Cruise Ship Freebies You Should Know About
Free Pastries
Are you addicted to caffeine and can’t go a day without your latte or expresso? While coffee shops on board charge a small fee for specialty coffees, the delectable and delicious pastries are complimentary. Yes, you heard me……..free! The coffee shops generally have the most amazing pastries and finger foods that won’t cost you a penny. Although, they could cost you your waistline, lol.
Cruise vacations are in my opinion, the ultimate vacation. Where else can you unpack once and be in a different place every morning? Variety is the spice of life as they say and cruises offer lots of variety to suit each and every person. While some may argue that cruise vacations are expensive by the time you pay all the hidden fees, there are some perks to be found if you only know the secrets. Here is a list of cruise ship freebies you might not know about.
Free Lanyard
If you have ever cruised before or about to take your first cruise, cruise ships operate on a cash-free system. Instead, each guest receives a cruise card during embarkation. Whatever you do, don’t lose this card! This card gets you into your cruise cabin, on and off the ship, but also acts as a credit card. Everything you purchase on board is billed to this card. To keep this card safe, most passengers punch a hole in the card and attach a lanyard that they can wear around their neck. While these can be purchased, some cruise lines give out a free lanyard or flexible cord with clip. Just visit the casino and request they punch your card and ask for a cord. Why buy lanyards when these cruise ship freebies are available for the taking?
Free Motion Sickness Pills
Do you suffer from motion sickness? If you’ve forgotten to pack motion sickness remedies, just stop by guest services who generally keep free samples of seasickness pills. They want to keep their passengers happy and healthy so you can get some samples free of charge. Hopefully, of course, you won’t need them.
Free Champagne and Cocktails
Do you like to drink but hate to pay cruise ship alcohol prices? Be sure to visit the art auction to enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne.
Some cruise ship host captain’s cocktail parties or welcome aboard parties where complimentary cocktails are served. I have attended a few Princess Cruises Captain’s parties and enjoyed a free girly drink to quench my thirst. If you’re a past cruiser with your cruise line, you may receive an invitation to a past guest party where drinks and appetisers are included, or you’ll receive a coupon for a free drink on your last sea day.
Free Pastries
Are you addicted to caffeine and can’t go a day without your latte or expresso? While coffee shops on board charge a small fee for specialty coffees, the delectable and delicious pastries are complimentary. Yes, you heard me……..free! The coffee shops generally have the most amazing pastries and finger foods that won’t cost you a penny. Although, they could cost you your waistline, lol.
Free Room Service
Unlike a hotel room on land that charges you for room service, room service on a cruise ship is generally free. I say generally because some cruise lines are starting to implement charges during certain hours or for specific items.
Free room service means you can enjoy breakfast in bed every morning if you prefer. Just mark off your breakfast selections on the breakfast menu, choose your breakfast time and leave your request on your door handle before retiring for the night.
Free Beach Towels
Are you cruising somewhere warm and plan to participate in water activities? Cruise ships allow you to take the beach towels ashore to use during the day as long as you bring them back. This means you never need to pack bulky towels unless you prefer to use your own. Also, you never need to worry about drying your towel before the next day activity. Just, turn in your wet towel for a freshly laundered, dry one, and you’re set to go again.
Free Saunas and Steam Rooms
While cruise ship spas charge an additional fee for spa services, most have steam rooms and saunas that are free to use. Also, some have an indoor hot tub that is generally less crowded than the outdoor hot tubs because most are unaware it exists.
If you have more than 2 people sharing a cabin, the one bathroom can create a bathroom line up, especially during formal nights as everyone gets ready for dinner. Pop up to the spa instead where you can take a shower and have use of fresh towels, all without paying a fee or waiting in line.
Free Casino Lessons
Have you ever wanted to learn how to play craps, roulette or 3-card poker? Well, there’s no better place than a cruise ship casino. Dealers are more than willing to teach you a game. With the casinos running on sea days, there’s lots of time to watch others play before you are ready to play. Myself, I still haven’t figured out the game of craps, although I have spent lots of time watching it, lol.
Free Classes
Those who have never cruised before often ask what I do on sea days. Cruise ships offer a variety of activities to keep you entertained. Some of these include classes. Have you ever wanted to learn ballroom dancing, line dancing, watercolor painting, scrapbooking, jewelry making or photo editing? These are just a few of the classes and lessons you can take during your cruise vacation. Some ships also offer cooking classes.
I’ve taken many classes but still haven’t mastered the art of ballroom dancing. It doesn’t help when you’re born with two left feet, haha.
Free Desserts
Food, glorious food. It’s all included in your cruise fare. When you sit down to dinner and read the evening menu, don’t think you can only select one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert. If you don’t fancy any of the entre selections, order a few appetizers instead. If you love sweets as I do, you can order more than one. When looking at the cruise ship freebies, who doesn’t like dessert? Here’s a great tip; order an extra dessert and take it back to your cabin for your midnight snack.
Cruising gives you the opportunity to try new foods you might not otherwise order in a restaurant. During my many cruises, I have sampled alligator, frog legs, bison, and even “green eggs and ham.”