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Posted on 03/05/2006 8:33:11 AM PST by DoughtyOne
Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board the ship in the port of embarkation with the exception of wine and/or champagne. You may want a glass of wine in your stateroom or on your balcony as you watch the ship glide out of beautiful Port Everglades. If so, wrap your wine in bubble wrap and put the bottle(s) in your carry-ons. Bring some of those plastic wine glasses.
You cannot buy wine in the ship's shop and bring it up to your cabin during the week. If you buy a bottle or two, they will be held for you till the last night. Nor can you purchase alcoholic beverages in any port to bring back to the ship. All beverages will be taken at the gangplank and delivered to your cabin the night before disembarkation.
Here's a good trick.......if you wish, you can order wine on the order form (page 28) in the cruise answer book you have in your packet. Look at the wine list on the previous page and make your choices. Phone or fax in your order. Have the wine delivered to your own cabin as a sailing-away gift, hah. Order as soon as you get your cabin number. You can even write yourself a "bon voyage" note, LOL. The wine order will be waiting for you in your cabin when you arrive. This is a good idea if you don't want the trouble of lugging wine bottles in your carry-ons. Don't forget to pack a wine bottle opener.
If you bring bottled wine to the Dining Room at night, you will incur a $15 corking fee whether it's open already or the wine steward opens it. You cannot bring your own wine into any other public ares on the ship.
The prices of mixed drinks at the ship's bars are pretty much the same as at good hotels, ranging from $4-something and up. Beer and wine are a little pricey. Tap beer is about $3.50 up and bottled beer about $3.75 up (depends on brand requested). I don't know the price of wine by the glass. You'll have to stop in a bar lounge and check out prices ahead of time.
Some cruisers bring pack a 6-pack of 7-Up or tonic in their carry-ons with "you-know-what" substituted for the mix in a bottle or two. Make sure every bottle is sealed tight.
Make sure you check the price list for the beverages you'll find in your fridge upon boarding and before grabbing some to drink. If you don't want them, tell the room steward to clear them out. You may want some fridge room for stuff you snitch from the buffet...a dish of strawberry shortcake, an apple or other things to midnight snack on.
If you're a soda-lover, you can buy an unlimited soda card for about $22. You do not get this soda in cans....it's in a cup with ice from the various indoor and outdoor bars. They sell an insulated mug which you can pour the soda into. This is undoubtedly a good idea, as it stays cold very well in the mug as you wander around the ship or take the sun out on the deck. Or bring your own larger-size mugs with you.
Many times, I grab two free iced teas from wherever they have them and bring them up to my cabin, drinking one, and putting the other in the fridge. Ice cubes, of course, are always available for your room.
The cost for the soda card is added to your shipboard running account. It's good anywhere on the ship. It's not good on Princess Cay. At the Cay, you'll get free beverages with your buffet lunch. On the beach, you buy drinks from the nearest Tiki bar. Or you can buy from the tanned Studley Dudleys driving little mini-bar carts bringing you the best ice-cold pina coladas and fresh strawberry frozen daquiris in the world. Soda is also available.
You must use your ship's card for all purchases at Pricess Cay Beach. No cash changes hands except for purchases from the tables of the natives who sell crafts there. I will bring some small bills with in case I want to buy a trinket or two....... or if I need some for tips.
TIP: IF THERE ARE TWO OF YOU, BUY JUST ONE SODA CARD TO BEGIN WITH. (Actually, I believe you get not a card but a soda sticker to attach to your ship's card which you carry around with you at all times). JUST FLASH THE CARD TO THE BARKEEP AND TELL HIM YOU WANT TWO CUPS OF SODA. YOU WILL USUALLY GET THE TWO WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM AT ALL. THESE GUYS USUALLY COULDN'T CARE LESS. IF HE DOES GET PERSNICKETY ABOUT IT, WELL.....AT LEAST YOU TRIED.
Bahama Mama
Also, Bahama Mama will briefly expound on some tips on how to take a week's cruise on the cheap and have as much fun as anybody.
No, I've not finished my IRS yet. Oh, I wish I were on Cinnamon Beach right now, sigh.
Bahama Mama
Can you smoke?
Bahama Mama
Freepmail me at "MinuteGal" if you want a personal answer to any questions. Or post them here.
If you think there's no place like home, you've never been on a cruise!
Bahama Mama
Thank You!
I held off as long as possible in hopes that I could get away for this cruise, but no such luck!! :(
I know you're all gonna have a blast! I am so disappointed that I can't join the fun this trip. bttt
You can still get a cabin for this freeper cruise. If you're on a budget consider an inside stateroom. They're still available for under 900 bucks. Try staying at Disney or other resorts for that price. There's no comparison, taking into account unlimited food all day, each day........entertainment of every possible kind, stops at beautiful islands, a luau beach-day with steel band , white sand and azure water, plus a moveable feast of scenes, sights, sounds and sensations every single day. Cruises are a great way to take an economy vacation if you know the ropes and have a little will-power.
Inside cabins are very compact, but have all the amenities such as TV, safe, fridge, etc. Queen or twin beds. Plenty of storage space. Many regular, seasoned travelers deliberately choose inside cabins so they have money to spend elsewhere on the voyage.
You really shouldn't care all that much about a smaller cabin.....you're mostly in there only to dress, shower and crash. The square footage becomes relatively unimportant when compared to the fantastic opportunity to live like royalty on a hassle-free vacation getaway.
Ships today seek to maximize their cash flow with tempting ways to get you to spend extra money over and above the all-inclusive fare you paid.
Now most of them have PC (Personal Choice) gourmet restaurants where the food and service are deelish, but they'll cost you $30 more per person. Resist the temptation. The dinners in our Dining Room feature delicious eats........and the freeper fun and conversation at table will be worth more than 10 gourmet bistros.
Have your steward empty your fridge of all the beverages that are in there when you board. Bring your own water bottles in your check-in baggage. Bring wine in your carry-ons.
You can always buy more bottled water in a supermarket or store right near the dock. Buy a soda card if you drink a lot of pop. (Tips on soda cards above).
If you're sunning on deck, resist summoning that steward rolling his drink cart around the deck. He'll put whatever you drink on your running tab.
If you're dry, drink from your own water bottle....or hie your body to an area on the ship where you can get free iced tea, coffee, hot tea or ice water 24 hours a day.
Other ship offerings include massages, some spa activities, hair cuts, computer room, ice cream bar, and other goodies all for a charge. Eat your ice cream for free at lunch or dinner, good pizza is always available for free, and forget the computer for a week....you'll live, and your eyes will welcome the rest.
More tips to follow.
Bahama Mama
No, you don't have to take shore excursions. You'd be surprised how many passengers chose to stay on board when the ship's in port.
You can roam the mostly deserted ship and discover new activities. The pools are comparatively empty as are the lunch dining facilities. It's a great way to spend doing what you came for, sunning, swimming, reading, eating, napping, ah.....nice prospect, eh?
If you want to take at least one shore excursion, look for a bus tour of an island. They're usually the least expensive. Or, shopping is always a fun thing to do in the morning when it's cool. See where a straw market is, or a whatever else you can see on foot. Most islands now have attractive outdoor shopping malls right near the deck. You can then go back to the ship for a free yummy lunch, and the rest of the day is yours.
Unsolicited advice....DO budget a few sous for purchasing SOMETHING on the islands......even if it's just small potatos. Spoil yourself by buying something to take home for yourself or your neighbor who's feeding of your cat, or whoever.
I don't buy anything much in the islands, just small, inexpensive treasures that catch my eye or my sisters would be delighted with. I just like to wander around and get the feel and atmosphere of wherever I am.
DO leave a little extra space in your luggage for any purchases. Don't buy 'big" things. If you do, most shops will ship your purchase to your home.
Bring stamps for your postcards. You can buy them on board, but they get added to your tab and there's usually a wait in line.
Wait for the end-of-the-week sales in the ship's shops. They can be very good sales, especially in costume jewelry and fun watches.
Tuck bandaids in your wallet for any foot blisters. Wrap a couple aspirin or Tylenol in foil. You probably won't need them but it's expensive to buy a whole bottle in the ship's shop or in port. Heck, they're expensive here at home, also.
Don't want to buy formal dresses for the two formal nights? Buy one silky, chiffony, swingy black palazzo pants or long sleek black skirt. Buy two different tops to wear with the same bottom. Tops can be strappy, strappless, sleeveless, sequiney, just look for bargains. With different jewelry, it'll look like two different outfits. Or, of course, bring your dressy cocktail outfit, (short or long dresses or dressy pantsuit). Again, remember color and style-wise, we're in the tropics. Don's bring that long-sleeved winter dress with the tight turtle neck. You'll melt away like the Oz witch.
Or do what Bahama Mama did one cruise. I went to a nearby "Hawaiian" shop and bought a bright red and orange tropical print ankle length dress with slit up the side for a little under $25 dollars.
Brightly colored, interesting el cheapo baubles and beads, dangly earrings, plus bright red strappy heels which I already had gave me a zingy tropical evening dress for a little over thirty bucks. Oriental stores may have similar dresses. Or type in "sarongs" or "Hawaiian dresses" in computer search and order on-line. Remember, you don't have to look like a prom queen on formal nights. Simple but smart will do the trick. A lot of people go back to their cabins after the formal dinner....and, shhhh, change into something more comfortable for exploring all the different night life venues on the ship.
Bahama Mama is the Baggie Queen. I use baggies for everything when I travel. Don't buy those satiny fold-up jewelry holders. Use small baggies. Wrap chainy things in saran so they don't tangle. Use a baggie for earings and bracelets. Use another for rings and watches. Put the baggies in your cabin's dressing table drawer. You can see perfectly what to pull out when you're getting dressed.
Pack a pair of shoes in one of those big two-gallon baggies you can get at Wal-Mart, Target and other fine shops. Then you can pile the bags of shoes compactly on the bottom of your stateroom closet or on a shelf. They'll stay neat and clean (and TOGETHER), and you can see at a glance what shoes you're pulling out of the stack.
If you like at least some casino play during our trip, budget yourself a set-amount of cash for some casino play during the week. I put my separate casino cash in a pretty zipper pouchy thing and that's all I bring into the casino. If I'm lucky, the money will grow. If not, I had fun.
I especially like the casino on formal nights when some men and their ladies come in wearing tuxes and gowns. It's so Monaco-ish. Of course, there I am, playing the nickel slot machines......
Well, there you have it. When your final bill is placed under your door the night before disembarkation, you'll be tickled tan to see only a few bucks total at the bottom. You've had a great time on a shoestring.
Other of our repeat freeper cruisers may have other money-saving tips....if so post 'em here.
I'll be giving some more tips on what to bring clothes-wise and otherwise later in the week.
Bahama Mama
Bahama Mama, I have had my luggage opened two times and I was so glad that I had placed everything in ziplocks. I do not want anybody else handling my things.
It was opened officially as I had an official note placed inside of the luggage when I opened it.
Target has large ziplocks and sometimes Walmart has them.
Also I go to my cleaner and get plastic garment bags. They always give them to me. They are so good to wrap things, that might break, to bring home and so thin to pack as you leave home.
You win $10....oh, wait, that's on the Hints to Heloise website.
Here's another idea that I employ every cruise. I bring a plastic tra to put on the dressing table/desk top. Another one or two to put in the top drawers. Also a a couple on the top on each side of the bathroom sink.
The plastic trays are the black undivided ones that hold certain frozen microwave foods. They're very lightweight.
These trays are invaluable for holding card keys, pens, sun glasses, reading glasses, cigarette lighters and assorted small junk you're using all the time.
In the bathroom, the trays hold hair spray and deoderant cans, colognes.....things for instant grabbing. If it gets wavy, chances are none of this stuff will end up on the floor.
Trust me, these lightweight trays (or anything comparable) will be invaluable. Don't leave home without a couple.
Leni
Freepers, there's still time to sign on for this voyage. The window of opportunity is closing, so make your phone call to 1-800-266-1167 this week and book yourself a nice cabin.
You'll have the time of your life bob-bob-bobbin' along with the Bobs from NJ and our gang of freepers from across the fruited plain.
Bahama Mama
Hello BobFromNJ, I am looking forward to seeing both of you again. Oh I wish that we would be leaving tomorrow. It will be a great cruise.
Bahama Mama
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The really good part, is that it really makes HER feel special, too!
"A dry martini. One. In a deep champagne goblet."
"Oui, monsieur."
"Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon-peel. Got it?"
"Oui, monsieur. And for madame?"
"The same for madame. Shaken, not stirred. She's going to the casino. Have my steward bring mine to my cabin."
"To your cabin, monsieur?"
Yes, I'm going to my cabin to freep for a while on my lap top. I'll join madame at the baccarat table in about an hour."
"Oui, monsieur."
Leni
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