15 Most Outrageous Cruise Rip-Offs All Cruisers MUST Avoid!
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- Опубликовано: 23 ноя 2024
- Cruise lines have to make money, which is why there are a lot of "extra" cost temptations! However, smart cruisers avoid the biggest cruise rip offs targeting cruise travelers right now!
In this video I share 15 rip offs on cruises right now, so you can decide what is worth it to you. These are all things that pro cruisers say they never pay for. Especially these days, as many popular cruise lines have increased costs, cruisers are saying no to some obvious rip offs & keeping more money in their pockets!
Whether you're a first time cruiser or a cruise expert, this video is worth a discussion! This applies for all cruise vacations, from Carnival to NCL, to Celebrity, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises & more.
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ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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I detest when they try to take photos in the dining room. We have food in our mouth and we want to eat our meal hot.
I agree and these photos never turn up any good.
I agree too, why would anyone choose to buy these, " oh yes, look darling, look at these photos of us with a piece of steak in your mouth and gravy down your chin" not really, NO !!!
Facts. I always make a concerted effort to be kind and respectful to the crew but damn can I eat in peace?
@@debratrani8583 lol I hear you
And eat in peace
After cruising on Norwegian, my late wife and I decided to try a lower luxury line, Viking.
It was nice, especially with the nicer rooms, not to have any extras. No speciality dining charges. No laundry charges. No drink charges. Since we didn’t have young kids, we didn’t need the water slides, etc.
That’s a great point. We should compare more inclusive lines
I LOVE Viking! Classy service. Excellent food. No kids! Free Wifi. Great excursions that are included.
If you added up the cost of all the included excursions, free Wifi AND 2 nights of specialty dining, the costs even out, in my opinion.
Yes, their cruises are more expensive but they are worth it, in my opinion.
We are never bothered with photographers everywhere you go. Good coffee…free! And not ENORMOUS ships to navigate.
@@Violet3017good point. After my last cruise, I felt ripped off by NCL and just out of curiosity, I compared my final cost (after all the nickel and diming) to the same itinerary I saw in the Oceania brochure that had just arrived. It wasn't exactly even but there wasn't much difference price-wise for what seemed to be a much better experience. Next time, I'll be looking at Oceania first.
A reusable water bottle is a money saver. On our last cruise, we constantly filled our bottles either at the gym or at the lido self service station.
@@CarboneCat I’m with you 👏
But....Please don't refill them directly, use another cup.
@@AM-dr9qd indeed.
I advised my husband of this…it saved us. Plus I added the lemons(requested), to my water. I also saw some cruisers,bring their BruMate’s/Yeti/etc. this would be a bonus,on our next cruise
And try not to fill when you're holding up other people in line. Thanks!@@AM-dr9qd
My son went on a cruise a couple of months ago and I warned him about some of the topics you also covered. One thing I heard on another channel was that if you go to the casino, go on the first night only. The odds are set to advantage the player on the first night hoping that the word will spread. I told him that and he listened. He won a little over $11,000 in three hours on the first night and didn't play during the rest of the cruise.
@@ron56pvi13 very interesting
Wow that's cool, what did he play?
@@justjessy0115 the only thing with adjustments would be slots I believe
First-time players would have a better chance of hitting that jackpot to make you come back. Once you're on the list, they make sure you lose. Don't tell me that they couldn't set the odds of the machines. 😅
Had no idea.
As a widow I find it appalling that to go on a cruise I have to pay double *as if* my husband were still with me. It saddens me as it is pouring salt into my wounds. It is so unfair to those of us who have no one to cruise with to share costs.
NCL has many solo cabins....Very many...You can even get a solo balcony. None of them are 2X.
@@billkallas1762 A lot of times the solo rates on NCL are higher than the single supplements on other lines. For example on a December 2025 7 day Caribbean cruise out of San Juan, a single inside cabin on the Norwegian Epic is $2526, on the Grand Princess $1238 per the Vacations to Go website. Most NCL cruises I have priced in the last year show similar differences.
But you do get double points.
@@bigguy1403points are worth less(alot less bonuses) or harder to get each time you go on a cruise
Why are you paying double if cruise charges per person?
I agree with everything! On our last cruise (in Oct) on the Carnival Celebration. We hardly spent any $. Our bill was under $150. Of course we tipped the room steward and the dining crew. We did have some specialty drinks etc, but really nothing else. We are happy with the dining room for dinner and really don’t care to spend the extra money on the specialty restaurants. We used to get a roll of quarters and play the slots just for fun, but everything is tied to your card, that we stopped. We like the act of putting those quarters in. Over the years we’ve done the massages, etc. but again they’ve gotten so expensive that we don’t bother (we’re already paying a higher price to cruise as it is) we are fine without it. One thing I was willing to pay for (just to say I did) was the roller coaster on the Celebration. But I was unable because I had fractured my shoulder 10 days before sailing. All the other stuff I can do without, bingo, the art auction and onboard shopping. Just not our thing. One thing that wasn’t mentioned (for those of us who drive to port. We live in FL) is the parking. It’s ridiculous it was $175 for a 7 day cruise. That was more than our onboard purchases. Crazy! Oh yeah we do purchase a case of water to have in our room. I do bring a refillable bottle, but I like having water all the time. I’m willing to pay the extra $17.
I'm in agreement about the specialty restaurants.
I included Wi-Fi on my last cruise, only because I was solo, and didn’t want my daughter to worry. I take cruises to unplug. There is enough stuff to do that is not an extra cost.
Cabana/bed rentals on the ship or private island are ridiculously priced and the attendant will request a cash tip 🙄
@@mangue17 ooooh interesting
Just came back from a family trip to the Caribbean and it was an all inclusive resort. I take my son,daughter-in-law and 4 grandchildren every 4 years. I had hoped to take everyone on a cruise this time BUT WOW paying for 8 peoples drink packages,Wi-Fi,and a dinner or two was too much of an added cost . We would need 4 rooms and it was just too expensive. The Caribbean vacation had it all, drinks, specialty restaurants,Wi-Fi swim up rooms, water park and entertainment in the evening. I will never take them on a cruise it just seems to be a Big money grab. I forgot to mention our stay in the all inclusive resort had no lines! None we didn’t have to get in line for anything!
You’re a great parent. I wish I can do the same when my daughter has her own family, hopefully not too soon 😂
Agree💯… that’s why we now ‘cruise’ on dry land with Club Med. All inclusive, heaps of resorts all over the world and much, much better value for money!
We don't buy drink packages, rarely do excursions, and only choose a specialty restaurant if it has a great menu & reviews. I used to go to the spa but prices are outrageous and I can get a massage at my local spa before vacation. We bring water onboard and wine as allowed. Once we get to a port we buy water if needed. I found when we just stopped with all the add-ons and took advantage of what is still included, our bill is almost nothing at the end, and we still really enjoy ourselves. Also, those cabanas at private islands are unbelievably priced for what you get. On our last cruise the private island day was really windy and we ended up going back onboard early. Glad we didn't spend all that extra $$$.
Smart thinking!!
This is why I love Virgin Voyages!! Most of this stuff is included. But side note: I don't have kids. My big ripoff to add would be cabanas on the islands!
1. Specialty restaurants
2. Bottles of water
3. Cruise ship convenience store items
4. Spa treatment
5. Tips or ship gratuities
6. Cruise wifi
7. Professional photos
8 . Paying for items that used to be free
9. Getting better seating in theaters
10. Some onboard attractions
11. Cork fee
12. Cruising solo but paying double
13. Art Auction
14. Pre-owned vintage luxury items
15. The casino
16. Bingo and Deal or no deal
17. Room service
18. Shore excursions
I completely agree with you! I am actually slowly moving away from cruising over the next 2 years. It has become very expensive but you get less than you use to.
@@sf3413 have you considered trying other lines?
@@LifeWellCruised That's a really good idea. I only do RCL. Creature of habit.
@@sf3413RCL was our first and favorite cruise line but as you mentioned they are now becoming ultra expensive. Lately we’ve been sailing on Princess. It seems to offer the best all around vale with Princess Plus.
I refuse to pay for fitness classes anymore, since they spend at least 10 minutes of the class trying to sell something.
I also don't pay for them or visit the spa for any hair or spa "demos" all of them are just a big commercial to get you to buy the products,
That’s good to know. I was thinking about that. I’m not gonna do that now. I’ll bring my own earbuds and use my own cell phone.
Instead of the classes, I got up early and walked the stairs and around the top deck. Nobody was around and saw gorgeous sunrises.
I totally agree with you on the solo supplement! I chose to cruise NCL now since they have no single supplement!
as a solo cruiser the surcharge was the thing that made me not book a cruise for the longest time. finally Norwegian did away with even though a solo still pays more than the listed price it's not double.
Para mí fue un buen consejo... Comprar en las tiendas del barco el último día... Rebajan mucho l'os preciós. Conseguí gangas 🎉🎉🎉
I agree about the single traveler. It’s kept me from going on some cruises. They also lose out because I tend to spend a lot on the cruise in the casino, shopping, photos, so they lose out. I don’t mind that because I like to pay for what I’m getting. Paying for a phantom in my room, not so much
I am taking my 6th 7th 8th 9th and 10th cruises beginning in December through May. I am a Solo traveler and go on all these cruises solo. I have found Norwegian to be the only one that really accommodates a Solo traveler at an affordable price so that's who I'm beginning to travel with consistently
You might want to compare the NCL solo rates with the cost of other lines with solo supplements. They are often much higher which is what I found when trying to book a 7 day Caribbean cruise out of San Juan, comparing the Grand Princess and the Norwegian Epic.
The costs for bottles of water drive me absolutely insane on most ships - I find it SO expensive! For that reason, I always take a large bottle that I'll fill up throughout the cruise - I'm not paying $50 for water throughout my cruise, haha!
Great video as always, Ilana!
Going to Alaska next July and am a single cruiser. Hate having to pay for double occupancy!
Same!🤦🏿♀️
But you do receive double points as a single
Take a look at NCL. Their solo costs are reasonable. They even have solo balconies.
Consider yourself lucky, I have to may for my wife and kids! lol 😂
I am so glad I found your channel. You have provided a wealth of information. I have many notes (and many amazon packages delivered ). I am feeling prepared for my upcoming cruise as a result of your outstanding videos! 👏
RC nickel and dimes you to the max. So over all the extra charges...I limit it as much as possible.
The MDR meals on the cruises that I have been on are usually as good or better than the average meal at a restaurant on land. Why pay more for a specialty restaurant than you would pay on land when you are already paying for the MDR meal?
Specialty restaurants can be so much better. I did four on my last cruise. Of the four, three were Excellent, one was Meh.
Absolutely right. I've only been on two cruises - the MDR on Celebrity was the equal of any fine restaurant I've been to on land and NCL's was quite good too.
The spa!! Totally agree! Plus the upselling makes you feel so uncomfortable and kind of nullifies the relaxation you're supposed to feel by going to the spa. I just now completely avoid.
Absolutely! I have never bothered to get a massage on board, and I’ve heard about the high pressure sales pitches that would really make me so frustrated that the relaxing massage would be pointless!
The solo supplement is ridiculous. I went on my first solo cruise a few months ago and got a really good price so it wasn’t too bad. I’m Looking into another solo cruise and I’m very limited because of the solo cost.
I did my first solo cruise last month & you’re right, you really have to look for the deals because that solo tax is ridiculous. I have found a few others like one to Hawaii & Alaska but I had to book them a year or more out to get the best price.
My second comment: I was totally ripped off on Royal Caribbean Oasis in August 2017. Paid for what I thought was a beautiful tanzanite and diamond pendant to the tune of $1000. "Thank you! Lets us box it up and print the certificate of authenticity for you. Come back later for pick up." NEVER do that! Buy the one in your hand at the time of purchase and walk out with it. If they say NO, walk away. I was given a much smaller pendant and of a lighter color tanzanite. Looked great in the box under the weird jewelry store lighting. Realized the next day at home it was a switched-out piece. Told by an unrelated appraiser just this past year that she's helped dozens of folks reclaim their money on cruise ship jewelry rip-offs. Too late for me. But lesson learned.
You didnt mention the jewellery shops. They hype up all the products that can be purchased cheaper elsewhere.
Good point - thanks for adding
A lot of these are reasons that we cruise on Oceania. No art auction, no photos, no extra charges at specialty restaurants and a lot fewer passengers.
@@kathrynblack9152 that’s a great point. Sometimes the more “expensive” cruise lines can offer a better value
You may pay more on some of the more premium cruise lines, but if you get a more pleasant cruise experience and aren’t nickled-and-dimed, it’s worth the extra cash. My wife and I are considering a Viking cruise for that reason.
That's exactly what I'm going to do next time. I compared the total cost of my last cruise on NCL to the same itinerary on Oceania and it looked like a much better value for not much more money.
Bingo is way too expensive. I would not get that again!
Solo balcony cabins sometimes cost more than a regular balcony cabin. Also last week on Holland, I took a $13 bottle of Moscato. There was a crew member at the port and was cgarging the $20 corkage fee. My wine was a screw top and the fee cost more than the wine. So I left the wine with him and got it at the end of the cruise.
Art auction....I found an amazing piece in Charcoal. The artist was there. The original piece was like $8000. He sold a me Litho of the work 5 of 100 For $200 (behind the cruise lines back he shipped to my house)
@@crazy4dariver wow! That was a good deal
In June we were on Celebrity Edge Alaska. We were surprised and THRILLED that we didn't see a photographer anywhere onboard the entire week. NO photos taken anywhere. I think there was a photo studio onboard if you wanted that service.
going on my first cruise next week. your channel has been invaluable in helping me prepare. i agree that the prices of speciality restaurants, the spa, professional photos, wifi packages and excursions are absurd (found on cruise app), and that you can get the same or similar experiences on land for half the price.
@@laur83 what’s your cruise?
Traveling solo and having to pay double is absolutely ridiculous. It's such a rip off it's the biggest rip off of all I think.
@@MiaHessMusic I keep seeing mention of solo cabins. Any experience with them? I’ve seen a big uptick of solo cruisers lately
I think I’m stating the obvious but I’m guessing the cruise lines main concern is that friends traveling together that would normally room together would each book their own room full size room. If each only had to pay half the fare the problem becomes evident. I think a great solution if to build ships with more solo cabins.
Not only that, but often the line will say there are no rooms available, but if you switch to 2 people traveling, it will say there is a room available.
I have seen some cruise lines offering solo cabins, but they were only inside cabins, solo cruisers want window and balconies too. There are so many new ships being built , why don't they address this issue?
@@markw639 Celebrity Edge doesn't charge double for singles, even in a veranda room. I almost booked a cruise in Australia but backed out when i added up all the extras such as water, gratuities, wifi, excursions, on and on. I'll just do a land tour where most things (even lots of excursions) are included. Also, I can choose how much I want to tip I could have pre-purchased liters of bottled water but I just didn't like the "shake down" feeling.
On my last carnival cruise out of new Orleans in February there were employees going around trying to sell organic orange juice and boxes of tea while I was trying to eat breakfast and I turned a few heads when I got loud. Leave me alone im trying to eat have you not got enough money out me already.
We have to keep in mind that nothing exists in a silo. For example, if bottles of water were cheaper or free, that will lead to more abandoned half empty bottles of water scattered around the ship. That's going to require more crew time so either costs will go up or quality of service will go down. Pick one. I think the free refill stations are the perfect resolution to this.
We also have to remember that a lot of these are profit centers for the cruise lines. If they know that they can make significant profit in the spa, for example, they don't need to build in as much profit in the cruise fare. In a way, the people who are going to the spa at the higher prices are subsidizing your cruise. These are businesses, after all.
The only true rip off in my book is any profit margin built into things like Dramamine. Maybe a person is normally fine but they're getting motion sick on this particular cruise. The cruise line should be making an effort to make the cruise enjoyable. That's not the time to be thinking profit.
Some good points
My advice, use the cruise excursions to find out what's available then go book directly through the provider. Every time we've done this it has been at a substantial savings AND we end up traveling with the cruise passengers anyhow.
Be careful, though. Sometimes you have to provide your own transportation one or both ways.
On my last two cruises on NCL, every one of my excursions was $50 off, per port (some were even free)
This was part of their free at sea. Hard to beat $50 off.
I don’t know this for a fact, but watching a very trusted channel about cargo ships, is that all of their fresh water is produced onboard through one of two ways: reverse osmosis or evaporative condensation. The engines (and they are huge!) only run on fresh water, so they need to produce a lot every day. I assume the same is true for cruise ships. The shower and tap water on your cruise is very, very safe to drink. Plus…folks, don’t purchase bottled water!
I’ve been cruising for a looong time. Remember when specialty restaurants were really inexpensive.
You’re right
Ilana, the photos are outrageously expensive, but it's the same for school photos. (I don't know how families with 3 or more children can afford school photos anymore!) A scam, but people buy them anyway. 🤷♀️
NCL is the best for solo cruisers. Just today, i was checking out a Transatlantic cruise on Holland America, for 2026, and discovered that their few solo cabins are all booked already. All other cabins are 2X the cost.
I paid for the Bolt twice on Mardi Gras and I did not regret it! Most of the items/activities you have listed, I totally agree with.
@@tamarajoneshill4037 I may have to take back any criticism of Bolt. Did it today and I agree -,worth it 😂
@@tamarajoneshill4037 wow at least you got to experience the Bolt. It was closed the entire time of our 7 day cruise...
Agree on most, specially specialty restaurants and the solo fee.
The drink package is a ripoff
You pretty much have to be a borderline alcoholic to break even on some of those drink packages. You might be better off financially and health-wise buying by the drink.
Holy Moly! A charge for room service?
I know I haven’t cruised for awhile but that’s criminal!!
Corkage fee for your own bottle of open wine??
Changes for in room movies?
Charge for fitness classes?
Charge for Bingo??
No way!!
I’ve been tempted to take a cruise but I don’t think my blood pressure would tolerate it!!
I’m sticking to land based luxury resorts.
And at the end of the day you will spend more with a resort
Bottled water - just bring a reusable bottle or cup and fill it at the buffet. We made the mistake of pre-ordering a bunch of bottled water on our first cruise, only to have to pack most of it home because we never actually needed them. I'm not sure if they still do, but NCL included 4 or 6 bottles of complimentary water on our last cruise. We'll find out this weekend...
Cruise WiFi - here is the small print for NCL - you get 150 minutes per person included with your "free at sea" promotion. But if you upgrade the wifi to unlimited for a single person, it turns off the complimentary wifi for everyone else in that cabin.
I am constantly ripped off as a solo traveller-paying a minimum of 75% more than couples.
For example, Seabourn and they are not cheap to begin with.
I eat less and drink less so the cruise line saves on that.
One thing you did not mention is the outrageous prices for the drink packages. We are doing a 7 night sailing on Carnival next month and the 1st thing you see on the website is the drink package & to prepay, it is $70.74/day. However in April 2025 we are doing a 5 night sailing on Carnival and to prepay the drink package for that sailing, the price is $82.54/day, a $12.50 increase!!
As long as there is MASSIVE demand for cruising like it is now, the prices will continue to go up. 😢
@@stevengolden9009 wow!! Pricey
Just did a NCL cruise, hadn't cruised since 2010 and I hated all the extra cost....totally over the top now.
That is the supreme line of nickel and diming.
The cruise charm bracelet that falls apart immediately after buying
lol yes
I only get the bracelet and the charms if they are free.
I love your videos! Always so informative! Thank you!
Thanks for watching, I appreciate it!
I agree with all of the RIP offs. I have learned from past cruises what to avoid and it has helped me enjoy my cruise better...
Great advice as always!! Shore excursions have been getting very expensive!! Although I have to say we really enjoyed our helicopter to the Mendenhall glacier and also the white pass railway in Skagway!
I wish we could say the same. White pass train derailed and was a disaster and dangerous
Gratuities definitely are out of control. Look, I'm all for people getting paid, but lets be brutally honest cruises at least starting in the US have foreign ports of call so they can avoid all those "silly" laws like minimum wage and other things for people working on the ships. Now I'm not advocating having a poor working class, but for god sakes PAY YOUR DAMN EMPLOYEES and don't use gratuities as a method to advertise lower prices and then bait and switch the customers. If I go to a premium restaurant why is their auto gratuity? Just raise all the fricking prices if you're automatically charging gratuity.
@@Mike__B I wonder when people are going to really want some change
I feel the same about eating in American restaurants. Pay a living wage, and don't rely on my tip as a supplement
I have never removed my tips since I have always cruise off season. Now if I go during the summer and I have to pay twice the price then I’m sorry but I’m not paying the tip.
If you take off gratuities, can you then put on a lesser daily gratuity? I like the idea of spreading the tips around to the people behind the scenes.
@@laurad4839believe it or not, most of the wait staff in our restaurants would rather keep it the way it is.
Solo passengers paying double, but allowed one lobster tail on formal night.
Did Holland America for the first time this summer and loved it, they still have free room service! (But added gratuities). We usually cannot justify the drink packages but wish that all of the cruise lines would get past adding the gratuities there, too. Hate getting “nickeled and dimed” the whole trip with drinks you’ve technically already paid for.
@@annjackson8054 I think that HAL continues to offer an overall quality product without compromising on what people love most. However I know some long time HAL cruisers might say things have changed
@@LifeWellCruised I agree! We love HAL and are looking forward to our next cruise with them in April on Rotterdam.
Celebration is my favorite Carnival ship🥰 Enjoy and happy sails! 🚢
Hi Ilana! I always enjoy your channel. Thanks for always coming up with new and interesting material.
With regards to room service, we’ll be sailing with Celebrity in Concierge class and I understand that our package includes continental breakfast room service. Would we still need to pay gratuity on top of that? I would love to have a quick light breakfast before our shore excursions but I don’t want the hidden cost of gratuities. I should also mention that my package includes prepaid gratuities.
Thanks for your help and happy cruising!
One of the best things about Virgin Voyages, no nickel and diming. Can bring 2 bottles of wine per cabin, no fees etc, gratuities, WiFi, and daily fresh water plus other stuff.
Not much of a value when you are paying 60% more.
Regarding the water bottles: I travel with a 30$ personal Brita bottle from Walmart and the local water tasted ok. I’m going to buy the 100$ Larq bottle because I think it’s more effective in cleaning your tap water.
I’d rather see paying extra for some activities on the ships instead of adding them to the cost to the cruise price. Being older we don’t go on the roller coasters or on some of the other attractions for the younger crowd so to have those added in on the cruise cost would be paying for activities we wouldn’t use.
Cost of a box of Trojans on a ship: $9 (if I'm reading it right). Estimated cost of raising a child to age 18: $300,000. Any questions?
I think the biggest rip-off for me is paying double occupancy as a solo cruiser (my first solo is in April). I enjoy being alone in a cabin and my son and daughter-in-law have decided to take a break from cruising….grrr
Is it on NCL?
@ I have just cruised carnival
Although I'm traveling with family, I'm not staying with family. I splurged and purchased a balcony room but would have gone with a suite had they had specials for singles.
Our last cruise Singapore to Sydney on Celebrity Solstice
We spent nothing.
The drinks package was just way too expensive.
Much cheaper to purchase as required.
There are a lot of extras that you really don’t need, but to each their own.🇦🇺❤️🚢
We were on the Solstice in Alaska in September and the LAUNDRY costs were 2x the price of Holland America which we were on the following week.
Many times, precruise upgrade offers a rip off. On a recent cruise, to upgrade precruise from an ocean view to a balcony would have been $600 total for the two of us. We waited until we were checking in and asked about upgrades and got the same offer for $150 total.
Even sailing solo in the “solo cabins” is outrageous! NCL which states they are the cruise line for single people, is not. Checked out the price for two in an ocean view cabin vs solo inside and the solo was only $137 less.
I haven’t cruised for five years and am currently on Navigator of the Seas with my son, his wife and their two kids. I’m disgusted at the lowered service, food quality, increased costs and reduced attitude of staff who have auto tips like the bar. The dining room and cabin service is better but they are depending on an add on tip in the last day. The biggest ripoff was today at the cupcake decorating - I took my granddaughter and it was $39 each plus built in tip for a total of US$100 for a very lame experience. I have 23 cruises behind me and would rate this one 3.5 (less for the food) out of 10 and will choose other vacations for a long time.
I’m sorry to hear. Definitely leave the feedback in the survey. Hope you still enjoyed quite a lot
I totally agree with your list of rip offs. Most of the sessions they offer to learn about hair texture, back pain, etc are usually to sell you expensive products. However, once my daughter and I attended a session to see if we were using the right shampoo. At the end there was a raffle to win a haircut. Since there were very few attandees, we actually won. And I have to say, they gave her a very good haircut. If the prize is good and your chances are high, go listen for 30 minutes. You could win.
I agree with all of these
Am on a ship right now sailing towards Brazil and Antarctica. One thing I hate about the casino onboard, which we sometimes have to walk through on our way to the theater, is the smoking!!! I won't ever spend time in the Casino, as the smoke just grosses me out! Good way to save money! We are fine with the water and coffee on board, don't need specialty restaurants, brought 2 bottles of wine and 2 12-packs of soda with us, never use room service, and heaven knows we don't need specialty desserts! I only bought the internet package for 1 device, but as an "elite" status, get it for half price. You can get plenty of exercise walking on the Promenade, and back and forth to your cabin. We are having a great time!
On my last two cruises, only part of the casinos allows smoking.
@@billkallas1762 The smoke does not stay in only part of the casino, and if you are never around smokers, you become more sensitive to it!
Get OVER it already...leave us the heck alone. You are not perfect either...though non smokers think they are. Peace
@@randymo3371
Seems like you have been hassled before about your smoking, the places you can smoke are becoming more scarce, and people more vocal about your smoking around them, get OVER it, you are even more of a minority.
@@cynthiaporitz1459 The areas are walled off. One area is non-smoking..
Whenever I get annoyed by nickel and dime add ons I take a step back and remind myself that these extras are helping to supplement a lower cost to my cruise fare.
I can easily say no to something that is not a value to me.
Thanks for the video as always great content and thanks especially for advocating for reusable bottles.
@@craigwalz6508 great point!
I have seen the shore excursions in the Bahamas go to astronomical costs. Also the whale watching in Grand Turk is almost $500 for three people. That's more than the cruise fare😮
Imagine swimming with pigs is 199$ per person, thank God I don’t like pigs 🐷 😂😂😂
It is called a convenience store for a reason. You do pay for this convenience
I actually tried deal or no deal for the second time in cruising and actually got selected and won enough to pay for cruise expenses. For me that’s a win and understand i may never be chosen again lol
I wish that cruise ships would ban the plastic water bottles.It is so easy to fill your personal water bottle at the water stations. I totally agree with extra charges at Specialty Restaurants.
💯
On Holland America the water comes in glass bottles or aluminum cans. No plastic allowed. I love it!
We just booked our first cruise and looked at all the so-called amenities and their prices. They are awful. Thank you for talking about all these items. Yeah we thought the Wi-Fi was a rip off and so much more. The biggest one tip that I got from you was to bring your own water bottle. Thank you so much. The fact of buying water at the prices they were quoting is ridiculous. We’re gonna go bare bones since this is the first time. We’re not gonna get caught up in all this other junk that they’ve got and see how it goes. Again thank you.
Yes if you are paying for a specialty restaurant you should have to pay anything additional there. The convenience store has outrageous prices.
I've never had to pay extra on NCL.
I agree especially when you are going to a specialty restaurant, I see some are extra charges.
Going stick with prepaid gratuities until it reaches level uncomfortable with. A lot of people helped my week go good, hard pick just a few.
A good reminder of why I hate cruising!
As a single person I would cruise more because I throughly enjoy cruising but I refuse to pay double
NCL has many solo cabins (You can ever get a solo balcony for about 1.5X cost)
The art auction should be looked at very carefully before buying. We looked into a print by Thomas Kinkade and found the same print (matted, framed and shipped to home) for less of what the cruise ship offered. It was even the same size and had a letter of authenticity from the Kinkade gallery in Monterey CA. So, yes, they may have some deals on some artists but most can be purchased from a gallery and shipped to home without outrages costs. Also, if you are on a foreign cruise, the cost may go up for shipping if you are having it shipped from a foreign gallery by the cruise ship. You shouldn't think that the same print you were looking at is the same one you'll get at home. My friend had purchases a numbered print with a very low number (23 out of 1000) and received a print with a very high number (832 out of 1000). The lower the number, the better the deal. He had to fight to get the right print and it was hard. I won't mention the cruise line but it wasn't one of his favorites. He goes on cruises to purchase artwork.
5:46 I got to tell you, I've done 10 cruises. I went with a friend on my last one where I usually go solo. We had a bunch of pictures taken and I just didn't really think much of it. When we started looking through them we found two or three that we loved, one of which I use as a profile picture now. Some of those professional photos came out really well and there was no way a smartphone would have been able to capture the same lighting angle and visual believe it or not. Again that was my first time after 10 cruises, but if you find one you really like you'll be impressed. It's worth taking a look at least and if you have status with the cruise line you're not going to pay near full price.
Agree. I am a solo traveler going on a 51 day trip and charged double for the room and gratuities.
I tend to cruise on Princess cruises and I buy the Princess plus. No complaints and I just arrive early for the shows I want
@@cindystalkup952 I do love those princess packages
The single supplement is one thing. (And MSC is lighter on that, so that's a point in their favor.) But I noticed on some cruises, solo cruisers get charged double on the drinks package. This makes no sense to me because the package is optional.
I'm not even much into alcohol to begin with. So if it's $30/day you'll talk me into it, but if you want $60 / day I'll just say to heck with it and drink water with the occasional $3.50 can of soda.
Just go to the photo spot after hours n take your own pics.
We’ve done that.
Real easy to do with today’s phones, and you can make as many copies as you want.
They have writing on the pictures now as people used to do that, so they outsmarted them lol
Great Video
So True
I agree with the gratuities. Our last cruise for an interior and a balcony room with gratuities were ridiculous. From now on it’s tipping in person. Drink package we are done with that. My gf doesn’t drink much and I have slowed down on the gas quite a bit. Our next cruise we will try no drink package.
Paying extra for specialty coffee and pastries at the specialty coffee place is ridiculous. This is definitely nickel and diming us. But, in general, everything extra on a cruise ship is way overpriced and we just don't go there. And, imo, they can keep the cameras out of my face, as someone else said. If I want a special photo made, I'll ask for it. Hubby and I really miss free room service, too. They used to have a "free items" menu, and pay extra for expensive items, and that was ok.
Everyone of your comments rings true. One time I had a bellyache and went to the ship store for roleaids. They wanted $14 for a small roll. No deal. Next day we were in Halifax, NS and I bought a roll at a pharmacy for $1.50C. (Should have brought my own but forgot.) When Princess allowed free pizza's and calzones at Alfredo's the place was always packed and I bet they did well with drink tips but then they started to charge. Now I notice the place MAY be 50% full at best.
I REALLY LIKE YOUR VIDEOS.
Thanks a million 👏
The casino is completely in the house's favor a lot more than Vegas. Carnival used to give out 25 dollars for platinum and diamond members so due to this I would always gamble. But, Carnival just took it away so it looks like I will be avoiding the casino. 😮
Have they taken away other perks from Platinum members?
Everything you mentioned here are all rip offs. I sometimes cruise by myself due to schedule conflicts and I always have to pay for double occupancy which is a complete rip off. The arcade is super expensive and it's impossible to win anything big. I try to do and eat things that are included in the cruise fare and nothing more. I have spent more money than the cruise fare in the past by doing all of these things but now after 20+ cruises, it would be hard for the cruise line to make extra money from me. 😊
I swear by Princess Plus as they include water bottles, gratuities, wi-fi, room service, two casual dinning, two premium desserts, two fitness classes, and ocean now delivery. With Premier you get all that along with photo package (four prints unlimited digital downloads), unlimited casual dinning, unlimited specialty dinning, priority seating at shows.
I booked a solo cruise on P & O, and while there was a solo supplement it was not double. I think I got a pretty good deal. Looked at an very similar itinerary on Princess and WOW, way out my budget.
At least on Royal if you are solo, you get 3 rewards points instead of the 2 for the double price. Seems they should have a “true” solo price because you aren’t eating and wasting food for two. Hotels are starting to charge for ‘double occupancy” so it is similar in the hospitality industry
I might have added the supposed "SALE" , there's always one on the go and if you've noted the price of the cruise when you first look it always ends up the same no matter the promo of the month. Only success with savings we've had is booking a year or more in advance.
Celebrity charges more than double solo supplement on some cruises, especially on their edge class ships. I'd like to try them, but I won’t unless they change that policy.
@@JenniferAdrift I’ve heard that