What’s Included on a Cruise (And What Costs Extra?) – The Honest Breakdown
One of the biggest misconceptions about cruising is this:
“Everything is included.”
It’s not.
Cruises include a lot—but they also make a ton of money from extras. And if you don’t know what’s included and what’s not, it’s very easy to spend way more than you expected.
After 20+ cruises across different lines, here’s the real breakdown of what you get included… and what you’ll end up paying extra for.
What’s INCLUDED on a Cruise
Let’s start with the good news—there’s actually a lot included.
1. Main Dining Room & Buffet (Your Core Food)
Every cruise includes:
- Main Dining Room (MDR)
- Buffet
This is your baseline food, and honestly, you can eat very well without spending anything extra.
On most cruises:
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included
- You can order multiple items
- Some lines even allow multiple entrees
2. Included Casual Dining (Varies by Cruise Line)
This is where it gets interesting—and where cruise lines differ a lot.
Carnival (especially newer ships like Celebration):
- Guy’s Burger Joint
- BlueIguana Cantina
- Pizza (24/7 on many ships)
- Some ships: one-time free visit to Cucina del Capitano (Italian)
- Some ships: Asian venues like JiJi’s may be free at lunch
One thing I’ve always appreciated about Carnival is how much food variety they include without charging extra. On ships like Carnival Breeze, I found myself eating Guy’s Burgers, pizza, and BlueIguana throughout the day without ever feeling the need to book specialty dining.
Royal Caribbean:
- Windjammer (buffet)
- Main Dining Room
- Café Promenade / Sorrento’s Pizza
- Central Park Café (Oasis-class ships)
Johnny Rockets:
- Usually costs extra
- BUT on some sailings/ships, breakfast may still be free (this varies—always check onboard)
Norwegian Cruise Line:
- Main dining rooms, Taste, Sabor & the buffet
- O’Sheehan’s (pub food)
Disney Cruise Line:
- Rotational dining (very high quality)
- Buffet & quick service spots
- Soft drinks (Coca-Cola products) INCLUDED
Disney is one of the few lines where soda is free. My mom is a huge Coca-Cola fan, so having soda included on Disney was one of her favorite perks of the cruise. It’s a small benefit, but one that can save soda drinkers a surprising amount of money.
3. Basic Drinks
Included on most cruise lines:
- Tap water
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
- Basic coffee
- Some juices (usually at breakfast and lunch in the buffet)
Important:
- This is NOT premium drinks
- Think basic, not fancy
4. Entertainment & Shows
Included:
- Theater shows
- Live music
- Comedy shows
- Deck parties
- Poolside activities
This is a huge value and often overlooked. Some of the best entertainment I’ve seen at sea was completely included. My mom still talks about the ice skating show on Oasis of the Seas years after we sailed. We didn’t pay a dollar extra for it.
5. Pools, Hot Tubs & Basic Activities
Included:
- Pools & hot tubs
- Water slides (on most ships)
- Sports courts
- Trivia, games, events
6. Gym (But Not Classes)
Included:
- Fitness center access
Not included:
- Spin classes
- Yoga classes
- Personal training
7. Some “Special” Food (Surprisingly Included)
- Formal night lobster (still included on many lines, though sometimes limited)
- Room service breakfast (often free)
This is where cruising still surprises people.
What COSTS EXTRA on a Cruise
Now the part that catches people off guard.
1. Alcohol & Specialty Drinks
NOT included:
- Alcohol
- Specialty cocktails
- Specialty coffees (Starbucks, espresso drinks)
- Soda (except Disney)
Drink packages are available—but not always worth it.
2. Internet (WiFi)
Always extra.
Always extra.
Cruise internet has improved significantly in recent years, especially on ships using Starlink. That said, it can still be one of the more expensive onboard purchases, and speeds may not always match what you’re used to on land. This is a must for us, mom is unable to disconnect… Yikes…
3. Specialty Restaurants
Anything beyond basic dining:
- Steakhouses
- Hibachi
- Sushi
- Italian specialty dining
I’ve enjoyed specialty restaurants on many ships, but I’ve also had plenty of cruises where I never booked a single one and still ate extremely well. Specialty dining is a nice upgrade—not a requirement.
4. Spa & Thermal Areas
NOT included:
- Massages
- Facials
- Spa treatments
- Thermal suites
One exception for me is thermal suites. On MSC Seaside, I purchased access and we used it every day. Because I actually spent time there, the extra cost felt justified. That’s usually how I evaluate cruise add-ons: not by the price, but by how much I’ll actually use them.
5. Exclusive Areas
Examples:
- Vibe Beach Club (Norwegian)
- Retreat areas (Celebrity)
- Private sun decks
These can be amazing—but definitely optional.
6. Casino & Gambling
Obviously not included 😅
7. Photos
- Professional cruise photos
- Photo packages
Can get expensive fast.
8. Shore Excursions
NOT included:
- Tours
- Activities in port
Over the years, I’ve done both cruise-line excursions and independent tours. Sometimes the cruise excursion is worth the extra cost for convenience, but in ports like St. Maarten or Nassau, I’ve often explored on my own and saved a significant amount of money.
9. Gratuities (Very Important)
Not included in base fare.
Usually:
- Charged daily per person
These daily charges help cover the hardworking crew members who take care of your cabin, dining service, and other onboard experiences.
10. Shopping & Extras
- Duty-free shops
- Souvenirs
- Art auctions
What’s Actually Worth Paying Extra For?
This depends entirely on how you travel.
From my experience:
- Balcony cabins → worth it (I use them a lot)
- Vibe Beach Club (Norwegian) → AMAZING if you want quiet
- Spa access → worth it if you’ll actually go daily
Usually NOT worth it:
- Overpaying for drink package if you don’t drink much
- Specialty dining every night
- Random upsells onboard
The Real Truth About Cruise Pricing
Cruises operate a lot like Las Vegas resorts. The base fare gets you onboard, but once you’re there you’ll constantly see opportunities to spend more. Drink packages, specialty restaurants, spa treatments, photos, excursions, internet packages, and exclusive areas are all designed to generate additional revenue. The good news is that most of them are completely optional.
But the key is:
You don’t NEED to buy anything extra to have a great cruise.
Final Thoughts
Cruising can be:
- Very affordable
- Or surprisingly expensive
After more than 20 cruises, one lesson keeps repeating itself: the people who enjoy their cruise the most aren’t necessarily the ones who spend the most money. They’re usually the ones who understand what’s included before they board and spend strategically on the things that genuinely improve their vacation.
It all depends on what you add.
You can:
Cruise cheap and still have an amazing time
OR
Upgrade your experience with extras that actually matter to you
At the end of the day:
Spend money where it improves YOUR experience
Skip what doesn’t
Because it’s your trip—and how you cruise is what matters most.
Before You Cruise
If you’re planning your trip, check out:
- Cruise cabin guides (which room is worth it)
- Our full cruise ship reviews (what the experience is really like onboard)
- Port guides (what to do vs skip)
