Nothing is really free on a cruise – after all, you’ve already paid hundreds or thousands of dollars to get access to these “complimentary” perks – but there are little ways to get the most bang for your buck, without being a total scrounger. Whether you’ve scored a bargain-basement special deal or splurged on all-inclusive luxury, the name of the game is value. So, apart from the food and entertainment, what other freebies can you find at sea?
Free merchandise
Get involved in onboard competitions to win prizes. There’s something for everyone: world’s sexiest man, hairiest chest, best belly flop, karaoke, trivia, game shows, scavenger hunts, talent quests. Jewellery shops also have free raffles for watches and other goodies.
Free pampering
To promote its services, the day spa may throw a “ladies pamper party” where women receive mini-massages, make-up applications or eye treatments. And on the first day, they usually hold a raffle to win around $500 worth of vouchers.
Free toiletries
Technically, you can “steal” the soap, shampoo and slippers, but things that don’t begin with “s” (towels, bath robes, artwork, TVs) are not for the taking. And no, smarty pants, you can’t take the sheets, silverware or salt shakers.
In some cases, you may request small items you forgot to pack, such as a toothbrush. And check the drawers, you may find postcards or personalised stationery.
In the US (but unfortunately not in Australia), everyone on Carnival ships gets a basket of more-interesting-than-average toiletries: promotional branded samples of things like razors and sunscreen.
Free welcome pack
Book a suite, stay loyal to one company or have a good travel agent and you will be treated to extra treats, from wine and liquor to chocolates to spa packs.
Free lessons
Now is your chance to learn something new: ballroom dancing, ice-skating or rockclimbing (on some Royal Caribbean ships), blogging, painting, how to use your iPad. Sometimes there’s a hard sell at the end of wellness-related talks, such as acupuncture or detox programs, but usually it’s just part of the effort to keep you occupied.
Free room service
Australians aren’t used to the concept of free room service, because we pay for it on local cruises and, of course, in hotels. So we often don’t realise that it’s free on cruises overseas (or when we sail on a local sector of an international ship’s world voyage). Some cruise lines charge a delivery fee after midnight, but generally, the food and delivery are free when you’re cruising in Europe or the US, for example.
Free drinks
Keep an eye on the daily program for activities that entice passengers with promises of alcohol. The best-known deal is free champagne (in reality, bottom-shelf sparkling wine) at art auctions. But embarkation day is often overlooked, when people are too busy unpacking and racing upstairs for their first free lunch to notice that free welcome drinks are on offer downstairs. This happens on some, not all, ships.
If the ship has duty-free stores, stay tuned for free tastings of spirits. Some lectures, demonstrations and classes (such as martini making) also give away samples.
The captain’s welcome party often has free-flowing drinks (and canapés) too.
Past passengers are invited to other exclusive parties with cocktails and canapés and the chance to meet the captain and officers.
Free specialty coffee
On some ships, they will charge you $5 for a cappuccino at the café, but if you order it in the main restaurant after dinner, it’s free. Go figure.
Free cruises
The ultimate freebie is coming back again for nothing. Join the line’s past passenger program and after a certain number of days at sea with the same company, you actually get a whole free cruise.
Free everything
The easiest way to get all of these things is to choose a cruise priced with all-inclusive fares. All-inclusive cruises cost at least $300 per day (when on sale) and often exceed $1000 a day (at full price), as opposed to non-inclusive cruises that can be as cheap as $50-100 a day.
Does it make sense to pay so much more for luxury? Yes, if you appreciate (and use enough of) the finer things in life.
For big spenders (or big drinkers), if you added up all the extras that you pay for on a cheaper cruise, sometimes you could’ve (almost) saved money by paying upfront for the more expensive cruise.
One word of warning: don’t think you’re up for a big, rockin’ booze cruise on something like Seabourn or Crystal: even though the drinks are free, people don’t really drink that much – they just drink better.
The real joy of an all-inclusive cruise is not having to sign for everything, not having to swipe your card everywhere, not having to think about it.
No, not all of us earn enough to know how that feels, but maybe, possibly, just once in your life…