Picture a Punch and Judy booth shaped like a cruise ship. Now picture Mr. Punch dressed as a guest services representative unscrolling a pages-long “statement of onboard charges” and presenting it to a first-time cruiser who dramatically clutches her purse, raises a hand to her forehead, and releases a window-shattering scream before passing out cold and later waking up in the medical unit to find she’s trending on Twitter.
There are two takeaways here. First, always purchase trip insurance, because if you found that first bill shocking, wait until you get the bill from the medical unit for your goose egg and broken arm. And second, be careful of onboard purchases!
It’s estimated that around 30% of cruise revenue comes from onboard purchases – everything from drinks to spa services to gambling and arcade games to excursions to internet access to specialty dining to photos to souvenirs. Once onboard, cruise lines have one goal above all others: separating you from as much of your hard-earned cash as possible. They do that by making it easy (just hand over your card), tempting (I’m particularly susceptible to those premium dessert cases), and, at times, high pressure (I’d avoid making eye contact with anyone from the spa!).
There are two things you should know about me: I’m cheap and I love to cruise. And because I’m cheap, I get to cruise much more often. In this post I will share my best tips for saving money on onboard expenses (go here to learn how to get the best deal on your cruise fare), learned over dozens of cruises on every major cruise line. While I may occasionally refer to a particular line, most of these can be used on any cruise line.
Cruise lines want you think that all the “extras” are essential to maximizing your onboard experience and they really, really hype them up. And while for some people, certain things (like alcohol or the casino) really do add significantly to their enjoyment, many people could have an equally wonderful cruise experience without spending a penny onboard (this has been true for me many times). If you board with an attitude like, “I can have a great time without a lot of extras,” trust me, you will.
That brings us to my next tip: Take advantage of everything that’s included in your cruise fare.
Nothing is “free” on a cruise ship, but many, many things are included in your cruise fare at no extra charge. Here are some of them:
Food: Food in the main dining rooms (except where noted on the menu), buffets, and even some specialty restaurants (see my bonus tip below for some to look for by cruise line) are included in your cruise fare.
Drinks: There are always a few free drink options, usually milk (dairy and non-dairy options are available), lemonade, juice (for breakfast), iced-tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and hot tea.
Entertainment: Live music, production shows, trivia, movies, contests, pools, water slides, clubs, deck games (chess, miniature golf, shuffleboard, etc), card room, board games.
Enrichment: Lectures, classes, libraries, special interest clubs and gatherings.
Fitness: Fitness center, classes (while there are certain classes that cost extra like yoga and spin, there are always a few free fitness and dance classes), walking/jogging track (or walk the outdoor promenade deck – this is one of my favorite cruise activities!), sport courts.
Relaxation: Lounging on an outdoor deck, hot tubs, reading, looking for wildlife.
For the kids: Kid’s club, pools, water slides, deck games, board games, organized family activities, movies, sport courts, frequent trips to the soft serve machines, running wild and annoying us older cruisers (kidding – just seeing if you were paying attention).
Here are some fun and included specialty dining spots in addition to the main dining rooms and buffets to look for on various lines (note that not every ship will have all of these, so check your specific ship):
Included Dining on Carnival: Guy’s Burgers, Blue Iguana Cantina, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, Pizza Pirate, Deli, select room service items
Go here to see all Carnival dining menus
Included Dining on Celebrity: Café al Bacio (the pastries are free), Spa Café, pool grill, room service
Go here to see all Celebrity dining menus
Included Dining on Holland America: Dive-in, New York Pizza, Explorations Café (pastries are free), room service
Go here to see all Holland America dining menus
Included Dining on NCL: Local Bar and Grill, Observation Lounge, room service (continental breakfast items are free)
Go here to see all NCL dining menus; go here to see all NCL Pride of America dining menus
Included Dining on Princess: Trident Grill, Sundaes Ice Cream (the soft serve is free), International Café, Alfredo’s Pizzeria, room service
Go here to see all Princess dining menus
Included Dining on Royal Caribbean: Mini Bites, Dog House, El Loco Fresh, Park Café, Vitality Café
You may not be a hardcore thrifter like me (you’ll be shocked to know that I purchased the sea foam, polyester, puff-sleeved beauty with the large accent bow that’s my go-to formal night dress for $6 at Goodwill), but you might be a bit nervous about spending too much onboard. I have two suggestions.
First, set a budget for yourself and set up your onboard spending account with cash. When you check in for your cruise, you will have the option of attaching a credit card to your onboard account or setting it up as a cash account (meaning you have to put cash on your account at the Guest Services deck onboard). Set up a cash account and only bring the amount you want to spend.
My second suggestion is that you pre-plan the items you’d like to spend money on onboard and stick to them. Maybe you want a few alcoholic drinks each day or you want to try the onboard go-cart track. Make a list in advance of what you want to spend on and then don’t deviate from that list (there will be many, many smiling, enthusiastic crew members tempting you to “trash the list, you’re on vacation!” Be strong!).
This one isn’t usually going to save you any money (although sometimes when cruise lines are planning to raise the per-day gratuity charge, they will allow you to pay in advance at the lower rate), but it will help you plan your budget and avoid the sticker shock that comes at the end of your cruise when you check your bill and it’s much, much higher than you expected because you forgot about the automatic gratuities/service charge.
In other words, avoid specialty restaurants with an extra charge. As I mentioned earlier, nothing on a cruise is “free,” but there are things that you’ve already paid for as part of your cruise fare, meals being one of them. Keep in mind when considering a specialty restaurant that in addition to paying the extra fee, you are also not eating the meal you’ve already paid for.
There is SO. MUCH. FOOD. available on a cruise (see photo above for the time Mr. Cruise ordered one of every appetizer in the MDR). Even the pickiest eater should find plenty to like among the included offerings. And I’ve never found the specialty restaurants all that “special.” Yes, the quality is usually better than the included offerings but, in my opinion, it isn’t better for the price than what you could get at an average land-based restaurant.
My calculus has always been that it makes more sense to stick to the included food on a cruise and save my money to eat at land-based restaurants back home (for $40 per person, I can get a pretty darn good meal, even in Seattle).
With regard to food, I would also suggest you try to avoid eating too many meals off the ship while in port. I always plan my port activities so I can be on the ship to eat my included (“free”) breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I try not to forfeit a single meal I’ve already paid for.
I understand that alcohol is an important part of a vacation for many, so here are my best tips for saving money on alcohol on a cruise.
Price out a drink package.
Depending on what and how much you typically drink on vacation, a drink package may be a good deal. However, it won’t be for the average cruiser who just likes a few drinks each day. Preview drink menus (I’ll post a link where you can find them by line below) and estimate how much it will cost you each day to pay à la carte.
It can be tempting to buy a drink package because, “I just want it paid for in advance and I don’t want to worry about how much I’m spending.” For many people, purchasing a drink package either encourages them to drink more than they otherwise would (that’s how I ended up in a belly flopping contest once) or they end up losing (sometimes significant) money over what they would have spent just buying the drinks they want.
Be careful of “free” drink packages.
I’m looking at you NCL. NCL offers a “free” drink package as a promotion, but charges 20% for “gratuities” on the package. That adds up to about $125 per person for a 7-day cruise. If you don’t drink much, even this “free” drink package may end up costing you more than just paying à la carte. Also your cruise fare may be higher if you opt for “free at sea” options. Pay attention and price out a few different options.
Bring alcohol onboard with you.
Most cruise lines allow you to bring 1 or 2 bottles of wine or champagne onboard with you. You can drink these bottles for free in your room or on your balcony, but know that lines do charge a corkage fee if you bring your own bottle to a restaurant or bar. Check in advance for your cruise lines specific policy.
Look for drink specials.
Most lines have daily drink specials or “drinks of the day” that are less expensive (this can be a fun way to try some new drinks). Some bars also have Happy Hour specials.
Can I sneak alcohol onboard a cruise ship?
This is a topic that will get you banned from most cruise ship Facebook groups faster than Prof. Cruise sprints up to the buffet on embarkation day to load up a plate with (free) desserts, but I’ll be straight with you. Some people do sneak alcohol onto cruise ships using something like this available on Amazon:
I’ve never done it and opt to follow the rules I’ve agreed to. In general, I’ve found that everyone enjoys their cruise more if we all do our best to follow the rules. But I also won’t tattle on you if I see you drinking out of a shampoo bottle by the pool. I might think you’re a little weird for at least not pouring it into a travel mug, but I won’t tattle.
Here are bar menus by line to give you an idea of drink prices (scroll past the dining menus, especially if you’re hungry):
Carnival bar menus
Celebrity bar menus
Holland America bar menus
NCL bar menus
NCL Pride of America bar menus
Princess bar menus
I’m not a soda drinker (I prefer my calories shaped like cake and I swear every bubble I drink comes instantly back out of me in the form of a giant burp or fart, so I only drink soda when I want to have a whole row to myself at the movies). But I know for some cruisers, being away from Diet Coke for a week would turn a dream vacation into the reason cited on their divorce filing (I wouldn’t recommend couples sharing a tiny cabin together for an extended period abruptly change up any of their coping habits).
Thankfully many cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Princess among others) allow cruisers to bring a limited number of sodas or other non-alcoholic beverages onboard with them in their carry-on luggage. Double check your cruise line’s current policy in advance.
You should also price out the cost of a soda package or card to see if that might be more cost effective. Alcohol packages usually also include most non-alcoholic beverages for free, so if you’re buying an alcohol package anyway, you won’t have to worry about paying more for soda.
Newbie cruisers can be very nervous about booking excursions on their own. And with good reason – they’ve probably seen viral videos of people running down the pier at port screaming and crying as their cruise ship pulls away without them. However, booking an excursion on your own through a reputable company or just exploring the port on your own is generally safe and will often be less expensive and a much better experience (less crowded, you’ll see more, more personable, etc).
Private tour companies count on good reviews to stay in business. They are committed to giving you a good experience and making sure they return you to the ship ON TIME and in one piece. Most will even guarantee to get you back to the ship on time or will pay to get you to the next port (ask about this if you’re nervous).
I usually book my excursions through Viator, but it can also be helpful to ask for recommendations on cruise forums and boards.
You can also do some research in advance and just walk around the port area on your own or hire a taxi or ride share to take you around to places that aren’t within walking distance. I’ve had an amazing time at so many ports without spending any money. I’ll look for free museums, historical sights, hikes or beaches or other natural areas to explore, fun neighborhoods, even cemeteries (I love an interesting, beautiful cemetery!) Do some research on safety at each port and follow common sense safety precautions, but if you feel comfortable, I encourage you to avoid expensive and often crowded cruise ship excursions and go it on your own!
It’s expensive to hit the gift shops onboard to replace essentials you accidentally left at home and for which you can’t wait until the next port to pick up for less. Pay particular attention to personal hygiene items like toothpaste, floss, and a toothbrush, deodorant, razors, sunscreen, and feminine hygiene products. And ALWAYS pack a variety of over-the-counter medications for pain, stomach and digestive issues, and seasickness. Also make sure to pack chargers and other necessary accessories for your electronic devices (headphones, etc). The times I’ve had to buy something at a cruise ship gift shop, it’s almost always been deodorant or headphones. Learn from my mistakes!
I don’t understand the appeal of shopping in general, but really don’t understand the appeal of shopping on a cruise ship. But many do and that’s cool with me. I would, however, encourage you to buy your souvenirs at port as opposed to on the ship. This is a cost saving strategy, but you’ll also often find better quality and more meaningful items at port AND you’ll be supporting local small businesses and vendors at the places you visit.
Most ships have hot tubs and saunas available for anyone to use with no extra charge. Take advantage of those and skip expensive spa services. Or consider getting a spa service (like a massage on the beach) at port. They will likely be better and less expensive.
There is always some sale going on onboard a cruise ship. Walk on by! Save that money for more cruises!
Significant upselling also happens on cruises. If you ignore my advice to skip the ship spa, you’ll invariably be subjected to some high-pressure upselling: “I have just the thing for these crater-sized wrinkles, Prof. Cruise!”
Internet on cruise ships is expensive. Here are some tips to save.
-Consider in advance how much connectivity you’ll need onboard. Price out an internet plan vs paying by the minute.
-If you just want to check your e-mail a few times, you can probably do that at port for free. I always look for a local library near port to check my e-mail and social media. If you can’t find a library, a coffee shop will work too. Cruise Facebook groups or cruising forums are great for asking about good spots for internet. Asking crew is a good option too. They often know the places in each port and use them themselves.
-Expense an internet plan to your employer. If you’re expected to be in contact with work (even if it’s just checking e-mail), ask your employer if you can expense an internet plan. Mr. Cruise does this every time we sail.
-Use a hot spot from your phone for internet on your computer or tablet. Be careful though, only do this in areas where you’re 100% sure you won’t incur roaming or international phone charges. We often do this while at port in Alaska or Hawaii.
-Purchase an internet plan in advance of your sailing. Often a small discount will be offered if you purchase a plan prior to sailing. But note you won’t be able to use onboard credit if you purchase in advance (stay tuned for more on onboard credit).
-Internet service on a cruise ship can be spotty. Anticipate that and have a contingency plan. Also, if there are longs stretches for which you cannot use your internet plan due to connectivity issues, stop by and speak to someone at the internet café and request a refund for a portion of your charges. I’ve had to do that a few times and have always received the requested refund or if the internet was super slow, I’ve had time added back to my plan.
I know some people love to gamble on a cruise, especially if you don’t live within driving distance of a casino, and I’m not going to argue with that. But if you’re looking to save money, stay out of the casino. Refer back to my 2nd tip and find something else to do (there are plenty of awesome options).
Most cruise lines offer a very limited lineup of television channels. But they also offer pay-per-view movie options. While some people can’t imagine wanting to watch TV or movies in their cabin on a cruise, there may be a reason you’d want or need to do that (for example, if you have children that go to bed early or if you like to watch something in the evening as you’re winding down or if your wife takes a million hours to get ready in the morning). Plan ahead and download lots of shows and movies to your tablet or phone before you leave home (don’t do it too far in advance though as sometimes they expire after a certain number of days).
Most lines also offer free movie viewing opportunities, either on an outside deck on a giant screen or in a theater.
While you might feel like a celebrity with the cruise ship photographers following you all over the ship trying to snap your photo, my advice is to practice your best “no thank you” and use it every single time a cruise ship photographer wants to take your picture. Because if you don’t take any cruise photos, you won’t be tempted to buy any cruise photos.
It may be tempting to want some nice photos of your cruise, but it will be much cheaper if you just take them yourself. You can even stage some nice formal night photos around the ship and print them out when you get home.
You can also sometimes get much better photos at port (outside lighting is always better than inside lighting). And if you really want some professional family photos taken, I’d strongly suggest hiring a reputable local photographer at one of your ports (do a little research in advance). They can get some beautiful shots with local scenery in the background (or even your cruise ship in the background). It’s often cheaper than sitting for a cruise ship photo shoot and you’ll be supporting a small business. Plus it’s always super fun and interesting to get to know locals.
Of course sometimes there’s a cruise ship photo you just can’t turn down:
And for those I encourage you to use your non-refundable onboard credit. Which brings me to my next tip…
Onboard credit is credit you have attached to your account that you can use to purchase almost anything onboard. There are two types, refundable and non-refundable. Refundable credit means that if you carry a positive balance at the end of the cruise, that amount will be returned to you. With nonrefundable onboard credit, you either use it or lose it. If you receive onboard credit as a gift (in other words a friend or family member buys the credit) that will be refundable onboard credit. However, most promotional onboard credit (provided by travel agencies and the like) will be non-refundable onboard credit. If you are unsure of your credit, stop by Guest Services on the ship and ask.
Regardless of which kind of onboard credit you have, you’ll want a plan to use it wisely. Use it to pay for your automatic gratuities first (if you didn’t prepay them) and for other essentials (for example if you must purchase an internet plan).
Don’t waste your onboard credit on things that don’t add value. Be intentional in how and when you spend it so you can maximize your cruise experience. If you have refundable credit, consider saving some of it for your next cruise as opposed to wasting it on things you don’t really want or need.
But be sure to spend ALL your nonrefundable credit. If you have a lot left toward the end of the cruise, you CAN spend it in the gift shops. Sometimes if I have a ton of onboard credit, I actually end up spending it on things I need and can use back at home or on gifts for my family or friends.
While we’re on the topic of onboard credit, if you read my prior post: “How Do I Get The Best Deal On A Cruise?” you know that you can often receive promotional onboard credit if you book your cruise through a (local or online) travel agency as opposed to directly through the cruise line. Having some free onboard credit available is a great way to save on onboard expenses!
Always check your onboard spending account regularly for mistakes. You can usually check it on the TV in your stateroom or on a phone app. Once I ended up with over $700 in charges on the first day of my cruise because somehow my card ended up linked with someone else’s account. Clearly this person was NOT following my money saving tips. LOL. A quick stop at the Guest Services desk resolved the issue. I wondered later if the person was spending so much because none of it was getting charged to their account: “drinks for EVERYONE charged to Prof. Cruise!”
These final tips aren’t directly related to onboard spending, but they are two additional ways to save money on cruise expenses outside of your cruise fare.
Getting to and from your home to a city with a cruise port and then getting to and from the airport or a hotel to the cruise terminal can add significant cost to a cruise.
Compare the cost to cruise from different cities. Are there cities with a cruise port within driving distance from where you live that you may not have considered? For example, when I lived it Pittsburgh it took me a long time to realize that I didn’t have to fly to Florida to cruise. I could drive to Baltimore and save considerably on transportation costs. Or you could just do what I did 5 years ago and move to a city with a cruise port.
Here’s a full list of departure ports by state:
In most cases I’d also avoid using cruise line transfers to get you to and from the port. Usually public transportation, a taxi, a shuttle, or a ride share will be cheaper and will often get you there faster (you don’t have to wait for a giant bus or van to load with other passengers).
A cruise is a significant purchase and you don’t want to risk losing your investment by not purchasing insurance. Cruise lines will encourage you to purchase insurance through them, but it will cost more and may not cover everything you need. Always shop around for insurance and compare plans and costs. I recommend using this site, or one like it, to compare plans and get exactly what you want at a price you can afford.
Happy cruising MORE because you spend LESS! And with that…
Class Dismissed.
Homework (10 points): Be sure to go here for my tips on how to save money on your cruise fare, and here for all my budget cruising lectures.
Also, subscribe to the blog to receive new course materials directly to your e-mail. Scroll up to the top right if on a computer or keep scrolling if on a mobile device. And be sure to follow Prof. Cruise on social media.
*I participate in several affiliate programs. I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you for items or services purchased through links on my site. All commissions go to support the work of this blog. Thanks for your support!
Looking for current menus on the Norwegian Jewel? See all the menus, including MDR, specialty,…
Here are the Dive-in movies coming to Carnival ships in November 2024.
When will Carnival ships be decorated for Christmas in 2024? Find out when every Carnival…
*As a member of Amazon's affiliate program, I earn a small commission at no extra…
What is the best cruise to Alaska? Learn from an expert the five things you…
Carnival's Diamond Lunch One of the most coveted loyalty perks available on Carnival is an…