cruising Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips https://www.thriftymommastips.com/tag/cruising/ Travel, Health & Family Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:51:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.thriftymommastips.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cropped-thrifty_logo_header-32x32.png cruising Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips https://www.thriftymommastips.com/tag/cruising/ 32 32 77340857 The Harmony of the Seas – Epic Fun Cruising https://www.thriftymommastips.com/the-harmony-of-the-seas-epic-fun-cruising/ https://www.thriftymommastips.com/the-harmony-of-the-seas-epic-fun-cruising/#comments Fri, 05 Apr 2019 10:50:03 +0000 https://www.thriftymommastips.com/?p=16726 Updated with more details in April 2019 This year, we took a family cruise on the Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. The biggest cruise ship on the water at the time. As most cruisers know the biggest is only the biggest for a season, if that. But we didn’t choose The Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas for its size. We bought in this time for the laundry list of amazing activities on board and the ports of call. Cruising with teens needs to be fun, which means you need to opt for a cruise ship with a lot of activity. The Harmony of the Seas is non stop epic fun. Recently it was named one of the 8 Most Popular Cruise Ships by Cruise Critic. Here’s why. An Amusement Park at Sea Harmony of the Seas is like an amusement park at sea. There’s everything you could want, or ask for, including activities and shows for all ages. From teens, to tots and seniors too, there’s something entertaining for all ages on the Harmony of the Seas. NON stop fun. If you plan it right you can have the time of your life on Harmony of the Seas. So start planning early. As soon as you book the cruise, go into your Royal Caribbean app ( Royal IQ ) and get scheduling. There are Broadway style shows that are very family friendly most nights of the week, but you can’t see them if you don’t get a time scheduled. Some fill up fast so don’t take your chances. Cruise Ship Entertainment When we took a family cruise with Royal Caribbean cruise line in January 2017 Grease was winding down. Wish I had realized that and booked the show in advance. We missed out on that one. But we did get to see several others, including a spectacular ice show. Skating Show That’s right, Harmony of the Seas even has a full sized skating rink on one level. The skating show was like watching Stars on Ice or any other extremely high level ice skating production. All of the entertainment is included, which shocked me. There’s also an incredible water show on this ship. Some shows are kind of late for kids, but not for teens, and in fact you are on holidays so you can stretch the bedtime a bit. Family Friendly Activities There’s a zipline on the top deck and you and your family can zip across the deck 18 floors below. That was a rush, even if I did almost chicken out. But I did it, and it was fast. Wish I had done that one a couple of times. The Carousel Merry Go Round on The Boardwalk is just a unique experience on a cruise ship. Meanwhile the rock wall is a challenge and a great way to spend an hour. In fact, you may want to do this daily. We signed up one of the first days so we could rock climb at our leisure. The shoes and harnesses are of course provided. This is one you need to work at for a bit if you don’t climb routinely. Flow-Rider sits on two sides of the zipline area and is not far from the mini golf too. That’s one heck of a fun activity to try at least once. You can do it standing as if you are surfing, or body boarding. Just ask. Sometimes one of the Flow-Riders is for body boards and the other is for surfing. Skilled instructors will help you surf the waves 200 feet above sea level. This climbing area outside Johnny Rocket’s was one of the first things the kids found after we checked in. Spend a few hours exploring and getting the lay of the land so to speak – board early. Don’t wait. I much prefer that to boarding during the big rush of cruisers later in the afternoon. We aimed for 11 a.m. or shortly after the itinerary indicated it was time to start boarding. That way we had a full day the first day on board Harmony of the Seas. You have to be completely dry to do the zip line. Also no bathing suits allowed. There are a few other rules. For instance you can’t have any loose clothing on either. From the moment we boarded to the minute we left (sad panda) we were busy in a good way. This is the kind of cruise we love, because every family can have a boatload of fun family activities day and night. The waterslides on the Harmony of the Seas are not the fastest ever, but they are fun. There is a racing pair of waterslides and a kid’s play area with smaller waterslides for the young ones. They call the waterslides The Perfect Storm trio. There’s Typhoon, Cyclone and Supercell, one is a fun bowl slide that spits you out at the bottom. We loved that one the most. MY Favourite Slide The Abyss drops 10 stories and you ride through it leaning back with feet inside a burlap sack. Don’t wait. Do this one early on and repeat. The slides are so much fun and they are not scary at all. Just good clean fun with a little hit of adrenaline. It’s 45.72 meters above sea level. Teen Club The teen club has numerous scheduled events and activities late into the night for youth. My daughter joined several kids who went ice skating the last night we were there. Typically the Harmony of the Seas teen program is open until 1 a.m. For more information on the kid’s club hours visit the Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas info centre. Cruising with Teens or Tweens is a Lot of Fun on the Harmony of the Seas We enjoy cruising with several cruise lines. Each cruise line and each cruise boat has distinctive merits and personality too. This most recent cruise on Harmony of the Seas was epic. If you are an active family that loves rock climbing, zip lining, theatrical shows and thrilling waterslides this is the cruise ship for you.

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]]> https://www.thriftymommastips.com/the-harmony-of-the-seas-epic-fun-cruising/feed/ 42 16726 Stay Healthy on a Cruise Ship with These 7 Tips https://www.thriftymommastips.com/stay-healthy-on-a-cruise-ship-with-these-7-tips/ Tue, 06 Nov 2018 12:10:26 +0000 https://www.thriftymommastips.com/?p=22568 How do you stay healthy on a cruise ship? Staying healthy is always important, but it’s even more important while cruising. Even the cleanest cruise ship sees hundreds of thousands of passengers pass through every room on the ship over the course of a year. That’s a lot of opportunity for germs and bacteria to spread. In addition to that, you’ll find new foods, and you’ll be tempted to overextend yourself in other ways in an effort to maximize your fun. While it’s your vacation and a great time to do all the things and try all the foods, you need to remember to temper that with some common sense. Overindulging in anything means you will pay a price later. If staying healthy is important to you every other week of the year then it should also be important when cruising. You won’t have much fun if you’re stuck in your room sick. Here are a few ways we try to embrace being healthy even when cruising. Staying Healthy is Easier Than You Think You don’t have to walk around your cruise ship with a bottle of hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes on hand. In fact, avoiding germs is only part of the equation when it comes to ensuring your good health while cruising, or on any trip, for that matter. If you follow these simple practices, you’ll more than likely have a ton of fun on your cruise and you won’t regret it either. Wash Your Hands This one should be a no-brainer, but it would be a terrible list for staying healthy indeed if I didn’t add it. It is so important to wash your hands. Between excursions; crew members cleaning your room, serving your food, and making your drinks; and hanging enjoying the common areas of the ship, you’re open to all sorts of bacteria. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. I love our family cruises because they are affordable and there’s always a lot to do and see, but when loads of people gather in any common area there are bound to be germs. So wash your hands! That’s tip number one in order to stay healthy on a cruise ship. Actually it’s tip number one all year round when we travel anywhere!   Hydrate People often forget how important hydration is for good health. The human body is made up of over 70% water. With that much of our bodies being composed of water, it only makes sense that you should hydrate yourself to ensure good health. Dehydration can lead to suppressed immune function, lethargy, crankiness, headaches, and more. Do yourself a favour and pound that water! Selectively Hydrate While we’re talking about drinking water, let’s talk about what kind of water. On the ship, the water should be safe to drink, but when you’re out on excursions, take bottled water. Any tropical climate could have pathogens in the water that your body can’t handle. This especially true if you’re cruising in Mexico or Egypt. Exercise Exercising is one of the best ways to stay healthy on a cruise ship or in general. When you exercise, it releases a cascade of hormones into your body that does everything from improving your mood to repairing your body on a cellular level. If your cruise ship has a fitness center, take advantage of it. If not, a brisk walk around the deck can do wonders, as well. Many of the cruise ships we have been on have amazing fitness centres and massive walking tracks. There’s no end to the potential for physical activity on board. Move often and make the most of it. Even on fun ships like Harmony of the Seas when you travel with a family in tow get them all involved. Racing up and down water slides for hours can be exercise enough to tire everyone out. Which brings me to my next point about sleep. Everyone sleeps better when they’ve had adequate exercise. Get Plenty of Sleep Sleep is the body’s way of repairing itself, so if you want to stay healthy on your cruise, get plenty of sleep. Better sleep matters for so many reasons in daily life and when you travel too. Ensure you get your solid 8 hours whenever possible to keep your body in tip-top shape and ready to fight off any bugs you might come into contact with. Common Sense with Food and Drink I know, I know. You’re on vacation. You’re on a cruise. It’s time to let your hair down! While that is true, be smart about it. Maybe just let your hair down a little. If you have any GI issues, stay away from what aggravates them, no matter how tasty it may look. If you drink, don’t drink to excess. It may seem like fun in the moment, but the exhaustion, dehydration, and subsequent hangover will have you wishing you’d stopped at that second mimosa. Be Honest About Symptoms This last tip concerns both you and your fellow cruisers. When you arrive for your cruise, you’ll be asked to fill out forms. One of those forms will ask you about certain symptoms you may have been experiencing the week or two prior. Be honest. You won’t necessarily get kicked off the cruise, and you’ll also ensure that you won’t get others sick. Along those same lines, if you start feeling poorly while on your cruise, report it immediately so that you can receive medical attention and the crew can handle whatever is happening. Staying Healthy Matters Even When You Travel There’s nothing worse than being on a cruise and coming down with some sort of sickness. Or even getting sick on any trip. On one of our cruises I had extremely bad eye inflammation that did not want to go away. It started as soon as we got on board and finally after two days of a really sore eye I went down to the medical centre and got treatment for it. I like to remember that one as my pink eye cruise. To make matters worse, if you get sick on vacation your family will also worry about you rather than enjoy their trip. That’s why staying healthy is so important. It makes your time on board so much richer and more memorable. So follow these tips and ensure good health on all your cruises.

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]]> 22568 Everything You Need To Know About Cruise Gratuities https://www.thriftymommastips.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cruise-gratuities/ https://www.thriftymommastips.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cruise-gratuities/#comments Tue, 09 Oct 2018 13:01:01 +0000 https://www.thriftymommastips.com/?p=22233 Cruise gratuities are still murky and confusing to many travellers. Of course, most travellers and tourists want to be fair. After all, the crew does work hard. They have to keep droves of people happy over the course of a week or two, and they have to do it all under somewhat stressful conditions. On the other hand, we’d also like to leave the cruise without going into debt. There has to be a happy medium. Or perhaps just a general guide on how and when to tip. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to cruise gratuities. Using this, you’ll be able to tip just the right amount to keep yourself and the people who help your family on the cruise happy.   Why Cruise Gratuities are so Important Tipping some crew members is a must, in my opinion. But not everyone. So how do you know the difference? That’s what I am here for. Just like many restaurant and other service-based workers, most crew members rely on tips from passengers to supplement their income. They receive a mix of incentive-based tips and salary. Although tipping is not mandatory, the work these employees do is hard, and they deserve compensation for that. Remember, while we’re on vacation, they are hard at work. And if I learned anything at all during my time as a server in university it’s that serving people is a PITA. Many are not at all polite. But that’s a story for another time. Cruise Gratuity Options A lot of cruise lines already add cruise gratuities in the form of service charges to your bill at the end of the stay. If this is your first cruise please take note or you will be shocked at the end of the journey when you see hundreds of extra dollars on that invoice. So, you might think that all gratuities are included in that amount. They are not. Also make note you can prepay those service charges so you don’t get zinged at the end. Account-Added Cruise Gratuities Usually cruise lines add $10 to $14 dollars per day per passenger for on board service gratuities. That includes children. After all, the staff is taking care of both you and the kiddos. The tips are generally divvied up amongst: Main dining Waiter Assistant Waiter Cabin Steward Steward Assistant The captain and other professional crew do not receive tips, as they are salaried and do not operate on the “tip scale” payment method. Personal Tipping The desk will also provide you with envelopes which you can use to tip the staff you choose using cash. You’ll tip your staff at the end of the cruise. For example, tip your waiter at the final dinner and leave your cabin steward’s tip in the cabin just before you disembark. Here are some helpful tipping guidelines should you chose to personally tip. $3.75 per day for your main waiter $2.15 per day for your assistant waiter $5 per day for cabin housekeeping $0.75 per day for your head waiter $1 per bag for your porter These are the basic staff that you would tip on a normal cruise. Of course, if you are staying in a high-end suite with personal concierge service, you would absolutely want to tip your helper. That being said, knowing who not to tip is as important as knowing who to tip. The following cruise staff is generally tipped from an automatically added 15% to 20% gratuity on your payment. My best advice for cruise tipping is to read your receipts! If you get a bill from the bar it will indicate if there’s already an extra tip or cruise gratuity added on. Don’t lose your shirt tipping your drink wait staff twice. Bartenders Drink Wait Staff Spa Treatment Professionals Here’s what Norwegian Cruise Lines Tipping FAQ suggests. There’s a 20 % gratuity already added for spa service charges and for bar service as well as for specialty dining restaurants. So fair to say that you are probably Some staff like child care after hours, cruise youth program staff, (read more about Cruise Youth Programs here ) the butler and concierge might give specialty service for some guests. If you are one of those guests then you should tip to reward good service. Carnival Tipping Cruise Guide is Similar For guest’s convenience Carnival automatically adds the cruise gratuities to the Sail & Sign Card to be prepaid or paid at the end of the cruise. 15 % is automatically already added to any bar bill. In my opinion there’s rarely a need to tip extra on the bar bill if 15 % is already added to each invoice. See Carnival Sensation Video for more on that ship. Disney Cruise Line Tipping Guide: Very similar to both of the above. However Disney Cruise Lines note that 18 % tip is already added to spa services bills. A 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. All gratuities can be charged to your stateroom folio. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Gratuities At $14.50 US to $17.50 US daily per guest the tips are pretty comparable to all the other family friendly cruise lines out there. Again, it’s worth noting that if you wish to not deal with bills on board then you prepay the costs immediately. One more Thing… If you really object to the service received and want to have the gratuities or on board service charges removed you can speak to Guest Services before the morning of disembarkation. You can also indicate if one area of service was substandard and tip each area of service individually. It’s rare that your service will ever be anything but high level or excellent on any of these cruise lines. But there could be that rare instance, so it’s good to know your rights. My Family Cruise Experience: There’s no question that some of the staff we have had on our cruises have gone above and beyond when it comes to service. On at least two of our family cruises with Carnival I was blown away by housekeeping staff. This last trip on the Carnival Sensation was incredible and our housekeeper Victor always had the scoop on the best activities and things to do in ports of call. That is super valuable to me. I believe in rewarding that level of service and also leaving a kind comment or two in any cruise related feedback. Cruise Gratuities are Just Part of Cruising Cruising is all about having fun as a family and leaving the world behind. That’s why so much of cruising costs are built right into the final bill. Cruise gratuities are part of the cost of travel so be prepared. I would not be able to have such a wonderful time with my family without the service personnel on board. If I’m going to be waited on and cleaned up after, it’s important for us to know that the people in service industry are being rewarded and or paid a decent wage. Of course cruise gratuities make up a big portion of a lot of workers’ take-home pay. Knowing that, I encourage you to follow these tips on cruise gratuities when you are at sea. That way, both you and your wait staff can come away from the cruise feeling good about the entire experience.

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]]> https://www.thriftymommastips.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cruise-gratuities/feed/ 8 22233 All The Best Hacks to Save on Cruises Now https://www.thriftymommastips.com/best-hacks-to-find-cheaper-cruises/ Tue, 15 May 2018 17:52:04 +0000 https://www.thriftymommastips.com/?p=20763 Taking a cruise is an exciting time. Not only are cruises an awesome vacation for so many reasons (hello, buffet and 24/7 ice cream machine!) but they are also a budget-friendly option as well.   Cruise lines are becoming more competitive when it comes to offering great deals to try to win those vacationers and families that are on the look-out for a great vacation option. And what’s not to love about taking a cruise? Endless activities, awesome shows, and entertainment, and did I mention the food?   Seriously, taking a cruise is a must. But what are the best hacks to find cheaper cruises? Don’t panic, I am about to give you the low down on ways to save when you book that dream cruise. Stay tuned for my favourite cruise hacks.     We are huge fans of family cruises. And if you’ve made up your mind that a cruise is what you and your family will plan on doing for your next vacation, then why not get the best possible deal for your cruise that you can? Here are some great options on how you can save a bit of money and possibly find cheaper cruises along the way!   The 6 Best Hacks to Find Cheaper Cruises Cruise in the off-season. Trust me, there is still a TON of things to do on a cruise ship during what they consider the “off-season”. And the savings that you can score when booking during a downtime is totally worth it as well! Who wouldn’t want to save anywhere from 20% or more on their next cruise, just by going during a time where it may be a bit less crowded? If you are flexible in your timing then you can save a bundle here. Watch out for the deals. Cruise lines are notorious for offering some pretty great package deals when certain cruises aren’t filling up. Cash back to use on board, room upgrades and even deeper discounts are just great ways that you can save even more money just by doing your research and seeing exactly what your options are. Let a travel agent do the work for you. Millions of people let travel agents take over trying to hunt down the best possible deals, so why shouldn’t you? It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it takes the pressure off of you in spending hours upon hours scouring the internet trying to compare and find the best possible cruise price out there. Ask what discounts the cruise line offers. Many cruise lines offer discounts to active and military veterans which is a great way to save money on your cruise price. If you don’t ask, you won’t know. And what about a senior citizen discount, AAA, and even possibly AARP? All great questions to ask and see if you or anyone traveling with you would qualify for a cheaper cruise price! Sign up for cruise drop alerts. While it may feel like you have to get online and check each and every day if the price of the cruise has dropped, you don’t. Most sites will actually allow you to leave your email address and sign up and if, and when the price of the cruise does drop, it’s a quick email notification to let you know. Talk about a huge time saver! And if you can score a deal, a HUGE money saver as well! Book your next cruise while on board. There are numerous incentives to make this one of my personal favourite ways to save on cheaper cruises. Why I love Cruising In my opinion, taking a cruise is one of the best vacation options out there. Where else can you literally have food, fun, activities and amazing sunrises and sunsets all under one roof? The service is almost always exceptional and the excursions are a blast. While the initial cost of a cruise may surprise you, don’t let it deter you. Where there’s a will to save money, there’s a way to make it happen. Is it Possible to Find Cheaper Cruises? Don’t forget to do your research to make certain that you are uncovering all the ways that you can possibly save money as well. Contact the cruise lines direct to see if they have “extra” discounts that you may be unaware of! It never hurts to ask, right? You’ll either hear the word “no”, or you’ll be given an extra opportunity to save money on your cruise. More Cruise Tips Already on your cruise? Or heading out soon? YOU Need to read this before you board the ship. How to Save Money while ON Board Your Dream Cruise.  PIN IT FOR LATER – > Have fun trying out a few of my favourite cruise hacks, and see if they can help you score cheaper cruises! Have you been on a cruise yet? How do you save when cruising?

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]]> 20763 How to Make Cruising with Teens Enjoyable For All https://www.thriftymommastips.com/how-to-make-cruising-with-teens-a-truly-enjoyable-experience/ Mon, 07 May 2018 12:16:41 +0000 https://www.thriftymommastips.com/?p=20389 Cruising with teens is an entirely different animal than cruising with other adults or with young children. Teens are in a weird, in between stage of their lives where they aren’t really children anymore, but they aren’t yet adults either. What Makes Family Cruises with Older Kids Unique? This leads to a feeling of not belonging on some trips. They’re either too old to enjoy the rides, attractions, and programs that are geared towards the younger kids, or they’re too young to enjoy the adult activities. This can leave them feeling at a loss for what they can do, where they can go, or simply make them feel out of place in general. These tips for cruising with your teenage children will help you pick a cruise line that makes teens feel comfortable and accepted. What to Consider when Cruising with Teens There are a few things to consider when you have a teen and you’re planning a cruise. You’ll want to take cruise demographics into account from the start. You’ll also want to research ports of call, programs on the boat, and consider accommodation arrangements, just to name a few. So let’s dive in. Boat Demographics First things first. You want a cruise line that is geared towards family cruising. These cruise lines offer ports of call that are fit for the entire family, and they often have programs in place for both younger kids and teens. For example, both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have excellent teen programs, and an overall boat demographic that ranges from young to old, offering opportunities for kids of all ages to make friends. Conversely, cruise lines like Holland America are geared more towards adults. One of my favourite ships so far for travel with teens is The Harmony of the Seas. Norwegian has some amazing teen friendly cruises too. Youth Programs Speaking of programs, not all of them are created equal. While many cruise lines offer youth and child programs, it’s important to do your research. Some ships offer child and teen programs, while others have a more general program which makes for a day of teens doing crafts that are geared for a younger group. Any parent of teens can tell you that that won’t be a good time for them. The best thing to do is head to your prospective cruise line’s website and take a look at what they have to offer. They’ll generally have a good overview of their programs. Excursions and Ports of Call Another thing to consider when cruising with teens is excursion opportunities and ports of call. Some cruise lines are more family-friendly than others. It’s important to choose a cruise line that offers excursions which are suitable for the entire family. Good excursion choices are those that offer the chance to explore towns and their surroundings or those that offer fun adventure activities like beaches, snorkeling, and assisted scuba activities. Ships with huge waterparks and teen lounges are wonderful, and also look for that type of thing in the excursions packages. Atlantis is perfect for teens and travel with teens. What you don’t want is an excursion or port of call which only has adult-centric activities like shopping or nightlife. Accommodations This one is based purely on the level of trust between you and your teen and of course price tag too. If you have a teen who has shown him or herself to be trustworthy, you might be able to go with two basic rooms for accommodations. If you don’t have that same trust level, or you’re just worried about security in general, a suite or other such larger setup may be the answer for you. Research your cruise line options to ensure that they have the accommodation setup that’s right for you. Do Your Homework and Cruising with Teens can be a Blast Cruising with teens can be a ton of fun as long as you do your homework. It’s important to remember that even on vacation, teens are coming into their own. They ‘re trying to figure out how to be adults and looking for a little extra independence to spread their wings a bit. It’s important to book cruises that allow them to feel that sense of self while simultaneously offering a great experience to the rest of the family. So remember, cruise and travel review websites are your best friend when cruising with teens. Cruise line websites can tell you what programs are offered, and review websites can tell you how they stack up. Do your research and happy cruising! Find lowest prices on day and night cruises

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]]> 20389 Port Essentials – What Do You Need to Take With You? https://www.thriftymommastips.com/port-essentials/ https://www.thriftymommastips.com/port-essentials/#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2018 10:15:21 +0000 https://www.thriftymommastips.com/?p=19863 Port essentials are just what they say – essential. Without them, your time exploring any port could be a challenge. Disembarking the ship is fun and a great chance to explore a new island or city. But, if you forget these items when returning to the ship you could ruin that dream cruise. Some of these port essentials are for convenience, some are for a better overall experience, and some… Well, without a couple of these you won’t even get back on the ship! So let’s talk about the essentials that you absolutely cannot disembark without when you cruise. Port Essentials Vital for Getting on and off Ship If you’ve never planned a cruise before, you might not realize what’s involved on board. Cruising is a different sort of vacation. Even though cruises are pretty much all-inclusive, there are things you need to bring to ensure that your cruise goes well. When you are on board it is a self contained environment at sea. You’ll be living on and enjoying the entertainment of the ship, but there are still excursions. And there are always ports of call. So you have to view cruising as an entire vacation and you need to be organized too. There are a few port essentials you need every time you leave the boat. Here’s a quick list to help you make the most of every port visit. There’s a free printable at the end too should you be travelling soon. Please print it out and take with you. Cruise ID If you want to cruise at all, you’ll need your cruise ID. Your cruise ID gets you on to the ship and enjoying everything it has to offer. It is also the key to your stateroom. On board it will be linked to a credit card as well so treat it as if it is a credit card, as important as cash. Take care of it. The Cruise ID is one of the most important things you need to carry everywhere. You need it for getting on and off the ship. Without it, you’re, sunk. (couldn’t resist) Passport Much like your cruise ID gets you on to the ship, your passport gets you out on the excursions. Cruising is a mini travel adventure, and many of them take you to other countries around the world. You’ll need your passport to venture out on the excursions offered by the cruise line. You need it when you go into any port. They will check them at security when you return to the ship. EVERYONE in your family needs to have their passports with them at that time. Cell Phone Just like any other trip, bringing cell phones allows you and your family to make calls in case of emergency or to find each other if you split up. That’s incredibly important while out on excursions. Sunscreen This is one of my big cruise essentials. You’ll be out and about in the sun A LOT. You might also be swimming. Sun screen is key if you don’t want your trip to consist of you looking like a boiled lobster and feeling awful later. Money Most parts of your cruise will be rolled into your rate. I stress “most”, because not all will. There are some extras. Cash is one of the most important port essentials. You will be shopping in port. Trust me on this. They cruise right into mini souvenir shopping districts often. That’s not covered by cruise ID. Plus I like having cash often in these situations so I can barter effectively. Impossible to argue that you only have $10 if you whip out a credit card to pay. You’ll want cash to do a little shopping on your excursions. After all, we all love our souvenirs! A Bag And speaking of souvenirs, they’re hard to carry if you don’t have a bag or small travel backpack of some sort. Be sure you pack a nice, big bag for carrying all your trip swag! Your purse can go with you but honestly if you have a travel bag it will work so much better. Plus who wants a Coach bag to get all sandy or wet. Towels If you are disembarking to go hang out at a beach, or a waterpark remember to bring towels. Towels can be port essentials depending on your excursion. So plan accordingly. Cruise ship towels are fine. If you have one of your own from home, then take it instead. Nothing like a nice, absorbent towel. Medicine This should go without saying but I am saying it anyways. Port essentials include your medicines. If you are traveling with medication you need for anything on a daily basis, please always make sure you carry enough for a day or two with you. In an emergency you could be stuck waiting for medication. Not a position you want to be in. Your kids take medication or epi-pens? Keep these with you in a secure pocket of your purse, bag or backpack. Port Essentials for Smooth Sailing Cruising is one of my favourite ways to get away as a family. My family and I do this as often as possible. If you’re planning a cruise, be sure to download and print this port essentials checklist to ensure that you get on and off the ship with ease and enjoy everything it has to offer. The more prepared you are, the more fun your trip will be! Find lowest prices on day and night cruises

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]]> https://www.thriftymommastips.com/port-essentials/feed/ 3 19863 Small Ship Cruising Benefits https://www.thriftymommastips.com/small-ship-cruising-benefits/ https://www.thriftymommastips.com/small-ship-cruising-benefits/#comments Tue, 20 Feb 2018 11:57:02 +0000 https://www.thriftymommastips.com/?p=19624 Small ship cruising is something that often doesn’t even make the radar when people plan their high seas adventures. With so many commercials featuring the massive amusement park ships, some people might not even KNOW that smaller ships exist, or they might not think of them at all. This is especially true of people who have never been on a cruise before. And while the huge ships can be a ton of fun, there are some major benefits to small ship cruising, as well. Small Ship Cruising can Sometimes be a Better Fit While cruising on a smaller ship may not be on your radar, there are times when it can be the right fit. Neither is better than the other necessarily, and they both offer wonderful cruising experiences. But each style of cruising is  different with unique benefits. So let’s take a look at some of the benefits of cruising on a smaller ship, especially for first time cruisers. A Perfect Introduction to Cruising Small ship cruising can be the perfect first time experience. Small ships offer almost all of the amenities of those huge ships but without the ginormous theme park areas. It’s the perfect way to dip your feet into the cruising water and get a feel for the experience. Our first ever cruise was on the Carnival Pride, one of the older Carnival ships at the time. It was ideal for us on our first time at sea. Easier to Navigate When I refer to the large ships we all recognize from commercials as amusement park ships, it’s not an exaggeration. Those ships are absolutely massive. They are cities on the water, and they can be difficult to navigate. First time cruisers or those who are cruising with kids for the first time may find small ship cruising to be less stressful because it is so much easier to navigate the smaller vessels. Less Anxiety I know several people who can ONLY take cruises on smaller ships. The smaller size makes for less anxiety because they are easier to navigate and don’t feel quite so overwhelming. Because of that, they make the perfect cruising experience for people who have anxiety disorder. In fact, recently I noticed a huge difference in my girls. Our last cruise in January was a smaller boat and the kids found it super easy to find their way around and be more independent than they have been on previous cruises. As some of you recall my oldest has anxiety disorder, which sometimes leads to a lot of discomfort in new social situations. That is dramatically less on the smaller ships. A Personal Feel On large ship cruises, like several of the Royal Caribbean ships, it’s easy to feel lost. The sheer number of people can leave you feeling like just another face in a sea of bodies. Small ship cruising offers a much more personal feel. You’ll get to know members of the staff and other cruise members just by virtue of there not being SO MANY people on the boat. Staff to Passenger Ratio That personal feel I just mentioned with small ship cruising can come down to numbers. On a small cruise ship, the staff to passenger ratio can sometimes be smaller. We have always had good service on ships, but on the two smaller Carnival ships we have had exceptional housekeeping and service. Sometimes on smaller ships, it feels like you get to know the staff and the staff gets to know you. Often times, they will end up knowing what you want before you even ask. Our last cruise experience had the most amazing housekeeping ever. Viktor was always nearby. We loved that and appreciated his great suggestions about which meal to choose, or what to see or do in port. A Different Port Experience Small cruise ships can dock in smaller ports. You might be thinking, “big deal”. Well, it can be. Those massive, mega-ships need bigger, deeper ports in order to safely dock. When they don’t have that, they either have to skip that port or they have to ferry passengers from a location further off the coast to the port. Small ship cruising offers an easier port experience at the least and a unique experience you sometimes can’t get with other big ships. Food The food is a huge draw on any cruise. Buffet is important for breakfast and lunch often. Dinners are fancier and typically by reservation or walk in. When you think about the massive number of people who cruise, especially on the huge cruise ships, it’s not hard to imagine the mad lineups at breakfast and lunch. Oh, there are still food lineups even on small ships. But small cruise ships sometimes have the luxury of bringing on better quality food. And if you’re on a European cruise, they have the advantage of bringing on FRESH local ingredients at the various ports. Small Ship Cruising Offers Big Time Benefits I love large and small ship cruising. My family has been on both, and they each offer their own unique benefits. For first time cruisers or cruisers who are sailing with kids for the first time, I recommend small ship cruising as a great introduction. With a smaller, easier to navigate ship, a personal feel, and just a less crushing crowd on the boat, it makes an excellent starter experience. For a video on our latest cruise ship experience click here – Carnival Sensation.

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]]> https://www.thriftymommastips.com/small-ship-cruising-benefits/feed/ 20 19624 How to Save Money on Your Dream Cruise Now https://www.thriftymommastips.com/save-money-dream-cruise-now/ https://www.thriftymommastips.com/save-money-dream-cruise-now/#comments Tue, 06 Feb 2018 13:03:25 +0000 https://www.thriftymommastips.com/?p=19571 Cruising is expensive, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be at all. In fact, it can be the most economical way to travel for couples and families, even for multi-generational groups. We have taken numerous cruises now and just returned home from our most recent. Each cruise vacation I learn a little bit more. You saved a lot of money for your cruise. Maybe you also had to save a fair chunk of the trip budget for air travel. That alone can be a budget killer, especially if you are Canadian as we are. Flights from Canada are expensive often. But there are many ways to save on your dream cruise. On this particular recent Carnival cruise I returned home and was super impressed with myself. Why? Because this was the cruise I spent the least money on. We travelled on a smaller, older ship which was way more affordable than the newest in the fleet. And, we have figured out several simple ways to save money on a cruise. So I thought it was time to share that information. Here are 9 Ways to Save Money on Your Dream Cruise: Just Say No To On Board Excursions:  Don’t buy on ship excursions. Oh to be sure we have done this in the past and enjoyed them. But, as a travel blogger I feel pretty confident directing my own schedule, exploring and finding fun affordable ways to build a great cruise vacation. So this time I didn’t book any of the cruise ship excursions. Instead we hopped off the ship at each port. In Nassau we shared a cab to Atlantis and paid for admission for the day. Then taxied back. That saved a minimum of $100. In Key West we went into the city and hopped a tour bus. Saved money there too.   SKIP The Drink Packages Say no to the cruise drink package. I like a celebratory drink and I enjoy a good bottle of wine with a well thought out meal (that I didn’t cook) but we simply do not ever drink enough to get out money’s worth out of the drink package. We have learned this one. On the first cruise we did we bought a drink package. I did the math and we didn’t get our money’s worth. Never again. NO Need for POP packages On that same note say no to the kid’s pop packages. There’s juice and milk and water available everywhere. That is healthier anyways. We paid for pop one night. The kid’s clubs often had soda pop and snacks so they got it there anyways. NO EXTRA Meals – Say no to the extra restaurants. There are more than enough options on board that are included in the price you paid to be there. No need to spring for the un-included restaurants. Literally you could eat almost all day and night somewhere without paying the extra fees for the premium restaurants. Unnecessary. Skip the Extra Tips Check your invoice every time you buy something extra at dinner, or at the bar. Tips probably already included on there so don’t double tip – unless of course the service was extraordinary. One MODEST Wireless On Board Package Go ahead and get one of the wireless on board packages for Internet. ONE. Just one. Do not buy them for everyone ever. Also you don’t need the premium. If you can get away with it don’t bother at all. But I need to check my emails on occasion. This time I got one slim package for $60 and I let the girls use it once or twice. One at a time is the rule and that saved money. Also it saved me extra worry about roaming fees. No Extra TV or Movies: Don’t indulge in the extra movies and shows on TV.  Stick to the shows that are included. All the little things add up and you don’t need a massive bill at the end of your dream cruise. Plus honestly you shouldn’t be in your room that much. Skip the Pictures: You know that photographer that follows you around? It’s their job to try and gather as many pictures as possible and then sell to you throughout the cruise. Pick a couple at most. There’s no real need to buy any of them. Your phone probably takes photos that are just as good or better. Trust me I have learned from this one. On our first cruise I couldn’t bear to leave any behind. BUT, where are they now? I still don’t have them framed. However I did use some of the ones from my own phone and had those turned into framed canvases that hang on my gallery wall. That makes me happy and so does saving money for my next dream cruise. NO Signing Privileges for Kids: DO NOT attach your credit card to your kid’s room keys. Do not give them signing privileges. TRUST ME. Nobody needs to pay for $50 of THE CLAW in the games room trying to win a MINION. There might be a story there. (WINKS) Only the adults get signing privileges on my dream cruise. Cruising is one of my all time favourite family travel options. Why? It’s very affordable, when you do it properly. That means saving for your dream cruise and planning, then following some simple rules while there. Now I am not suggesting that you never take an on board excursion again. But there are dozens of ports where you will be just fine to do it on your own. Use good judgement always.  

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]]> https://www.thriftymommastips.com/save-money-dream-cruise-now/feed/ 18 19571 Book a Cruise While Onboard – An Advantageous Approach https://www.thriftymommastips.com/book-a-cruise-while-onboard-an-advantageous-approach/ https://www.thriftymommastips.com/book-a-cruise-while-onboard-an-advantageous-approach/#comments Tue, 16 Jan 2018 12:03:01 +0000 https://www.thriftymommastips.com/?p=19299 Have you ever wondered whether you should book a cruise while onboard your current cruise? Me too. We’ve done several cruises and I am always amazed by the number of people lining up to book again before leaving the ship. So I thought I would investigate. Does it help you save money? If you’re a frequent cruiser, chances are you’re already planning another cruise anyway. So why not use one of the lesser known tricks of the cruising trade and book a cruise while on your current cruise? Saving money, better selection and rewards – those are a few reasons to book your cruise before you disembark. It’s a great way to make the most of your money. Book a Cruise While Onboard – A Saving Secret It’s amazing how few people actually know about the opportunity to save money booking a cruise in this way. Most of us know we can book a cruise while onboard the ship, but many people don’t realize how truly advantageous that can be. So let’s take a look at how booking a cruise while you’re on your current cruise can help you save some money. Save Money on Your Current Cruise One way you can save money when you book a cruise while onboard your current cruise is through a discount on your current cruise. Oftentimes, you can get money taken off of the bill on your current cruise when you book a future cruise while onboard. It’s an excellent way to get a little back while you plan that next amazing trip. Future Savings Another great reason to book a cruise while you sail on your current cruise is to get credit towards that future trip. When you book while onboard, you may be offered onboard credit for your next cruise. It’s essentially free money to use while onbaoard the ship. Travel Date Flexibility Aside from saving money, you can save headaches when booking a cruise in this manner. When you book while onboard, you’ll be offered a time frame for using the deposit you put down on the future cruise. It will usually be anywhere from one to two years. You actually get more flexibility when you book on the ship than you do when you book at a later time. Lower Deposit Speaking of deposits mentioned in the flexibility section, when you book your future cruise while onboard, you will generally be able to place a lower deposit on that future cruise, which means you save a little money automatically. Discounts or Upgrades Rather than shopping around the internet for that next great deal, just do it on the ship! When you book a cruise while onboard, you can often take advantage of discounts or room upgrades that are offered on upcoming cruises. It saves time, and sometimes, you’ll get the discount or upgrade BECAUSE you booked while onboard. Book a Cruise While Onboard to Save, Upgrade, and More Since we have done a few family cruises I am now aware of the special perks associated with loyalty programs for each cruise line. Those are important too and I use them when able. But from now on I think it makes sense to take advantage of the perks you can score when you book a cruise before disembarking.

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]]> https://www.thriftymommastips.com/book-a-cruise-while-onboard-an-advantageous-approach/feed/ 3 19299 The Best Cruise Ship Water Slides in the World https://www.thriftymommastips.com/the-best-cruise-ship-water-slides-in-the-world/ https://www.thriftymommastips.com/the-best-cruise-ship-water-slides-in-the-world/#comments Tue, 26 Sep 2017 12:31:51 +0000 https://www.thriftymommastips.com/?p=18174 Where are the Best water slides? That’s a question many adventure loving travelers will want to take into account when booking their cruise. All cruise lines have wonderful ports of call, on board entertainment, amazing food, and more. But cruise ship water slides and cruise waterparks are a HUGE deal for families who cruise. We love cruising. A cruise is great value for many types of travel junkies. For the true water lovers out there, like us, it’s important to know the best water slides at sea, especially if you’re headed on a family cruise. After all, water slides add to the on board fun for kids of all ages. Listen, with all the amazing food you will be eating you need to do something active to stay healthy, so the cruise ship water slides get my vote every time. My daredevil on the Green Thunder water slide Carnival PrideSure there are other ways to stay active on cruise ships, now more than ever. With the zip line and the Flo-Rider and rock wall on board the Harmony of the Seas by Royal Caribbean and so many more activities these days on Norwegian as well, there’s no excuse for gaining weight or lounging about…unless of course that is your sole purpose of cruising. Here are some of my picks for best cruise ship water slides in the world. Please note this post was written in 2017 and I have since updated with a few new picks and photos too, but the cruise world is dynamic. As soon as this is published and updated there’s another cruise ship water slide ready to launch. Best Water Slides on the High Seas The best water slides are almost always part of the best water parks. That’s right. If you didn’t know it, most cruise lines have top deck water parks these days. They are smaller versions of the land locked ones, of course, but that doesn’t make them any less exciting or fun. And what’s the most fun thing you can do at the water park? That’s right – hit those water slides. So without further discussion here’s my rundown. The Vertigo The MSC Preziosa vessel is part of the Mediterranean cruise line, MSC. This ship boasts a water slide aptly named Vertigo. Measuring in at an impressive 394 feet long and 42 feet high, the MSC Preziosa Vertigo features a wonderfully terrifying 30-foot transparent stretch of slide that extends over the ship’s side. These slides are always a blast! For those who are new to the cruise world lately the MSC cruise line has started adjusting their new ships to be a bit more multi-generational in their appeal. Some now have very cool things to do like water slides and other family friendly activities. Twister The Twister water slide is featured on three ships in the Carnival Fleet. These ginormous things make the list of best water slides, coming in at 312 feet long. True to its name, the Twister features several twists, turns, and a healthy dose of speed. Kaleid-O-Slide The newest addition to Carnival’s impressive water slides is featured on one of the more recent of Carnival’s ships. The Carnival Vista launched in 2016. The Carnival Vista Kaleid-O-Slide is an exciting dizzying ride around and down 455 feet of twists and turns on one or two-person rafts. In addition, rafters will be treated to rotating lights and flashy visual effects. They don’t call it Kaleid-O-Slide for nothing! Green Thunder Water slide Our first ever cruise was on the Carnival Pride, which was the cruise that hooked us on family cruising. We honestly loved it and it really wasn’t too expensive or large. There were water slides and the food was amazing. Haven’t done a cruise yet? Still debating? Read on about our first ever cruise  now and you will have enough information to make up your mind. The Carnival Pride is one of Carnival’s older ships, not unlike the Carnival Sensation which we vacationed on in 2018, but the size was perfect for us with 1600 staterooms. There are other slides on the ship and they are a lot of fun but the Carnival Pride Green Thunder is a dramatic chute. You stand on a small plastic floor and it counts down, then drops out underneath you. The result is thrilling and refreshing and FAST!! Thrill seekers will love it. My kids sure did!! AquaDuck Disney of course pulls out all the stops for families on its cruise ships, just as it does in the many waterparks and theme parks. They get family. Featured on both the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy cruise ships, the Disney AquaDuck is 765 foot long water coaster, as Disney calls it. This elevated waterslide may be super long, but it’s totally family friendly. With just the right amount of excitement, it’s one of the best water slides out there for the younger set. DYING to try either the Aquaduck or Aquadunk. Soon, I hope! AquaDunk AquaDunk is the bad boy older brother of AquaDuck. This three-story slide begins with a trap door popping open under riders’ feet, and it only gets more exciting from there. After the drop, riders will find themselves in a tube extending 20 feet over the ship’s side as they make their way down the twisty thrill ride. The slides that extend out over the ocean are not new and we have seen them before on a few cruises we have taken. They are kind of novel even still and it adds a bit to the thrill of the ride knowing you are zipping out over the ocean. Sometimes, on other ships, I have seen a transparent bit of tube that allows you to see briefly where you are. I love that. Free Fall One of the best water slides at see for adrenaline junkies is the Free Fall, featured on the Norwegian Breakaway, The Escape, (which we cruised on in January 2016)  and Getaway. This scream-inducing slide does just what its name says. Riders stand on a trap door as they’re counted down to the opening of the door and a 250-foot thrill ride straight down. The trap door water slide is a clear winner always no matter what ship it is on. Hard to imagine a concept that could be faster, isn’t it? Epic Plunge Found on the Norwegian Epic, this is another water slide that does just what it says. The 200-foot, four-story tall slide takes riders rafting down an enclosed tube before shooting them out into a giant whirlpool-like bowl. From there, riders are sucked down into a hole that drops them into the water below. We loved this boat and we loved the Norwegian Epic Plunge water slide. Cruise Ship Water Slides height requirements Although each cruise line has their own rules generally speaking most follow this height rule. For family water slides where you sit on a raft and float down together the height requirement is 42 inches tall. But on the ones you ride alone most are 48 inches. Many cruise ships I have been on are pretty strict following the safety rules. Always read up on the height requirements for all the rides on board before you commit to cruising. Your cruise should be epic fun for all members and you really don’t want your youngest to feel left out. Plus it’s hard to juggle a range of ages if one can only do water park and the others can all sprint over to the adult water slides. Know before you go and make the best of your time at sea! Thinking about Cruising? You should check out my series of posts about cruising and all that is involved. We have cruised often and hope to get back on a cruise soon. It’s hard to explain how much fun cruising is for everyone. The food is pretty much always incredible and the entertainment these days is world class. Just look at any of the Oasis Class ships from Royal Caribbean and you will see there are broadway style shows offered on many ships. Entertaining The on board entertainment alone is almost worth the price. Now add to that water slides, great food, incredible service and ports of call!! We find cruises to be great value for our family travel budget. Before I forget here are some of my Picks for Best Western Caribbean Ports of Call. The Best Water Slides are Always Evolving The water slides listed above are the best of the best water slides on the high seas, but they’re not the only ones out there. Remember, this post is all about cruise ship water slides, but each and every one of these impressive water slides belong to equally impressive water parks. These parks feature slides, sprinkler areas, soaking pools, and more to be found on land or sea. So if your family is all about the watery side of cruising fun, start your search with the slides listed above.

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