CRUISE guests and staff have revealed the things that it's worth paying extra for on board, that could save you money in the long run.
There's plenty of ways in which costs can rack up on board a cruise ship, so it's always worth being aware of how you can save money.
There are ways in which spending money in advance can actually save you money in the long run, which plenty of guests aren't aware of.
One of those is with drinks packages, which some people pay extra for before they travel, according to former cruise director Christine Kesteloo.
She recommends just biting the bullet and paying for a drinks package when booking a cruise.
That way, you won't have to worry about how much you're spending on booze while on your holiday.
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She told Insider: "The prices of drink packages are typically shocking, but you might feel worse if you skip the deal and see your alcohol bill at the end of the cruise."
Michelle Glicksman also told Insider that she saves money on alcohol by ordering her favourite drinks on board in the duty free shops.
However, she warns that those can't be drunk while on board.
She wrote: "If there's a certain type of alcohol you like, you can usually find it at onboard duty-free shops.
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"Although you can purchase alcohol at any time during your cruise, the staff usually won't deliver the bottles to your room or suite until disembarkation day. They're meant to be taken home and enjoyed there."
Another thing people often try and save money on is insurance by either paying for substandard travel cover, or not paying for it at all.
While cruises are generally very safe, things can still happen that will require you to pay out unexpectedly.
Whether that's for healthcare or for stolen items, making sure you're insured properly means you won't have to worry about those costs.
Christine said in a video on Tiktok: "Life happens and you never know what could go wrong.
"I have seen many guests get sick or injured on a cruise or an excursion and I always hope that they have travel insurance."
Finally, booking excursions at stopping points is something guests should always do in advance, according to both Christine and Michelle.
Not only can it save money and ensure you don't miss out when the excursions are fully booked, it can also make sure you don't miss the boat.
Some people try to make a saving by booking day trips and excursions with third parties and not through the cruise ship – but that creates unnecessary risks.
If something goes wrong and the ship is only waiting at its destination a short while, there's a chance you could find yourself stranded.
Christine's advice is: "If you book your short excursion on the ship and something goes wrong, like a flat tyre, the ship will wait for you.
"But if you go off booking your own car rental and you get a flat tyre and can't get back in time, the ship's going to leave."
Meanwhile, a cruise expert has revealed the worst things you can do as a passenger, which also includes overpacking.
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