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3 ways to get the most out of your next cruise

Posted: 2 July 2021 4:20 pm

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Getting more bang for your buck has never been easier. Here's how.

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Cruises are already great value for money, with accommodation, transport, food and entertainment all included in your fare. But if you want to get even more out of your money, we've got a few tricks up our sleeves.

Scope out those freebies

Cruise lines are known to throw regular themed parties, shows, trivia and game nights, as well as hosting comedy club nights and live music. That's the beauty of it – there's bound to be something for everyone and it's all included.

In addition to entertainment, excite your tastebuds with a huge choice of restaurants. Everything from casual to connoisseur, Italian to Australian favourites and the best part, you choose when, where and how you dine.

So to make the most of the free dining, try to get in your three meals a day. Of course, you also have the option to choose speciality dining options, but keep in mind that these come at a cost and aren't included in your fare.

Experience it all on board the 4-night Moreton Island Tangalooma cruise from $449, the 5-night Taste of Tasmania cruise from $662, the 3-night Sapphire Coast Food Festival from $449 or the 2-night Comedy Cruise from $262.

Image: Supplied

Tick off all the sun deck activities on your to-do list

Between heading to the pool for some morning rays and reaching for your dinner plate come sundown, consider trying out the onboard activities to fill in the gaps in your day.

Just some examples of free things to do include hitting the gym, sliding into the waterparks, participating in deck games like golf, table tennis or lawn bowls, getting competitive on the sports courts or just soaking up the glorious weather poolside.

To get some perspective, an average gym membership would set you back around $60 a month. A waterpark such as Jamberoo charges $50 for children and $60 for adults. Lounging around the pool on a cruise is also $6 cheaper than it would be visiting the local aquatic centre.

By making use of the amenities onboard, you skip out on the costs that they would naturally incur on dry land.

If that sounds right up your alley, the 5-night Southern Discovery cruise from $412, the 5-night Classic Short Break from $428, the 4-night Southern Getaway from $499 and the 7-night Barrier Reef Discovery from $849 will make the journey just as exciting as the destination.

Sort out the school holiday itinerary with the onboard Kids Clubs

Bringing the kids along for the journey too? Well, while you're enjoying the sunshine or a spot of shopping, the little ones can be off on their own exciting adventure.

With 4 age-specific Kids Clubs, kids and teens alike get to enjoy adventure parks, tropical shore excursions, movie lounges, sports, gaming and art. All of P&O's cruises feature the service, with:

Turtle Cove for 2-5-year-olds
Shark Shack for 6-9-year-olds
HQ for 10-13-year-olds
HQ+ for 14-17-year-olds

It doesn't stop there either. Talent shows and music lessons are all included, leaving boredom at the dock.

Let's break that down. Putting young kids through daycare can set parents back between $100 and $180 per day in major cities. On top of that, school holiday camps for primary school kids sit between $90 and $120 a day. So, you can save more than a few extra dollars on board and keep the kids entertained while the whole family holidays.

For heaps of school holiday fun, we recommend climbing aboard a 4-night Whitsunday Cruise from $592, a 3-night Comedy Cruise from $462 or a 4-night Exmouth Escape from $681 over the school holidays.

Prices are correct at the time of writing and may be subject to change.

Images: Getty