Cruise ship holidays can certainly be very expensive if you’re looking for tip-top luxury. However, there are plenty of ways you can keep costs down, no matter which cruise you’re on. There are a plethora of free things to do on a cruise – some of which you might not know about. These are just a few examples of activities onboard that won’t cost you a penny.
Drinking
If you’re on an alcohol-inclusive fare, it’s worth making the most of the beverages available (within reason). It’s not just luxury cruise lines that offer this now, however.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky includes most drinks in its basic cruise prices.
In 2016, Norwegian announced: “All guests sailing from Miami aboard Norwegian Sky will enjoy an even more all-inclusive cruise experience with dining, entertainment and now free unlimited beer, wine and premium spirits included.
“Whether they choose white or red, shaken or stirred, on the rocks or straight up, Norwegian Sky guests will revel in the freedom and flexibility of the most inclusive contemporary cruise vacation at sea.”
Meanwhile, on Oceania ships, you can benefit from free-poolside milkshakes.
Eating
Pizza is nearly always a favourite food – and it’s even better when it costs nothing at all.
Princess Cruises offer free pizzas from Alfredo’s Pizzeria – an Italian-style venue aboard Grand Princess, Sapphire Princess, Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess and Sky Princess.
Free pizza can also be had onboard Holland America Line ships thanks to New York Pizza. Guests can choose from a menu or even build their own.
Both Princess and Holland America also offer complimentary 24-hour room service on all their ships.
On Celebrity ships, passengers can order room service for free between 6am and 10 or 11pm. On all sailings, a late-night room fee of $4.95 will be added to all orders outside of these hours.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, most cruise ships offer free soft-serve ice cream, according to cruise experts at Cruise Critic.
Getting active
Many cruise ships offer an impressive array of activities both above and below deck.
For instance, more than half of Royal Caribbean ships in the line’s fleet have FlowRider surf simulators where you can try surfing or Boogie boarding for free.
Carnival boasts rope courses for those passengers who are unafraid of heights. The 16-piece SkyCourse is found on Breeze, Magic, Sunshine, Sunrise, Vista and Horizon – and is free! It is due to come soon to Panorama, Radiance and Mardi Gras.
Norwegian also has a big, free ropes course on its Breakaway, Getaway and Escape ships.
Mini golf is also a popular sport onboard cruise ships. Most of Royal Caribbean’s ships offer it for free, as do Norwegian’s Breakaway – and Breakaway Plus-class ships – and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
Relaxing
Plenty of cruise lines offer free film nights on board. Marella Cruises offers Movies by Moonlight onboard Discovery, Discovery 2, Explorer and Explorer 2. Princess Cruises’ has Movies Under the Stars.
Disney Cruise Line plays everything from new releases to Disney classics, in its indoor theatre as well as films up on the pool deck.