What’s Included in a Cruise Fare? What Costs Extra

One of the reasons cruising can be such a good vacation value is that a surprising amount is already included in your cruise fare.

But there’s also a catch.

Not everything you see on the ship is included, and what is complimentary on one cruise line may cost extra on another.

That can make comparing cruise prices more complicated than it first appears.

A cruise advertised at a lower price isn’t necessarily the least expensive vacation once you add the things you actually want. On the other hand, you may discover that quite a bit of your vacation is already paid for before you ever step aboard.

So, what are you really getting for your money? Let’s break it down.

What Is Typically Included in a Cruise Fare?

Your Stateroom

Your accommodations are included in your cruise fare, and that usually includes regular housekeeping service as well.

Your stateroom category can make a major difference in the total cost of the cruise. An interior cabin, ocean-view room, balcony cabin, and suite can all be on the same ship while giving you access to many of the same public spaces, dining venues, and entertainment.

That’s one reason I encourage clients to think about how they actually plan to use their cabin before deciding where to spend their vacation budget.

If you plan to spend very little time in the room, a lower-priced cabin may be the better value. If having private outdoor space matters to you, then a balcony may be worth the additional cost.

A Lot of Your Food Is Included

You aren't going to have to pull out your wallet every time you're hungry.

On most mainstream cruise ships, meals in the main dining room and buffet are included in your cruise fare. There are usually other complimentary dining choices around the ship as well, although the specific choices vary by cruise line and ship.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and even late-night food may all be available without an additional charge.

Where people sometimes get surprised is with specialty dining.

Steakhouses, upscale seafood restaurants, chef's-table experiences and certain other restaurants may have an additional charge.

That doesn't mean you have to spend extra money to eat well. It simply means you'll usually have both complimentary and extra-cost choices available.

Entertainment Is One of Cruising's Biggest Values

This is an area many first-time cruisers underestimate.

A typical cruise can include a wide variety of entertainment without buying a separate ticket for every activity.

Depending on the ship, that may include:

• Production shows
• Live music
• Comedy
• Trivia
• Game shows
• Parties and themed events
• Movies
• Poolside entertainment
• Demonstrations and enrichment activities

On land, paying separately for several evenings of entertainment can add considerably to the cost of a vacation.

On a cruise, much of it may already be part of your fare.

Pools, Fitness Facilities and Many Activities

Use of the main swimming pools, hot tubs and fitness center is generally included on many ships.

Many scheduled activities are also complimentary.

There can, however, be exceptions.

Certain ships now feature elaborate attractions such as race tracks, escape rooms, virtual-reality experiences, specialty fitness classes or other premium activities that may carry an additional fee.

The important thing is not to assume that everything onboard is included simply because it's on the ship.

So What Usually Costs Extra?

Alcohol, Specialty Coffee and Some Beverages

Basic beverages may be included, but alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, bottled drinks and certain other beverages often cost extra.

Cruise lines commonly offer beverage packages, but whether a package makes financial sense depends heavily on the traveler.

I don't believe everyone should automatically buy one.

The better question is:

Will you realistically consume enough of the included beverages to make the package worthwhile?

That answer is different for every traveler.

Specialty Restaurants

Cruise ships increasingly offer impressive specialty restaurants in addition to the dining venues included in the fare.

These may include steakhouses, sushi restaurants, Italian dining, seafood, celebrity-chef concepts and other specialty experiences.

Some charge a flat fee. Others may use à la carte pricing. Some cruise fares or promotional packages may include specialty dining credits.

This is another area where the words "included with your fare" matter.

Shore Excursions

When your ship arrives in port, the cost of tours and activities ashore is generally separate from the basic cruise fare on many mainstream cruises.

Excursions might include:

• Sightseeing tours
• Beach trips
• Snorkeling
• Food tours
• Historical attractions
• Wildlife experiences
• Private drivers or guides
• Adventure activities

You don't necessarily have to purchase an organized excursion in every port, but you should budget for them if exploring the destinations is an important part of your vacation.

Wi-Fi

Internet access is another area that varies considerably.

Some fares or cruise lines may include Wi-Fi, while others sell internet packages separately.

Before buying a package, think about how connected you really need to be.

Someone who simply wants to check an occasional message has very different needs from someone who needs reliable access for work, video calls or streaming.

Gratuities and Service Charges

Gratuities are an area travelers should understand before they compare cruise prices.

Depending on the cruise line and the type of fare you purchase, gratuities or service charges may be:

• Added to your onboard account
• Prepaid before the cruise
• Included as part of a package or promotion
• Included in the fare on certain cruise lines

This is one of the reasons two advertised cruise fares can look similar while producing different final vacation costs.

Spa Services, Photos and Casino Play

Spa treatments and salon services are generally additional purchases.

Professional photographs taken around the ship are also normally optional purchases.

And although entering the casino is free, the casino certainly isn't going to fund your gambling for you!

Consider those expenses part of your personal vacation budget rather than part of your basic cruise fare.

The Cheapest Cruise Isn't Always the Best Value

Imagine you're comparing two cruises.

Cruise A has the lower advertised fare.

Cruise B costs a little more but includes some of the things you were already planning to purchase — perhaps Wi-Fi, beverages, gratuities or another benefit.

Once those additional expenses are added to Cruise A, Cruise B could potentially provide the better overall value.

The opposite can also be true.

If you're someone who doesn't drink alcohol, doesn't care about internet access and prefers the complimentary restaurants, paying substantially more for an "all-inclusive" package may provide benefits you won't actually use.

Value is personal.

That's why the right question isn't simply:

“Which cruise is cheaper?”

A better question is:

“Which cruise gives me the vacation I want for the best overall value?”

That's a very different comparison.

What I Look at When Helping a Client Compare Cruises

When I'm helping someone evaluate cruise options, I want to look beyond the headline price.

Among the things I consider are:

• What's actually included in each fare
• The cabin category and location
• Dining options
• Beverage costs or packages
• Wi-Fi needs
• Gratuities
• The destinations and itinerary
• Shore excursion priorities
• Onboard activities and entertainment
• Accessibility or mobility requirements
• What matters most to that particular traveler

Because a cruise isn't simply transportation and a room.

It's the whole vacation experience.

And sometimes spending slightly more in the right place produces a much better trip. Other times, avoiding extras you won't use can save a substantial amount.

The goal is to know the difference before you book, rather than discovering it when the charges begin appearing.

Planning a Cruise?

If you're looking at several cruise options and aren't sure what you're really getting for the money, I'd be happy to help you compare them.

You don't need to become an expert in cruise fares, packages, ships and fine print.

That's my job.

Plan your trip with me at SignatureCruiseTravel.com.