20 Cruise Tips We Use on Every Trip (17 Cost Nothing)
These 20 cruise tips are the ones we still use on every trip. 17 are free things on a cruise — already in the fare. Two cost a little extra, and we say so. One is a future-cruise deposit that can come with shipboard credit. Once you are on board, outside of shore excursions and drinks, you should not have to pay another dime. Useful as first time cruise tips, and still useful after 45 cruises. The list runs from the first hour on board through the post-cruise survey. If you want cruise hacks that are already paid for, start with dining, the room steward, and the free daytime events. The cruise secrets that save the trip are usually the ones nobody charges for. CHAPTERS 0:00 – Once you're aboard, stop paying extra 0:51 – 20. Fix your dining reservations 1:18 – 19. Walk the ship 2:13 – 18. Meet your room steward 2:47 – 17. Morning coffee on deck 3:31 – 16. Watch the wake 3:53 – 15. Join a daytime crew event 4:14 – 14. Meet the captain 4:52 – 13. Pub crawl or wine tasting (costs extra) 5:23 – 12. Enrichment talk or port talk 5:53 – 11. Nighttime game show 6:33 – 10. Find your music venue 6:51 – 9. Color party or 80s party 7:13 – 8. Try a new dish in the dining room 7:35 – 7. Afternoon tea or a themed buffet 7:51 – 6. Drink or mocktail of the day (costs extra) 8:32 – 5. Bow view for scenic cruising 8:54 – 4. Pickleball or putt-putt 9:07 – 3. Future-cruise deposit 9:31 – 2. Don't let one moment ruin the cruise 10:26 – 1. Thank the crew by name The two paid items are the pub crawl or wine tasting, and the drink or mocktail of the day. The deposit is the one that can save you money later. Extra tipping comes up after the list. It is optional. We are Jeff and Becky. After 45+ cruises and 70+ countries, we still do this list. Subscribe for a new cruise video every Friday morning. Please leave a comment with the thing you never skip. Affiliate links: Our Viator shop: https://www.viator.com/partner-shop/a-cruising-good-time Amazon travel gear: https://amzn.to/4tlrj9c OONO backpack (10% off with code a_cruising_good_time): https://61cda5-3.myshopify.com?ref=a_cruising_good_time #acruisinggoodtime #cruisetips #freethingsonacruise The information expressed in this video is the opinion of the creators and is for entertainment purposes only. This is not professional advice. Please consult your travel professional or the cruise lines for advice specific to your booking. Copyright A Cruising Good Time LLC 2026