How to save on a cruise: 33 money-saving tips from an expert cruiser

Erica Silverstein

Cruises can be truly affordable vacations — but that doesn't mean you won't run up a significant bill booking your sailing or spending during your trip. It's also easy to overspend on certain travel costs because you don't know all the best money-saving tricks. As someone who cruises often, I don't have a huge budget to spend on onboard purchases for each sailing, so I've had to get wise on how to save money on a cruise.

Some of my strategies are obvious and others I've learned from trial and error over 50+ sailings. I'm happy to share the wealth, so to speak, so you can avoid money mistakes and stretch your travel budget as far as it can possibly go. Here are my 33 top tips on how to save on a cruise.

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How to save money on your cruise booking

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Book early. Most cruise lines increase prices as ships sell out. Book early to get the lowest prices, as well as the widest choice of cabin types and locations, plus dining times.

Book at the last minute. The corollary advice is that cruise lines will sometimes drop prices or offer value-added promotions on cruises that have too many available cabins left a few months before its scheduled departure. You can find cheap deals on last-minute sailings, especially if you're not picky about which cabin you get.

Related: When is the best time to book a cruise?

Book a shoulder-season sailing. Spring and fall tend to be less busy travel times, and cruises during these shoulder-season months are priced accordingly. Pick a cruise at the beginning or end of the Alaska or Mediterranean season when the weather isn't as optimal, and you'll save big over the peak mid-season voyages. Sailings departing after Thanksgiving but before Christmas are also less popular and therefore cheaper.

Book an inside cabin. The cheapest room on the ship is an inside cabin , so choose one of those rooms if you want to spend less on your next sailing. You'll get access to the same pools, restaurants, shows and activities as the folks in the balcony cabins; all you're missing out on is a window and some more floor space. Some people actually prefer inside cabins for amazing sleep in the pitch dark and because they spend all their time out and about on the ship and are never in their room.

Be flexible on dates. Many unpredictable factors combine to make one sailing more expensive than the identical itinerary the week before or after. If you can be flexible on which week you cruise, you can save money by choosing whichever sail date has the cheaper price.

Book an older ship. Newer ships with their one-of-a-kind attractions and up-to-date everything get all the attention — and can command the highest prices. Seek out older ships to get a better cruise deal. Cruise lines maintain their older ships and often give them massive makeovers to add the latest restaurants and top-deck attractions, so you'll hardly notice you're on a 20-year-old ship. But your budget will notice the more affordable rates, leaving money in your pocket to spend on splurges like spa treatments and specialty dining.

Look for sales and promotions. Cruise lines run sales so often that you're wasting money if you book when there isn't a deal on. Some promotions are all about lower fares, while others save you money with included perks, like free Wi-Fi or a complimentary beverage package. Solo travelers should look out for sales that waive the solo supplement, which can save you up to 50% of the normal single cabin price. Families should watch out for kids sail free sales or other discounted third and fourth guest offers.

Related: The best cruise booking perks – and which ones are actually free

Leverage your casino play. Cruise lines love casino players because they spend money on board. Once you've established yourself as a member of a cruise line's players club, you may find yourself the recipient of cruise discounts and complimentary casino cruise offers . You can definitely save on a cruise when all you have to pay are taxes and fees.

Be loyal to one cruise line. Sail once with a cruise line and you're eligible to join its loyalty program . All members are eligible for select past-passenger cruise fare discounts, but the most loyal members can access free upgrades or even free cruises.

Choose a drive-to port. Parking a car for a week is almost guaranteed to be cheaper than airport transfers, flights and a pre-cruise hotel for a family of four. There are departure ports all along the U.S. and Canadian coastlines; consider choosing a cruise that departs from a port within driving distance of your home in order to save money on your next cruise.

Use a credit card that gives you perks. Even if your cruise fare isn't dirt cheap, you can still get more value from your vacation dollars when you pay for that vacation at sea with the right card . For example, book with The Platinum Card® from American Express and its Cruise Privileges Program will get you double Membership Rewards points, onboard credit and cruise line-specific perks. Or perhaps you can use your cruise final payment to make the minimum spending requirement on a new credit card and get a slew of points or miles you can use for a free trip down the road.

Related: Should you get a cruise line credit card? Here's a closer look

Bid for an upgrade. Several major cruise lines, like Norwegian and MSC Cruises , offer select guests the option to bid for an upgraded cabin . Bid less than the difference between your cabin cost and the price of the nicer room, and if your bid is approved, you'll get upgraded onboard digs at a discount.

Use a travel agent. Most travel agents won't charge you to use their cruise-booking services, but they can help you find the best deal on the best sailing for you, and they might even throw in a free bottle of Champagne or some onboard credit. If nothing else, these knowledgeable advisers can save you from making costly mistakes on the wrong cruise purchases, and that is a value in and of itself.

Book your next cruise on board. Most cruise lines run a future cruise sales desk on board ships, and if you put a deposit down on a future cruise while you're sailing on the current one, you can be eligible for discounts such as onboard credit (which translates to free spending money for you).

Related: 10 mistakes to avoid when booking your cruise

How to save money on board

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Get first-day discounts. Embarkation day can be crazy. You're getting familiar with the ship's layout, signing up for all the things and likely going to the main dining room for dinner to meet your waiters. You might not even realize that the spa and specialty restaurants are open that evening. In order to lure passengers through their doors, onboard spas may offer first-day discounts, and specialty restaurants might throw in a free bottle of wine.

Book activities and packages in advance. Many cruise lines offer discounts for booking drinks packages, Wi-Fi plans and shore excursions online in advance of your cruise. It will save you money on your next cruise if you do some pre-cruise planning instead of being spontaneous once on board.

Go to the spa on port days. Most passengers get off the ship when it's docked in port, so they prefer to book spa treatments on sea days. (The salon is especially busy on formal nights.) In order to entice passengers to book treatments on port days, cruise ship spas will often run specials or discounts, saving you money on the pricey massages and body treatments.

Enjoy specialty restaurants at lunch. You can rack up quite the cruise bill dining at specialty restaurants each night of your cruise. To save money, look for extra-charge eateries that are open for lunch. The food is usually just as good, but the menu is smaller and the prices are reduced from the dinnertime fee.

Look for daily or happy hour drink specials. Your ship's daily newsletter is your guide to saving money. Look for daily drink specials or happy hour deals that will save you money on those tropical drinks that are the hallmark of a Caribbean vacation. Or ask at your favorite onboard bar if they ever run drink deals, and plan your visits around those times.

Book a drinks or dinner package. If eating and drinking are how you spend your money on a cruise, you may save by bundling your purchases. Look for all-you-can-drink packages that will save you money if you already plan to drink a lot each day or specialty dining packages that offer a discounted total price for booking multiple reservations in advance.

Related: Are cruise line drinks packages worth the price? What to know before you buy

Skip the souvenir glass. Step onto a cruise ship pool deck or atrium on the first day of your cruise, and you're likely to be approached by a waiter offering you a drink in a souvenir glass. You want the cocktail, but do you really need to bring home a cup in the shape of Carnival's funnel? Say yes to the drink and no to the souvenir glass, and you will save a few bucks on the cost of the drink (not to mention the extra-bag fees when you realize you can't carry all those souvenirs home).

Seek out free alcohol. If you pay attention, you can find several opportunities to get drinks for free on a cruise ship. Many of the onboard art auctions pass out Champagne or sparkling wine to attendees, and sometimes the ship's shops will offer liquor tastings in an attempt to convince you to buy a bottle. If you're a suite guest or loyalty member, you might be eligible for free drink vouchers, happy hours or events with comped drinks.

Shop the sales for souvenirs. Cruise line boutiques often run BOGO sales or "everything for $10" hours on items like T-shirts, evening purses and sunglasses. If you're thinking of purchasing some souvenirs, look for promotional events listed in your daily schedule. If you're looking to splurge on high-end jewelry or other expensive gifts, look for specials in those boutiques. These purchases won't be cheap, but you might be able to save a bit or get an extra bauble thrown in for free.

Check out the seminars. Your cruise ship's spa or boutiques will often host seminars about wellness practices or understanding gemstones. These events are really marketing plays to get you to sign up for spa treatments or buy shoe insoles or jewelry. However, they often convince people to attend by giving away spa credit or jewelry in a raffle. If you've got nothing better to do on a sea day, you might show up in the hopes of winning something. Spa tours and port shopping lectures also run raffles (plus you might get a free massage for a minute).

Look for mid-cruise specials. Cruise ships will discount paid attractions on the fly if they need to drum up more revenue in a certain area or if restaurants are not full. If you keep your schedule flexible, you can jump on mid-cruise specials, advertised in your daily schedule or newsletter, and save on specialty dining, arcade games, spa treatments and more.

How to save money in port

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Book your own tours. Cruise lines mark up shore excursions because they have to pay the provider and turn a profit. You can often save money by going to the source and booking a tour directly with a provider. Alternatively, a private tour guide for a group may not always save you money, but you will usually get more value out of a small-group tour that you can customize to your preference.

Skip the tour and explore independently. You don't need to shell out big bucks for an organized tour in every port. To keep costs down, skip the beach break tour and walk or take a bus or taxi to the beach. Do your own walking tour with a guidebook or app. Go on a hike or take yourself to a cathedral or museum. If your tour independently , you won't have to pay for a guide or cruise line overhead.

Look for less inclusive beach breaks. Sometimes a cruise line will offer several versions of the same resort day pass or beach break excursion — one that just covers your entrance and another that includes lunch and drinks and water toy use. If you don't plan to eat or drink that much, or at all, you can save by booking the least expensive version of the tour and just paying for the amenities you use a la carte.

Related: 10 cruise ship excursions to avoid

Use local transportation. Taxi rides can add up for a couple traveling together. Consider using less expensive forms of transportation to explore a city during your port stop. Local buses and subways can be more affordable ways to get around, plus offer a glimpse into local life.

Use Wi-Fi in port. Cruise ship internet access is pricy; you might pay more for a week on board than you do for a month at home! If you don't have to be connected at all hours, skip the cruise ship Wi-Fi plan and seek out free or cheap Wi-Fi in port. Many port terminals have free Wi-Fi, or you can grab a cup of coffee or a drink at an establishment in town with complimentary Wi-Fi for customers.

Negotiate prices. Know when prices aren't set in stone and negotiate a lower fee to save on your in-port purchases. You can often barter over the price of crafts, food or souvenirs in open-air markets, or negotiate rates for taxi tours or rides. Always be friendly and polite when haggling, and be prepared to walk if the vendor does not accept your offer.

Bring your own beach gear. Most beaches you'll visit on a cruise, including the cruise lines' private islands, will rent you snorkel gear, umbrellas and beach floats, or sell you beach toys. Save money by purchasing and bringing your own snorkel gear, beach shade, inflatable beach toys and floats. The upfront cost might be higher than a single rental, but you can use the gear in multiple ports and on multiple cruises. Look for inflatables or collapsible gear that can pack down small or that come in convenient carrying cases.

Don't eat lunch or dinner in port. I always recommend trying the local cuisine in port, both because it's a fun way to experience a new culture and to support the local economy. But if you're on a budget and need to cut costs, skip the meals in port and head back to the ship for meals in the many included eateries on board. If nothing else, avoid the over-priced and often inauthentic waterside tourist restaurants and ask around for where locals eat on the cheap — or skip the lunch and treat yourself to a cheaper gelato or pastry instead.

Bottom line

You don't have to employ every one of these tips to save money on your next sailing, but keep them in mind to make smart decisions as you plan your next vacation and once you're on board. It's always OK to splurge a little on vacation, but you want to make sure you're not spending unnecessarily. What matters is that you're getting the biggest benefit from your vacation buck.

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Explained: Duty-Free Shopping on a Cruise (Is It Worth It?)

When it comes cruising and duty-free shopping, don’t feel alone if you’re left confused. The labyrinth of regulations and rules regarding what is taxed and what isn’t can give you a headache.

At the same time, however, you can use these rules to your advantage and potentially save money on things like alcohol, cigarettes, and other pricey goods that are for sale in the duty-free shops aboard nearly every cruise (and in many ports of call).

So what exactly is duty-free shopping on a cruise? And does it really save you money? 

What Is Duty-Free Shopping?

Discounted alcohol in a duty-free cruise shop

If you’ve traveled on a cruise before or been to an international airport, you’ve likely seen the bright signs for duty-free shopping. Heading inside these stores is like a trip to a sinner’s paradise. You’ll find fancy jewelry, alcohol, cigarettes, perfumes, chocolates, and more.

Since a set of special rules apply for places like airports and cruise ships, they are able to sell goods in these stores without consumers having to pay the same taxes on them that you’d see in a typical store.

For example, if you were to buy a bottle of alcohol in Miami, it would cost you not just the price of the bottle, but also the sales tax (7.0%) that’s tacked on. 

In addition, many jurisdictions have heavy import taxes on things like alcohol or cigarettes, that are produced in another country. Most consumers never see these taxes or even know they exist as they are added into the price. So depending on where you live, there can be taxes at the federal, state, and city level. Of course, all that tax is then passed on to the final consumer in the form of a higher price.

Since duty-free shops get a pass on these rules, they can offer savings compared to back home. (We offer a price comparison of several example items below.)

How Duty-Free Shopping Works on a Cruise Ship or in Port

There’s no missing duty-free shopping on a cruise. There will be a shop on any large cruise ship you sail, attractively outfitted with a wide selection of alcohol, cigarettes, and other goodies. For those who like to have a drink or a smoke, you will be like a proverbial kid in a candy store.

As well, often when you head into port, duty-free shopping will be prominently featured. Some spots even have passengers walk through the shops as they walk off the ship into port.

Don’t go thinking, however, that you can buy discounted items to enjoy on the ship. If you buy a bottle of alcohol either on the ship or in port, you don’t get to enjoy it right away. Instead, it’s put in a sealed box. Your purchase will be held by the cruise staff and delivered to your room the last night of the trip.

If bought while in port, it will be taken by the cruise staff when you get back on board and returned at the end of the trip.

Duty-Free Doesn’t Always Mean Completely Tax-Free (Despite the Signs)

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On the ship and in port, you’ll see signs advertising tax and duty-free. In that case, you can buy them on the ship without extra taxes. What you see is what you pay.

What this doesn’t mean, however, is that you are done with the taxman… or that you can simply buy barrels of booze and cigarettes to last you for years and bring them home.

That’s because once you get back home from your cruise, then you have to go through customs in the port terminal. At customs, you must declare everything of value that you are bringing back to the United States — including things you bought in duty-free shops.

To be honest, with most cruises, the official customs declaration is a thing of the past. These days you simply take a photo and walk out the terminal. But if you’re carrying a large amount of goods, don’t be surprised if an officer stops to ask what you have.

In most cases (there are all sorts of caveats), you are allowed up to $800 per person in goods before being charged duties on the amount. Duty amounts vary based on what item(s) you are bringing and the amount of goods you are bringing in. However, for many items, they run 3% for the first $1,000 over the $800 allowance.

There are exceptions for alcohol and cigarettes.

If you are bringing in alcohol, you are allowed only one liter of alcohol  per person under the personal exemption rules. You can bring in 200 cigarettes (or 100 cigars) per person under the personal exemption. Beyond that, you will be charged duty taxes on those items — even if the value is still less than $800.

So how much in alcohol or cigarettes can you bring back in? For alcohol there are no federal limits on how much you can bring, within reason. The rules call for the allowance for enough goods for “personal use.” So if you’re trying to lug home cases of booze, then you likely won’t get past customs (they’ll think you’re trying to import it for sale).

For tobacco, the limit (except in a few special cases) is 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars.

You can see the full details of duty rules at the Customs and Border Patrol website . 

How Much You Will Be Taxed 

How much will you be charged? It only comes out to be a few dollars per bottle. According to the Customs and Border Patrol website:

“The flat duty rate will apply to articles that are dutiable but that cannot be included in your personal exemption, even if you have not exceeded the exemption. For example, alcoholic beverages. If you return from Europe with $200 worth of purchases, including two liters of liquor, one liter will be duty-free under your returning resident personal allowance/exemption. The other will be dutiable at 3 percent, plus any Internal Revenue Tax (IRT) that is due. “

For that reason, it’s a good idea to save receipts.

Special Rules for Galveston Cruise Passengers

If you are sailing from Texas, things are a little different. There, you will be subject to state laws surrounding importing alcohol. Specifically, “the law limits personal importation by an adult to once every 30 days with limits of: 1 gallon of distilled spirits, 3 gallons of wine, and 288 ounces of malt beverages (24 12-ounce containers). “ Keep in mind that this is per adult. So a couple can bring in twice as much.

Furthermore, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has enacted a tariff where “cruise travelers disembarking out of the Port of Galveston will need to pay the tax for alcoholic beverages and cigarettes imported into the state that were purchased either on the ship’s duty free store or at a foreign port of call.”

That means every bottle or cigarette you bring back home will see a small tax. The tax runs about $3.75 for a liter or alcohol and $1.50 per pack of cigarettes. And to our knowledge, there is no personal exemption. Every bottle is hit with this tax.

To recap, here’s what you can expect when you bring goods through customs in Galveston:

  • Personal duty exemption of $800 of goods, including 1 liter of alcohol, and 200 cigarettes per adult. Amounts above your personal exemption are taxed at a rate of 3%.(Federal)
  • Texas laws allow you to bring back a total of only 1 gallon of alcohol or 3 gallons of wine per adult. Every bottle of alcohol or pack of cigarettes brought into Galveston will be taxed ($3.75 per liter/$1.50 per pack). (State)

So if you bring back a single liter of alcohol per person from the duty-free shop on the ship or in a port, you can expect a tax of $3.75 from the state. Expect each additional bottle to be taxed at $3.75 (state) plus 3% of the purchase price (federal), unless traveling with more than one adult. Keep this in mind when you’re comparing prices to what you would pay back home. Even with the tax, items bought in the duty-free shop can still be cheaper.

Is Duty-Free Shopping on a Cruise a Good Deal?

So how much can you save from shopping duty-free? Much of that depends on what you’re buying and where you live. Those living in states that have high taxes on things like cigarettes and alcohol will obviously benefit more from shopping duty-free.

As well, there are often discounts for buying multiple bottles, although keep in mind they will see a tax when bringing in more than one liter into the United States. For example, bottles of Grand Marnier seen on a recent cruise ran $36 each for a one-liter bottle, but two bottles for $60.

Also, bottles are most often one-liter when for sale on a cruise duty-free shop, compared to 750 mL you often find on land. So bottles are typically 33% larger than usual .

Below is a round-up of prices seen on a cruise to give you an idea of what you’ll pay compared to back home. Remember, this doesn’t include any tax that you might have to pay on land. 

When we price compared these items to similar products at a local discount liquor store, we found prices in the duty-free shop were in-line or sometimes a few dollars cheaper in most cases. Deals from the duty-free shop were especially good when buying multiple bottles.

At the same time, the liquor store at home typically sells smaller bottles for around the same price as larger one-liter bottles on the ship. Finally, there isn't tax charged at a duty-free point of purchase, which saves you even more when compared to land.

In other words, the prices compared to back home aren't mind-blowingly lower, but can save you a decent amount, especially since there isn't any sales tax.

Further Reading:

  • Customs Duty Information (U.S. Customs and Border Protections Website)

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I bought a bottle of Bailey’s last year because it was quite a bit cheaper than my local NYC store. Last month I bought a couple of bottles of rum & tequila because NCL mistakenly gave me some onboard credit! Most of the time the prices don’t seem like much of a bargain.

To clarify it’s not, “Customs and Border Patrol”. It is “U.S. Customs and Border Protection”.

I purchased a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label Scotch Whiskey on Mardi Gras in Sept. 2020 as a special gift to my son. He has kept it and has just moved into the home he had built, and we took it out of the nice box it was in and noticed that somewhere near the top, there is apparently a leak which has compromised the contents and also damaged the box it which it sat. This is a rather expensive bottle of whiskey. I notified the Grans Ambassador of Carnival (John Heald) and he stated the Duty-Free ships are not owned by Carnival and that I would have to contact the store Manager of that ship too see if anything could be done. I don’t know how to even go about calling store on a ship. I may just have to chalk it up as a loss but has anyone had this issue and if so, how did you fix it or is it something that just can’t be fixed? Any suggestions would be grateful.

Duty Free bubble has burst at Nassau airport. I flew NAS to MIA on Monday and my stop into the Duty Free was a major sticker shock. $84 for a carton of cigarettes. They cost around $65 in Miami. The alcohol was no deal either. I was told they no longer do the duty free tobacco thing.

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How to Save Money on a Carnival Cruise (with or without Kids)

W e’re living in a golden age of family cruising. Major cruise lines like Disney , Royal Caribbean , and Norwegian are all popular family vacation ideas , and some—including Holland America and MSC Cruises —even offer kids sail free cruise deals on occasion. And while there are plenty of cruise lines for families with U.S. departure ports, one that many people love for its budget-friendly voyages in particular is Carnival Cruise Line .

Not as glamorous as a Disney or Princess cruise, Carnival still has a lot to offer anyone looking to get away and enjoy the island life for a few days without spending an arm and a leg. For budget-conscious families (or even those who don’t know much about cruising and are testing the waters on their first cruise vacation), Carnival is a great place to start.

The base prices are already low on many Carnival sailings, but here’s how to save even more money on Carnival Cruise Line.

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Save Money on a Carnival Cruise Before Getting on the Ship

Savings can start as early as you want, even before you get on the ship. Use these booking strategies to cut costs during (and immediately after) you book your Carnival cruise.

1. Book Early or Wait for a Last-Minute Deal

One of the easiest ways to save money on a Carnival Cruise Line vacation is to book as early as possible. Booking early means you’re almost guaranteed to get the type of cabin you want in the location you want at a good price before competition for the best cabins heats up.

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Conversely, the other easy way to save money is to book as late as possible. Booking at the last minute means that many of the prime cabins might be gone, but the cruise line is more likely to give you a good deal on the remaining cabins than let them go empty.

Unlike other popular family cruise lines like Disney, Carnival tends to lower prices the closer a cruise date gets to entice travelers to book a last-minute getaway. These lower-priced rooms may be balconies or suites, but are most often interior rooms. 

2. Look for a Cheaper Cabin After Booking

After booking your cabin, keep an eye out for a cheaper rate in your same cabin class—or even a cheaper upgrade on your cruise. As the departure date approaches and people change plans, sometimes other travelers may cancel their cruise reservation. If you spot a cabin that you want to move to that’s cheaper than your original cabin, you can call Carnival to snag it and get a reimbursement for the difference in price. 

3. Choose Your Departure Port Wisely

One big thing to consider when booking any cruise is your homeport. This is the port city that your cruise will depart from (and typically return to as well). For big savings, look for a cruise that leaves from a homeport that you’re within driving distance of. If you must fly, consider a port that’s as close as possible to your home to save on airfare costs . If you do need to fly a longer distance, try to choose a homeport served by low-cost airlines.

4. Shop around for Shore Excursions

Shore excursions are a big part of the cruise experience. They’re also a big part of the cost. One way to save money on a Carnival cruise is to walk around the port on your own or shop around for shore excursions rather than only considering the shore excursions offered by Carnival.

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Typically the shore excursions hosted by cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, are more expensive than booking something yourself. Just be sure to do your research when it comes to booking third-party shore excursions because some are obviously safer and more reliable than others. An experience-booking site like Viator (owned by Tripadvisor) lists day trips in many port cities that are often similar to what cruise lines offer.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If your third-party shore excursion does not get you back to the boat in time, there’s no guarantee the cruise ship will wait for you.

Save Money on a Carnival Cruise After You’re Onboard

The best ways to save on a Carnival cruise aren’t limited to your pre-cruise booking strategy. It’s possible to find savings onboard as well. Here are four ways to cut costs while you’re onboard a Carnival sailing.

5. Ditch the Internet Plan

You’re on vacation, so do you really need to be attached to your phone or laptop at all hours? The only right answer is no. Ditching the ship’s internet plan is not only a great way to actually disconnect from the world, but also to save money.

On Carnival cruises, internet plans can cost as much as $14.45 per person per day. That adds up pretty quickly, especially on longer cruises. 

6. Don’t Get Roped Into Entertainment Extras

From games and trivia to just relaxing by the pool or at the adults-only deck, there’s no shortage of free things to do in a Carnival Cruise Line ship. And because there are so many things to do, you really don’t need to be spending money on entertainment extras like the casino or bingo games.

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If you do plan on participating in bingo or taking your chances at the casino, however, consider splitting up some money into envelopes and labeling them by day. That way, you’ve already budgeted out how much you really want to spend and won’t go overboard without realizing it. 

7. Skip the Extra Cost Treats and Food

Let’s be honest: One of the best parts about taking a cruise vacation is the unlimited ice cream, pizza, and other foods are available around the ship. With Carnival Cruise Line, most of the food is included, including the Lido Deck buffet, meals in the dining room, and complimentary room service. With all of the options available, it’s not really necessary to purchase extra treats and food like the specialty cupcakes at the coffee bar or steakhouse-style add-ons at dinner. 

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If you do want to treat yourself to an extra cost dining experience, however, consider the chef’s table, which ranges from $80 to $99 per person, but also includes a cooking demonstration, a multi-course chef-led tasting menu dinner, and wine pairings. Reservations can be made at the Guest Services desk upon embarkation of your cruise. This is a great option if you’re celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary, and since you get so much for the cost, it’s solid value as well.

8. Choose the Right Drink Package

There are two different drink packages available on Carnival Cruise Line, and each may or may not save you money. The first is the Bottomless Bubbles drink package which starts at $6.95 per day for a child and $9.50 per day for an adult. This package includes all-you-can-drink soft drinks and juice. 

Adults may want to splurge on the Cheers! drink package which includes all-you-can-drink soft drinks, juice, specialty coffee, energy drinks, bottled water, hot tea, cocktails, beer, and wine. This package starts at $54.95 per person per day. With this drink package, everyone in your cabin must participate. 

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If you’re considering a drink package, think carefully about whether or not it’s actually going to save you money. The Bottomless Bubbles package is great for kids who want to drink soda and juice throughout the day, and it’s easy to break even when a can of soda is anywhere from $2 to $4 onboard. After drinking three drinks, you’ve made your money back per day. 

The Cheers! drink package is a little harder to justify. You’ll need to drink about six cocktails per day to break even. That may prove challenging for many people, especially on embarkation days and port days. I recently tested out the Cheers! drink package on a four-night Carnival Cruise Line vacation and found at the end of the cruise I was down about $150 based on the overall price of my package.

More from FamilyVacationist:

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Diamondbacks score 14 runs in 3rd inning, cruise to 16-1 victory over Rockies

David Brandt

Associated Press

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr., rear, celebrates his two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies with Ketel Marte during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX – Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen isn't one to turn down run support.

But by the end of the third inning Thursday night, he was almost begging to get back on the field.

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Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had five RBIs and three hits, including a two-run homer, and the Diamondbacks used a franchise-record 14-run third inning to rout the Colorado Rockies 16-1 on Thursday night.

The 14 runs were the most in an inning on opening day for any team since 1900.

“I joked at one point ‘Hey, I want to play,’” Gallen said. “It makes our job as pitchers a lot easier when they give you that much support. Next time, I'd rather them just do it in 10 minutes. Those guys came ready to play.”

Defending National League champion Arizona led 2-1 going into the bottom of the third, but then sent 18 batters to the plate and had 13 hits, two walks and a sacrifice fly.

Maybe most improbably, Arizona didn’t hit a homer during the inning. Ketel Marte, Gurriel, Christian Walker, Gabriel Moreno and Geraldo Perdomo all had two hits. Corbin Carroll walked twice. Blaze Alexander had his first big-league hit with a single up the middle that scored the 14th run.

“It was the situational hitting, taking walks when you're supposed to, it was an all-field approach,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “We were a good hitting team today.”

The outburst broke franchise records for most hits, runs and batters in a single inning. It took 34 minutes for the Rockies to get three outs. The D-backs led 16-1 after three innings.

Gallen (1-0) gave up one run on three hits over five innings. He was helped on a pair of stellar defensive plays by third baseman Eugenio Suarez and center fielder Alek Thomas, which both squashed potential scoring opportunities for the Rockies.

Colorado lefty Kyle Freeland (0-1) took the brunt of the damage in the third, and was pulled after giving up 10 earned runs on 10 hits and a walk over 2 1/3 innings.

“Everything was left middle and up,” Freeland said. “I wasn't hitting my spots well at all. I wasn't executing well at all. And a team like that, which has good bats all the way through, took advantage of every single mistake.”

It was Freeland's third opening day start for the Rockies, which is tied with Germán Márquez for the most in franchise history. Ryan McMahon had two hits, including an RBI double in the second.

Arizona's Marte led off the bottom of the first with a single up the middle. He scored two batters later when Gurriel connected for a towering, no-doubt shot into the left field stands for a 2-0 lead.

Gurriel hit 24 homers last season with the D-backs, which was his first in the desert. Arizona brought him back on a $42 million, three-year deal that includes a club option for 2027.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Diamondbacks: OF Randal Grichuk (ankle) has started the season on the 10-day injured list. He's expected to open in Triple-A Reno on a rehab assignment and could be in the big leagues fairly soon.

The Diamondbacks send RHP Merrill Kelly to the mound Friday night. The Rockies will counter with RHP Cal Quantrill.

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Moscow: question for those who have gone from St Petersburg

By Wayfairers , August 22, 2019 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

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I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port.  I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decided to go Moscow on day 1 of our visit. 

So, those who have done the long trip to Moscow....did you go with the cruise ship or a private guide?   If a private guide, who and would you recommend them?  Did you take the train both ways or fly one direction?  

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dogs4fun

On 8/22/2019 at 9:28 AM, Wayfairers said: I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port.  I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decided to go Moscow on day 1 of our visit.    So, those who have done the long trip to Moscow....did you go with the cruise ship or a private guide?   If a private guide, who and would you recommend them?  Did you take the train both ways or fly one direction?  

Been to Moscow several times. We have used the Sapsan both ways and have also flown both ways - never a combo of the train/plane. We enjoyed the Sapsan more than the flight. We have NOT travelled to Moscow when arriving by cruise ship so have no comment on your particular situation regarding a one day tour with only 2 days in St. Pete.  Good luck - hope the visit meets your expectations.

Thanks for the info.  Good to know you enjoyed the train more than the plane - I would expect we would too as flying is typically more hassle than taking the train.  

We decided to book the trip to Moscow with the cruise ship after learning that if we miss the train or plane we don’t get a refund in addition to missing Moscow.  And, I’ve had friends who’s ship missed the St Petersburg stop due to weather.

Cool Cruiser

Moscow is a great city but I would rather spend all two days in St Petersburg. Some years ago we had almost a week there and still it doesn’t seem enough. We also had one day in Moscow and the journey arranged by the local travel agency was well organized and comfortable. In a view of time restrictions of the journey (we spent almost 8 hours on the train and just 6-7 hours in the city) one day in Moscow still felt a little rushed. Anyway, enjoy planning your trip and hope you have a great time in Russia!

Coral

Just make sure the day you are going to Moscow, it is not one of their holidays or even a day before a holiday.

Moscow is an amazing city but it is frustrating when Red Square is closed for parades, etc.... It is hard to determine when they close it but it is definitely closed for their holidays. When it is closed - you can only walk around the exterior of the square and look in.

Thanks!   I will check.  We are in Moscow May 16.  I know May 9 is a holiday. 

AngelDisney

I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred. 

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1 hour ago, AngelDisney said: I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred. 

For 2 days - spend the time in St. Petersburg. There is so much to see there. Save this for a 2nd trip.

When we were in St. Petersburg we were also very interested in visiting Moscow. We were already in Russia why not visit as much places as we could, right? We used Anastasia Travel for our St. Petersburg tour and also asked them to include Moscow. They were very helpful and were very much willing to arrange a day trip to Moscow for us but they suggested we just stay in St. Petersburg since we only had 2 days. They were kind enough to explain that we would just waste time and money if me push through with the Moscow trip. We would spend more time on the train instead of using the time to explore and enjoy the sights. They were actually correct and we ended up enjoying a wonderful 2-day tour in St. Petersburg. I guess we'll have to go back to see Moscow and make sure to stay longer! 

angie7911922

angie7911922

When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel.   This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

9 hours ago, angie7911922 said: When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel.   This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

On 9/1/2019 at 8:09 PM, AngelDisney said: We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

Great idea to form a small group!! Have a fantastic time and I am sure you wont regret that decision!! 

luvtravel88

luvtravel88

I'm not sure about customs when coming in on a cruise ship. We were told that if we wanted to leave the ship, we would have to be on a tour, either a ships tour or private tour. I know we had to show our tour tickets at customs to be allowed to go further. We chose Alla tours and they were fantastic. We were docked in St. Petersburg for 3 days and we did go to Moscow on the Capsan train on the 2nd day. It was a VERY long day. We had to meet our group at 6:00am and were on the train at 7:00am. We arrived back at to our cabin at 1:30am the next day. It was a wonderful day and we're so glad we went but if we were in St. Petersburg for only 2 days, I probably wouldn't spend a day in Moscow. It is a 4 hour train ride each way, and if you need to be back to the ship to depart, it may not leave you much time in Moscow. The 8 hours we spent there, wasn't nearly enough. Traffic is horrible and we ended up getting off our bus and taking the subway to Red Square. Those 8 hours allowed us a tour of Red Square, which was phenomenal as well as a quick walk through GUM department store and a ride on the subway with several stops to see the mosaics, sculptures and chandeliers that are in the corridors of the subway stops.

But.....there is so much to see in St. Petersburg , the 2 days we spent there, were a whirl.

Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. I had organized the tour with Alla and had advertised it on our cruise forum here at Cruise Critic. There were 12 of us and we met up on the ship each morning and went through customs together so we all met the tour bus at the same time. That was very helpful!

The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

16 minutes ago, luvtravel88 said: . Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. ! The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg. 

25 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg. 

I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right?

Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow.

It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit.  😉

4 hours ago, dogs4fun said: I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right? Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow. It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit.  😉

No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something.  You are right...we just want a taste of both cities.  In fact, that is what we get from all cruise port stops - just a taste.  We are never there long enough to the see the area completely.

2 hours ago, Wayfairers said: No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something.  

Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

16 hours ago, dogs4fun said: Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

Double checked and it says we go to Moscow on the high speed train.   Come back the same way.   From all I’ve read it takes a little longer (ship to Moscow sites) to fly than to take the train.  

napoxoguk

I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning). 

Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?

4 minutes ago, napoxoguk said: I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning).    Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?  

If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

6 minutes ago, dogs4fun said: If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

That is what my research shows too.  A quick google search showed the tourist visas for US citizens are $160.  I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa.  We’ve gotten most of the visas that are a pain to get and I’m tired of doing that. 

2 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa

I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers.

I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

For a regular SPB-only itinerary, visa doesn't seem to make sense - not only price-wise, but also from the standpoint of convenience - all the local operators have their itineraries down to a science.

With Moscow, though, it's not so clear-cut.

I found that most of the tour operators will give you a tour but no guarantee that you make it to Moscow because you will miss the train if debarkation is too slow.  I found one tour that offers a 2 day tour with a flight to Moscow day 1 and train back and St Petersburg day 2.   Seriously considered them.   I briefly thought about getting a visa and spending the night in Moscow but never priced everything out. If you look into that I would love to see what you find. Probably not for us though because I want to see some of both cities.  

2 hours ago, napoxoguk said: I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers. I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

I have visited Russia multiple times. I received my latest 3 year visa in May and here are the associated costs:

Single/Double/Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee = $50

Total = $248   (this is your total if you apply in person at one of the 4 consulates located in the USA - since I don't live near a Russian consulate, I must use the more costly mail option)

SO ... here is what I actually paid:

Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee by mail = $120

Return shipping/handling fee = $35

Total = $353

Totally worth the fee as I spend multiple weeks in Russia yearly and prefer DIY - personally, I would not consider a visa if it was a one time visit via cruise.

So, for DIY, added to the visa expense, one must add the cost of the sapsan train (or flight), Moscow transportation (metro is great), food & associated entrance fees to the Kremlin (and whatever else one has the time/desire to visit).

FYI: There is a HOHO in both Moscow & St. Petersburg.

Okay, I think the diy budget might be something like ₽20,000 (about $300) per person. This includes:

Train tickets: ₽9000 (5+4); Kremlin+armory: 1700 (1000+700)

Boat ride:600

Meals: 3000 (1500 per casual meal)

Contingencies (Uber ride if needed, etc): 2500. 

It's based on a number of assumptions, so real-life mileage will vary - please let me know if you identify some glaring omissions or errors.

Assumptions:

Done on day 2 of three.

Good weather (lots of outside/walking time)

Earliest Sapsan to Moscow, overnight double decker from Moscow (no hotel stays)

Train tickets purchased at least 30 days in advance, economy for Sapsan and economy plus for the double decker (includes a bottle of water and a piece of gingerbread).

All group members are adults

Done on a day when the Kremlin, Red Sq, and other Moscow attractions are actually open.

Boat ride via watertrams-radisson.ru (the cheapest option with English audio guide)

Sample itinerary:

leave SPB on Sapsan 743a (5:30am), sleep on the train.

Arrive Moscow 9am

DIY Metro tour until 11am

Kremlin excursion (cathedral Sq, DIY) 11:30

Armory excursion (audioguide) 12:30 

Quick lunch (at GUM stolovaya or fast food chains at Manezhnaya sq) : 2 to 3pm.

Walk to Zaryadye boat pier via Alexander's garden, Red Sq, Zaryadye. Boats leave every 30 minutes. Route: Zaryadye- Gorky Park - luzhniki- Ukraina - turnaround - sparrow hills - Gorky Park. Time on board: 2 hrs. 

Gorky Park/muzeon (5:30 to 7:30). 

Head back (metro) towards red sq for evening walk/dinner (tverskaya-kamergersky-b.dmitrovka-metropol-nikolskaya area)

Need to be back at the train station by 10:30 to catch the 006aa train departing at 10:50. 

Back to SPB at 6:47 am.

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Vintage, retro shops in Moscow - Moscow Forum

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Vintage, retro shops in Moscow

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My friend and I are staying in Mosvow for a about a week. We've been looking for vintage/retro sorts of shops. The sort of place were people might sell second hand clothes, lurch items from years ago that no one wants any more.

We can't seem to find anything.

Does anyone on here have any tips?

' class=

The "back yard" of Izmailovo Vernissage (market) might work for you. There's also the quarterly "Flea Market" in Tishinka, the next one opens on September 25th.

cruise shop save

The area behind the faux Kremlin in Izmailovo is where the flea market is.

cruise shop save

And it's great! Fantastic place to visit. From memory, though, there are some restrictions on what you can take out of the country in terms of age when it comes to this sort of stuff... Perhaps the locals or DEs can confirm this or provide a link to some official info along these lines?

Correct: so called "cultural valuables" are subject to severe export restrictions, and anything older than 100 years is considered a cultural valuable.

cruise shop save

not that it gets checked though.

Probably not the point though, eh, Tobias? :)

true enough :)

As for vintage stuff, I remember back in 2010 I visited a shop (must have been quite close to M. Smolenskaya where they sold many vintage things/military related. It had a basement and all that. A bit of heaven that was.

Must admit I didn't check on it in recent trips, but I'd certainly give it a try. Any members on here which know the shop I mean?

> I visited a shop (must have been quite close to M. Smolenskaya where they sold many vintage things/military related

Every second shop in Old Arbat street fits that description ;)

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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  • Are shops and things closed during Christmas and New Week ? Dec 15, 2023
  • Traveling to Eastern Russia Nov 17, 2023
  • Travel to russia september 2023 tips welcome Oct 17, 2023
  • Moscow to St Petersburg train or air?? 32 replies
  • New Sapsan Express Train from Moscow to St Petersburg 18 replies
  • New year's in moscow 8 replies
  • Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour 5 replies
  • How do you purchase Bolshoi Ballet tickets at a great price? 2 replies
  • Select-a-room.com Are they legitimate? 3 replies
  • Weather Moscow and St. petersburg in May 8 replies
  • Night train to St Petersburg 3 replies
  • ATM Access 12 replies
  • Visa needed if on layover at Moscow Airport??????? 15 replies

Moscow Hotels and Places to Stay

  • Where can I get initial answers to ANY question?

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VIDEO

  1. 5 MONEY SAVING cruise tips! 💰👀✅

  2. Top 6 Cruise Cabin Tips for (2024)

  3. 5 EXTRA fees on a cruise ship! 💰👀❌

  4. ARE CRUISE LINES CHANGING PORTS JUST TO SAVE MONEY

COMMENTS

  1. Cruise, Shop, Save

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    Welcome to Cruise Shop Save the home of FREE Cruise Port Maps, Insider Secrets, Tips and Tricks to get around in port. Included is a list of Recommended Shops and shopping coupons. Fancy a drink then check out the local bars and if you are hungry we recommend restaurants too.

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    Welcome to Nassau, the Bahamas' bustling capital, where sunshine, sandy beaches, and island vibes reign supreme. This cruise port guide will be your compass to navigate this tropical paradise. From transportation tips to duty-free shopping, breathtaking beaches, and mouthwatering cuisine, we've got you covered for an unforgettable Nassau ...

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    Cruise Shop Save. 739 likes · 4 talking about this. Saving you time, effort and money during your cruise. Port shopping tips, savings & local inside info

  7. Cruise Shop Save

    Welcome to Cruise Shop Save your ultimate cruise port insider guide with free maps, coupons & Tax & Duty-Free savings. This YouTube Channel will help you navigate your next cruise, providing free ...

  8. How to save on a cruise: 33 money-saving tips from an expert cruiser

    To save money, look for extra-charge eateries that are open for lunch. The food is usually just as good, but the menu is smaller and the prices are reduced from the dinnertime fee. Look for daily or happy hour drink specials. Your ship's daily newsletter is your guide to saving money.

  9. 10 Ways to Save on a Cruise

    Following are ten ways to save big on your next cruise vacation. 1. Deals Searching Galore! Cruiseline.com is the ULTIMATE resource for cruise deals on sailings from all cruise lines. We track the prices for thousands of cruises and provide a one-stop destination for travelers to view deals in one location.

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    Please tell us the date you join the ship, the cruise line, and ship name. Free Port Maps & Coupons. Simply register below to get your welcome cruise package including port maps, valid shopping coupons and so much more ready for your Cruise.

  11. CruiseShopSave

    CruiseShopSave | 213 followers on LinkedIn. Helping Cruisers save time, effort, and money with recommended and Guaranteed Shopping Maps, Guides, and Coupons. | I help cruisers save time, effort ...

  12. 30+ Tips to Save Money On a Cruise (Both Buying & Onboard)

    Here, it is $17.99 for DayQuil and $5.25 for dental floss. It's usually a good idea to pack light for a cruise, but don't skimp when it comes to toiletries and medicines. Things like dental floss and cold medicine are available on the ship, but at unbelievable prices (including a bottle of cold medicine for $18!).

  13. Cruise Shop

    View all Spa and Salon. Carnival's cruise shops offer a variety of products including drink programs, internet plans, shore excursions and more. Visit our cruise shop and start shopping.

  14. Explained: Duty-Free Shopping on a Cruise (Is It Worth It?)

    If you return from Europe with $200 worth of purchases, including two liters of liquor, one liter will be duty-free under your returning resident personal allowance/exemption. The other will be dutiable at 3 percent, plus any Internal Revenue Tax (IRT) that is due.". For that reason, it's a good idea to save receipts.

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  17. How to Save Money on a Carnival Cruise (with or without Kids)

    3. Choose Your Departure Port Wisely . One big thing to consider when booking any cruise is your homeport. This is the port city that your cruise will depart from (and typically return to as well).

  18. cruise ship terminals

    Answer 1 of 3: I have booked a river cruise Moscow to St Petersburg on the MS Nikolay Chernyshevsky the Vodohod line - I would like to know where the cruise ship terminals are located in Moscow & St Petersburg

  19. Thinking of going to Moscow?

    We thought about it and did it September 21, 2013. We would like to share how we did it and explore options on how to visit this great city. Because we were staying in St. Petersburg, we chose a "Day Trip". We found a guide on the internet and contacted her. We asked her the best way and day to v...

  20. Diamondbacks score 14 runs in 3rd inning, cruise to 16 ...

    Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had five RBIs and three hits, including a two-run homer, and the Arizona Diamondbacks used a franchise-record 14-run third inning to cruise over the Colorado Rockies 16-1 on ...

  21. Moscow: question for those who have gone from St Petersburg

    I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port. I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decid...

  22. Vintage, retro shops in Moscow

    Answer 1 of 9: My friend and I are staying in Mosvow for a about a week. We've been looking for vintage/retro sorts of shops. The sort of place were people might sell second hand clothes, lurch items from years ago that no one wants any more. We can't...