7 Cruise Expenses Worth Paying For Every Time

Saving money on a cruise is smart. But a handful of expenses can turn a trip from fine to miserable if you cut them, and a few can cost you the cruise entirely.

Ilana of Life Well Cruised laid out the seven things she won't cut corners on, based on years of cruising and some lessons learned the hard way.

1. Travel Insurance

If you get sick, need hospitalization, or require air evacuation while cruising outside the country, the bill can run into tens of thousands of dollars, and sometimes past $100,000.

A policy adds a couple hundred to a few hundred dollars to the cost of a cruise. Against that kind of exposure, it's an easy call.

2. A Better Economy Fare

Basic economy is where to draw the line, not business or first class.

The better bet is standard economy, or flex economy if it's offered. Flex typically runs about $75 more per ticket, and that covers a checked bag, your seat selection, the flexibility to change your flight, and more points earned.

That flexibility matters most when a flight gets disrupted and you need to move.

3. Specialty Dining

Cruise ship food is good, including the main dining room and casual spots. But some specialty restaurants are genuinely worth the upcharge, especially if dining out is something you enjoy at home.

There are ways to bring the cost down. Check whether a cruise line is running a promotion, like a discount on the first night or a free bottle of wine. Dining packages that bundle two or three restaurants often come with a discount too.

4. Comfortable, Quality Clothing and Shoes

Cute shoes that dig in or fall apart aren't a bargain. Cheap, uncomfortable footwear tends to end up in the trash soon after you buy it.

Prioritize comfort and quality for the clothing and shoes you'll actually walk in all day. Natural, easy-to-wear fabrics like organic cotton, linen, silk, and cashmere hold up well for cruising and travel.

5. Food and Drinks in Port

Food on the ship is free, but eating in port is where the money's often well spent. A good lunch or even a snack in port is worth it, and it can be worth skipping an excursion to pay for a meal instead.

The examples add up fast: lobster rolls in Maine, a pound-and-a-half lobster in Prince Edward Island for about $34 Canadian (roughly $25 US), pasta and pizza in Italy, souvlaki and tzatziki in Greece, and a wahoo fish sandwich on raisin bread in Bermuda.

6. A Pre-Cruise Hotel

Flying in the same day as the cruise to skip a hotel night is a gamble that goes wrong more often than people expect. Delayed flights cause travelers to miss their sailing entirely, and it happens regularly.

No amount of savings is worth missing the cruise, or even the stress of cutting it close. The hotel doesn't have to be fancy. A spot right at the airport does the job.

7. The Cruise Itself

Booking the cheapest possible cruise rarely pays off. Choosing an unfamiliar ship in 2012 to save about $1,000 for a family sailing meant an older ship, broken fixtures, weaker food, and lacking entertainment.

The cabin was comfortable, the ports were beautiful, and there was still fun to be had. But it was the first cruise where getting off at the end came as a relief.