15 Things Not Included in the Price of a Cruise

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We love cruising because it is a great value. For one set price, dining, entertainment, and other activities are part of the cruise fare. But not everything is included in the price of the cruise. In fact, there are several additional upcharges 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 the 15 common hidden costs you need to know about before taking a cruise.

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The 15 Things Not Included in the Price of a Cruise  

Port Taxes and Fees

Figuring out the cost of a cruise is pretty straightforward. The cruise line’s website displays the cost of different cabin types as a per-person cost for the duration of the trip. So, a seven-day Caribbean cruise in a balcony stateroom might have a sticker price of $1199.  

While that is the cruise fare, it is not the total cost of taking the cruise.

Instead, travelers might have to add all their information before the website shows the final cost. When you complete your reservation, you will notice that the price is more money per traveler.

That is because the initial sticker price does not include Port Taxes and Fees.

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Believe us, these port taxes and fees can really add up. The total amount depends on the number of ports you visit and the ports themselves.

For instance, Bermuda has some of the highest port fees. Our 7-night Bermuda cruise this year, which had a 3-day stop on the island, had port fees and taxes of $297.50 per person. Likewise, our 7-night Alaska cruise with 3 ports of call, had port fees and taxes of $281.95 per person.

Note, even if you get a promotion like kids sail free or half off additional guests, those guests are still responsible for the full amount of these additional fees.

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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 is 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 to a warm climate or an entirely different continent. Then, families need to get from the airport to the cruise terminal, which can be 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 $40 to $80 a person, one-way, depending on the destination and cruise line.

There are also other options like ride shares, 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 nearby facility).

These fees can easily add a couple of hundred dollars to the total cruise budget for a family of four.

WiFi

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

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.

Like many premium hotels on land, WiFi costs extra at sea. The various cruise lines offer different plans, many priced per day, per device, depending on your needs. Further, many cruise lines offer tiered packages boasting various internet speeds.

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For instance, Royal Caribbean Internet Plans vary from cheaper plans covering basic needs to the upgraded Surf + Stream package, which allows for music and video streaming. The upgraded package starts at $30.99 a day for one device, with multi-device plans costing upwards of $300 to over $400 for a week-long cruise.

Other cruise lines have more reasonable plans, like Carnival Cruise Line with plans starting at just under $13 a day to access social media apps on a mobile device. Still, this cruise line’s premium internet will set cruisers back over $130 per device for a seven-night voyage.

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 new Starlink internet being rolled out on several cruise lines.

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 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 before their cruise.

These tips usually run an additional $15 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 pre-pay 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.

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.

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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 even pay this charge on perks that are “free,” like Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea promotions.

Bottled Water (and other “Premium Non-Alcoholic Drinks”)

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

Although, when it comes to other non-alcoholic beverages, those will cost extra. 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 $100 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 6 beverages.

Alcoholic Beverages

Unless you are cruising on a luxury cruise ship, your cruise fare does not include alcoholic beverages. So, it will be an added cost for that pina colada by the pool or a glass of wine at dinner.

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

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Thankfully, many cruise lines do offer cruise ship 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 make 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.

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 Norwegian Cruise Line’s newer mega-ships, guests can opt for passes to the Vibe Beach Club. Similarly, Carnival Cruise Line has the upcharge Loft 19 sundeck, which is not open to all guests.  

Likewise, the Sanctuary on Princess Cruises or the Retreat on Holland America Line all cost additional. Opting for week-long access can add hundreds of dollars to the cruise budget.

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

Several ships also are home to a thermal suite, which requires a day pass or week-long pass if cruisers want to use the stone loungers or hydro-pool. 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, or Celebrity Cruises’ Retreat are dedicated areas of the ship only accessible to those in certain suite categories. This multi-deck oasis typically boasts a private sundeck, restaurant, lounge, and other amenities available only to those with special access.

Shore Excursions

Part of the appeal to 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 $75 or so per person for a walking tour or basic city tour. A zip line or adventure hike may cost around $150 – $200.

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 $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.

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Specialty Dining

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

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

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

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

At the Disney Cruise Line 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 $55 a person for the entire meal.

It is possible to go an entire week-long cruise and not spend 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.

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 is 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 all fitness classes.  

Although, some cruise lines do provide cruisers in certain cabin categories access to fitness classes. Celebrity Cruises’ Aqua Class or Princess Cruises’ Princess Plus or Princess Premier fares have a set number of free classes.

Room Service

Want to have dinner on the balcony? Or, 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.

Some contemporary cruise lines still offer a free continental breakfast option, including items like cereal, fruit, and breakfast pastries. Almost all big-name cruise lines now charge a fee if you are looking for an omelet or breakfast sandwich though.

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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. This too will cost extra money.

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 that week-long 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 lines catering to families offer launderettes on cruise ships, but these are not included in the price of a cruise.

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 Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line, only provide wash and fold services. These laundry services are often priced per item, with a pair of pants or a shirt easily costing $5+. So, doing laundry on these lines can quickly add up.

Cruise lines will occasionally run deals offering discount prices for a “bag of laundry”.  This can be a great money saver, especially on longer itineraries.

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.  

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 productions. While 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.

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

Still, special experiences, such as go karts, video games, escape rooms, 4D simulators, and IMAX theaters, will 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 test them out, budget accordingly.

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 items 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.

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