Unlimited main dining: You are not limited to one of each appetizer, entree and dessert in the main dining room. You can order two entrees or three desserts if you choose. You can also order appetizer-sized portions of entrees as starters or order a few appetizers for your main meal. It's a great way to try new foods you're not sure you'll like (escargot, anyone?).

Cheap or free room service: Room service is generally free, except for service charges on certain lines. Celebrity's late-night orders bear a $4.95 fee, while all orders on Royal Caribbean (excluding Continental breakfast) and Norwegian (excluding morning coffee, Continental breakfast and orders placed by Haven Suite passengers) cost $7.95. Meanwhile, Carnival and Holland America offer for-fee room service menus in addition to their complimentary menus. It's recommended you tip your delivery person, but in-room dining is not the splurge it is at a hotel.

Breakfast options: For your morning meal, you might have more options than just the buffet and main dining room. O'Sheehan's offers tasty made-to-order omelets and corned beef hash, yet many cruisers still don't know about it. Johnny Rockets are other alternative breakfast venues. Check your daily newsletter to see which restaurants are open in the morning.

Specialty dining on the first night: Most people dine in the main dining room or buffet on the first night of the cruise, and many haven't discovered the specialty restaurants yet. alternative dining venue for the first night of the cruise, you might get a discount on select sailings on Celebrity Cruises, or have an easier time getting a reservation for a popular venue.

Complimentary bites: Specialty coffee at the designated coffee shops onboard comes with an extra fee, but the pastries, sandwiches and other food at these venues are often free. While some specialty items (like chocolate-covered strawberries) will have a charge, don't assume all the small bites do. Celebrity's Martini Bar -- also offer complimentary snacks; all you have to do is ask.

Free ice cream: Like ice cream? Cruise lines will charge for branded licks like Ben & Jerry's and gelato. However, there's always a free version -- whether soft-serve machines on the Lido Deck or hard-serve stations at the buffet. And do your reconnaissance -- Cruise Critic members report that soft-serve machines on either side of the deck can have different flavors.

Sit-down lunch on embarkation day: On embarkation day, most people head straight to the buffet to have lunch and wait for their cabins to open. It's a mob scene. But many cruise ships have alternative venues open -- the main dining room or a mini-buffet in the solarium or atrium area. Ask a crew member or check your daily newsletter to find an alternative for a calmer first meal. ;

Menu sneak peek: Don't know which night to make specialty dinner reservations? The main dining room menus are planned for the week, and the purser's desk often has access to those menus. Ask to see them so you can decide which nights are less appealing and which you don't want to miss, and plan your cruise accordingly.