Cruise fares can look deceptively low until the extras add up, and it's not always obvious upfront what's bundled into the base price versus billed separately once you're on board.
What's Typically Included
Your cabin, main dining room and buffet meals, most entertainment and shows, use of pools and fitness facilities, and transportation between ports are all part of the base cruise fare on nearly every mainstream line.
What Usually Costs Extra
Specialty dining, alcoholic and some non-alcoholic drinks (unless a drink package is included or purchased), Wi-Fi, spa treatments, casino play, shore excursions, and gratuities are billed separately on most lines. Some newer all-inclusive-leaning lines bundle drinks or Wi-Fi into higher base fares — worth checking per booking rather than assuming.
Gratuities
Most lines add a daily automatic gratuity charge per person, covering cabin and dining staff. It's technically adjustable at guest services, but most cruisers leave it as-is since it's the primary way service staff are compensated.
Reading the Fine Print
When comparing cruise fares across lines, check specifically whether drink packages, Wi-Fi, and gratuities are bundled — a lower headline price with none of these included can end up costing more than a higher fare that bundles them.
What to Pack
Since specialty add-ons vary so much by line, a flexible day bag covers you across ship and shore either way. The VacationGrabs Leather Sling Bag works for both.
Book Shore Excursions
Browse cruise excursions on Viator to plan and budget for shore days ahead of time.
Related Cruise Guides
See the First-Time Cruiser's Guide and cruise cabin types explained.
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