Cruising offers the allure of all-inclusive luxury, with gourmet meals, entertainment and relaxing facilities bundled into one price.
But experienced travelers warn that hidden fees on board can cost you a surprising amount.
Don and Heidi Bucolo, the US-based husband and wife travel team behind Eat Sleep Cruiserecently asked cruise enthusiasts on social media what they wouldn’t spend money on on their next trip.
From the cruisers’ responses, a list was compiled that highlighted the top rip-off cruise ship vacation services, products and experiences.
From overpriced souvenirs to questionable art auctions, their answers revealed five costly mistakes new cruise passengers often make.
For those preparing to set sail, here’s a look at the best cruise ‘rip-offs’ to avoid.
Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind Eat Sleep Cruise, recently asked cruise enthusiasts on social media what they wouldn’t spend money on on their next trip
Professional photos
One of the top responses Eat Sleep Cruise received for things cruisers refuse to spend money on is the onboard photography service.
There are often professional photographers stationed around the ship to capture moments at dinners, specialist events and formal evenings.
However, the high price for printed photos is difficult to justify according to cruisers, who also admitted that ship-sponsored photos feel too posed or “fake,” especially on embarkation day.
Most travelers now prefer to rely on their smartphones or cameras, which provide high-quality images for free.
The experts advised: ‘Unless you are celebrating or celebrating another special event that requires a professional photographer, you probably won’t need to use the services of the ship’s photography studio.
The high price for printed photos is difficult to justify according to cruisers, who also admitted that ship-sponsored photos feel too posed or ‘fake’, especially on embarkation day (stock image)
Art auctions
Onboard art galleries and auctions may seem like a sophisticated way to take home a unique souvenir, but travelers warn that such events are often a gimmick.
According to Eat Sleep Cruise, many “originals” are simply prints with brush strokes added to them to recreate authenticity.
Some buyers have even filed lawsuits against cruise lines, claiming that artworks were misrepresented or grossly overpriced—sometimes by up to 100 percent.
In one infamous incident, counterfeit pieces were sold to unsuspecting passengers, although refunds were later issued without a legal battle.
The experts added: ‘In my opinion the art gallery is a money grab for the cruise line. It completely disempowers the passengers who end up purchasing a work of art.”
Spa and salon services
Cruise ship spas, with their ocean views and luxurious amenities, can be tempting, but their high prices often leave passengers feeling more stressed than soothed.
Treatments such as massages and facials often come with significant surcharges compared to services offered on land.
The experts said: ‘Personally, I would much rather pay for a massage or a haircut at home than go on a cruise and pay a premium – and spend valuable time on the ship in a salon chair or a dark treatment room.’
Cruise ship spas, with their ocean views and luxurious amenities, can be tempting, but their high prices often leave passengers feeling more stressed than calmed
Bottled water
For many cruisers, spending money on bottled water during their holidays is seen as an unnecessary expense, claiming that the tap water on cruise ships is ‘perfectly fine’ to drink.
According to experts at Eat Sleep Cruise, passengers get the same ‘highly filtered’ water from the tap in their cabin as they do in the buffet or main dining room.
They added: ‘I always take my own stainless steel water bottle on cruises. I don’t really need it on the ship because in most places you’re never far from a drink station or bar.
‘But it’s especially useful when it’s time to go into port, because it’s always good to have some water on hand. By bringing your own water bottle, you save on your travel costs.’
Gambling
For many passengers, the onboard casino is a lively and exciting attraction, but it is also a notoriously big money maker for cruise lines.
Cruise casinos often offer lower payouts than their landside counterparts, with games like bingo and blackjack offering particularly poor odds, according to Cruzely.
Passengers also warned about the appeal of on-board gambling, as the tension of the environment can lead to overspending.
The experts revealed: ‘Casinos are a huge source of money for the cruise lines. This is why every time you find a ship that doesn’t have a casino, it costs more than the average regular cruise (think Viking or Disney).”
For many passengers, the onboard casino is a lively and exciting attraction, but it is also a notoriously big money maker for cruise lines (stock image)