Zach the Traveling Man
#22 US/CA
How I Avoid Overpaying on Every Cruise
Celebrity Apex Cruise ShipCarnival Cruise Line Cruise LineCelebrity Cruises Cruise LineNorwegian Cruise Line Cruise LineRoyal Caribbean Cruise Line
Cruise hidden fees, cruise ship extras, and overpriced cruise packages can turn an affordable cruise vacation into a much more expensive trip. In this cruise money-saving guide, I'm sharing how I avoid overpaying for cruise WiFi, drink packages, specialty dining, shore excursions, cabin upgrades, gratuities, and other cruise expenses. After more than 50 cruises across most of the major cruise lines, I've learned how to find better cruise deals, take advantage of cruise loyalty benefits, avoid unnecessary onboard charges, and save money before and during every sailing. From Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean to Norwegian Cruise Line to Carnival Cruise Line and beyond, cruise lines offer plenty of opportunities to spend more than you need to. But with a little planning, there are ways to keep those extra costs under control without sacrificing the cruise experience. In this video, I'm sharing the strategies I personally use to get more value from every cruise, including: 🚢 **Cruise loyalty benefits:** How I use Celebrity Captain's Club Elite Plus perks, complimentary WiFi minutes, drink benefits, and loyalty discounts to avoid paying for things I already receive. 💰 **Cabin upgrades:** Why I compare Celebrity MoveUp, RoyalUp, and Norwegian Upgrade Advantage bids against the cost of upgrading my stateroom outright. 🏝️ **Shore excursions:** How I find independent cruise excursions that can cost less than cruise-line tours, often with smaller groups. ✈️ **Flights, hotels, and transfers:** Why I usually book my own travel arrangements and continue checking for better prices. 📶 **WiFi, drinks, and dining:** Why I buy cruise extras before sailing, monitor cruise planner sales, and cancel and rebook eligible purchases when prices drop. 💳 **Gratuities and onboard credit:** How I budget for daily cruise gratuities and use onboard credit on purchases I was already planning to make. 🧾 **Onboard charges:** Why I always check my cruise account, including how I caught a missing Elite Plus specialty dining discount at Rooftop Garden Grill on Celebrity Apex. I'll also explain why I pay particular attention to cruise sales around Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Black Friday, when some cruise lines offer better deals on pre-cruise purchases. 🚢 PLANNING A CRUISE? Book your next cruise and support the channel: use code ZACH50 at when you join Cruises.com's rewards program for the equivalent of $50 in free money → http://www.cruises.com/zach Save on shore excursions with Shore Excursions Group → https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/?id=1349488 (Some links above are affiliate links. Using them supports the channel at no extra cost to you.) 📲 Follow me: Website: https://zachthetravelingman.com Instagram: @zachthetravelingman Facebook: Zach the Traveling Man Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for honest cruise ship reviews, cruise tips, and travel content every week. 🌊 #CruiseTips #CruiseSavings #CruiseDeals #CelebrityCruises #CruiseVacation ----- ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction 1:16 — Check your loyalty benefits 3:11 — Compare upgrade bids with upgrading outright 4:21 — Compare independent excursions 5:50 — Shop around for flights, hotels, and transfers 6:48 — Buy extras ahead and keep checking for price drops 8:24 — Prepay gratuities 8:58 — Use onboard credit intentionally 9:32 — Check your onboard account for mistakes 10:50 — Wrap-up: spend intentionally