Cruise lines have gotten really good at finding new ways to get you to spend more money. Some extras are worth it, and others have become ridiculously overpriced.
Don B and Heidi of Eat Sleep Cruise list the ripoffs they would think twice about paying for. Among them are early boarding packages that run up to $60 per person a day, a single photo at $25, and a $300 upgrade for a window that does not even open.
Up To $60 Per Person A Day Just To Board Early
Cruise lines know everyone is anxious to get on board, and many will gladly charge for it. Carnival’s Faster to the Fun package is about $150 on most weeklong cruises, and Royal Caribbean’s The Key can cost upwards of $60 per person per day.
To be fair, these packages bring more than priority boarding, such as Wi-Fi, priority guest services, priority tendering or early luggage access. But if early boarding is the main reason you are buying, Don says it is not worth it.
His alternative is to complete online check-in the moment it opens and grab the earliest arrival time. He says they have boarded plenty early without paying. Arriving at the terminal early will not help, because the cruise line will probably make you wait outside until your window.
$25 For One Photo When Your Phone Is A Camera
At many cruise lines, a single digital photo or print costs $20 or $25, and photo packages can easily run into hundreds of dollars. That made more sense a few years ago, Don says, but now everyone has a good camera in their pocket.
Recreate the shots around the ship. Other cruisers are usually happy to snap a picture for you, and a small phone tripod works for group photos. If the line gives you a free photo as a loyalty perk, take it.
Paying $300 To $500 For A Window That Will Not Open
This one may be controversial, Don warns, but he calls ocean view cabins one of the biggest ripoffs on a ship. Depending on the sailing, you could pay $300 or $500 or more to upgrade from an inside cabin, just to get a window that does not open.
If you mainly use your cabin to sleep and get ready, save the money and book an inside cabin. If seeing the ocean from your room matters, put that money toward a balcony where you can step outside. Always compare prices, though, because sometimes an ocean view costs only slightly more.
The Food Bill Is Creeping Up
When Don and Heidi started cruising, most meals were included, and you paid extra at a steakhouse or an Italian restaurant. Now, he says, it can feel like as many places charge as there are included restaurants.
Specialty restaurants can cost $50 or $75 or more per person. A la carte pubs, ice cream parlors, candy shops and coffee shops charge $10, $15 or $20 here and there, and some lines have started charging for an additional entree in the main dining room.
They still book specialty dining when there is a place they want to try. Figure out what is included first, pick one or two upcharge experiences, and check for dining packages or pre-cruise discounts.
A Drink Package Can Top $100 A Day Before Gratuity
On some lines an alcoholic drink package can now cost over $100 per person, before an 18 or 20% gratuity. Some limit how many alcoholic drinks you can order per day, put price caps on individual drinks and exclude certain brands. Others leave out specialty coffee or sports drinks.
Don and Heidi still buy them for convenience, but they do not buy automatically. Compare fares and bundles, and do the math on what you will actually drink. He says it typically takes about six to seven alcoholic beverages per person per day to break even.
The Cheapest Fare Is Not Always The Best Deal
Fares come with different restrictions, such as non-refundable deposits or tougher cancellation terms. Bundles may add drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining or gratuities at a discount, but neither the cheapest fare nor an automatic upgrade is always the best value.
Compare what the upgrade costs with what you would buy separately. Some lines also give a fare differential if the price drops after you book, but you need to contact them directly.
Toiletries, Insurance And Transfers Cost Extra On Board
Basic items like toothpaste, sunscreen, pain reliever and seasickness medication carry a significant markup in ship shops. Pack the essentials, and if you forget something that is not urgent, wait for a pharmacy or supermarket in port.
Cruise line insurance typically costs 5 to 10% of your trip. On a $5,000 vacation that is several hundred dollars, and third-party plans may offer higher emergency medical and evacuation coverage, or cancel-for-any-reason options, so compare a few reputable ones.
Cruise line transfers are priced per person, often $30, $40 or $50 one way. A family of four could spend up to $200 to reach the terminal, and a ride share or taxi is often cheaper and faster.
Souvenirs, Spas And Excursions
Duty-free and onboard sales do not automatically mean a great price, so check the exact item on your phone. Don and Heidi usually buy an ornament from every ship, spending about $20, not $1,000 because a salesperson said it was a deal.
A 50-minute spa massage can easily cost $150 to $250 or more, plus automatic gratuity. They suggest pre-cruise discounts, port day specials or a thermal suite pass instead.
Independent tours and local guides often cost considerably less than cruise line excursions, with smaller groups and more flexible itineraries. They still book through the line when the logistics are complicated.
Activities, Wi-Fi And Art Auctions
Escape rooms, go-karts, virtual reality, mixology classes, arcade games, Deal or No Deal and bingo can add $10, $20 or $50 or more. Look for a dollar sign in the daily schedule in the cruise app, since plenty of trivia, shows and music is already paid for.
Wi-Fi can run $20 or $30 per device per day, which is more than a couple of months of internet at home. Check your phone plan for international data, use airplane mode on the ship, consider a travel eSIM, and share one login if the line allows.
As for art auctions with free champagne, their advice is simple. Keep walking, and buy art from a local artist in a port you actually visit.
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