Welcome to my travel blog! I am a travel agent from Ontario, Canada and I decided to start this blog to share my knowledge and unique perspective of the travel industry with you. My primary interest and area of expertise at this time is cruising, so you can expect to see many articles about cruise vacations in the early days of this blog.
Over the next few weeks, I am going to share many articles that serve as an introduction to ocean cruising for those who have never cruised before. Over the past year, I have learned a lot about the cruising industry through industry training and personal experience, and I am going to share the most important information that I think all new cruisers should know. Cruising is a vacation style that many people are not familiar with, especially my fellow Canadian travelers, and there are some differences between cruising and other resort-style vacations that you might be more familiar with. If you’re reading this then you probably have at least some interest in trying a cruise, but you might be unsure about a number of things such as what is included and what costs extra, which cruise line to choose, where you can cruise to, and so on. Allow me to tell you the most important things you need to know before trying a cruise for the first time.
In this article, I will discuss what is included on a cruise and what costs extra.
What’s Included and What’s Not?
Cruising is a great value compared to most other vacations because there is no need to spend any money on board unless you really want to. Cruises are not entirely all-inclusive, but you do get many things included in your base fare. Let’s clear up what is included and what you need to budget extra for. The information here is generally applicable to every major cruise line, but there will be some small differences between them.
Beverages
The main difference between cruises and all-inclusive resorts is that most beverages are typically not included in the base fare. On most cruise lines, you can typically expect self-serve options such as lemonade, iced tea, juice from concentrate, water, filtered coffee, and hot tea to be included. However, alcohol, sodas, fresh juice, bottled water, energy drinks, and specialty coffees will be an extra charge. They can either be purchased by the glass, or you can purchase a beverage package for a fixed price.
What is a beverage package? A beverage package is simply a paid amenity on top of your cruise fare that allows you to order unlimited (or at least a very high number of) premium drinks, including alcoholic drinks. Most cruise lines have about three or four different beverage package options to choose from depending on your preferences. These range from inexpensive soda-only packages to premium packages that include all drinks such as top-shelf liquors. Below is a typical example of an alcoholic beverage package from Carnival Cruises:
Many first-time cruisers purchase a beverage package without really thinking twice about it, but it is advisable to make a realistic determination about your own drinking habits, and then to calculate whether it is a good value for you. There are some helpful tools online such as this drinks package calculator: https://www.cruzely.com/cruise-line-drink-package-calculator/
You also have to keep in mind that you are charged the daily cost of the beverage package for every day of your cruise, so while buying a package might make sense on a short three-day cruise, the price might be prohibitive on cruises that are seven days or more.
How much do drinks cost without a beverage package? They cost about the same as what you would expect to pay in a restaurant or bar in a major American city. A domestic beer with an automatic gratuity will cost about $8.50. Using the Carnival Cheers! package from earlier as an example, you would have to drink more than seven beers per day on every day of your cruise for this package to be worth it.
When shopping for cruise fares, remember that you will also need to budget for your drinks. Even with having to pay for drinks, cruising is typically still a better value than most other vacations, and beverage packages can sometimes be a cost-effective way of giving you an all-inclusive experience.
Dining
Will I have to buy food? No, most of the food on your cruise is included in your fare.
Dining on a cruise ship can be completely free, or you can choose to pay a supplement for certain premium dining experiences. Every cruise ship has at least two included dining options: a buffet and a main dining room that are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Many ships also include pizza, ice cream, and other casual quick-serve options for free, and these venues are usually open all day long.
Additionally, all cruise ships feature “specialty” or “premium” dining options that cost extra. Common examples include steakhouses, seafood, sushi, Italian, and teppanyaki. Just like with beverages, dining packages are available to purchase for cruisers who plan on eating at premium restaurants more than once. Some cruise lines, such as Norwegian, include premium dining for free in their “free at sea” package, but limit guests to a certain number of premium dining experiences on a single sailing. Depending on which cruise line you sail with, premium dining can be prohibitively expensive, so it is best to budget for this ahead of time if you are worried the included options will not be satisfactory for you. The good news is that you will find plenty of high-quality food in the included dining venues, and premium dining should really be seen as an extra treat instead of something that you absolutely need to budget for.
 |
| Some examples of specialty dining options available on Princess Cruises. |
Will there be any surprise charges for food? No, it will always be clear which dining options cost extra, and you can always ask a crew member if you aren't sure.
Is room service included? Sometimes. Every cruise line is different.
Room service policies vary significantly between cruise lines. While room service is usually always a significant upcharge on land, free or low-cost room service is quite common on cruise ships. Some cruise lines include room service for free all day long while others might only offer free room service for breakfast. Some might offer the food and drinks for free, but charge a service fee. And others might not include anything for free. Sometimes room service policies also vary by stateroom category. You will have to look up the policies for each cruise line to know for sure.
Will there be enough to eat if I have dietary restrictions? Yes!
Cruise lines are quite accommodating to those with alternative diets. For example, many cruise ship dining rooms feature a dedicated vegan menu, and buffet dishes are usually labelled with allergens and diet type. Many venues might also have ‘secret’ menus that you have to ask for. Speak to your waiter or the maître d’ about your needs and preferences. You can also contact guest services with special requests up to two weeks before your cruise.
Entertainment, Games, and Enrichment
Do the shows and entertainment cost extra? No, most of the entertainment, including the big-name theatre productions is free.
Entertainment is a fundamental part of cruising that is included in your base fare. Reservations may be required for certain shows, but in many cases you simply need to show up to the venue 15 minutes before the show and find a seat. Entertainment quality is something that will inevitably divide opinion, but it must be said that shows on cruise ships have very high production value and feature professional performers with significant experience in the entertainment industry. Many cruise lines feature officially licensed Broadway and West End shows that have been critically acclaimed. For example, some Royal Caribbean cruises feature hits such as Grease, Hairspray, and We Will Rock You. Cruise ship entertainment is quite a good value when you consider that tickets to shows of this caliber might cost hundreds of dollars per guest at a theatre on land.
In addition to big-name production shows, cruises will also typically feature comedy, live music, cabaret, and outdoor movies on the pool deck throughout the day. Kids’ and teen’s clubs are also a common feature on most cruise ships, and the programs and supervision provided here are included. Other common free options include mini golf, video game lounges (not the arcade), and books and board games in the library.
 |
| A performance of Grease on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. Feature productions of this kind are always included, but you might need to make a reservation or show up early. |
Which entertainment options cost extra? Some examples I have seen include arcade games, bowling, Formula 1 racing simulators, laser tag, and indoor golfing simulators. Pay-per-view movies are also available for purchase on your stateroom’s TV. Some games like darts and pool are often free, but there might be an additional charge in order to prevent people from hogging the games.
Some cruise lines, especially those in the “premium” segment like Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America also offer a greater variety of educational and enrichment activities. Some examples might include lectures given by an expert, traditional music and dance by local performers in a particular destination, culinary and wine classes, conservation education by park rangers in Alaska, and STEM and arts activities for kids and teens. As an example, Princess Cruises have two very unique programs called Puppies in the Piazza (on Alaska cruises) and Parrots in the Piazza (on some Caribbean cruises) where wildlife experts come on board to educate guests and allow them to meet and take photos with sleigh dogs and local bird species.
 |
| Puppies in the Piazza is a program included on Princess cruises to Alaska. |
In order to be informed about the schedule and locations of all these activities, you can refer to the daily program which can be found in the iPhone or Android app, or you can request a printed copy to be left in your room each day.
Fitness, Sports, and Spa
Most cruise ships have a wide variety of health and fitness facilities featuring various activities. Most of these are typically free, but some may be an additional charge. On virtually every cruise ship you will find a pool deck, an adults-only indoor pool area, a fitness centre with a weight room, a jogging/walking track, tennis and basketball courts, and fitness classes (both free and paid options). Regardless of which cruise line and ship you are sailing on, there will be a variety of activities to keep you busy, and you won’t need to take any breaks from your normal workout routine. Many newer and renovated ships also have some higher-energy activities like rock climbing, surfing simulators, and ropes courses.
 |
| Flowrider surfing simulators are an included activity on many Royal Caribbean ships. |
Spas can be found on any cruise ship, but spa services of course come at an extra charge. Spas offer the typical services you would expect to find on land such as massages and other health and cosmetic treatments. Salon and barber services are also offered. Thermal suites (sauna facilities) are also available on most ships. They typically feature two or three types of saunas, thermal loungers, special showers, and sometimes even a hydrotherapy pool. The thermal suite is one of the best values on a cruise ship as an unlimited pass will typically cost no more than $200 on a seven-day cruise.
 |
| Examples of spa services offered on MSC cruise ships. |
Gratuities
Do I need to bring cash to tip the crew members? No. Please read the info below.
Gratuities seem to confuse many new cruisers, but they’re actually very simple and transparent. Every guest will be charged an automatic gratuity of around $15-21 USD per day depending on your stateroom category. This is charged to your onboard account which is linked with a credit card. In some cases, this charge may have already been prepaid in your cruise fare if “crew appreciation” was included on your invoice during a promotion or if you purchased an all-inclusive package such as Princess Plus or Premier. The cruise line or your travel agent who processed the booking should have made it clear if this charge was already included or not.
The gratuities you pay are shared fairly among all crew members onboard, and there is absolutely no need to tip anyone above and beyond this automatic gratuity charge. Additionally, if you purchase a beverage or dining package, all gratuities for the bar and restaurant staff have also been prepaid. If you purchase drinks by the glass, you will also clearly see on the bill that an automatic gratuity (usually 18%) has been charged, so there is no need to leave an additional tip in any circumstance. Some cruisers may choose to leave an extra tip for their cabin steward, waiter, or another crew member who provided exceptional service, but this is not required or expected.
Internet
Can I access the internet for free during my cruise? No, this usually always costs extra.
While we have become accustomed to free wifi in public spaces on land, accessing the internet on a cruise ship is not free except for on Virgin Voyages cruises. There are many internet packages available for sale, and they can be quite convoluted. It is important to pay attention to how many devices are included in a package, and whether the package includes a “streaming” option or not. Basic packages only allow you to access email, basic web pages, and social media. However, if you were planning on streaming videos from an app like Netflix, you will need to purchase a streaming package.
There are a few things to consider about internet packages. First, you should consider whether you even need internet access during your cruise. You might be able to go a few days without it. You should also remember that you will usually always have cellular coverage when you are docked in port, and many cellular providers charge pretty reasonable roaming rates these days. While I didn’t use this service personally, unlimited data roaming in the Bahamas would have only cost me about $20 for one day with my TELUS plan on my most recent cruise. Having said that, if you do need internet onboard, it will be pricey, but this might be a reason to consider purchasing an all-inclusive fare that includes drinks, premium dining, and wifi in order to get the best value.
One final thing to note is that even if you choose not to purchase an internet plan, you are still able to access the ship’s wifi network and use the cruise line’s iPhone or Android app to do things like make dinner reservations, check the daily program, or monitor your onboard spending account. Some of these apps also offer a very low-cost chat feature that will allow you to communicate with other guests. This way you can avoid buying an expensive internet package just to send text messages to your friends and family onboard.
 |
| Apps allow you to see scheduled activities, make reservations, and monitor your onboard account even if you have not purchased an internet package. Pictured: Royal Caribbean app. |
Excursions
Excursions are optional tours and experiences that you can book for days that the ship is docked in port at a particular destination. Going on excursions is obviously going to cost extra whether you are booking them directly through the cruise line or through other tour operators. Excursions are never included, and this is another item that should be budgeted for ahead of time. Many excursions are reasonably priced, but costs will add up for large families and groups.
If you just want to browse a list of common excursions to get some ideas of what you can do in a particular port, I recommend going to the websites of Viator, Shore Excursions Group, and Princess Cruises since you can see the excursion details and prices without needing an account or reservation number on these sites.
 |
| Some typical examples of excursions offered in Cozumel, Mexico. |
Private Islands and Resorts
Can I visit the cruise ship's private island for free? Yes!
Private islands and resorts are destinations that are included in many Caribbean itineraries. Cruise lines own and operate a number of these private destinations for the exclusive use of their guests. Visiting the island and enjoying the beaches, pools, and most other amenities comes at no extra charge. There are extra charges for certain experiences such as water parks, spa services, and some food and drink options depending on the cruise line.
 |
| Princess Cays, a private beach resort in the Bahamas exclusively for guests of Carnival Cruises and Princess Cruises. |
Stay tuned for an upcoming article about all of the major private islands and resorts that you can visit in the Caribbean.
All-Inclusive Packages
Can I buy an all-inclusive package so that I don't have to worry about what's included and what's not? Yes, some cruise lines offer all-inclusive packages, but you'll still need to read the details carefully.
A growing number of cruise lines are offering all-inclusive fares in order to simplify the sales process and provide guests with exceptional value and peace of mind. If you would prefer to have an all-inclusive cruise vacation that includes drinks, dining, internet, and other included amenities, you should consider the following options:
- Celebrity Cruises: All Included
- Holland America Line: Have it all
- MSC Cruises: MSC Yacht Club (available for suite guests only)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Free at Sea
- Princess Cruises: Princess Plus and Princess Premier
- Virgin Voyages already includes wifi, most non-alcoholic drinks, a bar tab credit, and most dining options in their base fare
Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Disney do not offer any kind of all-inclusive package, and that is unlikely to change in the future.
 |
| An overview of the included amenities in the Princess Premier and Princess Plus packages. |
Money-Saving Tips
Now that you know what might cost extra on your cruise, here are some tips for saving money on these extra charges:
- Always pay for drinks, dining, wifi, excursions, spa services, and any other extra charges BEFORE your cruise. Cruise lines always discount these items as long as you purchase them in advance. You can prepay for these services through the cruise line’s website by signing in with your reservation number, or you should ask your travel agent for help with this.
- If you plan on purchasing drinks, premium dining, wifi, and other extra services then you should shop around for all-inclusive fares and determine if they are a good value for you. Not every cruise line offers these fares, but they are becoming more commonplace. At this time, Princess Plus and MSC Yacht Club appear to offer the best value for most cruisers.
- On Royal Caribbean cruises, consider purchasing The Key. The Key is a paid service that includes some extra amenities, one of which is a wifi package. The Key doesn’t cost much more than a wifi package on its own, so if any of the other perks from The Key entice you, this is a much more cost-effective way of purchasing a wifi package. Some of the other benefits of The Key are an exclusive specialty lunch service on Day 1 and priority embarkation and disembarkation.
- On NCL cruises, prices are always quoted based on the assumption that you want drinks, dining, and wifi included. Non-drinkers can save hundreds of dollars by removing drinks from their fare, but NCL doesn’t make this very clear on their website.
- Booking with a travel agent such as an Expedia Cruises agent can sometimes earn you free onboard credit that can be used towards paying for any packages you want to purchase and charges you incur during your cruise.
- You can often find the same excursions or a similar option on websites like Viator and Shore Excursions Group for lower prices than what the cruise line is charging. Your travel agent might also be able to book excursions for you at a lower price.
Conclusion
I hope you now have a better understanding of what is included and what you need to budget extra for on a cruise. Here is a quick summary table to review what you learned:
Stay tuned for more articles in the coming weeks. In my next article, I will give an overview of all the largest cruise lines operating in North America in order to help you choose the right one for you.
Are you interested in booking a cruise? Do you have questions or need some more help? Please visit my agency website and fill out the contact form to get in touch with me.