
I certainly understand, but as somebody who has been to Jamaica many times, I don't find it any more dangerous than many US cities. You know what you're comfortable with and I'm not trying to convince you otherwise, but I've had no concerns being there with my wife and children. We've also never had an issue with an excursion getting back late, but it's always wise to keep an eye on the time and speak up if you feel things are running behind!
@@lesliesnowdon1360 We have things we like about all the different cruise lines! Celebrity is a great one if you want a cruise without a lot of kids (there will still be some). MSC's Yacht Club is fantastic if you're looking for a more elevated experience.
@@lesliesnowdon1360 If you want the latest and greatest, Celebrity's Edge-class ships are what you're for: Edge, Apex, Beyond, and Ascent (and soon Xcel). If you want a more classic cruise experience without as many of the bells and whistles, the Solstice-class ships are great: Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, and Reflection. The MillenniumS-class ships are the oldest but they're well-maintained and some swear by them. They all have redeeming qualities though so you really can't go wrong!
@@FamilyAtSea thank you so much. I will investigate those. It might take awhile. lol. We are looking for a smaller ship as crowds make me anxious in my old age. 😵💫
@@lesliesnowdon1360 I would highly recommend either one of the older Celebrity ships or Holland America. These are both great cruise lines with few kids and mid-size ships that won't be too big (but also big enough to have a variety of things to do and great shows). Happy sails!
I have found that by booking with the cruise company gives you priority departure from the ship. Sometimes those booking with 3rd party operators are held up several hours especially when ferry boats are in use due to improper port facilities. On those occasions one might get only half as long on shore as to those who book through the cruise company. Also I have heard of several who have arrived late back at the ship only to find that the gangplank has been raised and they have then been required to fly to the next port to catch up with the ship. Cruise lines are rather strict on their departure times and this encourages travellers to use their onboard excursion bookings.
@@keithpopowski291 What cruise line did you see have that experience with TAs and boarding? We have cruised on nearly every cruise line out there and I've never once see that be the case. You're right about what happens if you get back late, but the same risk exists if you book an excursion through the cruise lines as a family found in Ketchikan, Alaska a couple months ago when their NCL excursion got them back late and the ship left them.
I can't claim to be a veteran. That flag flew on base in Afghanistan and was a gift from a friend who served there and sacrificed much. The flag has great meaning to me but I didn't earn the respect that comes with it, but it means a lot to me because of the respect I have for my friend who gave it to me (and all the brave men and women who defend our freedom).
If you book early maybe 9 months to a year ahead you should get a better price than later on. If you think you’ll get a better last minute deal you could but these are usually the 3 or 4 day trips. The disadvantage of last minute is that you are likely not going to get a choice of room or location and don’t forget all the cruisers especially on Royal Caribbean who chose not too select their cabin on booking to save a couple of dollars only to get bumped off the cruise right on boarding day. Book ahead, choose refundable deposit if feasible or if the deal is good and it’s a super low non refundable deposit why not go for it? You might only be out a hundred dollars or so.
@@TripReviews Agree with this. Booking late can be good for unexpected, last second trips but definitely is not a strategy you should bank on planning or even having a choice of good cabins as you said!
For different ports we used different companies. We booked with Coastal Helicopters in Juneau, Island Wings in Ketchikan, and Affordable Car Rental in Skagway. Be sure to watch our Alaska cruise tips video! th-cam.com/video/cggiftmgowA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=7QUoxA0ZnuGa0LJT
Just made final payment August 3rd. Wish I'd known to price watch Jan 2017 = 3 day Bahamas Ft Lauderdale Jan 2024 = 7 day NCL Solo Galveston Dec 2024 = 12 day NCL Solo Miami
Although I agree in part with your excursion tip, it's worth bearing in mind the location. We have done both cruise and private but if we had done private in Alaska when there was a mudslide, we wouldn't have been covered unlike where the cruise line options were transfered to another location where 2 lines collected their passengers affected. Also, MSC offer a Fun Pass which gives you a pre-credit to spend on arcade etc at a reduced amount (ie pay 70 get 120)
@@gordonforrest1006 We were actually in Skagway last week so I happen to know that the cruise lines recovered everybody trapped on the wrong side of the mudslide, including those doing private excursions. We did all 3rd party excursions and things went fine for us. I understand the risk we take doing things on our own, but my recommendation is still to do things outside the cruise lines... The experiences are a big enough improvement to be worth the minimal risk (and don't forget, a family was left behind and had to find their own way home despite being on a Norwegian excursion in Ketchikan a couple weeks ago). --- re: MSC's Fun Pass - we actually have a different video with tips for families on MSC and I recommend that exact same thing... You're right, it's a tremendous deal! --- Thank you for watching and commenting!!
What are some key things to look for when trying to find a reputable third-party excursion company? I think a lot of people are worried about being scammed ( me included).
That's probably something worth it's own video! But I think the biggest would be if people are willing to vouch for them. If you ask in FB group if anybody can recommend an agent and 6 people recommend them, that's probably a good sign. The agents I see offering the best deals typically have a lot of loyal clients because they've helped so many people. I'll have to put some thought into this though, that's a valid and important question!
@@ccrreilly22 The best ones I know specialize in specific cruise lines so they can master everything about them. Do you know who you'd like to sail on?
I have only sailed RCL. Please let me know who you like and which cruise line is your most and least favorite ? Thank you-liked and subscribed in Florida@FamilyAtSea
❓️My travel agent offered me 50. obc to book with them. Does this come from the cruise line i booked with or does it come personally from my travel agent?
You didn’t mention (and I couldn’t find in the chat) shareholder benefits e.g. buy 100 carnival share and you get extra onboard spend on all the carnival lines (e.g. $250 extra onboard spend on Princess for a 14 night cruise). At the end of the day you can sell the shares so (unless they drop massively) it’s a free benefit. Not sure if other lines have the same scheme.
@@SpinningSpud Ah, that's a good one that I definitely should have included! I think all the major cruise lines offer that, it is definitely worth noting... Thank you!
Cruise lines should pay their crews a decent wage but then they would have to list that extra $20/person automated gratuity a day in the listed cost. Gratuities are automated not mandatory. You do not have to pay them. I have them taken off on embarkation day and the night before disembarkation decide how much I will pay daily based on the service received. It’s ranged from $0 to full amount. Tips are given for good service….I tip those I have direct contact regardless.
I understand your perspective and that's valid. I've asked crew members and they have told me that when people remove gratuities it does impact their pay, so I choose not to do this because there are lots of people who work very hard to ensure we have a great cruise, and some of them are behind the scenes that I wouldn't have an opportunity to tip. We also tip extra beyond the $20/day/per person (which is really $80/day for a family of four like us), because we believe they're worth it...how lucky are we that we get to experience these amazing cruises?! Taking care of the people who work so hard to take care of us may not make a big impact on our lives, but it may make a big difference on theirs! Happy sails where you venture next, and thanks for watching!
On the Celebrity cruise last year, I had to tell the TA about the sale I was looking at online for $500 less for a Concierge Class stateroom and had to have her go back twice to get the price drops when on sale. BUT I will say that she ended up getting us $586 in onboard credit.
12:30 Most Cruise lines are stopping cruisers from bringing on water and soda. Norwegian and Carnival are my most recent cruise lines and both have stopped or changed the water and soda policies. 13:15 Don't forget, if you are putting your cruise on a credit card, those prepaid gratuities will be charged interest for every month you do not pay them off. The chances of you getting hit with a gratuity increase before you sail is not that great.
@@thenoeticskeptic5819 Appreciate the feedback! My recommendation with CCs is to always pay your balance off in full each month and you use a rewards card, but your point is still valid!
Gratuities.....why don't cruise companies simply increase wages and do away with them?. Much easier for everyone and as a customer I don't feel nickled and dimed.
@@NapoleonDynamyte Because it's the right thing to do. I'm consequent with my thoughts and avoid corporations which aren't "fair" to one of their key stakeholders, namely, their Teams.
Is there a site to find reviews of ship excursions? I’m on a Royal Caribbean cruise next year & I’d like to hear what other passengers have thought of the ship’s tours & excursions before I pay a lot of money for it. Where can I look for RCCL?? Trip Advisor & Cruise Critics don’t cover shore excursions. They might mention it, but is there a website that allows reviews on specific cruise lines? Thanks!!
@@cberry6751 Your best bet is probably Facebook groups or Cruise Critic. You may get lucky and you're able to find them on TH-cam (we show a bunch in our vlogs), but I know there's many that are hard to find!
The only thing about tip #13 is if you ever have a port of call get cancelled, which just happened to us for our first cruise, having booked our excursion through the cruise line, we were automatically refunded. I dont have experience with trying to get money back from a private company due to a port stop being cancelled but I would imagine it’s not as easy.
@@tommon02 I'm sure different companies may operate differently, but all of them we've ever booked with have always issued refunds when this has happened. They typically state in their policies that they will refund if a port is cancelled or delayed. These companies know their livelihoods depend on handling situations like this the right way because if they take your money, people will see that in online reviews and future people won't book with them (the same reason they will make sure you don't miss the ship)!
@@Nancy-nx9cf Yes, the best way to avoid kids are to sail when kids are in school (so avoid summers, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break). Or you can just sail on Virgin Voyages since they're adults-only!
Maybe stick with cruise lines and ships that cater more to adults than children. 🤷🏼♀️ Any ship with a waterslide and arcade is bound to have children. Also, families who homeschool, typically vacation when traditional schools are in session, as it’s more affordable.
@@gavinnaylor1428 We have not a transatlantic yet but there's a FB group called "Repositioning Cruises" specifically for finding deals on sailings like the TAs!
@@rayhill5767 Or even longer in some cases! I would say the most expensive time is probably 2-3 months in advance before the urgency of filling last second cabins kicks in.
@@lindaparry7491 I'm happy it at least worked out with Celebrity! We only recently booked our first cruise on HAL (Alaska next summer) so I don't know quite as much about them, but I'm surprised to hear they didn't price match... Very disappointing!
@@tala1246 A good TA can not only save you money, but also headaches with recommendations and proactively preventing issues. Not all TAs are created equal though so be sure to find one that comes highly recommended by people you know and trust!
@@Jlux823 They will meet you right at the port. They're basically a private chauffeur for the day (but it's very reasonably priced... Our trip was cheaper than a similar trip through the cruise line).
And don’t listen to people in these groups. Take advice as guidance not law. Half the stuff people tell you in those groups is wrong. Don’t listen to the complaining either. Their experience doesn’t mean it will be your experience. Research and book the best for YOU
Generally, we do our own excursions whether that be on our own or through a third party. However, if there is a serious concern for safety - Falmouth, Jamaica or Belize City - I would pay for a ship excursion.
We've never had an issue in these locations or had any concerns for our safety, but I understand we all have our own thresholds for personal safety and you should always do what you feel is right for you!
We've booked a couple of 3rd party tours for our trip in NZ later this year, already paid. Others are with the cruise. Haven't set a budget per se as yet. But the plan was not to do any specialty dining, although we have paid for one now. Our 30th wedding anniversary dinner, as the itinerary changed and we will be at sea. But with drinks and food paid for, and hubby hates shopping I think we're going to be ok. It's only our pre-cruise stay in Sydney I'm worried about (accommodation paid for).
It sounds like you are going to have an amazing anniversary! Congrats on 30 years... We're not even halfway there yet but it's amazing how fast the years go by!
I already know the cruise that I want to go on but should I still reach out to a Travel Agent? I'm pretty picky on what I want but I would like to save money if I can. The ship is Holland America's Eurodam for next Sept to Alaska and I am getting 2 onboard credits. Any suggestions? (New Subscriber)
@@anns1921 A good TA can definitely save you some money, so it's absolutely something to consider. We just got back from our first Alaskan cruise (recording a video of lessons learned from Alaska as we speak actually!) and one of the big things I'm sure you've already noticed is that everything in Alaska is EXPENSIVE!! September is during the shoulder season so it won't be quite as bad but excursions and everything else there is pricey so if you have an opportunity to save money by working with a TA, I would highly recommend it. Don't just go to any TA though, search Facebook for a group for that specific sailing (search for the ship name + start date of the cruise) as well as some other HAL Facebook groups and tell people you're looking for a group rate for that specific sailing and with some luck you may find one. Thank you for watching and subscribing...I hope our upcoming Alaska content will be helpful for you!
@@robmoore5907 There are broker websites like Viator who aggregate all the different tour options that make things easy and you get the assurance that things have been vetted to ensure they're trustworthy. So that's one option, but they're not the actual tour operators so you're paying a premium since they're essentially a middleman. Another option is to book directly with the tour operators. This can take a bit more research but you can do this easily in FB groups, on Cruise Critic, or simply by searching Google. In the Mediterranean we had one of our best tours ever in Cinque Terre with somebody we found through WithLocals and we had another great tour through a company called RomeInLimo. We have videos of both of those on our channel if you look at our recent vlog episodes from the Celebrity Equinox. Smooth seas and happy sails!
Celebrity MOVE UP doesn't award points for the upgraded cabin, therefore I never bother to bid on MOVE UP offers. Also, LEAVE A FUTURE CRUISE DEPOSIT. You can't lose. On CELEBRITY you get a bottle of wine when leaving a FCD on Day One. And ALWAYS apply for the cruise line credit card. BOA Visa is no fee and I have earned close to $2,k in OBC over past few years. Double points for Celebrity charges.
Important caveat about hack #5... On some lines you'll have no foresight about the cabin beyond the class. You won't know where on the ship this room is or any other specific considerations (obstructed view, location specific to high traffic sreas like the pool deck), and if your bid is accepted you are now married to that room. You cannot go back. May the odds be ever in your favor!
My wife and I are going on a cruise in April 2025 on Carnival Mar Gras for our 25 Anniversary. My question is I already booked a handicap room and I only made a deposit for it. We got the Balcony room can I get a lower price on the cabin that we got?
@@timmyblackwell3561 Yes, check the price for the same category of cabin and if you see the price drop, call in to Carnival and they will price match! Enjoy your cruise... Happy 25th!
I disagree about ship excursions in VietNam. Hanoi and Ho Chi Min City are long days in a communist country. It’s WAY wise to take ship’s excursions there. And when you finally make it back to the ship (ours was The Celebrity Millennium), there’s the crew directing you to the Lido, reassuring you that the buffet has stayed open later than usual and you’ll have plenty of time to eat. I think one may also want to take a ship’s excursion in Berlin too. (Baltic Cruise), because it’s a ways from port, which also makes another long day. At that port our ship ended up waiting for 3 private excursions. They were late. So the moral to this story is weigh the options and see what kind of situation that you’re in and what you want from your excursion.
@@lindahaas385 I know many prefer the safety of the cruise line excursions and I get it. My recommendation is what it is, but I certainly understand people on the other side of it!
@FamilyAtSea I should have also added that in VietNam, there are very few private excursions. Everything is controlled by the government once you get there, especially in north VietNam. We were warned that the northerns were much stricter, which they were. We had one couple from the ship that wanted to take a taxi (it sounded much cheaper), but they had to walk quite aways, plus pass thru the government check point. Our ship excursion bus passed them up and I saw only 2 Taxis waiting at what passed for a taxi stand. It was certainly an interesting country. We had 4 stops there. My husband had been in the VietNam conflict and it was worth every penny. There were many veterans on board with us. At that time Celebrity gave discounts to military for this cruise. That was a 31 day cruise for us, boarding first in Australia.
@@lindahaas385 It certainly sounds like that was the right call in that situation! Thank you for your husband's service...I hope returning was therapeutic for him as we was able to recall old memories of his time serving our country in Vietnam 🫡🪖🎖️
Using the cruise lines for air travel is a mixed bag. I have never found any savings on The Carnival brands. However, I have noticed that on my Celebrity bookings, the airfare has been 15% lower than what I could find. However, it comes at a cost. If I book it via Southwest (an option not available through the cruise line), I pay nothing for the first two bags and I can cancel and hour before flight time without penalty which I do not get through the cruise line.
@@jeffhorner9755 I can't claim to be a native (we're in the Shenandoah Valley) but I'm an 07 grad! I had a lot of friends go to grad school at Marshall or transfer to/from there. I'm guessing you're a Marshall grad since most WVians who didn't go to one of them schools root for the gold and blue!
@@jeffhorner9755 Always love hearing from fellow West Virginians on here! I may not be a native, but as you can see in my video, it's very much a big part of my heart. Good luck today against Ohio State...shock the world!
@@clking5316 It depends on the cruise line... Several you can! For example, here is Royal Caribbean's policy on this: "Royal Caribbean allows guests of drinking age to bring non-alcoholic beverages as carry-on items, including distilled water for medical, dietary, or infant use. Each stateroom can bring up to 12 standard (17 oz.) bottles, cans, or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages."
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Your Hack #13 is spot on...the exact type thing occurred to us in Belize - we took a private company, they took us to the same location the ship was going, served us wine on the bus, fed us a small lunch after the event and even carried our tubes ( about 2/3 of a mile) through the tour until we arrived at the river - one more thing the tour guide loved his country and explained so much to us and kept us laughing a lot...when we were at the river, we saw our cruise ship passengers carrying their tubes and not looking like they were having fun. Most importantly, the private tour was about 60% of the cost of the ship tour and we were very happy to give our guide an additional tip
@@joegalka1 It sounds like you guys had an amazing excursion!
We will be in Belize for the first time later this year... Would you mind sharing who you booked with? I'd like to look them up!
I totally agree! We ALWAYS book our excursions directly through the Tour company. I pay about half of what the cruise line charges. Plus, if you do end up running late, there is a number you can call to the ship to let them know you are running late and they may wait for you.
@@elissajones5154 It seems like we're in the minority, but the excursions are so much better doing them independent!
@@FamilyAtSea 18:00
I too would love to know what your company that was ! We are going to be tubing there for 3rd time in Jan.
So I watched this yesterday and you talked about seeing if the price for the cruise drops and to email the line and see if you can get a price adjustment before your last payment. My last payment is this week but I decided to email Virgin as I was watching the video and was able to get a price adjustment within 2-3 hours! THANK YOU! I'm unable to do it for my cruise for next month, but I will definitely continue to keep this in mind!
@@itsmetee369 That's awesome... Congrats!!
So happy this saved you some money!
Can’t you just call? I used call Royal Caribbean all of the time. (Now I just get cruises because I gamble.)
A hack I learned was to create your own suite by booking two adjoining rooms with a balcony. Did this once and they removed the partion that usually exists between balconies. Also, it was like having a 2 bdrm, 2 bath suite. Of course do the math to make sure the savings are there.
@@LChatmanFL That's a great idea if the numbers work!!
If connecting staterooms costs the same as a suite, I'd take the suite. Suite passengers get perks that you wouldn't get otherwise. When I travel in a suite, I get free alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks in the suite passenger lounge. There are also many other advantages.
@@GeeBee212 Agreed, if the prices are the same I'd rather have access to the private lounge and restaurant vs more room but often times the suites are more than 2x the cost of a balcony room so I would say it just depends on the price!
@@FamilyAtSea Exactly, gotta do the math. Unless you place high value on private pools and lounge areas. Which is fine of course.
@@LChatmanFL Oh but it's so much more than private pools and lounges! Try it on a short journey but be careful because you may get hooked!
Hack #13!!! We've had amazing vacation experiences booking 3rd party excursions. Some of the best vacations we've ever taken.
You are my people!
A lot of people worry about missing the ship but the third party excursions are SO much better!
Just an FYI I believe Princess may be one of the few that you can be sure if self-service laundry. We just got off 14 days in Alaska by combining northbound and southbound trips. We planned for 7 days of clothes and washed on day 7 when the ship was virtually empty because it was turnaround day for the new passengers getting on board. It is a total of $6 for wash and dry and you don’t need change. Your medallion is swiped and it gives you tokens. Bring your own soap pods to save a lot. Just a tip. We found that the highest decks have more washers because they are catering to suite guests up there, but anyone can use them.
@@sheri1972 This is a great tip... Thank you!
We just got back from an Alaska cruise ourselves (but ours was on Norwegian)!
Oh that’s great. Wondering if you experienced a lot of rain. I have been to Alaska 6 times and this was the most rain ever. I was on NCL Bliss in May 2024 and Royal Princess this last week.
@@sheri1972 Our helicopter/dogsledding excursion in Juneau was cancelled due to the rain and then the next day even though it was nice in Skagway, our excursion was interrupted because of a mudslide from the rain the day before.
Our helicopter tour operator said it's the most reason they've seen in 27 years in business.
Many of the Carnival ships (except for the recent Costa conversions) offer the same.
After more than a few cruises, I choose my cabin type and location very carefully. The optional upgrade will not necessarily give you a choice of location. This is especially true for those who need the location to be in the mid ship for a smoother ride, those who want to be near or far from the stairs and elevators, or not located under or below a busy or noisy activity area. About the gratuities, some of the crew may be aware of whether or not you've paid the gratuities and will base their personal service to you accordingly. Paying the gratuities ahead and also being generous with your cabin steward and other crew members will greatly improve your overall experience. It's amazing how much your cabin steward can do for you if you have a special request. This, in my never to be humble opinion, is not a good place to try to save money. Also, be aware of any special onboard credits offered such as being over 55, military and veteran status, place of residence, and more. Be aware of the Family at Sea presentations and do give a like and subscribe. They have top notch information for cruisers of all experience.
@@bluefluke7585 Thank you for the endorsement, I truly appreciate that!
It's funny - I'm currently working on two videos that cover nearly exactly what you're saying (one on cabin locations and the other is a more general video but in it I specifically say the crew members often know if you remove gratuities and your level of service will be adjusted)... It's like you're in my head 😜
Thanks for watching...happy sails!
One hack that I do for vacations in general is to pack everything I bring in one suitcase which i pack inside the next larger size suitcase. This way I have plenty of room to bring souvenirs back and only have to pay for the extra suitcase on the return trip. Great for cruise vacations as well.
A hack my friend uses is to bring mostly socks and underwear that will be "retired soon" and then throw them in the garbage instead of bringing them back home. Creates room for more souvenirs. Interesting.
These are both great hacks I haven't come across before... Thank you for sharing!
@@FamilyAtSea Sharing is caring.
If the vacation is 7 days or less, I will use the small and medium suitcases. However, for my 14-day Norwegian Star cruise from Lisbon in Nov/Dec, it will be medium and large. Especially with 4 days in Porto before and 5 days in Dublin afterwards.
@@johnd.9 That sounds like an incredible itinerary!
I worked for a company based out of Dublin earlier in my career and I'm hoping to make it back there sometime soon on a cruise ship.
Happy sails!!
I use old clothes and slippers, so I can toss them, instead of taking them home.
@@sct4040 That's an idea I hadn't considered!
I would feel bad not donating them but depending on the condition that may be a better option!
I’m a cruiser for life and just came across your channel, liked and subscribed!
@@paulamarth You rock... Thank you!
Perhaps our paths will cross out on the open seas someday. Until then... Happy sails!
I liked and subscribed!! I'm 73 and am dreaming of taking a Mediterranean cruise next year--my first.
@@desertinutah You rock... Thank you!
We look forward to visiting Utah soon to watch some awesome college football in Provo and SLC!
@@desertinutah And you will LOVE the Mediterranean... Check out our recent vlog episodes from our sailing on the Celebrity Equinox through the Mediterranean!
Thanks for showing the Travel Agent love!!! ❤
Happy to! The good TAs make such a positive impact!
I love your videos. So clear, concise, and straight to the point.
@@kj7045 I appreciate that, thank you!
Happy sails!
Hi, thanks for all the tips, I'm a rookie solo cruiser first time was last year, and even tho I knew zero I had a lovely time and fell in love with the experience and have booked again for this year. Some of your ideas could have been very useful last year, but we live and learn don't we? You have introduced some great ideas to me - thank you
So happy you enjoyed your first cruise enough to book another... Happy sails friend!
I've found cruising is a great way to travel solo. You can do your own thing but have support. and if you make new friends, you can hang around with them.
@@elnamayberry Obviously based on the name of this channel, I typically cruise with my family, but I did my first solo cruise and truly enjoyed myself.
Solo cruising isn't for everybody but it's amazing for the right person!
Another one you missed: book your next cruise onboard. There is often OBC offered, and the reservation can be transferred to your TA of choice for further savings. Norwegian has both the Cruise First and Cruise Next programs, which give you discounted deposits.
Also, a tip for adult cruisers: if you see your cruise is offering Kids Sail Free, do your research via social media to see the effect it has. KSF has been a nightmare for us more than once with many, many families taking advantage of that, and the kids run amok. Doesn't always happen, but we've definitely experienced it ourselves many times.
@@marylamb7897 Thanks for the great additions! I will make an updated version of this with all of these great added tips!
@FamilyAtSea Norwegian's is easy! If you can explain Royal's Next Cruise in a way that makes sense, I'd appreciate it! To me, unless you're on a Royal cruise that coincides with a release date, i struggle to see the value, but we ALWAYS buy Norwegian Cruise Next certs when we're on a cruise!
Terrific presentation!!!!! I adore your easy to understand approach and your joy for cruising!!!
@@spiritjunkie1913 I really appreciate that, thank you!
Muchas gracias por sus 😊😊 consejos
De nada!
Eso es todo el español que conozco 😜
@@FamilyAtSea jajaja, muy amable👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Right from the beginning I was hooked after seeing the WVU wall plaque. Great video, spot on with all the hacks. Another hack I tend to use is to book on older ships as they tend to be less expensive as the newer ships with the bells and whistles.
I love coming across random Mountaineers in the wild (internet)!
Great advice and you're definitely right!
Let's Go Mountaineers!
I like to bring drink packets instead of bringing soft drinks. I dont really mind the cost of soda...I just don't like or need all the sugar. And...I get exactly what I want.
@@rickros3677 That's actually a really good idea that I hadn't considered before!
I stick to the Zero sodas when I drink them, but drink powders would be even better.
Thanks for sharing and watching!
Travel agents will definitely not give anything out of their commissions. The benefits cost them nothing. The moral of the story is read the "FINE PRINT". The video could be shorter but good content. Best value for money is inside cabins since you only sleep in your cabin. I worked at Royal for years and noticed that very few guests actually used their balconies regularly. Guests just take a balcony or suite for bragging rights which is a stupid concept but hey guess not everyone can be humble😊. Just remember if you upgrade while onboard on certain cruise lines into suite rooms you will not get all the benefits compared to if you booked the cruise before embarking.
@@Libra67jtc Somebody else mentioned TAs aren't supposed to give kickbacks (and I would never ask for one or even taken one), but I've seen them offered on a daily basis by TAs who have large followings on Facebook, so it definitely exists.
Where I think TAs bring value with regards to price though are finding pricing abnomolies that can save people big money + having group rates that will save people considerably over retail. (they also can do many other things to provide a better experience beyond simply saving people money)
One other thing to note - I couldn't care less about the rooms, but the value for me in a suite isn't in the rooms or the bragging rights (who cares?), but the private lounges and restaurants that offer an opportunity to escape the crowds without a doubt makes them worth it if the price is right.
I appreciate the helpful feedback. It's feedback like yours that helps me continually improve (if you look at my more recent advice videos like this one, you'll see they're much shorter).
Thanks again and happy sails... You are appreciated!
Great hack ideas. I appreciate your advocacy for using a travel agent to get the best price, it is true that agencies do quite often have better rates than booking direct with the cruise line. But you made one comment about some agents will discount their commission to lower your price, well actually cruise lines frown upon travel agents doing this and will even ban an agent from selling their product if caught doing this. Asking a travel agent to discount the price of a cruise by cutting into their commission is like asking a waiter in a restaurant to pay for part of your meal from thier pay check, it just isn’t right to do. 😊
@@dalebetts5658 I appreciate you sharing your perspective!
I've never personally asked for anything but I do see your fellow TAs doing that pretty frequently so I had no idea it was against regulations!
That's good to know... Thank you for watching!
Highly recommend buying a bus/ferry pass when docked in Bermuda. Do this on a day your ship is docked overnight. Inexpensive. My daughter did this last year. 17 years ago my husband and I got a bus ferry pass combo. You can explore all the beaches. Recommend Warwick long bay beach.
Great advice, thank you!
We haven't made it to Bermuda yet! We were supposed to last year and they rerouted our cruise... Looking forward to it when the time comes!
Came across your channel ! Great advice! I subscribed.
I appreciate that...thank you!
Happy sails!
Great info!!!!
Disney cruise line also has self serve laundry.
@@WanderfulWorldofTravel Great to know, thanks for sharing... Happy sails!
These are great tips. I did do the tip of calling the cruise line when I saw a sale, and we had 2 back to back cruises, and saved $750 on one, and $900 on the other. I don't see any cancelation available for tips, and truly just wish they would either add to the price, or truly give us the options. But don't call optional, what isn't (the cruise line solicitation on board is another pet peeve). I subscribed, because we are trying to cruise as a replacement for expensive airfare while we take our winter trip away.😊
@@elizaC3024 Awesome you were able to save so much money... Love hearing stories like yours!
I have another video being published tomorrow that will help you save even more!
Very informative. Thank you. ❤
@@wellbeinginabundance5991 I appreciate that... Thank you for watching!
Awesome tips!
I appreciate that, thank you! Happy sails!
Thank you. We always book our excursions on our own.
@@llhandpay Definitely the way to go... Happy sails!
Definitely, cruise during school is in session.
We cruise with our kids but even we prefer the sailings during the school year when there are less kids!
I think even our kids appreciate well-behaved kids 😜
Your schools don't mind?@@FamilyAtSea
100% agree, the price difference is huge. We did this and all we really did was check with the school teachers to make sure there were no scheduled exams. 🎉
See my long lengthy post of how I found out about all of these things the hard way over a 20-year period. Guaranteed to hit home and make you laugh add all the crap I didn't have available to me then that I would today. I would be so much richer
@@kevinjohnson386 Sometimes we have to learn the hard way!
Great job!
@@Weface01 Thank you, I appreciate that!
Great advice. Liked & Subscribed. 👍
Thank you for the feedback and for subscribing...happy sails!
I love the option to bid on an upgraded suite
@@ruthadams7133 Hard to beat the suite experience at a discounted rate!
Thank you for watching... Happy sails!
I’ve never gotten a bad upgrade on Royal Caribbean. It’s a great opportunity.
Great video. You got yourself a new subscriber!👏👏👏
@@MrXR77 My man! Thank you for the feedback and the sub... Happy sails!
Hi! New sub here; great job on the video. I totally agree with all of your tips. Another way to save a bit on specialty dining is to book it well before your cruise. Some cruise lines have pre-cruise dining specials, and I like to take advantage of that. Blessings!
@@patticulver Thank you for watching and sharing your tip... Happy sails!
Thank you for sharing your valuable tips, it’s much appreciated!
You're welcome... Thank you for watching!
About bidding on upgrades, if you're looking to do this, that's great, but also keep an eye on the cost of just paying to upgrade. We did this in 2022 on NCL for a 2BR Haven suite. As the Haven got close to selling out, I checked the price of our desired suite vs our upgrade bid, and it was close enough to just book it. That way we were guaranteed to get it, we were able to choose our suite from the few that remained, and we got the double Latitude points for sailing in the Haven that we would not have gotten if we had won a bid. Ultimately, the Haven sold out, so we were glad we decided to do it the way we did.
@@RBXChas That is definitely a valid point... Hope you enjoyed the Haven!
Great video. I did a lot of research over the last year and noted your are spot on. Thanks.
@@steveong4738 I appreciate that, thank you!
Happy sails!
Enjoyed this video. First time seeing your videos
@@patriciaHellis I appreciate that, thank you!
Great information. Looking forward to your future videos
@@danm6695 I appreciate that, thank you!!
Happy sails!
What is the off season and is it different for different locations. Great video !
@@pamelam9621 Yes, the offseason differs based primarily on the weather in different locations.
In Alaska for example, they really only sail April - October but the prime months are June - August, so if you cruise there during what they call the shoulder seasons (April, early May, September), the prices are quite a bit less.
In the Caribbean it's heavily related to when kids are in school and hurricane season (June - November).
Very nice videos. Clear speech and nice photos. About the laundry: I take detergent sheets and a water proof bag and do my own. 40$ for a load? That’s , as you say, “crazy”
@@robertashagam1599 You are a savvy traveler!
Thank you for watching...happy sails!
Subscribed!! Never done a cruise but i would love to!!
@@cryptoconfused3400 Thank you for watching... You should definitely book a cruise, you will love it!
New Subscriber, looking forward to you content.
@@CruiseAM-t7i I appreciate that, thank you for watching and subscribing!
Happy sails!
Good info
@@LindaElko Thank you!
I wish you covered package deals on cruises. Alchohol, drinks, tips, etc. So many cruises nickle and dime you, so what is best?
That's a good idea, I'll work on something to cover those things!
Norwegian includes a drink package in their base pricing (you only pay taxes and gratuities), but that just means you're paying for it on the frontend.
If you get the Internet/WiFi package when you originally book your cruise with MSC, it's typically only $4-500/person so that's honestly probably the best deal out there, but you're going to get nickeled and dimed on plenty of items on every cruise line out there unfortunately (unless you book the high end luxury lines that are truly all-inclusive).
If you have specific questions, let me know... Happy sails!
Liked & subscribed!🎉
@@CEESPELL Thank you cruising friend... Happy sails!
Normally, a third party excursion is a good way to go. However, having the cruise wait for you is not the only benefit (which we needed in Osaka when the traffic returning to the ship took 2 hours longer than expected). One other reason for a cruise line excursion is refunds for canceled excursions. We had to miss a port in Fiji, the cruise line refunded us but others on the ship with 3rd party excursions were out the cost of the excursion. Many may not have these experiences, but twice I've had a cruise line excursion be the best option.
That's never been our experience with cancelled ports but that's something good to check on when booking... Thanks for commenting!
Subscribed. Good content. Thank you. 😊
@@Rescuedtreasures0926 Thank you so much for watching and subscribing... You rock!
These are great tips. I did do the tip of calling the cruise line when I saw a sale, and we had 2 back to back cruises, and saved $750 on one, and $900 on the other. I don't see any cancelation available for tips, and truly just wish they would either add to the price, or truly give us the options. But don't call optional, what isn't (the cruise line solicitation on board is another pet peeve).
@@elizaC3024 Really happy you were able to save so much money... That's awesome!
You can discuss gratuities onboard but I don't think they'll let you before the cruise.
Happy sails!
Awesome info! Thanks! ❤ New sub. 😊
@@annmarieknapp9942 Thank you, I truly appreciate that!
Happy sails!
I have heard that some ports in Jamaica can be dangerous, especially to do on your own. And some third-party companies are not as concerned about getting you back to the ship on time. I’ve just heard these on other channels and there might be a travel advisory about certain parts as well.
I certainly understand, but as somebody who has been to Jamaica many times, I don't find it any more dangerous than many US cities.
You know what you're comfortable with and I'm not trying to convince you otherwise, but I've had no concerns being there with my wife and children.
We've also never had an issue with an excursion getting back late, but it's always wise to keep an eye on the time and speak up if you feel things are running behind!
Good Stuff, Thank you. Let's Gooooo Mountaineers...Cue Country Roads!
Love finding another Mountaineer on here! Football season will be here before we know it!
😀
🏈💛💙💛💙
Love your video. I subscribed even though we are seniors (no kids). What is your favourite cruise line?
@@lesliesnowdon1360 We have things we like about all the different cruise lines!
Celebrity is a great one if you want a cruise without a lot of kids (there will still be some).
MSC's Yacht Club is fantastic if you're looking for a more elevated experience.
@@FamilyAtSea Thank you. We were on celebrity once and loved it! Is there a Celebrity ship that you recommend?
@@lesliesnowdon1360 If you want the latest and greatest, Celebrity's Edge-class ships are what you're for: Edge, Apex, Beyond, and Ascent (and soon Xcel).
If you want a more classic cruise experience without as many of the bells and whistles, the Solstice-class ships are great: Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, and Reflection.
The MillenniumS-class ships are the oldest but they're well-maintained and some swear by them.
They all have redeeming qualities though so you really can't go wrong!
@@FamilyAtSea thank you so much. I will investigate those. It might take awhile. lol. We are looking for a smaller ship as crowds make me anxious in my old age. 😵💫
@@lesliesnowdon1360 I would highly recommend either one of the older Celebrity ships or Holland America. These are both great cruise lines with few kids and mid-size ships that won't be too big (but also big enough to have a variety of things to do and great shows).
Happy sails!
I have found that by booking with the cruise company gives you priority departure from the ship. Sometimes those booking with 3rd party operators are held up several hours especially when ferry boats are in use due to improper port facilities. On those occasions one might get only half as long on shore as to those who book through the cruise company. Also I have heard of several who have arrived late back at the ship only to find that the gangplank has been raised and they have then been required to fly to the next port to catch up with the ship. Cruise lines are rather strict on their departure times and this encourages travellers to use their onboard excursion bookings.
@@keithpopowski291 What cruise line did you see have that experience with TAs and boarding?
We have cruised on nearly every cruise line out there and I've never once see that be the case.
You're right about what happens if you get back late, but the same risk exists if you book an excursion through the cruise lines as a family found in Ketchikan, Alaska a couple months ago when their NCL excursion got them back late and the ship left them.
Thank you for you service.
I can't claim to be a veteran.
That flag flew on base in Afghanistan and was a gift from a friend who served there and sacrificed much.
The flag has great meaning to me but I didn't earn the respect that comes with it, but it means a lot to me because of the respect I have for my friend who gave it to me (and all the brave men and women who defend our freedom).
Subscribed! Awesome content!
@@mickiesadventures You rock... Thank you!!
Here's to happy sails on your next cruise adventure!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
@@whitpettrey Thank you!!
Thank you!
@@angelasofia7726 I hope it helps you save some money.... Happy sails!
If you book early maybe 9 months to a year ahead you should get a better price than later on. If you think you’ll get a better last minute deal you could but these are usually the 3 or 4 day trips. The disadvantage of last minute is that you are likely not going to get a choice of room or location and don’t forget all the cruisers especially on Royal Caribbean who chose not too select their cabin on booking to save a couple of dollars only to get bumped off the cruise right on boarding day. Book ahead, choose refundable deposit if feasible or if the deal is good and it’s a super low non refundable deposit why not go for it? You might only be out a hundred dollars or so.
@@TripReviews Agree with this. Booking late can be good for unexpected, last second trips but definitely is not a strategy you should bank on planning or even having a choice of good cabins as you said!
What excursion company do you use for Alaska?
For different ports we used different companies.
We booked with Coastal Helicopters in Juneau, Island Wings in Ketchikan, and Affordable Car Rental in Skagway.
Be sure to watch our Alaska cruise tips video!
th-cam.com/video/cggiftmgowA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=7QUoxA0ZnuGa0LJT
Just made final payment August 3rd.
Wish I'd known to price watch
Jan 2017 = 3 day Bahamas Ft Lauderdale
Jan 2024 = 7 day NCL Solo Galveston
Dec 2024 = 12 day NCL Solo Miami
@@hill77276 I know that feeling!
Enjoy your cruise...12 days sounds amazing!
❤ thanks
@@mevlidasofic9131 Thank you for watching!!
#5, If you bid and get a suite, you may not get the extra points that go with them. You have to check with your TA or cruise line.
@@ljones6767 This is true! You also often don't get the amenities (drink package, WiFi).
I want to go by myself... Do these discounts apply to one person in the cabin?
@@flowersflowers5070 You'll have to pay a higher price sailing solo but you can definitely find discounts on the less popular sailings!
Good to know
@@JB-armybrby7 Thanks for watching... Happy sails!
Although I agree in part with your excursion tip, it's worth bearing in mind the location. We have done both cruise and private but if we had done private in Alaska when there was a mudslide, we wouldn't have been covered unlike where the cruise line options were transfered to another location where 2 lines collected their passengers affected.
Also, MSC offer a Fun Pass which gives you a pre-credit to spend on arcade etc at a reduced amount (ie pay 70 get 120)
@@gordonforrest1006 We were actually in Skagway last week so I happen to know that the cruise lines recovered everybody trapped on the wrong side of the mudslide, including those doing private excursions.
We did all 3rd party excursions and things went fine for us.
I understand the risk we take doing things on our own, but my recommendation is still to do things outside the cruise lines... The experiences are a big enough improvement to be worth the minimal risk (and don't forget, a family was left behind and had to find their own way home despite being on a Norwegian excursion in Ketchikan a couple weeks ago).
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re: MSC's Fun Pass - we actually have a different video with tips for families on MSC and I recommend that exact same thing... You're right, it's a tremendous deal!
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Thank you for watching and commenting!!
What are some key things to look for when trying to find a reputable third-party excursion company? I think a lot of people are worried about being scammed ( me included).
That's probably something worth it's own video! But I think the biggest would be if people are willing to vouch for them.
If you ask in FB group if anybody can recommend an agent and 6 people recommend them, that's probably a good sign.
The agents I see offering the best deals typically have a lot of loyal clients because they've helped so many people.
I'll have to put some thought into this though, that's a valid and important question!
@@biancamarch7934 I always read TripAdvisor reviews. 👍
Can you list a few of your favorite travel agents, I have not had good luck with the 2 I chosen.
@@ccrreilly22 The best ones I know specialize in specific cruise lines so they can master everything about them.
Do you know who you'd like to sail on?
I have only sailed RCL. Please let me know who you like and which cruise line is your most and least favorite
? Thank you-liked and subscribed in Florida@FamilyAtSea
❓️My travel agent offered me 50. obc to book with them. Does this come from the cruise line i booked with or does it come personally from my travel agent?
@@colleenhaston73 That comes from the TA as a thank you! (so be sure to thank them!)
You didn’t mention (and I couldn’t find in the chat) shareholder benefits e.g. buy 100 carnival share and you get extra onboard spend on all the carnival lines (e.g. $250 extra onboard spend on Princess for a 14 night cruise). At the end of the day you can sell the shares so (unless they drop massively) it’s a free benefit. Not sure if other lines have the same scheme.
@@SpinningSpud Ah, that's a good one that I definitely should have included!
I think all the major cruise lines offer that, it is definitely worth noting... Thank you!
Cruise lines should pay their crews a decent wage but then they would have to list that extra $20/person automated gratuity a day in the listed cost. Gratuities are automated not mandatory. You do not have to pay them. I have them taken off on embarkation day and the night before disembarkation decide how much I will pay daily based on the service received. It’s ranged from $0 to full amount. Tips are given for good service….I tip those I have direct contact regardless.
I understand your perspective and that's valid.
I've asked crew members and they have told me that when people remove gratuities it does impact their pay, so I choose not to do this because there are lots of people who work very hard to ensure we have a great cruise, and some of them are behind the scenes that I wouldn't have an opportunity to tip.
We also tip extra beyond the $20/day/per person (which is really $80/day for a family of four like us), because we believe they're worth it...how lucky are we that we get to experience these amazing cruises?! Taking care of the people who work so hard to take care of us may not make a big impact on our lives, but it may make a big difference on theirs!
Happy sails where you venture next, and thanks for watching!
I've tried to use travel agents and their pricing was no different than what I found.
Sometimes that's the case but that's why you need to specifically find their group discounts (or ones who offer onboard credit).
Same
@@yesterdayseyes You just have to find the right ones!
On the Celebrity cruise last year, I had to tell the TA about the sale I was looking at online for $500 less for a Concierge Class stateroom and had to have her go back twice to get the price drops when on sale. BUT I will say that she ended up getting us $586 in onboard credit.
12:30 Most Cruise lines are stopping cruisers from bringing on water and soda. Norwegian and Carnival are my most recent cruise lines and both have stopped or changed the water and soda policies.
13:15 Don't forget, if you are putting your cruise on a credit card, those prepaid gratuities will be charged interest for every month you do not pay them off. The chances of you getting hit with a gratuity increase before you sail is not that great.
@@thenoeticskeptic5819 Appreciate the feedback! My recommendation with CCs is to always pay your balance off in full each month and you use a rewards card, but your point is still valid!
Gratuities.....why don't cruise companies simply increase wages and do away with them?. Much easier for everyone and as a customer I don't feel nickled and dimed.
@@justahomosapiens1861 Agreed, they absolutely should.
Why would they pay the wages of their employees when they can make you do it. Same as American restaurants.
@@NapoleonDynamyte Because it's the right thing to do. I'm consequent with my thoughts and avoid corporations which aren't "fair" to one of their key stakeholders, namely, their Teams.
Virgin Voyages.
Is there a site to find reviews of ship excursions? I’m on a Royal Caribbean cruise next year & I’d like to hear what other passengers have thought of the ship’s tours & excursions before I pay a lot of money for it. Where can I look for RCCL?? Trip Advisor & Cruise Critics don’t cover shore excursions. They might mention it, but is there a website that allows reviews on specific cruise lines? Thanks!!
@@cberry6751 Your best bet is probably Facebook groups or Cruise Critic.
You may get lucky and you're able to find them on TH-cam (we show a bunch in our vlogs), but I know there's many that are hard to find!
The only thing about tip #13 is if you ever have a port of call get cancelled, which just happened to us for our first cruise, having booked our excursion through the cruise line, we were automatically refunded. I dont have experience with trying to get money back from a private company due to a port stop being cancelled but I would imagine it’s not as easy.
@@tommon02 I'm sure different companies may operate differently, but all of them we've ever booked with have always issued refunds when this has happened. They typically state in their policies that they will refund if a port is cancelled or delayed.
These companies know their livelihoods depend on handling situations like this the right way because if they take your money, people will see that in online reviews and future people won't book with them (the same reason they will make sure you don't miss the ship)!
Buy your t-shirts and cruise line souvenirs on the last day…most lines have “sales” then.
@@clbert7460 As long as they're open, you're definitely right about that... Good call!
February 16, 2024, there were 500 children on the ship. Make sure there are no school vacations if you are expecting a child free cruise.
@@Nancy-nx9cf Yes, the best way to avoid kids are to sail when kids are in school (so avoid summers, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break).
Or you can just sail on Virgin Voyages since they're adults-only!
That thought is almost defeated by virtual schooling nowadays…but 500 kids out of 3000 passengers is better than 1000 kids out of 3000 passengers!
Virgin Voyages, nuff said lol!! 😂❤
Maybe stick with cruise lines and ships that cater more to adults than children. 🤷🏼♀️ Any ship with a waterslide and arcade is bound to have children. Also, families who homeschool, typically vacation when traditional schools are in session, as it’s more affordable.
I use most of these hacks especially on MSC,saves a lot of money! Joseph & Corine Wilson On Deck With CB!
@@JosephWilson-gc9uw Perhaps we'll see you on MSC someday!
We will be on the Seascape in January and World America in May!
Great video subscribed from the UK still trying to get the best time to book a cruise.Have you ever done a transatlantic
@@gavinnaylor1428 We have not a transatlantic yet but there's a FB group called "Repositioning Cruises" specifically for finding deals on sailings like the TAs!
One year in advance
@@rayhill5767 Or even longer in some cases!
I would say the most expensive time is probably 2-3 months in advance before the urgency of filling last second cabins kicks in.
You can get last minute deals but usually they are not desirable itineraries .
@@rayhill5767 Right you are!
Hi we scored a discounted bid on Celebrity so pleased. Holland America refused to price match my cruise even though I’d only paid a deposit last year.
@@lindaparry7491 I'm happy it at least worked out with Celebrity! We only recently booked our first cruise on HAL (Alaska next summer) so I don't know quite as much about them, but I'm surprised to hear they didn't price match... Very disappointing!
question on the service charge/gratuities, is it a fixed amount according to the number of days you are spending on the cruise?
It is a set amount x the number of people in your cabin x the number of days.
For example: $16/day x 2 people $32/day * 7 days = $224
@FamilyAtSea got it thank you
@@kennedybaffoe2683 Not a problem... Happy sails!
Do you recommend a travel agent?
@@tala1246 A good TA can not only save you money, but also headaches with recommendations and proactively preventing issues.
Not all TAs are created equal though so be sure to find one that comes highly recommended by people you know and trust!
WV❤❤❤ Just Subscribed
@@AllThingsKimberlyWV Love it! Let's go Mountaineers!
Thank you for the sub and happy sails!
What third party excursion booking did you use in Jamaica?
@@Jlux823 Marvyn's Paradise Tours... We've used them twice and they were amazing both times!
Thankx!!!! Did you take a cab or is it included in the excursion to get picked up at the port?
@@Jlux823 They will meet you right at the port. They're basically a private chauffeur for the day (but it's very reasonably priced... Our trip was cheaper than a similar trip through the cruise line).
And don’t listen to people in these groups. Take advice as guidance not law. Half the stuff people tell you in those groups is wrong. Don’t listen to the complaining either. Their experience doesn’t mean it will be your experience. Research and book the best for YOU
@@JoST41 There's gold in them hills, but you'll have to sift through a lot of mud to find it!
@@FamilyAtSea exactly
Generally, we do our own excursions whether that be on our own or through a third party. However, if there is a serious concern for safety - Falmouth, Jamaica or Belize City - I would pay for a ship excursion.
We've never had an issue in these locations or had any concerns for our safety, but I understand we all have our own thresholds for personal safety and you should always do what you feel is right for you!
We've booked a couple of 3rd party tours for our trip in NZ later this year, already paid. Others are with the cruise. Haven't set a budget per se as yet. But the plan was not to do any specialty dining, although we have paid for one now. Our 30th wedding anniversary dinner, as the itinerary changed and we will be at sea. But with drinks and food paid for, and hubby hates shopping I think we're going to be ok. It's only our pre-cruise stay in Sydney I'm worried about (accommodation paid for).
It sounds like you are going to have an amazing anniversary!
Congrats on 30 years... We're not even halfway there yet but it's amazing how fast the years go by!
I already know the cruise that I want to go on but should I still reach out to a Travel Agent? I'm pretty picky on what I want but I would like to save money if I can. The ship is Holland America's Eurodam for next Sept to Alaska and I am getting 2 onboard credits. Any suggestions? (New Subscriber)
@@anns1921 A good TA can definitely save you some money, so it's absolutely something to consider.
We just got back from our first Alaskan cruise (recording a video of lessons learned from Alaska as we speak actually!) and one of the big things I'm sure you've already noticed is that everything in Alaska is EXPENSIVE!!
September is during the shoulder season so it won't be quite as bad but excursions and everything else there is pricey so if you have an opportunity to save money by working with a TA, I would highly recommend it.
Don't just go to any TA though, search Facebook for a group for that specific sailing (search for the ship name + start date of the cruise) as well as some other HAL Facebook groups and tell people you're looking for a group rate for that specific sailing and with some luck you may find one.
Thank you for watching and subscribing...I hope our upcoming Alaska content will be helpful for you!
@@FamilyAtSea Looking forward to your video and thanks for the info.
@@anns1921 You're welcome!
I ask my clients "Do you want a CHEAP CRUISE" or a "GREAT CRUISE"?
@@richshaffer985 So true!
On a personal level - we try to find the best value (vs purely the cheapest), but there's opportunities for both!
Or do you want to take one cruise this year or would you like to take five??
#13 always and you can book online before you even leave on your cruise.
Good call... Thanks for watching!
Ty
@@markcluff7104 You're welcome... Thanks for watching!
what 3rd party excusion company do you suggest. we're going on a 10 day mederterrranian cruise.
@@robmoore5907 There are broker websites like Viator who aggregate all the different tour options that make things easy and you get the assurance that things have been vetted to ensure they're trustworthy. So that's one option, but they're not the actual tour operators so you're paying a premium since they're essentially a middleman.
Another option is to book directly with the tour operators. This can take a bit more research but you can do this easily in FB groups, on Cruise Critic, or simply by searching Google.
In the Mediterranean we had one of our best tours ever in Cinque Terre with somebody we found through WithLocals and we had another great tour through a company called RomeInLimo.
We have videos of both of those on our channel if you look at our recent vlog episodes from the Celebrity Equinox.
Smooth seas and happy sails!
Hack #7 is a revelation. I did not k ow that I can benefit in some way if the price drops
@@ancilkirk847 That's awesome, I'm really happy that can potentially help you out!
Celebrity MOVE UP doesn't award points for the upgraded cabin, therefore I never bother to bid on MOVE UP offers. Also, LEAVE A FUTURE CRUISE DEPOSIT. You can't lose. On CELEBRITY you get a bottle of wine when leaving a FCD on Day One. And ALWAYS apply for the cruise line credit card. BOA Visa is no fee and I have earned close to $2,k in OBC over past few years. Double points for Celebrity charges.
@@mackellar829 This is all great advice... Thank you!!
Important caveat about hack #5... On some lines you'll have no foresight about the cabin beyond the class. You won't know where on the ship this room is or any other specific considerations (obstructed view, location specific to high traffic sreas like the pool deck), and if your bid is accepted you are now married to that room. You cannot go back. May the odds be ever in your favor!
@@guidosarducci166 Yes, that's absolutely true... If I update this video in the future, I will mention that, good call!
My wife and I are going on a cruise in April 2025 on Carnival Mar Gras for our 25 Anniversary. My question is I already booked a handicap room and I only made a deposit for it. We got the Balcony room can I get a lower price on the cabin that we got?
@@timmyblackwell3561 Yes, check the price for the same category of cabin and if you see the price drop, call in to Carnival and they will price match!
Enjoy your cruise... Happy 25th!
I disagree about ship excursions in VietNam. Hanoi and Ho Chi Min City are long days in a communist country. It’s WAY wise to take ship’s excursions there. And when you finally make it back to the ship (ours was The Celebrity Millennium), there’s the crew directing you to the Lido, reassuring you that the buffet has stayed open later than usual and you’ll have plenty of time to eat.
I think one may also want to take a ship’s excursion in Berlin too. (Baltic Cruise), because it’s a ways from port, which also makes another long day. At that port our ship ended up waiting for 3 private excursions. They were late. So the moral to this story is weigh the options and see what kind of situation that you’re in and what you want from your excursion.
@@lindahaas385 I know many prefer the safety of the cruise line excursions and I get it.
My recommendation is what it is, but I certainly understand people on the other side of it!
@FamilyAtSea
I should have also added that in VietNam, there are very few private excursions. Everything is controlled by the government once you get there, especially in north VietNam. We were warned that the northerns were much stricter, which they were. We had one couple from the ship that wanted to take a taxi (it sounded much cheaper), but they had to walk quite aways, plus pass thru the government check point. Our ship excursion bus passed them up and I saw only 2 Taxis waiting at what passed for a taxi stand. It was certainly an interesting country. We had 4 stops there. My husband had been in the VietNam conflict and it was worth every penny. There were many veterans on board with us. At that time Celebrity gave discounts to military for this cruise. That was a 31 day cruise for us, boarding first in Australia.
@@lindahaas385 It certainly sounds like that was the right call in that situation!
Thank you for your husband's service...I hope returning was therapeutic for him as we was able to recall old memories of his time serving our country in Vietnam 🫡🪖🎖️
Great tips! I've always found better flight deals than even the BOGO. I've never used the cruise lines flights or hotels.
@@NextLevelLiving-LG You can sometimes get lucky with the package deals, but I'm sure you're right!
Thank you for watching!
Using the cruise lines for air travel is a mixed bag. I have never found any savings on The Carnival brands. However, I have noticed that on my Celebrity bookings, the airfare has been 15% lower than what I could find. However, it comes at a cost. If I book it via Southwest (an option not available through the cruise line), I pay nothing for the first two bags and I can cancel and hour before flight time without penalty which I do not get through the cruise line.
Reading the comments also for additional tips. Thanks Everyone!!!
@@ashara1na So much great advice from a great community!
Thanks for watching (and reading)!
Go Herd! 😂😂
@@jeffhorner9755 No hate from me there...I love all WV schools, even the Blundering Herd! 😜
@FamilyAtSea 🤣🤣 God Bless! Thanks for the tips! What year did you graduate? Did you grow up in WV?
@@FamilyAtSea I graduated in the 80s and grew up in under the northern panhandle.
@@jeffhorner9755 I can't claim to be a native (we're in the Shenandoah Valley) but I'm an 07 grad!
I had a lot of friends go to grad school at Marshall or transfer to/from there.
I'm guessing you're a Marshall grad since most WVians who didn't go to one of them schools root for the gold and blue!
@@jeffhorner9755 Always love hearing from fellow West Virginians on here! I may not be a native, but as you can see in my video, it's very much a big part of my heart.
Good luck today against Ohio State...shock the world!
You can’t bring water on board unless you have water in the can
@@clking5316 It depends on the cruise line... Several you can!
For example, here is Royal Caribbean's policy on this:
"Royal Caribbean allows guests of drinking age to bring non-alcoholic beverages as carry-on items, including distilled water for medical, dietary, or infant use. Each stateroom can bring up to 12 standard (17 oz.) bottles, cans, or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages."