Mainline and premium cruises are often marketed as all-inclusive, and in many ways, they are. Your cabin, meals, entertainment, and transportation between destinations are usually covered.
But oftentimes there’s a big gap between what’s included and what you’ll actually spend.
We’ve seen it happen over and over. Someone books a cruise thinking everything is taken care of, and then the onboard bill starts adding up quickly.
The good news is this is very avoidable. If you know where the extra costs come from, you can plan ahead and stay in control of your budget.
Here’s exactly what to watch for:
For the sake of this blog, “cruises” will refer to those cruise lines that are not all-inclusive (as many luxury lines automatically include everything listed below in the sticker price). The lines that will charge these extra add-ons fall within the mainline, premium, and entry-luxury categories.
🍷 Drink Packages
One of the most common extra costs on a cruise is drinks!
On most cruise lines, only basic beverages are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Juice at breakfast
Everything else usually costs extra, including:
- Cocktails
- Wine and beer
- Specialty coffee
- Soda
This is where drink packages come in, but they’re not always the best deal.
Before buying one, ask yourself:
- How many drinks will I realistically have per day?
- How many sea days will I have?
- And will I be off the ship most of the port days?
Drink packages can definitely make sense, but only if you’ll actually use them enough to justify the cost!
✨ Specialty Dining
Most cruises include one or multiple main dining rooms as well as a buffet, which can be good options if you’d like to stick to a budget.
However, many ships also offer fantastic specialty restaurants that come with an extra charge!
These can range from $25 per person, up to $100 or more for higher-end experiences!
Are they worth it? If you’re a foodie – absolutely! If you’re not as much of a foodie, maybe.
We recommend:
- Booking at least one or two specialty meals throughout the cruise
- Choosing experiences that feel different from the main dining room
But keep in mind that you definitely don’t need to dine at specialty restaurants every night to have a great experience!
🏝️ Shore Excursions
Excursions are one of the biggest hidden costs on a cruise! And booking through the cruise line is easy, but it’s often more expensive.
For example:
- A cruise line tour might cost $150 per person
- A similar third-party tour could be $75 to $100
That said, there are pros and cons.
Cruise line excursions:
- Easier to book
- Ship will wait if there are delays
Third-party excursions:
- Often more affordable
- Smaller group experiences
We typically always book third-party excursions, personally!
One tip we always follow: book your third-party excursions through a reliable and trustworthy operator! Excursion platforms such as Viator and Shore Excursions Group are fantastic for reading reviews and learning more about the experience ahead of time.
💸 Gratuities
Gratuities can surprise a lot of first-time cruisers! Many cruise lines charge daily gratuities that are automatically added to your onboard account.
These usually range from $16 to $25 per person, per day. For a 7-night cruise, that can easily add a few hundred dollars.
Some lines include gratuities upfront, especially in the luxury space, but many do not.
Before booking, check:
- Are gratuities included in your fare?
- Will they be added daily?
This helps you avoid surprises at the end of your trip.
🛜 WiFi Packages
WiFi on cruise ships is almost always an additional cost!
Packages can vary widely, but you can typically choose between basic plans for messaging and higher-tier plans for streaming and browsing.
Pricing often looks like $15 to $30 per day, per device.
A few things to consider:
- Do you really need WiFi every day?
- Can you use port days to catch up instead?
If it’s not included, we usually recommend buying one package and sharing it between devices when possible!
📸 Photos and Extras
Cruise ships are very good at offering add-ons that feel tempting in the moment.
This includes:
- Professional photos
- Spa treatments
- Fitness classes
- Casino spending
- Shopping onboard
None of these are necessary, but they can add up quickly if you’re not paying attention!
Our approach is simple:
- Decide ahead of time what matters to you
- Set a rough budget for extras
- Skip the rest without feeling like you’re missing out
💪 Our Simple Strategy
Over time, we’ve developed a simple approach to avoid unexpected costs on cruises!
We always:
- Review what’s included before booking
- Budget for gratuities and excursions upfront
- Choose add-ons intentionally, not impulsively
And most importantly, we match the cruise line to the experience we want.
For example:
- On ultra-luxury lines, more is included upfront, so you spend less onboard
- On mainstream lines, fares are lower, but you’ll pay more as you go
Neither is right or wrong. It just depends on your travel style!
💭 Final Thoughts
Go in with a plan!
Cruises can be an incredible value, but only if you understand what’s included and what’s not.
A little planning ahead goes a long way in avoiding surprise charges and keeping your trip stress-free.
If you’re thinking about booking a cruise and want help choosing the right line or understanding what your total cost will look like, we’re always happy to help!
