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Cruises offer the allure of all-inclusive luxury, with gourmet dining, entertainment and relaxing facilities in one price.
But experienced travelers warn that hidden costs on board can cost you a surprising amount.
Don and Heidi Bucolo, the US-based husband and wife travel team. Eat and Sleep Cruiserecently asked cruise enthusiasts on social media what they would avoid spending money on during their next trip.
From cruisers’ responses, a list was compiled that revealed the biggest “rip-off” services, products and experiences when it comes to a cruise vacation.
From expensive souvenirs to dubious art auctions, their answers highlighted five costly mistakes first-time cruise passengers often make.
For those preparing to set sail, here’s a rundown of the top cruise “scams” to avoid.
Don and Heidi, the husband-and-wife travel team behind Eat Sleep Cruise, recently asked cruise enthusiasts on social media what they would avoid spending money on during their next trip.
Professional photographs
One of the top responses Eat Sleep Cruise received about things cruise ships refuse to spend money on is the onboard photography service.
There are often professional photographers stationed around the ship to capture moments during dinner parties, specialty events, and formal evenings.
However, the high price of printed photos is difficult to justify, according to cruisers, who also admitted that ship-sponsored photos appear overly posed or “fake,” especially on embarkation day.
Most travelers now prefer to rely on their smartphones or cameras, which offer high-quality images for free.
The experts advised: ‘Unless you are celebrating another special event that requires a professional photographer, you probably don’t need to use the services of the ship’s photography studio.
The high price of printed photos is difficult to justify, according to cruisers, who also admitted that ship-sponsored photos appear overly posed or “fake,” especially on embarkation day (file image).
art auctions
Art galleries and onboard auctions may seem like a refined way to take home a unique souvenir, but travelers warn that these types of events are often a gimmick.
According to Eat Sleep Cruise, many “originals” are simply prints enhanced with brush strokes to mimic authenticity.
Some buyers have even filed lawsuits against cruise lines, alleging that the artworks were misrepresented or overpriced, sometimes by as much as 100 percent.
In one notorious incident, counterfeit parts were sold to unsuspecting passengers, although refunds were subsequently issued without legal battles.
The experts added: ‘In my opinion, the art gallery is a source of income for the cruise line. This completely fleeces passengers who end up buying a work of art.’
Spa and salon services
Cruise ship spas, with their ocean views and luxurious amenities, can be tempting, but their high prices often leave passengers more stressed than calm.
Treatments such as massages and facials often carry significant markups compared to services offered on land.
The experts said: “Personally, I would rather pay for a massage or a haircut at home than go on a cruise and pay a premium and spend precious time on the ship in a hair salon chair or a dark treatment room.”
Cruise ship spas, with their ocean views and luxurious amenities, can be tempting, but their high prices often leave passengers feeling more stressed than calm.
Bottled water
For many cruisers, spending money on bottled water during their vacation is considered an unnecessary expense, as they claim that tap water on cruise ships is “perfectly good” to drink.
According to the experts at Eat Sleep Cruise, passengers get the same “highly filtered” water from the cabin tap that is provided in the buffet or main dining room.
They added: ‘I always bring my own stainless steel water bottle on cruises. I don’t need it much on the boat because in most places you’re never far from a drink station or bar.
“However, it is especially useful when it comes time to reach the port, because it is always good to have some water on hand. Bringing your own water bottle reduces travel costs.’
Game
For many passengers, the onboard casino is a lively and exciting attraction, but it is also a huge source of revenue for cruise lines.
Cruise ship casinos typically offer lower payouts than their land-based counterparts, and games like bingo and blackjack offer especially low odds, according to cruzely.
Passengers also warned about the appeal of onboard gambling, as the excitement of the environment can lead to overspending.
Experts revealed: ‘Casinos are a huge source of income for cruise lines. That’s why every time you find a ship that doesn’t have a casino, it costs you more than the average conventional cruise (think Viking or Disney).’
For many passengers, the onboard casino is a lively and exciting draw, but it’s also a notoriously huge source of revenue for cruise lines (file image)