Cruise ship pricing can feel like a puzzle with hidden pieces scattered everywhere. You'll find amazing complimentary options alongside tempting extras that can quickly inflate your vacation budget. After sailing on 40+ cruises, I've learned exactly where the value lies and which extras are worth your money.
Understanding what's included in your cruise fare versus what costs extra is crucial for budgeting and maximizing your vacation value. Let me break down every category so you can make informed choices about where to spend and where to save.
Your cruise fare includes substantial dining options that can easily satisfy you for the entire voyage. The main dining room serves three-course meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with multiple entrée choices each night. On Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, I counted 12 different dinner options one evening, including lobster tail and prime rib.
The buffet restaurant (called Windjammer on Royal Caribbean, World Fresh Marketplace on Celebrity, Lido Marketplace on Carnival) operates from early morning until late night. You'll find everything from made-to-order omelets at breakfast to carved roast beef at dinner.
Free specialty venues vary by cruise line but often include:
The quality and variety of complimentary food has dramatically improved. Norwegian's free dining venues on their newer ships rival many specialty restaurants I've paid extra for on older vessels.
Specialty restaurants require reservations and additional fees ranging from $29 per person (Carnival's Fahrenheit 555) to $95+ per person (Celebrity's Le Petit Chef). After trying dozens of specialty venues, here's my honest assessment:
Usually Worth the Splurge:
Often Overpriced:
Room service fees vary dramatically. Royal Caribbean charges $7.95 per order, while Celebrity includes it free for suite guests. Norwegian charges per item, making a simple breakfast cost $25+.
Pro tip: Book specialty restaurants on embarkation day for the best selection, but check if your cruise line offers "dine anytime" packages that can reduce per-meal costs.
Share your favorite specialty dining experiences in our cruise dining discussions!
Beverage pricing represents the biggest profit margin for cruise lines, so understanding your options is crucial.
Always Complimentary:
What Costs Extra:
Beverage Package Reality Check:
Drink packages range from $55-89 per person per day for unlimited alcohol packages. You'll need to consume 6-8 drinks daily to break even. I've found these packages worthwhile on sea days and tropical itineraries, but less valuable on port-heavy cruises where you're off the ship frequently.
The refreshment packages ($19-35 per day) covering sodas, specialty coffee, and bottled water often provide better value for non-drinkers.
Cruise lines excel at providing complimentary entertainment that rivals Las Vegas shows. You'll enjoy production shows, comedy acts, live music, trivia contests, dance classes, and deck parties without additional cost.
Free Activities Include:
Activities That Cost Extra:
The sports complexes on newer ships blur these lines. Icon of the Seas includes complimentary access to the FlowRider surfing simulator and rock climbing wall, while charging extra for the Crown's Edge ropes course ($35).
Spa and Salon Services represent pure luxury extras. Expect to pay land-based prices or higher: massages start around $149 for 50 minutes, facials begin at $99, and salon services range from $35 for a wash and style to $200+ for color treatments.
Internet Access has become essential for most cruisers. Packages range from $15-30 per day for basic browsing to $35-50 for premium streaming speeds. Celebrity's "Premium WiFi" at $32/day actually delivers on speed promises, while some budget-friendly options barely support email.
Laundry Services cost $25-35 per bag for wash-and-fold service, or $1.50-3.00 per item for pressing. Self-service laundromats charge $3-4 per wash cycle plus $3-4 for drying.
Photography Services aggressively market throughout your cruise. Photo packages range from $149-299, but individual photos cost $15-25 each. The quality varies significantly between photographers.
After decades of cruising, here's how I maximize value:
Always Worth It:
Usually Skip:
Research First:
Your cruise fare covers more than you might expect, but understanding the extras helps you budget wisely and splurge strategically. The key is identifying which premium experiences enhance your specific vacation style.
Join fellow cruisers discussing the best values and biggest splurges in our cruise amenities forum!
Understanding what's included in your cruise fare versus what costs extra is crucial for budgeting and maximizing your vacation value. Let me break down every category so you can make informed choices about where to spend and where to save.
Complimentary Food Options: More Than You Think
Your cruise fare includes substantial dining options that can easily satisfy you for the entire voyage. The main dining room serves three-course meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with multiple entrée choices each night. On Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, I counted 12 different dinner options one evening, including lobster tail and prime rib.
The buffet restaurant (called Windjammer on Royal Caribbean, World Fresh Marketplace on Celebrity, Lido Marketplace on Carnival) operates from early morning until late night. You'll find everything from made-to-order omelets at breakfast to carved roast beef at dinner.
Free specialty venues vary by cruise line but often include:
- Pizza stations (Guy's Burger Joint on Carnival serves until 2 AM)
- Soft-serve ice cream machines
- Pool deck grills for burgers and hot dogs
- Room service (24-hour on most premium lines, limited hours on others)
- Café al Baco coffee on MSC ships
- Park Café salads and sandwiches on Celebrity
The quality and variety of complimentary food has dramatically improved. Norwegian's free dining venues on their newer ships rival many specialty restaurants I've paid extra for on older vessels.
What Food Costs Extra (And What's Worth It)
Specialty restaurants require reservations and additional fees ranging from $29 per person (Carnival's Fahrenheit 555) to $95+ per person (Celebrity's Le Petit Chef). After trying dozens of specialty venues, here's my honest assessment:
Usually Worth the Splurge:
- Chef's Table experiences ($95-150) - multi-course meals with wine pairings
- Premium steakhouses like Chops Grille on Royal Caribbean ($59)
- Authentic ethnic cuisine (Teppanyaki on Celebrity, Palo on Disney)
Often Overpriced:
- Italian restaurants that taste identical to main dining room pasta
- Burger joints charging $15+ when free options exist pool-side
- Casual cafés with $12 sandwiches
Room service fees vary dramatically. Royal Caribbean charges $7.95 per order, while Celebrity includes it free for suite guests. Norwegian charges per item, making a simple breakfast cost $25+.
Pro tip: Book specialty restaurants on embarkation day for the best selection, but check if your cruise line offers "dine anytime" packages that can reduce per-meal costs.
Share your favorite specialty dining experiences in our cruise dining discussions!
Beverages: Where Cruise Lines Make Their Money
Beverage pricing represents the biggest profit margin for cruise lines, so understanding your options is crucial.
Always Complimentary:
- Tap water from any faucet or fountain
- Ice water served at restaurants and bars
- Basic coffee and tea at buffets and main dining rooms
- Milk, orange juice, and select juices at breakfast
- Water, coffee, and tea from room service
What Costs Extra:
- All alcoholic beverages ($8-18 per drink)
- Soft drinks ($2.50-3.50 each, or $45-65 unlimited packages)
- Specialty coffee drinks ($4-7 each)
- Bottled water ($2-4 per bottle)
- Fresh juices ($4-6 each)
- Energy drinks ($5-8 each)
Beverage Package Reality Check:
Drink packages range from $55-89 per person per day for unlimited alcohol packages. You'll need to consume 6-8 drinks daily to break even. I've found these packages worthwhile on sea days and tropical itineraries, but less valuable on port-heavy cruises where you're off the ship frequently.
The refreshment packages ($19-35 per day) covering sodas, specialty coffee, and bottled water often provide better value for non-drinkers.
Entertainment and Activities: Mostly Free
Cruise lines excel at providing complimentary entertainment that rivals Las Vegas shows. You'll enjoy production shows, comedy acts, live music, trivia contests, dance classes, and deck parties without additional cost.
Free Activities Include:
- Broadway-style shows in main theaters
- Movies under the stars (on ships equipped with outdoor screens)
- Fitness center access and group classes
- Pool decks, hot tubs, and sports courts
- Kids' clubs and teen centers
- Art galleries and ship tours
- Library and card rooms
Activities That Cost Extra:
- Specialty fitness classes like SoulCycle ($20-35)
- Rock climbing and surfing simulators on some ships
- Bowling alleys ($7-12 per game)
- Arcade games (varies by game)
- Art auctions (if you buy something)
- Bingo games ($20+ for card packages)
The sports complexes on newer ships blur these lines. Icon of the Seas includes complimentary access to the FlowRider surfing simulator and rock climbing wall, while charging extra for the Crown's Edge ropes course ($35).
Spa, Internet, and Personal Services
Spa and Salon Services represent pure luxury extras. Expect to pay land-based prices or higher: massages start around $149 for 50 minutes, facials begin at $99, and salon services range from $35 for a wash and style to $200+ for color treatments.
Internet Access has become essential for most cruisers. Packages range from $15-30 per day for basic browsing to $35-50 for premium streaming speeds. Celebrity's "Premium WiFi" at $32/day actually delivers on speed promises, while some budget-friendly options barely support email.
Laundry Services cost $25-35 per bag for wash-and-fold service, or $1.50-3.00 per item for pressing. Self-service laundromats charge $3-4 per wash cycle plus $3-4 for drying.
Photography Services aggressively market throughout your cruise. Photo packages range from $149-299, but individual photos cost $15-25 each. The quality varies significantly between photographers.
Smart Spending Strategies
After decades of cruising, here's how I maximize value:
Always Worth It:
- One signature specialty dinner per 7-day cruise
- Beverage packages if you drink 4+ alcoholic beverages daily
- Internet if you need to stay connected for work
- Professional photos at formal night (skip the daily candids)
Usually Skip:
- Bottled water (bring a refillable bottle)
- Room service on lines that charge fees
- Casino packages (the house always wins)
- Art auctions (high-pressure sales tactics)
Research First:
- Shore excursions (independent options often cost less)
- Spa treatments (book sea day specials)
- Specialty restaurants (read reviews before booking)
Your cruise fare covers more than you might expect, but understanding the extras helps you budget wisely and splurge strategically. The key is identifying which premium experiences enhance your specific vacation style.
Join fellow cruisers discussing the best values and biggest splurges in our cruise amenities forum!