💸 Save BIG on Your Cruise: Our Favorite Cruise Hacks, Freebies & Secrets!
- Tori Carter
- Apr 25
- 4 min read
Welcome aboard, savvy sailors! 🚢 If you're dreaming of cruising the high seas without draining your bank account, you're in the right place. We’re Tori & Kirk from the Kirk Tori Story YouTube channel, and we’ve lived on cruise ships full-time—yes, really! After sailing on over 50+ cruises and trying just about every tip and trick in the book, we’ve gathered our top money-saving cruise hacks into this must-read blog (with video links for every topic!).
👉 Bookmark this page. Share it with friends. Save the playlist. And make sure you're subscribed to our YouTube channel so you never miss a new cruise-saving strategy!
🎥 Watch the Full Playlist Of How To Save On Your Next Cruise Here:
🔗 Money-Saving Cruise Hacks Playlist on YouTube (This includes MANY more videos than just the ones listed in this cruise blog! Don't forget to save this list for your future watching pleasure.)
🚨 1. Warning: Your Cruise Might Be Overpriced
Let’s start with a bombshell: Most people overpay for cruises. Yep. But don’t worry—we show you how to save big on those overpriced fares and how we use tools, alerts, and price tracking to save thousands of dollars every year. Don’t book another cruise until you watch this one.
🔎 2. Last-Minute Cruise Deals: How to Save Thousands
If your schedule’s flexible, this video is gold. We break down our step-by-step method for finding last-minute cruise deals, which has saved us hundreds—sometimes thousands—on a single sailing. We even share the best sites and tips for jumping on those last-minute steals.
🤑 3. How to Get Free Money on a Cruise
Video: “How to get free money on a cruise”
Yes, free money is real. Think onboard credit (OBC) from booking bonuses, credit card perks, or travel agent incentives. We explain where to find it, how to ask for it, and how to stack offers for maximum cruise cash.
🎁 4. How to Get Free Stuff on Cruises
Video: “How to get free stuff on cruises”
From free drinks and snacks to exclusive events, there are more freebies on cruise ships than most passengers realize. We walk you through the little-known (but totally legit) ways we’ve scored free swag, champagne, massages, and more.
🍹 5. How to Get Free Drinks on Princess Cruises
We share all the sneaky-smart ways we got dozens of free drinks on our Princess cruise—no drink package required! From elite status perks to trivia and art events, this one’s a must-watch if you’re cruising on Princess.
🚫 6. Stop Wasting Money on Cruise Ship Drinks
Drink packages aren't always worth it—and we show you exactly why. In this video, we break down the true cost of cruise ship drinks, and how to maximize your bar budget without buying the expensive package.
💼 7. Get Up to $525 Free Onboard Credit
Video: “Get up to $525 free onboard credit”
Did someone say $525 in free spending money? We show you how we earned this using smart booking choices, special promotions, and loyalty programs. This video shows the gives you links to cruise lines so that you can claim it too.
🛑 8. Top 10 Costly Cruise Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Video: “Top 10 costly cruise mistakes”
We’ve made a few rookie mistakes over the years—so you don’t have to. Learn how to avoid wasting money before, during, and after your cruise, from insurance to shore excursions to internet plans.
⚓ 9. How to “Have It All” on a Budget (Holland America Edition)
This video’s perfect if you’re eyeing Holland America. We explain how to enjoy premium perks on a budget—including drink packages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, and specialty dining—with their Have It All fare.
🍊 10. Is “Club Orange” Really Worth It?
Video: “Is Club Orange worth the extra cost?”
Holland America’s Club Orange offers priority boarding, upgraded dining, and more. But is it worth the price? We give you the honest pros and cons so you can decide if Club Orange is a smart splurge—or a pass.
🚀 Final Boarding Thoughts
Whether you're a seasoned sailor or planning your first cruise, these videos are your shortcut to smarter, more affordable cruise vacations. We’re living proof that you can cruise in comfort without spending a fortune.
💬 Have your own cruise savings tips? Drop them in the comments on our YouTube channel—we LOVE hearing from fellow cruise-hackers.
📲 Stay Connected
🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: Kirk Tori Story
📌 Save our Playlist: Money-Saving Cruise Hacks
📧 Join our Cruise Crew: Sign up for blog updates and cruise tips
📸 Follow Us on Instagram: @kirktoristory
Ready to cruise smarter? Then let’s set sail—for less!
Comments