Common Cruise Ship Expenses - And How To Avoid Them

Everyone needs a vacation every now and again, right? And for many people, there are few vacation options more convenient than a good old-fashioned cruise. Think about it - a week (give or take) on the open seas with all your meals provided for you and nothing to worry about except getting a good seat at the pool. Sounds pretty great, right?

And it generally is, but just like with anything else in life, you’ve got to be careful about getting taken advantage of. There are an awful lot of costs that come with taking a cruise, but with a little careful planning, a lot of them can be avoided. Here are a few of the most common cruise ship expenses and how to avoid them:

Overpriced Snacks and Food: This one is going to vary depending on the specific cruise line you’re on, but the majority of cruise lines will have a free buffet for all your dining needs. If you’re worried about stretching your budget during your trip, this buffet is going to be your best friend. Most cruise lines also offer vending machines, snack bars, and the like, but these aren’t going to be as generous as the buffet...and are much more expensive. A recent Huffington Post article mentions a nearly 200% upcharge in the cost of soda from a fountain. Try to avoid the temptation to buy those chips and sodas whenever possible and make sure to make the most of that buffet while you’re there.

Expensive Shore Excursions: Depending on your destination, many cruise lines sell ‘shore excursions’, which are basically just guided tours of whatever city or port your cruise line docks at during your trip. Some of the ship’s tours are fairly helpful, especially if you don’t speak the native language of the city you’re in, but be aware that you have options. Cruise line website Cruise Critic mentions that in many cases, you can schedule a tour in that city for far cheaper than the cruise line itself will charge. Or if you’re feeling adventurous you can always strike out on your own! (Just be careful out there!)

Spa Trips: Most cruise lines are going to have a spa, generally right near the ship’s exercise center. It probably sounds pretty tempting and relaxing to treat yourself, but try to find out how much it costs first. Gadling reported seeing spa treatments as high as $95 for things like massages and even haircuts, which are all services you can get for $20-$40 on land. If you find yourself tempted by a massage, try to hold off until after your cruise so you can get it much cheaper elsewhere.

Alcohol: Kind of an obvious one, but it bears mentioning. The price of alcohol on most cruise lines will be comparable to a higher-end restaurant on land, but the drinks might not always be the same quality. Cruise Diva also mentions how a lot of different cruise lines might upcharge for things like bottle service or fancy glasses, so don’t feel bad about skipping out on the amenities.

Photography: This isn’t as commonly known, but maritime lawyer Dennis O’Bryan raises an interesting point. Many cruise lines still employ onboard photographers to capture memories of your vacation. A nice gesture, but consider this: basically every phone in use right now has a camera on it and the picture quality on most is going to be darn close to what the pros use. So feel free to snap those pictures yourself!

Hopefully with these tips you can still enjoy your stay on whatever cruise you’re taking...it just won’t be so expensive now!