Essential cruise tips for your next sailing – from free drinks and ice cream to spa passes
IT'S easy to rack up a huge bill if you're holidaying on a cruise ship, with extra fees like tips, food and alcohol.
However, there are some great hacks for first-time and experienced cruisers that can help you get the most out of your budget - and your holiday.
Some cruise lines will let you take your own booze on board, for example, or at least your own soft drinks.
There are also specific cafes and restaurants on certain lines that offer discounts and free food according to .
So before you take to the seas for your next journey, read on for the ultimate cruise tips:
Free ice-cream
Most cruise ships offer free ice cream on their ships, as long as it is unbranded.
For example, cruise lines may not have free Ben & Jerry's ice cream, but they will have free soft-serve from machines.
Princess Cruises offers complimentary vanilla or chocolate ice cream on deck, while Carnival have a strawberry option to choose from as well.
Celebrity's buffet also includes free ice cream with toppings on request.
It's also worth exploring the ship as some will have different flavours on different sides of the ship.
Unlimited dining choices in the main room
Unlike in normal restaurants, guests don't have to choose from a starter, main and pudding when eating at the main dining hall.
Instead, you can go for two mains or three puddings, or even starter-sized main courses.
Better breakfast options
Sometimes the buffet options don't look great for breakfast - but there's more choice than you think.
Cruise lines generally have great choices that can be made-to order.
Norwegian will cook up your choice of omelette, while cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival have different breakfast venues with varied menus.
Cheaper room service
Travellers usually avoid hotel room service due to the cost but they can be a bargain on cruise ships.
Fred Olsen, for example, offers completely free room service but many will charge a nominal fee for the food.
Usually these are quite good value compared to what you might expect to pay in hotels.
However, they do carry a service charge even when the food is free.
Special dining days
Don't rush to the main dining room or buffet on your first day.
As most guests don't visit the speciality restaurants on the first night, there may be freebies or discounts offered.
Celebrity Cruises will give a discount for example, and Carnival Cruise line guests are sometimes offered a free bottle of wine on the first couple of nights.
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Eating there on embarkation day can also mean a nicer experience since most people will go to the main restaurants.
It also means it can be easier to bag a table.
And if you want to get the most out of the restaurant offerings on board, check the weekly menus with the purser and plan where to go based on what's served.
Free snacks
Most ships have speciality coffee shops on board selling hot drinks for an additional cost.
However, the cakes and pastries and even sandwiches are often free of charge - just make sure you check.
Bars on board Celebrity Cruises may not have free drinks, but the snacks alongside can come for free.
For example, at the Martini Bar, snacks such as pretzels and nuts are given out alongside the beverage.
Bring your own booze
While the majority of cruise lines ban guests bringing their own alcohol on board, Disney has no such rule.
Passengers who are 21 or over are able to bring two bottles of wine or champagne on the ship as long as they are unopened, or six beers less than 12 ounces.
This applies to the beginning of the trip, as well as at each port-of-call.
Carnival may not allow alcohol, but soft drinks can be brought on as long as they are in cans or cartons - no plastic or glass.
Cheap or free drinks
You can always score a free bevvy at the Captain's welcome drinks, but there may be discounts on booze at other points of the sailing too.
But if you do buy drinks, buying a bottle of wine is cheaper than by the glass, but guests may not always end up finishing it.
But you can save it for another night - just ask your waiter to mark your name on it.
It is also often cheaper to buy buckets of beer. Most buckets come with up to five bottles, which is cheaper than ordering them individually.
Remember, drinks can be carried anywhere in the ship, with no "open beverage" bans so feel free to take them to your room.
Choosing where you order your coffee can also mean big savings.
Royal Caribbean have cheaper brews at Cafe Promenade than Starbucks for example.
It's also worth bearing in mind that while you might have to pay for soft drinks elsewhere on the ship, it's usually free in the main dining room during meals.
Cabin hacks
Most cruise cabins are made of metal, which means they are magnetic
Buy a souvenir magnet and stick it to the wall to keep all of the newsletters and coupons at hand.
Cabins also come with little storage space at first glance - but asking a cabin steward for help and you could discover additional room such as in a foot stool or behind a mirror.
The downside to some cabins is that they don't have any natural light so it can be hard to wake up in the morning.
The TVs, however, have the bridge cam station - turn this on with the volume off and you can check if the sun has come up yet.
Some cruise liners will have optional bedding for fussy sleepers, such as different pillow types or mattress toppers - you just have to ask.
Spa passes
Spas can be expensive on cruise ships - yet it can often be cheaper to buy a cabin within the spa areas to save money.
For example, Carnival's Cloud 9 Spa balcony cabin includes full access to the steam rooms and saunas, which could work out cheaper than a normal cabin and a spa pass.
Plus, on some cruises, you can use the spa's showers, which usually offer fancier towels and nicer toiletries than in the cabin.
Going to the spa on the first day or when the ship's docked at port could mean discounts as well - these are usually in the newsletters so it's always worth checking.
Seasick help
Don't head straight to the pharmacy if you're feeling sea sick.
Room service is available in case you need bland food such as crackers to settle your stomach, while medication is often free from the purser.
Casino hack
It is easy to forget your room card when you're using the slot machines at the casino.
Some cruise staff now allow guests to have their key card hole punched to put in a lanyard to avoid the simple mistake.
Free internet
Need to browse online?
Sign up for an internet package as soon as you board and they will often include some free minutes.
Sold out shows
Even if your favourite performance or musical has sold out, there are still ways to get in.
Guests often reserve the free tickets but don't turn up, which other passengers can take advantage of if you are in line before it starts.
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There are also secret decks passengers can find for some peace and quiet during a cruise.
On Carnival ships, they can be found through side doors, such as on deck eight and 11 on Carnival Fantasy ships.
We also explain what to do if you miss your cruise - which can be an expensive mistake to make.