Although cruises are often marketed as all-inclusive vacations, where you can leave your wallet at home. However, the reality of cruising is that some onboard experiences and add-ons cost extra.
Whether you’re an experienced cruiser or a new cruiser, it’s important to understand which cruise extras are not worth the money so you won’t be disappointed.
As with any onboard extras what is worth the money is going to depend on what you value most. However, this list of cruise rip-offs comprises several of the added cost items that many cruisers choose to avoid.
With that said, here are 15 cruise extras that are overrated or not worth the cost.
15 Cruise Rip-Offs That Are Not Worth The Price
1. Photo Packages
Photo packages are a costly addition to a cruise vacation. With prices ranging from $150 to over $500, it’s hard to justify spending money on one.
Of course, there are situations where you may want to capture a special moment. However, this can easily be captured on your camera or smartphone.
To avoid overspending or feeling “ripped off,” it’s best to use your own camera or smartphone. Nowadays, smartphone cameras are so advanced that you can take high-quality pictures, making photo packages not worth the price.
2. Onboard Attractions
Onboard attractions are a big selling point for many cruise lines, offering cruisers unique and exciting experiences at sea. From roller coasters to go-karting and virtual reality games, these attractions are fun but can cost extra.
For instance, go-kart racing on certain cruise lines can cost around $20 per session and last only 15 minutes, while virtual reality games can cost $5 per game and last less than 3 minutes. Spending money on these cruise extras after you’ve already paid for the cruise fair can leave you feeling ripped off.
For families with children, these extra charges can quickly add up, making it challenging to stay within budget while still letting everyone enjoy the onboard activities.
To manage costs, check ahead of time to see which attractions are included in the cruise fare. Planning your activities can help you prioritize the experiences worth paying for while taking advantage of the many complimentary activity options available onboard.
3. Casino
Casinos on cruise ships can be a fun way to pass the time, meet new people, and sometimes win money. However, it’s important to remember that the odds are always stacked against you, and it’s easy to overspend.
Cruise lines greatly incentivize cruisers to spend money in the casino by offering them cabin upgrades, perks, and sometimes free cruises. However, to earn these casino benefits, you’ll have to spend money at the casino, which can result in losing money and overspending.
4. Onboard Shops
The duty-free shopping onboard a cruise ship may seem like a bargain. However, many items sold on the cruise can be found cheaper on land.
Unless you need a specific item, it’s best to wait until you’re in port to shop. In many cases, you’ll be able to find the same items from the cruise ship for less money at a local shop when you’re in a port of call.
Furthermore, never pay full price for anything in the jewelry shops. There will always be different deals and promotions throughout the cruise, so look out for discounts if you want to purchase any jewelry.
5. Fitness Classes
While many cruises have free gyms, some cruise lines charge extra for fitness classes. These classes range from spin to yoga, HITT workouts, and stretch classes.
Often, the fitness classes cost extra to catch cruise passengers by surprise as they think everything in the fitness facility is included.
On a recent cruise, I sampled the cycling class. Although it was a good workout and a fun experience, I found it not worth the price of $20 for a 30-minute class.
6. Corkage Fees
Many cruise lines allow passengers to bring one bottle of champagne or wine per person. However, there’s a catch.
When a cruiser’s bottle is opened, they are often charged a corkage fee. The corkage fee is $15 on most major cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruise, and Royal Caribbean.
Paying $15 to have a bottle of wine or champagne opened (that you paid for) is a total rip-off. Unfortunately, a corkage fee is a standard on most cruise lines.
Cruise tip: If you want to save money on the corkage fee, pack a bottle-opener for the cruise ship and open your bottle of wine in the cabin.
7. Wi-Fi
Wi-fi on cruise ships is notoriously expensive and often slow, making it a significant “rip-off” for passengers who want to stay connected while at sea. The cost of Wi-Fi can range from $10 to $30 per day, with some cruise lines charging even more for high-speed access or streaming capabilities.
For longer cruises, paying for Wi-Fi can add up to hundreds of dollars. Considering that Wi-Fi is often slower on the cruise ship than on land, it can be hard to rationalize paying for a Wi-Fi package.
To avoid overpaying for cruise ship Wi-Fi, consider looking for pre-cruise discounts, using Wi-Fi in port, downloading content before your trip, or using offline messaging apps.
Related: 15 Cruise WiFi Tips, Secrets & Mistakes to Avoid
8. Cruise Line Excursions
Cruise line excursions are a popular way for passengers to explore ports of call with the convenience of booking directly through the cruise ship.
The main issue with cruise line excursions is the markup, which can be substantial. For instance, a simple sightseeing tour offered through the cruise line might cost double or even triple what local operators charge for a comparable experience.
Although booking an excursion through the cruise lines offers seamless logistics and a guaranteed return to the ship before departure, it often comes at a premium price. Additionally, there may be long waits or crowded conditions at popular sites, leaving cruisers feeling underwhelmed by the overall experience.
To avoid feeling “ripped off” or disappointed with the experience, consider booking a smaller, private tour with a reputable third-party shore excursion provider or exploring on your own.
9. Spa Treatments
Spa treatments are often a highlight of the cruise experience, allowing cruisers to feel relaxed and pampered while at sea. However, the onboard spa can also be one of the priciest cruise extras, with services such as massages, facials, and body treatments costing significantly more than you would pay at a comparable spa on land.
The steep prices surprise many cruise passengers, especially considering that treatments on most cruise lines can exceed $200 for a standard massage.
In addition to the high cost, a gratuity fee, ranging from 18% to 20%, is often automatically added to the bill, making the final price even higher.
Furthermore, spa staff may be trained to upsell, recommending add-ons like aromatherapy, hot stones, or premium products, which can quickly increase the cost of your session. After the spa treatment, it’s common for cruise guests to be presented with a sales pitch for expensive skincare products used during the session, creating additional pressure to spend.
Related: Is a Thermal Spa Pass Worth it on a Cruise Ship?
10. Solo Supplement
The solo supplement is an additional fee that solo travelers often encounter when booking a cruise. Since most cruise cabins are designed for double occupancy, and cruise lines want to maximize revenue for each cabin, solo cruisers are stuck paying the price.
The solo supplement can result in paying up to 200% of the per-person rate, making a cruise much more expensive for solo travelers than for those sharing a room.
However, some cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, and Holland America Line, have recently added a handful of solo cabins to their fleet to accommodate solo travelers.
11. Art Auctions
Attending the art auction on a cruise ship is exciting as you get a free glass of champagne and look at “rare” art. However, if you’re not a seasoned art buyer or knowledgeable about the art, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and overpay for a piece of art.
Unless there’s a piece of art that you truly love, the art onboard cruise ships is a poor investment. The art sold at these auctions typically consists of mass-produced prints, reproductions, or works from lesser-known artists, with the actual market value being much lower than the auction price suggests.
The auctioneers may use high-pressure sales tactics, such as making time-limited offers or suggesting that the artwork is a rare investment opportunity.
Furthermore, some cruise ship art auctions come with added costs that aren’t immediately clear. Shipping fees, customs charges, and import taxes can significantly increase the final price, and if you’re not careful, you could end up paying much more than anticipated.
12. ATM’s for Withdrawing Cash
Pulling out cash from the ATM onboard a cruise is never worth it!
If you need cash during your cruise, you can conveniently withdraw some at the ATM. However, a convenience fee of $6.50 per transaction is applied, which is a total rip-off.
To avoid paying this hefty transaction fee, bring enough cash before boarding your cruise.
13. Mini-Bar
The mini bar in a cruise ship cabin is a hidden expense that often catches many cruisers off guard. While the mini bar in your stateroom may be fully stocked with tempting snacks and beverages, it is often pricey.
Furthermore, cruise cabins always have at least two water bottles, which are ridiculously priced. The water bottles in your cruise cabin can range from $6 to $8, which is a total rip-off.
Unfortunately, there may be times when you’re thirsty or need water to take medication, so you have to bite the bullet and pay the hefty price for a water bottle. However, bringing water to your cabin is best to avoid spending money on those overpriced water bottles.
14. Medical Center
New cruisers may not realize that cruise ships are equipped with medical centers onboard to provide passengers with medical services and treatments in the case of an emergency. However, getting treated medically at sea can be costly, so purchasing travel insurance is important.
On a recent cruise, we overheard another passenger complaining about being charged x for bandages at the medical center. Although they needed the bandages, they were unhappy about paying the price and felt ripped off.
If you’re on a cruise and must visit the medical center, you should get the care you need. However, you can expect medical services to be very expensive. This is why every cruiser should purchase travel insurance before their vacation.
15. Drink Packages
Many cruisers wonder whether purchasing a drink package is worth it on a cruise. However, this depends on several factors.
Paying for the drink package can feel like a rip-off if you’re in a room with someone who doesn’t drink because you must purchase the beverage package for everyone in your cabin. Furthermore, you may not use the drink package much on a port-intensive cruise.
If you enjoy drinking a lot and will take advantage of the drink package, then it’s likely worth the cost.
However, many cruisers purchase the drink package only to have 1-2 beverages daily and then feel disappointed that it wasn’t a good value.
Related & Popular Posts:
- 50 Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon
- 17 Things Not to Pack for a Cruise (Pack This, Not That!)
- 17 Worst Cruise Ship Cabins to Avoid
- 60 Cruise Packing Tips & Hacks All Cruisers Need to Know
- 40+ Must-Have Dollar Store Cruise Items & Hacks
- 30 Cruise Cabin Essentials Every Cruiser Needs
- 12 Smart Ways to Escape the Crowds on a Cruise Ship
- 17 Rookie Mistakes First Time Cruisers Should Avoid
Final Thoughts on Cruise Rip-Offs That Are Not Worth The Money
While cruise vacations are a great way to visit multiple destinations in one trip, cruise passengers need to be aware of the extra costs that can turn a fun vacation into an expensive one. From art auctions and spa treatments to Wi-Fi access and minibars, understanding cruise rip-offs can help passengers avoid unnecessary expenses.
What cruise extra is not worth it for you? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ethan
If you enjoy this post please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please feel free to share on Facebook or Pinterest (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!
Ethan Schattauer, a seasoned cruiser since the age of four, has gone on over 40 cruises with his family. Drawing from his extensive travel experiences, Ethan offers a fresh and youthful perspective on the world of cruising. He also writes about cruise cuisine, onboard experiences, and practical tips, providing valuable insights for cruise travelers worldwide.