You wouldn’t believe how much I missed out on when I first started going on cruises. In part, that was because I didn’t have experience in picking the right stateroom or planning my days.
However, another major reason was that I didn’t know how to ask for what I wanted.
Well…let me rephrase that. I didn’t think it was possible to ask crew members for extras.
Add to that the fact that I was traveling on a tight budget. The result? I settled for what was available, even when it was inconvenient or uncomfortable.
And because I don’t want you to make the same mistake, I put together a list of things you can get for free on a cruise just by asking nicely!
1. Extra Appetizers, Entrees, or Desserts
Believe it or not, many main dining rooms don’t enforce limits on the number of dishes per passenger. This means you won’t have to compromise when you can’t pick between two options on the menu.
But don’t get me wrong; this isn’t a green light to waste food. I only use this hack when I know I can eat what I order.
In addition, some cruise lines now charge a fee for a second main course. Before ordering, ask the waiter beforehand if you are not sure.
2. Off Menu Items
For all my lactose-intolerant friends like me, you could go to the cereal station and ask for soy milk (or any other non-dairy alternative).
That’s not much of a hack. After all, the restaurant staff always do their best to accommodate passengers’ dietary restrictions. At least, that has always been my cruising experience.
What many folks don’t know is that you don’t need to be allergic to request something off the menu.
For instance, once, I heard one passenger ask if his favorite dessert was on the weekly plan. Although it wasn’t, the maître had the dessert made especially for them! (I should specify that it was not a very crowded cruise).
3. A Fruit Bowl
You could get away with grabbing fruit from the buffet and taking it back to your cabin. But why do that when a fruit bowl could be delivered right to your door?
Yes, I know you have to pay extra for the fruit bowls on some cruise lines (looking your way, Carnival). Still, it doesn’t hurt to check if you can get a basket for free.
PRO TIP: At first, I was hesitant to ask, and I felt a bit embarrassed. Later, I realized there was nothing wrong with it. You just have to ask, and if it’s not possible, you’ll simply get a “No.”
5. Cabin Upgrade
Want to upgrade to a better cabin with little to no extra fees? Talk to the check-in staff about possible upgrades. Sometimes, you can also ask about it on the next port day.
If you’re lucky, someone will vacate their room early for one reason or another. That’s a bad experience for them but great news for you—you might just be able to take their room!
Even better would be to ask for it when boarding or follow these tips to increase the chance of receiving an upgrade.
4. Complimentary Pastries
Here’s what I like to do when I’m craving a good cup of joe (no offense to the drip coffee at the main dining room): I head to one of the onboard coffee shops, order a specialty coffee, and see if they offer complimentary pastry.
Getting a free cookie or croissant rationalizes the expense of the specialty drink, and it’s also a little extra treat to enjoy your coffee while completely relaxing.
Which coffee shops, you ask?
Well, Cafe Promenade is a decent pick for Royal Caribbean passengers, while Grounds Club is my go-to aboard Virgin Voyages.
If you’re traveling on Celebrity, you must check out the finger sandwiches at Cafe al Bacio! I personally love them!
6. Postcards
It doesn’t matter if you’re building a collection or if you’re actually going to mail them back home. There’s still something appealing about postcards.
While you can buy postcards from the ports, you can also get some for free on the cruise.
Just go to the Guest Services and see if they have any cards with a picture of the ship on them.
7. Guest Services Freebies
Postcards aren’t the only freebies the Guest Services has to offer. Some passengers managed to snag a deck of cards, seasickness remedies, and more.
Check the full list in the article of the 17 things you can request for free from guest services on a cruise.
Pro Tip: Go to the desk as soon as possible. They tend to run out of gifts quickly!
8. Meds
I always tell first-time cruisers to pack a small kit with all the medical essentials (allergy pills, antacids, etc.). That’s because medications are generally expensive on cruises.
If this is your first cruise, remember to follow the guide of things to always have in your cruise carry-on luggage.
That said, some cruise lines (like Royal Caribbean and MSC) provide motion sickness meds or paracetamol for free. Look for them at the Medical Center or the Guest Services desk.
9. Room Service for Breakfast
Don’t feel like getting dressed and heading to a hectic buffet first thing in the morning? If so, you can get continental breakfast delivered to your stateroom free of charge.
I recommend checking the cruise line’s policies beforehand, though. Norwegian, for instance, applies a room service fee to breakfast orders.
Even on cruises that offer zero-charge room service, some items are considered “upgrades.” Think omelets, cheese toasties, and hot dogs. Plus, you might need to notify the crew in advance to be on the safe side.
Side Note: Just because the breakfast itself is free doesn’t mean tips are out of the question. You might be expected to leave a small tip for the room service crew member.
10. Retail Giveaways
On day one, find the jewelry stores and ask if they do any giveaways.
If they say yes, then all you need to do is sit through a sales pitch, take the freebie, and resist the temptation to buy anything else.
The prize is usually a necklace or a pair of earrings. A few cruise lines also hand out ship-themed charms every night.
Is this top-tier jewelry? Not really, but I still think it’s worth a shot. I mean, there’s nothing to lose (except maybe 30 minutes of your time).
11. A Small Fan for Your Cabin
Have you read my article on travel hacks that only cruise pros know? If you had, you would know that many people recommend bringing a small fan on a cruise.
You could definitely pack a small one, or you could ask your steward to lend you one for free. Just note that fans are usually available on a first-come-first-serve basis. So make up your mind quickly if you think you’ll need one!
Pro Tip: Because most cabins have metal walls and ceilings, it’s possible to hang the fan with a couple of magnetic hooks.
12. Cables, Adaptors, and Extension Cords
The number of outlets in most cabins is annoyingly low. To add insult to injury, your power strips and extension cords could get confiscated during boarding.
To avoid the hassle, ask your steward for them once you embark, but please remember that you’re taking a risk here as well.
If you REALLY need strips/cables (i.e., your trip will be ruined without them), buy cruise-approved ones, keep them in the original box, and bring them with you.
13. Comfier Bedding
I’ll be the first to admit cruise cabins aren’t the most comfortable place to sleep. Yet, I know you can easily get a better sleep experience without paying a cent on upgrades.
How? Find your steward and tell them you need extra linen, a softer pillow, or more sheets.
They might even be able to get you a wonderful mattress topper (I usually give a small tip for it, but don’t tell anyone).
14. A Bathrobe
When I treat myself to a suit, I usually find bathrobes and cozy slippers in the room.
I have often been told that it’s not possible to have it and that it’s exclusive to cabins of a higher type, but it won’t hurt to try.
Please Remember: This robe is “free” for you to use onboard only. Taking it home isn’t a hack; it’s theft!
15. An extra Lounger for Your Balcony
Ask your steward if they can provide an extra lounger for your balcony (on some ships, there is only one on the balcony).
The odds are that they’ll get you one before sunset, and you’ll be able to enjoy the sunshine with your traveling companion.
Of course, limited supply and balcony size are to be considered here. Sometimes, for safety reasons, no additional furniture can be added if the cabin is too small.
16. Cruise Swag
You could participate in ship activities or attend the Captain’s Welcome/Farewell party in hopes of scoring a tote, a keychain, a pen, a cap, or whatever prize the crew has to offer.
However, you can also request cruise ship swag. Yes, some passengers directly (but politely) ask their stewards for swag.
I wish I had known about this sooner. I would have built quite the collection by now. But I have to settle for the few branded envelopes and bookmarks I found in my cabins over the years.
If you wanna know what else you can get for free, you can look at the full list of things cabin stewards can bring you.
17. A Big Celebration
I saved this one for last because I think a one-of-a-kind b-day party is easily the best free “thing” you can get on a cruise.
Mention (during booking or at the guest service) that one of your group is celebrating a special birthday.
Fingers crossed, they’ll plan something nice for you. Usually, balloons outside the cabin door or a cake in the dining room.
This trick can work with anniversaries as well. You’ll probably get rose petals in the room instead of the balloons on the door, though.
Unfortunately, I’ve noticed that in recent years, decorating the cabin for special occasions has become a paid service on some cruise lines.
I hate that so many things that used to be free are now becoming paid services. Check the things that have changed on Royal Caribbean and the things that Carnival has quietly taken away.
I have tried several of them but these are the most durable and sturdy.
