TRAVELin the costs of on-the-ground trans-
portation. That includes transfers to
and f rom your hometown airport and
the c osts of reaching the pier from
your a rrival airport. Cruise lines can
take c are of your transfer costs at a
premium, but it’s possible to arrange
your o wn taxi or rideshare or even to
take p ublic transport.FOODOne of the trademark elements
of cr uising is the all-inclusive dining,
but th at doesn’t mean everything’s
included in your booking. On many
megaships, for example, you’ll find
a b evy of speciality dining options
which ar e not incorporated in your
base f are, and must be paid for.
Decide b eforehand if you are willing
to p ay extra for certain meals.ON A BUDGET BUT STILL WANT TO
CELEBRATE?Alcohol, soft drinks
and d esigner coffees come at
an e xtra cost, and one that can
really a dd up if you make a
habit o f them. On traditional
cruising v essels you’ll be able
to purchase drink packages onJune• 2019 | 71HOW MUCH MONEY DO I REALLY
NEED?Listed prices can seem like
they c over everything, until you real-
ise t hat the cost of transit to the port,
drinks o n board, and excursions
are a dded extras. Before you book
that g reat-looking rate, make sure
you c onsider beyond the advertised
cruise c ost of your cabin and meals.
HOTEL STAYS You may want to
arrive a t your cruise’s departure
city a d ay early to reduce the risk
of m issed connections. Budget for
a n ight in a hotel or rental accom-
modation plus two or three meals.
Cruise c ompanies have partnerships
with l ocal lodging, though it can be
more c ost efficient to find your own
if y ou don’t mind the extra legwork.
TRANSITUnless you have a port in
your o wn city, you’ll have to fly to em-
bark o n the cruise of your dreams.
Check t hat airfares are reasona-
ble f or the dates you are con-
sidering b efore getting swept
away i n a cruise bargain.
Then, don’t forget to factor
There’s an enormous range of boat trips around the
world, a nd plenty of ways to find and book your perfect
cruise. B oth first-time cruisers and those looking for
inspiration will find these tried and true money-saving
tips for your next cruise holiday useful