A cruise passenger with 26 years of experience and 58 voyages has identified several popular onboard extras that she advises fellow travelers to reconsider, suggesting that money might be better saved or spent elsewhere.
Allie Hubers, a frequent cruiser, shared her insights on amenities such as spa treatments, drink packages, professional photography, and laundry services, highlighting potential pitfalls and offering alternative strategies.
Onboard Services to Reconsider
Hubers suggests that onboard spa treatments, while tempting for relaxation, often come with a high price tag compared to land-based options. She notes that staff may also employ aggressive sales tactics for products. Instead of individual treatments, she recommends considering a spa pass that allows access without sales pressure.
Drink packages can also be a questionable expense. Hubers found that purchasing these packages led to feeling pressured to consume more alcohol than desired, resulting in hangovers. She suggests using an online drinks package calculator to determine if it's financially worthwhile for individual consumption habits.
Onboard art auctions are another area to approach with caution. Hubers has heard accounts of passengers regretting impulse purchases made during competitive auctions. She advises supporting local artists during port excursions instead.
Professional photos offered on cruises can be expensive and, according to some passengers, may result in overly posed and generic images. 
Room service, while convenient, frequently incurs additional delivery fees on many cruise lines, making it a less economical choice. Hubers prefers to dine in the ship's restaurants, with the exception of complimentary continental breakfast.
Lastly, paying for laundry services on longer voyages can quickly become costly. Hubers reported charges of $12 for a dress and $24 for a suit on a recent trip. Her recommendation is to bring travel-sized detergent and wash smaller items by hand in the cabin sink.
