If you'd prefer to watch the video, click here: Top 6 Cruise Splurges | What You Should Spend Extra On!
Cruising is one of the most affordable and value-centric ways to travel. Having said that, there is definitely room to splurge, and here are my top 6 splurges to consider for your next cruise.
BALCONY CABIN
One of my top recommended splurges is a balcony cabin.
On modern cruise ships, balcony cabins make up the bulk of onboard accommodation. In many cases, what used to be known as oceanview or outside cabins, those are rooms with a window, aren’t even available anymore.
Having access to your own, private balcony, can transform your cruise experience. Imagine sailing into port in the early morning, stepping onto your balcony and enjoying the scenery from your own private space. Order room service breakfast, and enjoy it outdoors while taking in the sights.
It’s also great to have access to fresh air whenever you want, especially if you’re prone to motion sickness.
Interior staterooms definitely offer amazing value for money, but balcony cabins can generally be found for only dollars per person, per day extra. So I recommend you look closely at the pricing and choose a balcony cabin if you think it’s worth the splurge.
DINING
Your cruise fare includes all of your onboard meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as snacks and food available in between main meal times. The buffet and main dining room are where you’ll find your included meals, and on some lines like Princess and Royal Caribbean, you’ll also have included casual dining restaurants that offer things like burgers, pizzas, hot dogs and ice cream.
Speciality dining restaurants are a great opportunity to experience a little extra luxury. Similar to high end land based restaurants, but at a significantly reduced rate, specialty restaurants are a great place to splurge.
With cuisines like Italian, Japanese, French as well as classic steakhouse style restaurants, there is no shortage of restaurant experiences onboard ships.
Taking it to the next level, the Chefs Table is an experience offered on most cruise lines where the chef prepares a special multi course dinner, paired with matching wines. Usually the chef’s table experience is held in private dining room, and it really is the ultimate onboard dining experience.
DRINK PACKAGES
Basic beverages like ice water, juice at breakfast time, tea and filter coffee are readily available at all times on a cruise, but when it comes to other drinks like cocktails, soft drinks and barista coffee, you’ll need to pay extra. It can then be worthwhile purchasing a drinks package.
Drinks packages come in many sizes, some including only soft drinks and coffee, others including cocktails and the very best including top shelf liquors as well. But, not every drink package is equal and you need to be aware of the terms and conditions. On some lines, you’re limited to a number of alcoholic drinks per day, and that can be a downer. Something else to consider is that if you’re itinerary is port-intensive, you might not be onboard long enough to really make the most of the drinks package.
Personally, I’ve never specifically purchased a drinks package. I’ve done some rough calculations at the end of my most recent cruises and I’m usually financially ahead for not having purchased one. But, they are very popular, I just suggest you do your research first to make sure it’s the right splurge for you.
TOURS
Cruise line tours are most usually available to purchase online prior to your cruise. You can check out all of the available options for a specific port, and pre-book your spot on a shore tour.
The benefit of booking your tours through the cruise line is that you’re protected in several instances. If your ship is unable to reach a port due to weather for example, which can happen especially at ports that rely on tender access, the cruise line will automatically refund the cost of the tour to your onboard account.
If a tour you book through the cruise line is late returning to the port for whatever reason, the ship will wait for you to arrive, or make sure that you meet up with it at its next port, and the cruise line will foot the bill.
Independent tours can also be a great way to enjoy a port, but you do have to be mindful of timing, and the independent tour company’s refund policy if the ship does not make it into port for whatever reason. For peace of mind, booking a shore tour through the cruise line can be a sensible splurge.
BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR
f you think you’ll enjoy a guided behind the scenes tour onboard a ship, then make sure you check to see if your cruise line offers this type of tour. Many do, and it’s a fantastic experience. Often times, you’ll have access to the Bridge, to the galleys and some crew areas. Not only do you learn a great deal about shipboard life, and the operational side of cruise life, you usually are treated to a cocktail or meal, and at the very least, you become part of the very few that have scene behind the curtain.
SUITE
It goes without saying that a suite is a pretty amazing way to travel. They certainly cost more up front, but one of the many benefits of a suite is access to various onboard perks that other’s don’t get. Many of the splurges I’ve mentioned in this video are included in the cost of a suite. As well as extras like priority boarding, suite-only lounges and decks, to of course included drinks packages, internet and speciality dining. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that you’ll be staying in some of the biggest and most luxurious rooms onboard.
A suite is of course the ultimate splurge, but I do recommend you check the costings closely. There can be deals at certain times of the year, and once you factor in a lot of the included extras, the value proposition can really make sense.
What’s your ultimate cruise splurge? Let me know in the comments below!