When you buy your cruise, you might think that you’re done spending money on your vacation.
Think again.
There are some higher-end cruises that are truly all-inclusive, but for the vast majority of sailings, your cruise fare gets you some food and your room on the ship, but that’s about it. From drinks to shore excursions, from gambling to specialty restaurants, there are extra costs all over.
To be sure, you don’t have to spend any money if you don’t want to, but for the vast majority of people that’s not realistic. In fact, numbers released in financial reports by the cruise companies show that “onboard spending” totals about 45-55% of cruise fare. So if you spend $1,000 on cruise fare, the average person could expect to spend about $500 on extras once on the ship.
In other words, there are some opportunities to spend big on the ship. So how much do things actually cost? We’ve broken down the major categories below.
Drinks (Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic)
On the ship, basic teas, coffee, and water are included. Everything else is going to be a charge, whether it’s a soda or a top-shelf margarita. There is practically no limit to what’s available on the ship, from the finest liquors to energy drinks to juices. They may not have your favorite brand, but they will have some sort of option nearly no matter what you drink.
Alcohol will obviously vary depending on what you get, but you can expect it to fall into one of these categories:
- Beer: $7-$9
- Wine: $8-$15
- Cocktails: $11-$15
Non-alcoholic drinks will also vary, with things like bottled water being among the cheapest options on the ship to fancy coffees or mocktails having higher prices. In general, expect non-alcoholic drinks to run $3-$5 for most, with fancier drinks (like mocktails) being another couple of bucks.
In addition, there is always an automatic service charge or gratuity tacked on to the menu price. This is 18-20%, depending on the cruise line. So a $10 cocktail would be more like $12 when it’s all said and done.
Gambling
For some people, the casino will be the spot where they spend by far the most money. Others won’t spend a dime here.
So what the casino “costs” is hard to say as it’s different for everyone. But you can get an idea of the minimum bets.
In general, you can expect low limits in the casino. Table minimums are normally $5 or $10, making it an “affordable” place to gamble. Slot machines range from penny slots to dollar slots, but even on the penny slots the minimum bet you’ll find is normally around $0.50.
Video poker machines are normally $0.25 bet machines, though you will be able to change the denomination if you want.
Bottom line: If you’re a low-stakes gambler, then you’ll be happy with your options in the ship’s casino.
Spa Services
Every ship you sail will have a spa offering nearly any service you can imagine. This includes everything from basic massages to salon service to manicures to access to the thermal spa with hot tubs, showers, and more.
Just like ordering from a bar, what you pay will vary based on the service. In general, however, you can expect some healthy prices for these items.
A typical hour-long massage is normally in the $150-$200 range. A manicure is about $60, and a pedicure about the same (you can often get both services for a discount.) Facials run roughly $150.
On top of these prices there is also the service change, that’s normally 20%. In short, if you plan for a spa service, it’s a good idea to budget about $200 all in.
We will say that the spa often has specials for booking early, or booking during a day in port when there is less demand.
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions should be a major part of any cruise you take. Your time in port is limited, so to make the most of it, it’s a good idea to book an activity that can show you the sites and experiences instead of just walking around aimlessly. You don’t have to do an excursion in every port, but we’d highly recommend booking at least 1-2 on any cruise you take.
The prices can be all over the map. Simple walking or driving tours in some ports for a couple of hours can be as little as $40 per person. Then there are some extreme activities like helicopter flights in Alaska that run $300 or more per person.
A sweet spot for pricing is in the $75-$125 range per person for Caribbean ports. Alaskan ports are a bit more expensive.
There are cheaper options, but this amount will get you access to most activities, including ones that are more adventurous.
Specialty Restaurants
Perhaps nothing is as confusing in the arena of extra charges than specialty restaurants. Food is included with the cruise… to a point.
Essentially, the main dining room, buffet, and quick-service restaurants are usually included. Anywhere that’s a sit-down venue is an extra charge. Here, you’ll often find more sophisticated tastes and a restaurant experience that’s more personal with food that’s made-to-order instead of mass produced.
The costs will vary. On the low end a specialty restaurant can be $20 per person for somewhere that’s more casual. On the upper-end, places like a fancy seafood restaurant or steakhouse will run $50-$60 per person.
Our advice is that on a week-long cruise, opting for a specialty restaurant is worth it for 1-2 nights as a break from the dining room or buffet.
