What Is Included on a Cruise | PrepMyList

Cruise ads love to say "all-inclusive." Reality? You're getting the basics — and paying for most of the rest. Understanding what is included on a cruise versus what costs extra is key to avoiding surprise bills. Your fare covers your cabin, all the standard grub and shows, pools and gyms. Think endless pancakes, burgers by the pool, and Broadway-style shows on the house. But don't expect free-flowing margaritas or Wi-Fi just because it says "all-inclusive." Those come with a price tag. In this guide we'll cut through the BS: what your ticket actually covers, what you'll have to pay for, and how to plan smart so the only surprise on vacation is a killer sunset, not a surprise bill.

Quick Takeaways

• Your cruise fare includes cabin, basic meals (buffets and main dining room), and standard activities. Gym, pools, family programs, and the nightly shows come at no extra charge.
• Free drinks mean water, coffee, tea, and lemonade at dining venues. Any alcohol, soda, or specialty coffee will add to your tab (think $8–$15 a pop for cocktails).
• Entertainment like theater shows, live music, and pool games are included. Premium experiences (casinos, arcades, cooking classes, wine tastings) usually cost extra.
• "All-inclusive" is misleading. Mass-market lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, etc.) only bundle basics; true unlimited perks are mostly on luxury lines. Always check what's covered in your fare.
• Pro tip: Double-check the fine print for taxes, tips, and fees before you book. Plan or pre-buy drink packages, Wi-Fi, or excursions to avoid paying full price later.

Why "All-Inclusive" Cruises Are Often Misunderstood

On cruise ads, "all-inclusive" sounds amazing – but here's the reality check. Most cruise lines aren't resorts in disguise. They want you to feel included on the deck, but budget extras below. Mainstream lines will sell you a lot of value: your room, buffets, and shows are covered. But they'll still happily charge you for a lot of booze and special meals. In short, mainstream fares cover lodging and food, but not 100% of the fun. As The Points Guy bluntly puts it, you'll still hand over cash for bar drinks, meals at specialty restaurants, specific activities, and even specialty coffees. In other words: plan to pay for cocktails, spa treatments, Wi-Fi, and excursions unless you book top-tier luxury. Only high-end lines bundle nearly everything. If you want unlimited bubbly and spa passes in your price, you're probably headed for a Regent or Seabourn ship – not Carnival.

Cruise Fare Breakdown: Understanding Your Ticket

If you've ever tried to read cruise fare fine print without falling asleep, you know it's confusing. This section helps decode the essentials — what your ticket really buys you versus what gets upsold onboard.

What Is Typically Included in the Cruise Fare

Your ticket basically covers the cabin and your basic chow. Your stateroom (with daily housekeeping) is locked in, and most lines even fold port taxes into the price. When it comes to food, focus on the word "unlimited." Breakfast buffets, burgers off the pool grill, and sit-down dinners in the main dining room – all included. Even pizza slices at midnight are usually on the house. Yes, room service for a continental breakfast is typically free – just don't treat yourself to a lobster tail at 3 AM without checking fees. Want to prep smarter? We've got customizable checklist templates that help you plan without overthinking. Thirsty? The essentials are free. All-you-can-drink water, coffee, tea, and lemonade are part of the deal. Plan your caffeine fix at the buffet or dining room and you're golden. On the entertainment front, the big stuff won't cost you extra either. Every night's theater show, pool-side movie, or lounge band performance is included in your fare. Daytime trivia, dance classes, and silly pool games come at no charge, and kids and teens get free access to their clubs and play zones (though official late-night babysitting will cost extra). Likewise, pools, hot tubs, and gyms come as standard amenities. Think of it as a floating resort with no entrance fees: mini-golf, shuffleboard, basketball hoops, or rock-climbing walls on deck – all included. One thing that usually isn't included: Wi-Fi and cocktails. More on those costs next.

What Usually Costs Extra on a Cruise

So what isn't in the base fare? Usually the good stuff. Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages are almost never free. Expect to pay for every beer, wine glass, or cocktail (a typical cocktail can cost $10–$15). If you plan to party, pre-purchase a drink package or budget plenty for bar tabs. Similarly, sodas, bottled water, and specialty coffees beyond the basic tap offerings will hit your bill. Fancy dining and pampering are extra as well. Upscale restaurants (steakhouses, sushi bars, chef's-table experiences) typically carry a cover charge per person. Spa treatments, massages, and salon services always come with price tags. If a relaxing massage or shore excursion is on your wish list, expect to pay accordingly. Tech and tours: Wi-Fi is almost never included. Royal Caribbean's guide spells this out clearly - unless you've booked a suite, expect to pay up for connectivity. Shore excursions and port transportation also cost extra – any guided tours, taxi shuttles, or adventure trips booked through the cruise line will have a fee. You can explore independently for cheap or free, but official tours aren't complimentary. Photo packages, casino chips, arcade games, and laundry service? Yep, those are all upcharges too. Oh, and gratuities: Most cruises automatically tack on around $15–$20 per person per day to your onboard bill for tips. Unless you've booked on a fully-inclusive luxury fare, plan to cover those service charges. In short: if it's not explicitly listed as "included," it's usually extra, so budget accordingly.

How Inclusions Differ Between Cruise Lines and Ship Types

Not all cruises are cut from the same cloth. On mass-market party ships (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC), the rule is bare bones: cabin, food, and basic fun are included, and nearly everything else costs extra. Premium brands (Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, etc.) are in the same ballpark – they might have a few more restaurants or perks, but drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities still come at a price. Luxury lines play by different rules. Regent Seven Seas, for example, literally includes almost everything in the base fare: free unlimited alcohol, most shore excursions, prepaid gratuities, specialty dining, and even Wi-Fi. Seabourn and Silversea follow suit by bundling cocktails, meals, and service charges. Bottom line: if you crave "all you can sea," you usually need a luxury ticket. Those cabins may cost more, but the fare covers far more of the trip. Some boutique cruises have their own spin. Disney's included perks vary by package, but often include onboard soda fountains and pre-paid tips. Virgin Voyages (adults only) bundles all onboard dining and a basic drink package (plus free Wi-Fi) into your fare — just don't expect late-night nacho bars or pancake stations. Always double-check your chosen line's fine print; inclusions can jump ship from one cruise to the next.

What to Check Before Booking or Boarding a Cruise

Check everything in advance so the only surprises are fun ones. Read the fine print: Know exactly what your fare covers. Are port taxes or tips included? Is Wi-Fi on the house? If anything's vague, ask the cruise line or agent. Budget for extras: Figure out what you'll actually use. Will you drink at the bar? Book a drink package or stash cash. Thinking steakhouse dinner? That's a cover charge. Need internet? Buy a Wi-Fi plan ahead of time. Plan your logistics. Make sure passports, visas, and shots are sorted well before sailing. Pack medications and insurance info in your carry-on. Pro tip: lines usually provide basics like towels and shampoo, so save luggage space. Map out each port of call now – decide which official tours to book or which sights you'll tackle independently. Our city trip packing list also works great for shore day planning. Pre-book what you can: Take advantage of online deals. Reserve that spa session or specialty dinner early (sometimes at a discount), or grab any bundled add-ons (like combined drink+Wi-Fi packages) offered by the cruise. Finally, check health and safety rules – some destinations require extra tests or have customs guidelines. By double-checking all these details in advance, you'll board confident and worry-free. For more help planning your cruise essentials, check out our Cruise Packing Checklist Template.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, a cruise is still a steal: you get a room, all-you-can-eat buffets, pool decks, and live shows included. All that while watching sunsets instead of heating bills – pretty sweet deal. Just remember, the moment you swap lemonade for a cocktail or buffet dinners for steakhouse seats, the tab starts ticking. Plan those extras (drinks, Wi-Fi, shore tours, and tips) in advance and you'll avoid nasty surprises. Then the only bill you'll worry about is how many piña coladas you can drink. Now go soak up that sea breeze. Bon voyage and happy cruising!