15 Things You Should Never Buy on a Cruise Ship
Embarking on a cruise vacation is an exciting adventure filled with the promise of new experiences, breathtaking destinations, and endless entertainment. However, amidst the allure of duty-free shops and onboard boutiques, it’s easy to fall into spending traps that can quickly sink your vacation budget.
According to Statista, in 2022, the direct expenditure by cruise passengers amounted to 14.8 billion U.S. dollars. Here are 15 things you should never buy on a cruise ship.
Internet Packages
It is tempting to stay connected at sea, but cruise ship internet packages are notoriously expensive and unreliable. With prices ranging from $15 to $30 per day for basic plans, these packages can add hundreds of dollars to your vacation cost.
For example, on Royal Caribbean, the VOOM Surf + Stream package costs up to $30.99 per device per day. Instead, consider using free Wi-Fi in ports or embracing a digital detox during your cruise.
Electronics
It may be handy to buy a replacement forgotten charger or camera onboard, but electronics sold on cruise ships are often overpriced and lack proper warranties. For example, a basic power bank that costs $20 on Amazon might be priced at $50 or more in the ship’s shop.
Furthermore, if you encounter any issues with your purchase, you may have difficulty getting support or returns once you’ve disembarked. It’s better to pack carefully before your trip or wait until you reach a port to make any necessary electronics purchases.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Cruise ships often charge a premium for basic over-the-counter medications. A small bottle of pain relievers that might cost $5 at your local pharmacy could be priced at $15 or more onboard.
Additionally, the selection is often limited, so you may not find your preferred brand or formulation. To avoid these inflated prices, pack a small medical kit with common medications before your cruise or plan to purchase them in port if needed.
Jewelry
Cruise ships often promote their onboard jewelry stores as offering great deals, but buyers should beware. These shops frequently use high-pressure sales tactics and inflated “discounts” to lure customers.
A report by Transparency Market Research states that the global market for luxury retail on cruise liners was valued at 15.4 Billion in 2023. It’s safer to research and purchase jewelry from reputable dealers on land.
Art
Art auctions on cruise ships have gained a reputation for being more about entertainment than actual value. These events often feature mass-produced prints rather than original artworks, and the prices can be highly inflated.
An article on Huff Post says the market for art on cruise ships is enormous, and approximately half a million works of art are sold through on-board auctions annually. Unless you’re an art expert, it’s best to enjoy the auctions as a form of entertainment rather than a serious shopping opportunity.
Alcohol
Getting those fruity cocktails by the pool may be tempting, but buying each alcoholic drink à la carte on a cruise ship can really put a hole in your pocket. Cruise lines often mark up alcohol prices significantly, with a basic cocktail costing $10-$15 or more.
Instead of purchasing drinks individually, consider whether a beverage package makes sense for your drinking habits or plan to enjoy drinks in port, where prices are usually more reasonable.
Spa Treatments
Cruise ship spas offer luxurious treatments but at a premium price. A basic 50-minute massage can cost upwards of $150, with prices often 20-30% higher than comparable treatments on land.
It seems tempting to indulge, but you could get better value by booking spa treatments in port or waiting until you get home. If you do want to splurge on a spa day, look for port day specials when prices are sometimes discounted.
Branded Cruise Merchandise
Those t-shirts, hats, and mugs emblazoned with the cruise line’s logo might seem like great souvenirs, but they’re often overpriced and of questionable quality. A basic t-shirt can cost $20-$30, while a branded sweatshirt might run $50 or more.
Instead of buying onboard, consider purchasing cruise line merchandise online before or after your trip, where you’ll likely find better prices and a wider selection.
Excursions
Cruise-organized shore excursions are, of course, convenient but hardly come cheap. A basic city tour might cost $50-$100 per person, while more elaborate excursions can run into the hundreds of dollars.
According to statistics by the National Library of Medicine, 65% of cruise passengers spend a few extra days at embarkation or debarkation ports. Just be sure to research reputable tour operators and allow plenty of time to return to the ship.
Photos
Those professional photos taken by ship photographers might capture great memories, but they come at a steep price. Individual photos can cost $20-$30 each, with photo packages running $100 or more.
On some ships, a single 8×10 print can cost up to $25. Instead of relying on ship photographers, bring your own camera or smartphone and ask fellow passengers to snap photos of you.
Soda Packages
Unlimited sodas may sound like a good idea, but most cruise ship soda packages are bad value for most passengers. For example, on Carnival Cruise Line, the Bottomless Bubbles package costs around $11.21 per day for adults. This means on a 7-day cruise, you’d be spending nearly $79 just for soft drinks.
Unless you’re a serious soda addict, you’re likely better off just purchasing drinks individually or sticking to the complimentary beverages available.
Specialty Dining Packages
Cruise lines heavily promote their specialty dining packages, but these can quickly add up to a significant expense. Although specialty restaurants tend to provide higher quality food, most cruisers are happy with the quality of the main dining room and buffet.
Unless you’re a serious foodie or celebrating a special occasion, you might want to skip these pricey add-ons and enjoy the included dining options.
Clothing
It might be tempting to buy that cute sundress or branded t-shirt from the onboard shops, but cruise ship clothing is often overpriced and of questionable quality. For example, a basic t-shirt with the cruise line’s logo can cost $20-$30, while similar quality shirts can be found for a fraction of the price on land.
Additionally, sizes and styles are often limited onboard. Instead of impulse buying onboard, pack carefully before your trip or wait to shop in port, where you’ll likely find better prices and more unique items.
Casino Chips
The allure of the cruise ship casino can be strong, but buying casino chips is a losing proposition. Cruise ship casinos typically have worse odds than land-based casinos.
If you must gamble, set a strict budget and consider it an entertainment expense rather than a potential money-maker.
Souvenirs
It is normal to want mementos from your trip, but cruise ship gift shops are famous for overcharging and stocking very tacky souvenirs. A simple keychain or magnet can cost $10-$15 onboard, while similar items in port might be just a few dollars.
Instead of buying overpriced trinkets onboard, consider collecting free mementos like maps, daily programs, or your room keycard. If you want to purchase souvenirs, wait until you’re in port, where you’ll find more authentic and reasonably priced options.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
Disclosure: For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
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