Going on a cruise, there are dozens of free things you can get if you know who to ask. Cruise lines don’t always advertise these little-known benefits, behind-the-scenes freebies, and secret perks that can truly improve your cruise experience while saving you money.
If you don’t request it, don’t ask, don’t know where to look, sometimes you’re just not going to get that perk. Here’s everything you need to know about the free cruise benefits that most passengers completely miss.
Free Cabin Amenities You Never Knew to Request
Your cabin attendant and other crew members can provide way more than you’d expect. The key is knowing what to ask for and not being shy about making these simple requests.
Bathrobes and Slippers
Most cruise lines will allow you to use a bathrobe in your cabin, so if it’s not already there, ask your cabin attendant. You can also request slippers on many cruise lines. These small comforts can make your cabin feel more like home.
Tote Bags
Sometimes cabin attendants have tote bags available that might even be remaining from a past passenger’s loyalty perk. It never hurts to ask if they have any available for you to use during your sailing.
Upgraded Bedding Options
Don’t settle for uncomfortable sleep. You can ask for extra pillows, but go further and request more comfortable pillows or even check if there’s a pillow menu available.
Some cruise lines also offer mattress toppers or other items to make your bed more comfortable.
Outdoor Blankets
If you’re cruising to Alaska, Norway, or another cooler climate, many cruise lines will provide outdoor blankets.
This is perfect for enjoying your balcony or relaxing on deck during cooler evenings.
Wine and Champagne Glasses
On some cruise ships, wine or champagne glasses come standard in your cabin. Otherwise, you can request them from your cabin attendant. Alternatively, just head over to any of the bars and ask for glasses to keep in your cabin, and have your ice bucket filled daily.
Towel Animals
This beloved cruise tradition has seen cutbacks on some cruise lines in recent years, but many cabin attendants still know how to make them or enjoy creating them
If you’re sailing with children or first-time cruisers, casually mention to your cabin attendant that you love towel animals and you might be surprised to find one or two in your cabin.
Beach Towels for Excursions
First-time cruisers often wonder if they should bring towels on their cruise. The answer is no. You’ll have pool towels provided at the pool deck, and your cabin attendant will usually place towels in your cabin that you can bring on excursions.
Pack and Play for Young Children
If you’re sailing with young children, you can request a Pack and Play in your cabin. This is just one of many free benefits available for families cruising with little ones.
Loyalty Perks You Might Be Missing
Even if you’ve sailed with a cruise line just one time, you’re often going to get some perks. The challenge is finding out what’s available since many cruise lines have gone more paperless.
Gift Shop Discounts
Check if there’s a notice in your cabin about loyalty benefits, or look for this information in your cruise line’s app or on its website. Take advantage of discounts in the cruise gift shop.
When you’re buying jewelry or other expensive items, these discounts can really add up, and in most cases, they’re stackable with other sales and promotions.
Complimentary Drinks
Look for free drinks available with your loyalty perks. Even entry-level loyalty members often get welcome drinks or other beverage benefits.
Laundry Benefits
This is one of the best loyalty perks. You might get laundry bag specials where you can fill a laundry bag for free, or you could get one or two complimentary pressed items.
Instead of paying $6 to $10 per item for pressing, you can take advantage of this free service for items that just need a quick iron.
Free Technology Features That Save You Money
Cruise ships have embraced new technology that offers free services most passengers don’t fully utilize. Understanding what’s available without paying for internet can significantly enhance your cruise experience.
Cruise Line Apps
While cruise Wi-Fi is not included or free, the cruise line app actually has a lot of information beyond just daily activities. You can view all the menus for different restaurants and the main dining room, which helps you choose where to eat, even if that restaurant is included.
The messaging feature on most cruise line apps is completely free. If you want to skip Wi-Fi altogether but still message the other people you’re sailing with, you can do this at no charge.
AI Assistant or Digital Concierge
If your cruise line app has a chat feature, you can contact guest services or use a digital assistant for small requests or questions. This can save you time because you won’t have to go to guest services or even ask your cabin attendant.
Surprising Freebies Throughout the Ship
Keep an eye out for free items available during themed events. On a recent Disney cruise, we found pirate-themed bandanas in our cabin for the pirate-themed party.
Playing Cards and Postcards
You can ask at guest services for playing cards. They’re not as readily available as they used to be, but some ships still have them.
On some cruise lines like AmaWaterways, you’ll find postcards available that they’ll even mail for you for free.
Chocolates on Your Pillow
This classic touch isn’t available on all cruises anymore, but some ships still provide free chocolates during turndown service. It’s a sweet way to end the day.
Suite Extras
If you’re staying in a suite, you’re paying more for that cabin, but you’ll often receive luxurious tote bags and other extras that go beyond the standard amenities.
Continental Breakfast
This is absolutely one of the best free perks on a cruise. Most cruise lines offer free continental breakfast that you can enjoy on your balcony or in your cabin. You can have this as your first breakfast, then go for another in the main dining room or buffet.
Participation Prizes
When you play trivia or other games, you might win small prizes like keychains or medals that make great souvenirs. Sometimes you could win a bottle of champagne or something of more value.
Cruise Shop Raffles
Join the raffles in the cruise shops. Often, there are very few people entering, so your chances of winning are surprisingly good. One member of our Facebook group won diamond earrings and champagne from these contests.
Free Services You Didn’t Know Existed
Ironing Facilities
How do you iron your clothes on a cruise ship when you’re not allowed to bring an iron or steamer? Research your cruise ship in advance to find out if there are free ironing rooms available.
Princess Cruises, some Holland America ships, many Carnival ships, and some higher-end luxury lines offer this service.
On Norwegian Cruise Line ships, you can ask your cabin attendant if you can borrow an iron and ironing board. They’ll usually lend it to you for about half an hour, which is all you really need.
Free Exercise Classes
A state-of-the-art gym is available on cruise ships, but many ships also offer free classes. Look for free Zumba classes in a lounge or the ship’s atrium, as well as pool aerobics.
Paper Daily Planners and Menus
Many cruise lines have gone paperless recently, with daily planners and menus available on the app or via QR codes. However, if you want a paper version of these items, they’re available.
Just ask your cabin attendant, your waiter, or guest services.
Exclusive Access Invitations
Sometimes this is a loyalty perk, but other times you just happen to be in the right place at the right time. You might receive an invitation to the helicopter pad or even a secret speakeasy.
Free Sunscreen Stations
On Celebrity Silhouette and some other ships, you’ll find sunscreen stations that have not only sunscreen available but also aloe vera. This can save you money and help you avoid getting burned.
Spa Deals on Embarkation Day
You can get free neck massages on embarkation day when booking spa treatments. Even better, when you book a spa package, they’ll often throw in a few freebies. Port days also offer cheaper services or complimentary add-ons if you book your spa treatment.
Services booked after 4:00 p.m. are often less expensive than appointments earlier in the day.
Free Sauna Access
This isn’t available on every cruise ship because most newer ships have their sauna as part of their thermal suite. However, if you’re on an older cruise ship, you’ll often find a sauna available just outside of the gym or even in the women’s or men’s locker room, completely free.
The gym locker-room showers are usually much larger than cabin bathrooms and have fantastic water pressure. You’ll also typically find quality lotion available in these gym bathrooms, along with bathrobes you can use while you’re there.
Free Dining Secrets That Enhance Your Experience
Most of the food is included on a cruise, but these specific tips can help you get even more from your dining experience.
Off-Menu Items
If you notice something was on the menu the night before but not tonight, you can always ask the waiter. They might be able to accommodate your request. Other off-menu items you can request include chicken noodle soup if you’re not feeling well, a cheese plate, a fruit plate, a plain salad, and favorite dishes from previous nights.
If you have a dish you particularly love, don’t hesitate to ask the Maitre D if it can be prepared on another night of your cruise.
Multiple Menu Items
Some cruise lines have recently started charging $5 for multiple main dishes, but most don’t. What cruise lines won’t limit you on are appetizers, which are sometimes even better than the main dishes. Order as many appetizers as you like and consider sharing them as a table experience.
The dessert menu is also unlimited. You can order as many desserts as you want. On Disney cruises, adults can order the Mickey ears ice cream on a stick from the children’s menu.
Gluten-Free Versions
You can order gluten-free versions of pizza, pasta, and other favorites. If you have any allergies or dietary needs, speak with the Maitre D or restaurant supervisor and they’ll accommodate you.
Surprising Free Casual Dining
Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s included on a cruise. Your main dining and buffet are included, but many casual restaurants on ships are complimentary as well. Most cruise ships have a cafe where the sweet treats are included as well.
Leftovers
If you want to bring pizza back to your cabin from a casual venue, you can. If you’re not feeling well one evening, you can ask the waiter if you can bring food back to your cabin. The crew will accommodate these reasonable requests.
Special and Themed Buffets
Look for chocolate buffets, seafood buffets, German night, Mexican night, and other themed dining events. If you’re on Virgin Voyages, you can get licorice, Swedish berries, and chocolate fudge at The Social most of the day and night.
If you’re sailing with Princess, you’ll find popcorn available on the pool deck when there’s a movie playing for movies under the stars.
Free Drinks and Beverage Opportunities
Art Auction Champagne
Go to the art auctions if you want free sparkling wine or champagne. The captain’s night often has free champagne as well. Make sure you arrive on time to the passenger party, where different cocktails are often offered complimentary.
Casino Drinks
If you’re actively playing in the casino, flag down a waiter and they’ll often bring you a free drink.
Afternoon Tea
The tea is included in the afternoon tea, but you’ll also enjoy a lovely experience with petit fours and sandwiches, all complimentary.
Drinking Water
Water is free on a cruise, though bottled water costs extra. The water on cruise ships is completely safe and drinkable. You can get it from a bar or from refill stations at the buffet, and you can even drink the water from your cabin bathroom tap.
Bring a refillable water bottle so you can bring cold water back to your cabin by putting it in the fridge. This way, you won’t be tempted by the room service minibar, which costs a pretty penny.
Coffee Card Deals
While coffee is free in the buffet and dining room, specialty coffee usually costs extra. Many cruise ships offer coffee cards where, after buying six coffees, you get the seventh free.
Citrus Water
Look for free citrus water at the spa or when you’re coming back to the cruise ship after a port day. There’s often cold citrus water offered along with a cold towel. This small luxury perk is available on many cruises.
Senior and Accessibility Benefits
Shower Chairs and Accessibility Equipment
If you need certain items, like a shower chair, in your cabin, they are available for free. It’s a good idea to note this on your booking or fill out the special needs or accessibility form on the cruise line website. Your travel agent can also help coordinate these requests.
Priority Boarding and Disembarkation
If you need wheelchair assistance to get on or off the cruise ship, there’s a great side benefit. You’ll actually get on and off the ship faster, even onto tenders. Don’t hesitate to use this service if you need it.
Free Entertainment and Activities
Research your specific ship before you get onboard because you don’t want to miss any free activities. This includes not just water slides, but in some cases zip lines, rock climbing walls, and more. Sometimes lessons are available for new activities like pickleball.
Broadway-Style Shows
You can enjoy free Vegas or Broadway-style shows on most cruise ships. The quality is excellent, and you shouldn’t miss experiencing these productions during your sailing.
Comedy and Live Music
Take advantage of free comedians, piano players, and other live entertainment throughout the ship.
Cinema and Movie Lounges
Many cruise ships have a small cinema or show movies in a lounge, and sometimes these are even first-run movies. If you’ve got a rainy day or you’re on a transatlantic crossing or longer sailing, this is definitely worth checking out.
Kids Club
Don’t miss the amazing kids’ club with great supervision and activities. A couple of times a week, there might be group dinners for kids in the kids’ club, which you can use as an opportunity for a date night dinner.
The kids’ club is usually free until 10:00 p.m .After that, there may be group babysitting with an additional charge.
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How to Maximize These Free Perks
The secret to getting the most from your cruise is simply knowing what’s available and not being afraid to ask. Cruise crew members want you to have an amazing experience, and they’re happy to accommodate reasonable requests.
Before your next cruise, research your specific ship and cruise line to understand what free amenities and services they offer. Check your loyalty status to see what perks you’re entitled to. Look at the daily planner or app each day to see what activities and events are available.
Remember, these perks exist to enhance your cruise experience. The cruise lines want you to enjoy them. The only thing standing between you and these benefits is knowing they exist and asking for them when appropriate.
Have you discovered any free cruise perks that weren’t mentioned here? Share your experience with fellow cruisers in the comments below. Your tip might help someone else have an even better cruise experience.