Budget Family Cruise
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Cruises, whether taken as a couple, alone or with the family, seem to maintain an unwavering synonymy with opulence, extravagance and wealth. In fact cruise liners across the world have not managed to shake off the image of the wealthy traveller sailing on an
indulgent transatlantic voyage in the 1920s, as glamorized by the movie, Titanic.
While modern-day cruises can still be thoroughly lavish, luxurious and costly, cruises of the 21st century are not confined to the super-rich and can experienced by more budget-conscious couples, individuals and families. In fact, according to industry statistics, since 1990 more than 154 million passengers have enjoyed a cruise of more than two days and out of this number 68% has been generated in the last ten years and 40% in the last five years. One of the reasons for the abrupt rise in cruise ship popularity is that cruises are increasingly becoming a cost effective choice of holiday and an inexpensive way to see the world.
If you want to experience a budget family cruise to glide across the ocean without spending a fortune, take a look at some of the ways cruises can be accomplished without spending a fortune.
Choose a cruise ship where kids go free
Cruise ships are highly competitive these days and as a consequence of this competitiveness the budget family cruise is often considerably discounted. Certain cruise operators will stipulate that children, usually 12 and under, sail free when they share a cabin with mom and dad. As long as you can put up with your brood sleeping in a bed just yards from you, financially you win when booking a cruise in which children are free.
Even cruise lines that do not offer free sailings for children, offer significant discounts to third and fourth passengers in a stateroom. Some ships offer rooms for five, better providing a budget family cruise to the cost conscious.
Say no to extras!
From luxury massages on deck where exhausted masseuses are forced to promote oils and products afterward, to overenthusiastic child sitters persuading parents to relax for the night while they will look after the kids, it is possible to spend a small fortune during your cruise. While modern-day cruise liners, like their predecessors, are adept in creating opportunities to prize money from the wallets of their guests, all you have to say is no! Celebrity cruises and chartering onboard a luxury yacht across the Mediterranean may be brimming with people with more money than sense, willing to depart with their cash at every given opportunity, it’s your cruise and you can decide how to spend or not to spend your money.
Tread carefully when buying drinks!
Similar to how a restaurant often makes its money out of excessively priced drinks, cruise liners prey on clients buying drinks that exceed the basic drinks allowance clients have already paid for in the pre-arranged cost of the cruise. Most cruise ships include tea, coffee, water and juices in the cruise package, but soda and alcoholic beverages are generally not included.
Shun from being lured into picking a brightly colored, lavishly decorated cocktail from a passing waiter’s plate. Likewise persuade the kids to drink juice or water and to stay off the Fanta and Coca-Cola, which can cost a fortune on board a cruise liner. If wine or soda is essential to your dining pleasure, purchase a drink package before boarding at a significant discount over the per glass price.
Book excursions yourself
Perhaps the greatest way to plan a budget family cruise is to book your own shore excursions. Many cruise liners are in partnership with local tour operators who pay commission to cruise operators for clients they sign up for excursions. Many of these excursions, which are not far from port, are family-orientated, such as visiting the dolphin centre or zip lining across a jungle. Such attractions typically charge hefty entrance fees, which, for a family of four, can seriously make a dent in the holiday budget.
Cruise operators encourage vacationers to select shore excursions that benefit them financially. Likewise attraction owners know that cruise passengers are generally unfamiliar with the area and don’t know real costs. Thus you will inevitably pay more when signing up for an excursion via your cruise operator. In essentially ‘cutting out the middle man’ by researching and booking shore excursions yourself, you will ultimately save money and enjoy your budget family crui