I’ll be honest, I’m a little frugal when it comes to spending money. I really don’t like wasting it, and I always try to get good value when I travel.
That said, there are certain cruise purchases I’ve come to see as completely worth it, and I’m not talking about the obvious ones like a balcony cabin, a Wi-Fi package, or a drink package. These are the slightly less obvious splurges that, after six or more cruises a year, I keep coming back to because they genuinely make a difference.
Getting There and Settled Before You Board
1. A Direct Flight
Paying a bit more for a direct flight is one of the easiest ways to protect your cruise vacation from unnecessary stress. Even when it costs extra, I think it’s worth every penny.
I learned this the hard way on our way to an Alaska cruise, when our direct flight was canceled and we ended up on three separate flights instead, arriving at 3am after being awake since the previous morning. Having a direct flight in the first place would have made that travel day so much easier.
2. A Hotel in a Safe, Convenient Location
I used to be pretty frugal about pre-cruise hotels too, and I still don’t love spending a ton on a room I’ll barely use. However, I’ve realized that booking a hotel close to the port, or close to the city I want to explore, genuinely enhances the whole trip.
At this point in my cruising life, I also want a hotel with good security in a well-located area. I don’t want to deal with safety concerns while I’m supposed to be relaxing.
If you’re weighing up where to stay, our guide on choosing the best hotel before your cruise can help you narrow it down, and it’s worth reviewing general cruise port safety tips no matter where you’re headed.
3. A Private Transfer to the Cruise Port
I always thought a car service felt a little unnecessary, until I actually tried one. We used a private transfer from our hotel to the port in Civitavecchia, about an hour and 15 minutes from Rome, and it was such a smooth experience.
The driver waited for us while we finished breakfast, loaded our luggage, and brought us right to the terminal. We booked that particular transfer with Shore Excursions Group, and it made me realize a private transfer could also work well closer to home, like getting from the airport to a hotel in an unfamiliar city.
Taxis and rideshares in unfamiliar destinations can sometimes be unreliable, so it’s worth reading up on common tourist and taxi scams cruisers should watch for before you go.
Elevating Your Time Onboard
4. Specialty Dining
I think the food on most cruise ships is genuinely good, and you don’t need to book a specialty restaurant to eat well. However, if you consider yourself even a little bit of a foodie, it can really be worth the splurge.
For us, it’s an elevated experience we look forward to. When a cruise package includes a night or two of specialty dining, that’s a nice bonus, and when it isn’t included, we’ll often treat ourselves to one or two nights anyway.
Our full breakdown of specialty dining tips and tricks goes into more detail on booking strategy and pricing, and there’s a longer list of other things that cost extra but are worth it if you want more ideas.
5. A Hair Salon Blow Dry
This one might sound small, but I’ve found it’s so worth it. I try to book my hairdresser appointment online before I even board, usually for the second evening of the cruise, since that’s often a formal or dressy night.
Yes, it tends to be pricier than getting your hair done on land. For me, having it done well before a special evening onboard makes it worth the cost.
6. Working with a Cruise Travel Agent
A lot of people assume that using a travel agent costs extra money, but most of the time it doesn’t. Their services are almost always free, since the cruise line pays the agent a commission that doesn’t come out of what you pay.
I get asked constantly for a travel agent recommendation, and the advisors we personally use and recommend are MEI Travel. They’ve been a travel partner of ours for a couple of years now and have helped hundreds of our viewers plan their cruises.
As an agency with more than 100 advisors nationwide, MEI Travel has preferred relationships with all the major cruise lines, which often means access to promotions you wouldn’t find booking directly. One thing I especially appreciate is that they monitor for price drops, so you can feel confident you’re getting the best deal available.
If you’re deciding between booking directly or working with an advisor, our comparison of booking with a travel agent versus direct with the cruise line walks through the pros and cons in more depth.
Making the Most of Port Days
7. Smaller Group Shore Excursions
If I’ve already visited a port before, or I’m just not that interested in it, I’ll sometimes stay onboard instead of booking anything. When I do go ashore, I much prefer a smaller group excursion over one packed with a hundred other cruisers.
Sometimes we skip a formal excursion altogether and book an experience instead, like a nice restaurant. It often ends up costing less than a shore excursion while still giving us a real taste of the destination through food.
For more on finding smaller, better-value tours, take a look at our shore excursion day tips and our guide to escaping the crowds on a cruise ship.
8. Souvenirs and Shopping
I know plenty of people say travel should be about experiences, not things, and I actually agree with that. Even so, I love picking up something physical that reminds me of a trip once I’m back home.
Sometimes I research ahead of time, especially in Europe, where I love shopping for a special purse or handbag. Part of the appeal is getting the VAT refunded on your purchases, which can add up to hundreds of dollars by the time you’re home.
Certain items can also be genuinely cheaper to buy at the destination than at home. Beyond bigger purchases, I love bringing home smaller finds too, like olives and olive oil from Greece or lemon-scented soap from Italy.
Travel Gear and Post-Cruise Perks
9. Quality Rolling Luggage
When it comes to luggage, the biggest difference isn’t really about brand names or looks. It’s about how easily the suitcase actually rolls and maneuvers through airports, hotel lobbies, and cruise terminals.
We’ve used the same rolling luggage for about three years now, and what stands out most is simply how smoothly it moves. If your current suitcase is a struggle to wheel around, upgrading to something that glides easily is one of those purchases that pays off on every single trip.
For more packing inspiration, our guide to cruise luggage and packing accessories has some helpful options to consider.
10. A Day Pass at a Resort-Style Hotel for a Late Flight
This might be my favorite tip on this whole list. If you have a late flight home after your cruise, consider booking a day pass at a nice resort-style hotel near the airport instead of killing time at the terminal.
It gives you a comfortable place to relax, shower, and unwind after disembarking, rather than dragging your luggage around all day. For more ideas on making the most of your last day, check out our cruise disembarkation day tips.
A Couple of Things I Don’t Think Are Worth It
Not everything is worth the splurge for me, and I know not everyone will agree with these.
I won’t pay extra for business class or first class flights, or even a comfort upgrade. I stick with economy, though I will pay for a flex fare so I can check a bag.
The casino is the other one. I just don’t love the idea of losing money chasing a free cruise, especially when you still have to cover taxes and port fees on top of it.
Final Thoughts
These ten purchases have made a real difference in how much I enjoy cruising, even the smaller ones like a good blow dry or a comfortable pair of wheels on my suitcase. Everyone’s priorities are a little different, so it’s worth thinking about which of these would matter most for your own travel style.
I’d love to know which of these you already splurge on, and whether there’s a purchase you’d add to this list that I haven’t mentioned. Happy cruising!