Ahoy there cruises.
We put together a list of the 9 top biggest cruise ripoffs.
That are going to take your money when they don't need to.
The first thing that is not a ripoff.
Is to subscribe because it's completely free!
So make sure you subscribe to our channel right now.
So the number one ripoff is bottled water.
Oh my gosh this costs an absolute fortune on board.
I can hear the cash registers as you said it.
You can get some packages where you get 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 bottles.
But when you add this up, oh my gosh!
You're paying like triple what you pay on land.
We've been sucked into this.
The very first time we cruised.
We thought that you couldn't get any free water on the ship.
So we bought lots and lots of bottled water which cost us an absolute fortune.
So what we recommend you doing is taking your own portable water mug
or bottle or whatever.
And you can use the free fountains on board which are usually located in the buffet section.
Tap water on board is completely safe as well around the ship.
Rip off a number 2 is transfers.
Yes these can also cost a fortune.
So when we say transfers we mean transfers you booked with your cruise line
to and from the airport, when you begin and leave your cruise,
and transfors- ooh "transfors"
[Sings] Transformers robots in your eyes.
I can't talk!
And whilst you are in port as well.
So from the actual port to the middle of the center.
We found it's much often cheaper to just to do it by yourself.
Either by booking a taxi or using local transportation.
The top tip here is to just research before your cruise.
Research your embarkation and disembarkation ports.
And those all-important ports that you're visiting
to see if there is any transport options
such as local transport.
And if you are taking a taxi look at the average price of a taxi
just so you know and you're not going to get ripped off.
There was one recent time when we were on our Baltic Cruise.
Where a transport was offered for $25 per person return.
When there was actually a tram station just at the bottom of the ship
which cost about €2 return each.
Which is like one-tenth the price.
We did our research though so we knew this.
But we the onboard announcements
made it sound like there wasn't any other transportation.
Don't be fooled by that.
Just do you research beforehand so you are nice and confident when you get there
of what you're going be doing that day.
So ripoff number 3 is port excursions.
We've talked about this one a lot.
They are very expensive
and if you booked through the cruise line they will add an extra charge on to that
so that they get a little bit more money
and it can cost a fortune.
Oh my gosh.
We've seen them ten times the normal price
of what you could do yourself.
You just have to make sure if you are going to book with a third party company.
Make sure that they're reputable, offer insurance just in case your ports cancelled
and that they get you back to the ship as early as possible.
But we tend to do it DIY don't we.
Yeah we do.
Research your port. When you research in them transfers!
To see what there is to do in port.
We find a lot of the time we use local transport or local taxis
and do things by ourselves.
Just grab a Uber it's much cheaper.
Ripoff number 4 is onboard shopping.
You can get ripped off here guys.
We've seen it plenty of times.
So we recommend that you cross-check your prices on land.
So we'll usually see a watch, or something nice in one of the shops
or perfume or aftershave,
and we'll double-check on Amazon just to see how much it is on there.
To see if we are actually getting a real good deal or not.
We like to compare it with what you can get online
and what you'll see on land as well.
So have a look in some of the port as well if there's something in particular that you like.
Especially in the Caribbean.
Things like watches, jewellery, tobacco, cigarettes and alcohol.
Are usually much cheaper off the ship.
Even with their great deals.
Don't get taken away with these $10 sales.
That they say are fantastic sales!
Bargains! Bargains!
Because guys, they're not.
It's usually products that a low quality, that you can actually get cheaper at home.
And you'll also usually find that you are recommended specific shops
by the cruise line of where to shop.
Don't be taken in by this either.
Even if you're given a voucher or something or a free drink.
Prices usually are slightly inflated.
Because obviously the cruise line wants to make money.
So, rip-off number 5 is the onboard spa.
Let's be honest here. Spa treatments are super, super expense.
They have a really big markup and a really big price tag.
But a top tip is that you can actually get some real good spa treatments
on good offers.
Especially towards the end of your cruise or on quiet days, like port days.
You'll usually find big offers.
Half price sales on haircuts and massages and the thermal suite.
So do look out for those if you really do want to book a spa treatment.
Ripoff at number 6 is the casino!
This isn't "The Hunger Games" guys.
The odds may never be in your favor!
Cruise lines have different rules to the land.
So the odds aren't as good.
You can end up spending an absolute fortune
without even realizing how much you're spending.
And don't let alcohol influence you either
because that can really impair your judgment.
Don't be taken away with the free sessions or the free classes.
In the end,
they want you to do the free session and then spend some money.
You've heard the old saying: "The house always wins".
So just make sure you are aware of what you're spending
and if you do enjoy the casino just set yourself a budget.
So ripoff number 7 is single supplements.
Cruise lines will charge you double
if you are solo traveler taking up a room that is made for two people.
So a big tip here is to look for a cruise line that offers solo cabins.
Our favorites are Royal Caribbean and NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line).
Because these offer solar cabins without that sing-o-sup-
Single supplement!
That's a lot of esses.
Especially Norwegian have an amazing lounge.
Where you can get together with other solo travelers.
In their own cool studio section with little studio cabins that are just made for one.
And obviously you don't get these big massive supplements on top.
But, of course, some solo cabins could be very expensive.
Depends if it's busy.
So if they are, look at a cheaper cabin.
For example, a Guaranteed Inside Cabin.
Which is usually the cheapest type of cabin on a ship.
As it may actually be cheaper than getting a solo cabin.
Even with that extra supplement.
Ripoff number 8 is the onboard photography.
Again, like the spa, this can be super expensive.
Why not just take your own photos.
Whilst you're getting photos with fake backdrops in the background
you've got the real scenery outside.
Go take the real photos.
Again if you do want to buy these.
Because you're not really a big camera person.
Look out towards the end of the cruise for special packages.
Which are usually half price or whatever.
Yeah, you can sometimes find these before you sail.
On the cruise planner of your cruises website.
So if you know you are going to be buying the photo packages.
It's good to get them before your sail.
Also don't feel pressured into buying a photo.
Even if you've had your photo taken you don't have to.
You can take the photo, have a look at it and then decide later if you want it.
If you do choose to do the photo package.
Make sure you get as many photos as you can.
Make the most of it.
So every opportunity, get loads of photos.
If you are going to pay. You may as well come away with 300 photos.
[David] You in every position. [Ben] Doing random stuff.
Random fake pictures.
We saw some funny people havent we.
Lying on the floor and stuff.
Ripoff number 9 is activities.
These can be very expensive and they can quickly add up.
We're talking about things such as; bowling, go-karts, zip lines, escape rooms, extra paid shows,
simulators, IMAX cinema.
These all add up.
Particularly if you're traveling with a family.
If you've got two kids and they want to go on every single one of them activities.
That is going to probably cost you more than the cruise!
They are much more expensive than you would find on land.
So just save it and do those things on land.
Because seriously guys, they're gonna be so much cheaper.
And you'll save an absolute fortune.
Make sure you put a cap on your kids cards as well.
So they don't go spending an absolute fortune on the onboard arcades.
It's all cashless.
We'll just be swiping away.
You're in the casinos spending all your cash.
They're in the casinos with no limit.
In the casino? In the arcade.
You wake up the next morning you see your bill.
"Oh my gosh! I've spent $3,000 and the kids have spent $1,000 on the arcades"
So just got a guest services and asked them to put a cap on the kids spending.
So we hope you enjoyed our 9 ripoffs.
If you've got any ripoffs yourself.
Please pop them in the comments below and let everybody else know.
We might feature on an upcoming show.
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That's it till next time.
Happy cruising!