How to Save Money On Board Your Cruise

Here are some practical ways to keep your onboard spending under control without dialling down on your enjoyment.

One of the greatest things of a cruise holiday is how much is included in the fare. Your accommodation, transport between destinations, entertainment, main dining venues and some drinks are all covered. However, once you’re on board, spending can also become almost effortless.

With everything charged to your cruise card, it is easy to forget on board spending needs to be paid for at the end of the trip… until, that is, you receive the dreaded final statement in your cabin on the penultimate day of your cruise. A little planning and self-discipline can make a significant difference.

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➡️ Make the Most of Included Dining

The main dining room, buffet and some other selected casual dining venues on board are already covered in your fare and provide excellent variety and quality. Speciality restaurants can be tempting but cover charges (and the extra pricing) quickly add up. If you want to try a speciality restaurant, perhaps book it just one as a treat rather than dining there several times during your sailing.

➡️ Be Strategic with Drinks

Drinks are one of the biggest sources of onboard spending. Sticking to the complimentary options such as water, selected juices, tea and filter coffee can dramatically reduce your bill. If you’re thinking about buying a drinks package, look at what is actually included and calculate whether it suits your drinking habits (my handy P&O drinks calculator could help) along with how much time you’ll be only board versus in port/off the ship. If you only drink occasionally, paying as you go will often be the most cost-effective option.

If you’re paying as you go – then also look out for daily promotions and offers. Many lines have a cocktail of the day, or there are happy hour offers each day. Use your full take on alcohol allowance and any loyalty perks you might receive. These small savings can really add up over the course of a week.


➡️ Take Advantage of Complimentary Events

Following on from above, cruise lines also regularly host events such as art auctions or jewellery showcases. While the aim is to encourage purchases, complimentary drinks are often provided to anyone who attends. Just don’t let the free alcohol loosen your wallet – otherwise it could have the opposite effect from saving you money.
Cruise ships also offer free raffles, quizzes and onboard competitions sometimes offer prizes ranging from branded cruise merch to discounts on spa treatments.

➡️ Avoid High Risk Spending

Casinos are designed to entertain, but the potential to lose money is also there. If you enjoy a visit to the casino, setting a strict limit can protect your budget. As can or avoiding the casino altogether.


➡️ Steer Clear of Photos

The ship’s photography service is another area where costs can escalate quickly. Professional images are beautifully presented, but packages are eye wateringly expensive. The fact is your iPhone can capture high quality photos too – just head to the same locations that the photographers set up their shots, watch how they ask people to pose and how they frame their shots and just time your visit for an alternative night.


➡️ Rein in the Retail Therapy

Onboard shops also deserve caution. Unless you spot a genuine promotion or an item you truly want, impulse purchases can totally obliterate your budget. If you do see something you really want, leave it until the end of the cruise to se if you REALLY do need it, and you might find it comes up on promotion, thus saving you some money.

➡️ Look for Port Day and Embarkation Day Discounts

When most fellow cruisers are ashore, onboard venues such as the spa often reduce prices to encourage bookings. If you really want to indulge in that spa treatment port day discounts can make treatments significantly more affordable. If you prefer a quieter environment, this can also be an ideal time to enjoy facilities at a lower cost too.

Embarkation day can also be a wonderful time to sample a speciality restaurant as there are some significant discounts to be hand on your first night on board – some of which you can book and pay for in advance, thus protecting your on board budget a little more (I know you still have to pay for it, but it can help to spread the cost a little)


➡️ Manage Laundry Costs

Laundry and pressing services are convenient but are priced at a premium. If your ship offers self-service laundry facilities, using them can be far more economical. But don’t forget to also pack a some of detergent sheets, as supplies onboard may not be complimentary and if they aren’t, your cruise line will charge a premium for them.

This small preparation can help your budget stretch further, especially on longer sailings. If you do need laundry and pressing service on board or your cruise line doesn’t offer a self-service option, then look out for a bundle – such as unlimited laundry for a blanket fee – and make the most of it.

➡️ Set a Daily Spending Limit

Creating a realistic daily budget before you sail is one of the simplest ways to stay in control. Decide in advance how much you’re comfortable spending on extras and monitor your onboard account regularly through the ship’s app or your in-cabin TV or guest services can provide an up to date print out of your on-board spending.

Monitoring your account regularly throughout your cruise can also be helpful to spot – and rectify – any items have been added to your account in error. Being aware of your running total also helps prevent impulse decisions that you might regret when you review your final statement.


➡️ Avoid Unnecessary WiFi Charges

Roaming fees at sea can be unsettling high if your phone connects to a maritime network by mistake. My golden rule is to turn on aeroplane mode as soon as you return to the ship and make this habit for everyone in your cabin.

Likewise, ship WiFi packages can also be expensive and are not always fast or reliable. Depending on your mobile provider, before you sail – check whether they offer a roaming package or consider buying an eSIM option which works both at sea and ashore to manage you connectivity budget.


➡️ Examine Inclusive Packages Carefully

Cruise lines often promote bundled packages that combine drinks, WiFi, gratuities or speciality dining. While these can offer convenience but are often priced in the cruise lines favour.

Before buying, work out whether you would genuinely and actually use the included elements enough to justify the cost. In some cases, selecting and paying for just individual items you WILL use can work out better value.

Let me know if you have any more money saving tips on a cruise over on my Facebook Page.

Saving money onboard does not mean missing out. By making small swaps or reductions, making conscious choices, you can enjoy everything your cruise has to offer without scary surprises from the final on board statement at the end of your holiday.

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