What are the cheapest cruise add-ons?

You found a cruise fare that sounds almost unbelievable-- $200 per person for a 4 night cruise?! That’s about $50 per person, per night for lodging, transportation between ports, entertainment, and select food and beverages! 

Don't get ahead of yourself-- the cheapest cruise lines offering the cheapest fares have to find a way to make money off of each guest. You can expect to pay for anything outside of the base fare, including alcoholic beverages, specialty restaurants, wi-fi, spa treatments, shore excursions, and some onboard activities. 

So, is that base fare as good of a deal as you thought?

We will dive into which cruise lines offer the cheapest add-ons. Keep in mind, though, you can sometimes find lower prices through promotions and sales, and these rates are subject to change at any time. 

Cheapest drink package

At $38 and $49 per day, MSC Cruises' Easy and Easy Plus Drink Packages are the cheapest alcoholic beverage packages at sea.

The runner up is Carnival's Cruise Lines Cheers! Drink Package, which costs $59.95 per day. If purchased in advance, you’ll also receive a 10% discount, making it $53.95 per person, per day. Unlike other packages, however, it is not truly “unlimited.” There is a maximum of 15 alcoholic drinks per day. Don’t forget, you’ll be charged an automatic 18% gratuity when you purchase the package.

Wi-Fi

Carnival Cruise Line offers the cheapest social media plan. At just $10.20 per day, you’ll be able to access popular social media networks, including Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Whatsapp, and Snapchat. Outside of that, it does not include access to much else. 

If you want or need premium internet during your sailing, Carnival still has the cheapest compared to other mainstream cruise lines, costing just $17.00 per day. On top of everything that’s included in the social media plan, you’ll be able to access e-mail, news, sports, weather, banking and finance information, as well as video calling. 

Plus, if you book in advance, you can save up to 15%. 

Speciality restaurants 

Steakhouse

Carnival’s steakhouse is the cheapest fixed price at $48 for adults and $13 for children under 11 (and don't worry, they serve more than just steak!). 

However, the steakhouse on Norwegian Cruise Line, Cagney’s, is a-la-carte, so if all you want is a filet mignon or ribeye and single side, you’ll pay roughly $40 per person. 

Italian

Carnival Cruise Line’s Cucina del Capitano is the cheapest Italian specialty restaurant at sea, coming in at only $18 per adult and $6 for children under 11. 

Teppanyaki 

The cheapest teppanyaki experience at sea is on the Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, and Mardi Gras. It’s only $38 per person for dinner and $35 per person for lunch. 

It will also be on the Carnival Celebration and Jubilee. 

If you’re sailing on Norwegian or Royal Caribbean, expect to pay at least $10 more per person. 

Chef’s Table

On Royal Caribbean, the onboard pricing for Chef’s Table is $99.00; however, if you book in advance through the Cruise Planner, you might be able to snag it for around $85.00 per person. 

Similarly, on Carnival, the pricing ranges from $80.00-$99.00, depending on the ship and itinerary. 

Shore excursions 

Shore excursions can vary greatly depending on cruise line and port of call. Are you content with a simple beach day, or are you hoping to do something more adventurous? Here are some of the cheapest excursions at popular cruise destinations throughout the world. 

Nassau, Bahamas

In Nassau, the cheapest excursion you’ll find through cruise lines is most likely the walking tour. 

Royal Caribbean has the cheapest, at only $34.99 per adult. You can often find it for even less if you book in advance through the Cruise Planner. 

Cozumel, Mexico

If you’re looking for a cheap beach excursion, Carnival’s Beach Escape: Islands Beach Club & Pool is only $39.99 per adult and $34.99 per child. This is a great deal if you choose not to purchase internet on board, as it is included in the price of the excursion. 

Ketchikan, Alaska

Alaska excursions tend to be more expensive due to their activity level and duration. 

If you’re cruising to Ketchikan, however, the cheapest excursion amongst all the mainstream cruise lines is the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Carnival charges only $51.99 per adult, while Norwegian charges almost $20 more, or $69.00 per adult. 

Naples, Italy

Just like Alaskan excursions, those in Europe tend to be pricier than those in the Bahamas or Caribbean due to their duration. Most of the time, you will leave the port early and return late at night. There are, however, some exceptions. 

If you’re sailing to Naples, you might be interested in visiting Pompeii. Norwegian only charges $49.00 per adult for transfers to Pompeii that will allow you to explore the archaeological site on your own.  

Look for cruise line promotions and sales 

Norwegian’s “Free at Sea”

Norwegian's “Free at Sea” allows passengers to enjoy an unlimited open bar, wi-fi, speciality restaurants, and shore excursion credits depending on which stateroom you book. 

Right now, they’re even offering buy one, get one free on airfare. If you pay the full fare for one, you’ll automatically get roundtrip flights for two. 

So, while the initial price for a Norwegian cruise might be more than Carnival or Royal Caribbean, if you’re looking to pay for a drink and internet package, specialty restaurants, and airfare, you might end up saving money through the “Free at Sea” promotion! 

Celebrity Cruises’ Always Included

If you book a cruise with Celebrity Cruises, you will have three amenities included in your base fare: tips, basic wi-fi, and a Classic Drink Package. 

Unlike Norwegian, Always Included applies to every stateroom category onboard. However, it is unavailable for sailings to the Galapagos. 

If you would like to upgrade from the included basic amenities, you can do so for an additional charge. The cost of upgrading from basic to premium wi-fi is $15 per day, but if you book by up to two days before your cruise, you can save 13%. Similarly, the cost of upgrading from the Classic to Premium Drink Package is $18 per person, per day. If you book by up to two days before sailing, you can save 5% off the additional surcharge. 

Celebrity Cruise fares are often more expensive than mainstream counterparts, such as Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean. If you’re looking for a more luxurious cruising experience, you might save money through their “Always Included” program than if you were to sail on Princess Cruises or Holland America Line. 

MSC Cruises’ “All In” offer

MSC Cruises’ “All In” offer includes the Easy Plus Drink Package, as well as the Browse wi-fi package. It is available on select sailings to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Northern Europe. It cannot be combined with any other offer, such as free balcony upgrades. 

Loyalty benefits 

If you stay local to one cruise line, you will unlock some great benefits that will make your cruising experience feel more inclusive and luxurious. But which line should you sail with to unlock the most benefits? 

If you are striving to reach top tier status quickly, you should probably stick with Carnival Cruise Line. The highest tier, Diamond, can be reached after only 200 nights, unlike Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, which both require 700 nights. This, however, means that Carnival’s Diamond tier does not include as many benefits as the top tiers of other mainstream cruise lines. 

That being said, reaching 700 nights is quite difficult. For that reason, we compared the benefits of Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian’s loyalty tiers around 200 nights.  

Carnival’s VIFP’s Diamond status (200 nights)

 

• Members-only offers
• Member e-newsletter
• Complimentary 1.5 liter bottle of water 
• Priority check-in and boarding
• VIFP Party on 5+ day sailings featuring complimentary drinks
• Complimentary beverage at Seaday Brunch 
• “Chocolate Delight” on 5+ day cruises (you must call room service to schedule the delivery)
• Unique, collectible pin received on each sailing 
• Priority spa reservations
• Priority water shuttle boarding (ship to shore only)
• Casino: Buy-one-get-one-free tournament entry (Blackjack or Slot only)**
• $5 worth of complimentary arcade credits (guests under 18 only)
• Carnival logo gift on every sailing 
• Priority Guest Services assistance by phone
• Priority line at onboard Guest Services desk
• Priority debarkation
• Priority reservations at speciality restaurants 
• Guaranteed dinner seating time requested in the Main Dining Room 
• Unlimited complimentary wash & fold
• Special event invitation from the Captain on each sailing
• One-time free cabin upgrade OR third and fourth guests sail free
• One-time donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 
• One-time complimentary meal for two at speciality restaurant of choice 
• VIFP Club luggage tag set 
• Dedicated toll-free number for sales and service

Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society’s Diamond Plus status (175 nights)

• Crown & Anchor onboard offers loaded on SeaPass card
• Crown & Anchor exclusive rates, email offers, and newsletter
• Crown & Anchor Society Desk for membership inquiries 
• Priority notice on special offers, new ships, and itineraries
• Discounts on balcony and suite staterooms
• Matching Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club status
• Priority waitlist seating in the main dining room
• Additional cruise points for purchasing suite accommodations and/or single pricing
• Member cruises (when available)
• Seapass card recognition
• Private departure lounge with continental breakfast 
• Exclusive top tier event
• Robes for use onboard
• Signature lapel pin 
• Welcome waters & snack + beverage selection (5 beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, per day at any venue except Starbucks)
• Milestone recognition
• Chef’s choice gift
• Priority waitlist for shore excursions and spa services
• Diamond Lounge (on select ships)
• Exclusive nightly Diamond event
• Entertainment tour 
• Same member status as the parent after your child’s first completed cruise
• Youth program commemorative gift 
• Personalized gift/amenity per household
• Priority access and seating at theatre, ice show, and AquaTheatre events
• Concierge Lounge access
• After Diamond Plus, guests have to jump from 175 cruise points to 700, so there are a few benefits that members can reach, while still retaining Diamond Plus status, along the way:
• Cheers with an Officer for members with 340+ cruise points
• Upgraded bathroom amenities for members with 340+ cruise points
• Bonus gift (for members with 340+ or 525+ cruise points per household)

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Latitude’s Sapphire status (150 nights) 

 

• Keycard recognition
• Signature tier pins
• Exclusive members-only offers
• Dedicated pre-cruise service desk 
• Early pre-booking for entertainment, dining, and onboard activities at 125 days
• Latitudes Rewards insider offers on select sailings
• Early access to new production information
• Onboard Latitudes Rewards representative
• Free artwork for attending art auctions 
• 45% discount on an Unlimited Open Bar package 
• 15% discount in onboard duty-free stores 
• 15% discount on shore excursions
• 30% discount on photos
• 25% discount on signature spa treatments while the ship is in port
• 25% discount on internet packages
• Exclusive cocktail party
• 1 free bag of laundry
• Priority check-in/embarkation 
• Priority tender tickets
• Priority disembarkation available to U.S. citizens (benefit varies for international guests)
• Priority restaurant and entertainment seating
• 2 Flow water cartons
• Chocolate covered strawberries (per stateroom)
• Speciality dinner for two with a bottle of wine (per stateroom) on sailings 5+ days
• Dinner with Officers
• Wines around the world tasting
• Behind-the-scenes ship tour
• Concierge service
• Latitudes digital magazine
• Members cruises
• Exclusive offers from Caesars Entertainment

Which cruise line has the cheapest add-ons?

If you're looking to book a cheap base fare to have the flexibility to purchase a wide array of add-ons, you should sail with Carnival Cruise Line. However, thanks to loyalty programs and cruise promotions, you might find yourself booking a more expensive fare to offset the value of benefits you'll receive onboard.