Cruises look all-inclusive but are not. Here is exactly what your fare covers, what shows up as an extra charge, and how to avoid a surprise at the end of your cruise.
A cruise fare is genuinely generous about the basics. It covers your cabin, and most of your food: the main dining room, the buffet, casual eateries, room service on many lines, and often pizza, cafes, and ice cream. It covers the core entertainment, main-theater shows, live music, comedy, deck parties, and activities like trivia, classes, and pools and water features. It also covers the kids' and teens' clubs. For many cruisers, the included offering is more than enough for a full, fun trip without spending another dollar.
The extras are where the bill grows. Gratuities are added daily, about $16 to $20 per person. Alcoholic drinks, sodas, and specialty coffees are charged individually or via a package. Specialty restaurants carry a cover charge. WiFi is a paid add-on. The spa, salon, casino, and arcade are all extra, as are shore excursions and the ship's photographers. Some fitness classes and premium activities cost extra too. None of this is hidden, but it adds up, and it surprises people who assumed cruise meant all-inclusive.
Some items sit in a gray zone that varies by line and fare type. Room service is free on some lines and carries a fee on others, especially late at night. A few casual venues that are free on one ship are extra on another. Bottled water and specialty coffees are almost always extra. Increasingly, lines sell bundled fares that include drinks, WiFi, and gratuities for a higher upfront price, which can be worth it if you would buy those anyway. Always check what your specific fare and line include, since the line moves over time.
For first-timers, two extras cause the most sticker shock. First, gratuities: at roughly $18 per person per day, a family of four on a week's cruise pays hundreds in automatic gratuities alone, covered in our tipping guide. Second, drinks: individual cocktails, sodas, and specialty coffees add up fast, which is why the drink package question matters. Budget for these two before you sail and the final bill will not surprise you.
You control most of the extras. Decide in advance which are worth it, a drink package if you drink enough, one specialty dinner as a treat, an excursion or two, and skip the rest. Use the included dining, entertainment, and pools, which are excellent on modern ships. Bring your allowed water or soda, buy any packages in advance where they are cheaper, and set a rough onboard budget. You can have a fantastic cruise spending little beyond the fare and gratuities.
The end-of-cruise statement stings people who did not track their spending. Everything you charge to your key card, drinks, dining, spa, shop, casino, hits your onboard account, settled to your card at the end. Check your account midway through, most lines show it on the app or the stateroom TV, so there are no surprises on the last night. Know what is included, budget for the extras, and your cruise stays a joy from booking to the final bill. For the whole first-timer picture, see our first-time cruiser's guide.
Your fare covers your cabin, most meals (main dining room, buffet, casual venues, often room service), and most entertainment and activities: theater shows, live music, pools, kids' clubs, trivia, and classes. For many cruisers the included offering is enough for a full trip.
Gratuities (about $16 to $20 per person daily), alcoholic and specialty drinks, specialty restaurants, WiFi, spa, casino, arcade, shore excursions, and photos. Some premium classes and late-night room service can also be extra. None is hidden, but it adds up.
Not fully. The fare is generous on cabins, food, and core entertainment, but drinks, gratuities, specialty dining, WiFi, spa, and excursions are extra. Some lines sell bundled fares that add drinks, WiFi, and gratuities for a higher price, which can be worth it if you would buy those anyway.
The two biggest are daily gratuities, which add up to hundreds for a family over a week, and drink costs, since individual cocktails, sodas, and coffees add up fast. Budget for both before you sail, and check your onboard account midway so there is no surprise at the end.
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