If you've stepped aboard a large cruise ship, odds are you've been hit by hidden fees and surcharges.

Some all-inclusive packages don't account for alcoholic drinks, specialty dining experiences, and luxuries like priority boarding. With so many upgrade options, it's easy for your expenses to balloon out of control.

As an avid cruiser who's set sail more than 50 times and sprung for my fair share of upgrades, I've found that I can still have a great cruise experience without them.

I tested this theory during a recent voyage aboard Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas by cruising as cheaply as possible. I chose the least expensive room and passed on almost every single upgrade.

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Here are the add-ons I skipped and the ones didn't miss.

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