Most cruisers complain about cruise lines charging for everything. But did you know that there are things many passengers would be happy to pay for if cruise lines offered them? We’re not talking about luxury perks or upgrades, but rather small, quirky comforts they miss from home. A ten-dollar bath, hot toast in cabins, and five dollars to guarantee a deck chair at 10 a.m.
It happens on almost every sailing. Guests grumble about drink prices and the costly shore excursions, but are happy to pay for extra peace and quiet or a bit of personal control. The irony is that cruise lines still don’t listen.
What would cruise passengers happily hand cash over for if the cruise lines let them? Which of these weird and wacky extras would you love to see on a cruise ship? Read on to find out.
The One Thing I’d Happily Pay for After a Long Shore Day
Imagine: arriving back in your cabin after a strenuous shore excursion. Muscles sore, legs feeling like jelly, and shoulders aching. How much would you pay for a long, hot soak in a bathtub surrounded by bubbles and silence? Unless you’re in a suite, chances are you’ll never get the chance.
I’ve spoken to many cruisers who’d happily hand over $10 or $15 to enjoy personal time in a “bath pod.” One passenger on a Facebook group shared that she’d “happily trade her drink package for 30 minutes in a bathtub.” The topic of spa-style “soak pods” pops up all the time on Reddit and cruise forums.
The thing is, no one is talking about having bathtubs in standard stateroom bathrooms—they’re already tiny. What cruisers want is the option to pay a fee for a private tub room that they can rent for half an hour. The irony is that suites get them, while the rest of us get envy.
Where do you stand? Should baths stay a suite-only luxury, reserved for the elite? Or should they become a paid add-on for everyone on board? If so, how much would you pay for your own sea-day soak?
The Breakfast Crime No Cruiser Deserves
It’s 8 a.m., you’ve beaten the breakfast crowd and headed back to your cabin to enjoy your breakfast in peace. But there’s a problem—the toast is stone cold. And the butter just stares back at you like, “Nice try, but I’m not melting.” Happens every single morning between the buffet and your cabin.
Some cruisers on Reddit are quick to complain about the “cold toast injustice.” They argue “How can they serve flaming Baked Alaska, but not warm toast?” Another shared, “I’d happily pay five bucks for a safe in-cabin toaster so I could enjoy my breakfast how I like it.”
Let’s be honest, a toaster in a cabin is never going to work. The whole idea goes against fire safety regulations. But, really, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to enjoy perfectly toasted bread, bagels, or English muffins? The million-dollar question: what would you pay extra for warm, golden toast at sea?
The Five-Dollar Fix for Pool-Deck Chaos
Nothing tests patience more than chair hogs who’ve already “reserved” their spot at 6 a.m., but don’t appear on the pool deck until after breakfast. The Great Towel War is a hotly debated topic on cruise forums. Towels, paperback, tote bags, and flip-flops stand guard on empty loungers. The solution?
It’s surprising how many cruisers would happily pay five bucks a day just to guarantee a deck chair. Others say, “I’d willingly pay $10 just to get rid of the hogs for good.”
But scroll through the cruise forums, and the debate gets heated fast. Some refuse to pay for what they call “other people’s obnoxious behavior.” Others shrug and say, “If you can’t beat them, join them,” even if it means waking up at 5:30 a.m. just to claim a spot.
The truth is, no system works. Time limits? Ignored. Polite reminders? Laughed at. Perhaps the only real solution is to let cruisers buy peace of mind. Five dollars, one guaranteed lounger, zero drama. Would it finally end the madness—or just start a richer kind of chaos?
A Hack That Would End the Drink Line Madness
Nothing ruins a sea day faster than waiting twenty minutes for a soda refill. You finally reach the bar, sticky floor underfoot, only to find one bartender juggling twenty orders while three people cut in front. All this for a Diet Coke you already paid for.
On Reddit, cruisers joke that soda packages are “the ultimate patience test.” One thread suggested the perfect fix: vending machines linked to your drink plan—tap your card, grab a can, and walk away. People on Cruise Critic loved the idea. One passenger wrote, “No lines, no melted ice, no guilt trips for skipping tips,” one user wrote.
According to comments on cruise forums and Facebook groups, some Royal Caribbean ships already offer them. But why don’t all cruise ships embrace the idea?
Of course, not everyone agrees. Some argue it would ruin the social vibe—or worse, create chaos at midnight. After all, there’s enough clatter in hallways at nighttime. Would you trade bar banter for instant fizz, or keep waiting in line for your next lukewarm Coke?
The Shock No One Warned Me About (Literally)
It’s absolutely shocking—literally—how often some ships zap you. One minute you’re cruising the Caribbean, the next you’re auditioning for Star Wars as the Emperor’s apprentice. Touch a handrail, elevator button, or cabin door, and zap—you’ve joined the dark side. By mid cruise, you’re flinching before you touch anything metal.
Cruisers laugh about it online, and some passengers love sneaking up on friends to zap their necks. Others are embarrassed when they accidentally “shock” someone in the buffet line. But many would pay good money for a day without sparks. One joked, “I’d gladly pay $20 for a cruise-approved grounding strap.”
Wacky ideas fill Reddit threads and cruise forums on how to “ground” passengers. Some suggest “anti-static pods” conveniently located throughout the ship. Others wonder if rubber overshoes would do the trick. Sounds absurd, but so is getting zapped twenty times a day.
Would you pay for a spark-free cruise, or just keep bracing for impact on every deck?
The Elevator Trick That Would Cause an Uproar
You press the button. Wait. Watch the light blink. Another elevator stops—full. Then another. By the time you squeeze in, the elevator stops at every floor because a pesky kid has pressed every button. Soon, you’ve learned every floor announcement by heart, and patience is wearing thin.
The potential solution sparked heated debate—pay for a “priority elevator pass.” Swipe your card, no crowds, no sweat, and you actually make it to the evening show on time. One cruiser agreed, “It’s like a FastPass for adults, why not?” But not everyone agrees, calling it “elitist nonsense.”
Here’s the thing: cruise lines have already monetized nearly every form of priority access. Priority boarding, early dining slots, VIP access to shows, and first off the ship. So why not elevators to make cruising easier for some people willing to splash the cash?
Would it be right to ask people to pay for speed and convenience, or would it turn the ship into a floating class war? Be honest: would you tap your card for the fast lane, or wait it out with everyone else?
Private Spaces We’d Actually Pay Good Money For
Who wouldn’t want the chance on a mega-ship to relax in a calm space that feels personal, not public? Picture a quiet sunrise or sunset deck that only a few cruisers at a time could hire. Blankets, drinks, and snacks, with only the swish of waves disturbing the quiet and a view to die for.
It seems that on a ship packed with 5,000 passengers, many are willing to pay for pure escapism. Several cruisers agreed that they’d willingly “swap their drinks package for a private sunrise pass.”
On Reddit, someone posted that they’d love an “in-cabin cinema” option—featuring high-end sound, a mini projector, and popcorn. Another chimed in, “Why can’t they at least install TVs that let you stream or project movies from your phone for free?”
The irony is, most ships already sell tranquility in the form of spas and suite decks. But not all cruisers in regular staterooms want a $200 massage and facial. They want to splurge a little for a slice of sea-day serenity. Or should sunrise and sunset decks be free and limited to a few passengers on a first-come, first-served basis?
The View Worth Renting for Ten Minutes Flat
The pain hits as soon as you spot wildlife on an Alaska cruise. Someone shouts, “Bear!” or “breaching whale starboard.” You grab your phone, zoom in with your fingers, only to see a brown blur or a spot on the horizon. Meanwhile, the guy beside you has a camera lens the size of a pineapple.
Why don’t cruise lines rent professional viewing equipment? Plenty of cruisers on Facebook groups and cruise forums say they’d be willing to pay by the hour to get a top-of-the-range DSLR camera with a zoom lens and proper binoculars. Not everyone owns or wants to pack a top-notch camera.
Sure, cruise lines hand out basic binoculars, but for wildlife-heavy itineraries in Alaska or the fjords, the difference between seeing and squinting is everything. Would you pay to snap those once-in-a-lifetime moments? Or be happy explaining to everyone, “See that tiny spot there…”
The Service That Would Finally End Laundry Limbo
One day you’re glammed up, sipping cocktails, the next you’re sniffing T-shirts or trying to dab a wine stain out of your favorite blouse. What do you do when accidents happen, or mid-cruise, you realize you’ve not packed enough socks? You have two choices: sink-washing with complimentary shampoo or the ship’s laundry. But that’s a two-day turnaround at best.
Cruise forums are packed with people begging for a fix. “I’d pay double for same-day service,” one Redditor wrote. Another suggested a “laundry concierge”—folded, pressed, and delivered within hours. Some lines offer express options, but they’re hit-or-miss, depending on the ship and how many other desperate cruisers had the same idea.
Here’s the thing: no one wants to show up to formal night wearing yesterday’s stained shirt. A premium wash-and-fold service could save time, stress, and dignity.
The Quiet Zone That Should Be Mandatory
Cruise ships already have family zones, suite zones, and spa zones—so why not an adults-only zone? We’re not talking luxury cabins or spa retreats, just regular staterooms where no one under 18 lives next door. For peace-lovers, that sounds less like indulgence and more like relaxation at sea.
The comments come up time and again on cruise forums and Facebook groups. “I don’t need butlers or champagne,” many cruisers say. “just no kids screaming through the hallway.” Some argue that parents should do more to control their children’s behavior on board. But others want exclusive adult-only areas throughout the ship.
Where do you stand? Is it reasonable to pay extra for a guaranteed calm zone? Or should all cruisers expect quiet corners to be part of the standard fare?
Further reading: 18 Top Cruise Lines for Adults Offering Fun and Kid-Free Relaxation.
The Sea-Day Idea Pet Lovers Keep Begging For
Some cruise guests want wine tastings, others want specialty dining. But a handful of cruisers want cats—yes, actual cats. The dream frequently appears on forums—a cozy onboard lounge filled with rescued cats, stunning sea views, and gentle music. You sip a latte while a tabby curls up beside you.
Cat lovers call it “the ultimate de-stress zone.” One guest wrote, “I’d pay $20 just to sit in a comfy lounge and pet something that purrs.” Then you’ve got the other pet lovers—the ones who’d happily pay to walk a dog around the ship for some exercise and therapy.
Some call it bonkers, others say it’s something cruise lines should seriously consider. It will probably never happen due to logistical, personal, or health-related issues. After all, sometimes there are enough problems with humans, never mind four-legged furballs.
What do you think? Would a floating feline café be the cutest idea ever, or a ship-wide meltdown waiting to happen?
Further reading: 10 Amazing Ways to Take Your Dog on a Cruise.
The Cruise Perk That’ll Never Happen (But Should)
For some cruisers, it’s the ultimate fantasy—standing on the bridge, shadowing the captain for an hour. Imagine steering 5,000 passengers toward the next Caribbean island. Of course, the idea is absurd—if only for security reasons. But who wouldn’t be grinning ear to ear, standing at the helm?
Cruise enthusiasts joked on one Facebook group about a “Captain for a Day” package. Ideas shared included making an announcement over the public address (PA) system, sounding the horn, and actually steering the ship. Some were willing to trade their drink package for the experience. Others just panicked at the idea of tourists anywhere near the bridge.
It will never happen, but imagine the bragging rights. The selfies. The chaos. For one golden hour, you’d be the ship’s most envied passenger.
What’s your take? Would you pay a couple of hundred dollars to be Captain for an hour? Or would you prefer that trained crew members are always in charge?
Things We’d Actually Pay For—If Cruise Lines Let Us
The cost of upgrades and whether they’re worth it is always up for debate. Typically, many cruise guests think about balcony cabins, dining packages, loyalty perks, and VIP suites. But scroll any cruise forum, and you’ll discover the surprising things many cruisers wouldn’t blink before splurging on. Anything from soaking in a bathtub for 30 minutes to walking a dog and paying to rent a deck lounger. Basically, anything that makes the cruise experience feel special and personal.
Now you know what veteran cruisers secretly dream about at sea. What are the things on your wish list you’d be willing to pay extra for?
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