Big fun on a small budget

Want BIG fun but don’t want to dip too deeply into your savings? Then a Carnival cruise is for you. 

Let me tell you how it cost me under $1500 to cruise with my husband for four nights aboard Carnival Splendor. That’s right, $188, per person per day. And, it was FABULOUS.

Here are my FIVE TIPS to make the most out of your next Carnival Splendor cruise.

And, just for extra fun, I will compare it to the cost of a birthday weekend celebration in Sydney. You see, I was celebrating another rotation around the sun aboard Carnival Splendor.

 1 - You don’t always need a balcony 

Inside cabins are perfectly fine, and a great way to save your cruise dollars. If you’re not fussed about having a balcony or a window, then inside cabins will slash your cruise budget. The four-night cruise to Moreton Island, Queensland that I sailed on had inside cabins for as little as $1000 twin share. 

Here’s a little secret: inside cabins are the absolute best for sleeping and recovering from late-night partying on the Lido deck.

If your budget stretches a little more, then you can fork out for an oceanview cabin like I did. I paid $1300 for the entire cruise. I didn’t miss out on any creature comforts and saved myself a few hundred dollars. 

Total cost of accommodation on cruise: $1300
Total cost of accommodation in a Sydney hotel for four nights: $2000 (average)

2 - Try all the free eateries

Did you know there are seven different eateries that are INCLUDED in your cruise fare? And, one of the outlets onboard Carnival Splendor has the best burgers at sea – in my humble opinion. There are so many choices available from dawn to dusk (and even later when you get those late-night munchies). Let me share all the yum-yums you can devour on your FUN cruise.

Guys Burgers – my go-to lunch. Once you’ve had a Guy’s burger, no other burger at sea compares. Load all the sides and toppings and be prepared to make a bit of a mess.

The Deli – it feels criminal not paying for these delish sandwiches, salads, hot dogs and more. Open lunch and dinner, everything is super tasty and made fresh.

Mongolian Wok – fresh made stirfries if you’re hankering for Asian flavours. Effectively it’s part of the buffet (Lido Marketplace) but still a great additional option.

Marsala Tiger – Lip-smacking Indian cuisine. Be prepared to line up, but it’s totally worth it.

Pizzeria del Capitano – open from early to late. Hot, fresh pizza. My tip is to customise your own toppings. Mushroom and pepperoni? Yes please!

Lido Marketplace – AKA the buffet. As well as a plethora of sweets and savouries (menu changes for breakfast, lunch and dinner) there are free drink stations and the ever-favourite soft serve Swirls. 

Then of course there’s the main dining rooms  (check your cruise card to see which restaurant you’re booked in to). One very big misconception is that you can only eat dinner in the main dining room, but make sure you also visit at least once for breakfast and lunch/brunch.

Total cost of food on cruise: $0
Total cost of food in Sydney restaurants, three meals a day for two people and soft drinks for four days eating only at McDonalds: $500 (apx) or average casual eatery: $1200 (apx)

3 - Splurge for a specialty dining experience

Everyone has different budgets and what they like to spend their money on when cruising, but if you have a special occasion, celebrate at Carnival Splendor’s specialty restaurant Fahrenheit 555. I cannot stress how amazing the quality of the food is, the service is impeccable and you will be full to the brim. The experience rivals any fancy restaurant in Sydney.

Total cost per person: $65
Total cost of fancy Sydney restaurant: In excess of $300 per person.

4 - Watch a show

No day onboard is complete without watching a show. Exciting, fun and entertaining, you’ll love the stage productions. 

Total cost per person: $0

Total cost of stage show in Sydney: $100 per person (apx)

5 - Explore on your own

Our one and only port stop on this four-night cruise, was to Moreton Island. If you don’t want to take a helicopter ride, feed the dolphins, take a whale watching cruise, etc, then just spend the day at the beach! 

I love Moreton Island as it’s got gorgeous water, soft sand and it's easy to navigate. If you’re feeling peckish, I’d recommend grabbing some fish and chips and eat al-fresco admiring the gorgeous views.

Total cost per person to visit: $0
Total cost of visiting an Island paradise: How long is a piece of string?

Now, if you’ve been keeping count, I still had a little left in the kitty for some cocktails. And, my tip for the best on the ship if you’re only going to have a few is Alchemy bar. The bartenders or mixologists are super talented, and the atmosphere is fabulous. 

Lean in close now for the biggest bonus you’ll get from cruising on Carnival? I don’t know if it’s the sea air, not having to drive, cook, shop or clean or being totally relaxed, but this didn’t cost me a cent:

I fell back in love with my husband. And that feeling is priceless!