Cheap Cruise - 7 On Board Expenses Which Can Kill A Cheap Cruise Vacation

The fall period offers some excellent opportunities to score excellent cheap cruise deals with the colder months approaching. Cruise lines will ramp up their marketing efforts during this time and offer great opportunities for people to get on a cruise ship cheap.

However, this article is not about where you can go to get a great deal, it's about letting you know that your cheap cruise may not be the great bargain you thought it was if you are sailing for the first time and unaware of on ship costs.

For example, the marketing to get people on ships is very attractive; 7 day cruises through the Eastern Caribbean for less than $500 is hard to resist however, there's an old saying which goes something like..."if they don't get you on the roundabouts they'll get you on the swings."

The On Board Cost Factor

In other words, while your initial cost will include some onboard privileges, the cost of staying on a ship for any length of time can be expensive. That's not detracting at all from the experience because there is little to compare with a cruise but many holidaymakers will have suffered temporary high blood pressure levels when it comes time to square up at the end of the trip.

Let's take a look at some of the expenses you could be faced with which can blow your cheap cruise experience into an expensive one:

1. Drinking is one of the biggest expenses on a cruise ship. Just be aware, if you like a drink then be prepared to pay for it. Souvenir drinks are attractive; that is, drinks which come in specially designed glasses which you get to keep afterwards but how many souvenir glasses do you want to end up with?

2. Photos can be a brutal expense. Photographs are a great way to savor wonderful memories and there will be on board photographic services which will be happy to snap your picture everyday. But be warned they are not cheap. If you have your own camera then make sure you pack it.

3. Many inexperienced travelers will often think on shore excursions which are organized are part of the cruise experience but this is not usually the case. This is something you need to check with your travel professional before making your booking.

4. Entertainment is great on board a ship and most of it is free however, if you like to indulge in a little gambling and have a "soft spot" for slot machines be prepared to play the larger denomination machines because the smaller 1 and 2 cent machines can be hard to find.

5. On board staff and generally fantastic and it's hard to beat the service you get on a ship. Again, it can come at a cost via gratuities and this is fair enough however, if you are from a place where tipping is foreign, just be prepared.

6. Some on board services are not included as part of the initial cheap cruise price. These include grooming and beauty services.

7. Likewise, medical services will cost you extra should you need attention on your trip.