Tips for Cruising on the Cheap

Updated August 2, 2023

I admit it — I like to cruise. And I’m not a senior citizen, or a newlywed, or a BINGO champion (well, not yet anyway!). I’m on my third cruise this year and my first Trans-Atlantic crossing: 2 weeks of relaxation, 5 islands, including 3 Caribbean ports, and 5 consecutive sea days = Bliss!

It’s surprising, but cruising is actually a really affordable way to travel, especially if you consider that all the food you can eat, transportation, entertainment, and accommodation are included in one price.

Upfront Cruise Savings

There are a number of ways to get the best deal:

Re-Positioning: Early November and early April are when cruise ships re-position themselves for the season: Caribbean waters in the winter and the Mediterranean in the summer months.

Booking one of these re-positioning jaunts will often be cheaper because most people don’t like extended days at sea (although I do – forced chill-out time and all). And the ship needs to go anyway – full or empty – so the cruise companies are looking to at least cover their costs.

Last-minute Bookings: I booked this last cruise less than a week before the sail date, which meant I got a super great deal! I paid $841 for 14 days on board and got to visit some out-of-the-way spots like the Canary Islands.
On-board Bookings: Like any frequent flyer-like program, the more you cruise the more you save. If you book your next cruise during your current sail, you get extras benefits like cabin upgrades, $200 on-board cash allowances, and free wine packages. You also get a discount of 5-10% for sticking with one cruise line.

Hidden Cruise Costs

Where the cruise lines make their money is on the extras, like:

Booze: The cheapest bottle of wine on board is $30 and most range between $40-$90. So if you have a serious drinking habit, you’ll be spending some serious moolah. I saw many people trying to sneak bottles aboard. And although security is on the look-out at the x-ray machine, quite a few got through.
Excursions: Shore excursions while in port seem like a great idea. You usually have limited time and no means of transportation – but the convenience will cost you. Most excursions were between $29 – $79. I took one, but after that struck out on my own – for usually half the cost. Plus you get a little more local flavor by using public transportation.
Internet Access: At .60 cents a minute, time online is worth its weight in gold. I got a special package of 100 minutes and it still cost me more than .40 cents / minute. So look to un-plug while on the high seas.
Supplies: Heaven forbid you run out of suntan lotion on a cruise ship, because a replacement bottle of 30 SPF will run you about $30 bucks. And a little sewing kit I needed to hem my pants was $12. Yikes! So make sure you stock up on toiletries before you board.
Laundry: Bring enough clothes to last the entire voyage! A load of laundry will cost your $25 for a basic wash and fold service. Add pressing and the prices become stratospheric!
Spa Services: Pricey pricey pricey! I had a mani/pedi and it set me back $146.00. Yikes! (But I had no choice after 5 months overlanding in Africa and recent bush surgeries to remove parasite from my feet — my extremities were due for a little pampering.)
Crew Tips: There are well defined guidelines for tipping. Here’s the gratuity guidelines I was given:
- Head Waiter – 0.75 cents per day
- Waiter – $3.75 per day
- Asst. Waiter – $2.15 per day
- Cabin Steward – $5.00 per day

So for my 14-day cruise, tips came to $163.10. I feel OK about that since working on a cruise ship is close to indentured servitude. The wait staff and stewards rarely get off the ship, work 8-9 months a year without seeing their families, and bunk 6 to a room. It’s definitely not as glamorous and it would seem.

Real Price of a Cruise

So for my 14-days aboard ship, my “extra” costs came to a whopping: $616.61 which is a whopping 73% of the cost of my original ticket. Yowzah!

The lesson: Cruising is cheap way to travel – but only if you exercise some serious self control!

p.s. The prices stated in this article are for the ship: Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Sea.

Erin Michelson is a social entrepreneur and world traveler. A self-styled Adventure Philanthropist, Erin is embarking on a 2-year global giving adventure called Erin Goes Global. Starting in Fiji on New Year’s Day 2011, Erin Michelson will travel to more than 70 counties on 7 continents during 2011-2012. Along the way, Erin will be volunteering with global non-profit organizations, including building wells in Uganda and tutoring young girls in Bangladeshi boat villages. She’s donated $25,000 and is holding monthly polls to see which worthy nonprofits receive the grants!