11 Tips Cruise Lines Really Wish You Didn’t Know
Part 1 of 2
A little inside knowledge can make a cruise feel smoother, more comfortable, and often less expensive. Some tips simply help you avoid surprises, while others can help you make smarter choices before you book or board. None of these are tricks or rule-breaking ideas — they are practical things senior travelers deserve to know before setting sail.
You Aren’t Limited to Just a Single Item on the Menu
Food is one of the pleasures of cruising, and cruise lines know it matters to passengers. Behind the scenes, though, feeding thousands of guests is also a major expense. In 2025, Carnival Corporation spent $1.5 billion on food across its ships.
Because food costs are so high, cruise lines look for ways to reduce waste without making the experience feel limited. That is why dining-room portions may be modest, and why some lines now charge for certain room-service orders.
The good news is that in the main dining room, you can usually ask for more. If two appetizers sound good, or you would like to try an extra entrée, just ask your server. Some cruise lines may charge if you order quite a lot, but if you are still hungry or simply want to sample something new, you are not limited to only one item.
Those Big Sales Are Kind of Bogus
Everyone enjoys feeling like they found a bargain, and cruise lines understand that very well. Once you join an email list, you may see a steady flow of messages about limited time offers, special savings, and sales that sound too good to miss.
But before you rush, take a moment to compare the actual price. Always call Senior Travel at 818-430-1480 to get the TRUE sales price!
One tip to know is that cruise-line sales are often less special than they sound. Cruise lines run promotions constantly. When one sale ends, another usually replaces it, often with similar pricing. A “buy one, get one free” offer, for example, may work out much like 50% off.
Those “ends soon” messages can feel urgent, especially when a countdown timer is involved. In many cases, though, the sale is extended or replaced by another offer that looks terribly similar.
The best approach is simple: book when the cruise, cabin, and total price work for you — not just because a sale banner says time is running out.
Wet Wipes Are a Must (Just Don’t Flush)
Cruise ship bathrooms are compact and use extremely sensitive plumbing, so it is important to be thoughtful about what gets flushed.
The toilet paper provided on many ships is thin because it needs to break down quickly in the ship’s system. It may do the job, but it is not always the most comfortable option.
That is why many experienced cruisers bring a small pack of wet wipes for personal comfort. They can make an enormous difference, especially on longer trips.
Just remember even wipes labeled “flushable” should go in the trash, not the toilet. They can cause plumbing problems at home and can be even more troublesome on a ship. Use them if they help you feel more comfortable but dispose of them carefully.
Loyalty Programs Are Nearly Worthless for Many Passengers
I have sailed on over 135 cruises on many cruise lines. The one items that I do not let influence my decision on what cruise to travel on is the loyalty program.
Cruise lines promote loyalty programs because they encourage passengers to keep sailing with the same brand instead of comparing other options.
For most occasional cruisers, the rewards simply are not valuable enough to outweigh price, itinerary, cabin choice, or comfort. Unless you cruise several times every year, you may only receive small perks. On Royal Caribbean, for example, most passengers need 80 points — nearly three months at sea — before earning a free drink at the bar. Carnival has also revamped their entire plan, making rewards more closely tied to spending and resetting overtime. In most cases, choose the cruise that fits you best first, and treat loyalty perks as a bonus.
A “free” cruise sounds wonderful, but it usually comes with strings attached. In general, you either need an extraordinary number of loyalty nights, or you need to earn casino offers through gambling.
Our best advice is to Call Senior Travel and get all the up to date information on your cruise or land package.
Acknowledgement to Travel & Leisure for some of the included information