The Talking Suitcase

Experience the World With Kids

Disney Cruise Money Saving Tips {Don’t Cruise Until You’ve Read These Tips!}

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Disney Cruise Money Saving Tips header

Walt Disney had a magical vision.  His vision was not only transformed into the most popular amusement parks in the world but that magic is now traveling across oceans.  A Disney Cruise Line vacation offers more than just your favorite characters – from Broadway style musicals and relaxation by the pool to unlimited gourmet cuisine and family-friendly activities around the clock.  We’ve put together some of our best Disney Cruise money saving tips to help keep you on budget.

You might want to print our FREE Disney Adventure Planner for the countdown sheet & our Cruise Planner.

Disney Cruise Money Saving Tips:

1. Discounts and Special Offers –

When planning your next Disney Cruise vacation always check their special offers page online before booking.  Disney provides discounts for residents that live in Florida and U.S. Military rates year round.  Annually they will offer kids cruise free aboard some of their ships, usually in the spring or fall. In addition if you are able to sail during the off seasons you will save tremendously compared to sailing during the peak summer months or over a holiday.  We sailed for HALF the cost in February vs Christmas vacation.

2. Transportation to Port –

Compare prices for your transportation options.  Many local hotels provide a park and cruise option included in their one night stay.  If you arrive in Florida the day before your cruise you can park the rental car and ride the shuttle to the port.  There are also local transfer services and there is always Uber.  Depending on the number of people in your party, will determine which option is less expensive for you.  Disney’s airport shuttle is not the only option.

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Top 25 Things to Do in Nice, France – Holiday on the Sunny French Riviera

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

top-25-things-to-do-in-nice

Whether your visiting the French Riviera for an afternoon or a week, Nice should be high on your list of cities to explore.  In trying to come up with our top 25 things to do in Nice, we considered the typical tourist hotspots as well as some of our local favorites.   I hope this guide provides ideas for your next vacation along the Cote d’Azur.

Top 25 Things to Do in Nice, France

old-town-nice

The Old Town is the perfect spot to begin your journey in Nice. From the beautiful buildings to the fresh market in Cours Saleya to enticing shops and quaint restaurants, everyone enjoys strolling along these age-old streets.  As you wander around, stop for a visit at the Palais Lascaris, a great museum in the heart of Old Town.  The seventeenth-century aristocratic building, now houses a musical instrument museum. While seeing the collection of instruments is definitely interesting, it’s the building itself, with beautiful frescos and intricate tapestries, that we most enjoy.

Pop into the Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur de Nice on Rue du Jesus which was originally constructed in the 1600’s by the Jesuits. After the Jesuit Order was expelled by Pope Clement XIV, the church became a parish in 1801. The church is lit-up at night, so make sure to walk by if you’re in the area after dark.

Stop by Place Rosetti and visit the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate. The Baroque cathedral has a gorgeous alter and incredible ceiling that is a work of art.

Traveler’s note: There is an LCL bank ATM machine in Place Rosetti.  I use this one since they don’t have an additional fee and I get various bill denominations – I hate it when an ATM just gives out 50’s!

Fresh fruits

Fresh fruits

Every morning, except for Monday, you can admire the stalls of the Cours Saleya Market.  Pick up fruits and vegetables for a picnic lunch, grab a souvenir for a friend or stop to smell the roses at the Marche aux Fleurs.  The brightly colored awnings will guide you through the market and out toward the Opéra de Nice Côte d’Azur on Rue Saint-François de Paule. If you choose, you could walk along the Quai des États-Unis to escape the crowds.

*Monday, the area becomes an antique market where vendors sell clothing, dishes, furniture, jewelry and more.

Place Massena is recognizable by the Fontaine du Soleil with its massive statue of Apollo.  Relax in the Jardin Albert I or the Promenade du Paillon.   You can also fit in some shopping on Rue France or enjoy some high-end, wallet emptying shopping on Avenue de Verdun. Follow the tram line toward the gare (train station) along Avenue Jean Medecin, stopping by Basilique Notre-Dame de Nice, where you continue with more shopping and sightseeing.

The Liberation market, a favorite of locals, can be found as you continue along Avenue Jean Medicine past the train station.

Read more about shopping, eating and exploring around the Liberation Market.

st-nicholas-orthodox-cathedral-nice

 

The St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral should be high on your list when visiting Nice. I didn’t add this to my article on what to do with kids in Nice, but once the Cathedral came into view the kids and I said a collective “WOW”.   Sometimes my kids are a little bit more into architecture than other children.

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20 Things to Know Before Visiting London

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Are you visiting the UK for the first time?  Or maybe just want to learn a few more tips before traveling to London?  London quickly became one of our favorite cities with the seemingly endless attractions, great restaurants and pubs, and abundant shopping   The hustle and bustle of the city is contagious, but there are a few things to know before visiting London for the first time.

Things to Know Before Visiting London

1. The UK uses the British Pound (£) and the value to USD does fluctuate so be mindful of conversions when planning your budget.

2. Since we’re on the topic of money, lets talk about tipping.  In restaurants, the average tip is 10-15%, although you need to confirm it hasn’t automatically been added to your bill.  You can add the tip to your credit card, but cash is preferred.   Not all establishments pass on the tips paid on a card to the servers.  You’ll even see on some menus that all tips are given to the servers.  Personally, I found this rather curious. I would have assumed the servers always got the tips, but apparently that is not the case.

You can tip the same 10-15% rate for taxis, but most people just round up or leave £1.  Tip more if its a long ride or the driver helped with luggage.

You don’t tip at the pub if you’ve ordered drinks from the bar.  However, if you are getting table serve you’ll want to tip.

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Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Secrets & Tips

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Cruises are a great way to vacation.  Board the ship, unpack and sail off to new destinations without the headache of changing hotels. If you’re a first-time cruiser or have never sailed with Royal Caribbean, there are countless little known Royal Caribbean cruise line secrets to help you make the most out of your next cruise.

Before we dive into the secrets of cruising, it’s important to pick the right destination & ship.  Everyone’s tastes and every family has different needs. Before booking your cruise, choose the best destination and ship for your family.  Are you looking to hit the beach on a Caribbean island?  See the glaciers in Alaska? What places are you most interested in seeing and plan your trip accordingly.

Also, determine the amenities you want on the ship. Would the kids love the chance to ice skate?  Do you prefer a smaller or larger vessel?  Each cruise ship class is different, so take a look at what is offered before you book.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Secrets:

1. Complete online check-in

Check-in online for your cruise before you sail.  Check-in will open about 45 days before your sailing. You can check-in online or via the app. Royal Caribbean requires you to check-in no later than 3 days prior to sailing.  This helps keep the line moving on embarkation day.  Don’t forget to complete the health status form before sailing. It will become available the day prior to your cruise. If you don’t check-in online or complete the health status form, you’ll be required to do so at the port.

2. Purchase shore excursions in advance

You can purchase shore excursions online prior to your cruise.  Popular excursions sell out early and you don’t want to be disappointed!  If you didn’t book your spot, a limited amount of excursions are still reserved for on board booking so schedule those as soon as you board the ship. You can also schedule excursions through third parties such as Viator. Just ensure you leave yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship. The ship doesn’t wait for you if you’re not on a ship sponsored excursion.

See my 5 tips for selecting shore excursions for help determining which excursions are right for you.

3. Reserve specialty dining in advance

Reserve your table at one of the many specialty restaurants before you sail.  Purchase dining package in advance to save big.  Please note these offers can vary by cruise length and ship and you CAN’T make reservations in advance if you have a dining package. Once onboard, you’ll be able to make reservations if you purchased a dining package.

Kids 5 and under eat free under the special kids menu at specialty restaurants. Kids 12 and under can dine at the specialty restaurants for just $12.99 and order off a children’s menu. You can also add kids 12 and under to your dining package and the cost per child is reduced to $10.99.  The special kids price will be adjusted and shown on your final bill.

You can also see the main dining room menu’s for the week in the app, then pick your day to dine in a specialty restaurant accordingly. The menu’s are subject to change but should be 95% accurate.

Don’t pay full price for your package or single dining reservation. Watch for sales on packages. You’ll likely find an offer about 2-3 months before sailing, but the best sales can vary so check back frequently, if not daily, as your cruise gets closer. You can cancel and rebook for a cheaper rate.

Specialty Restaurant Cancellations can be made in Cruise Planner at least 4 days prior to boarding will be refunded in full to the credit card used for payment. Within 4 days of boarding, cancellations must be made on board after departure and will be credited to your shipboard account. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will be charged a minimum of $10 USD.

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5 Tips for Selecting Cruise Shore Excursions

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Selecting Cruise Shore Excursions

You’ve booked your cruise and are ready to set sail but there’s one thing left to decide – shore excursions. When you stop in port you have a few options about what to do. You aren’t required to get off of the ship, but chances are you’ll want to.  You can opt not to book anything and simply explore the area on your own or book an independent experience.  Or, you can plan ahead of time and book a ship sponsored shore excursion. H aving a great day at port is important and so is getting the most for your money.

5 Tips for Selecting Cruise Shore Excursions:

Ship Sponsored vs. Independently Booked Excursions

This is often the biggest question people ask. If you book an independent excursion you’re taking a risk. If you don’t make it back to the ship in time, the ship will leave without you. If you’re on a ship sponsored excursion that runs behind; they will wait for you to get back. However, you also will pay more for the ship sponsored shore excursion. Additionally, the companies working with the cruise line strive to keep up a level of service to continue that relationship.

That being said, reputable companies make their living catering to cruisers. It’s not good for business if you miss the ship or leave a bad review.  If you want to book an independent excursion, research the company and read reviews from other travelers.  We have found many independent excursions to be just as popular as ship sponsored that go to the same area, for less money.  On our upcoming Alaskan cruise, we have booked 2 independent excursions and 1 through the ship.  The one through NCL was about $150 more even with $100 excursion credits, but we couldn’t book independently for our required timeframe.

Just be sure to leave enough time to get back to the ship if something goes wrong!

Age and Activity Level

Not all shore excursions are well suited for everyone. If you’re traveling with little children you may find your options are even more limited. Excursions with a lot of physical activity or walking may not be a good choice for those who have a stroller to push or who have mobility issues. Take this into consideration when you’re choosing what to do. You’ll find the difficulty level and any requirements listed with the excursion details.

We wanted to plan a snorkeling adventure during one of our cruises.  We had a difficult time finding companies that would allow children, even though my kids are experienced swimmers and snorkelers.  We finally found a reputable company and my kids ended up spending more time in the water than 50% of the other adults on the excursion!

Price

For many people what to do boils down to how much it’s going to cost. You may not want to pay hundreds of dollars per person to do a shore excursion one day after you’ve paid for the cruise. You may also discover that there’s one activity during one port day that’s a higher cost but something you really want to do. This means the other port days you go for a less expensive option or just explore the port on your own.

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