12 Cruise Purchases That Rarely Pay Off

When cruises are marketed, the buzzwords sold are often luxury, fun, and adventure, but not every onboard cost is spent like an investment. Between overpriced extras, tempting packages, and fancy upgrades, travelers frequently end up spending more than they had to. Before you swipe your key card once more, it helps to know which purchases tend not to pay off. These twelve tricks will enable you to enjoy your Caribbean cruise without the excessive price, allowing you a relaxed and budget-friendly vacation.

Specialty Dining Packages

Specialty dining packages are sold as unique culinary experiences, yet the main dining rooms provide top-notch food that you’ve already paid for. Although dining at a specialty restaurant is enjoyable for one evening, the price does not warrant a weekly visit. Unless you are a major foodie who loves different things every night, the free options for dining are just as tasty and varied enough that upgrading won’t be worth it.

Expensive Shore Excursions

The shore excursions that you book through the cruise line are often much more expensive than they are worth. Local operators provide many of the same tours at a fraction of the price, with smaller groups and a more personal touch. Experiment with the independent options before arriving at the dock, and you will save money while also being able to plan your time. Cruises can be extreme with excursions, but wise choices will lead to a rewarding and affordable day away.

Premium Drink Packages

Then there are the unlimited drink packages, so irresistible but often requiring a lot of drinking to make them worthwhile. Unless you drink multiple cocktails, sodas, or specialty coffees every day, then paying per beverage is the cheaper option. On most ships, bottled water, tea, and coffee are also complimentary, as are some restaurants’ drinks that accompany meals. Overspending on a package you won’t use to its full potential can hinder your experience rather than improve it.

Onboard Spa Treatments

On cruise ships, spas pamper you with luxury treatments ,at luxury prices, or about double what you’d pay on shore. Even conventional massages or facials can be costly, and after the price, you may be pressured to buy more. To take a load off without breaking the bank, utilize amenities such as the sauna, steam room, or adults-only pool deck. These substitutes offer the revival and tranquility without slapping that hefty price tag, leaving your wallet as calm as you are.

Internet Packages

Cruise ship Wi-Fi speeds have a reputation for being slow AF and costly. Data or time limits frequently throttle packages, a major downer when your streaming shows and video calls start to lag. Save for the few whose work really does require being in touch around the clock, it’s best to unplug and savor the voyage. Most ports offer free or low-cost Wi-Fi, if needed, and stepping away from devices can make for an even better cruising experience. Internet bundles often provide poor value for money, considering they are expensive and come with restrictions.

Photo Packages

Cruise photographers haunt every corner, taking pictures of things you wouldn’t notice until they hit you on the bill. Packages may run into the hundreds of dollars for just a few photos. Smartphones and pocket cameras both automatically save pictures of similar quality, and this feature is available for free. Although professional shots are lovely, most travelers discover that they can capture all the special moments themselves and save money, still coming home with a hefty photo album anyway.

Art Auctions

Shipboard art auctions are depicted as glamorous affairs, but prices can be highly inflated. Marketing creates a sense of urgency, and guests are led to believe they’re getting a rare deal. In fact, that same art can often be had cheaper elsewhere. Go if you enjoy the shopping experience, but be prepared to make impulse purchases. Have virtually never found a legitimate financial or aesthetic gem through impulse purchases at SAIL.

Cabin Upgrades After Booking

Buying at the last-minute, inching up to a better cabin, can be tempting, but the hit-to-value ratio is rarely in your favor. For a room a bit larger, or for the privilege of having your coffee served on your balcony every morning, you either need to book further out or accept that it’s not worth the extra expense for something you’re hardly going to use. People generally want to choose a cabin they like before going. Standard rooms are perfectly comfortable and reasonably priced, but all too often, we find that the value doesn’t match the price, so it’s best to avoid tempting post-booking upgrades. 

Jewelry and Duty-Free Shops

Cruise ship duty-free storefronts offer jewelry, perfume, and luxury goods at bargain prices, but typically you won’t find deals comparable to those found in city boutiques or at airports. Markups cover overhead costs, and merchandise may not necessarily be one-of-a-kind. Unless you see something one of a kind, there’s no posing there. Post-port souvenirs and genuine local products tend to offer a more worthwhile experience and better value than onboard shopping.

Casino Packages and Promotions

Casino credit packages and deals exist to offer more play, not better odds. While the perks may sound inviting, the house always wins in the end, and prices can quickly add up. Think of the casino experience as having “entertainment spend” rather than an investment. Decide on a firm budget to help you avoid overspending. Passengers report that the value of these packages is negligible, both in terms of gaming performance and monetary return on investment.

Overpriced Laundry Services

Laundromats on the ship charge by the item, and the costs can mount quickly. “Wash a couple of shirts and you’re going to spend well over $50. Instead, opt for self-service or bring a travel detergent for hand washing. Some ships have coin-op machines, or charge pennies on the mid-cruise for a wash-and-fold service. Easy plan, save a ton of money, and you never have to worry about clean clothes during your travel by not being fooled into using expensive services.

Bottled Water and Snack Packages

Bottles of water and snack packs often are marked up to an extreme; safe, filtered water is available from the taps throughout the ship. Let’s face it: You don’t want to pay $5 for a bottle of water in the airport when you could bring your own and take advantage of water stations onboard. You can enjoy snacks available from the buffet and room service without incurring a nominal charge. By staying away from such deals, you maintain your budget while still enjoying water and feed, thus enhancing the cruising fun at a more reasonable cost.