Cruise Hidden Costs, Explained
What the fare covers, what costs extra, and how each charge really works.
Get an All-In Cruise QuoteCruise Hidden Costs, Explained Without the Jargon
Cruise hidden costs are not really hidden — they are just listed somewhere other than the big number on the brochure. The fare covers your cabin, main meals and most entertainment. Gratuities, most drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty restaurants, shore excursions and a dozen smaller items are charged separately on most mainstream lines. This site answers the money questions our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise hear every day, one charge at a time.
We do not print prices here. They change often and differ by line, ship and cabin. What does not change is how each charge works — and that is what you need to plan a realistic budget.
The Extras, One by One
| Charge | How it usually works on mainstream lines | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Gratuities | An automatic daily service charge per guest added to your onboard account; many luxury lines include it | Tipping guide |
| Drinks | Water, basic coffee, tea and some juices are included; sodas, specialty coffee and alcohol are extra, or bought as a package | Drink packages |
| Wi-Fi | Sold as a package per device, by the day or the voyage | Cruise Wi-Fi |
| Specialty dining | Main dining room and buffet are included; steakhouses, sushi bars and chef’s tables carry a cover charge or menu prices | Budget FAQ |
| Shore excursions | Priced per person per tour, booked with the ship or independently | Budget FAQ |
| Onboard credit | Money on your account from a promotion or your agent, used against the charges above | Onboard credit |
Start With the Big Three
Cruise tipping guide
How automatic gratuities work, who they cover, and extra tips.
Read the tipping guide →
Cruise drink packages
What they cover, the same-cabin rule, and how to decide.
Drink package answers →
How to Budget a Cruise Realistically
- Start with the total quoted price including taxes and port fees.
- Add gratuities for every guest for every night, unless your line includes them.
- Decide on drinks: package, pay-as-you-go, or mostly the included basics.
- Pick the shore excursions you really want and price them now.
- Add Wi-Fi if you need to stay connected, and any specialty dinners.
- Then subtract any onboard credit you have been given.
If you would rather pay more up front and think less on board, an all-inclusive line may cost less overall than it looks. Cruise Compares compares what different lines include.
Cruise Money Questions
What are the biggest cruise hidden costs?
For most travelers on mainstream lines: daily gratuities, drinks beyond the basics, shore excursions, Wi-Fi and specialty restaurants. Flights and a pre-cruise hotel night are the other large items that are easy to leave out of a budget.
Are port fees and taxes extra?
They are separate from the cruise fare but should be shown in your quote total. Compare quotes on the total, not the headline fare.
Which lines include the most?
Luxury and some premium lines bundle much more. Regent, for example, includes drinks, pre-paid gratuities and Wi-Fi; Virgin Voyages includes gratuities and basic Wi-Fi; Viking includes Wi-Fi and beer and wine with lunch and dinner. Always check the line’s current list.
How can I keep onboard spending under control?
Decide in advance which extras matter to you, pre-book the ones you want when the line offers pre-cruise pricing, and check your onboard account in the app every day or two.
Find the Fare First
Current promotions — including offers that add drinks, Wi-Fi or onboard credit — are gathered on Wave Season and Cruising for Less. The everyday questions about cabins, documents and health are on Ask the Cruise Expert. Get new offers by email in the Mister Cruise cruise-offers newsletter, and if you enjoy this kind of detail, Be a Travel Agent explains how people become travel agents.
This site is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
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