I've been on more than 30 cruises with my family. Here are my 6 tips for saving money on board.

Amanda AdlerMay 29, 2024, 07:57 IST

My family goes on a lot of cruises and we're able to do so, in part, because we're careful with our travel budget. Amanda Adler

As a budget-conscious, frequent cruiser I've found ways to save money while on these vacations.
My family packs smart, takes advantage of included entertainment, and avoids pricey upcharges.

My family loves cruising, and we've found it's a fantastic way to explore different destinations while enjoying the amenities and entertainment offered on board.

And, after more than 30 cruises as a family, we've also found lots of ways to save money.

Here's how we make the most of our cruise budget and you can, too.

We pack smart and research everything we're allowed to bring on board.

Packing select beverages and medications saves us from paying inflated cruise pricing once on the ship.Amanda Adler

Instead of specialty dining or expensive drink packages, we take advantage of the included food and beverage options.

Although Royal Caribbean has a Starbucks on its ships, I opt for the free coffee to save money.Amanda Adler

Add-on experiences can add up quickly, so monitoring our onboard tab is essential.

My son will spend hundreds in the onboard arcade if I don't set a firm spending limit.Amanda Adler

Complimentary onboard activities are a major reason we love cruising, so we take full advantage of these offerings.

Many ships offer a wealth of included experiences, like zip lining.Amanda Adler

Local vendors often offer cheaper shore excursions than those sold through the cruise line.

In Iceland, I skipped the pricey cruise line excursions and rented a car to explore local sights on the cheap.Amanda Adler

Participating in cruise-line loyalty programs gets me onboard freebies and allows me to save even more in the future.

As frequent cruisers with Royal Caribbean, my family enjoys discounts and freebies that keep us coming back.Amanda Adler

18 mind-boggling optical illusions you can find in nature

Cookies on the Business Insider India website