28 Hidden Cruise Costs That Catch People Out

That bargain cruise fare? It’s not the final number.

Cruises can look unbelievably cheap at first glance. But once you’re onboard, little extras start creeping in. Drinks. Gratuities. WiFi. Shore excursions. Suddenly that “cheap” getaway doesn’t feel quite so cheap.

Some of the charges are obvious. Others catch even experienced cruisers off guard.

The good news? Most of them aren’t truly hidden. You just need to know where to look.

Here are the cruise costs that surprise people most – and the few that almost nobody budgets for.

1. Taxes and Port Fees

On every cruise, you’ll be paying taxes and fees. These are extra charges that are applied to the cruise ship when it travels to different ports and countries, which are passed onto guests.

On most cruise lines, especially British cruise lines, the fees and taxes are just incorporated into the advertised fare. But on others, like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, the taxes and fees are only added on when you see the final total – the cruise fare advertised is without those extra charges.

You have to pay these – there’s no way around it. But make sure you budget for your cruise based on the final quote, and not on what you see when you first start browsing, as that price may be without the taxes included.

Read more: What Are Port Fees And How Much Are They?

2. Internet Charges

Want to get online during your cruise, either to keep tabs on your emails or to say hello to friends and family back home? Free WiFi is a rarity on cruise ships, and normally you’ll have to pay.

And on most cruise lines, you have to buy a package that lasts the duration of the cruise, rather than just paying for what you use.

It might be better to just switch off for a week, or to try and find free WiFi when you’re in port. Just be careful to only use your mobile data if you have a plan that covers roaming charges.

3. Room Service Delivery Fees

Some cruise lines offer room service items for an à la carte price, while others will give you room service food for free. However, there might be a one-off delivery charge instead, and if you’re not aware of it, then it can sting a little, especially if you only order one small plate.

Royal Caribbean’s a good example, where continental breakfast is free, but if you order cooked items – even just two sausages – you’ll pay $7.95.

4. Drink Costs

If you’re completely new to cruising, you might not be aware that drinks aren’t included in your cruise fare, and you’ll need to pay for these separately.

Cruise lines will typically have a small selection of free drinks – tap water, and maybe juices, teas and coffees at breakfast – otherwise, you’ll be asked to pay for each drink.

You can usually get a drinks package, though some are quite expensive (often as costly as the cruise itself), so you need to decide whether they’re worth it for how much you will drink.

5. Beverage Gratuities

It’s not just the cost of drinks that can sting you on a cruise – many also charge a mandatory gratuity for the drink, which is typically between 18% and 20%. This will be advertised on the menus, but sometimes in small print, and it won’t be included in the listed price for a drink.

So that $15 cocktail? It’s really closer to $18 once gratuity is added – and after a few rounds, that adds up fast.

If you get a drinks package, the gratuity is typically covered too.

6. Corkage Fees

Looking to bring your own alcohol onto your cruise, to save a bit of money? It’s a good idea, and most cruise lines will at least let you bring one bottle of wine with you.

However, if you want to drink it in a public area of the ship, such as with dinner, then you’ll be charged a corkage fee, which is usually around $15-$25, depending on the cruise line. It’ll still be cheaper than buying a bottle of wine outright on the ship, but you might want to stick to drinking your wines in your stateroom or cabin to keep costs down.

Or, just pour yourself a glass of wine in your stateroom and then walk out the door with it. They’ll never know…

Read more: Can You Bring Your Own Drinks on a Cruise?

7. Speciality Coffees

One last point on drinks – some cruise lines will advertise included teas and coffees, either as part of your regular cruise fare or with a drinks package. But depending on your package, speciality coffees may not be covered.

It’s important to always check what’s covered. Luxury coffees may be charged separately, and any branded coffee stores (Starbucks on Royal Caribbean, or Costa on P&O Cruises) will also incur additional costs.

8. Adult-Only Area Access

Some cruise ships have adults-only areas that have upgraded amenities, designed to offer a little bit of respite away from the bustling crowds where the kids are being louder. 

Sometimes these are included, but sometimes they require a pass to allow you to enter, with day passes costing anywhere between $50-$100, and some that only allow you to pay for the duration of the cruise.

If you really don’t like the crowds, just search the ship – there are usually quieter spots to enjoy. And then, on port days when most guests head ashore, you can explore the parts of the ship that are usually busier.

Read more: Is Vibe Beach Club Worth It On NCL?

9. Dining Fees

On a cruise, you’ll always get a selection of included dining options with no extra charge – the main dining room, the buffet, and usually some snack bars or other specialist restaurants.

But there will be speciality dining restaurants that incur a charge – either a fixed fee, or that will have à la carte pricing.

You also need to be careful with the menu in the main dining room, as while most items will be free, some cruise lines have premium options that cost an extra fee.

Plus, it used to be that you could order as many main courses/entrees as you want, but several cruise lines are introducing charges for second or third meals at the same sitting, so make sure you ask your waiter if you aren’t sure.

10. Spa Passes

Most cruise ships have a spa, where you can enjoy a range of massage and beauty treatments, and these will all have individual prices. But the spas will sometimes have other facilities that guests can use, such as a thermal spa, and the charges for these vary.

Sometimes they’re free, or you might need to pay for a day pass. You might also get access depending on the type of stateroom you book, such as Celebrity’s AquaClass staterooms, but don’t assume you can use the spa facilities without a charge otherwise.

11. Attraction Fees

Typically, the onboard entertainment and facilities on a cruise ship are free to use. Things like the FlowRider on Royal Caribbean, or the waterslides on any ship that has them, won’t cost a penny extra.

But some attractions cost extra. Arcades work just like arcades on land, with most games costing around $1–$3 each.

Larger paid attractions, like Norwegian’s go-kart tracks or Carnival’s BOLT coaster, carry a one-off fee per ride or session. These typically cost around $20–$25, although prices can vary by ship and sailing.

12. Fitness Classes

Gym access on most cruise ships is free. You can use the cardio and weight equipment at no extra cost.

However, organised fitness classes with an instructor often carry a charge, usually about $10–$15 per class, depending on the ship and cruise line. It’s a small extra, but worth factoring into your budget if you plan to take part.

13. Bingo

Bingo is a really popular pastime on cruises during the day and as part of some evening entertainment, depending on the cruise line. Some games may be free, with basic prizes, but most of the time you’ll pay to play, and you’ll win the pot of money collected.

If you want to play bingo, look out for special offers where buying multiple cards gets you additional free ones.

14. Casino Gambling

I’m sure it’s no surprise to you that gambling in the casino isn’t free on a cruise ship, but it’s still worth mentioning as a ‘hidden’ cost because, if you don’t budget for it properly, it can be very easy to rack up a large bill that you have to pay at the end of your cruise.

With various table games and jackpot slots, many passengers spend thousands on a cruise gambling. And while those passengers will likely get rewarded with free drinks and potentially even free cruises, that doesn’t mean you should just spend what you like.

Read more: Celebrity Cruises Blue Chip Club

15. Onboard Shops

Just like with any holiday, you need to make sure you budget for souvenirs when you travel on a cruise, and the onboard shops often charge high prices for the items they sell.

Some of them are luxury jewellers or clothing retailers, but even the stores selling branded cruise merch aren’t exactly cheap. So, if you are likely to do some shopping onboard, set aside a limit you’re happy with.

16. Babysitting Charges

Cruises are more family-friendly than ever, with many ships now catering to guests of all ages. But you might still want some time to relax without the kids in the evening, so look out for cruise lines that offer a babysitting service. 

Expect to pay between $6 and $12 per hour for group babysitting in the onboard kids’ clubs with cruise lines like Celebrity, Carnival, Disney, MSC and Royal Caribbean, with some also offering in-cabin babysitting if you’d prefer, though expect to pay a much higher hourly rate.

Read more: Cruise With a Toddler

17. Daily Gratuities

On the majority of cruise lines, you need to pay daily gratuities for the crew on top of the fare you’ve paid. Only a handful of cruise lines, including the British ones like P&O Cruises and Marella Cruises, don’t ask guests to pay these tips.

They’re added to your account automatically, and you can either prepay before you cruise or pay them off when you clear your account on the last day. You can technically ask for them to be removed, but it’s not a good idea, since it takes away money that the crew have worked hard for.

Daily gratuities on most mainstream cruise lines are currently around $16–$21 per person, per day, depending on the cruise line and cabin type. For a family of four on a 7-night cruise, that can add $450–$600 to the total cost.

Read more: Should You Prepay Gratuities On A Cruise?

18. Porter Tips

When you arrive at a cruise port, your bags will be taken away by porters or baggage handlers, and you won’t see them again until they’re left outside your cabin door later that day.

If you’re cruising from the US, it’s customary to tip the porters who handle your luggage. Around $2–$3 per bag is standard, or $10–$20 total for a family’s luggage, depending on how many cases you have.

Read more: How Much Extra To Tip Cruise Staff

19. Shore Excursions

Another cost that isn’t really ‘hidden’ but that you might not expect if you’ve never cruised before – shore excursions in each port typically have an associated cost. Booking through the cruise line tends to mean you’ll pay more, too, though you get the guarantee that the ship will wait for you if anything happens to delay you while you’re ashore.

It’s cheaper to book your excursions through a third party or to avoid booking them altogether and just hop off the ship to explore, although check your itinerary as you may dock far away from the main town/attractions.

20. Food and Drink Portside

One thing that people often forget to budget for is their food and drink when they’re on a port day and exploring. You may be able to carry drinks off the ship with you, but you can’t take food.

You could return to the ship for lunch, but if you plan on eating out, factor that into your spending budget before you travel.

21. Laundry Services

You might want to make use of the laundry services on a ship if you prefer to pack light, or if you’re on a particularly long sailing. Prices vary by cruise line and whether the machines are self-service or if you need to use a managed laundry service instead. 

It’s cheaper to just pack as many outfits as you need, though this will also depend on any airline luggage allowances if you’re flying out to meet your ship.

Read more: How To Do Laundry on Cruise Ships

22. Photo Charges

Cruise ships tend to have one or two photographers onboard, who will capture moments around the ship and offer a formal photoshoot service on formal nights. 

If you want to take these precious memories home with you, be prepared for fairly high prices, even if you buy a package deal on the ship. It may be better to just work on your own photography skills instead, and ask other guests to snap a quick pic of your family when you’re all dressed up.

Read more: 8 Expert Tips To Capture Perfect Cruise Photos

23. Flights

If you book with a travel agent, they’ll usually arrange your flights for you and include the cost in your overall package. Otherwise, you’ll need to source and book your own flights separately.

Some cruise lines also offer fly-cruise packages directly. For example, Marella Cruises (part of TUI) typically include return flights as standard in their cruise fare, which makes budgeting much simpler.

You can also book fly-cruise deals with other cruise lines, although these can sometimes cost more than arranging flights independently. At the ultra-luxury end of the market, cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas and Silversea often include flights automatically as part of the fare.

24. Transfers

When putting together your own cruise package, don’t forget that it’s not enough to fly to your embarkation port – you also need to get from the airport to the cruise port.

You can book transfers, or private taxis, or try public transport if you’re confident, but you will need to budget for it regardless.

25. Hotel Stays

A top tip when cruising, especially when travelling from a foreign embarkation port, is to book a hotel the night before you sail. You don’t want to risk delays on your departure day, because if you’re late, then the ship will leave without you.

A hotel stay might add a larger amount to your budget, but it’s worth it to avoid the stress of rushing on your first cruise day.

26. Cruise Parking

If you’re driving to the cruise port, you’ll need to budget for parking. Official cruise terminal parking typically costs around £12–£20 per day in the UK and $20–$30+ per day in the US, depending on the port.

It’s possible to find free street parking in some instances, but that’s quite the risk – better to research cheaper parking alternatives that are secure, especially if they include free transfers to the port afterwards. Hotels with cruise parking are a great combination if you want to stay the night before as well.

Read more: Southampton Cruise Parking Guide

27. Activities Pre- or Post-Cruise

If you are travelling to your port city the day before, or if your return flight after your cruise is late at night, you might want to look into activities to entertain you before or after you sail.

Especially in larger cities like Miami, where the airport is easily accessible and late-night flights back to the UK are common, there are so many things to see and do that you aren’t stuck bored in the airport for 12 hours, but most have a cost – make sure you’ve factored that in.

Read more: What To Do In Miami After A Cruise & Before A Flight

28. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance really is a must for cruising. You don’t want to risk something going wrong and losing your entire fare if it’s not the cruise line at fault.

The cost of travel insurance will vary depending on your age and medical history, but I really would recommend always buying it, especially since medical costs on cruise ships can be so expensive.

Read more: Do You Need Cruise Travel Insurance?

Final Word

Cruises come with plenty of optional extras, but very few are essential. You can absolutely stick to the base fare and still have an amazing holiday.

The key is knowing where the money tends to slip away. Once you understand the common add-ons, you can decide what’s worth it for you and what isn’t.

Set your budget before you sail. Be intentional about what you book. And you won’t get any nasty surprises when that final bill lands in your inbox.

If you’re tempted by every flashy attraction onboard, you might also want to read Overrated Cruise Attractions You Should Definitely Skip before you spend a penny.

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