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15 Cruise Rip-Offs You Should NEVER Pay For in 2026

Life Well Cruised
Life Well Cruised
πŸ…Authority
πŸ‘οΈ 267K viewsπŸ“… 2 months ago⏱️ 21:17
What This Creator Said
Creator Warns AgainstTips & AdviceπŸ…Authority CreatorSponsored
Veteran Cruiser

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

Creator's Key Takeaways

Cruises are not all inclusive. And although they are a very good value, there are definitely some ways that cruise lines are making sure that they profit beyond the actual price of your cruise.

Booking excursions through the cruise line is one of the biggest ways that cruise lines profit, but for guests, it's a little bit of a ripoff.

Now, what about automatic daily gratuitities? Now, most cruise lines do have automatic daily gratuitities that you can either prepaid before your cruise or they will be added daily onto your account.

Priority boarding programs. Now, should you pay to board your cruise ship early? Cruise lines have figured out a way to get people to pay for this.

Creator's Tips & Advice

βœ“Bring a reusable water bottle instead of buying a water bottle package.
βœ“Bring a small pharmacy kit from home to avoid high medical center costs.
βœ“Book excursions independently through Shore Excursions Group to save up to 40%.
βœ“Check for port day specials or promotions for spa treatments to get a better price.
βœ“Use a cruise and land eSIM or a land eSIM to avoid high Wi-Fi costs.

πŸ†•New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Not knowing that everyone in the cabin must get a drink package β€” When you get a drink package, you actually have to have everybody in the cabin getting that drink package.
Overpaying for shore excursions through the cruise line β€” Book excursions independently through Shore Excursions Group to save up to 40%.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat are the biggest cruise rip-offs to avoid in 2026?
QHow can I save money on onboard spending and extra fees?
QAre drink packages worth the cost?
QWhat are the best ways to book shore excursions?
QHow can I avoid high costs for Wi-Fi, medical visits, and shopping?

Topics Covered

Booking Process1 Sad BaconValue Pricing2 Sad BaconDining Specialty1 Sad BaconExcursions2Β½ Sad BaconWifi Connectivity1Β½ Sad Bacon

Port Highlights

Mexico1 Sad Bacon
Naples3 Happy Bacon
Top:
Dominican Republic3 Happy Bacon
Top:
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon β€” creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon β€” creators took issue with this
Meh β€” no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = β€œmeh”, 5 = β€œbacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description↓

🌟 Find excursions for your cruise with Shore Excursions Group: https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/?id=1422218 || Going on a cruise? You'll want to avoid major cruise rip offs & obvious wastes of money. While cruises offer good value, aren't entirely all-inclusive. Cruise lines profit from the onboard spending traps & impluse buys that are enticing to cruise travelers. This video shares the hidden costs and extra fees that can add up. This includes situations & cruise mistakes that I've made that have cost me hundreds of dollars. As well, expert cruisers have shared the what they think are wastes of money on a cruise & how to plan smarter. For those interested in smart planning a cruise and how to save money on a cruise, this covers essential cruise money saving tips. Thanks to Shore Excursions Group for sponsoring this video πŸ›³ THE ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER πŸ›³ Get the Life Well Cruised ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER ($10 off for a limited time). The printable planner includes 47 pages of checklists, packing lists, shore excursion forms & more! here: https://lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-... *Travel agency I recommend - MEI Travel (no fee): http://bookmeicruise.com/lifewellcruised *GigSky Cruise & Lan eSim: use discount code LIFEWELL20 for 20% off: https://plans.gigsky.com/227M44/2CTPL/ *Newsletter sign up: https://lifewellcruised.com/free-pack... ______ The links in this description are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. As Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. CRUISE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS Airplane pocket: https://amzn.to/4ct2ocB Over the door organizer: https://amzn.to/4e3lVRj Hanging toiletry bag: https://amzn.to/3Nb8fFY Compression packing cubes: https://amzn.to/3VPbPuI Magnet hooks: https://amzn.to/3yP2xXU Magnetic fan: https://amzn.to/4rsQO7C Flat fan: https://amzn.to/4anGtDX Passport wallet: https://amzn.to/3f6VqNW No surge power cube (with USB): https://amzn.to/3TGq8lY Travel adapter (fast charging): https://amzn.to/3MsJ4Dx European travel adapter: https://amzn.to/3NSWoBI Clear TSA toiletry bags: https://amzn.to/44PAoNq Cruise lanyards: https://amzn.to/3uNZBFb Cruise card holder: https://amzn.to/3EWtRUL Passport holder wallet: https://amzn.to/3f6VqNW Waterproof phone cases on lanyards: https://amzn.to/3iXCuT6 Portable charger w/cables: https://amzn.to/4rFkQVQ iWalk: https://amzn.to/4ra2ht2 Clear TSA toiletry bags: https://amzn.to/44PAoNq Waterproof phone cases on lanyards: https://amzn.to/3iXCuT6 Waterproof waist pouch: https://amzn.to/4iiYunH Towel bands: https://amzn.to/3S4bd3B Travel jewelry bag: https://amzn.to/2SY190s Towel bands: https://amzn.to/3S4bd3B Night light (motion sensor): https://amzn.to/33eMEqP Travel jewelry bag: https://amzn.to/2SY190s Water shoes: https://amzn.to/3G14O1g Bonine: https://amzn.to/3NE87zo Magnet clips: https://amzn.to/37bNh9W Air tags: https://amzn.to/4cvYgru Foldable backpack: https://amzn.to/3S6DiY1 Cruise magnet decorations: https://amzn.to/3KCUKmt CRUISE LUGGAGE TAGS: Carnival, Princess, HAL, MSC: https://amzn.to/3Efz8JK Royal Caribbean, Celebrity: https://amzn.to/4jjZ7yU *LEVEL8 LUGGAGE (use discount code LIFEWELLCRUISED15 for 15% off): https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-1011505... *Nomad Lane carry-on bag (use discount code LIFE10 for 10% off): https://nomad-lane.myshopify.com/disc... More Items we LOVE @ Life Well Cruised Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3QaoV29 _______ FTC LEGAL DISCLOSURE - Some links found in the description box of my videos are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally like and trust. _______ *Business inquiries & media: please contact Ilana at lifewellcruised@gmail.com Please note that I am unable to give personal cruise and travel advice. If you leave a comment I try my best to answer. ABOUT ME Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams! Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking. ____________ Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic