While cruising can be a pretty budget-friendly way to travel, it’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 — so you can save your cash for the cruise-related expenses that will actually make your vacation better.
In This Article:
- 1. Don’t Buy the Drink Package
- 2. Don’t Grab Dinner at the Specialty Restaurants
- 3. Don’t Overbook on the Shore Excursions
- 4. Don’t Spend Excess Cash at the Salon, Spa or Gym
- 5. Don’t Buy Anything On Board the Ship
- 6. Don’t Take Your Phone Off of Airplane Mode
- 7. Don’t Buy the Photos
- 8. Make Sure You’re Not Double-Tipping
- 9. Don’t Book Shore Excursions That You Could Do on Your Own
- 10. Bring Your Own Booze and Snacks
- 11. Pay Attention to the Cruise Line Loyalty Program
- 12. Don’t Use the Cruise Ship’s ATM
1. Don’t Buy the Drink Package
During my years both cruising and working as a crew member, I’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 you’re planning on drinking from dawn to dusk and then beyond, you probably won’t get that much value out of purchasing a drink package.
Sure, it might sound like a good deal at first — one daily price for all your alcoholic beverages — but there are limits and exclusions, and you may be better served buying each drink individually.
For example, if you look at Carnival Cruise Line’s Cheers! package, which starts at just over $80 per person per day, you’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 money’s worth from a drink package, you’re going to have to drink more than eight drinks per day — and for a lot of folks, that’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 you’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 Captain’s Party or during similar special occasions/events/parties, and sometimes in the casino.
2. Don’t Grab Dinner at the Specialty Restaurants
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 “nice” 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.
I’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 you’re not a foodie or the food isn’t a big highlight of your vacation, don’t feel like you’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 you’re not going to have a luxurious experience if you do this? Don’t be! You’ll find steaks, lobster and similar foods aplenty, each night in the main dining room.
3. Don’t Overbook on the Shore Excursions
I love a good shore excursion just as much as the next person, but, as you’re perusing your various shore excursion options ahead of your cruise, be careful not to overbook yourself.
Definitely don’t try to cram as many excursions into your itinerary as possible. If I’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 you’ll not be rushing around, having a hectic port day that’s more stressful than fun. It’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 you’re following our top tips for having a great day in port, and you’ll be golden.
Regarding excursions in general, some will tell you that you’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 won’t always guarantee the same safety and reputability that the cruise line provides, and won’t be as motivated to get you back to the cruise ship before it leaves port.
4. Don’t Spend Excess Cash at the Salon, Spa or Gym
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. Don’t Buy Anything On Board the Ship
Create a packing list before your cruise and check it twice (and probably a few more times). You want to be 100% sure that you’ve packed absolutely everything that you could need. From toiletries to OTC medications, if you think you might need it, take it. You don’t want to buy it while you’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, you’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 that’s going to remind you of your vacation, do you really want a sun visor with the cruise line’s logo on it? Probably not.
6. Don’t Take Your Phone Off of Airplane Mode
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 doesn’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 don’t generally need the most expensive package anyway, as I’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. Don’t Buy the Photos
Even as a former crew member, I can admit that the cruise line’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 — but they’re nothing you can’t get yourself and entirely for free.
8. Make Sure You’re Not Double-Tipping
There’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. You’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 you’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. Don’t Book Shore Excursions That You Could Do on Your Own
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, you’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 don’t need to pay a guide’s high fees for experiences like these.
10. Bring Your Own Booze and Snacks
Don’t want to pay for the wine on the cruise ship? Know that you’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 Caribbean’s policy is that “each guest of drinking age may bring one (1) sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or Champagne.” If you’re traveling with a partner, you could both bring a bottle of wine and you may find that’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 you’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).
You’ll thank yourself for doing so when you want a little midnight snack or something to tide you over at the pool, and you’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
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 you’re in the loyalty program and that you’re getting notifications from the program via email.
Worth Reading: What is Royal Caribbean’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. Don’t Use the Cruise Ship’s ATM
ATM fees may seem like a minor inconvenience, but they can really add up if you’re taking cash out of the ATM at every single port.
While it’s a smart idea to have some cash on hand while you’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.
