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7 Cruise Rip-Offs They Don't Want You To Know

Optimal Cruising
Optimal Cruising
🥈Expert
👁️ 26K views📅 10 months ago⏱️ 18:26
What This Creator Said
Creator Warns AgainstTips & Advice🥈Expert Creator
Veteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

Were you aware that the average cruise passenger gets hit with over $800 in charges above their cruise fair?

Some people spend up to $300 or more on cruise ship photos and end up disappointed.

Many cruisers pay between 25 and 50% more for their shore excursions because they book them directly with the cruise line.

Cruise ship casinos can actually manipulate and change the odds while you're playing.

Creator's Tips & Advice

✓Use your cell phone to take photos instead of buying the ship's photo package.
✓Avoid buying drink, dining, or spa packages on embarkation day; purchase them in advance for discounts.
✓Bring a reusable tumbler to refill with free drinks instead of buying bottled water.
✓Never give credit card information over the phone for cruise reservation changes; verify directly with the cruise line.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Fear of missing the ship during excursions — Book excursions that guarantee return 2-3 hours before departure.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat are the common rip-offs on cruise ships?
QHow can passengers avoid overpaying for cruise photos?
QWhy are shore excursions booked through the cruise line more expensive?
QHow do cruise ship casinos manipulate odds?
QAre art auctions on cruise ships a scam?

Topics Covered

Value Pricing4 Sad BaconExcursions4½ Sad Bacon

Port Highlights

Cosml, Mexico2½ Sad Bacon
Top: Snorkeling excursion ($45 a person)
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description↓

Are you getting SCAMMED on your cruise without even realizing it? After many cruises, I’ve uncovered 7 sneaky rip-offs cruise lines use to drain your wallet—and most passengers fall for every single one. 🌴 Plan Your Cruise Like a Pro: 🧭 Book with My Recommended Cruise Travel Agent ➡️ https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101449107-11926423 🛳️ Shore Excursions Cheaper and Better with Viator ➡️ http://vi.me/xqeDJ 🛡️ Travel Insurance I Personally Recommend ➡️ https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101449107-11454010 ⚠️ These are affiliate links, which help support the channel at no extra cost to you. I only recommend what I’ve used or truly believe in! 👍 SUBSCRIBE for weekly cruise vlogs, tips, secrets, savings, and reviews from our cruising family. 🎥 Watch more videos from @OptimalCruising — we’re here to help you cruise smarter, save money, and have more fun at sea! ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:28 - Photo Package 02:43 - Shore Excursions 05:14 - Casino 08:00 - Art Auction 09:50 - Package Upsale 13:49 - Bottled Water 15:13 - Outside Scams 🔍 Hashtags: #CruiseRipOffs #CruiseSecrets #CruiseHacks #CruiseTips #CruiseScams #CruiseMoneySaving #CruiseAdvice #CruiseLife #CruiseVacation #CruiseTravel #OptimalCruising #CruiseDeals #CruiseBudget#FirstCruise #CruiseVlog #CruiseTips #CruiseShipLife #DayInTheLife #CruisingForBeginners #CruiseVacation #CruiseLife2025 #CruiseHacks #CruiseNews 🎶 Music Credit: Music by Gary Ward @GaryWardMusic 📢 Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the channel!