your first day aboard, or you can ask
beforehand if there are discounts for
purchasing packages in advance.
Lastly, while all-you-can-drink
deals are easily attainable, take the
extra ten minutes to do some simple
maths and make sure the inclusive
drink offerings actually make sense
for you.
EXCURSIONSOn adventure cruises
and expedition-like vessels, the ex-
cursions are the major drawcard,
with at least some included in your
quoted rate. On classic cruising itin-
eraries like in the Pacific and Medi-
terranean, onshore activities come at
an extra cost. For recreational excur-
sions such as scuba diving and wind-
surfing, you’ll need to book through
the cruise line or research independ-
ent tour providers in advance. Take a
look at the ship’s itinerary in advance
and decide which experiences are a
priority for you.
Planning to take in the city sights
or go to the beach? Try exploring on
your own via public transport and
Google Maps. It’s a great way to ex-
perience a port of call – so long as you
pay careful attention to what time
you need to be back on the ship.
ASK FOR MONEY BACKIf fares
lower after you book, don’t
despair. If you’re paying via
instalments, you can ask the
operator to reduce your last
payment to take advantage of
the new discounted pricing. Already
paid in full? Contact the cruise line
and see if you can get onboard credit
in compensation.SOUVENIR SHOPPING Setting
a budget is crucial. Try allotting
yourself one special purchase as a
memento o f your trip. Do your shop-
ping away from the port, where tour-
ist traps proliferate. And beware of
onboard shopping, as this can also
be just as dangerous for the wallet.ATM FEES Onboard currency
exchangers and port-side ATMs come
with h efty fees. Apply in advance for
a credit card with no foreign trans-
action fees for spending off the ship.TAKE A ‘REPOSITIONING’ CRUISE
When ships move between cruise re-
gions in response to seasonal trends,
cabins are made available to help
defray the costs of repositioning the
vessel. Often these one-way itinerar-
ies have many ‘at-sea’ days, but the
onboard amenities remain the same
at a fraction of the price.INTERNET ACCESSMost ships have
internet access, some with relatively
high-speed connectivity, but inter-
net fees at sea are expensive. Forego
this to add instant savings to your
trip and get a digital detox. Also,
turn your phone to ‘aeroplane
mode’ so you don’t rack up
auxiliary roaming charges.CRUISING: INSIDER TRAVEL TIPS
72 | June• 2019