After years of cruising, I’ve realized one thing — cruise ships are masters at getting you to spend money. One little purchase here, one splurge there, and before you know it, you’ve spent hundreds on things you didn’t even need. And let me tell you, some of those onboard prices are honestly ridiculous.
I’ve been on more than 25 cruises across most cruise lines — Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America — you name it. And I’ll admit it: I’m cheap. I love cruising, but I refuse to waste money on overpriced things.
Below, I’m sharing the top ten things I never buy on a cruise because, in my opinion, they’re total rip-offs. I’ll share with you what I do instead to save money, still have an amazing vacation, and not feel like I’m missing out.
Champagne
I never buy champagne on a cruise. Why? Because you can usually get it for free.
One of the easiest ways to get free champagne is by attending the art auction. On every cruise I’ve been on, the art auction serves complimentary champagne.
The best part? You don’t have to buy anything. You can arrive, enjoy the atmosphere, sip your champagne, and even leave early if you want — there’s no pressure to stay for the entire auction or make a purchase. It’s a simple trick that has saved me a lot of money while still letting me enjoy a little bubbly on sea days.
There are also other events where you can get free champagne. While not guaranteed, you have a good chance of finding it at the captain’s welcome reception, raffles, or luxury jewelry store promotions.
Check your daily planner or cruise app to see what’s happening — these events usually take place on sea days rather than port days. And the best part is there’s no obligation to buy anything. You can just show up, enjoy a glass, and leave whenever you like.
If you’re part of the cruise line’s loyalty program, the loyalty receptions are another way to get free champagne and cocktails.
So before you spend fifteen dollars at the bar, take a look at the events on board. More often than not, there’s a free glass of champagne waiting for you somewhere on the ship.
Cruise Shore Excursions
When I was new to cruising, I used to book all my shore excursions directly through the cruise line. I didn’t even know there were alternatives — I thought the ship’s excursions were my only option. Looking back, I realize how much money I was wasting. Booking shore excursions through the cruise line is almost always more expensive.
Here’s why: cruise lines work with local tour operators and take a cut of the price. That means you’re paying extra for the exact same experience.
For example, a sightseeing tour booked through the ship might cost $120 per person, while the same tour booked directly with the local operator could be just $75 per person.
Before your cruise, it’s a good idea to do some research. Look up independent tour companies at each port and read reviews. Many of them cater specifically to cruise passengers and even guarantee that you’ll be back to the ship on time. I’ve done this many times, and I’ve never missed the ship. Over the years, it has saved me thousands of dollars.
Of course, there are times when I do choose to book through the cruise line — usually for peace of mind or safety reasons. When I do, I always book early to take advantage of early bird discounts. But as a general rule, I try to avoid paying full price for cruise line shore excursions whenever possible.
Bottled Water
Bottled water is another thing I never buy on a cruise. It’s easily one of the most overpriced items onboard. A single bottle can cost around five dollars — and if you’re drinking a few every day, that adds up fast.
The good news is, you don’t need to buy bottled water at all. The ship’s tap water is perfectly safe to drink, although personally, I don’t drink it. You can also get free filtered water at the buffet’s beverage stations anytime.
What I always do is bring a refillable water bottle from home. Every morning, I fill it up with ice and water from the buffet, and that’s my go-to for the entire day. It’s especially convenient for excursions or lounging by the pool.
In the evenings, I usually ask my assistant waiter to refill my water bottle before leaving dinner so I have fresh water in my cabin at night. Trust me — it’s a lifesaver, especially when you’re cruising with kids or wake up thirsty in the middle of the night.
Some cruise lines even let you bring a small case of bottled water onboard on embarkation day, so check your cruise line’s policy ahead of time. But if they don’t allow it, just stick with your refillable bottle. Trust me, there are way better things to spend your money on than bottled water.
Room Service
I remember when room service on cruises used to be completely free. You could order breakfast in bed or a late-night snack and not pay a cent extra. Unfortunately, that’s changed.
These days, many cruise lines charge a flat delivery fee or a per-item fee. It might be $5 to $10 per order, which doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up fast.
However, here’s what most people don’t realize — the continental breakfast menu is usually still free. If you fill out the room service card and hang it on your door the night before, you can get coffee, pastries, juice, and fruit delivered in the morning at no extra charge.
So, if you’re like me and love having coffee on your balcony in the morning, stick to those complimentary items and skip the hot breakfast menu, which usually has a delivery fee.
Corkage Fees
I don’t know about you, but I really don’t like paying corkage fees. Most cruise lines allow each adult to bring one bottle of wine or champagne onboard on embarkation day, which is great. The catch comes when you try to enjoy that bottle in the main dining room — that’s when the corkage fee kicks in.
Depending on the cruise line, the fee can range anywhere from $15 to $45 just to open your own wine bottle. At that point, it’s often easier to just buy wine from the ship rather than lugging your own onboard.
But there’s a simple way to avoid paying the fee. Cruise lines won’t charge you corkage if you drink your wine in your cabin. You can ask your cabin steward for wine glasses, or even get them from the bar.
I usually pour myself a glass and take it with me to a show or to enjoy on the balcony. Cruise ships don’t have open-bottle rules, so you can walk around with your glass without any issues.
For me, this is the best way to enjoy wine without paying a corkage fee.
Spa Treatments
The spa is one of the biggest money traps on any cruise. Cruise lines know you’re on vacation and they expect you’ll want to treat yourself — and they charge accordingly. The prices can be outrageous.
A simple manicure that might cost $20 at home can easily be $60 to $80 on the ship, and massages are often double what you’d pay on land. On top of that, the spa staff will try to sell expensive products and upgrades, and it can be hard to say no.
My advice is simple: get your nails done before your cruise. If it’s a longer trip, bring along your own nail polish, file, and clippers so you can do touch-ups yourself. You’ll still look polished without paying those high spa prices.
If you do want a massage or other spa treatment, wait until later in the cruise. The spa will often have discounted packages on port days, when the spa is less busy, so you can treat yourself without paying full price.
Cruise Photos
Cruise photos are another classic cruise rip-off. Photographers are everywhere — when you board, during dinner, and on formal nights — and the pictures usually turn out amazing. But then you see the prices, and it’s hard not to laugh.
Most cruise lines charge between $25 and $40 for a single printed photo, and digital copies aren’t much cheaper.
Even with those high prices, it’s tempting not to buy any cruise photos. The hardest part is walking past the photo gallery and seeing all the pictures displayed — it can make you feel guilty knowing they’ll end up in the trash if you don’t buy them.
I’ve definitely caved a few times, especially when my kids are in the photos or when there’s a beautiful family shot I just can’t say no to. But for the most part, I limit myself to buying just one photo per cruise as a souvenir.
The rest of the time, I just use my phone or camera. I always ask another passenger or a crew member to take our picture — most are happy to help.
If you love professional-quality shots, the smart move is to buy a digital photo package before boarding. Many cruise lines offer early bird discounts, and it’s usually much cheaper than buying individual photos once you’re on the ship.
Toiletry Items
Toiletry items are one thing I never buy on a cruise. Why spend extra money on something I can easily bring from home? Things like sunblock, razors, deodorant, toothpaste, and even a simple comb are way overpriced in the cruise gift shop. I’ve seen small bottles of sunscreen go for $18 and travel-sized toothpaste for $5.
Cruise lines know people forget these essentials — and that’s exactly how they make money. So, to avoid overpaying, make sure to pack these items ahead of time.
Create a little cruise packing checklist for yourself. And if you don’t have one, I’ve got a free cruise packing list printable below to help you out.
Here’s a small trick too: if you forget something basic, like a toothbrush or razor, ask your cabin steward before heading to the gift shop. Some cruise lines will provide small complimentary toiletry items if you ask.
If they don’t have them, they’ll direct you to the overpriced gift shop — but it’s always worth asking first. You might just get it for free.
Water Shoes and Snorkel Gear
When you’re cruising to tropical destinations like the Caribbean, Mexico, or Hawaii, you’ll want things like water shoes and snorkel gear. But don’t buy or rent them onboard — you’re wasting money and they’re almost always overpriced.
I made this mistake once and paid way too much for a pair of basic water shoes. Since then, I always bring my own. You can buy them cheaply online or at a local store before your trip.
The same goes for snorkel gear. Renting it can be expensive and, honestly, not very hygienic. It’s better to bring your own mask and snorkel set.
Just check your cruise line’s policy — you can usually bring your own gear to use at the beach or port, but not in the ship’s pool.
Over-the-Counter Medication
Over-the-counter medication is another thing I never buy on a cruise. Sure, the onboard gift shop carries basics like pain relievers, motion sickness tablets, and antacids — but the prices are ridiculously high.
For example, a small pack of seasickness pills that costs around $4 at home might be $15 on the ship. And if you need something in the middle of the night, you don’t really have a choice but to pay their price.
That’s why I always bring my own mini first aid kit stocked with everything I might need: pain relievers, allergy medicine, cold medicine, motion sickness tablets, band-aids — the works. It’s convenient, it saves money, and it gives me peace of mind.
Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise
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Travel Must-Haves
Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.
Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.
Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.
Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.
Cruise Planning Essentials
Day Passes to Resorts– Booking private beach resort access in advance guarantees a comfortable beach experience at the cruise port.
Travel Insurance with CFAR Coverage– CFAR travel insurance gives you flexibility to cancel your cruise for any reason and recover part of your costs if plans change.
Last Minute Cruise Deals– Search for last minute cruise deals.
Cabin Comfort & Organization
Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).
Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!
Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.
Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.
Toiletries & Laundry
Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.
Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.
Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.
TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.
Health & Wellness
Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).
Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.
Packing & Storage
Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.
Packing cubes – I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.
Foldable duffel bag – I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space.
Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra.
Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.
Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.
Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.
Beach Essentials
Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.
Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.
Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.
Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials
Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.
Collapsible beach buckets and toys – You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.
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Download my free Cruise Packing List printable.
