8 tips on saving money on a cruise vacation

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  Monday, May 3, 2010: Cruise Liner Majesty of the Seas heads out to sea in Miami Beach, Fla. Saving money on a cruise vacation requires timing and knowledge.AP

Recent images of a cruise ship limping back to port after an engine malfunction didn't do the cruise industry any favors heading into the summer vacation season. And cringe-worthy accounts from passengers who had to make do without power or working toilets for five days may have turned some travelers off cruising for good.

But for those undeterred by the mishap that befell the Carnival Triumph in February, nor that of several other headline-grabbing woes that afflicted some of Carnival Corp.'s other ships over the past year, this is a good time to save money on a cruise vacation, experts say.

And it's not just Carnival that has had to discount its fares to coax back passengers. An economic slowdown in Europe has opened the door to savings on cruises that sail around ports in the Mediterranean Sea, says Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief, of Cruise Critic, an online cruise reviews guide published by The Independent Traveler Inc.

"A lot of Europe is feeling the pinch of the recession," she says. "There are some low prices and there's a lot of availability."

Ready to set sail? Here are eight tips for saving money on a cruise vacation:

1. BOOK EARLY

The cruise industry touts offer-packed deals during its annual "Wave Season," which runs from January through March. If you know exactly when you want to travel, say specifically in the summer when kids are out of school, it pays to book as soon as possible.

Although you may get a lower price attempting to book at the last minute, by booking early you can often get perks, such as free airfare to the departure city, or on-board credits to spend on extras like a massage, or an upgraded cabin.

In general to take advantage of these added incentives, travelers need to book at least four to six months in advance to get the ship, travel dates and state room of choice, adds Carrie Finley-Bajak, CEO of cruising information site CruiseBuzz.net. Also, if you aren't picky about which cabin you get, you can save by accepting an unspecified cabin guarantee.

2. AVOID PEAK TIMES

High season is generally during the summer and other times of the year when school is out. That includes spring break, around the December holidays, Thanksgiving, etc.

For the best deals, book travel for other times of the year: During the school year. After Thanksgiving and before Christmas. And, incidentally, right now.

"This is the season," Spencer Brown says. "Spring is a great time after the Easter holidays to nab a deal."

At this time of the year, different cruise ship itineraries become more affordable, too.

With summer still a couple months away, Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises are more affordable, as is an Alaskan voyage, Spencer Brown says.

3. SAIL OLD SCHOOL

Another way to save money: Select a cruise with an older ship. It may not have as many amenities, but it also won't have nearly as many of the cabins with balconies, which are pricier than the smaller, windowless interior cabins.

Finley-Bajak recommends doing some research on the cruise line to find what year a given ship was built.

Many of the older ships tend to run all year long on the three-day itineraries and are more affordable.

4. LOOK FOR REPOSITIONING CRUISES

Cruise lines move their ships from their rotation in one region to another every few months, usually as the high season in one region cools off and before the next destination heats up. For example, a ship will shift from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean for the winter, or vice versa. Or from the Caribbean to Alaska for the summer.

Booking a vacation on one of these repositioning cruises can be significantly cheaper than a regular itinerary that hits several stops before returning to a home port. All told, you could pay from $35 to $65 per person, per day on a repositioning cruise, says Spencer Brown.

However, one should consider that repositioning cruises are only one-way. The voyage also can take 10 days to two weeks, with fewer stops at ports of call along the way.

5. LOOK BEYOND PRICE

When selecting a cruise, price isn't the only consideration, by far.

There are the perks and incentives that could end up making the trip a better value. But a key factor is whether the cruise you select is right for you. That's because cruise lines cater to different niches of travelers. An older traveler looking for a refined cruise probably wouldn't be happy on a party ship festooned with nightclubs, basketball courts and other attractions aimed at younger passengers.

Experts recommend you read up about specific ships and their itineraries to get a sense of whether the cruise fits what you're looking for.

6. TARGET CHEAPER ITENIRARIES

The shorter the voyage, the less costly the cruise. If you're looking for ultra-cheap, go for a three-day cruise, which tend to compete more on price.

The weak economy in Europe makes a seven-day Mediterranean cruise a good value. Plus, as more cruise lines reposition ships there, competition will increase. That's good for the consumer.

Other ways to find deals: Monitor sites that advertise deals. Some of them include Cruisebuzz.net, Cruise.com and Cruisedeals.com

In addition, getting on cruise company mailing lists can tip you off to sales in advance.

7. CONSIDER A TRAVEL AGENT

A cruise vacation has a lot of components to sort out, from air travel to the departure port, to offshore activities that often are not included in your cruise costs. Travel agents can help sort out the details.

"A travel agent will have access to all the ships and current pricing and promotions," says Finley-Bajak.

8. ACCOUNT FOR EXTRAS

The term all-inclusive is often associated with a cruise vacation, but in most cases, it's far from the truth.

"If anybody says cruising is all-inclusive, they're crazy," says Spencer Brown, adding that one always pays extra to gamble in the casino, visit the spa, use the Internet, eat at certain restaurants and onshore excursions.

There may also be a hotel stay before your departure, government taxes, fees and gratuities to cover.

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How to save money on phone data abroad

It's easy to rack up huge data charges when you take your mobile phone overseas. The good news? It's just as easy to keep costs down.

You probably know someone who has returned from overseas with a horror story about a crazy-big--and utterly unexpected--mobile phone or tablet bill. In some cases people have been socked with five-figure tabs for using currency conversion apps, digital postcards, and even humdrum data like texts and emails. And that unlimited data plan you've got in the U.S. won't work once you cross international borders. But we've got some easy, affordable ways to be super-smart about using that smartphone.

Turn off data roaming

Limit your data downloads by opting for Wi-Fi only. By turning off roaming or selecting airplane mode, you'll have to go to a Wi-Fi hotspot to access the Web.

Turn off apps and automatic updates

This can be a big one, since that slim little phone in your pocket may be sucking down data even when you're not using it. Turn off automatic email updates (that way you'll be able to check email yourself using Wi-Fi when you're at a hotspot), voicemail (to avoid getting hit with charges for incoming phone calls even when you don't answer them), and apps (which can continue updating and devouring data 24/7).

Rent a mobile hotspot

Instead of wasting time looking for a wired Burger King in, say, Gdansk, rent a mobile bubble. Weekly rates vary--Tep Wireless in the U.K. will charge less than $40 plus a daily $2 for unlimited wireless; Rentaphone Japan charges about $75 per week, including unlimited use and delivery to your hotel.

Get an international plan through your U.S. carrier

Whether you're combining business with pleasure or are simply hooked on your phone, there are some scenarios where you just know you're going to need your email, texting, and apps. In those cases it's a good idea to ask your U.S. carrier about their international plan that will resemble a domestic data plan. But just as you would at home, be sure you understand the limits of your data downloading, phone minutes, and any changes in the plan for business hours, evenings, and weekends.

Track your phone's data usage

Set your phone's data tracker to zero at the beginning of your trip so you can keep track of how much data you are using. Especially if you sign up for an international data plan and you're concerned about staying within a set limit (say, 50MB per month), the tracker will quickly become your wallet's BFF as you see those MBs slowly rise.

Buy a SIM card

Your U.S. mobile phone is likely "locked," meaning it will work only with the service you signed up for. But it's possible to ask your company to unlock your phone (usually by selling you a code). Once the phone is unlocked you can install a SIM card for the country you are planning to visit, including prepaid minutes. It's also possible to purchase or rent an unlocked phone, and there are SIM cards that can roam from country to country without an interruption in service.

Buy a disposable phone

No, it's not going to be especially smart or social, and it won't understand a word you say to it, but if you just want to be able to make calls without sweating the rates, sink about $75 or less into a local disposable mobile phone with a set number of prepaid minutes.

Bonus tip: Extend your phone's battery life!

While using Wi-Fi instead of 3G and 4G will help conserve battery power, it's still a challenge to keep your phone charged on the go. It's not a new idea, but we'd be remiss if we didn't remind you to turn down the brightness of your phone or tablet's screen--it is the single biggest consumer of battery power.

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Old money resorts: Where American royalty stay and play

Want to live like a Rockefeller on your next vacation? Or want a voyeuristic peek into the world of the rich and powerful? These iconic resorts across the country — from a Gilded Age Palm Beach estate to a Newport mansion to a Long Island Gold Coast castle — will make you feel like your blood runs blue.

The Breakers Palm Beach

The Breakers Palm Beach

There’s a reason The Breakers’ reputation precedes it. This 140-acre resort, first built in 1896 (and reconstructed in 1926), resembles a Renaissance palace, and it’s seen more than it’s fair share of American royalty over the years; Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, William Randolph Hearst, and various Astors, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts have all walked the halls at this posh spot. No other hotel in Palm Beach can come close to matching the luxury found at this iconic property.

The Plaza, New York City

The Plaza, New York City

This New York hotel is synonymous with luxury, and has carved out a prominent place in 20th-century culture. Truman Capote threw his famous Black and White Ball here; in North by Northwest, Cary Grant was captured by spies in the hotel’s famous Oak Bar; and F. Scott Fitzgerald staged part of The Great Gatsby here. When The Plaza first opened its residences, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt were the first to sign up.

Chatham Bars Inn, Cape Cod

Chatham Bars Inn, Cape Cod
 

The Cape has long been a cherished spot for the American rich to summer, and the Chatham Bars Inn has been drawing America’s wealthy and powerful since it opened in 1914: Past guests include Henry Ford, Henry Morganthau, and William Rockefeller. The true Cape-Cod style architecture is complemented by lovely interiors — upholstered wingback chairs, antique-style turned-leg furnishings, and seafaring decor.

Biltmore Coral Gables, Miami

Biltmore Coral Gables, Miami
 

Opened in 1926, the Biltmore is a timeless luxury hotel and a registered historical landmark. Before the stock market crashed in 1929, guests included the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and several Vanderbilts. The 150-acre property includes a 315-foot copy of the Giralda bell tower in Seville, Spain, and the largest swimming pool in the continental United States.

Oheka Castle 

Oheka Castle, Long Island
 

The North Shore of Long Island was once home to the estates of many of America’s aristocratic families — the Vanderbilts, Whitneys, Roosevelts, and Morgans, among many more — earning it the nickname the “Gold Coast.” Oheka Castle was the largest of these estates, and the second largest private residence in the entire country. Financier Otto Hermann Kahn hosted numerous parties at the estate during the 1920s (the Gatsby era) that were attended by royals and Hollywood celebrities. Today, Oheka Castle is a hotel with 32 rooms, and is used as an event space for high-profile weddings and galas.

Vanderbilt Grace, Newport

Vanderbilt Grace, Rhode Island

Built in 1909 by Alfred Gwynee Vanderbilt, the Vanderbilt Grace Hotel is an original Newport mansion. Today, it’s an elegant luxury hotel that retains the original architecture; the handsome brick building, the grand double staircase, and details such as wainscotting and crown molding add to the historic charm.

The Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles

The Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles
 

Los Angeles may smack of celebrities and new money, but Old Hollywood — when the likes of Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Ingrid Berman, and Marilyn Monroe graced the silver screen — is another thing entirely. Dating back to 1912, the Beverly Hills Hotel is one of the grand dames of Tinseltown; almost every iconic actor of the Hollywood Golden Age passed through the “pink palace’s” hallowed halls. Today, the dignified hotel still sees its fair share of VIPs.

Fisher Island Hotel And Resort, Miami

Fisher Island Hotel and Resort, Miami
 

Originally built in 1925 by William Vanderbilt II as a winter estate, Fisher Island is a private island, residential community with a 45-room hotel. Peacocks freely roam the lush grounds, and the original Vanderbilt Mansion now houses two of the island’s restaurants, where tuxedo-clad waiters see to guests’ every wish.

Vineyard Square Hotel and Suites, Martha’s Vineyard

Vineyard Square Hotel and Suites
 

A century ago, Thomas Henry Chirgwin built a luxury hotel and called it The Colonial Inn. The inn had all the modern amenities guests at the time might have wanted — such as electricity and indoor plumbing. Since its opening, the inn has counted a number of celebrities among its guests, including Howard Hughes, John F. Kennedy Jr., and Jacqueline Kennedy. Today, the inn is known as the Vineyard Square Hotel and Suites, a modern luxury property on quaint Martha’s Vineyard, which remains a popular summer playground for East Coast notables.

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