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That cheap cruise fare is only the opening move. Cruise lines often price fares competitively, then rely on onboard spending for profit. Royal Caribbean's gross onboard spend per passenger per day reportedly jumped from $69.67 in 2019 to $92.44 in Q2 2024. To save money on travel, skip these extras.
Drink packages
Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package runs about $65 to $120 per person per day, while Carnival's CHEERS! package costs $69.95 per day pre-purchased, plus a 20% service charge. CHEERS! breaks even at around six alcoholic drinks a day, yet most cruisers average less than that.
Soda and coffee add-ons can be traps too. Carnival's fare includes lemonade and regular coffee, and Royal Caribbean lets you carry on up to 12 cans of soda per person. Instead, skip the package unless you're a heavy drinker and hunt for happy hours. On one recent Disney sailing, select drinks were half off during happy hour.
Shore excursions
Cruise lines act as middlemen on tours, inflating prices so they can take a cut before paying the operator. One analysis estimates ship excursions typically cost 30% to 80% more than comparable independent tours. In Juneau, a whale-watching trip booked through the cruise line can run $215 to $265 and pack 50 or more people onto the boat.
Instead, book directly with a local operator or a vetted platform like Viator, which often runs 10% to 40% cheaper. Know the ship won't wait if an independent tour runs late, so choose operators that guarantee your return and leave a generous buffer.
Spa treatments
A 50-minute massage at Norwegian Cruise Line's Mandara Spa has cost $149 to $179. Norwegian also adds a 20% gratuity to spa and salon services. Most cruise spas are run by third-party companies whose staff work partly on commission, so expect a strong pitch for skincare products or supplements after your treatment.
Instead, watch for port-day specials, when spas may discount treatments by up to 30% to fill empty rooms. You can also book a massage on land. One cruiser paid $36 for an hour-long massage in Cabo. If you do book onboard, ask your therapist before the service starts to skip the product pitch.
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Photo packages
Ship photographers seem to be everywhere you turn, and ships often print photos daily and display them in a walk-through gallery that makes impulse buys easy. One report pegged Royal Caribbean's digital photos at $24.99 apiece, with a 50-photo package costing $299.99 per stateroom. Carnival's pre-cruise portrait packages range from $99.99 for five photos to $299.99 for 15.
Instead, use your phone and ask a fellow passenger or crew member to snap a group shot. If professional photos matter to you, set a budget before browsing. Want a package? Royal Caribbean discounts pre-cruise photo purchases, while onboard buys cost full price.
Gift shop and duty-free merchandise
Tax-free doesn't automatically mean cheap onboard. Base prices at sea are sometimes higher than what you'd pay at home, which can cancel out the tax savings. Logo merchandise is especially profitable for cruise lines, and forgotten essentials often come with a high markup at sea. Electronics make up only 3% to 5% of duty-free purchases because online and big-box stores keep U.S. prices low.
Instead, pack sunscreen and phone chargers before you leave, and compare prices online before buying jewelry or watches. If you still want a souvenir T-shirt, the best gift shop bargains often pop up during the last day or two of your cruise.
The casino
Cruise ship casinos have a captive audience and no competition, and they have a reputation for stingy slot payouts. Ships generally don't have to release their payout percentages, so you can't easily verify your odds. Small fees add up, too, like a $3 charge per slot machine cash withdrawal on Royal Caribbean.
Instead, set a gambling budget before you sit down and bring only cash you're willing to lose. Think of it as the price of an evening's entertainment. If you play, pick games with lower house edges. Learning basic blackjack strategy can bring the casino's advantage down to roughly 1% or lower.
Laundry and internet
On mainstream lines, wash-and-fold laundry bags typically run around $20 to $40 apiece. Wi-Fi alone can add $100 to $175 per person to a typical seven-night cruise. Disney's basic Internet Package climbed to $30 per device per day in early 2026, and some premium plans top $40 per device per day.
Instead, pack outfits you can rewear or look for self-service laundry rooms. Carnival charges $3.50 per wash and $3.50 per dry. For internet, buy before you sail, since pre-cruise prices are almost always 20% to 30% cheaper than onboard rates. Better yet, enjoy a few sea days offline.
Over-tipping
Most major cruise lines already charge automatic daily gratuities, and they add up fast. For standard cabins, that's $18.50 per guest per day on Royal Caribbean, $17 on Carnival, and $20 on Norwegian. Bar purchases often carry their own charge too, like the 18% gratuity Royal Caribbean adds to drinks and specialty dining. Many guests don't realize spa services already include a gratuity, so they tip extra without needing to.
Instead, check your receipt before adding anything to a bill that already includes a service charge. Save extra cash tips for crew members who truly go above and beyond for you.
Bottom line
Cruise lines count on the extras, not the fare, to turn a profit. So book excursions on your own, lean on happy hours and free amenities, and set a spending limit. Loading a set amount of cash or prepaid gift cards onto your onboard account works well because spending stops once the balance hits zero.
One more trick: if a drink package gets cheaper in Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner after you buy, you can cancel and rebook at the lower rate. Pocketing savings like that is one of the easy ways to travel more.
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