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13 Cruise SCAMS to Avoid on Your Next Cruise (and Save Thousands!)

Blue Insider - Videos
Blue Insider - Videos
✨Casual
👁️ 1K views📅 6 months ago⏱️ 15:32
Royal Caribbean Group logo
Royal Caribbean Group
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsTips & Advice✨Casual Creator
Veteran Cruiser

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

Creator's Key Takeaways

I absolutely love it. But here's the thing. Cruise lines are businesses and they've gotten really, really good at making money once you're already on board.

The tap water on cruise ships is perfectly safe. It's filtered. It's clean. It's the same water they use in the dining rooms.

My advice, do the math before you buy. For some people, the convenience of prepaying is worth it. For others, it's just throwing money away.

Always, always travel with comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical coverage and emergency evacuation. It's non-negotiable.

Creator's Tips & Advice

✓Treat the cruise as a digital detox and use port Wi-Fi instead of buying expensive ship Wi-Fi packages.
✓Book spa treatments on embarkation day or in port for 20-40% discounts, or get a thermal suite pass for the week.
✓Ask a crew member to take photos with your phone instead of buying expensive ship photographer packages.
✓Book shore excursions directly with local operators for better prices and smaller groups, but book ship tours for safety in complex ports.
✓Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it at the buffet or bar to avoid paying for bottled water.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Unexpected high bills at checkout — Learn about hidden costs like Wi-Fi, spa treatments, and specialty dining to avoid surprises.
Not knowing how to avoid scams — Follow the tips in the video, such as booking excursions independently and using reusable water bottles.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat are the biggest cruise scams that cost passengers thousands?
QHow can I avoid hidden charges and upsells on my next cruise?
QAre drink packages worth the cost?
QHow can solo travelers avoid the single supplement fee?
QWhat should I do if I need medical attention on a cruise?

Topics Covered

Value Pricing3 Sad BaconWifi Connectivity1 Sad BaconSpa Fitness1½ Happy BaconExcursions2 Sad BaconDrink Package2 Sad BaconDining Specialty1 Sad BaconEmbarkation1½ Happy Bacon
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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↓

Think your cruise is all-inclusive? Think again. Cruise lines are experts at onboard upsells and if you’re not careful, you could end your vacation with a $2,000 surprise bill. In this video, I break down the 13 biggest cruise scams draining passengers’ wallets, and how to avoid them all. From overpriced Wi-Fi and $300 spa tricks to fake “duty-free deals” and $25 photos, this guide shows you exactly where the hidden charges are. Whether it’s your first cruise or your twentieth, these insider tips will help you save money, avoid traps, and cruise smarter. 💰 What You’ll Learn ✔️ Why Wi-Fi at sea costs up to $350 and the simple hack to avoid it ✔️ The truth behind $300 massages and “free” spa raffles ✔️ How onboard photographers upsell thousands in photos ✔️ The scam behind cruise-ship art auctions ✔️ Why cruise-line excursions cost 30–50% more than local tours ✔️ Why solo cruisers secretly pay double ✔️ How to avoid outrageous ATM and medical fees onboard 🕒 CHAPTERS 00:00 – Why Cruisers Lose Thousands 00:32 – Scam# 1 01:20 – Scam# 2 02:12 – Scam# 3 03:25 – Scam# 4 04:21 – Scam# 5 05:25 – Scam# 6 06:40 – Scam# 7 07:47 – Scam# 8 08:25 – Scam# 9 09:38 – Scam# 10 10:32 – Scam# 11 11:50 – Scam# 12 12:25 – Scam# 13 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for Daily Cruise Tips: @blueinsidertv ⚠️ Disclaimer Cruise prices, policies, and packages can change at any time. Always check your cruise line’s official website for the latest updates before sailing. #cruisetips #cruisehacks #CruiseScams #cruisetravel #cruiseadvice #cruisesavings #CruiseSmart