I’ve been on hundreds of cruises and sailed on almost every major cruise line. While cruising can be an affordable way to travel, all those sailings do add up.
That’s why I’ve fine-tuned some key tactics for saving money on my cruise adventures. Here are the 19 ways I always save money while on a cruise, so you can save some cash, too, whether you’re going on your first cruise or your 30th.
1. If you must shop, take advantage of duty-free price match guarantees
Take advantage of duty-free price match guarantees. On many ships, some of the duty-free stores will offer a price match guarantee to get you to shop with them, versus going to a duty-free store in one of the ports.
So, if you buy an item on the ship, get into port and see the item at a cheaper price, you can get a refund.
I’ve had this happen to me on Royal Caribbean ships in the past, buying alcohol in one of the duty-free liquor stores on the ship, then found it at a cheaper price in port.
To get the price match, though, you do have to take a photo of the price in the port’s duty-free store, for proof. Then, you show it to the store on the ship and you’ll get your refund after the fact.
2. Know your duty-free allowance
While you’re shopping, make sure you know your duty-free allowance, and don’t spend over it. In the United States, you can spend typically up to $800 on duty-free goods, but then after that, you will have to pay duty on anything above $800.
Your cruise line may also provide more direct information regarding duty-free allowances, as Carnival Cruise Line lays out in its allowances guidelines.
3. Consider if you even need to shop at all
I’m not going to tell you to not shop on the ship altogether, but keep in mind that duty-free shopping isn’t always the humongous bargain you think it’s going to be, and if you’re really trying to budget, you don’t want to spend your hard-earned cash on luxury non-necessities.
However, if you really want to shop, you’re going to shop. As such, just make sure you follow the above tips to save money as you do so.
4. Book all of your packages ahead of time
Whether it’s a dining package, WiFi package, excursions — whatever it may be — if you’re planning on purchasing a certain package anyway, make sure to do so in advance of your cruise. The longer you wait, the more the package will cost.
For example, you could spend 10% or more on a WiFi package when sailing with Carnival, if you wait until you’re onboard to buy it versus buying in advance.
Better yet, consider if you need the package, especially WiFi, at all. I find that I really enjoy completely disconnecting during some cruises, only checking email or social feeds when in port.
5. Only buy WiFi for one device
If you are planning on buying a WiFi package, consider only buying a package for one device. You and your partner can easily share a device for the duration of your cruise and you’ll cut your WiFi costs quite a bit.
For example, if you’re paying for a Royal Caribbean Voom package for a six-night sailing, you might pay $25 per day for one person/device, but $17 per day per person/device for two people. While it seems like a discount at first glance, by opting to pay for only one person/device, you’ll pay $150 versus $204.
6. Ask before you buy
You’re on your cruise and you realize that you forgot to bring some body lotion. Or maybe you need an extension cable to charge all your devices. Maybe it’s chilly at night and you want a blanket.
Whatever the case may be, stop before you march down to one of the ship shops and buy a branded blanket or an overpriced bottle of lotion. Always ask your cabin steward if they can provide these items first.
You’ll find that cabin stewards will give you a range of items, totally for free, so you don’t need to buy them. I’ve asked for tape, hangers, toiletries, blankets, extension cables and more, and gotten them. I’ve even known cruisers to ask for CPAP machines and, believe it or not, the cabin steward came through.
7. Bring your own soda
If you like to have a soda or two every day, you may think that you need to buy a beverage package, but, depending on your cruise line, you might not need to. Carnival Cruise Line, for example, will allow you to bring 12 sealed, unopened cans of non-alcoholic beverages, per person, onto the ship.
This is more than enough to last you a full cruise if you’re just drinking a few per day — and it’ll save you from spending $11.21 per day per person for a Carnival Bottomless Bubbles drink package.
8. Bring your own wine, too
On a similar note, if you’re planning on drinking during your cruise, but not all that much, skip the drink package and the expensive cost of buying just a single bottle of wine at a special dinner, and bring your own wine aboard.
Read Also: Can I Take a Wine Opener on a Cruise?
Most cruise lines will allow you to bring a single bottle of wine per person onboard, so long as you pay a corkage fee (if you’re consuming the wine in a restaurant). On Carnival Cruise Line, I paid a corkage fee of $15 per bottle, but you can avoid that by drinking in your stateroom.
9. Bring a refillable water bottle or tumbler
On the note of beverages, I always like to pack a refillable water bottle and/or tumbler. Not only is this good for being able to refill your own bottle easily at water refill stations around the ship, but you can actually refill the bottle with soda at the buffet, for free.
So, if you had dinner at the buffet, before you leave, fill up your bottle and take it back with you to your stateroom for a free extra beverage. By the way, this is a great option that allows you to adjust the size, which is ideal for travel and when visiting ports.
10. Take advantage of loyalty perks
If you’re a frequent cruiser, then joining a cruise loyalty program is a no-brainer, but even if you’re not, you should still join the loyalty program. The introductory membership tier in most loyalty programs still come with some extra perks.
For example, with Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, as soon as you join the loyalty program, you get benefits such as multiple coupons for 10–50% discounts on wine, beer or soda; two coupons for 50% off a Johnny Rockets milkshake; and 25% off a coffee.
11. Avoid specialty venues and keep to the inclusive basics
I have dined at some amazing specialty restaurants on cruise ships. However, when I’m cruising on a budget, I know that’s not always the best place to spend my money. So, if you’re trying to make your cruise as cheap as possible, stick to the inclusive basics.
Worth Reading: 10 Cruise Freebies You Should Make The Most Of
Most ships have more than enough to last you for the entire cruise. For example, when sailing on Oasis of the Seas, you have 10 complimentary dining options, so you could easily change up your dining experience every day, with few repeats.
If you really want to try a specialty restaurant, see if they have a lunch menu with cheaper a la carte prices. You can also simply walk up to the host stand and ask for a discounted reservation, and you might just get one!
12. Hold out for discounts
There are two times during your cruise when you can expect to get discounts on extras like spa treatments or specialty dining (beyond lunchtime): on embarkation day and on port days.
Venues expect for guests to be still getting their lay of the land on embarkation day, and to be off the ship on port days, so they’ll offer sweet deals to draw in customers. As such, if you’re thinking of splurging, hold out to see what kind of discount you’ll get.
13. Bring your own beach gear
If you plan on spending a day at the beach while you’re in port, bring all your own beach gear rather than waiting to rent it on the beach at a premium.
Just make sure that you’re not bringing anything that’s prohibited on the ship (for instance, Carnival Cruise Line doesn’t allow you to bring portable speakers, surfboards or kiddie pools on board).
Similarly, in some ports, bring a pool towel from the ship with you, versus renting a towel on the beach.
14. Spend as little time in your room as possible
This might sound a little counterintuitive. After all, if you’re in your cabin, you’re not spending money. However, hear me out.
Sometimes, if I really want to save money on a cruise and I’m sailing on a new ship where there are tons of (free!) things to do and where I plan on spending a lot of time in port, I can save a lot of money by booking the cheapest room possible and then just not spending much time there.
I only use it for sleeping and otherwise I’m out enjoying the ship and port.
15. Pack everything you think you even could possibly need
I’m talking about all the little things you have in your medicine cabinet “just in case.” The Band-Aids. The pain reliever. The stuff for an upset stomach.
Bring it, because if you do drink one too many and have a hangover, or you get food poisoning from that little place in port, you’re going to pay a premium for OTC medications on the ship — and these are things you really can’t do without if you’re ill.
Typically, the main dining room, which is always going to be free, will give you a dinner menu with an appetizer, entrée and dessert section. Don’t feel as if you’re limited to one selection from each section!
You can actually ask for as many items from each section as you want (unless otherwise noted)! You can ask for second helpings! So, get two appetizers and two desserts. Order both the steak and the pasta.
17. Drink while you’re off the ship
If you do like to drink a little bit more while you’re on vacation, but you don’t like the drink package price tag, save your drinking for when you’re off the ship. Prices at local watering holes are typically cheaper than the ship’s prices (and the experience is potentially more authentic!).
Worth Reading: What Happens If You Miss Your Cruise Ship?
Just be careful while in port and don’t drink to excess, as that becomes a potential safety hazard. You don’t want to get lost or injured, or miss the ship. You also don’t want to be one of those pier runners that you will be reminded of for the remainder of the cruise!
18. Buy cruise line stock
Maybe you’re just a savvy spender rather than stretched for cash. You don’t want to dump hundreds on cruise extras, but you like a good investment.
Consider cruise line stocks. Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line all offer benefits to shareholders who own at least 100 shares, in the form of onboard credits. It’s an easy way to get something free, while investing.
19. Keep an eye on your cruise price
Lastly, even after you’ve booked your cruise, keep an eye on your sailing’s price. If it goes down at some point between now and embarkation day, you can ask for a refund to get the newly discounted price.
Make your cruising experience as cheap as possible — so you can go on more cruises!
Cruising at its most basic is a very affordable way to travel, but the costs of a cruise add up very quickly. When you start buying WiFi, specialty dining, drinks, excursions, duty-free items and other nice-to-haves, you end up paying thousands more than you intended.
Read Also: Here’s How You Can Make Cruise Embarkation a Breeze
Even when I don’t necessarily have to, I like to take advantage of some of these easy ways to save money and make my cruise as cheap as humanly possible — so I can save my cash for booking more cruises in the future!
