15 Things That Are Not Included in the Price of a Cruise

We love cruising because it’s a great value. For one set price, dining, entertainment, and other activities are part of the cruise fare. But, there are things that are not included in the price of the cruise. In fact, there are several additional up-charges and hidden costs the cruise lines don’t tell travelers about at the onset.

So, to ensure potential cruisers budget accordingly, we have this complete list of 15 common hidden costs you need to know about before taking a cruise.

1. Port transfers

Once onboard, the cruise ship will take travelers to some amazing destinations. Luckily, the cruise fare covers the transportation to and from these ports of call. What’s not included in the price of the cruise is getting to the embarkation port. Travelers need to pay for transportation to the ship on the first day of the cruise out of pocket.

For many, this might include a flight halfway across the country — or even to an entirely different continent. Then, families need to get from the airport to the cruise terminal, which can be many miles away.

Thankfully, many cruise lines do offer airport transfers for additional costs. Normally, these transfers will pick you up at the airport, grab your luggage, and bring you to the ship. Typically, these run around $30 to $50 per person, one-way, depending on the destination and cruise line.

There are also other options like ride shares, taxis, third-party providers, and private cars. If driving to the port, make sure to budget for parking fees as the cruise fare does not include parking at the port (or a nearby facility).

For a family of four, these fees can easily add a couple of hundred dollars to the total cruise budget.

2. WiFi

The days of going on a cruise to disconnect are long gone. Most of us are eager to post on social media, check our email, and utilize the internet for various other tasks, even while at sea.

In fact, more and more cruisers are even working remotely from cruise ships. So, if you plan to log on, you will need to pay for WiFi on the ship — as it costs extra at sea. Each cruise line offers a different selection of plans, many priced per day, per device, depending on your needs. Further, many cruise lines offer tiered packages offering various internet speeds.

For instance, Carnival Cruise Line offers three plans. The cheapest tier includes access to social media and airline apps, and starts at just over $20 per device, per day. The Premium Plan, which is the highest tier, comes in at just over $25 per device, per day. It includes music and video streaming and video calling at the highest internet speed available.

Some other lines, like MSC and Disney, offer two internet packages: a basic tier that allows for most online functions except for streaming (and sometimes making video calls), and a second tier with faster internet that does allow for streaming and video chatting.

Of course, download speeds vary based on destination and network availability on a cruise. In our experience, the internet is nowhere near as fast on a ship as on land. This is true even for the more-reliable Starlink internet that most cruise lines across the globe are now using.

3. Gratuities

One thing we love about cruising is the amazing service. The hardworking crew go above and beyond to make the trip memorable. So, it is inevitable that you will want to thank them for the great service during your cruise. Such gratuities were once guidelines, with cruise lines giving cruisers envelopes and suggestions on tipping amounts.

Now, the cruise line adds gratuities automatically as daily charges directly to your onboard account. Or, travelers can opt to prepay them at the time of booking or at any time prior to sailing.

These tips usually run an additional $16 to $20+ per person, per day for the voyage length. These funds are dispersed to various crew members including waitstaff in the dining rooms, stateroom attendants, and other essential behind-the-scenes staff.

Whether you decide to prepay or charge the gratuities to your account on the ship, these costs need to be added to the cruise budget. For a seven-night cruise, such charges can add hundreds of dollars to the total cost of your cruise.

We do not recommend trying to remove these gratuities. If you want to tip specific crew members in addition to these daily charges, by all means, please do. In fact, we often bring an additional $200 or so for a week-long cruise for additional tips to those who provide exceptional service.

4. Specialty dining

Food and cruising go hand and hand. Needless to say, there are a variety of included dining options that are completely free. Most ships have a buffet open morning, noon, and night, offering a wide selection of entrees, snacks, and sweet treats.

The ship also has a main dining room. The main dining room is open for dinner every night with a rotational three-course menu. There are usually other options, too, like a 24-hour café, pizza shop, deli, a burger joint, and various other included casual fare.

While all of this is part of the cruise fare, odds are your ship also has specialty restaurants. These up-charge venues are not included in the price of a cruise. These additional restaurants might have a flat fee, like a hibachi-style Japanese steakhouse. Or, the ship might have a la carte dining spots like a sushi bar or fusion restaurant.

For many cruise lines, specialty dining ranges from $40 to $80+ a person, depending on the menu and selections.

At Disney Cruise Line’s steakhouse, cruisers can easily spend over $100 per person for dinner on its a la carte menu. At the same time, the Fine Cut Steakhouse on Celebrity Cruises goes for around $60 a person for the entire meal.

It’s easy to go an entire cruise without spending any money on dining. But, we suggest budgeting to eat at one or two specialty restaurants, adding around $100 a person to the overall cost of the cruise.

5. Onboard service charges

Other hidden costs of cruising are additional service charges. When you purchase something on the ship, like a beverage or specialty dining, the cruise line automatically adds a service charge. These charges range from 18% to 20% of the cost on most cruise lines. You will find service charges are added to various purchases and experiences on cruise ships.

From drink packages to spa treatments, remember that these onboard expenses will cost you the sticker price plus an additional service charge.

It is also important to note that these service charges are in addition to the daily gratuities outlined above. These are two completely different charges. These service charges are specific to purchases made on or before the cruise in your online cruise planner.

Plus, you will often have to pay this charge on perks that are “free,” like Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea offering.

6. Bottled water (and other premium beverages)

Often, first-time cruisers are surprised to learn that many drinks are not included in the price of a cruise. Most cruise lines include ice water (i.e., tap water), drip coffee, standard hot tea, iced tea, lemonade, and some juices at breakfast.

But when it comes to other non-alcoholic beverages, those will cost extra. On most mainstream cruise lines, this includes soft drinks, sports drinks (like Powerade or Gatorade), energy drinks, specialty coffees, and bottled water.

Some cruise lines charge upwards of $3 to $6 for bottled water. Some even offer water packages where cruisers can buy 24 or 48 bottles of water delivered straight to their staterooms. But, these can run you close to $80 on some lines. The same goes for other “premium” non-alcoholic drinks. Those too can cost $5+ a serving, including specialty coffees.

If you can’t get by on the complimentary selections alone, non-alcoholic drink packages are available on many cruise lines. These can run from $20 to $30 a person, per day. Like other packages, we tend to find the “break-even point” is around six beverages.

7. Special menu items in the main dining room

While almost everything besides specialty and alcoholic beverages are included in your meal in the main dining room, there are exceptions. Many mainstream cruise lines now feature a small section of the main dining menu that has premium dishes priced a la carte. These can include things like filet mignon, lobster, surf and turf, lamb chops, escargot, and caviar.

The main dining room menu may also include select dishes from specialty restaurants around the ship, allowing passengers a taste of that restaurant while still enjoying dinner in the main dining room. These dishes also come with an additional fee.

8. Alcoholic beverages

Unless you are cruising with a luxury line, your cruise fare does not include alcoholic beverages. So, that piña colada by the pool or glass of wine at dinner will cost you extra.

Depending on your drinking habits, purchasing beverages a la carte could substantially increase the overall cruise budget.

Thankfully, many cruise lines do offer drink packages. These add-ons charge a flat fee per person, per day but make the cruise more inclusive by covering the costs of these up-charge beverages like beer, wine, and cocktails.

Not all drink packages are equal, so be sure to read the fine print. Some include a greater variety of non-alcoholic drinks, like bottled water and coffee. Others might include select spirits or types of beer and wine.

Whether one of these packages is right for you depends on several factors. Among them are the number of drinks you plan to consume daily, your preferences for different spirits, and the duration of your cruise.

9. Exclusive areas on the ship

Modern cruise ships often boast several decks filled with amenities. These include outdoor lido decks with pools or interior promenades filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. Although, on many newer cruise ships, some areas of the ship are off-limits. Well, that is unless you pay to access them.

For instance, on many of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships, guests can purchase passes to the Vibe Beach Club sundeck. On some Princess ships, passengers can pay extra to access the adults-only Sanctuary sundeck.

A few cruise lines offer pool deck cabanas that are additional as well, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Virgin Voyages.

Several ships are also home to a spa thermal suite, which requires a day pass or week-long pass if cruisers want to use the stone loungers, hydro-pool, or sauna. Again, a week-long pass could cost a couple of hundred dollars per person.

Other guests often spend thousands of dollars more than everyone else to stay in exclusive “ship within a ship” areas. Norwegian’s Haven, MSC Cruises’ Yacht Club, and Celebrity Cruises’ Retreat are dedicated areas of the ship only accessible to those in certain suite categories. This oasis typically boasts a private sundeck, restaurant, lounge, and other amenities available only to those with special access.

10. Shore excursions

Part of the appeal of traveling via cruise ship is visiting several destinations in one trip, while only unpacking once. Of course, when a ship docks at a port of call, it is natural to want to explore and see as much as possible. While that is certainly what we do, these tours and shore excursions are not included in the price of the cruise. Only a few select luxury brands, like Viking, include shore excursions as part of the cruise fare.

The pricing on shore excursions varies greatly. You can get away with budgeting $50 to $75 or so per person for a walking tour or basic city tour. A zip line or adventure hike may cost around $150 to $200 per person. However, you could also splurge upwards of $700 to over $1,000 for more unique experiences, private tours, or privileged access. Helicopter tours or private cabanas will certainly come with a hefty price tag.

In the Caribbean, estimating $100 per person, per port of call is usually a safe bet. In other regions, like Alaska or Europe, it might be closer to $200 to $250 per person, per port.

Of course, you don’t have to book a shore excursion in every port of call, as you are allowed to just venture off on your own. So, do some research on which activities you are willing to spend money.

11. Fitness classes

Odds are your cruise ship will have a fitness center. Contemporary cruise ships typically include state-of-the-art facilities with cardio equipment, free weights, stretching areas, nautilus-style machines, and other equipment. These centers are often open for extended periods of the day and are free to use for all guests.

However, if cruisers are looking for group fitness classes, those usually cost more. Whether it’s a cycling session, cross-training, or yoga, most cruise lines charge extra for these fitness offerings. One rare exception is Virgin Voyages. This cruise fare covers fitness classes.  

Although, some cruise lines do provide cruisers in certain cabin categories access to fitness classes, such as Celebrity Cruises’ Aqua Class fare with a set number of free classes.

12. Room service

Want to have dinner on the balcony? Don’t feel like heading out for breakfast? Almost all cruise ships offer room service. While it is convenient, most major cruise lines will charge you a fee to have food delivered to your room.

Cruise lines still offer a free continental breakfast option, including items like cereal, fruit, and breakfast pastries. But if you’re looking for an omelet or breakfast sandwich, almost all big-name cruise lines charge a fee.

Usually, room service is a flat fee, and you can order as many items as you like. Some brands, like Carnival Cruise Line, charge a la carte pricing for room service menu items. Most major cruise lines also offer room service for lunch and dinner. This all day menu often includes items like sandwiches and basic entrées.

While it’s convenient to have food delivered to your stateroom, it can be a money trap. Instead of paying for room service, consider grabbing a bite to eat from the buffet or pizza counter and bringing it back to your cabin. Since everything’s all on the same ship, you’re never a far walk from something to eat anyway.

13. Laundry

Packing for a cruise is part art and part science. Luckily, many packing lists and guides help cruisers ensure the appropriate gear for an upcoming sailing. When planning for your cruise, make sure to pack enough for every day of the trip. If not, you might end up spending extra money on laundry.

Some cruise ships do have launderettes that guests can use, but they’re not usually included in the fare.

Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises offer self-service areas. Still, doing a load of laundry will cost more, as will the detergent and softener. The extra $10 or so spent on doing a load of laundry might be worth it compared to packing several days’ worth of additional clothes.

But, many cruise lines do not even offer this option. Cruise lines like MSC and Norwegian Cruise Line only provide wash and fold services. These laundry services are usually priced per item or per bag. Sometimes a cruise line will run a deal offering a per-bag discount. This can be a great money-saver, especially on longer voyages.

Beyond laundry services, remember that cruise lines prohibit several items, including irons and steamers. So, if that formal night suit needs pressing, that will also cost additional money on many cruise lines.  

14. Onboard attractions and events

Cruise ships have a dedicated activities staff offering a variety of included events. These include trivia contests, game shows, pool deck challenges, parties, karaoke, and more.

Nightly entertainment in the main theater is also part of the cruise fare, with some cruise lines featuring Broadway-style productions. Others even have innovative entertainment complexes with digital enhancements and one-of-a-kind shows.

All of the above is totally free, but there are still a number of other onboard activities that are not included in the price of the cruise. For instance, there are classes that will cost you money, such as mixology classes, wine seminars, and cooking classes.

Many cruise ships feature activities on the sports deck and pool deck that are complimentary. These areas often have mini golf, water slides, sports courts, rock climbing walls, and other challenges that are no charge.

Still, special experiences, such as go karts, roller coasters/other ride attractions, escape rooms, 4D simulators, and IMAX theaters cost extra money. We suggest reviewing your ship’s deck plans to find out if your vessel contains any of these additional areas. If they do, and you know that your family will want to try them out, budget accordingly.

15. Spa services

A day in the spa might be the perfect rejuvenation during your cruise. Most cruise ship spas include treatments like massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures. In addition, many cruise ships have salons and barber shops featuring various hair care options for both women and men.

However, these services are not covered in the price of a cruise. Often times, the spa will run specials, especially on port days, for those looking to take advantage of these self care treatments at a reduced price.

Prices for these services vary greatly. So, having a general sense of what treatments you might want to book will allow you to budget for these splurges.

Comments

Are there any other items not included in the price of the cruise that we missed? Do you usually pay for these extras? Drop us an anchor below with what cruise add-ons are necessary for you.