When you go on a cruise you might think that you have paid for everything upfront when you book a cruise, but that is not the case. Cruise lines have many tricks to make you spend more money on the ship. Below, I will reveal some of the sneaky ways cruise lines make you spend more money. Don’t fall for it!
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How Cruise Lines Get You to Spend More Money on the Ship
Priority Boarding Packages
Cruise lines have found a new way to make you spend more money: priority boarding packages. They are following Disney World’s strategy of charging extra for skipping the lines.
Nobody enjoys waiting in line, so this option can be tempting. Carnival Cruise lines offers a Faster to the Fun package that gives you priority check-in, early access to your stateroom, express luggage delivery, priority dining reservations, priority water shuttle boarding, dedicated guest services, and priority disembarkation. It sounds like a lot of fun, but it also costs a lot of money.
Robot Bartenders
Beverage packages are a way that cruise lines make you spend more money. However, they are making it even more tempting to buy beverage packages by making ordering beverages fun with robot bartenders.
For example, some Royal Caribbean cruise ships have robot bartenders that put on a show. It honestly makes you want to buy the beverage package just so you can keep ordering cocktails from the robot bartender!
Thermal Spa Package
Cruise lines know that the pool hot tubs can get crowded with kids. To entice you to spend more money on your cruise, they sell you adults-only thermal spa packages.
This spa package gives you access to the spa lounge which includes steam rooms, jacuzzis, heated loungers, salt rooms, therapy showers. You can buy a package for unlimited visits or a day pass. It’s hard to resist because they know you want to relax and escape the crowd. Imagine peace and quiet- soaking in the hot tub without kids and the crowd!
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Spa Upgrades
Spa upgrades are another way cruise lines get you to spend more money on the ship. The spa has a lot of upsells that you might not need. You may just want a massage, but they will try to sell you a scented candle, a lotion, a facial, or even botox! They know you are on vacation and you want to feel pampered!
Double Tip
Many cruise lines will automatically add a service charge to your bill. However, some people don’t look at the receipt closely or don’t pay attention and end up tipping twice!
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Limited Time Sale
Another way that cruise lines make you spend more money is by offering deep discount sales for a limited time only. The cruise line gift shops know they have a monopoly and you are only there for a short time.
They offer many limited time deals and sales. They will have sidewalk sale days where souvenirs are only $10 on that day. The sense of urgency makes it easy for you to fall into buying more than you actually need.
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Duty Free
One of the ways the cruise lines make you spend more is by highlighting the fact that things are duty-free. You don’t have to pay sales tax! They are trying to entice you to buy big ticket items like luxury watches, jewelry, or designer handbags.
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Room Service Fees
Cruise lines used to offer free room service. But now, they have extra fees for room service. Some cruise lines charge you for each item, some cruise lines add a service fee. This is a sneaky way to make you spend more money!
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Specialty Dining
Cruise ships lure you to try specialty restaurants by making them seem like a bargain. They often have expensive dishes like lobster and steak for a small extra charge. For example, Princess Cruises charges $40 for their specialty restaurant, which sounds like a great deal for steak and lobster.
Some cruise lines have menus created by celebrity chefs, tempting you to try them for less than what you would pay at their restaurants. It seems like a good deal!
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Rides
One of the ways cruise lines make you spend more money is by adding on attractions that are not included in the cruise. For example, you have to pay extra to Go-Karting or to play Laser Tag in Norwegian Encore. Or pay extra to ride the Bolt roller coaster on Carnival Cruise.
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Corkage Fee
Many cruise lines will allow you to bring 1 bottle of wine or champagne on board the ship on embarkation day. However, they will charge you a corkage fee if you bring it to the dining room. To avoid paying the corkage fee, bring your own corkscrew and drink your wine or champagne in your stateroom!
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Soda, Coffee and Smoothies
Cruise lines also make you spend more money by offering non-alcoholic packages. Cruise ships have really cut down on their beverage offerings.
Before, many cruise ships had free sodas and juice. Now, they only have water and tea.
This makes you want to buy an unlimited soda package. Or you might be tempted by their specialty coffee or smoothie packages.
Cruise Essentials
Cruise Lanyard
Bring cruise lanyards; to make your life easier so you are not constantly looking for your cruise card!
Towel Bands
Towel bands are great in keeping your beach towels in place! So, they are slipping off the pool lounge chairs!
Power Strip
Definitely bring a cruise-approved power strip so you have more outlets for charging your devices. Cruise cabins never have enough outlets!
Packing Cubes
Make cruise packing easier by using packing cubes. These cubes will help keep your clothes organized. And unpacking is easy because you just need to take them out of your luggage and put them in the drawers and shelves- so easy! Assign a color for each person in your cabin so you are not getting your cubes mixed up.
Luggage Tags
For safety, make sure every luggage and bags are labeled with a luggage tag. I like these custom luggage tags that you can order and personalize with your information.
Magnetic Hooks
Bring magnetic hooks to organize your cabin and keep it clutter-free. These hooks are for hanging baseball caps, cruise lanyards, goggles, bathing suits and towels.
Detergent Travel Packets
These detergent travel packets are great for handwashing bathing suits in the sink.
Anti-Seasickness
This anti-seasickness medicine is a go-to to combat seasickness on a cruise. If you have kids, make sure you bring the chewable version. If you are looking for a natural solution, try these acupressure bands.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Cruise cabin sinks are notoriously small. Get a hanging toiletry bag to make it easier!
Cruise Travel Planner Printable
Get our 25 page cruise travel planner to stay organized before and during your cruise. It includes pre-cruise and post-cruise itineraries, a cruise port planner, sea days planner, packing lists, cruise budget tracker and more!
If you need to book shore excursion tours, a great platform to book tours is with viator
Looking to save money on your cruise? 21 Smart and Easy Ways to Save Money on a Cruise
Check out these cruise packing lists with free printables
Mediterranean cruise packing list
25 Things People Forget to Pack on their Cruise
42 Banned Items you can’t take on a cruise
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Looking for last minute deals? I recommend searching for last minute cruise deals from Cruise Direct