Top 10 Cruise Rip-Offs You’ll Want to Avoid in 2025

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Editorial Summary
This video presents a compilation of advice from experienced cruisers regarding various onboard expenses that may not offer good value. The creators highlight several common add-ons that many frequent travelers choose to avoid to save money. These include professional ship photography, art auctions, salon and spa services, and casino gambling. The creators note that many passengers prefer using their own cameras or finding more affordable services on land. The discussion also covers shore excursions, suggesting that travelers often find better flexibility and lower prices by booking private tours or local operators rather than through the cruise line. Additionally, the video examines the cost-effectiveness of internet packages, jewelry, bottled water, specialty dining, and alcohol drink packages. While acknowledging that some travelers enjoy these luxuries, the creators emphasize that many people can have a fulfilling vacation by utilizing included amenities like the main dining room, buffet, and filtered tap water. The summary concludes that travelers should perform their own cost comparisons to determine if specific packages, such as drink programs, align with their personal consumption habits.
Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.
How This Review Compares
This review is more critical than the all-time creator consensus.
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
we have three words for you onboard Art Auction please just say no
the photos are overpriced and honestly usually don't look that good
you can actually put together your own itinerary of things to do and see and either hire a taxi or hire a private tour operator
you would need to consistently drink 6 to 8 alcoholic beverages every day to break even for most Cruise Lines drink packages
Creator's Tips & Advice
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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.
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