Following a dreary summer in the UK, autumn cruise holidays are riding a wave of increased popularity.

This year was even set to be ‘The Year of the Cruise’ according to industry experts at World of Cruising, who said that a range of new and ground-breaking itineraries, plus voyages to lesser-known ports in lesser-explored parts of the world, would attract more  cruisers old and new.

But voyagers are being urged to pay attention before setting sail. Iglu Cruise’s chief commercial officer and cruise aficionado, Dave Mills, has sounded the alarm on package deals.

Dave explained: “Most cruise lines offer all-you-can-eat food included in the price of your ticket, especially when eating in the main buffet area.”

He cautioned, however, that “some cruises will charge extra for certain restaurants or a la carte menus”.

While the cruise buffet is typically part of the holiday package, specialty dining, such as Royal Caribbean’s Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen or Chop’s Grille, will incur additional charges.

The cruise expert continued: “Drink packages are also something to think about. Many cruise companies sell drink packages at a fixed daily price, meaning guests can enjoy an unlimited selection of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks without running up an enormous bar bill.”

He added a caveat for the less thirsty travellers and those who prefer to spend most of their time on-shore, that pre-paid drinks packages may not be a worthy investment.

These beverage deals can range from alcohol-inclusive options to those covering just soft drinks, coffee, and tea.

The value of a cruise ship’s drinking package is relative to the traveller, with some lines offering online menus for savvy guests to pre-calculate their potential savings.

It’s not just food and drinks to think about when it comes to cutting costs on-board. Dave advised: “If you plan to stay connected to the world whilst onboard your cruise, or plan to be posting on social media, you may need to think about a wifi package.”

He also cautioned that while certain cruise ships include the cost of wifi in the main fare, others may bill you additionally; hence, he recommends thorough research prior to setting sail.

The steep price tag of wifi at sea means holidaymakers should tread carefully and avoid unforeseen charges from mobile data use.

Alongside smart technology use, cruise visitors should keep an eagle eye on the ship’s daily agenda to snatch up offers and avoid costly blunders.