'I'm a cruise expert - this simple mistake could see you hit with a whopping bill'

An experienced passenger has warned travellers to avoid an easy mistake that can see you slapped with a "whopping bill". Amanda Tinney, a travel blogger who decided to renew her love affair with cruise holidays after her daughter became a teenager, offered some top tips for first-timers in an article for .

While those uninitiated to the complex customs of cruiseliners may be more focussed on the obvious outlays you'll face onboard, like food, drink, and entertainment, Amanda warns you could also rack up costs by simply forgetting to do something before setting off. She wrote: "My husband had a whopping cell phone bill after our last 8-nighter []. Of course, had he pre-purchased a Caribbean plan before we left port it would have been a whole lot cheaper. Contact your cell phone service provider and let them know where you will be traveling. They will likely offer a package to suit your needs".

Post Brexit, the obligation for UK phone operators to offer surcharge-free roaming in the EU expired, leaving some unsuspecting travellers facing massive bills.

are advised to check their policies before they travel, turn off data roaming services and set bill limits to avoid any surprise costs.

Meanwhile, fellow cruise aficionado , who runs a channel in which she shares her knowledge, revealed another essential money saving tip.

This, she said, "isn't a big secret but it is something that a lot of people underestimate that makes a big difference".

, as well as additional costs that only the most experienced cruiser knows how to avoid.

When planning your next voyage, the content creator reveals the is to "be flexible" about the dates you book.

"For instance, if you wanted to cruise at the beginning of February, always take a look at the week before and the week after if you can be flexible," she explained, adding that you may be able to find a similar cruise or itinerary just by looking at the surrounding dates.

"It can make a huge difference - it can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on that cruise."