Cruising. Pay once. Unpack once. Entertainment. Food. Fun. See the world. Or whatever part of the world you are cruising in. But does your cruise fare pay for everything?
So many things on a cruise ship are truly complimentary–the main dining room, the buffet, the swimming pools, the shows, the kids’ club, the fitness center–so many things. But what about the things that are not included that maybe you didn’t think about? These charges will be billed to you at the end of your cruise and can be quite a surprise if you are not prepared.
Let’s take a look at some things that are not generally included in your cruise fare:
#1 is gratuities. These can be included in your cruise fare if you go ahead and check that little box. However, if you do not, your stateroom will be automatically charged per person, per day for gratuities that go to various members of the crew. You can remove these charges, but why would you? The crew has taken care of you and your stateroom the entire time you’ve been onboard.
#2 is drinks. Passengers receive complimentary coffee, tea, juice, and tap water. Anything else? There is a charge to your stateroom. Wine? Beer? Soda? Bottled water? You will be charged as you sip unless you purchase a drink package. Be sure to consider the cost of the drink package to ensure it makes sense for you and your party. For example, Royal Caribbean has three levels of beverage packages that vary in cost from $13 to over $100 per person, per day.
#3 is specialty dining. Trying various foods from different parts of the world is one of the best things about cruising. If you eat in the MDR, at the buffet, or any of the other complimentary venues around the ship, you will not leave hungry. But if you are looking for a “higher-end” meal–think steak, sushi, upscale seafood, or Italian–you will need to make a reservation and pay for that meal.
While we are on the subject of food, let’s talk about #4, which is room service. Some room service is still complimentary, but not all. You will likely be charged a fee for ordering room service.
#5 is shore excursions. You get off the tender in Grand Cayman–that’s free. You want to swim with the stingrays? That’s going to cost you, but it is so worth it. The ship will take you all over the world, and will not charge you to disembark in any amazing port you want. However, if you want a guided tour, or to go snorkeling, or visit a nearby beach club, you will need to pay for that excursion. Those can be booked through the cruise line or locally, just remember, the cruise line option has a guarantee you won’t be a pier runner.
#6 is photography. Every ship will have professional photographers just waiting to take beautiful photos of you and your travel companions in front of a beautiful background. On formal dining room nights, the decorative backdrops are glamorous and in plenty. You can get a picture taken on the Lido, as you disembark in port, on your way to lunch, anywhere. The pictures will be souvenir-worthy, but they are not free. Some cruise lines do offer photo packages if that is important to you.
#7 is the spa. Want to unwind with a massage or a facial? Want to get your hair or nails done? You will pay a fee for spa services. Most cruise lines have an impressive array of spa and salon services, but those will be charged to you and typically include an automatic tip.
#8 is the casino, although did you really think your gambling would be free? However, maybe you’ll win enough to take another cruise, or you’ll play enough to receive a free or discounted cruise, complimentary drinks, or even onboard cash.
#9 is fitness classes. The gym is free. The walking track is free. But if you want to take an organized class like yoga or pilates, expect to see a charge for those. Some ships even offer personal training sessions if you are willing to pay for them.
#10 is specific onboard activities. Some onboard activities do have an extra fee. Things like escape rooms, arcade games, simulators, and high-end attractions will incur a fee. While they may be pretty cool, you do not have to do these things to have a GREAT time. The pools, shows, music, and so much more are always complimentary.
#11 is laundry services. If you are on a longer cruise, it may be beneficial to pack lighter and utilize the ship’s laundry services. Just be aware, there is a charge, and services range from do-it-yourself to valet laundry, depending on the cruise line.
#12 is WiFi or internet services. Most cruise lines will charge for internet access, giving passengers two options: disconnect or purchase a WiFi package. There are various levels of WiFi packages, so do some research and pay for the one that will best fit your needs. Packages will get you anything from basic social media connectivity to the ability to work while at sea.
#13 is onboard shopping. Cruise lines do offer tax- and duty-free shopping on various items while at sea, and you can buy almost anything on a ship. Liquor, fine jewelry, watches, makeup, perfumes, designer handbags, candy, toiletries, or souvenirs can all be found onboard. Tax and duty-free, but not free. Usually, the prices are higher than you would pay elsewhere, but watch for sales.
The last one, #14, is medical expenses. Ships do have onboard medical personnel who run “urgent care” clinics. They can treat anything from seasickness to a major emergency. If truly needed, the cost is irrelevant, but travel medical insurance should always be considered.
Cruising. Pay once. Unpack once. Entertainment. Food. Fun. See the world. Or whatever part of the world you are cruising in. But does your cruise fare pay for everything? The overall answer is no, your cruise fare does not pay for everything. However, your cruise fare absolutely pays for an amazing vacation that includes food, fun, and entertainment. You get to decide if you want to add any extra amenities.