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6 Things You Pay Extra for on a Cruise That Just Aren’t Worth It

These onboard add-ons cost more than they're worth. Here's what to skip.

By Amanda Teague , Edited by Sara Albertelli

Updated Oct. 31, 2026

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Cruising keeps breaking records. A record 37.2 million people took a cruise in 2025, and the industry is forecasting 38.3 million passengers for 2026. With that many people at sea, cruise lines have gotten very good at selling extras once you're on board. Everything gets charged to your room keycard, so it rarely feels like spending until the final bill arrives.

Knowing which add-ons to skip is one of the easy ways to travel more, because the money you keep can go toward your next trip. Here are six cruise extras that usually aren't worth the price.

Professional photos

Ship photographers set up backdrops around the ship and snap away throughout your sailing. Posing costs nothing, but taking the pictures home does. A single 8x10 print runs about $20, and Carnival's 10-portrait package is $199.99 when you buy it before you sail. Royal Caribbean sells 10 digital photos for $103.99.

Packages look like a deal until you do the math on the photos you'll really use. If you pay $200 for 20 photos and only love 10 of them, you've paid $20 apiece. Your phone already takes great pictures, and a fellow passenger will almost always snap one for you. Save the professional shots for a milestone trip.

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Spa treatments

A massage at sea sounds dreamy, but the prices aren't. Onboard treatments typically cost as much as or more than what you'd pay at a luxury spa in a major city. On Norwegian Cruise Line, a 50-minute classic massage is listed at $209. Most lines also add a 15% to 20% tip to the bill automatically, so at the high end that massage comes to roughly $251.

That means the same treatment at your neighborhood spa will likely cost less. If you just want to unwind, look for the free stuff first. Some ship spas have a complimentary sauna, often tucked into the changing room.

Onboard shopping

The words "duty-free" make everything in the ship's shops sound like a bargain. In reality, duty-free shopping is rarely the bargain it's made out to be, and retail is one of a cruise ship's biggest moneymakers after alcohol and gambling. Deals on jewelry and watches are usually no better than what you'd get at home. Electronics are an even worse bet, since returns and warranty claims are tough once you're back on land.

There's also a tax wrinkle. Duty-free purchases still count toward your personal exemption, which is $800 in most cases, when you return to the U.S. Before you buy anything pricey, pull out your phone and compare prices online. For souvenirs, locally made goods are typically cheaper in port.

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Arcade games

If you're cruising with kids, the arcade can quietly become one of your biggest extras. Royal Caribbean says its games cost $0.75 to $2.50 each, and on many ships the cheapest games start around $1.50. That doesn't sound like much until you realize a game lasts a couple of minutes at most. Claw machines can be over in 30 seconds or less.

Kids pay by tapping their room keycard, so there's no pile of quarters to run out. Set a spending limit before anyone walks in. If the arcade is non-negotiable, ask about discounted play times. Carnival, for example, offers an arcade "happy hour." Otherwise, point the kids toward the pools and other activities your fare already covers.

Paid fitness classes

Cruise ship gyms are free to use, which makes paying for a workout feel a little silly. Group classes like yoga and spinning often cost about $12 to $20 each. On Carnival, a single spin or yoga class is $20. Take four classes on a weeklong sailing, and you've spent $80 on something the ship offers for free down the hall.

You've got plenty of no-cost options. Most ship gyms have cardio machines and free weights, plus some free classes such as stretching or abs. Your ship might also have a running track. If classes are your thing, pick your cruise line accordingly: Virgin Voyages includes all fitness classes in the fare.

Laundry services

Running out of clean clothes mid-cruise is annoying, and the cruise lines know it. Royal Caribbean's wash-and-fold bags typically cost $34.99, and the line has no self-service machines. Paying by the piece adds up even faster. Norwegian charges $5.95 to wash and press a single shirt, and on many lines same-day service carries a 50% surcharge.

The cheaper fix is planning ahead. Pack enough basics for the full trip, or rinse a few things in your cabin sink. If you know you'll need a mid-cruise wash, check your ship's setup before you book. Carnival has self-service launderettes at $3.50 per washer or dryer load, so a full load costs about $7 plus detergent.

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Bottom line

On their own, none of these extras will sink your vacation budget. Together they add up fast: a single massage and a photo package at the prices above can top $450 before you've bought one souvenir. Deciding what matters to you before you board is a simple way to save money on travel without feeling deprived.

If you do want to splurge, timing helps. Spas often run discounts on port days, when most passengers are ashore, and shipboard shops tend to hold sales toward the end of the cruise. Check the daily newsletter or the ship's app for current offers.

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