Is a Cruise Really All-Inclusive? What’s NOT Included
One thing I love about cruising is that it is a cost-effective way to see the world. Like all-inclusive resorts, many things are included in your fare, such as meals (both in the Main Dining Room (MDR) and buffet), your room, drinks like water, tea, and coffee, and most entertainment like production shows and comedians.
However, unless you’re sailing with Virgin Voyages, where almost everything is included, several things generally are not included. Here’s a breakdown of what you might need to budget for.
Speciality Restaurants
Many cruise lines offer fancier sit-down restaurant options, usually featuring steak or seafood, which come at an upcharge, such as Holland America Line‘s Pinnacle Grill or Carnival’s Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse. These specialty restaurants typically require a reservation, which can be made before your sailing or on the ship. However, the prime dining times generally get booked quickly, so booking these in advance is advisable.
Dining at these venues offers a more upscale experience with gourmet cuisine, unique menus, and often exceptional service. Some popular specialty dining options include (as noted above) steakhouses, but also Italian trattorias, French bistros, and sushi bars. Many of the larger class of ships with several cruise lines also offer less formal specialty dining options, where meals come at a lower cost, such as Royal Caribbean’s Johnny Rockets and Carnival’s Emeril’s Bistro restaurants.
Drink Packages
While basic drinks like water, tea, and coffee are included in your cruise fare, anything beyond the basics comes at a cost. This includes soft drinks, specialty coffees, and alcoholic beverages. Many cruise lines offer drink packages that can be purchased in advance or onboard, covering a range of options from soda packages to premium alcohol packages. These packages can be a great way to save money if you plan to enjoy a variety of drinks throughout your cruise.
Most cruise lines offer a soft drinks-only package, like Carnival’s Bottomless Bubbles Beverage Package. Many lines also offer packages geared toward soft drinks and other specialty beverages, like coffees, energy drinks, and others, but do not include alcohol, such as Celebrity’s Classic Non-Alcoholic Package.
Be sure to consult the specifics of each cruise line’s package, as the price varies widely. Some of them have specific rules, such as limits on the number of drinks allowed per day and the requirement that all inhabitants in a stateroom must purchase a drink package if just one person does (this is to prevent drink sharing).
Related: 5 Ways to Cruise on the Cheap (or FREE)
Specialty Foods
While meals in the MDR are included in your cruise fare, the menu often features fancier options at an additional cost, such as higher-quality cuts of steak, lobster, and other premium dishes. These specialty foods provide an opportunity to indulge in gourmet dining experiences without having to leave the ship. Some cruise lines also offer special dining events, such as wine pairing dinners or chef’s table experiences, which come with an extra charge.
Photos
You’ll find photo opportunities everywhere on a cruise ship, from embarkation to formal nights and excursions. Professional photographers capture these moments, but the photos come at an extra cost. Packages are often available for purchase, allowing you to select your favorite shots or get digital copies. These photos make for wonderful keepsakes of your cruise vacation, but it’s essential to factor the cost into your budget.
Room Service
Gone are the days of free, 24/7 expansive room service menus- in most cases. It’s still available on certain lines like Holland America Line and Disney Cruise Line, although the options may be more limited than in the pre-2020 years.
Nowadays, most cruise lines charge for room service or provide it at no cost but with a nominal delivery fee. For example, Royal Caribbean still offers free room service with a $7.95 delivery fee and a required 18% gratuity, making the total cost almost ten bucks. Virgin Voyages offers guests complimentary room service if they purchase at least one beverage (protip: ordering a soft drink is cheaper than paying Virgin’s room service delivery fee!).
Room service menus usually include various options, from breakfast items to late-night snacks. Some of the cruise lines that now charge for room service still provide a free continental breakfast option. But other than these examples, while it’s convenient to have meals delivered to your stateroom, be prepared now for the potential of additional charges if you choose to indulge.
Gratuities
Gratuities are not included in your cruise fare and are billed to you as prepaid gratuities or charged on the last night of your sailing. These gratuities go towards compensating the hardworking crew members who provide excellent service throughout your cruise. You can also choose to tip individually if you receive exceptional service from specific crew members.
Cruise ship tipping is a very controversial subject, though, with opinions all over the board as to whom to tip, how much, and when. To help guide cruisers through this nuanced topic, I have an entirely separate blog post.
Port Fees and Taxes
In addition to your cruise fare, you must pay the required port fees and taxes at the time of your booking. These fees cover the cost of docking at various ports of call and are standard across the industry. They are typically included in the final price of your cruise when you book, so make sure to review your total cost carefully.
Prior to July 2024, cruise lines could get away with advertising cruise fares that did not include taxes and port fees, which was somewhat misleading, but thanks to California’s “Honest Pricing Law,” cruise lines operating within the state now must include all mandatory fees, such as taxes and port fees, in their advertised prices.
This legislation aims to eliminate hidden fees, ensuring that consumers see the total cost upfront rather than encountering additional charges during the booking process. I welcome this change, as it makes pricing much more transparent for cruisers, but note that port fees and taxes are an additional cost to cruise fare.
Excursions
Cruise excursions are not included in the standard cruise fare and typically require additional payment. They range from guided tours and adventure activities to cultural experiences and sightseeing trips and are offered as optional add-ons to enhance the travel experience.
Passengers can choose and book these excursions either in advance or while on board, and the costs vary depending on the type and duration of the activity. This separate pricing structure allows cruise lines to offer a wide range of tailored experiences but also means that travelers must budget for these extras on top of their cruise fare.
Related: Learn how to save money (but know the risks) of booking independent excursions.
Some cruise lines own or lease their own private islands, providing cruisers booking these itineraries with a free beach day without spending money on an excursion or paying for transportation around a port of call. If you’re looking to save money, check out itineraries that include these, such as MSC’s Ocean Cay, Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay, and Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays, which are islands used by Princess, Carnival, and Holland America Line.
Extras
Other miscellaneous expenses to consider include the arcade (or, as I call it, the “kiddie casino”), bowling alleys, IMAX theatres, and other random amenities and features that vary depending on your specific ship—even roller coasters, like Carnival’s Bolt! These activities provide additional entertainment options but come at an extra cost. The cruise lines usually do a good job of clarifying what’s included and what’s not, so you don’t have to worry about surprises.
Understanding these additional costs can help you better plan and budget for your cruise vacation, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience without unexpected expenses.
