Cruises are a popular vacation choice due to their convenience and affordability. The base fare includes many amenities, from accommodations to unlimited food, entertainment, transportation between ports of call, and more. Rarely, however, are cruises all-inclusive.
Add-ons like shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, and Wi-Fi can substantially increase the price of your vacation before stepping foot onboard, so you'll want to understand what is and isn't included before booking your cruise.
To maximize your cruise experience without breaking the bank, it is wise to plan ahead and budget for additional expenses. Here are 12 unexpected things that aren't included in your cruise fare.
Read more: Study reveals that taking a cruise is more affordable than you think
Gratuities
Gratuities are tips divided between the hardworking crew members onboard, including cabin stewards, dining and culinary services staff, the guest services team, and more.
The majority of mainstream lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and MSC Cruises, don't include gratuities in the cost of your cruise, so you can either prepay them when booking or have them charged to your onboard account during your cruise. They can cost a family of four upwards of $400+ on a 7-night cruise.
While you can technically have the daily rate, which varies based on which line you're sailing with and what cabin category you're staying in, adjusted or outright removed while on the ship, it's frowned upon, as crew members work hard to deliver memorable vacation experiences.
Read more: 10 do's and don'ts of cruise ship tipping
Onboard activities
Do you want to ride one of the only roller coasters at sea? What about soar over the side of the world's largest cruise ship? Unfortunately, these once-in-a-lifetime activities cost extra. While your fare includes trivia, access to the onboard pools, entertainment, and more, there are a few activities that guests have to pay extra for.
Carnival's BOLT roller coaster, for instance, costs $15 per person, while Crown's Edge on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas costs anywhere from $20 to $50 per person, depending on when you book your reservation.
Before booking your cruise, research what attractions are and aren't included. Otherwise, you may be stuck disappointing your children or forced to shell out extra money you didn't properly budget for.
Fitness classes
Though you can use the onboard gym free of charge, fitness classes tend to cost extra, especially if they are equipment-based. Cruise line fitness classes cost around $12 to $20 per class, with offerings ranging from spin classes to pilates and more.
If you enjoy partaking in classes at home, you don't have to abandon any goals because you're at sea. By joining one of the numerous classes, you'll stay motivated throughout your sailing, and you may meet other cruisers who share similar goals!
You can see what is available and when by checking the daily schedule.
Read more: 16 hidden cruise ship extra charges you should know about
Select non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages
While your cruise fare includes water, tea, lemonade, and coffee, at minimum, there are plenty of premium drinks that you may want to sip on throughout your sailing, including soda, alcohol, specialty coffees, energy drinks, and more. You can either pay for each beverage individually or purchase a drink package to make your cruise feel more inclusive.
It's not uncommon to hear of people paying $500+ on a drink package for a 7-night cruise. Carnival, for instance, charges $74.95 per day on sailings that are 5 nights or fewer nights for up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day, meaning that one person could pay upwards of $374.75 before gratuities.
Before deciding to purchase a package, it's important to debate whether you'll benefit from the benefits. If you do not think you'll break even, you are better off paying for each drink à la carte. While onboard, though, don't forget to keep an eye on your onboard statement; it's easier than you think to quickly rack up a large bill!
Read more: Cruise Line Alcohol Drink Packages Guide
Medical services
Travel insurance is a necessity on even the shortest getaways. While nobody wants to think about falling ill during their cruise, unexpected events, such as delayed flights, a death in the family, or sudden illness, can result in trip cancellations and interruptions.
Insurance will help provide financial protection and cover certain expenses, so you aren't presented with a large bill like Vincent Wasney and his fiancée, Sarah Eberlein, were while cruising onboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas. During the trip, he began to feel ill at Perfect Day at CocoCay. After a series of seizures that resulted in onboard medical care, the couple had to pay over $2,500 in medical bills before being allowed to disembark.
Typically, standard insurance doesn't cover medical emergencies at sea, so if you don't want to potentially pay thousands of dollars out of pocket, it's best to cough up the extra hundred or so dollars for travel insurance, so you don't have to err on the side of caution throughout your entire trip.
Wi-Fi
You won't be able to use your cell phone like normal on a cruise ship, either.
Rather than have unlimited access to your friends and family back home, either via text or phone call, you'll be subject to the strength of the ship's Wi-Fi, if you purchase a package. Additionally, before you set sail, turn your phone to airplane mode to avoid pricey roaming charges.
Some cruise lines will allow you to share a Wi-Fi package, including Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Note, however, that if you're sailing with MSC Cruises, you'll have to purchase a package for each device you want to stay connected. Alternatively, you can utilize free Wi-Fi in port for a quick check-in.
Read more: How to get free Wi-Fi on Norwegian Cruise Line
Spa treatments
Hoping to be pampered while onboard? You'll have to shell out a pretty penny to treat yourself to one of the spa's services. A 50-minute massage, for instance, typically starts at around $200.
Of course, you can sometimes find deals on port days, but the savings mean you'll have to schedule any excursions around your treatment, which may not be the most convenient, especially if you've already booked tours.
If you aren't planning on splurging on a beverage package or an expensive excursion, a relaxing afternoon in the spa might be the perfect way to focus on rejuvenation and unwind.
Read more: 7 ways to upgrade your cruise for $125 or less
Airfare
Unless you're brave enough to endure Florida's humidity year-round, you won't live within driving distance of most cruise ports that offer sailings to The Bahamas and Eastern and Western Caribbean. Though ports like Baltimore, New York, and Norfolk offer sailings to the same tropical destinations, the newest ships are often deployed out of Florida. Rather than sailing on Icon of the Seas or Carnival Celebration, you'd have to cruise on ships like Vision of the Seas or Carnival Sunshine.
Moreover, if you live on the East Coast of the United States, including Florida, and want to cruise to Alaska or Europe, you'll have to rely on airfare to safely transport you to your embarkation city.
Either way, unless you are sailing with a luxury line, airfare isn't included in the cost of your cruise. Budgeting for pre-cruise transportation costs is important, as plane tickets can be pricey, especially if flying internationally and/or with a large family. Allow yourself plenty of time to scout for deals or accumulate enough credit card points/airline miles to help decrease the total amount you'll have to pay out-of-pocket.
Read more: The costly cruising mistake newbies make planning their first cruise
Excursions
Between the onboard meals, exciting entertainment, and sea days spent enjoying the amenities, the ship is guaranteed to be a source of memories. Part of the appeal of cruising, however, is visiting numerous destinations without worrying about constantly repacking.
Some veteran sailors choose to stay onboard when the ship is docked, especially if it's a port they've been to countless times. If you're a new cruiser, though, you shouldn't limit yourself to the experiences onboard. Instead, browse the available shore excursions and plan accordingly.
While they aren't included, snorkeling with sea turtles in The Caribbean, whale-watching in Alaska, and exploring ancient ruins in Europe allow you to create memories ashore while learning about the local history and culture.
Read more: Tourist Traps To Avoid On A Cruise
Professional photography
Most ships will have professional photography services available to guests throughout the cruise to help capture memories, from embarkation to formal night or a day spent ashore at a cruise line's private island.
These pictures aren't a requirement to have a great vacation, especially considering the camera quality of mobile phones today. However, ship photographers have access to unique vantage points, backdrops, and lighting that can be difficult to replicate from an iPhone on Andriod.
Additionally, if you have a large family, you won't have to worry about leaving someone out to take the picture or relying on the skills of strangers.
Read more: Watch out for these 8 fees and 1 smart hack that could make your cruise vacation more expensive
Specialty meals
Your base fare includes unlimited food in select venues onboard, including the buffet and Main Dining Room; however, there are select restaurants that cost extra. Some cruisers prefer to splurge on specialty dining, whether to celebrate a special occasion or simply elevate the overall cruise experience.
From high-end steakhouses to Italian restaurants with freshly made pasta, sushi, Teppanyaki, and more, each specialty restaurant tends to highlight a different cuisine or cooking style. Plus, with a limited number of seats, the atmosphere is more intimate than the large Main Dining Room, which is often a multi-level space able to accommodate hundreds of passengers at any given moment.
The cost of each restaurant varies. Some, such as Royal Caribbean's Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, are priced à la carte, whereas others, including Carnival's onboard steakhouse, have a set cover charge.
Port transfers or parking
Regardless of whether you're flying or driving, you'll have to pay for transfers to the terminal or secure parking for your vehicle.
Rideshares from the Fort Lauderdale airport to Port Everglades are affordable, as the cruise port is less than five miles away. If, however, you're flying into Rome and need to get to Civitavecchia, you may want to arrange transfers in advance to make the experience hassle-free. For my upcoming Greek Isles cruise, my finacée and I have already arranged for a private car to pick us up at our hotel in Athens to ensure our timely arrival to Piraeus.
Sometimes, airfare booked through the cruise line will include transfers; however, there are typically some caveats. If, for instance, you decide to fly in the day before your cruise and stay at a hotel near the port, they typically won't stop by your hotel. Instead, you'll have to make your way back to the airport to be eligible for the transfers.
When it comes to parking, some cruisers prefer to shop around for cheaper parking options. Parking at Port Canaveral, for example, costs $17 per day, whereas some third-party operators charge as little as $10.95.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
