Cruising offers an exceptional travel experience, and in my opinion is one of the best, fun, and most affordable ways to see the world. But… there are some not-so-well-known things you may not know about it.
1. Ships Have Morgues On Board
Starting with a surprising fact: did you know that cruise ships have morgues on board? Given the average age of many passengers and the length of some cruises, it’s a necessity. Most passengers don’t want to think about it, but it’s a part of cruise life that’s kept discreetly out of sight. Crew members handle such situations with the utmost respect and care, ensuring they manage any unfortunate event smoothly without impacting other passengers’ experiences.
I’ve had it happen twice when a cruiser died on one of my sailings, and in both cases, I only knew about it because that person’s family posted about it on the cruise group’s Facebook page afterward. In one case, we diverted to Nassau, but he passed before we arrived. In the other case, there was an emergency “alpha” call in the middle of the night ship-wide (those are never good news), so I knew that a passenger emergency was happening.
If a passenger dies in their stateroom, the responding medical team will cordon off the hallway for privacy and to keep away looky-loos, and they’ll wheel the body down to the ship’s morgue on the lower levels of the ship. It typically stays there until disembarkation, when a funeral home or coroner’s van will be there to meet the ship. The cruise line lets the family off first, privately, before the rest of the passengers. From what I’ve heard from family who’ve experience this, the cruise lines handle this very well, with the utmost of respect, courtesy, and privacy.
2. Hidden Fees
While cruises are often marketed as all-inclusive, there are many extra charges you might not be aware of. Specialty dining, beverages, gratuities, and even some onboard activities can add up quickly. For instance, the main dining rooms and buffets are usually included in your fare, but many cruise lines charge an additional fee for specialty restaurants.
Drinks, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic, often come at a premium unless you purchase a beverage package. Then there are gratuities; some cruise lines automatically add daily gratuities to your onboard account, while others leave it up to you.
On top of that, there can be fees for fitness classes, spa treatments, and certain onboard activities like cooking classes or wine tastings. Always read the fine print and budget for these extras.
3. Early Booking Discounts Aren’t Always the Best
While it might seem like booking early guarantees you the best price, this isn’t always the case. Cruise lines often release last-minute deals and special promotions to fill unsold cabins. These can include significant discounts, free onboard credit, or other perks like free drinks or Wi-Fi packages. It pays to be flexible with your dates and keep an eye on price drops.
Holland recently announced a new program that gives deep discounts to cruisers willing to cruise on “standby.” I talk about this program in my post here, along with other ways to find cheap cruises. Websites that track cruise prices can be very helpful. Some cruise lines even offer a price drop guarantee, refunding you the difference if the price goes down after you book.
4. Cabin Upgrades
Instead of calling these “upgrades”, they’re more like “upsells,” because (mostly) gone are the days of free actual upgrades for loyal cruisers. Now, upgrades almost always come at a cost. Usually, 30-120 days prior to your cruise, the cruise line will reach out to you, usually via email, to offer you a cabin “upgrade” (upsell).
If they were free, great, but they’re not always a good deal when they come at a cost and can be a bit of a gamble. Upgrading to a balcony or suite might seem enticing, but it might not justify the extra cost. Consider how much time you’ll actually spend in your cabin. If you’re the type who plans to be out exploring the ship and ports all day, a basic interior room might suffice.
However, if you enjoy spending time in your room and want a little more space and luxury, an upgrade could be worthwhile. Research and weigh the pros and cons before deciding, and compare pricing. Sometimes an “upgrade” costs more than just changing your stateroom category to a higher one on your own. Snag an upgrade offer that’s a good deal ASAP, because they’re limited and the good ones go quickly!
5. Onboard Medical Costs
Medical costs onboard can be extremely high. Cruise ship doctors and medical facilities are convenient but have a hefty price tag. Even a minor ailment can result in a significant bill.
For example, a visit to the ship’s medical center for seasickness or a minor injury can cost hundreds of dollars, and more serious medical issues can cost thousands. I cruised once with my sister’s family, and my sister forgot my niece’s eczema cream. A visit to the medical center and a basic tube of cream set her back almost $400… a costly mistake.
It’s crucial to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses while at sea. Additionally, pack a basic first-aid kit with essentials like band-aids, pain relievers, and any prescription medications you might need to avoid unnecessary visits to the onboard doctor.
6. Excursion Markups
Excursions booked through the cruise line are often marked up significantly. While booking directly through the cruise line can be convenient and guarantee the ship won’t leave without you if a tour runs late, it comes at a price. Research and book your own tours independently to save money and potentially enjoy a more personalized experience.
Just be sure to know the pros and cons of both! You can learn about that in my post here.
Websites and apps like Viator offer a ton of great excursion options with reviews from fellow travelers, so you know you’re getting a good one. You can also find local tour operators who often offer the same or even better experiences at a fraction of the cost. Just be mindful of the time to ensure you return to the ship on time.
7. Duty-Free Shopping
Duty-free shopping isn’t always the bargain it seems. While cruise ships boast about their duty-free shops, the prices aren’t always the best deal. Advertisers often promote items like alcohol, tobacco, and luxury goods as tax-free, but that doesn’t mean they’re cheaper.
Trust me, many cruise ship markups are outrageous, even though you can find some good deals on board.
Compare prices online before making a purchase to ensure you’re actually getting a good deal. Sometimes, you can find the same items cheaper on land or even at home. Be a savvy shopper and do your homework to avoid overpaying for supposedly duty-free items.
8. Crew Tips
Cruise ship crew members often rely on tips to supplement their income. While gratuities are sometimes included in your bill, extra tips for exceptional service are always appreciated. The crew works incredibly hard, often for long hours and modest pay.
The “secret” here, which I had no idea about on my first cruise, is that many cruisers tip extra on top of the cruise line’s included gratuities. Once I found out that tipping extra is more common than not, even though it’s not required, I felt terrible for not doing it on my first cruise.
A little generosity goes a long way in making their jobs a bit easier and their days a bit brighter. Whether it’s your room steward, dining staff, or bartenders, recognizing their hard work with a small additional tip can make a big difference in their lives.
9. Water and Beverage Packages
Water and beverage packages can be a good deal, but not always. Calculate how much you’ll realistically drink before purchasing a package. Beverage packages can be convenient, offering unlimited access to soft drinks, specialty coffees, and alcoholic beverages, but they can be pricey.
If you’re not a heavy drinker, it might be more cost-effective to pay for drinks as you go. For water, bring a reusable bottle and refill it at the free stations around the ship, or buy a few bottles at a port for a fraction of the onboard price.
Protip: Some cruise lines allow passengers to carry on a limited quantity of canned soft drinks, water, and, in some cases, even bottles of wine. Check the cruise line’s policy for more information.
10. Speedy Disembarkation
Disembarkation can be chaotic, especially on the last day of your cruise. Some newer cruisers think they have to check their bags and hand them off to the cruise line for handling, but that’s not the case.
For a smoother experience, consider “self-assist,” which is when you carry your own luggage off the ship (some of the cruise lines call this a different thing, like “express debarkation”. Then, you can basically ignore all of the groups that get called to disembark and leave on your own terms, just as long as you’re off the ship no later than the stated time the cruise line says to be off the ship, of course.
This can save you time and hassle, especially if you have an early flight or a tight schedule. It’s nice to just walk off the ship on your own terms and time, whenever you want, as long as it’s before that final disembarkation time. Avoid sitting around and waiting for your disembarkation group to be called.
Related: Learn more about disembarkation and pros and cons of getting luggage off board.
Breeze through customs and be on your way more quickly by avoiding the crowds waiting for their luggage to be delivered to the terminal. Keep your luggage with you to avoid the hassle of packing the night before and the risk of losing, damaging, or having your bags stolen.
Of course, this is only an option for folks who are physically able to carry their bags, but for me, this is always the way I go. Plan ahead, pack efficiently, and enjoy a stress-free end to your cruise.
