I've been on more than 50 cruises. Here are 7 things that aren't worth paying extra for.

Amanda AdlerJun 6, 2023, 04:21 IST

I had an easy time staying within my budget on the Symphony of the Seas, the second largest cruise in the world.Amanda Adler

After going on over 50 cruises, I booked the cheapest room available on the Symphony of the Seas.
I didn't buy any add-ons, relying instead on activities, food, and drinks included in the rate.

If you've stepped aboard a large cruise ship, odds are you've been hit by some hidden fees and surcharges.

Some all-inclusive packages don't account for alcoholic drinks, specialty dining experiences, and luxuries like priority boarding. With so many upgrade options, it's easy for your expenses to balloon out of control.

As an avid cruiser who's set sail more than 50 times and sprung for my fair share of upgrades, I've found that I can still have a great cruise experience without them.

I tested this theory during a recent voyage aboard Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas by cruising as cheaply as possible. I chose the least expensive room and passed on almost every single upgrade.

Here are the add-ons I skipped and didn't miss.

My interior stateroom felt similar to the ship's more expensive accommodations — the only difference was that there was no window.

Interior rooms aren't glamorous, but ours felt just as comfortable as some pricier cabins.Amanda Adler

Front-of-the-line perks might make people feel like VIPs, but I had access to the same experiences without paying a dime.

I was able to watch all of the shows without paying extra for reserved seats.Amanda Adler

There were so many complimentary activities that my family didn't even have much time to consider the à la carte experiences.

Access to the onboard miniature-golf course was included in the rate.Amanda Adler

Drink packages can cost more than paying for beverages individually, especially if you're like me and only have a couple of cocktails each day.

I usually don't break even on cruise drink packages, so I steer clear of them.Amanda Adler

The ship had plenty of places to eat that were included in the rate, so I didn't mind holding back from buying an expensive dining package.

Meals at specialty dining restaurants weren't included in the rate.Amanda Adler

Cabanas on cruise lines' private islands seem like nice retreats, but they often come with hefty price tags.

The weather during our recent visit to CocoCay was less than ideal for a beach day.Amanda Adler

Ships empty out during port days, so if you've already been to the destination, it's a great time to enjoy the onboard amenities.

We took advantage of the empty ship during a port day.Amanda Adler

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