12 Smart Tricks to Stop Wasting Money on Cruises

You can receive daily cruise news updates directly to your inbox, so you don't miss a thing! Go ahead and Subscribe here.

While cruising can be a pretty budget-friendly way to travel, itโ€™s also really easy to accidentally spend way more on your cruise than you anticipated.

From avoiding the ATM to taking your own photos, here are the twelve easiest ways not to waste money on a cruise โ€” so you can save your cash for the cruise-related expenses that will actually make your vacation better.

1. Donโ€™t Buy the Drink Package

During my years both cruising and working as a crew member, Iโ€™ve seen plenty of intoxicated cruisers. Many use a cruise as an excuse to let their hair down and have a little more fun than they might at home.

However, unless youโ€™re planning on drinking from dawn to dusk and then beyond, you probably wonโ€™t get that much value out of purchasing a drink package.

Sure, it might sound like a good deal at first โ€” one daily price for all your alcoholic beverages โ€” but there are limits and exclusions, and you may be better served buying each drink individually.

For example, if you look at Carnival Cruise Lineโ€™s Cheers! package, which starts at just over $80 per person per day, youโ€™ll find that you get up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day with the package.

Included drinks must be at a low price point relative to the overall drinks menu, and you get a discount on the higher-priced items on drinks menus.

Alcoholic drinks on a cruise start at around $10, with some (like beer) being even cheaper, so, for you to really get your moneyโ€™s worth from a drink package, youโ€™re going to have to drink more than eight drinks per day โ€” and for a lot of folks, thatโ€™s just not do-able, even if they are on vacation.

A few other drinks-related tips: If you do decide to forgo the drink package and order your drinks individually, if you see a drink youโ€™d like that comes in a souvenir glass, ask for it without the specialty glass.

You may save a few dollars. Additionally, it is possible to find a free drink here or there, such as at the Captainโ€™s Party or during similar special occasions/events/parties, and sometimes in the casino.

2. Donโ€™t Grab Dinner at the Specialty Restaurants

Specialty Restaurant on Norwegian Viva
Specialty Restaurant on Norwegian Viva (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

Most cruise ships have a mix of free dining options that are included in your cruise fare, and then a selection of specialty restaurants that charge either a flat, per-person fee or a la carte prices.

The prices can really, really vary, but you can expect a โ€œniceโ€ dinner for two at one of these specialty restaurants to easily cost you $100-plus. Eat dinner every night at one of these specialty restaurants and you can easily find yourself spending $1,000 more than you expected on your cruise.

Iโ€™m not saying you should avoid the specialty restaurants completely, but consider ways to save some cash. For example, see if some of the specialty restaurants are open during lunch, when you can get discounted menu prices. You may also be able to find cheaper prices on embarkation day or on port days.

Read Also: What You Should Never Do at the Cruise Ship Buffet

If youโ€™re not a foodie or the food isnโ€™t a big highlight of your vacation, donโ€™t feel like youโ€™re missing anything by not eating at these restaurants. The main dining room, buffet and other free restaurants on a cruise ship are more than enough to keep you fed.

Worried youโ€™re not going to have a luxurious experience if you do this? Donโ€™t be! Youโ€™ll find steaks, lobster and similar foods aplenty, each night in the main dining room.

3. Donโ€™t Overbook on the Shore Excursions

MSC Meraviglia Excursion Desk
MSC Meraviglia Excursion Desk (Photo Credit: Claire Lucia)

I love a good shore excursion just as much as the next person, but, as youโ€™re perusing your various shore excursion options ahead of your cruise, be careful not to overbook yourself.

Definitely donโ€™t try to cram as many excursions into your itinerary as possible. If Iโ€™m booking a cruise-led excursion, I prefer to book only one excursion per port and, in some ports, no excursions at all.

Not only does this save you money, but it also will ensure that youโ€™ll not be rushing around, having a hectic port day thatโ€™s more stressful than fun. Itโ€™ll also give you some freedom to do other things while in port.

Maybe you want to explore a little on foot, or go to a nearby beach. Just make sure youโ€™re following our top tips for having a great day in port, and youโ€™ll be golden.

Regarding excursions in general, some will tell you that youโ€™ll save a lot of money by booking with third-party excursion or tour providers rather than booking your excursions with the cruise line.

While this can be true, tread carefully here. A third-party provider wonโ€™t always guarantee the same safety and reputability that the cruise line provides, and wonโ€™t be as motivated to get you back to the cruise ship before it leaves port.

4. Donโ€™t Spend Excess Cash at the Salon, Spa or Gym

Mandara Spa on Norwegian Viva
Mandara Spa on Norwegian Viva (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

I very much understand why cruisers go to the spa. Many cruise ship spas are luxurious and a treatment is a great way to unwind and relax during your vacation, or add a touch of romance to your cruise.

However, I very much do not understand why cruisers pay for salon treatments that they could get at home, or gym classes that they could get at home. If you need a haircut or manicure, get it before you leave on your cruise. Workout in the free fitness center but avoid the pricey classes.

Additionally, if you do want a spa treatment, wait to book one until the treatments go on sale. This is usually during port days.

5. Donโ€™t Buy Anything On Board the Ship

Carnival Celebration Store
Photo Courtesy: Starboard Cruise Services

Create a packing list before your cruise and check it twice (and probably a few more times). You want to be 100% sure that youโ€™ve packed absolutely everything that you could need. From toiletries to OTC medications, if you think you might need it, take it. You donโ€™t want to buy it while youโ€™re on the ship.

Sure, you can find convenience items like these for sale on the cruise ship, but for a premium price. After all, youโ€™re in the middle of the ocean. You have no other choice, so the cruise line can charge whatever it wants for that stick of deodorant.

Additionally, avoid all of the knick-knacks and tchotchkes for sale on the ship. You can find much better souvenirs in port. Plus, when you think of a cool souvenir thatโ€™s going to remind you of your vacation, do you really want a sun visor with the cruise lineโ€™s logo on it? Probably not.

6. Donโ€™t Take Your Phone Off of Airplane Mode

Cruise Passenger on Phone in Pool
Cruise Passenger on Phone in Pool (Photo Credit: Jacobus Djokosetio)

Unless you have a phone plan that specifically allows you to use your phone while on a cruise ship (many carriers offer cruising packages, but they must be purchased separately and do not automatically come with your cell phone plan, much like international packages), do not take your phone off of airplane mode.

If you do, you could wind up with some hefty fees and fines on your next cell phone bill.

Of course, this doesnโ€™t mean you have to give up scrolling and posting entirely. Just buy a WiFi package from the cruise line. Most offer several WiFi options, so pick the most affordable one that will give you the service you need.

I find that I donโ€™t generally need the most expensive package anyway, as Iโ€™m too busy actually enjoying the cruise rather than looking at my phone. You could go for the eSIM package designed for cruise passengers from GigSky!

7. Donโ€™t Buy the Photos

Carnival Pixels on Mardi Gras
Carnival Pixels on Mardi Gras (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)

Even as a former crew member, I can admit that the cruise lineโ€™s photo services are just about always a giant rip-off. Everyone has a camera in their pocket now. Take your own photos or ask a fellow cruiser to take one of you, if necessary.

Yes, those photographers will swarm you all over the cruise ship and, yes, some of the photos may look good or even great โ€” but theyโ€™re nothing you canโ€™t get yourself and entirely for free.

8. Make Sure Youโ€™re Not Double-Tipping

Carnival Cruise Line Tipping
Carnival Cruise Line Tipping (Photo: John Heald)

Thereโ€™s a lot to know about cruise line gratuities and tipping. Most cruise lines automatically tack gratuities onto your bill, so when you pay for your on-board expenses at the end of the cruise, those gratuities will be displayed there. Youโ€™ll also see them when you sign your bill after dining at a specialty restaurant or ordering drinks at the bar.

As such, make sure that youโ€™re reading over your receipt thoroughly before adding a tip or leaving a cash tip. You may just be double-tipping and never even realizing it.

9. Donโ€™t Book Shore Excursions That You Could Do on Your Own

Carnival Celebration Docked Next to Beach in Curacao
Carnival Celebration Docked Next to Beach in Curacao (Photo Credit: Mulevich)

In some cases, shore excursions are absolutely necessary for an activity, whether due to accessibility reasons or safety. For example, if you want to go snorkeling or cave diving or horseback riding, youโ€™re going to need to book a shore excursion.

However, there are a lot of shore excursions that offer activities that you could just do on your own, without a guide. Shopping and food tour excursions are two of the best examples of this.

Rather than relying on a guide, do some extra research before your trip and identify restaurants or shops you want to visit while in port. Then, simply go there! You donโ€™t need to pay a guideโ€™s high fees for experiences like these.

10. Bring Your Own Booze and Snacks

Cruise Ship Gangway
Cruise Ship Gangway (Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin)

Donโ€™t want to pay for the wine on the cruise ship? Know that youโ€™re really not going to drink enough to warrant buying a drinks package? Consider bringing your own booze aboard the cruise ship, on embarkation day.

While each cruise line differs, most will allow each adult to bring one bottle of wine or Champagne with them.

For example, Royal Caribbeanโ€™s policy is that โ€œeach guest of drinking age may bring one (1) sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or Champagne.โ€ If youโ€™re traveling with a partner, you could both bring a bottle of wine and you may find thatโ€™s all you need for your cruise!

You can likewise bring limited quantities of water and soda, which can cut down on the number of sodas you need to buy on the ship. (Typically, the only beverages actually free during a cruise are things like water, plain coffee, plain tea, etc.)

Read Also: Can You Bring Snacks on a Carnival Cruise?

On a similar note, if youโ€™re a snacker, bring your own snacks with you. Again, cruise line rules will differ, but you can usually bring sealed, purchased snacks on board the ship with no problem (just nothing homemade or opened).

Youโ€™ll thank yourself for doing so when you want a little midnight snack or something to tide you over at the pool, and youโ€™re able to avoid dropping an easy $20 per person on something like frozen chicken fingers and fries.

11. Pay Attention to the Cruise Line Loyalty Program

Crown and Anchor Society Loyalty Passenger Event
Crown and Anchor Society Loyalty Passenger Event (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)

Some cruise lines will automatically enroll you in their loyalty program once you book your first sailing, while others will require you to sign up on your own. Whatever the case, though, make sure that youโ€™re in the loyalty program and that youโ€™re getting notifications from the program via email.

Worth Reading: What is Royal Caribbeanโ€™s Crown and Anchor Society?

While, yes, they can be annoying at first, you can unsubscribe after your cruise. Up until then, though, they can provide you with valuable info about deals and savings that you can enjoy as a loyalty program member.

12. Donโ€™t Use the Cruise Shipโ€™s ATM

ATM Machine on Carnival Cruise
ATM Machine on Carnival Cruise (Photo Credits: John Heald & venuswix)

ATM fees may seem like a minor inconvenience, but they can really add up if youโ€™re taking cash out of the ATM at every single port.

While itโ€™s a smart idea to have some cash on hand while youโ€™re in port, get that cash (and any international currency you might need) before you leave home, from the bank. The cruise ship ATM fees are just a waste of money and very easily avoidable.

If you enjoyed the article and would like no fuss daily cruise news to your inbox directly from Cruise Hive, you can Subscribe here.

Emrys Thakkar
Emrys Thakkar
The founder of Cruise Hive, Emrys has been reporting on the cruise industry since 2008. Expert insights and tips featured on a number of publications including The Express, Business Insider, Fodor's Travel and more. Worked for Carnival for 8 years and traveled to more than 34 countries and been on over 100 cruises.

Don't Miss Any Cruise News!

We'll send you the latest cruise updates daily to your inbox.

Don't Miss Cruise Hive's Daily Update!

Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! We'll send you the latest cruise updates daily to your inbox.

1.4K Shares
Copy link