9 Things Not To Buy From The Cruise Line

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There’s not a single person who actively wants to waste their money when they’re cruising – but still, so many people do!

Sometimes it’s because they’re just feeling like they don’t care about the budget. Oftentimes it’s naivety, and not realising there are better deals or bargains to be had.

A little bit of research can stretch those pennies further and give you more money to enjoy during your cruise – and there are some things I just won’t buy from the cruise line when these alternatives exist!

1. Shore Excursions

Booking shore excursions through the cruise line is definitely the easiest option but it’s rarely the best one.

Cruise line excursions are often more expensive, can sell out well before sailing, and don’t always offer the widest choice of experiences in port.

That’s why I book through Shore Excursions Group. They offer top-rated tours in ports all over the world, often at very competitive prices, with plenty of unique experiences you won’t necessarily find in the ship’s excursion brochure.

Booking independently doesn’t mean giving up peace of mind either. Shore Excursions Group includes a Return-to-Ship Guarantee, so in the very unlikely event that something genuinely unexpected delays your tour, they’ll arrange transportation to the next port of call and provide compensation of up to $1,000 per person.

Thankfully, it’s a guarantee I’ve never needed to use – but it’s reassuring to know it’s there.

2. Travel Insurance

Quite a few cruise lines now offer travel insurance during the booking process, and it can be tempting to tick the box and forget about it.

The problem is that cruise holidays can involve risks and disruptions that standard travel insurance may not cover. Medical expenses and cancellation cover are important, but cruise-specific benefits such as cabin confinement, missed ports, itinerary changes and missed departure cover are also worth checking carefully.

Rather than automatically accepting the cruise line’s insurance, it’s worth comparing policies to understand exactly what is covered and whether it suits your particular cruise.

Our recommended insurance specialist makes this easier by building the search around your actual sailing and itinerary. This can help you find cover that is better suited to your trip and may cost less than the option offered by the cruise line.

3. Unnecessary WiFi Packages

Cruise ship WiFi has improved enormously over the past few years, and if you’re planning to work remotely, stream films or spend plenty of time online throughout your sailing, it can absolutely be worth paying for.

The key word is “if”.

Many people really only want internet access while they’re exploring ports. If you’re just checking maps, replying to messages, looking up restaurants or posting a few holiday photos, paying for an expensive unlimited internet package for your entire cruise often doesn’t make much sense.

An eSIM can be a much more flexible option because you simply buy the amount of data you actually need.

I’ve found GigSky particularly easy to use. Once it’s set up before your trip, your phone automatically connects when you’re ashore, so you can use your data without hunting for public WiFi or paying for more than you’ll realistically use.

4. Flights (Sometimes)

This one comes with a big asterisk because cruise line flights aren’t always a bad deal.

In fact, booking flights through the cruise line often gives you valuable protection. If flight schedules change or airlines make significant alterations, the cruise line is usually responsible for getting you to the ship or rearranging your travel.

Booking independently means taking more responsibility yourself.

However, there are still plenty of times when arranging your own flights works out much cheaper, particularly if you book well in advance or spot a good sale.

It can also give you much more control over your journey. Some cruise line flight packages involve awkward connections, very early departures or less convenient airlines. Norwegian Cruise Line, for example, has developed something of a reputation for occasionally allocating less-than-ideal flight itineraries. Booking independently lets you choose direct flights, preferred airlines and departure times that suit you.

5. Airport Transfers

Cruise line airport transfers are wonderfully straightforward. You land, find the representative and climb aboard a coach.

Convenience is great, but it isn’t always the cheapest option.

Depending on where you’re sailing from and how many people you’re travelling with, a taxi, rideshare or private transfer can sometimes work out noticeably cheaper, especially when the cost is shared between several passengers.

It’s worth comparing prices before automatically adding transfers to your booking because there can be some surprisingly big savings.

6. Photographs

Cruise photographers do a brilliant job, and some of the formal portraits really are stunning.

The problem is the price.

These days almost everyone carries a smartphone capable of taking fantastic holiday photos, and if you’re travelling with family or friends, it’s easy to take turns capturing each other’s memories.

If you want printed copies afterwards, you can order high-quality prints at home for a fraction of what cruise line photo packages often cost.

7. Bottled Water

Buying bottled water onboard every day soon adds up.

Instead, I always pack a reusable water bottle and refill it using the ship’s water stations or buffet drink areas where permitted. The water served onboard is perfectly safe to drink, and it’s one less expense to think about.

If you’re heading ashore for the day, supermarkets and convenience stores in port are often much cheaper places to pick up bottled water than buying it onboard.

8. Port Parking (Again, Sometimes)

Just like airport transfers, cruise line parking isn’t necessarily poor value – it’s just worth checking before you book.

Independent parking companies near many cruise terminals frequently offer secure parking with shuttle buses to the port, and they can sometimes undercut the official cruise parking by a decent amount.

Other times, the cruise line’s own parking is only slightly more expensive and the extra convenience is worth paying for.

A quick comparison only takes a few minutes and could save you enough for a nice meal onboard.

9. Jewellery

Cruise ships are full of glittering jewellery shops showcasing watches, diamonds and designer brands, and the displays can be very tempting.

Unfortunately, they’re rarely the bargains they’re sometimes made out to be.

It’s also worth resisting the temptation to buy expensive jewellery in port simply because it’s advertised as duty free or tax free. Some ports have an excellent reputation for jewellery shopping, but others have shops selling heavily marked-up pieces or even counterfeit items.

If you’re planning to spend a significant amount on jewellery, you’re generally much better off buying from a trusted jeweller at home where you can properly compare prices, inspect what you’re buying and know exactly who you’re dealing with if you ever need after-sales support.

Final Word

Cruise lines make it incredibly easy to add extras during the booking process, and sometimes that convenience is absolutely worth paying for.

But convenience isn’t always the same as value.

Spending just a little time comparing prices before you book can save hundreds of pounds or dollars across an entire holiday. That doesn’t mean always choosing the cheapest option – it means understanding what you’re paying for and deciding whether the extra cost genuinely gives you something worthwhile.

Sometimes it does.

Quite often, though, your money goes a lot further elsewhere.

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