That said, the cruise industry is very good at tempting you into spending more than necessary once you’re aboard. Fortunately, there are easy ways to dodge the up-charges and save thousands without skimping on the fun.

Here’s how to cruise like a seasoned sailor without sinking your wallet:

1. Skip the drink package

Drink packages can be alluring. Unlimited soda! Fancy coffee! Boozy mojitos from sunrise to sundown! But unless you’re truly committed to drinking like a fish, these packages rarely pay off — often costing $60-$100 per person per day.

The good news: Most ships offer a surprising array of drinks for free. I’m talking filtered water, iced and herbal teas, basic juices, standard coffee, and even hot cocoa for the kiddos or cool-weather cruisers. That’s plenty to keep you hydrated and happy.

Courtesy photo

But if you’re still craving the occasional cocktail or alcoholic beverage, just pay per drink. Provided you’re not an alcoholic, you’ll probably still come out ahead of all-you-can-drink plans.

2. Stick with the free stuff

You don’t need specialty restaurants to eat like a king. Every cruise ship I’ve ever sailed has multiple free (and frankly delicious) dining options. Main dining room? Fantastic. Buffet? Surprisingly solid. Pizza window, burger grill, late-night snack stations? All included.

The same goes for entertainment. The shows, live music, trivia contests, karaoke, outdoor movie nights, water slides, ropes courses — all free. Why pay extra for escape rooms or fitness classes when the complimentary options are genuinely fun and abundant?

The value is in the variety — and it’s already baked into your fare.

3. Book excursions with third parties

Here’s a little-known secret: many of the same tour companies that operate the cruise ship’s official excursions also take bookings directly — for a lot less.

Third-party vendors are easy to find online and often have glowing reviews on TripAdvisor or cruise forums. They’ll usually guarantee you’re back at the ship on time, and many offer smaller group sizes than the cruise line’s excursions.

The savings can be dramatic: A $100 zip line tour from the cruise line might cost $60 when booked direct. Just do your research, book early and triple-check the meeting point.

4. Put your smartphone in airplane mode

Cruise ship Wi-Fi is notoriously expensive and painfully slow. Unless you’re a remote worker or influencer who needs to upload poolside selfies in real time, skip the internet package altogether.

Instead, switch your phone to airplane mode as soon as you set sail (to avoid roaming charges), then connect to the ship’s free app for things like the daily schedule, dining reservations, and even chat with fellow passengers or iMessage users in some cases.

On port days, you can then check email or post photos with free or affordable land Wi-Fi.

5. Book early (or last minute) for the best deals

Cruise pricing is a bit like airfare: It fluctuates. But one thing’s certain — booking early (as in six to 12 months out) often nets you the lowest base fares and best cabin choices. Interior rooms, especially, offer killer deals for travelers who care more about adventures than ocean views.

On the flip side, if you’re flexible with your dates and destinations, you can sometimes score last-minute deals within 30 days of sailing. These “fill-the-boat” fares can be shockingly low — but choice is limited and airfare might offset the savings. Either way, the middle ground (booking three to four months out) tends to be the most expensive.

Saving money on a cruise isn’t about deprivation — it’s about being deliberate. Traveling smarter, not poorer. So skip the unnecessary extras, embrace the included perks and remember: The ocean view, the warm breeze and that soft-serve swirl at 10 p.m. are all free.

Blake Snow contributes to fancy publications and Fortune 500 companies as a bodacious writer-for-hire and seasoned travel journalist to all seven continents. He lives in Provo with his wife, five children and one ferocious chihuahua.