Today, more than ever, you are able to find amazing cruise vacation deals onboard most cruise lines. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Lines has fares as low as $99 for a 4-day Bahamas cruise. Ridiculously low prices are popping up everywhere. So for those budget travelers, who love cruising or thought about cruising, this is a dream come true. However, I would like you to know that after your cruise fare is paid in full, you will find other costs onboard that are not covered in the fare. I am here to tell you that they are not drastic. I just want you to be informed of what is NOT included in your cruise fare, and plan your cruise budget accordingly.

Beverages

Yes, it is true. Most beverages onboard your cruise are not covered by the cruise fare. For example soda (soft drink beverages) run around $2 to $2.50 per drink, which could cause a dent in your bill at the end of the cruise. Especially if you are a family of four, and your children are avid soda lovers. Other beverages not included in cost are bottled water and some specialty coffees. Specialty coffees are those fancy coffee drinks made famous by Starbucks, which include lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, expresso etc.

Budget Advice: Even though sodas aren’t free, that does not mean you have to pay for every drink purchased. Cruise lines have developed soda cards that can run about $4 to $6 per day, giving you unlimited access to all the soft drinks you love! Also, to help with the cost of water bottles, I would suggest bringing your own water bottle onboard and just filling it up at the water fountains located near the buffets.

What is included: Beverages that you can find at the buffets, such as orange juice, apple juice, regular coffee, and fountain water.

Alcohol

This shouldn’t shock a lot of you. Alcohol is one of the main things that can drive up a cruise bill. After all you are on vacation, and alcoholic beverages can add to your relaxation. And I am not talking just liquor here. Included in this is wine and beer. There is really no average cost per drink as costs depend on what type of drink you purchase (just like everywhere else).

Budget Advice: Cruise lines, except Royal Caribbean, have not come out with an unlimited alcohol cards like they have for sodas (sorry to burst bubbles). The policy on Royal Caribbean for unlimited drinking packages only pertains to groups. You must have a group of 50 or more people, aged 21+, to receive a $49 a day unlimited drink card. That is pretty good considering drinks on average cost $8. Not in a 50+ group? Well you are in luck because there are ways you can save when it comes to your alcohol purchases.

For Wine: At dinner, instead of ordering wine by the glass, I would suggest ordering a whole bottle. Most likely if you order wine the first night, you will end up ordering a glass every night after that. Also, when you order the bottle, you aren’t expected to consume it the same night. Your waiter will store it for you until the bottle is emptied. An average glass of wine on a cruise cost around $8+. However, the average bottle cost in the $20s. Most bottles can give you around 4 glasses of wine. So do the math!

For Beer: Buckets of beer by the pool can save a few bucks. Even though buckets can seem absurdly priced for 5 bottles, it will save money compared to purchasing each bottle separately. If you don’t drink all of them, save them. You can always refill the bucket with ice for free another day.

For Liquor: This is simple…Don’t order from the top shelf.

What is included: No alcohol is included. Sorry folks. Unless you book a cruise on a luxury cruise line (Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Sea Dream Yacht Club and Seabourn Cruise Line). But the cruise costs for a luxury cruise line is more expensive than a voyage onboard a Carnival Cruise or Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Gratuities

It’s always nice to say thank you for good service, therefore the cruise lines have made it easy instead of tipping throughout the cruise sailing. On the last day of the cruise your cabin steward will leave a sheet of paper, with envelopes, that specifies how much gratuity is recommended to give to each of the people who took care of you (costs will range, depending on who to tip, from $2 to $7 per day) This includes, but not limited to room attendant, waiter’s assistant and head waiter. Also, whenever you purchase anything from the bar, or from a pool attendant, gratuities are automatically added to your bill.

Budget Advice: There really is no way to save on gratuities. You tip in non-vacation life for service, so why should it be different on a cruise? But the amount you give should depend on the service you received, that I won’t argue.

What is included: Sometimes cruise lines will automatically add service charges to your cruise bill. If you want to give tips on your own accord, then you can go to the purser’s desk and have them remove the gratuity that was automatically added. That way at the end of your cruise you can tip however much you feel is necessary per services received.

Specialty Restaurants

Ok, so to avoid any confusion, a specialty restaurant is a restaurant on a ship that caters to a particular cuisine. You generally have to make reservations ahead of time as they have limited seating. That means, you have to physically go to the restaurant on the first day of your cruise (or any other day), to reserve your spot. There is a minimal charge for dining at specialty restaurants onboard. You may ask why? These restaurants serve gourmet food, which is a little different from the general dining on cruises. I recommend trying one. It is definitely worth spending a little extra money.

Budget Advice: If there is a restaurant that really seems to tickle your fancy, reserve one night to try their menu options. But do not forget about the free food that is at your disposal the entire cruise. In my opinion, the main dining meals are delicious with 5 star quality.

What is included: Main dining areas, buffets, and 24 hour pizza. Trust me, if you want to save money, you will not run out of food options that were already paid for in your cruise fare.

Spa Amenities/Beauty Salon/Fitness Center Classes

You didn’t think that massages and facials were included in your cruise fare, did you? Well they aren’t, unfortunately. And neither are some fitness classes, such as spinning or yoga. Let’s not forget about the fabulous beauty salon they have onboard where you can get your hair done, as well as pedicures and manicures. Nope, not included as well.

So what are the cost of these added luxuries? Spa items, such as massages, facials, body masks etc, can run you anywhere from $70 to $250 per session. For fitness classes, some cruise lines have them included in your fare, but you must reserve a spot in the class before attending. If they do not include the classes, they aren’t that expensive. Anywhere between $10 to $15 per class. And finally, the beauty salon, where last minute hair changes can make all the difference. Services in the beauty salon can run anywhere between $20 for a manicure, to $150 for a hair cut and dye job.

Budget Advice: The spas onboard are known for having discounts throughout the cruises’ duration. The discounts usually take place during the time the ship is at port, not while it is sailing. So if you do not mind staying onboard for a few hours while at port, then this route for a spa discount is best! Also, sometimes cruise lines will have spa drawings if you take a tour on the first day of the cruise. Check your cruise itinerary right when you get onboard to see if they are giving spa tours plus drawings. The beauty salon works the same way when it comes to discounts. Also, prior to sailing speak to your Member Concierge about coupon booklets and past passenger discounts. They are not always available, but always good to ask.

What is included: Jogging track, fitness center machines, some fitness classes, and on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines they have a rock climbing wall and surf simulator that is included.

Excursions

As most already know, shore excursions are not included in your cruise fare. However, these fun little side trips are worth the extra cash. They can provide you with a great way, without the planning, to see what the different ports of call have to offer. You can go tubing through caves or horseback riding in Mexico; you can see all the ancient wonders of Rome; or take a helicopter ride over Alaskan mountains. Whatever you can imagine doing, there is sure to be an excursion for you. Prices of excursions can range from $50+ per person.

Budget Advice: Limit yourself to one shore excursion at the port of call you are really excited about. This way you can splurge and take the most fun filled excursion offered. For the other ports, do your research of what there is to see. Once you have decided on the sights that really interest you, just take taxis to see them. This way you are on your own schedule, and have control of what you spend.

What is included: Onboard the ship all entertainment is included in your cruise fare. Whether it is a comedy show, Broadway shows, dance lessons, activities for the kids, activities for the adults, dancing in the night clubs, or entering in a cruise contest, all is included onboard!

Cruise Pictures

You know those fun pictures that the cruise staff take of you? Embarking, disembarking, eating dinner, learning how to salsa dance, formal night, professional photographs with beautiful backdrops….anything and everything you can be sure a photographer will be there. However, looking at them in the ship’s photo gallery is as free as they get. Pictures can run you anywhere from $10 to $50 per shot purchased (depending on the package or size of photo).

Budget Advice: At the end of the cruise, the ship usually runs specials on them! Unless you throw the photos in the discard bin, the gallery attendants will not remove them from the display until the morning of disembarkation. So wait until the last day of the cruise to get the best photo deal.

Casino

It is called gambling right? So why would the cruise ship give you any of there money to play with? Exactly. Gamble at your own risk, is what I always say.

Budget Advice: Are you feeling lucky? If not, I would not waste money that could go toward other things on your cruise vacation, like that exciting shore excursion!

What is included: Some cruise lines will offer free drinks to those who are gambling. But needless to say, anything in the casino is not included in your cruise fare.

Souvenirs

All those fun little stores onboard the ship, do not give their merchandise out for free. On top of that, nothing that is souvenir related onboard the ship is included in your cruise fare. So if you are that type of traveler that needs to bring back something to commemorate your time at sea, make sure to fit that into your budget.

Budget Advice: For souvenirs onboard the ship, wait toward the end of the cruise to see if they promote any sales. Most of the time the cruise line will have souvenirs on sale throughout the duration of the cruise, but the best sales show up at the end.

For souvenirs at the different ports of call, my advice is to bargain with the merchants (never pay full price). Unless of course you are in a Dolce and Gabana store in Italy, then bargaining will probably not pay off. I am more or less referring to markets, outside vendors, and jewelers!

Government Fees/Taxes/Fuel Surcharges

When you see cruise costs online or get cost from a travel agent, most likely it is not including the extra fees that go along with the cruise. These fees are tricky because they all depend on the cruise line and the cruises’ destination. However, I can tell you that fuel surcharges can run about $6 to $10 a day. But then again, it all depends on the cruise line.

So how do you budget when you won’t know the fees until you book? Or what about your concern with not being able to budget for all these new costs? Well, this is where Top Cruise Club comes in handy.

Top Cruise Club

Although there are other costs that could be accumulated during your cruise, don’t let it effect you purchasing the items or services you desire. After all it is a vacation, and you already invested money into it. But gaining extra value for your cruise vacation is an important opportunity you should look more into before sailing.

What do I mean by extra value?

Top Cruise Club provides its members with benefits that add value to their cruising experience. We give you free travel insurance (see our Travel Insurance Policy). We provide you with onboard credits that can be used toward extra costs onboard the ship. Also, some cruise lines allow passengers to use their onboard credits in the casino. It is like real cash! Another benefit we provide you is coupon books. They usually hold 100s of dollars in value for cruise activities, such as discounts for spa treatments and free souvenir items.

To gain access to these benefits that add value to your vacation, all you have to do is become a member at Top Cruise Club. Membership is free, so what are you waiting for? Join today and see why when you book your next cruise vacation, that It’s Better When You Belong!

About Top Cruise Club

Top Cruise Club is an online community of avid and new cruisers who have come together to maximize their cruising experience. We provide you with the latest cruise news, ship reviews, information about popular destinations, and exceptional cruise value. You can also book your next cruise online or on the phone through your own Member Concierge. Top Cruise Clubs provides its members with all their cruising needs. Join Top Cruise Club’s free membership program, which provides you with an array of benefits, like FREE travel insurance. Click here to join now!

Ashley DuFrene- Top Cruise Club Blogger