How to save money on a cruise: 45 expert tips

In:
14 Sep 2024

Cruises are a great value compared to land vacations, but that doesn't mean you can't save even more money along the way.

Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas

Many first-time cruisers overspend where they don't need to because they don't know the best money-saving tricks. Our team goes on over 50 cruises every year, and we've learned easy ways how to save money on a cruise.

Our list of money saving tips includes obvious ones, as well as tricks we think might surprise you. Hopefully one or all of them will keep more money in your budget and avoid money mistakes we read about all the time.

Here are my 45 tips on how to save on a cruise.

How to save money when booking a cruise

Book with a travel agent

Woman holding iPhone

The easiest way to make certain you have the best price on your cruise fare is to use a travel agent.

I recommend everyone use one because you only stand to benefit from using a travel agent.

Travel agents provide great service to folks looking to take a Royal Caribbean cruise because they are keyed in on the latest promotions and they can be your best advocate for finding promotions that help you, not just the day you book but every day until final payment.

A good travel agent will be able to assist with the booking process and give you every single permutation of pricing to figure out which itinerary, stateroom or promotion makes the most sense for you. I cannot count the time I have saved by having the travel agent jump through the proverbial hoops for me to figure out what is the best deal for my family.

The reality is you only stand to benefit from using a good travel agent, both in convenience and time saved.

Book as early as you can for lower rates

Freedom of the Seas in 2023

The earlier you book your Royal Caribbean cruise, the better the price in the long run.

Generally speaking, prices tend to be lowest when sailings go on sale. As more people book a given sailing, prices tend to rise because there is less inventory available and prices go up.

Your best bet is to book early and place a deposit on a sailing that can lock in that price until your final payment date. This not only gives you the lowest possible price, it also gives you the most time to make payments on the cruise. Plus, that deposit is fully refundable if you happen to change your mind later.

If you cannot book two years in advance, that is okay too. They key is not to wait, but instead book a cruise as early as you can.

Keep checking prices after you book

Loft Suite

After you book your cruise, you can take advantage of price drops all the way up until your final payment date.

If you spot a better price for the same room category and sailing you are on, have your travel agent reprice the cruise to get the lower rate.

Being able to reprice is not available in all countries (such as the United Kingdom or Australia), but for guests in the United States or Canada, it is a great way to get the best price.

Look for residency discounts

Before you book a cruise, ask your travel agent if there are any special rates for residents of your state.

You would be surprised how many residency deals there are, and not just for states that have cruise ships sailing from them.

Royal Caribbean regularly targets different areas of the United States and the world with special rates.

Crown and Anchor discounts available for balcony rooms

utopia of the seas balcony cabin

Once you hit Platinum in the Crown and Anchor Society, you automatically qualify for a balcony stateroom discount on every cruise.

The exact balcony discount rate depends on your status level in Crown and Anchor Society, and it goes up with each tier you reach.

Before you assume that balcony or suite is too expensive, make sure you include your balcony discount.

Extra onboard credit for rebooking onboard

Royal Caribbean's Next Cruise program rewards guests who book another Royal Caribbean cruise while onboard their current cruise.

Essentially, booking another Royal Caribbean cruise onboard with Next Cruise gets you free onboard credit for doing so. 

Discounts sometimes available for certain occupations

Royal Caribbean regularly offers discounts to guests who have certain jobs, including active or retired military, teachers, police officers and more.

Among the many available discounts, there can be special rates reserved for certain vocations, so be sure to let your travel agent know what you do for a living, and if you are active or retired military.

Senior Citizen discount

Couple in Junior Suite

Are you over 55 years old? You may qualify for a special discount!

Guests who are 55 years or older can qualify for reduced rates, so you will need to contact Royal Caribbean or your travel agent to inquire about exact rates.

Casino offers special rates

Celebrity casino

If you have gambled enough on Royal Caribbean cruise ships in the past, you might qualify for incredibly cheap fares or even free cruises.

Just like land casinos, Casino Royale offers special offers to entice gamblers back onboard and low cruise fares and complimentary sailings are one of those perks.

Royal Caribbean credit card can rack up discounted fares

Just like an airline-branded credit card, Royal Caribbean's credit card is aimed at cruise line loyalists who want to earn rewards for a cruise vacation.

By using the Royal Caribbean credit card you can earn discounts or even a free cruise from everyday purchases.

Look for drink specials onboard

Drink of the day

When looking at Royal Caribbean drink prices, many guests base their math on whether a drink package makes sense off the regular price for drinks, but in reality, there are drink specials all around the ship that bring that price down.

One of the best ways to get a deal on a cocktail is to order the drink of the day. The drink of the day is a select cocktail that changes every day, which has about a 20% discount on it and is available from most bars onboard. You can just ask the bartender or waiter what the drink of the day is and take advantage of those savings.

In addition, individual ships will run their own bar specials, like 2-for-1 deals, drink combo deals and other happy hour discounts. The exact details of a drink special will vary from ship to ship, and sailing to sailing, but it is important to understand that they exist.  

To find drink specials, consult the Cruise Compass for some advertised deals, as well as walk around bars and look for posted signs.

Book spa treatments on port days

Massage at the spa

Fans of spa services will find port days to have the best deals.

The spa usually offers the best deals on port days to attract guests to book services because everyone is off the ship. Check the daily spa specials on your port day to see what's available.

Put your phone into airplane mode

Example of airplane mode

If you leave your cellphone active while on a cruise ship, it can connect to the ship's cell phone antenna while at sea, or to a local network at one of the ports you are visiting. Nearly every cell phone plan calls this "roaming", and that means you pay a hefty price for placing calls, sending texts and using data.

To avoid this mistake, simply put your phone into airplane mode once you get onboard on the first day. Airplane mode will disable your phone's antenna and prevent it from connecting to any network.

You can still use apps and other functions of your phone while in airplane mode, including connecting to WiFi

Book a cruise during less-busy months

Tulum beach in Mexico

Royal Caribbean offers cruises throughout the year, but there are certainly times of the year when cruising is more in-demand than other times. 

If you can, consider taking a Royal Caribbean cruise when most schools are in session because these are the times of year when you will be able to net some super savings.

The best months for the lowest fares include:

  • January (except New Years)
  • February (except Presidents Week)
  • First two weeks of March
  • October
  • November (except Thanksgiving)
  • First two weeks of December

Book a cruise on older ships

When you watch any of Royal Caribbean's television commercials, you will see scenes from their Quantum and Oasis Class ships and they are absolutely amazing experiences, but they also come with premium pricing.

To save money, book a cruise on an older ship instead.

I know it sounds like with an older ship they will not have all the whizz-bang features of the new ships, but Royal Caribbean has spent millions of dollars in upgrading these ships and I would not hesitate to cruise on them.

Take advantage of Kids Sail Free offer

Kids in splashaway Bay

A great money-saving promotion for families is the Kids Sail Free deals.

During most of the year, Royal Caribbean offers third and fourth passenger fares for kids 12 years old and under staying in the same room as their parents.  

The "catch" is there are a lot of blackout dates, primarily around school holidays and breaks. If you can manage to book a cruise while Kids Sail Free is offered, it can represent tremendous savings.

Book a guarantee stateroom

Promenade view stateroom on Harmony of the Seas

If you do not care which specific room assignment you get, a guarantee stateroom can shave off hundreds of dollars from your cruise.

A guarantee stateroom is when Royal Caribbean gives you a discount on a particular category of rooms in exchange for giving up the ability to choose your exact room.

The exact discount you can expect for opting for a guarantee room depends on the sailing.

Free onboard credit if you own Royal Caribbean stock

If you own at least 100 shares of Royal Caribbean Group stock (RCL), you can get extra onboard credit.

You could get up to $250 in onboard credit by being a shareholder, so be sure to take advantage of this offer if you qualify.

Last minute deals

north star on odyssey of the seas

While I always advocate booking a cruise as far in advance as possible, last minute deals are possible.

Around 60 days before the cruise departs, you can look to see what availability and pricing is present. Around this time, cruisers whose plans have changed have already canceled, cruise lines have a good read on passenger load, and last-minute deals begin to emerge. The reductions may or may not continue as the sailing date draws closer.

Ask your travel agent for "Going, Going, Gone" rates as another way to quickly identify discounted sailings that are coming up.

Wave Season deals

Zipline on Harmony of the Seas

The cruise industry has the most offers in the early part of the year, known as Wave Season.

Between January and March, cruise lines tend to roll out their best deals of the year in an effort to set up bookings for the rest of the year.

It is always a good idea to track the new offers during Wave Season to see if there are any particularly good deals to jump on and book.

Repositioning cruises tend to be the best values

Ocean from balcony

If you want to pay the least per night on your cruise, you should consider an "open-jaw sailing."

Transatlantic, transpacific and cruises that begin in one port and end in another port tend to be priced very reasonably, and are usually longer sailings too. With fewer stops in port towns and cities, these ocean cruises are often cheaper options.

Set up a group for your friends and family

Splashaway Bay on Icon of the Seas

If your group of friends or family will need 8 cabins or more, you should talk to a travel agent about setting up a group with Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean rewards groups of people who book together with the same agency. By setting up a group, the tour operator (whoever is in charge of the group) can get money back from the cruise line which could mean a big discount, or even a free cabin.

There are lots of perks for having a group, but speak to a travel agent before anyone books a room.

Group discounts

Oasis of the Seas pool deck

Even if you are not traveling with a group of people, group discounts can be available to just about anyone.

When a travel agency sets up a group, they get to lock in the pricing, and often travel agents have access to group rates across their network consortium.

Being booked in a group does not require you to spend anytime with others in the group, it is just a discount that could save you a lot of money.

How to save money on cruise extra costs

Look for pre-cruise deals

In the months leading up to your cruise, Royal Caribbean will offer pre-cruise discounts on things like shore excursions, drink packages, wifi and more.

Every so often, there is a new sale that you can find by logging into Royal Caribbean's cruise planner site and checking if the price has changed.

These sales occur fairly regularly, and I always post about them here on the site as a reminder as well.

Re-price pre-cruise purchases early and often

Cruise Planner on an iPad

If you buy a drink package or excursion before your cruise and next week, month or year it drops in price, you can re-price it easily.

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

Bring your own wine onboard

Packing

Did you know that Royal Caribbean allows its guests to bring a limited quantity of wine on a cruise?

Guests may bring one bottle of wine per adult of legal drinking age on embarkation day. Each bottle of wine may be up to 750ml in size. 

Do not put the wine in the luggage you hand over to the porters on embarkation day.

You can bring soda and water onboard

In addition to wine, you can also bring non-alcoholic beverages onboard on the first day as well.

Small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages can be brought in a carry-on or hand luggage onboard only on boarding day. 

Specifically, non-alcoholic beverages brought onboard may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz) cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom. Distilled water or specialized beverages such as milk for medical purposes, dietary or infant use, are permitted.

Don't buy WiFi on the first day

Wifi internet

A great way to shave off the cost of a WiFi package is to skip buying it on the first day.

Your first day on a cruise is busy, and you are in port for most of the day, where your cell phone works normally.

If you can go without WiFi until midnight (or later) on day 2 of the cruise, you will not have to pay for the first day and only pay a pro-rated amount for the rest of the sailing.

Dining packages will save you money

Family eating at Chops Grille

If you want to enjoy some specialty restaurants without paying full price, invest in a dining package.

Royal Caribbean's dining packages provide a set amount of specialty restaurants at a fraction of the list price to dine there.  Quite often, a dining package can knock as much as half off the regular per-person price.

Purchase this before your cruise and make reservations on embarkation day.

Unlimited drink packages have the potential to save money

Drink package table

You will save much more money by not buying any alcoholic drinks on your cruise, but since so many do enjoy cocktails, beers and other beverages during the cruise, the best way to savor these within a budget is to buy a drink package.

If you buy a drink package in the months leading up to your cruise, you can lock in a lower price compared to what it costs onboard, and you will spread out the total cost of the cruise. A drink package purchase requires full payment upfront, so that means it could be on a different credit card billing cycle from your cruise fare.

There is no question a drink package has the potential to save money, it just relies on you to take full advantage of what the drink package offers.

Ask for no souvenir cup

One way to cut down the cost of those tasty cocktails is to skip the souvenir cup.

Often a waiter will walk around the pool deck with a great looking drink in a souvenir cup, but if you ask for the same drink in a plastic cup, the price of the drink will go down.

Ask for specialty restaurant specials onboard

Hibachi

If you see a waiter walking around the ship asking if you want to dine at their specialty restaurant, ask if there is any special price they can offer.

When the restaurant sends someone around to drum up business, it is usually a sign they want to fill spots, and (nicely) asking for a discount is not unusual.

You may need to commit to a reservation that day to get the deal, but it is a great way to sweeten the deal.

Look for the drink card

Drink card

Have you heard about something where you can pre-purchase 10 drinks for a set price? Usually, the price is somewhere between $75-85 and you can share the drink card with anyone you want. That means a $12 cocktail would cost you really about $7.50-$8.50 each with the drink card.

The "catch" with the drink cards is you cannot pre-purchase them for your cruise, and there are no guarantees they will be available on any particular sailing. Generally, it will be offered on the third to fifth day of a 7-night cruise.

If the drink card is available, it usually becomes available around halfway through your sailing, so on a 7-night cruise, it might show up on day 3 or 4.  

Again, there is no way to know if a drink card will be available on your cruise with any kind of certainty.

Take advantage of free drinks

Top Tier entrance

Believe it or not, there are ways to get free drinks on your Royal Caribbean cruise. Granted, there is no way to effectively drink all day like this, but any free drinks you can get are fewer drinks you have to buy!

One of the best ways to get free drinks is by being a Crown and Anchor Society member. Diamond level and above members are eligible for free drinks up to $14 (Diamond members get 4 drinks per day, Diamond Plus members get 5 and Pinnacle members get 6).

All Crown and Anchor Society members will have special coupons pre-loaded on their SeaPass account that provide deals like discounts on beer, wine or soda by the glass. In addition, Royal Caribbean holds Crown and Anchor Society events onboard for members, with complimentary cocktails served.

Free champagne can also be found at select events, including art auctions, Captain's Welcome and during holiday celebrations.

Avoid laundry costs by packing enough clothes

Laundry bags

Since Royal Caribbean does not offer self-service laundry, the only laundry options you have will cost you extra.

Your best bet is to pack enough clothing to avoid having to send any laundry out during your cruise. Planning ahead with extra outfits can ensure you do not have to spend more on getting your clothes cleaned.

You might also consider buying single-use detergent packs so you can wash small garments in your stateroom bathroom sink.

Ask for free seasickness medicine

Ocean waves

While you should be prepared and have some seasickness medicine just in case, if you happen to forget it, you can get it for free from the cruise line.

If you are not feeling well, Guest Services and/or the medical center is usually happy to provide complimentary over-the-counter seasickness medicine to anyone who asks.

How to save money before the cruise begins

Pre-pay gratuities

Pre-paying gratuities allow you to lock in the current gratuity rate, as well as assist in budgeting the total vacation cost by having part of the cost be paid at different times.

Every so often, Royal Caribbean adjusts the gratuity rate, but if you have opted to prepay, you will be grandfathered into the old rate.

Cabin upgrades for less

One way you might be able to get a stateroom upgrade for less is to bid for it.

The Royal Up program allows guests to place bids for a stateroom upgrade in the weeks leading up to their cruise.

This is a blind stateroom upgrade bidding program, where close to your sail date you can let Royal Caribbean know how much you would be willing to pay if an upgrade situation presented itself.

Shop around for travel insurance

travel insurance

Royal Caribbean offers its own travel insurance, but you should look at prices from other travel insurance providers to find the best blend of benefits and price.

Third-party travel insurance providers are plentiful, and prices can vary considerably.

Repeat cruisers get onboard discounts

Offer letter

After just one Royal Caribbean cruise, you can expect a list of onboard discounts available to use on every sailing.

These discounts are provided by the Crown and Anchor Society, and it includes discounts on drinks, internet, laundry and more.

The exact discounts vary from tier to tier of the customer loyalty program. As you move up each tier, the discounts get more lucrative.

Look for a sheet in your stateroom with the exact discounts available.

Bring every toiletry that you might need

While Royal Caribbean sells most toiletry items you might need onboard its ships, it will cost much more than buying it at your local store.

To avoid overpaying for toothpaste, sunscreen or medicine, be sure to bring more than enough of it all to ensure you do not run out.

Avoid double tipping

Cocktails at the tasting event

If you order a beer or alcoholic beverage, Royal Caribbean will automatically add a gratuity to your bill, so unless you really loved the bartender or waiter, don't tip them twice.

Often guests don't really read the receipt and are so accustomed to adding a tip that they don't realize gratuity has been automatically applied to the bill. 

How to save money in port

Don't book too many shore excursions

While there are tours available in every port you will visit, you do not necessarily need to book a tour in order to see the sights.

In Europe in particular, it is easy to visit the biggest attractions on your own by walking or relying on public transportation.

This can be much less expensive than touring with a group on an organized tour, and maybe more enjoyable, too.

Bring your own snorkel equipment

One of the most popular Caribbean shore excursions is to go snorkeling, and bringing your own equipment would not only save you money on an excursion, but allow you to use it in more than one port.

There are no restrictions on using your own snorkel equipment, even Royal Caribbean's private destinations of Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee.

Note that if you don't have your own snorkel vest, you will be required to rent one while snorkeling at its private destinations. 

Ask others to share taxis

Taxi in Cozumel

When in port, if you see other cruise guests waiting for a taxi, ask if you can share a ride with them.

If both of your groups can fit into a single taxi, you can split the cost of the cab and save money compared to getting a private ride. Plus, you might make new friends!

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45 easy ways how to save money on a cruise

Many Americans are going on a cruise ship with savings in mind. Here's how they're saving on cruise vacations.

In:
04 Sep 2024

Americans are spending more on travel than any other leisure category, and going on vacation is more of a need than a luxury.

Jewel of the Seas sailing away from Miami

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty told investors during a recent earnings call that his company's research is seeing consumers increasing their travel spend over the next year, even though some Americans are worried about the economy.

"Our research suggests that consumers are spending more on travel than any other leisure category and that they intend to increase their travel spend in the next 12 months."

A study by Forbes indicates that 46% of Americans are somewhat or very likely to adjust their travel plans in one way or another due to inflation.

Utopia of the Seas pool deck

It's no secret that a Royal Caribbean cruise costs more today than it did a few years ago, and that trend will continue into 2025 and 2026.

Mr. Liberty said Royal Caribbean Group's revenue for the second half of 2024 is 25% higher than it was in 2019, and they're getting more bookings for 2025 than for 2024, and that means the higher pricing trend will continue into 2025 and beyond.

We asked our readers one way they will cut the cost of your cruise vacation this year in order to cope with higher vacation costs. Two trends seemed to emerge from our polling.

Less onboard spending

Giovannis

The most commonly cited strategy by cruisers how they'll save money is by spending less on the options presented onboard.

Royal Caribbean's cruise fare does not include alcoholic beverages, WiFi access, shore excursions, specialty dining, and other add-ons.  

Many people said they would skip out on booking specialty restaurants, internet access, or drink packages.

Schooner-Bar-Quantum

Sharon Johnson posted, "Going back to my beginning days of cruising in the 80's and 90's. Inside cabin, no drink package, no WiFi."  She added, "this will be different, but affordable."

Stacey Boden wrote, "Cutting back on specialty dining, rethinking drink packages, redeeming RC Credit Card points for onboard credit for gratuities, minimal shore excursions if any."

These add-ons are not cheap, as drink packages regularly cost more than $100 per person, per day if purchased onboard.

Freedom drink package flyer

Specialty dining costs add up too, even with a dining package.  More than two specialty restaurants will easily exceed $100 a person.

Jim Couch said he wouldn't cut back, but look for better sales, "Not exactly cutting costs but we did pay attention to when Royal Caribbean would have sales and re-purchase at the lower price. Ended up saving about $300 that way from our first booking."

Downsizing to smaller cabins and older cruise ships

Another strategy a lot of people mentioned was booking smaller, less expensive cabins.

Generally speaking, an inside cabin will be cheaper than a higher category cabin, such as a balcony.

Read more: Inside vs Balcony cabins on a cruise ship

Kim Dudzinski wrote, "I’ve started booking interiors, prices have increased so much lately! Now paying for an interior what we used to spend on a balcony. It’s fine though as we rarely use the balcony."

Nicole Amadio added, "Inside cabins, we need two rooms so this saves big time. We are also busy bodies and can’t sit in one spot for too long so I don’t think we would get the use out of a balcony."

Navigator-Inside-Cabin-1

Tracie Jolliffe thinks the decision to downgrade her cabin makes a lot of sense beyond the cost, "I actually prefer ocean view over balcony because the one time I tried a balcony I really didn’t use it. I also like the view through the window better than the view through the balcony. Unpopular opinion, but it works for me!"

The other strategy is to skip out on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ships because of the premium pricing they command.

Adventure of the Seas in Cococay

New ships include the latest and greatest features the cruise line has conjured up, but the cost is going to be likely higher than a ship that's been in the fleet more than 10 years.

Andy Unwin posted, "Not doing new ships. Older ships are more economical."

Steve Cohen commented, "Cruising from local port instead of flying. Cruising on an older ship instead of new one."

Voyager-of-the-Seas

Robin Brook will combine all the strategies mentioned in this article, "Definitely an older smaller ship, which I prefer anyway. While I enjoy indulging, I don't have to drink to have fun. So dumping the drink package. Eating in the main dining room and buffet rather than in a specialty restaurant."

Some of the best values in cruising are on Royal Caribbean's Voyager, Radiance, and Vision Class cruise ships. That's because they regularly offer the lowest prices.

Read more: Royal Caribbean ships by size

Cruise during off-peak times

Utopia

The other strategy to save money some people in our poll mentioned was to opt to cruise when there's less demand.

While Royal Caribbean sails year-round, there's an ebb and a flow to demand and there are certain times of the year where you'll usually find better prices because demand drops.

Empty Skagway street

Midge O'Neil-Borsilli wrote, "I am looking at off season weeks and when kids are in school ( no holidays and summer)."

Chaz Iannaci added, "We live in Florida and sail out of Florida mostly. Drive to port. Book aboard ship. Book off season."

Annamarie Meyers posted, "Going off season and not doing specialty dining or cabana on CocoCay."

Icon of the Seas at CocoCay

This strategy works well for anyone who isn't beholden to the school calendar, as the times of year when kids are on vacation is when a lot more families look to sail.

5 savvy ways I saved money on my first Celebrity cruise

In:
14 Aug 2024

I was able to take advantage of a few smart strategies to help make my money go further on my first Celebrity cruise.

Celebrity Silhouette exterior with pool photo on the upper left corner

While I’m usually a budget cruiser, my recent cruise on Celebrity Silhouette initially proved otherwise.

I upgraded from my typical interior cabin to a balcony room, and I booked my airfare way too late, which set me back a staggering $1,400.

Additionally, my cruise itinerary was set to visit Norway, a country frequently listed as one of the most expensive in the world. I felt as if I were setting myself up for failure as far as budget was concerned, but I was still determined to save money wherever I could.

By utilizing Celebrity’s loyalty status perks, forgoing splurges onboard, and keeping in-port spending to a minimum, I was surprised with the savvy ways I was able to save money throughout my weeklong cruise.

Here are the five ways I saved money on my first Celebrity cruise.

I took advantage of Celebrity’s loyalty status matching program, maximizing benefits to save as much as possible

Celebrity Silhouette exterior

One of the easiest ways I saved money on my Celebrity cruise was through matching my Crown & Anchor Society status on Royal Caribbean to Celebrity’s Captain’s Club program.

Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean allow guests to match their loyalty status from one cruise line to the other, allowing passengers to reap the benefits of the reciprocal loyalty program—even if it’s their first time on the cruise line.

Related: Celebrity Cruises Captain's Club loyalty program info, tips & secrets

As a Diamond Plus member on Royal Caribbean, I matched my status to Celebrity’s Captain’s Club when I booked my cruise. My status matched Celebrity's Elite Plus status, the second-highest tier of the loyalty program.

Cafe Al Bacio on Celebrity Silhouette

This led to lucrative benefits during my cruise, including discounts on wifi and drink packages, a 15% discount at specialty restaurants, two complimentary bags of laundry, one free scoop of gelato, a day in the thermal suite, and access to exclusive events.

Although I didn’t take advantage of every benefit offered, a few select benefits led to great savings. The Elite Happy Hour, for instance, allowed me to enjoy complimentary alcoholic beverages from 5-7PM every evening, and I could also start each day with a complimentary latte from the onboard coffee shop, Café Al Bacio.

I was grateful for these benefits as they enabled me to minimize my onboard spending. I didn’t need to worry about paying for laundry or spending $15 for a single cocktail, and saving nearly $40 on the wifi package was an awesome perk, too.

I planned my own activities in port because Celebrity’s excursion prices were steep

Jenna in Loen norway

Norway and budget-friendly don’t necessarily go hand in hand, but I was still surprised by the prices of shore excursions offered by Celebrity Cruises.

Having never been to Norway before, I was looking forward to exploring the four ports of call on my itinerary. The Norwegian fjords looked spectacular, and I knew I wanted to see as much as I could in each destination. As an active traveler, I was particularly interested in excursions involving hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor pursuits.

Related: Is it better to book excursions through the cruise ship?

Unfortunately, looking at Celebrity’s excursions ahead of my cruise left me disappointed. Organized tours to destinations like Briksdal Glacier and Pulpit Rock (Norway’s most famous hike) were over $200 or $300 a person. Even independent tours I found on GetYourGuide and Viator were expensive. Norway was already living up to its pricey reputation, and hadn’t even arrived in the country yet!

Alesund Norway

Before shelling out nearly $1,000 on excursions, I checked whether or not I could get to each port's top attractions on my own. Luckily, I found economical ways to do the same activities I wanted to book with a cruise-sponsored excursion.

Instead of booking a $170 excursion to hike Pulpit Rock, I booked a $40 shuttle bus that departed from central Stavanger and dropped me off at the trailhead. The return trip left five hours later, giving me more than enough time to finish the trail (and grab a well-deserved ice cream at the basecamp).

Jenna hiking in Norway and smiling

In Olden, I booked the Loen Skylift on my own to enjoy enchanting views of Norway’s Nordfjord. The cable car’s ticket was $53 for a roundtrip ride, and I got to and from the skylift in just six minutes on a local bus (just $3 each way).

My port days in Ålesund and Molde were easier to plan independently, as I planned to stay within the city centers. Each town offered charming, historic streets, quaint cafes, and gorgeous views from the waterfront. My expenses were minimal in both of these destinations.

I took public transportation to the port instead of a taxi or shuttle

suitcase on a train

One of the hidden expenses of a cruise vacation is the expense of getting to and from your cruise port. Although you might book airfare far in advance, it’s easy to forget about planning transportation logistics to the ship itself.

My cruise itinerary departed from Rotterdam in the Netherlands, but my flight arrived at the country’s main airport outside of Amsterdam. As always, I arrived a day prior to my cruise. I spent the night in Amsterdam with a plan of traveling to Rotterdam on embarkation morning.

Related: How to prepare for a cruise: Last minute things you should do

One of the most convenient aspects of cruising in Europe is the extensive public transportation network in major cities. In most circumstances, there’s no need to book expensive private transfers or call an Uber to the port when cheaper—and arguably more convenient—options exist.

View of the Netherlands from a train

So instead of booking Celebrity’s $40 transfer or shelling out over €100 for a taxi, I searched for directions to the port on Google Maps. An $18 train ride from Amsterdam brought me to Rotterdam’s central station in under an hour. From there, a short, $2 metro ride brought me just a 5-minute walk away from the city’s cruise port.

If you’re traveling with more than two people, or if you have large suitcases, there’s an argument to be made for private transfers. In my scenario, though, taking public transportation made the most sense whilst also saving money.

I kept souvenir shopping to a minimum and avoided expensive meals in port

Stavanger street in Norway

After reading how fellow cruise writer Allie spent over $800 on souvenirs on her recent European cruise, I was worried about whether or not I could keep my shopping budget to a minimum. She stated how the cost of souvenirs in Norway was exorbitant, with $40 t-shirts and $60 crewnecks.

Reading this beforehand, I made a mental note to keep souvenir spending to a minimum. Of course, traveling with a carry-on suitcase helped, as I couldn’t fit much more into the bag anyway. So instead of purchasing heavy knickknacks and clothing, I bought small souvenirs like magnets, which were cheaper and easier to pack.

Related: Top 30 extra cruise costs that aren't included

Furthermore, I saved money by avoiding the more expensive dining options in port. On long port days, it’s inevitable that you’ll spend some money on food, whether a sit-down meal or grab-and-go snack.

Pastries in Norway

Most restaurants in Norway are anything but budget-friendly; sit-down meals seemed to average around $25 for an entrée. I could see these prices breaking my budget on a land-based trip, but because I only had four days in Norway, spending $100 on four lunches while in port wasn’t a huge deal.

Even still, I tended to choose more casual dining venues instead of the fancier sit-down options. One of my best meals, in fact, was from a Thai food truck in Ålesund, and the meal only set me back $13. If I needed a quick snack, I could find a scrumptious pastry at a local bakery for around $3-5.

Staying budget-conscious with souvenir and food purchases in port helped me avoid spending more than I wanted to. Luckily, I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything by doing so.

I stuck to only included dining options, despite the intriguing specialty restaurants

Plate of salmon

Although I usually cruise on a budget, one of the add-ons I frequently splurge for on a cruise is specialty dining. There’s not anything wrong with the included food on a cruise ship, but I prefer the enhanced dining experience of specialty venues, both in ambiance and cuisine variety.

Yet on Celebrity Silhouette, I forwent the specialty options and dined at only included restaurants. I split my meals between the Main Dining Room and Oceanview Cafe buffet. Outside of these venues, the ship offered complimentary burgers at Mast Grill, grab-and-go pastries at Café Al Bacio, and health-focused fare at Spa Café.

Related: What's included on a Celebrity cruise?

I also made sure to avoid food and beverage classes offered by Celebrity. Although the pizza making class they offered onboard was probably fun, I couldn’t fathom spending over $70 for the experience.

The included restaurants provided enough variety that I didn’t feel the need to spend extra at specialty restaurants. By spending nothing extra for food onboard, I could allocate these savings toward meals and snacks in port instead.

Sometimes splurging is worth the convenience, but I was happy to keep to a budget on my Celebrity cruise

Aft view from Celebrity Silhouette

At the end of the day, I’m glad I used these savvy tricks in order to save money on my Celebrity cruise. That being said, there’s a time and a place for using these budget-saving strategies.

There’s no denying that booking shore excursions through the cruise line is convenient, for example, and not all travelers want to deal with the hassle of planning port days on their own. Sometimes, spending an extra $100 on an organized tour is worth it for a stress-free trip.

Plus, add-ons like drink packages and specialty dining can greatly enhance a passenger’s onboard experience. There were times I wanted to try those picture-perfect cocktails at the Martini Bar, or that steamy bowl of ramen from Raw on 5, without thinking about the cost of each purchase.

At the end of the day, though, saving money on a cruise enables me to cruise more often. Every cruiser has a different travel style, and I’ll stick to even the tightest budget if it means I can continue booking cruises to far-flung destinations around the world.

5 savvy ways I saved money on my first Celebrity Cruise

I've been on more than 44 cruises with my family. Here are my 6 tips for saving money on board.

In:
04 Jun 2024

I love to take my family on cruises, and have been doing so ever since my first child was six months old.

Matt family

After more than 44 cruises as a family, I've quickly learned a few tricks to saving money along the way.  Family vacations don't have to be expensive, especially if you know where to cut corners.

With Royal Caribbean leaning more into the family vacation market (especially with the launch of Icon of the Seas), taking your kids on a cruise is becoming even more popular.

If you're like me, you'll want to save every dollar you can so that you can pay for another cruise in the future (or splurge on a fun upgrade).

Kids

Read more: What is the best way to spend an extra $1,000 on a cruise?

Here are my list of easy ways I save money and expand our family vacation budget.

Skip the dining package for my kids

While my wife and I love to indulge in specialty dining on a cruise, my kids are fine with the included food and that's a big saving.

Not spending extra on specialty dining for the kids is as much about being frugal as it is being practical.  My youngest daughter only really wants to eat quesadillas, pasta with butter, and cheese pizza.  All of that she can get for no extra cost.

El Loco Fresh quesadillas

Depending on the restaurant, we will either feed her before or after the meal so she can sit with us during the meal.  Packing a drawing pad and colored pencils is a great way for them to pass the time.  It's also perfectly acceptable for the kids to run down to Sorrento's and bring back a pizza. 

There are exceptions to this rule, such as Izumi Hibachi, but if your kids are as picky as mine, don't overlook the complimentary dining choices.

Turn off the kids charging privileges

Arcade on Serenade of the Seas

I trust my kids not to go on a spending spree onboard, but mistakes happen.  To simplify things, I'll go to Guest Services and turn off their charging privileges to avoid a future problem.

There are lots of extra costs on a cruise, from the arcade, to sodas, to souvenirs and they can all add up.

I always periodically check my onboard accounts to make sure there are no erroneous charges, and removing the kids' ability to charge is a good fail safe.

Take advantage of the included activities

Mini golf on Icon of the Seas

Every Royal Caribbean cruise ship has a lot of fun activities included in the cruise fare, and it's a great idea to point my kids in that direction first.

There are pools, hot tubs, rock climbing walls, trivia contests, and live shows on every ship.  Plus, the newer ships have water slides, kids aqua park, bumper cars and more.

Bumper cars on Odyssey

My kids really love laser tag, bumper cars, water slides, and miniature golf.

I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about the value Adventure Ocean presents.  It's included in your cruise fare, and you get the peace of mind as a parent of enjoying supervised programming that appeals to the kids.

Two cabins instead of a suite

Connecting balconies

My favorite cruise hack for families is to book two connecting rooms instead of one larger cabin.

Read more: 45 easy ways how to save money on a cruise

I think most families that look to book a cruise default to looking for one cabin that fits everyone.  This often leads to booking a suite, especially if you have more than 4 people in your cabin.

Balcony room

Instead, we book two smaller connecting rooms many times. It provides a cheaper price than a suite, and it gives us separation from the kids.  Plus, we get a second bathroom!

Of course, I do book suites with my family, but if I want to save money, I'll go for two cabins.

Using the free chat instead of buying an internet package

Chat feature in app

A very common concern if you have older kids is how to be able to message them onboard without paying for an internet package.

While buying everyone a WiFi package is an easy choice, it can be very expensive.

Instead, we'll leverage the Royal Caribbean app because it has a free chat feature.

If your kids are under 13 years old, they're not allowed to have a Royal Caribbean account.  In that situation, we'll log them into one of our accounts and we can still message them even if we are effectively messaging ourself.

Internet reveals 18 simple ways how to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise

In:
13 May 2024

From a few dollars to hundreds, there are easy ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise if you know what to do.

Money Saving tips

While a Royal Caribbean cruise is largely considered an affordable vacation, the overall cost can go up quickly if you're not careful. You can avoid overspending by following some of the best money-saving tricks.

Users on the Royal Caribbean sub Reddit were asked to share all the ways they save money on Royal Caribbean, no matter how miniscule the difference.

Here are the 18 things you can do to save money on how to save money. We also have our list of Royal Caribbean tips and tricks that cover every aspect of a cruise. 

1. Stick to the free restaurants

One of the most repeated tips to save money on any Royal Caribbean cruise was to eat the restaurants included in your cruise fare.

Royal Caribbean offers restaurants that cost nothing extra to dine at, as well as restaurants that cost extra. The choice is yours, and a lot of cruises assume they need to eat at the specialty restaurants because of how much the cruise line advertises them.

Read more: How does Royal Caribbean dining work?

The reality is the food offered at the Main Dining Room, Windjammer buffet, and other spots are very good. There's certainly more than enough food to keep you satisfied, and considering how much the cruise fare costs up-front, it makes sense to lean heavily into the restaurants rather than spending more on additional restaurants.

Specialty restaurants can offer either higher quality food, or cuisines not otherwise available in the free restaurants.  But if you can avoid the temptation to dine at them, you could save a lot of money quite easily.

2. Book an inside room instead of a balcony or suite

Split bed configuration inside cabin

Another super easy tip to save money is cut back on your cabin.

There are four basic types of staterooms on any cruise: inside, oceanview, balcony, and suites. Generally speaking, the price goes up as you move up to each category.

An inside room is going to almost certainly be the cheapest option, and it gets you everything you need without a hefty price.

Odyssey of the Seas interior cabin 9225

No matter how much more moving up to a balcony would be, the money saved by staying in an inside cabin could be a real difference maker. Similar-reason-5200 wrote, "let's be honest you aren't spending much time in there," and there's a lot of truth to that statement.

Read more: Inside cabin vs. balcony room

Brilliance of the Seas interior cabin

There's so much happening around the ship and in the ports of call you visit, that a lot of times the cabin ends up being somewhere to sleep, shower, and change and then you're elsewhere.

TrekJaneway added, "I don’t really spend time in my room, so all I need is a place with a bed and a shower, and I’m good."

Read more: Where is the best place to stay on a cruise ship?

3. Don't be lured into buying jewelry or watches

Royal Bling jewelry

A lot of people think the jewelry deals offered on the ship simply aren't great.

The Invicta watches are one notorious type of jewelry that some cruisers question the value of. You'll likely see lots of sales and advertisements on the ship for those and other pieces, and by not indulging, you could save a lot.

4. Bring your own over-the-counter medication

Aspirin

You never know if you'll catch a cold, eat something that doesn't agree with you, or get seasick, so be prepared.

JanieLFB shared her tip that she will buy a travel-sized options before the cruise begins, "I went to my local drugstore and bought small packets of generic drugs." This little trick could save you money considering how much Royal Caribbean charges for the same drugs onboard. 

It's a good idea to bring these essentials to keep in your cabin:

  • Cold medicine
  • Seasickness medication
  • Headache medicine
  • Sunburn treatment
  • Upset stomach and diarrhea medicine
Vending machine

Bringing your own medication ensures you not only don't waste money on the same overpriced meds on the ship, but you also get the brand, dosage, and type of delivery method you prefer.

Read more: Ultimate cruise packing list

5. Skip a drink package

Two cocktails

A lot of people on Reddit advocated not buying a Royal Caribbean drink package.

Similar to the argument about the food included, these people felt a drink package just costs too much money and the drinks included with the cruise are sufficient (assuming you don't want alcohol).

Some also felt the drink packages require too much drinking to "break even" on them, and you're better off paying for drinks you really want individually.

Read more: 6 alternatives to a Royal Caribbean drink package

And definitely don't try to cheat the drink package either.

6. Bring your own wine or champagne

Wine brought onboard

One easy way to save money on alcohol on your cruise is to bring your own wine or champagne.

Royal Caribbean allows guests to bring one bottle of wine or champagne per adult on embarkation day.

You can also bring 12 bottles of non-alcoholic drinks per stateroom.

Read more: Food or drinks you're allowed to bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise

7. Wait until midnight on the first day to book a WiFi package

Wifi on the balcony

User Illustrious-Gur-6775 had a great way to get back about $20 on your internet package.

Instead of buying it for the entire cruise, wait until midnight on the first day and then activate it.  The rationale is you will be able to use your cellular connection until the ship leaves, and then it's only 7 hours until midnight. 

By waiting to midnight, you'll pay a pro-rated rate for the remainder of the cruise, minus day one.

8. Get free WiFi in port

ncl

Instead of buying Royal Caribbean's internet service, you could just find free WiFi spots in the ports you visit.

There's usually a bar, restaurant, or shop that advertises free WiFi while you're in that establishment, and it's good enough for checking your email, catching up on social media, and otherwise getting connected for a brief period.

If being online isn't a priority for you during your cruise, relying on free internet hotspots while in port could save you over a hundred dollars on Royal Caribbean's service.

Don't forget that you can still use the Royal Caribbean app without a WiFi package, including the chat feature.

9. Drink alcohol in port

Just like WiFi, booze are probably cheaper in port too.

It's not difficult to find bars in the ports your ship visit, and there's a good chance the price is going to be less than what Royal Caribbean offers, especially in the Caribbean.

You'll need to price it accordingly, but you might save money getting your drink on in port instead of buying drinks on the ship.

10. Order the drink of the day

Drink of the day

Another way to save money on your bar bill is rely on the drink of the day special.

Every day there will be one cocktail that is $3 or $4 cheaper than usual. It's listed in the Cruise Compass, as well as noted on a sign in many bars.

If you're not picky about your drinks, the savings can add up quickly.

Read more: Drink prices on Royal Caribbean

11. Use any loyalty offers first

crown-lounge-icon-of-the-seas

Even after just one cruise, Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society provides discount coupons you can use.  The catch is you have to remember to ask to use them.

Read more: 11 of our favorite under-the-radar Crown & Anchor perks

Each person gets an assortment of discounts they can use, such as half off a glass of wine, 25% off any coffee beverage, or discounts on Royal Caribbean logo merchandise.

You'll get a letter in your cabin with the exact list of offers each guests has. Then, you just need to ask the crew member at the bar, shop, or spa to redeem the discount when ordering.

Read more: The Crown and Anchor perks you should use on every Royal Caribbean cruise

12. Skip the casino

Casino on Royal Caribbean

Another commonly cited way to save money is not risking any in the ship's casino.

The casino is a huge revenue maker for any cruise line, and while you could theoretically win money here, it's just easier to not go in and spend money there in the first place.

A few Reddit users said to skip the casino as an easy way to save money. You can't lose if you don't play.

13. Look for sales leading up to your cruise

Cruise Planner

While some of these tips advocate skipping the extra cost packages, if you do buy them, you'll want to re-price them again and again.

Royal Caribbean runs sales almost every day, so you should periodically check for new discounts.

14. Set a budget for each day while on vacation

Cash on cruise ship

One way to limit overspending while on your cruise is have a daily budget.

Reddit user tdybr07 shared one example, "For example: plan $100/day spending money per day including sea days. This helps you with spending money on the ship, (shops, casinos, specialty dining or whatever you decide) as well as in ports."

This is a smart method of ensuring you don't go "swipe happy" and come home after your cruise to a giant bill.

15. Prepay gratuities, beverage packages and excursions

Junior Suite on Symphony of the Seas

This will allow you to get on the ship and know that you won’t be charged additional charges unless you make any purchases on the ship.

illuminated0ne wrote, "if you do buy anything from Royal Caribbean, make a note of the price and keep checking back. The prices change all the time, if you see it cheaper, you can just cancel and rebook for a savings."

There's no penalty for cancelling and rebooking a Cruise Planner purchase. It just requires you to take the time to double check the price.

16. Look for a good travel agent that has special rates

Symphony of the Seas docked

Some people think booking a cruise directly with Royal Caribbean will save them money, but they're so wrong.

A good travel agent has access to special rates and offers.  Plus, there's no cost to using a good travel agent because Royal Caribbean pays them a commission, not you.

I've lost count how many times I research the cruise I want to book and then contact my travel agent to book, only to be told by them they have a better rate, thanks to a group rate.

wholefvno added to anyone that didn't love their first travel agent, "Travel agents cost nothing and can give you a more personalized experience and good advice. If you had a bad experience, try another one. Some are good at customer service, some are bad."

17. Cruise in the off-season

If you can book a cruise during the shoulder season, you will save so much money compared to peak season.  It's one of the top tips offered on Reddit to get a cheaper cruise.

Jane_Marie_CA wrote to try booking a cruise, "Far away from school breaks and holidays," as a strategy to get lower prices.

As an example, her April 28 sailing on Harmony of the Seas was $2,000 cheaper than the same cruise in summer.

Serenade of the Seas docked in Skagway, Alaska

Royal Caribbean’s off-season prices can typically be found during these dates:

  • January (excluding MLK weekend)
  • February (excluding President’s Day weekend)
  • May
  • September
  • October
  • First two weeks of November
  • First two weeks of December

Of course, the downside to off-season is there's a reason it's less popular. It could be because it's in the middle of hurricane season or during a month prone to colder temperatures.

18. You don't have to get off the ship in port

Oasis Class ship docked in Nassau

Don't feel obliged to get off the ship and spend money on a shore excursion that doesn't excite you.

"If I don't see an excursion that excites me, I don't spend the money," wrote Jane_Marie_CA.

Not only will you save money by not paying for a tour, but you'll get to enjoy a relatively emptier ship while others are in port.

Read more: 5 best reasons to stay onboard the ship while in Perfect Day at CocoCay

Things I Don't Pay Extra for on Royal Caribbean Cruises To Save Money

In:
04 May 2024

One of the easiest ways to save money on your cruise vacation is by limiting your spending in the first place.

Spend extra on a cruise

While a lot is included in your cruise fare, Royal Caribbean has a seemingly endless amount of add-ons that you can pay extra for to enhance your cruise experience.

However, new cruisers want to know: how can you tell which add-ons are important, and which will be a waste of your money?

As I’ve gained experience in cruising with Royal Caribbean, I’ve learned which add-ons are a waste of money, and what I can avoid spending on.

Mariner of the Seas at CocoCay dock

While I love to splurge and have a great cruise experience, some extra-cost items are only a waste of money.

With the knowledge of which ones are worth it, you can skip the scams and avoid getting a long bill at the end of your sailing.

In the end, saving money on unnecessary items allows you to spend more on other luxuries, or even to put towards your next cruise.

From specialty dining to shore excursions on Perfect Day at Cococay, these are the Royal Caribbean add-ons I never pay for.

Specialty restaurants

On my first cruise, I went crazy trying various specialty restaurants.

However, I’ve come to learn that the complimentary cruise cuisine is just as tasty!

Steaks at the Main Dining Room taste almost the same as those at the extra-cost Chops Grille, and the Windjammer has fried fish similar to what’s served at the Mason Jar.

Even when the dishes are different, the complimentary venues serve tasty food that you can't find at specialty restaurants.

icon-windjammer

Not only that, but dining at free venues like the Windjammer and the Park Cafe also grants you a lot of freedom to choose when you eat and what you wear.

You can often serve yourself, and avoid having long meals with eager waiters.

I’ve come to appreciate all the complimentary cuisine onboard Royal Caribbean.

The grove

And since reservations at a specialty restaurant can range from $30 to $200 per guest, I’m saving tons of money each time I choose to eat a free meal.

Read more: How does specialty dining work on Royal Caribbean?

Extra-cost activities

Royal Caribbean ships have countless onboard activities for guests to experience.

However, you have to stay alert, because not all these activities are free!

For example, I’ve gotten excited seeing a cupcake decorating or sushi-making class in my Cruise Compass schedule, only to find out that the classes cost over $30 per person.

Arcade

To avoid spending money on activities that cost extra, make sure to double-check the prices in your Cruise Compass.

Instead of wasting your money, go ahead and find free activities, whether that’s lounging by the pool, watching a movie, or enjoying a workout in the gym.

Balcony staterooms

The idea of staying in a stateroom with a balcony is tempting. You could have a private star-gazing area, a space to feel the wind in your hair, and dine in front of the sea.

Balcony cabins are also a little more spacious for couples or families who want more privacy.

But if you’re willing to give up these amenities, you can save hundreds of dollars.

Read more: Inside cabin vs. balcony room on a cruise ship

View from balcony in Alaska

Let’s take an Alaska vacation as an example. Say you want to cruise from Seattle to Alaska on Anthem of the Seas. 

If you look forward to 2025, you’ll see that the 7-night May 30th sailing is listed at $838 per person for an interior cabin.

Jumping up to a balcony cabin raises the price to $1,291 per person—a $453 difference.

If you were to cruise with two people to Alaska next year, you’d save almost $1000 by booking an interior cabin instead of a balcony.

While the costs vary depending on the cruise, an interior cabin will always give you the cheapest cruise fare option.

Over my many cruises with Royal Caribbean, I’ve sailed the majority of them in inside guarantee cabins—and I plan to keep doing so.

Read moreI always stay in an inside cabin on a cruise ship. Here's why I actually like these rooms

Harmony of the Seas interior cabin

Saving money with my cabin choice pushes me to explore more onboard the ship, getting out of the room and only returning to sleep. 

I highly recommend an inside room as an easy way to save money on a cruise

If you need to view the ocean or feel a breeze, just head out and up to the pool deck.

Spa treatments

Massage at the spa

The first time I saw Royal Caribbean’s spa prices, my jaw dropped.

I had considered booking a couple’s deep tissue massage until I saw that it cost more than $450 for 100 minutes.

In contrast, a 5-star spa located near my home offers the same treatment for less than $360.

Since then, I’ve opted out of booking any spa treatments on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Spa on Voyager of the Seas

Save your money, and choose a luxurious spa treatment once you’re back on land.

There are plenty of other activities you can experience on a cruise, including free spa tasters that are offered onboard.

If you need other ways to relax, try soaking in a hot tub, lying down on a sunny beach, or taking a nap in your dark cabin.

Your wallet will thank you.

Onboard shopping

Much like the Vitality spa, almost all the shops onboard Royal Caribbean ships have higher prices than on land.

Whether I’m looking at toiletries, medicine, or some new jewelry, I’m careful not to buy anything unless it’s absolutely essential or on sale.

Once, I forgot to pack seasickness medicine and decided to shop onboard.

Items for same

I ended up buying an essential oil mix for around $15. Painfully, I had the same essential oils sitting (for free) at home.

Before you spend money in those onboard shops, consider whether you can buy those items anywhere else. 

I guarantee you, it will be cheaper.

Add-ons at CocoCay

Beach bed

Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas is a tropical paradise.

With bars, pools, beaches, waterparks, and even wildlife, there are endless adventures to experience.

Read more: What to do at CocoCay? 18 things to try on your visit

Tram

However, there’s no reason to spend any extra money while visiting this island.

From tram rides to beaches, there are dozens of free activities and dining venues available.

I’ve stopped buying any shore excursions for sale on Perfect Day at CocoCay, having learned to save my money and enjoy the complimentary venues.

Coffee

Coffee on Brilliance of the Seas

As a coffee addict, I’m here to inform you that you don’t have to spend extra on Royal Caribbean coffee.

Yes, there are cafés onboard. These cafés usually serve Starbucks coffee, with a selection of specialty lattes and milks.

However, there’s no reason to waste money on extra-cost coffee, whether it’s hot or iced.

Coffee included

Royal Caribbean’s free brewed coffee is about the same quality, and you can request any special milk you need onboard.

Add your own sugar and milk or cream, and you have an adequate coffee drink.

Laundry 

Laundry bags

Royal Caribbean does not provide any self-service laundry services onboard.

If you want to do any laundry throughout your cruise, you’ll have to pay extra.

The cost depends on which service you select, but the most basic service—a wash and fold package—costs $34.99 per bag of small clothing.

This cost can really add up, especially if you want to wash clothes for more than one person.

bathrobe

Instead of spending $35 per bag of clothing, you can save money by packing efficiently, and leaving the washing until after the vacation.

By packing lots of re-wearable, light clothing, I avoid doing laundry at all, making my cruise an even more relaxing vacation.

Another option is to pack detergent packets and do small clothing items in your sink.  There is a clothes line in the shower to dry your clothes.

I don’t have to worry about any household chores, nor do I have to pay someone else to do them for me.

8 ways I saved over $2,000 on my recent Royal Caribbean cruise

In:
04 Jan 2024

There are a few proven strategies I always use to save money on a cruise vacation, and my recent cruise was no exception.

Jenna on a cruise ship

After cruising over twenty times on a budget, I’ve learned how to stretch my vacation budget during every aspect of the process, from booking my cruise fare to planning shore excursions.

On my most recent cruise on Brilliance of the Seas—a 10-night sailing to the South Pacific from Sydney, Australia—I saved thousands of dollars by using a few of these travel “hacks”.

Not only was this itinerary the longest cruise I had ever booked, but it was the furthest from home I had ever traveled for a cruise. Wanting to make the most of my trip to Australia, I tried to stretch my budget as far as possible.

Here are the eight ways I saved thousands of dollars on my recent cruise vacation.

*All prices are in US Dollar (USD) unless otherwise noted

I booked an interior cabin

For my ten nights on Brilliance of the Seas, I stayed in an interior cabin. While staying in a windowless, closet-sized cabin is nothing luxurious, it’s definitely a money saver.

While booking my cruise, I compared the price of an interior cabin to the more spacious ocean view and balcony cabins, but higher cruise fares kept me from booking these rooms.

I paid $2,018 total for the cabin, or $1,009 per guest. If I had booked an oceanview or balcony cabin instead, my cruise fare would have increased by hundreds of dollars.

Related: Why you should book a cruise ship inside room

In most cases, I prefer to stretch my vacation budget as far as possible. Saving a few hundred dollars on my cruise fare gave me a bigger budget for other aspects of my vacation, whether the scuba diving trip I booked prior to the cruise or shore excursions in the South Pacific.

Additionally, there is not much scenery (aside from the ocean) when sailing to and from ports in the South Pacific. If I had booked a cruise to New Zealand, on the other hand, I might have decided to splurge on a balcony.

I booked my cruise a year in advance

When it comes to finding the cheapest cruise deals, it’s almost always better to book far in advance rather than at the last minute. Booking your cruise one or two years in the future can save hundreds (or possibly even thousands) of dollars compared to waiting until just a few months before the departure date.

Of course, it’s not always possible to book cruises so far in advance. It might be difficult to plan vacation days, school schedules, and other responsibilities years in the future. Fortunately for me, my biggest responsibility is my dog, so I was able to book my cruise a year in advance without worry.

Related: The best time to book cruises by day, month, and last-minute

Booking my cruise a year before the departure date not only offered a lower price compared to booking months later, but more options for cabins, too. For those looking to book a particular suite, it’s recommended to book your cruise early so the cabin doesn’t sell out.

When I repriced the cruise months after booking, I saw the price of my cabin had increased by around $1,000. I was glad to have booked the cruise as early as I did.

I split private shore excursions with other guests

I rarely book shore excursions when I cruise, typically preferring to explore on my own. Yet when researching the South Pacific islands on my itinerary, I realized a shore excursion might be the best way to explore several of the islands.

Looking to get the most bang for my buck, I decided against booking shore excursions directly through Royal Caribbean. While convenient, these excursions are almost always priced higher than tours booked through independent tour operators.

Instead, I booked shore excursions with other guests on my cruise. A few months prior to my sailing, I joined a Facebook group for my cruise date. Not only was the group a helpful resource when planning my first cruise from Australia, but I found several posts advertising open spots on excursions booked through independent tour companies.

In Noumea, New Caledonia, I snagged a spot on a private catamaran tour to nearby islands, and I joined a group of friends on an excursion in Luganville, Vanuatu.

Booking these tours on my own would have been much more costly—the catamaran would have set me back over $2,000 alone!

I used my Crown & Anchor Society discounts whenever possible

Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society program is among the most generous cruise line loyalty programs in the industry. You only need to cruise once to start reaping the most basic benefits of the program, such as discounts on internet packages and select beverages.

As a Diamond Plus member of the Crown & Anchor Society, the second highest tier, I receive a range of money-saving benefits, from a free bag of laundry to five complimentary drinks per day.

Related: 11 of our favorite under-the-radar Crown & Anchor perks

Taking advantage of these discounts during my 10-night cruise allowed me to save several hundred dollars, especially considering each cocktail costs around $15.

In total, I saved $25 by using a BOGO deal at a specialty restaurant, $35.99 on a bag of laundry, and over $750 on alcoholic beverages.

I took the train from the airport instead of an Uber

I may have saved hundreds of dollars by booking an interior room over a balcony, but even the smallest purchases can add up to great savings over time.

When I arrived at the airport in Sydney, I decided against taking a taxi or Uber into the city. Instead, I rode the train that goes directly from the airport to downtown for around $12.

Given that an Uber would have cost roughly $25-30, I found the train to be the better choice. As another plus, riding the train meant I didn’t have to wait in traffic while traveling downtown, and my hotel was within a short walk from the station.

I monitored flights to find the best deal

When I initially estimated the cost of my flight to Australia, I gave myself a budget of around $1,600. Given the distance between the United States and Australia, I assumed flights would be fairly expensive, especially since my home airport is quite small.

Because I booked my cruise so far in advance, I had a lot of time to monitor flights and try to find the best price. When I first looked, I saw prices around $1,500 to $1,600. While technically within my budget, I decided to risk it and wait for a better deal.

I checked and monitored flight prices on Google Flights every few weeks hoping for a price drop. A few months before my cruise began, I decided I should book my flight sooner rather than later; when I checked again, I saw that the price had dropped to just $1,273.

While $1,273 is still a hefty amount of money to spend on a flight, I found it extremely reasonable for a flight to Australia. Considering that it often costs me $600+ to fly to Florida from the west coast (yikes!), an extra $600 to fly to Australia felt like a bargain.

I utilized Priceline’s Express Deals for a cheaper hotel stay

One of the travel “hacks” I’ve utilized throughout the past year is to book my pre-cruise hotel stay through Priceline Express Deals.

Priceline Express Deals is a “blind booking” option on Priceline that can lead to significant savings on hotel stays. When searching for hotels with this feature, you cannot see the exact name and location in the search results. You can filter the results somewhat, such as selecting your preferred neighborhood in the city, but brands, hotel names, and locations remain hidden.

While this might seem risky, I found a hack for the program. Using Google Images’ reverse image search, you can take the image from Priceline and upload it to Google’s search engine. In most cases, the image will match an image online from the hotel, allowing you to see the exact hotel name and location.

I “blind” booked the Holiday Inn Express Darling Harbour through Priceline, and this saved me around $50 compared to booking the hotel directly on Holiday Inn’s website.

I avoided expensive add-ons on the ship

Finally, the last way I saved money during my recent cruise was by avoiding expensive purchases once onboard Brilliance of the Seas.

Everything you need is included on a Royal Caribbean cruise, from multiple dining venues to entertainment shows and comfortable cabins. Yet most passengers will spend extra on add-ons during their cruise, whether cocktails, spa treatments, or souvenirs.

During my cruise I tried to avoid spending money on extra add-ons whenever possible. While I would have loved to book a spa appointment, I couldn’t justify spending over $200 for a massage. Instead, I took advantage of a complimentary massage included with a cabana rental I reserved in port.

Related: How to have the best experience for cheap on Royal Caribbean

Likewise, I decided against booking specialty dining packages for the sailing. Because I was sailing on an older ship, specialty restaurant options were limited. None of the restaurants particularly appealed to me, so I dined primarily at complimentary restaurants instead.

Sticking mostly to complimentary venues and avoiding activities like gambling helped me save money while on the ship, and I never felt limited with so many free things to do onboard.

The ‘dupe’ trend hit travel. It's a good way to save on your next cruise too

In:
01 Jan 2024

Cruising was expensive in 2023, leading to many to seek out cheaper alternatives to the the premium prices new ships have. It's a great way to save money on a cruise in 2024 and 2025.

Woman happy on a cruise ship

Social media has popularized the concept of "dupes", which is when you seek out cheaper duplicates. It's something Gen Z and millennial influencers trotted out as travel prices starting to rise.

Of course, a dupe is a fancy term for what travelers have been doing for decades of bargain hunting. It's akin to "do this, not that" approach to trip planning and you can apply this strategy to cruises too.

With land travel, you might look at a trip to Memphis, Tennessee instead of Nashville, Tennessee. Or Liverpool, England, instead of London.

Two cruise ships docked side by side

It's a hot trend in travel, and here's how you can apply this to a Royal Caribbean cruise.

It's not about picking the oldest ship possible

Serenade and Mariner of the Seas docked in Cozumel

You might think all you have to do is find the oldest, smallest cruise ship and this exercise is over. But that's over simplifying the idea.

Sure, a cruise on Grandeur of the Seas will almost always be the cheapest option, but finding a dupes is about saving money, not necessarily the lowest price.

Read more: I've sailed on all of Royal Caribbean's oldest ships. Here's why I don't mind sailing on these small ships

Think of it like buying a television. You don't want the cheapest model they have, because it's going to probably not the size you want. Instead, you want to find the best price of the same class of television you're in the market for.

When it comes to cruise ships, the idea is you compromise a little on the ship in exchange for a much better price.

Big ship dupe

Icon of the Seas delivery

Given that Royal Caribbean is well-known for its biggest cruise ships, you might be tempted to book one of their newest and biggest ships: Icon of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas.

These represent the latest and greatest Royal Caribbean has, but they will also have the highest prices.

Assuming you want to go on a big ship with lots to do, water slides, and great entertainment, there are a couple ships to consider instead.

Oasis of the Seas aerial

Oasis of the Seas is the best alternative to sail on instead. It's the original game changer of the Oasis Class ships, and got a massive upgrade in 2019 with $165 million in upgrades.

It has lots for families, including water slides, a Broadway show, a revamped pool deck, and updated kids programming.

Here's a look at prices to see the difference:

Spring Break 2024 - March 17, 2024

  • Icon of the Seas: Starting at $1,806 per person
  • Wonder of the Seas: Starting at $953 per person
  • Oasis of the Seas: Starting at $875 per person
Central Park

Summer 2024 - July 6, 2024

  • Icon of the Seas: Starting at $2,934 per person
  • Wonder of the Seas: Starting at $1,276 per person
  • Oasis of the Seas: Starting at $1,046 per person (Oasis will be in Europe)

Christmas 2024 - December 21, 2024

  • Icon of the Seas: Starting at $2,146 per person
  • Wonder of the Seas: Starting at $1,295 per person
  • Oasis of the Seas: Starting at $964 per person (6-night itinerary)

You'll easily save a few hundred dollars per person by choosing an older Oasis Class ship over a brand new ship.

Alaska cruise dupe

Radiance of the Seas in Alaska

If you're like me, you'd love to take an Alaska cruise and experience everything this beautiful part of the world has to offer.

Finding the right dupe is about balancing dates and ships. There's a big difference in time of year, as much as which ship you pick.

Royal Caribbean offers cruises on two types of ships: Quantum Class and Radiance Class ships.

The bigger Quantum Class ships sail from Seattle, and that will get you a convenient embarkation port, and lots to see and do on your ship.

The Radiance Class ships sail from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It's a bit more difficult and expensive to get flights there (compared to Seattle), and the ships have less to do onboard. But they usually have a much appealing itinerary.

It's also important to note Radiance of the Seas does open-jaw sailings instead of roundtrip. She also offers land tours.  For the purpose of this exercise, we're going to omit Radiance since it's so different in terms of itinerary to the other ships.

Just like the Oasis Class, if you opt for the older ship in the class, you'll probably get a better price.

June 14, 2024

  • Ovation of the Seas: $1,434 per person
  • Quantum of the Seas: $1,418 per person
  • Brilliance of the Seas $1,006 per person
Radiance of the Seas in Alaska

July 12, 2024

  • Ovation of the Seas: $1,497 per person
  • Quantum of the Seas: $1,209 per person
  • Brilliance of the Seas $1,059 per person
Sitka

August 9, 2024

  • Ovation of the Seas: $946 per person
  • Quantum of the Seas: $986 per person
  • Brilliance of the Seas $698 per person

Alaska's prices aren't as varied as the Caribbean because there's less choices and the season is so short. 

Still, you can see there are price savings in almost every scenario if you choose to cruise on Quantum or Brilliance over the newer Ovation of the Seas.

It's more than just the cruise price

Voyager of the Seas docked in Costa Maya

However, not all dupes will necessarily pay off for cruisers. You may need to rely on other ways to find savings.

Which picking a "dupe" cruise, you should consider what the ship's amenities are, such as dining venues, top deck activities, and entertainment.

Symphony of the Seas

Depending on which week you're looking at cruising, you might find less of a discrepancy than you might have wanted. If you're willing to change the time of year you cruise, you can often save much more money on the cruise fare.

Read more: When is the best time to go on a cruise?

Avoiding peak season times to go on a cruise can be net you much bigger savings than picking one ship over another.

Mariner of the Seas in Nassau

To save money on a cruise in general, try being flexible with your trip dates. For example, pick a Caribbean cruise in September or May instead of July.

Read more: The best time to book cruises by day, month, and last-minute

Picking a shoulder season cruise, along with booking a year or more in advance, is the best combination to saving the most money and getting the lowest price for almost any cruise.

17 of the worst ways people waste money on their cruise vacation

In:
21 Oct 2023

Wasting money is not on anyone’s agenda when planning a cruise, but unfortunately, thousands of passengers find themselves wasting money during their vacation.

Ways people waste money on a cruise

Whether you’re a first-time or veteran cruiser, it can be challenging to navigate the ins and outs of going on a cruise. There is a lot included in your base cruise fare, but most guests onboard end up spending extra on add-ons like alcoholic beverages, shore excursions, and spa treatments.

What is “worth it” to one passenger may seem like a waste of money to another, but there are a few sure-fire ways to spend more than necessary. From purchasing forgotten items at onboard shops to buying photo packages, here are 17 of the worst ways people waste money on their cruise vacation.

Buying drinks without a drink package

Drinks

Let’s say, for instance, a Deluxe Beverage Package costs $80 per day with gratuities added. With most cocktails priced around $16 each with gratuity added, you would have to drink around five drinks each day to break even.

Five drinks may seem steep, but when you consider how easy it is to enjoy a few drinks by the pool followed by a few glasses of wine at dinner, it’s not an unreasonable amount. In fact, many passengers find they drink far more than five alcoholic beverages a day on a cruise.

Related: Royal Caribbean Drink Package Guide

If you plan on imbibing all day, every day of your cruise, it would be a waste of money to purchase each drink individually. In this case, buying a drink package will allow you to enjoy unlimited beverages without raking up a massive bill by the end of your cruise.

Purchasing toiletries onboard

Forgot your toothpaste at home or your favorite bottle of shampoo? You’ll be able to purchase these items on your Royal Caribbean cruise, but it won’t come cheap. It’s not unheard of to pay $10 for a small bottle of Advil or $8 for a tub of toothpaste onboard!

Unfortunately, shopping options are limited while in the middle of the ocean. Royal Caribbean knows desperate passengers will pay whatever price is listed if they find themselves in need of these items.

To avoid paying high prices for basic necessities, try to remember packing everything in the first place. If you do forget an important toiletry item, see if you can find it at a pharmacy or shop in port before buying it onboard.

Reserving specialty restaurants individually instead of purchasing a dining package

izumi-freedom-dining

Planning to dine at several of Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants? From Italian fare to hibachi, New England-style seafood, and a Brazilian steakhouse, there is a wide variety of specialty restaurants to choose from while onboard.

Specialty restaurants come with an extra charge, and there are two ways to book these meals. The first is by making restaurant reservations individually on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website or in the app. By doing this, you can select the date and time of your reservation months in advance.

The second way to book specialty restaurants is by reserving a dining package. Royal Caribbean offers several dining packages, from the Unlimited Dining Package to the 3-night Dining Package. With a dining package, you cannot book dining reservations until you board the ship.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Unlimited Dining Package

Booking restaurants individually ensures you can better plan your dining times, but it comes with one major con: a higher price. In most cases, booking a Royal Caribbean dining package means you can save money at specialty restaurants, as the price of the package is cheaper than booking reservations individually.

Therefore, if you plan to dine at several specialty restaurants during your cruise, it’s recommended to purchase a dining package to save money in the long run.

Buying “local" souvenirs in port

Regardless of whether your cruise docks in Cozumel, Athens, or Phuket, you’re likely to see an abundance of souvenir shops once ashore. And while some souvenir shops may offer local, handmade artwork and trinkets, the majority will not.

Before spending $20 on a “handpainted” magnet or $50 on a piece of “local” jewelry, try to ensure the souvenir is actually worth the cost. More often than not, you’ll see every souvenir shop selling the same souvenirs that arrived in bulk from a factory in another country.

While you can find locally-made souvenirs in port, it takes some extra digging.

Losing a pool towel

Prone to forgetfulness? If so, be extra cautious with pool towels on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

While onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, passengers must scan their SeaPass card at a towel station to check out a towel. You are able to check out as many towels as you’d like, but there’s one catch: if you do not return a towel by the end of the cruise, each towel lost will incur a $25 charge.

Fortunately, it’s not too difficult to keep track of your pool towel onboard. We recommend returning your pool towels after each day of use. Having fewer towels checked out at once will help prevent any towel from becoming lost.

Not bringing their own drinks onboard

Galveston, Texas terminal security

Each guest on a Royal Caribbean cruise can bring a certain number of drinks with them on embarkation day. By doing so, passengers can save money by avoiding purchasing these beverages onboard.

Each guest of drinking age is permitted to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne to the cruise terminal on embarkation day. Passengers may also bring up to twelve standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles, or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages per stateroom, such as soda and sports drinks.

Related: 30 Do’s and Don’ts for the first day of your cruise

If you enjoy drinking wine or soda but did not purchase a drink package, you’ll almost certainly waste money by buying these drinks individually. Plus, if you prefer a certain type of wine or soda, there’s no guarantee your preference will be available on the ship.

Spending too much time in the casino

calista-casino

It goes without saying, but you’re more likely to waste money than win money in the casino on Royal Caribbean. Although there’s nothing wrong with spending a few evenings gambling onboard, it’s better to go in with the mindset that you may lose money.

Of course, there is always the possibility of winning money onboard. It’s not unheard of for passengers to win thousands of dollars gambling on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Like any casino, though, you shouldn’t expect to strike it rich.

Only booking tours through the cruise line

Shore excursions are among the most popular add-ons to purchase for a cruise vacation, but keep your options open. Even though booking tours through the cruise line is convenient, booking a similar excursion through an independent tour operator can be a lot cheaper.

Related: 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own

Before booking the first shore excursion you see, do some research. Browse websites like GetYourGuide, Viator, and TripAdvisor to see a wider range of tours available. Although booking through an independent tour operator will not offer the same protections as booking directly through Royal Caribbean, many passengers prefer the lower prices and wider range of options.

Thinking a shore excursion is always necessary

Skagway, Alaska, pier with Serenade of the Seas docked

Speaking of shore excursions, another way people waste money on their cruise is by booking an excursion in every port.

When planning a cruise—especially as a first-time cruiser—it can be tempting to book an organized tour in every port of call. After all, if you’ve never been to a particular destination, a shore excursion is an easy way to visit the area’s highlights.

Nonetheless, shore excursions are not always necessary, and some passengers almost never book tours in port. Depending on where your cruise ship visits, it may be easier to explore on your own rather than book an excursion.

This is especially true in smaller ports, where the main attractions are within walkable distance to the cruise port. Skagway, Alaska, as an example, boasts more than enough to do without spending anything extra on a tour or ground transportation, and you’ll find similar scenarios in many European cruise ports.

Related: 16 cheap and free things to do on an Alaska cruise to avoid spending hundreds on shore excursions

Before spending hundreds on a tour of every port, research low-cost activities instead. You may be surprised to find enough to do without an organized excursion.

Using the ATM onboard

All Royal Caribbean cruise ships are equipped with an ATM, but withdrawing money from the machine can come with a hefty $6 fee per transaction.

One way to combat this is by using a debit or credit card that does not charge for ATM fees. In many cases, these cards will initially charge you and then reimburse any applicable fees at the end of the month.

While an ATM fee isn't huge, those small amounts can quickly add up.

Purchasing art at art auctions

Think twice before bidding on that $5,000 piece of artwork on your cruise.

Art auctions are a notorious activity on cruise ships, and they are extremely controversial. They promise a stellar investment on an original piece, and many passengers fall for the trap of spending way too much money on these paintings.

Related: What should you not buy on a cruise ship?

Although browsing the artwork can be fun—and the free champagne at the auction is a nice touch—bidding on artwork is arguably one of the worst ways people waste money on a cruise.

Forgetting to put their phone in airplane mode

As soon as your ship sails away from port, be sure to put your phone into airplane mode. Even if your cell phone coverage includes international service, it will not include roaming coverage from a cruise ship.

A simple call to friends and family back home while at sea could quickly result in a $100+ phone bill. Additionally, if you don’t have any international coverage at all, taking your phone off airplane mode while in port can see similarly high charges.

Avoid wasting money on this unnecessary expense and remember to always put your phone into airplane mode while onboard. If you need to connect to the internet on a cruise, purchase a wifi package instead.

Read moreThe simple trick to avoid thousands of dollars in cellphone charges on a cruise ship

Buying professional photos

It’s impossible to miss the photographers onboard your Royal Caribbean cruise; they walk around the ship and set up backdrops hoping to capture that picture-perfect image of your vacation.

These photographers will, more than likely, ask you to pose for a photo. Having a photo taken does not cost anything extra, but purchasing the professional photos comes with a steep charge.

An individual, 8x10 photo print on a Royal Caribbean cruise costs around $20. Photo packages are available to reserve in advance, but these aren’t cheap either, with a package of twenty photos priced at over $160.

There’s nothing wrong with purchasing a professional photo by which you can remember your cruise vacation, but modern phones can take pictures with excellent quality. If you’re cruising on a budget, it’s best to just use your phone’s camera instead.

If you're a Diamond member or above in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, however, you get one free photo.

Only reserving massages on the ship

Spa

You’ll find the Vitality Spa on every cruise ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. While offerings may vary slightly from ship to ship, you can expect to see services such as standard massages, stone therapy, thermal suites, and facials available to reserve.

Spa treatments on Royal Caribbean are not cheap, with most 70 minute massages priced at over $200 per guest.

Depending on your travel style, a spa treatment may or may not be viewed as a waste of money. That being said, weigh your other options before booking a massage on the ship.

At some ports, you may be able to find massages priced much lower than onboard. Plenty of beach clubs in popular ports like Cozumel and Costa Maya, for example, offer in-house spa treatments for around half the price as onboard offerings.

If you’re flexible with massage options, booking a treatment in port can help you avoid wasting extra money onboard.

Buying bottled water onboard

Some cruisers may swear by drinking the bottled water on a cruise ship, but in most cases, this is not only a waste of money, but worse for the environment, too.

Water on a Royal Caribbean cruise is safe to drink, and the cruise line provides unlimited glasses of water free of charge. Yet instead, plenty of passengers choose to purchase water bottles on the ship, which cost around $3 each.

Not only is drinking from plastic water bottles worse for the environment, but it’s a waste of money when considering you can enjoy unlimited water onboard anyway. And, even though bottled water is included in a drink package, it’s more environmentally friendly to bring a reusable water bottle and fill up the bottle from complimentary glasses of ice water instead.

Tipping twice

Certain onboard purchases come with an automatic, 18% gratuity charge, including drinks and spa and salon treatments. When you reserve a $167 spa treatment, you will pay around $30 in gratuities upon checkout.

Likewise, 18% gratuity is added to drinks like cocktails and coffee beverages, too—each $14 cocktail will actually cost over $16.

Related: Tipping on a cruise ship: what you should and shouldn’t do

Because you are already paying tips with these purchases, you shouldn't feel the need to tip extra once onboard for drinks, spa treatments, and dining. If you would like to give something extra to crew members, you’re always welcome to do so, but remember that you already paid gratuities for these services.

Waiting too long to book flights and hotels for the cruise

Airplane in the clouds

The last of the worst ways people waste money on their cruise vacation is by waiting too long to book flights and hotels before the cruise.

If you are not within driving distance of a cruise port, odds are you’ll be flying to the departure city. It’s best practice to buy flights as far in advance as you can to ensure you have the most options and see the lowest fares.

Far too often cruisers wait too long to purchase flights for their cruise and see that prices have raised dramatically. No one wants to pay hundreds of dollars more than another passenger on a plane, so booking flights early can, in most cases, save you money.

Hotels are another pre-cruise expense that should be booked early. You may be able to find cheap last-minute hotel deals, but this isn’t always guaranteed. To avoid spending more than necessary for a pre-cruise hotel, book the hotel as early as you can, especially when traveling during peak season.

Who should (and shouldn’t) get the Royal Caribbean credit card?

In:
13 Sep 2023

If you’re in the market for a new travel credit card, you might be considering applying for the Royal Caribbean credit card. The Visa Signature credit card is offered from Bank of America and aimed at Royal Caribbean's most loyal cruisers.

Royal Caribbean credit card

Choosing the right travel credit card can be daunting. There are tons of options out there, each with their own pros and cons. Some have huge annual fees with a slew of benefits while others cost you nothing with $0 annual fees. 

But, if you aren’t careful about choosing a credit card that fits your travel needs (and budget), you risk not getting your money’s worth. On the other hand, having a travel card that aligns with your spending and redemption preferences can be very rewarding and save you money over time.

The Royal Caribbean Visa Signature credit card is aimed at loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers who vacation with the cruise line multiple times a year. With no annual fee and the potential to unlock some decent benefits at sea with Royal Caribbean, it might seem like a good fit for you.

But, even the most loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers could find the redemption options to be limited. Honestly, the benefits from this no-annual-fee credit card are lackluster, at best.

Here is what you need to know about the credit card, along with some pros and cons that could make the Royal Caribbean credit card right (or wrong) for you.

The Royal Caribbean Visa Signature credit card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees

One of the biggest advantages of having the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card is that you won’t be paying an annual fee. When you have an annual fee on a credit card, you want to ensure you are getting your money’s worth each year with the benefits offered. 

With the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card, you won’t need to justify the card's cost. Anything you redeem from the card can be worthwhile from this perspective. 

Another advantage of the Royal Caribbean credit card is the fact that it has no foreign transaction fees. If you travel internationally, it’s important to have a credit card that does not charge you for foreign transaction fees. Without this, you will be paying a small fee on every foreign purchase - and it can add up on international travels. 

Having a Visa credit card is also recommended for international travel, as American Express and Discover credit cards are not as widely accepted outside of the United States. Visa is the most commonly accepted credit card around the world, along with MasterCard. So, this is considered a pro for the credit card. 

Read more: 11 cruise fees you should know about before booking

With the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature, you’ll earn reward points called MyCruise points

When it comes to everyday spending, you’ll earn the following rates with qualifying purchases:

  • For every $1 spent on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Silversea, you’ll earn 2 MyCruise points
  • For every $1 on all other purchases, you’ll earn 1 MyCruise point

For example, if you spend $2,000 on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you will earn 4,000 MyCruise points. If you are not spending frequently with either cruise line, it will take you much longer to accrue enough points for a worthwhile reward. 

Generally speaking, this is not a great earning structure for a travel credit card. Unless you spend a good chunk of change with Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises exclusively, you’ll pretty much be earning 1 point per $1 spent. 

Currently, Royal Caribbean is offering a sign-up bonus of 30,000 MyCruise points for new cardholders

Credit card bonus points

As with most credit cards, you’ll earn a sign-up bonus if you reach a minimum spending threshold within the first few months of having your new credit card.

Royal Caribbean is currently advertising a sign-up bonus of 30,000 MyCruise points after spending $1,000 or more on purchases within 90 days of opening your new account. This is considered a limited time online offer, so you will want to act fast if you are thinking of signing up for Royal Caribbean’s credit card. 

Those with an upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise could benefit from this the most, as the 30,000 bonus points can be redeemed for $300 onboard credit, stateroom upgrades and more, according to the cruise line’s website. You’ll want to make sure you can spend $1,000 on the new card to earn the points before planning to redeem for your cruise. 

The typical welcome offer is 10,000 MyCruise points, although you only need to make one qualifying purchase within 90 days to earn these bonus points. Therefore, it is a better time than most to open the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card. 

You’ll also receive a $50 discount on Royal Caribbean’s Air2Sea program, but this is only redeemable after you’ve spent $3,500 in card purchases within 90 days of opening the credit card.  

Rewards for MyCruise points can be used for onboard credit, stateroom upgrades, companion fares, cruise discounts and more

Oceanview cabin

Generally speaking, you can redeem your MyCruise points at a rate of 1 cent for every 1 point; however, there are some redemption offers that will earn closer to 2 cents for every 1 point. The more points you earn, the more options you have to get the most bang for your buck. 

If you earn the sign-up bonus of 30,000 MyCruise points, you can redeem these onboard your Royal Caribbean cruise for $300. As you earn more points, you can redeem more lucrative benefits. 

Redemption for rewards start at 1,000 MyCruise points, in which you can donate the equivalent of $10 to World Wildlife Fund. This is a conservation fund that aims to protect the world’s oceans through sustainability efforts. More lucrative benefits start at 5,000 points, where you can start to request stateroom upgrades for short sailings and onboard credit (valued at $50) and Royal Caribbean robes, supposedly valued at $100. 

Once you earn 75,000+ MyCruise points, you can request upgrades for 7-night sailings or utilize a companion cruise fare (valued up to $1,500 on a 5 to 7-night sailing). You can also request an upgrade on a 7-night European sailing (valued at $800) or a 7-night Alaska cruise ($1,200 value) for 75,000 points. These are all earning more than 1 cent per 1 MyCruise point, so any of these redemptions would be a solid use of your MyCruise points. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean onboard credit: How to get it and where to spend it the smart way

MyCruise points can only be redeemed with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Silversea with little flexibility

One of the biggest downsides to the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card is that you have little flexibility for redeeming your MyCruise points. 

To start, MyCruise points need to be redeemed at least 7 business days prior to boarding your cruise for the rewards to be applied. Should you forget to redeem your points prior to your embarkation, then you are out of luck, unfortunately.

Another limitation is that you can only earn a maximum of 540,000 MyCruise points. This is worth around $5,400 for most redemption options; while still a sizable amount, most travel credit cards do not cap your earning potential. 

Finally, you should know that MyCruise points expire after five years. Again, this is fairly uncommon for travel cards. Most common travel credit cards do not accrue points that expire.

Royal Caribbean’s Visa Signature card has a high APR, with no introductory rate, so carrying balances on your card can be expensive

Of course, it’s best to pay your statement balance in full each month to avoid interest-rate charges. But, should you carry a balance on your Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card, you’ll be looking at an ongoing APR between 18.24%-28.24% (this is variable, but based on September 2023 rates). 

In general, this APR is higher than the average interest-rate charges that you will find for credit cards that incur interest. So, this is something to heavily consider if you plan to carry a balance.

Compared to other credit cards, Investopedia rates the Royal Caribbean Signature Visa an overall score of 2.9 out of 5 stars

Investopedia reviewed the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature credit card and the card earned a lackluster score of 2.9/5 overall.

This score is based on low point-earning potential (only 1x points on non-Royal Caribbean purchases), high APR, limited redemption choices, and minimal benefits. But, the card earned praise for having no annual fee and providing a decent sign-up bonus, currently worth $250. 

The general consensus of the review found that you’d need to be frequently spending money with Royal Caribbean to make the card worthwhile because the most lucrative redemption options come from the higher point tiers. You’ll need to be spending a big chunk of change with Royal Caribbean - likely near $37,500 - to start earning the best redemption options. For example, companion fares only appear as a reward options once you've earned 75,000 MyCruise points.  

However, the sign-up bonus right now with 25,000 bonus MyCruise points could help you get to those higher thresholds quicker. 

All other purchases only earn 1 MyCruise point per $1 spent, which is likely not worthwhile compared to other travel credit cards out there. You are also capped at 540,000 MyCruise points and points expire after 5 years. 

Reviews are mixed on whether the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card is worth it, according to our site’s readers

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Here on Royal Caribbean Blog, some of our readers have posed the question to others about whether the Royal Caribbean credit card is a good choice. As with most financial decisions, the credit card is a better fit for some than others. 

User Steverk asked “Royal Caribbean credit card… Is it a good deal?”

As you can imagine, he received a myriad of responses from many who have the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature credit card and those who prefer other cards. One response from smokeybandit said, “RC's card is probably one of the worst out there for accumulating points.”

However, another user, waaaytooo, responded, “We just cashed in $1,650 in OBC (and there is still $300 more for another cruise to use later) for our upcoming cruise.  For our strategy of accumulating points for onboard credit, this card is great.”

Another interesting response was from Adam Brian Dada, who claims that he prefers the card for one simple reason: redeeming points for onboard credit. If he needs to reprice an excursion or drink package, the onboard credit is available immediately compared to waiting for credit card refunds.

One user, Peter D, says he has the Royal Caribbean credit card but barely uses it. He shares, "I have the BofA Royal Caribbean card, but rarely use it, even for RCL travel.  It might be worth getting it for the first bonus points, but the card does not really have many other good perks.”

While some have found the Royal Caribbean credit card valuable, others find other credit cards more worthwhile.  

Read more: Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program info, tips and secrets

You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature if it's worthwhile for you

The Royal Caribbean Visa Signature credit card could be most valuable for those who cruise often - and exclusively - with Royal Caribbean. This is the only time you earn 2x points with the Royal Caribbean credit card, so it’s your best bet for earning MyCruise points and rewards.

Generally speaking, you can probably find a better travel credit that fits not only your travel spending, but also everyday purchases. 

Having no annual fee makes the decision a little easier, as you won’t need to evaluate whether the benefits are worth the cost of the card. The current sign-on bonus promotion is also a nice perk, although Royal Caribbean Blog readers have reported seeing higher welcome bonuses onboard cruises. 

You’ll need to do a lot of spending though with Royal Caribbean to earn enough points to redeem the most lucrative benefits. For example, you need at least 75,000 points to earn a companion fare (or BOGO cruise, essentially).

However, the card’s major downfall is earning just 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. You are probably better off pursuing a different credit card that rewards you for also making purchases at restaurants, grocery stores, and general travel expenses. 

One example is the Wells Fargo Autograph Visa credit card, which has no annual fee, and you’ll earn 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas, transit, streaming services, and even your cell phone plan. Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, and statement credits. You also receive some other benefits, such as cell phone protection. Roadside dispatch, travel service assistance, and auto rental collision damage waiver. 

If you are willing to pay for an annual fee, you have some great travel credit card options to consider

Even a small annual fee on a credit card can unlock better benefits and higher earning potential with points and rewards. These credit cards also earn more points for everyday purchases, allowing you to earn more points than you’d receive with the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card.  

One of the best travel credit cards out there continues to be the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. This card only has an annual fee of $95, but you’ll earn 60,000 bonus sign-up points when applying - this is worth $750 when redeemed through the Chase travel portal. You earn 2x points on travel, 3x points on dining, 3x points on streaming services. Even better, you get basic built-in travel insurance for things like trip cancellations, baggage delays, and trip delays.

At a slightly higher fee, you could also consider the American Express Green Card with an annual fee of $150. You’ll earn 3x points on all travel, transit, and restaurants. Currently, the card has a 40,000 sign-up bonus for new cardholders, which is valued at around $600 when redeemed for travel. Similar to the Chase Preferred, you also receive basic, built-in travel insurance for trip delays, baggage insurance, and rental car loss/damage insurance.

Of course, these are just two popular travel credit cards. There are hundreds of options available, so it’s important to understand where you spend your money most and how you prefer to earn and redeem your points. 

Who should (and shouldn't) get the Royal Caribbean credit car?
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