What free things can you get on a cruise? — featuring Cruising Kat

0:00 You know that feeling when you get home, start chatting with another cruiser on Facebook, and they casually mention something amazing that they got for free that you had no idea about. Well, it happens to all of us because cruise lines aren't exactly shouting from the rooftops about all the freebies that you

0:18 can get. And that's exactly why I'm making this video today. If you're new here, I'm Cat and I'm about to share some things that you can get completely for free on your next cruise. And I'm not talking about the obvious things like the buffet or the pool. I'm talking about perks that many passengers walk

0:36 right past without ever knowing they exist. Before we dive in, hit that subscribe button so you don't miss any of my cruise tips that help you save money and make your vacation so much better. And stick around until the end because I'm going to share a little known strategy that experienced cruisers

0:52 use to get VIP treatment without really paying for it. So, let's start with one of my favorite topics, food, [music] because who doesn't love getting more food options for free. Pretty much all cruise lines follow the traditional appetizer, entree, dessert routine. And most people know that you can probably

1:12 order multiple appetizers or maybe a couple desserts. But this is what most people don't realize. You don't have to stick to that format at all on most cruise lines. Now, some will relit you, but on most cruise lines, if you want to try every single appetizer on the menu and skip the entire entree completely,

1:33 go for it. Or if you feel like having a dessert as an appetizer, absolutely. I often order the cheese plate, which usually is listed as a dessert, as an appetizer for the table. The waiters usually don't have any problem with swapping things around. The times that you will run into problem is on cruise

1:50 lines that specifically state you are only allowed one or that there's an upcharge for an additional entree. And speaking of food choices, have you ever woken up early wanting a breakfast and dreading the buffet crowds? [music] Here's a solution that most cruisers miss out, and that is free room service

2:08 for continental breakfast. [music] On most ships, if you fill out the breakfast card and hang it on your door the night before, items like coffee, juice, pastries, and fruit will be delivered to your cabin at no charge. And there's nothing better than sipping coffee on your balcony while everybody

2:25 else is fighting for a table upstairs. Now, I know what you're thinking. But Cat, what about my sweet tooth? Well, don't worry. I've got you covered there, too. While most ships have some kind of upgraded ice cream place like a gelato shop or ice cream milkshakes, many ships, pretty much every one I've been

2:44 on, have soft served ice cream machines that are free tucked [music] away somewhere. And usually they're by the pool or in a buffet area. And you can also go back for seconds, too. [music] So, those are completely free. Now, here's something that might surprise you because it's not really advertised

3:02 anywhere. and that's on many ships. You can customize your pizza orders and you just really have to ask nicely, but it's also especially helpful if you have allergies or dietary restrictions. So, just ask them. The worst they can say is no, but more often than not, they're happy [music] to accommodate. Before I

3:21 move on to the next section, let me quickly mention drinks. There are actually several opportunities to have free alcoholic beverages on a ship if you know where to look. And these are things like art auctions, captain's parties, loyalty events, and shop promotions that often offer

3:39 complimentary drinks. But I actually covered that in another whole video dedicated to this topic. So I will link it here. Check it out if you want to learn all the different strategies for free drinks on board. Now, I'm going to mention something that's going to save you a lot of money and hassle if you're

3:56 traveling with a baby or a toddler. One of the free things you can get by asking is a pack and play for your cabin. [music] So you don't have to bring one from home and they are really bulky. So that saves you a whole luggage space. But it goes a lot further than that. Have you ever looked at the price

4:13 difference between booking a double occupancy cabin versus a triple occupancy? I mean, it can be hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on the ship you're going on. [music] But here's what many people don't know. On some cruise lines, you can book your little one into a double occupancy cabin and

4:32 request a pack and play or crib by only paying taxes and port fees. Now, different cruise lines will have different policies, but this is where having a knowledgeable travel adviser really pays off. I have personally had to argue with Royal Caribbean's call center about this. Just last month, I

4:49 had three families with babies that were right around one year old, and I was able to save them thousands by insisting [music] to book that way. All the call center agents were telling me, "No, this is not possible. They have to pay for triple occupancy." So, you want to know the rules because that really does help

5:07 you. The pack and plays are provided free and they'll set them up right in your cabin and they're clean and sanitized. Now, let's talk about something that can make or break your cruise, and that's all those fun things that you can do on the ship. Have you ever stood on the deck watching other passengers zip down

5:23 water slides or climb rock walls and wondered if you needed to pay extra for that? Well, the good news is that many of these thrill activities are completely free. Flow riders, rock climbing walls, mini [music] golf, and a lot of other things are often included in your cruise fair. [music] That said,

5:42 some specialty activities do come with a fee, and we've paid anywhere from $5 to $100 per each activity. So, it's always worth checking with your cruise planner before boarding or once you're on the ship to see what's included. Usually, they will indicate it right there if it has any extra cost. But, you might be

6:03 surprised by how many of these exciting activities don't cost you anything extra. And if you prefer mental challenges over physical ones, don't miss out the trivia competitions because these are always free to join. And you can actually win prizes. Of course, many times the prize is going to be a

6:21 keychain. But I've seen people walk away with bottles of champagne, hats, bags, and really cool water bottles. Plus, it's a fun way to meet other passengers. Speaking of entertainment, have you ever been stuck in your cabin on a rainy day wondering what to do? Most ships offer movies in your cabin for free. And if

6:43 the weather is good, they'll have movies under the stars on the pool deck. [music] And we've sailed on ships where they even provide blankets and popcorn for the movies under the stars. It's like having your own private cinema. If you've always wanted to try your luck at the casino, but fell intimidated by the

7:00 games, here's a little secret. Cruise ship casinos often have free gaming lessons. [music] They typically hold them during the sea days or maybe even when casinos closed while in port, but you can learn blackjack, poker, roulette, and more without risking a single dollar. It's really just a no

7:19 pressure way to learn the basics before you decide if you want to play for real. If you're traveling with kids, you're going to love this next one. Did you know that most kids clubs and supervised activities are completely free on most cruise lines? These aren't just babysitting services. They're fully

7:37 programmed activity centers with trained staff, games, crafts, and age appropriate entertainment. So, your kids will have a blast and you'll have some much needed adult time. It's really a win-win. And before I tell you about the next category of freebies, I want to mention something that makes your whole

7:57 cruise a lot more comfortable, let's talk about those cabin amenities that I mentioned earlier. There are many things that you can request in your cabin that most people don't realize are available, from extra blankets and pillows to wine glasses, mattress toppers, and a lot more. But here's the thing. I just

8:15 created another whole video about that specific topic and things you should do as soon as you get to your cabin. So, I will cover all those things and amenities in detail there. And I will link it right here and in the description. But what I'll say here is that you want to request those things

8:32 early because many items are first come, first served. So definitely check out that other video if you're interested in making your cabin more comfortable. Have you ever felt seasick on a cruise or worried that you might be? Well, this is something that can save your vacation because sometimes free seasickness

8:53 medication can be available at guest services for free. In fact, on our Alaska cruise last time, the seas were particularly rough. guest services had a bowl of seasickness tablets sitting right there on the counter for anybody to take. And they want you to feel good and enjoying your cruise, not be stuck

9:11 in your cabin feeling miserable. And if you use a CPAP machine, here's a valuable tip. Many cruise lines provide distilled water for CPAP users. Policy vary by cruise lines. Some offered for free, others charge a very small fee, but it's definitely worth asking about rather than trying to pack your own. And

9:32 you can also request extension cords if needed. Just be sure to mention this when booking or at least before boarding. Speaking of health and wellness, did you know that you can access the Chips Gym and many of their specialty classes completely free of charge? Most cruise ships gyms I've seen are

9:51 state-of-the-art facilities with amazing ocean views. [music] And here's a little bonus tip. The showers in the gym are often much larger and much nicer than the ones in your cabin. So after your workout, you might want to take a shower there instead. And if you're looking for a bit of pampering

10:09 without the spa prices, here's a trick. On imbrecation day, the spa often offers free mini treatments or samples to entice you to book a full service. You can enjoy a quick chair massage or a facial sample without spending a dime. And even if you have no intention to book anything, these little freebies are

10:29 a nice treat. If you're celebrating something special on your cruise, like a birthday, an anniversary, or a honeymoon, be sure to let the cruise lines know. They can sometimes provide special recognition like cabin decorations, complimentary desserts, or sometimes even a free bottle of wine in

10:48 some cases. Again, it's going to differ from ship to ship, but just mention it when booking or tell your cabin steward when you arrive. And speaking of special perks, let's talk about loyalty programs. Many people think that you have to reach some really high level to get any benefits, but that's not true.

11:08 Even after just a few cruises, you might be entitled to perks like priority boarding or exclusive events with free drinks or on some onboard discounts. They might not be big, but they are free to use. So, don't wait until you've cruised dozens of times on one cruise line to check out what benefits you

11:27 might have. For those higher loyalty tiers, you might get access to some really good benefits like behind the scenes tours that other passengers would be have to pay for. These can include visits to the galley, the bridge, or backstage areas, which is a fascinating experience that we absolutely loved.

11:45 Now, let's talk about some practical freebies that can make your cruise easier. Did you know that guest services often can give you things like [music] pens, postcards, and even playing cards? The cards are usually branded with a cruise lines logo, so they make a really nice souvenir, too. And you can pick up

12:03 things like daily cruise planner for free, which outlines all the activities and events happening on board. You know, many people hate having to plan everything on the cruise ship app on a phone, but don't realize that these are available and miss out on planning their day effectively. Here's something that

12:21 can make a huge difference for passengers with mobility challenges, and that's many cruise ships offer free accessibility accommodations if you just ask. These can include things like shower chairs or bath stools or bed elevation aids for CPAP users or handheld shower sprays. Availability is

12:42 going to vary by ship and cruise line, and it's really not guaranteed, but it's absolutely worth asking about. Some accommodations need to be requested in advance. So, if you have specific needs, make sure to mention them before you're booking your cruise. And now, here's that special tipping strategy that

13:00 experienced users use to enhance their service throughout the cruise. And while it's not technically free, it's a strategy that can help pay for itself many times over. So, instead of waiting until the end of your cruise to tip your cabin steward, consider giving them a tip on the very first day. And it

13:20 doesn't have to be huge. Something like $20 along with a friendly introduction and some specific requests you might have. Many cruisers report receiving exceptional service throughout their cruise. After doing this, you could even include a note with your specific preferences. And again, this is not a

13:38 guarantee of special treatment, but cabin stewards work incredibly hard, and showing you appreciation early on can result in them going above and beyond for you. With all these amazing things that you can get for free that many people don't even know about, the key takeaway here is simple. It never hurts

13:58 to ask. I mean, the worst they can do is say no. But more often than not, cruise lines are happy to accommodate reasonable requests when you ask with a smile to make your vacation more enjoyable. So, if you found this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up and don't forget to subscribe for more

14:17 cruise tips and [music] advice. And let me know in the comments if you ever received any special freebies on your cruise that I did not mention. [music] Thank you for watching and I'll see you in the next video here. Happy cruising.