8 Cruise Line Secrets They Donât Want You to Know
Think you know how cruising works? đĸ Here are 8 behind-the-scenes cruise secrets the cruise lines donât want you to know â including hidden fees, upgrade tricks, and real tips from Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean travelers.
If youâve ever wondered what cruise lines donât tell you before you book, this post is for you. I recently made a video called â8 Cruise Secrets the Cruise Lines Donât Want You to Knowâ â and itâs one of the most eye-opening cruise tips videos Iâve ever made. You can watch it here đ
Whether youâre planning your first Disney Cruise, setting sail with Royal Caribbean, or thinking about your next Carnival voyage, knowing what goes on behind the scenes can save you money, stress, and a few surprises once youâre onboard.
#8 â Cruise Lines Make More Money After You Board
The ticket price is just the beginning. Cruise lines keep fares low to get you onboard, but they make their real profit from what happens once youâre at sea. Drinks, spa treatments, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and even bottled water add up fast.
The onboard economy is built around upsells â so it pays to plan ahead. Many of these extras can be booked online before you cruise, often for less.
đĄ Pro Tip: Book drink packages and excursions before boarding day, and set a spending limit in the app if youâre traveling with family.
#7 â What Most Passengers Donât Know About the Medical Center
Every cruise ship has a medical center, but itâs not like a full hospital. Itâs designed for basic care, emergencies, and stabilizing patients until they can reach a port.
What most people donât realize: visits can be very expensive and are billed out-of-pocket if your insurance doesnât cover travel.
đĄ Pro Tip: Always travel with insurance that includes cruise medical coverage â even if youâre only cruising to the Caribbean.
#6 â Crew Members Work Long Hours Behind the Magic
Cruise ship crews are some of the hardest-working people in hospitality. Many work 10â12 hour days, seven days a week, for months at a time.
They live onboard, often sharing small cabins below deck, and rotate between contracts. Despite that, the majority of crew members love what they do and take pride in delivering great guest experiences.
đĄ Pro Tip: Be kind to your crew â a genuine thank-you or small gratuity can make a big difference.
Surfside on Star of the Seas
#5 â That âFreeâ Cabin Upgrade Isnât Always a Deal
You might be offered a last-minute upgrade for what seems like a small fee â but hereâs the catch: those âdealsâ often come with trade-offs.
You could lose your preferred cabin location, your connecting room, or even end up under a noisy deck area. Always double-check before saying yes to an upgrade.
đĄ Pro Tip: If you love your current cabin, keep it. Not every âupgradeâ is actually better.
#4 â Onboard Wi-Fi Is a Profit Center
Cruise Wi-Fi has come a long way, especially with Starlink internet now rolling out on major lines. But itâs still pricey â and the âunlimitedâ plans often come with restrictions like no streaming or video calls.
đĄ Pro Tip: Download movies, playlists, and eBooks before you sail. If you must stay connected, buy the full-cruise Wi-Fi package early â itâs usually discounted pre-cruise.
#3 â Shore Excursions Arenât Always Run by the Cruise Line
That âofficialâ excursion may not actually be run by the cruise company. Many are operated by third-party vendors, and prices are marked up significantly.
đĄ Pro Tip: Research local tour operators before your trip. Youâll often find the exact same experiences for less â just make sure they guarantee on-time return to the ship.
Icon of the Seas Balcony Stateroom
#2 â Your Cabin Is Watched More Closely Than You Think
Ever wonder how your room gets cleaned so fast? Cruise lines track cabin occupancy digitally â they know when youâre out, so housekeeping can step in.
There are no hidden cameras (donât worry!), but motion sensors and smart locks are often used to optimize service and energy use.
đĄ Pro Tip: Turn on your âDo Not Disturbâ sign when you need privacy. Crew members respect it â and youâll get fewer interruptions.
#1 â Cruise Lines Rely on Your Data
From the moment you download the app to your last night onboard, cruise lines collect tons of data â what you order, where you go, even which bars you linger at.
Itâs not sinister; itâs about marketing. They use it to tailor offers, promotions, and future itineraries.
đĄ Pro Tip: Use guest mode if youâd rather not share too much data, and skip optional surveys that arenât required.
Bonus: Cruise Gratuities Are Split (and Sometimes Pooled)
Many first-time cruisers assume their prepaid gratuities go straight to their server or stateroom host. In most cases, tips are pooled and distributed among a larger team â including support staff you never meet.
đĄ Pro Tip: If someone goes above and beyond, tip them directly with cash at the end of your cruise. It ensures they actually receive it.
Ready to Cruise Smarter? Watch the Full Video
These are just a few of the cruise secrets I reveal in my latest YouTube video. I go deeper into how cruise lines make money, what they donât advertise, and the small details that make a big difference for first-time cruisers.
đĨ Watch the full video now: 8 Cruise Line Secrets They Donât Want You to Know
If you found this post helpful, be sure to subscribe to my channel for more cruise tips, Disney Cruise Line insights, and honest advice for travelers who want to make the most of their vacation time.
About Darren:
Darren is an Orlando-based travel writer and YouTuber who specializes in helping travelers make the most of their vacations to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean Cruises. Through detailed travel guides, reviews, and insider tips, Darren gives families, couples, and first-time visitors everything they need to plan magical Orlando theme park trips and unforgettable cruise adventures.
đĨ Watch his latest videos and travel guides on YouTube: Orlando Parks Guy
Search for more information on my blog.
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Hereâs What Itâs Really Like to Cruise on the Disney Wish
Whether you're deep in the planning stages or just daydreaming about your next getaway, this will give you an in-depth look at what cruising Disney-style really feels like.
Disney Cruise Line | Disney Wish
If you're considering a Disney Cruise vacation, the Disney Wish continues to be one of the most talked-about ships in the fleetâand for good reason. In my latest video, I take you onboard to show exactly what itâs like to cruise on the Disney Wish, from stateroom tours to restaurants, entertainment, and those magical Disney touches at sea.
đĨ Watch the video now: What Itâs Like to Cruise on the Disney Wish
As a travel content creator based in Orlando, Iâve sailed out of Port Canaveral many times, but this was my first time experiencing the Wish for myself. Whether you're planning your first Disney cruise or you're a returning guest deciding between ships, this video gives you an honest, cinematic look at the entire experience.
What Youâll See in the Video
This isnât just a walkthroughâitâs a full Disney Wish cruise experience. I take you along for a first-person journey from embarkation to the final evening onboard, highlighting:
A full tour of my oceanview stateroom
Dining experiences at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, 1923, and Marceline Market
Exclusive footage of the AquaMouse, Disney's first attraction at sea
A behind-the-scenes look at live shows, character moments, and more
Adult-only spaces like The Rose Lounge and the Quiet Cove Pool
I also share tips for first-time cruisers, what I wish I had known before boarding, and how the Wish compares to other Disney ships and cruise lines sailing from Florida.
Why the Disney Wish Still Stands Out
Even though the Wish is no longer Disneyâs newest ship (hello, Disney Treasure!), it still offers a unique blend of elegance and family fun. With its storybook-inspired design, immersive kidsâ clubs, and next-level dining experiences, the Disney Wish is an ideal choice for families, Disney fans, and cruise lovers alike.
Plus, the ship sails regularly from Port Canaveral, making it a perfect pre- or post-Walt Disney World vacation add-on.
Watch Now and Set Sail From Your Screen
Whether you're deep in the planning stages or just daydreaming about your next getaway, this video will give you an in-depth look at what cruising Disney-style really feels like. Itâs packed with real moments, helpful insights, and stunning visuals to help you decide if the Disney Wish is your dream vacation.
đē Click here to watch the full video:
đ What Itâs Like to Cruise on the Disney Wish
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
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6 Tips for Sailing on Disney Cruise Line
My best Disney Cruise line tips
Disney cruises are truly something special from being immersed in Disney entertainment 24/7 to the outstanding service and crew. But thereâs a lot more to it than just booking a stateroom and showing up.
As a travel advisor who works with Disney Cruise Line every day, I have made a list of the most helpful tips that will help you get even more out of your cruise. And if you would like me to plan it with you, contact me here to get started.
#6 Ask for free/discounted upgrades
Hereâs a secret! A limited number of upgraded rooms may be available on embarkation day. People cancel at the last minute or have trouble with their flight (see tip #2).
Before boarding the ship, stop at Guest Services to see if there are any discounted upgrades available. I was recently offered Concierge Stateroom for $6,400. Before embarkation day, this category was $9,800, so that was a savings of $3,400!
Expert Tip: Schedule your port arrival time as early as you can on embarkation day. This gives you the best chance for snagging an upgrade plus youâll enjoy even more time onboard the ship.
#5 Use a Disney travel agent
Iâm a travel advisor who specializes in Disney vacations with a lot of experience in booking Disney cruises. But did you know this is how I got started in this work? I booked my first cruise through Magical Vacations Travel because I was overwhelmed when I planning my first cruise.
Using a Disney travel agent is FREE! There are no built-in costs or hidden fees passed on to you.
Onboard Disney Cruise Credit! My clients enjoy a generous onboard credit that can be used towards upgrades like spa services, port adventures, specialty beverages, and more.
Most importantly, I provide expert answers to all your questions about Disney Cruise Line.
Overwhelmed with planning your Disney Cruise? Start here â¸
#4 Save money on a future cruise
While onboard youâll have an opportunity to book your next cruise at a substantial discount. Donât miss this opportunity! This is the best way to save money on your next Disney cruise.
Not sure when to book? No problem! Disney Cruise Line will allow you to book a âplaceholder cruiseâ so you donât have to commit to an actual sail date or itinerary right away. The placeholder cruise just locks in the discounted price.
#3 Use Disney Cruise Line transportation in Orlando
Disney Cruise Line buses operate between Orlando International Airport, Walt Disney World Resort, and Port Canaveral. Disney will even transfer your luggage from the hotel directly to your stateroom onboard the ship.
See my Guide to Port Canaveral â¸
#2 Arrive a day or two before the cruise
If you experience a flight delay or cancellation, the ship will not wait for you! always arrive a day or two ahead of time. If youâre cruising from Orlando (Port Canaveral) there are plenty of things to do in the area: Visit Disney World or Universal Orlando, Gatorland, and more.
Expert Tip: Purchase travel protection from Disney, itâs about 8% of the total cruise fare and can be added on at any time before making the final payment. Itâs a terrible investment until something goes wrong. Then, itâs the best investment you ever made!
#1 Schedule a Disney character call
This is so much fun! When itâs time to drop the big news of your Disney cruise, you can get a little help from Mickey Mouse and pals with a recorded phone call (itâs not an actual 1 on 1 call but itâs still very cute).
Youâll find the âschedule a callâ feature in Disney Cruise Line mobile app.
Expert Tip: Record your little one answering the phone to capture their reaction. You can share it with my followers on Facebook and Instagram @orlandoparksguy
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
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