11 Things I Never Pay Extra for on a Cruise -

I’ve been on more than 25 cruises, and one thing I’ve gotten pretty good at over the years is keeping my onboard spending under control.

In fact, I almost never spend extra money once I’m on the ship.

When I look at my final bill at the end of a cruise, it’s usually pretty boring.

Most of the charges are things I have to pay for, like automatic gratuities, plus maybe a shore excursion if there’s something I really want to do that I can’t easily do on my own.

And somehow, there also seems to be a random visit to the medical center because one of my kids always ends up needing to go. That’s also why I always have cruise travel insurance.

Other than that, I really don’t spend much onboard.

It wasn’t always this way. Over the years, I’ve learned which cruise extras I care about and which ones I can easily skip.

There are already so many things included in your cruise fare that I don’t feel the need to keep paying for upgraded versions of everything.

So here are 11 things I rarely, if ever, pay extra for on a cruise.

And one of them is champagne, because I’ve found a way to sometimes get that for free.

Bottled Water

The first thing I don’t pay extra for is bottled water.

There’s free water at the buffet and restaurants, and that’s what I drink when I’m on the ship.

I usually bring a reusable water bottle with me. I refill it with ice and water from the buffet drink dispenser.

During dinner, I sometimes bring my water bottle and ask my server to refill it for me. So I have water in my cabin at night.

Specialty Coffee

I don’t pay extra for specialty coffee either.

I like coffee, but I don’t need a latte or cappuccino every morning.

There’s free coffee at the buffet and usually in other places around the ship, and that’s what I drink.

Is it amazing coffee? Not always.

But I’m fine with it.

A specialty coffee might only cost a few dollars, but if you’re buying one or two every day for a week, it adds up.

I’d rather spend that money somewhere else.

Champagne

I rarely pay for champagne on a cruise because it’s one of those drinks you can often get for free somewhere on the ship.

One place I look is the art auction. On many cruises I’ve been on, they’ll serve complimentary champagne before or during the auction. You can stop in, look at the art and have a glass. You don’t have to buy anything.

There are other places to look for free champagne too. I’ve gotten it at cruise loyalty parties and captain’s parties.

Sometimes the higher-end shops onboard will offer champagne during special shopping events.

Of course, this varies by cruise line and sailing, so you can’t count on it. But there are enough opportunities to get a free glass that I rarely feel the need to pay for champagne.

If I see an event advertising complimentary champagne, that’s usually where you’ll find me.

Room Service

I don’t like paying room service fees.

There’s already so much food on a cruise ship that I don’t want to pay a delivery fee to have it brought to my cabin.

But there is one type of room service I do order: free continental breakfast.

On cruise lines where continental breakfast room service is still included, I’ll order coffee and a simple breakfast and have it delivered to my cabin.

If we have a balcony, it’s especially nice.

I can sit outside with my coffee, eat breakfast and look at the ocean without having to get dressed and go to the buffet.

It’s actually one of my favorite things to do on a cruise, and it doesn’t have to cost anything extra.

Room service policies vary by cruise line, so check what’s included on your ship. If they’re going to charge me a room service fee, I’ll usually just go get the food myself.

Specialty Dining

I rarely pay extra for specialty dining.

I know some people love specialty restaurants on cruise ships, and I’ve eaten at them before too.

But most of the time, I’m fine with the restaurants that are already included in my cruise fare.

There’s the main dining room, the buffet and, depending on the ship, other restaurants where you don’t have to pay extra.

I’ve already paid for all of that food.

So I don’t usually want to spend another $50 or $75 per person for dinner, especially when you’re multiplying that by an entire family.

If specialty dining comes with my cruise package or I get it as a loyalty perk, I’ll use it.

And if there’s a restaurant I really want to try, I might pay for it.

But I don’t feel like I need to book specialty restaurants on every cruise.

Basic City Tour Shore Excursions

Shore excursions are one of the few things I will pay for when I think they’re worth it.

But I’m picky about which ones I book through the cruise line.

One thing I usually won’t pay for is a basic city sightseeing tour if there’s a Hop-On Hop-Off bus that can take me to many of the same places.

Before I book a cruise line city tour, I’ll look up what I can do on my own.

I’ve taken Hop-On Hop-Off buses in cruise ports, especially in Europe, and sometimes I actually prefer them.

I can get off where I want, stay as long as I want and skip the places I’m not interested in.

And it’s often cheaper than the cruise line excursion.

There are definitely times when I’ll pay for a cruise excursion, though. If it’s an experience that’s difficult to arrange independently, transportation is complicated, or I just feel more comfortable doing it through the cruise line, I’ll pay for it.

The big thing to remember when you’re sightseeing independently is that you’re responsible for getting back to the ship on time.

If you’re late, the ship isn’t waiting for you.

Spa Treatments

I rarely get spa treatments on a cruise.

I’ve looked at the prices plenty of times, and they’re usually more than I want to spend on a massage or facial.

I’d rather get a massage at home and use that money for something else on my vacation.

If you really want to go to the spa, keep an eye out for specials. Sometimes the spa will offer deals on port days when most people are off the ship, or they’ll run promotions during the cruise.

For me, though, this is an easy thing to skip.

Cruise Photos

I rarely buy the professional cruise photos.

Every once in a while, they’ll get a really nice family photo and I’ll buy it.

But most of the time, I don’t.

I take so many pictures with my phone that I don’t really need to buy more.

And if I want a picture of the whole family, I’ll ask another passenger to take one for us. I’ll usually offer to take one for them too.

By the end of the cruise, I already have hundreds of photos on my phone.

Premium Desserts and Ice Cream

I usually skip the desserts and ice cream that cost extra.

Some ships have gelato shops, fancy milkshakes, cupcakes and other desserts that you have to pay for.

They can be tempting.

But there’s already so much dessert included on a cruise.

There’s dessert at the buffet. There’s dessert after dinner in the main dining room. And many ships have free soft serve or ice cream.

I’m already eating more dessert than I normally eat at home.

I don’t need to pay for more.

Cruise Souvenirs

I also don’t buy many souvenirs onboard.

I’m talking about the cruise ship T-shirts, mugs, hats and all the other things you’ll see in the shops.

If I see something I really like, I might buy it.

But I don’t feel like I need to come home with a souvenir from every cruise.

If you do see something you want, you may want to wait before buying it.

Cruise ships sometimes have sales later in the sailing, especially toward the end.

And sometimes after walking past something for three days, I realize I didn’t want it that badly anyway.

Paid Fitness Classes

I don’t pay for fitness classes either.

Most cruise ships already have a gym that’s included in your cruise fare.

If I want to exercise, I can use the treadmill, weights or other equipment without paying for a class.

But honestly, I get a lot of exercise just walking around.

Cruise ships are big.

Then you add all the walking you do in port, and I usually end up with a lot more steps than I get at home.

So paying extra for an exercise class isn’t something I normally do.

Drink Packages

I rarely pay for a drink package on a cruise because, for me, the math usually doesn’t work.

Depending on the cruise line and sailing, an alcoholic drink package can easily cost around $70 to $100 or more per person.

If a cocktail costs around $12 to $15, that means I’d need to drink roughly five to seven drinks every single day just to break even.

And I know I’m not going to do that.

Some days we’re in port for most of the day, so I might not even have a drink until dinner. Other days I might have one or two drinks and that’s enough for me.

Drink packages can be worth it if you know you’re going to use them enough. But for the way I cruise, I usually come out ahead by skipping the package and paying as I go.

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.