Cruising is certainly one of the very best ways to take a vacation. While you’re on the boat, you can leave all of your troubles on shore, enjoying the various amenities the ship provides and taking in all the sights and sounds at the various ports of call.
Of course, there’s one trouble that never totally leaves us, even when we’re on vacation: money. While much of what you’ll experience on a cruise ship is already included in your far, some of it is not. If you’re not careful, you could find yourself burning a rather large hole in your pocket while you’re out at sea!
With that in mind, you might find yourself asking whether or not its possible to take a cruise while leaving your wallet in the stateroom. Well, it certainly is, especially if you know what freebies you can enjoy!
Below, we’ve collected 14 amazing things you can do for free on cruise ships. We think you’ll find that your fare gets you a lot further than you might have thought, and that it really is possible to enjoy your entire cruise without putting a huge dent in your bank account. Let’s take a look…
1. Donkey Sauce
You’ve watched “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”, now sample what Guy Fieri’s cooking at his burger joints aboard many of Carnival’s ships.
2. Get the Milkshake
When you’re cruising aboard an Oceania ship, you can now get poolside milkshakes for free… Who could say “no” to that?
3. Infinite Pizza
If there’s one food that most people can’t say no to, it’s pizza. Well, Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean are all too happy to offer their passengers all the pizza they can eat… For free!
4. Ropes Courses
A number of cruise ships are now offering exciting free ropes courses for their passengers. We happen to believe that the one aboard the Norwegian Breakaway is the best.
5. Give Surfing a Try
On Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class cruise ships, you can now try your hand at surfing on the amazing FlowRider simulators.
6. Get Loaded
If you’re looking for the “all-inclusive” treatment with regards to alcohol on a mainstream cruise ship, look no further than the Norwegian Sky, which now includes drinks that cost up to $11 as part of your fare.
7. Experience Skydiving
If trying surfing isn’t extreme enough for you, then maybe take a spin through Royal Caribbean’s skydiving simulators?
8. Broadway Entertainment
Have you seen the cost of a Broadway show these days? Well, when you’re aboard a Norwegian ship, you can see a Broadway show… For free!
9. Putt for Dough
Mini-golf is always an enjoyable family activity. Get your fill for free aboard a number of ships, including several Disney ships and Royal Caribbean’s ships.
10. Nobu… For Free!
Nobu is regarded as one of the most delicious and exclusive restaurant experiences in the world. When you’re on a Crystal cruise ship, you can sample the fare for free… But only once.
11. Your Bathrobe
If you’re on a Carnival cruise ship, make sure you get your hands on one of their complementary bathrobes, and make sure you use it!
12. Poolside Movies
Watching a movie poolside and in the open air is always an enjoyable experience, and it’s something you can do for free on most cruise ships these days.
13. Stay Connected
Getting Wi-Fi on a cruise ship can be quite expensive, that’s why folks are so excited about the 60 to 90 minutes-a-day of free Wi-Fi that’s now being offered aboard Crystal Cruise Lines’ ships.
14. Watch the Sunset
You’re on the open ocean, and you can do anything you want. Grab a cocktail, hold tight to a loved one, and watch the sunset.
