How To Cruise The World For Free

26.09.2023 - 12:55 / forbes.com

Have you ever been tempted by the offer of a free cruise in exchange for attending a presentation or completing a survey? Sure, you might well end up getting a cruise ticket, but it will come with high-pressure sales tactics, endless follow-up, and additional fees galore.

Any recipient of a free cruise will still need to pay government taxes, port fees and fuel surcharges, which can easily add up to several hundred dollars. You’ll also be sent endless offers persuading you to upgrade from the small, interior cabin you’ll be allocated. Free cruises may also come with other terms and conditions designed to part you with your money.

Unsurprisingly, competitions that promise free cruises have become big business. A cruise vacation is seen as an exotic getaway full of great dining, Vegas-style shows, live music, swimming pools, and spa facilities.

Solo cruise travel is an increasing trend, while the latest megaships promise resort-style entertainment for all the family, so there really is something for everyone.

Price is usually the biggest barrier. Fortunately, there are many tricks you can use to save money and find cheaper fares, such as booking far in advance or sailing off-season.

Savvy travelers also know there are legitimate ways to cruise for free, beyond the seemingly too-good-to-be-true competitions.

If you have an interesting career, unique experiences, and have public speaking experience, you could consider applying to become a cruise ship speaker.

Some cruise lines such as Cunard, P&O Cruises, and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines make extensive use of lecturers and speakers as part of their enrichment program, usually on sea days.

Different lines have different approaches, but they will usually involve a mix of destination-focused speakers and general interest speakers. Historians, geologists, astronomers, and criminologists are among the many fields that could be of interest to cruise lines.

However, don’t confuse guest speaking with a job. It may surprise you, but the vast majority of cruise ship enrichment speakers are not paid for their work. Not in cash, at least.

The cruise itself is the reward, with speakers considered guests rather than crew. In return for their talks, the speaker and their companion will be able to enjoy all the facilities of the ship, subject to a code of behavior such as moderating their alcohol consumption.

Cruise lines don't just limit their enrichment programs to guest speakers. Many run workshops on topics as varied as arts and crafts to learning a language.

You’ll find such workshops on itineraries with a lot of sea days, allowing guests to learn something new over the course of their cruise.

Typically, workshop leaders join a cruise (or a series of cruises) on the same