Cruise Things That Are a Total Waste of Money

Editorial Summary

The creator, a university professor and frequent cruiser, provides a detailed guide on common cruise expenses that may not offer good value. She begins by analyzing the unlimited drink package, noting that the high daily cost and additional service fees often make paying a la carte a better option for those who do not drink heavily. Regarding spa services, she warns that treatments can often turn into high-pressure sales pitches for expensive products, though she suggests thermal suite passes as a more economical alternative. The video also addresses the shift from genuine room upgrades to paid upsells, which can sometimes result in less desirable cabin locations. For shore excursions, she recommends hiring private drivers to avoid the crowded and impersonal nature of cruise line tours. Additionally, she cautions against pre-paying for photo packages and warns that duty-free shopping is not always a financial bargain compared to prices on land. Finally, the creator discusses the rising costs of room service, the importance of checking Wi-Fi capabilities on older ships, and suggests bringing Ziploc bags to manage food availability during service gaps.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.