The price you see when you book your cruise? It’s not the full bill.
Cruises are an amazing value—food, entertainment, and most activities are all included—but if you’re not ready for the extras, you could blow your budget before you even unpack.
After years of cruising (and making a few budget mistakes myself), here’s the full list of real costs you should plan for—plus ways to save money without missing out.
1. Port Taxes and Fees
Every cruise itinerary includes mandatory port taxes and fees, and they’re rarely included in the advertised price. These can easily add $100–$400 per person depending on:
- The number of ports you visit
- Government taxes in each country
- Port facility charges
Tip: Always check the full price breakdown before booking—especially if you see a “$299 cruise deal.” That price may not reflect the final total.
2. Gratuities (Service Charges)
On most major cruise lines, gratuities are automatically added to your bill. For example:
- Royal Caribbean: $18.50/day per guest in most cabins
- Suites: $21/day per guest
For a family of four on a 7-night cruise, that’s $518 just in gratuities.
Ways to Save or Budget for It:
- Prepay gratuities before you board (locks in the current rate and avoids surprise charges at the end)
- If you have an onboard credit (OBC), it can often be applied toward gratuities
3. Drinks
If you’re not buying a drink package, expect to pay per drink:
- Alcohol: $10–$15 each
- Soda: $3–$4 each
- Bottled water: $3–$5 each
- Specialty coffee: $4–$7 each
Money-Saving Tips:
- Royal Caribbean lets you bring 12 cans of soda or water per stateroom on embarkation day
- Consider the Refreshment Package instead of the full Deluxe Beverage Package if you want mocktails, sodas, and coffee without paying for alcohol
4. Excursions
Ship-sponsored excursions start around $50 per person, but popular tours—like ziplining, whale watching, or private beach clubs—can run $150–$250+ each.
Ways to Save:
- Compare cruise line excursions with independent tour operators (just make sure they guarantee getting you back to the ship on time)
- Research free or low-cost activities in each port—like walking tours, local beaches, or public markets
5. Internet
Cruise ship Internet is notoriously pricey. On Royal Caribbean, VOOM Surf + Stream packages are sold per device, per day—unless you share one login across multiple devices (by logging out before switching).
Example: On my last cruise, we paid $175.96 for three devices for the week, using a 20% discount.
Pro Tip: If you only need Internet in port, skip the ship’s package and use your phone plan’s international roaming or buy a local SIM card.
6. Onboard Extras
Some of the most tempting cruise activities cost extra, including:
- Spa treatments
- Premium dining (steakhouse, sushi, chef’s table)
- Arcade and escape rooms
- Souvenirs and photo packages
Budget-Friendly Strategy:
- Pick one or two “splurge” experiences
- Fill the rest of your trip with free activities like trivia, live music, pool time, and theater shows
7. The Good News
Cruises don’t have to break the bank. If you plan ahead:
- Decide which extras matter most to you
- Mix complimentary activities with a few paid upgrades
- Take advantage of pre-cruise discounts for drink packages, Wi-Fi, and excursions
My Cruise Cost-Saver Checklist
- ✅ Prepay gratuities before sailing
- ✅ Bring allowed drinks onboard
- ✅ Book excursions in advance (or plan DIY port days)
- ✅ Buy Internet in a bundle for multiple devices
- ✅ Set a souvenir budget before boarding
Bottom Line:
The “all-inclusive” part of a cruise is true for your room, meals in main dining venues, entertainment, and most onboard activities. But these hidden costs can easily double your cruise budget if you’re not prepared.
Plan ahead, budget wisely, and you’ll step off the ship with amazing memories—not financial regret.
Charity Bradley 🌺 
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