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.