I’ve been on more than 25 cruises. Here’s how I avoid hidden fees and extra costs every time while drinking for free.

Even if you have a beverage package, applicable state and local taxes are charged when any drinks are ordered within US waters.

This can really add up if your cruise itinerary stops at many US ports or you consume a lot of beverages on embarkation day.

The tax charge doesn’t solely apply in the US — other countries like Spain charge the same consumption tax that land-based tourists pay. To avoid extra drink taxes, wait to order beverages until your ship is out of waters where you’ll be charged them.

I don’t purchase the drink package unless it is included in my package. Instead, I’ve found ways to drink for free on cruises.

I’ve often found complimentary wine or Champagne at embarkation sail-away celebrations, duty-free shop open houses, art auctions, captain’s receptions, and parties for loyal cruisers.

I’ve also befriended passengers with drink passengers who are happy to order a round or two to share. Most folks can’t or don’t want to drink the maximum number of daily drinks permitted on a package, which can be 12 or more.

Some people try to bring wine on board to save money, but most ships charge a corkage fee, which ranges from about $15 to $29 per bottle.

You can usually avoid this fee by drinking the wine in your cabin, but some lines, like Norwegian Cruise Line, charge a $15 corkage fee just for bringing wine on board unless guests have a specific drink package.

Many cruise lines charge for room service, so I don’t order it — or I find a way around the fee. For example, on Norwegian Cruise Line, the $9.95 convenience fee isn’t charged if you order coffee or continental breakfast.

On Virgin Voyages, the $7 delivery fee is eliminated if you order a beverage using your Bar Tab, a set amount of funds that are debited when alcoholic and barista-made drinks are ordered.

I skip specialty dining because the food is typically only slightly better than what’s on offer in the main dining room, in my experience.

Most cruise ships have a steak house, but steak is usually served at least once in the main dining room.

If you really want to try specialty dining, consider going for brunch or lunch, which is cheaper than dinner in some eateries at sea. Just know the menu might be different.

Pricing for browsing the web is steep on most cruise ships.

On my fall 2023 cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Jewel, one day of unlimited basic internet was $240.

If I don’t book with a cruise line like Virgin Voyages and Regent Seven Seas that offers free internet, I find free WiFi hot spots in port and rely on the technology that powers cruise apps’ push notifications to send text-only messages on sea days.

I put my phone on airplane mode, connect to the ship’s WiFi, and then use a messaging app like iMessage or WhatsApp.

I love to take pictures, but I don’t like the high prices for photography on cruise ships. Some photo packages cost well over $100 and a single print can be at least $15.

Instead, I ask the ship’s photographers take my photo with their camera and also on my phone to capture a nearly identical souvenir.

Unless there is something truly unique that I can’t get anywhere else, I skip purchasing duty-free items on board. Although you don’t have to pay taxes on them, I find many have a huge markup.

If I plan to buy something on board, I’ll do an internet search while in port to see how much it typically costs. In the rare case the item is a lower price at sea, I wait until the last day of the cruise to buy it since most ships have sales at the end of a sailing.

For souvenirs, I get off the ship and buy something in port to support local artisans.