I love the idea of an all-inclusive vacation, don’t you? Pay everything upfront and live the carefree life for a few days, a week… maybe longer. Bliss!
While I will argue that cruising gives you a ton of bang for your buck, it can’t be considered “all-inclusive” simply because your stateroom is booked.
While you could drive to the port, and stick to the included dining, beverages, and onboard entertainment during your vacation, there are still a few extras of cruising that you will need to consider. Some are completely optional, like the alcohol package, and others are less optional such as the onboard gratuities.
Let’s get started.
In this post I’ll share 8 categories of extras you should consider when planning your cruise vacation.
At the end of this post, you’ll have access to my cruise budget planning worksheet so that you can get started planning YOUR next cruise vacation.
1. Cruise Fare
Ok, not an “extra” of cruising but, as this is likely your biggest expense we should start here. Do you plan to stay in an interior stateroom or splurge on a suite? How many are traveling in your group? Will you need more than one room?
In my experience traveling with teens and extended family members, consider getting 2 connecting rooms instead of one larger room. The price is usually better and you’ll have 2 bathrooms!
2. Getting to the ship
Cruise has been booked but how are you going to get there? Driving to port? Make sure you budget in gas and parking at the port or your hotel.
Flying to your embarkation port? Will you be flying in the day before (recommended!). Are flights as expensive as they from our closet airport? Ouch. How many hotel nights/rooms will you need? Will you taxi or Uber from the airport?
Hotels can be quite expensive in tourist areas such as Seattle (for you Alaskan cruisers) and Fort Lauderdale. Check surrounding towns for potentially a better rate. The same is true for airfare. For example, you may be sailing out of Miami but can get a great deal on a flight to Fort Lauderdale which is about 30 miles away. Investigate your options!
3. Shore excursions
Of course, shore excursions are completely optional. You could just stroll around the local ports and return to the ship without spending a dime. But, if you’ve traveled to these beautiful places, at least consider planning a special activity or two.
Excursions come in all sizes and budgets. Be sure to pick something that is right for you and your budget. Check not only your cruise line website but also third-party websites such as Trip Advisor and Cruiseline.com and Viator. If you book outside of your cruise line just be sure to check their approval rating and make sure they have a return-to-ship guarantee!
Pinterest is also a fantastic place to find ideas for great activities in your ports of call. I have several boards dedicated to cruise ports, the Caribbean islands, and even Alaska.
4. Daily Gratuities
Hopefully, I am not alone in this opinion but standard daily gratuity during your cruise is a must. Yes, it’s automatically added to your bill and yes, you can argue to get it reduced for certain situations. But please don’t. When was the last time you went to dinner and chose to not tip the waiter?
Think about every bartender who pours you a glass of wine, every waiter that clears your dish, the room steward who makes your bed and handles all of your little requests. It’s worth budgeting this gratuity. Many cruisers also budget a little extra to provide a cash tip for special workers either throughout or at the end of the cruise.
Note: Some cruise lines do include gratuities (i.e. Virgin) in the cruise fare so please make sure to read your cruise contract.
5. The Drink Package
Drink packages come in a couple of varieties from those that include alcohol and those that do not. I always buy our drink package from the cruise planner when I received the email alert that it’s on sale. Do I drink enough to break even, that is up for debate and I will write an entire post about the pros and cons of the drink package.
Brian and I enjoy our morning latte, a beer or frozen drink by the pool (0r 2), a glass of wine (or 2) at dinner…it adds up. I may not “save” money but I love being able to save and pay for it before we ever leave home. It gives me that feeling of all-inclusive when I’m not mentally adding up each latte and Pina Colada of my vacation.
Some cruise lines like Celebrity, Norwegian, and MSC offer drink packages as a “perk” for specific bookings so be sure to ask. Also, if you are sharing a cabin and one adult in the cabin purchases the alcohol package the other adult has to purchase it as well.
To my knowledge, this is standard with all of the major cruise lines. If you have a medical condition or would like special consideration for this rule, call your cruise line. In many cases, they will allow you to buy the non-alcoholic drink package for the non-drinker in the room.
6. Specialty Dining
Can you go on a cruise vacation and only eat at the “included” venues? Absolutely! We did it for years. We didn’t try specialty dining until we were a dozen cruises in. (Wait, does a milkshake from Johnny Rockets count?) We enjoyed the main dining room and thought the buffet for lunch was just dandy. But, the shift is on. Cruise ships are offering more and more restaurant-style specialty dining on their ships and people are loving the variety.
If trying a specialty dining venue fits within your budget, go for it! You can even get a better pre-cruise rate on a multiple-night dining package by booking before you are onboard. Give it a try!
Get more tips for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner
7. Internet
You may be thinking, Why would I pay for the internet? You’re on vacation! So true.
However, Brian and I typically have some work responsibilities to keep up with while we travel. We have begun shelling out the overpriced fees for internet access. We also travel without our young adult kids and elderly parents and feel more comfortable knowing that we can be reached if needed.
Ok…here’s the truth… my mom sends me pics of our sweet Bella (our very spoiled golden doodle).
Internet service varies greatly by the cruise line and even cruise ship. So make sure it’s necessary. Research and check reviews before committing to the price, because it’s a hefty price. If you don’t need to have access at all times, you can also use the wifi in the cruise port terminals each day you have a port of call.
Carnival offers a very reasonable “social” package to their cruisers for around $5 per day.
Personal internet service is typically sold per device. But, that just means one device at a time. Brian and I have most recently been purchasing the two-device package. This allows us both to be on our laptops, log off, and both log in with our iPhones or a combination of the two.
Some cruise lines still offer “minutes” but that’s way too complicated for me to deal with while I’m trying to relax.
When we sailed on the Allure of the Seas the internet speed was equal to our connection at home. It was outstanding. Is it still overpriced? YES! But, in the coming years, I am hoping the price will come down. Just remember, we used to all have dial-up.
8. Cash for your Cruise
During a day in port, we typically pay for items or experiences using our credit cards. I just don’t like to carry a lot of cash. But, I do carry a pouch for our cruise that has about $25-$30 in dollar bills and about the same amount in 5 dollar bills. We use this quick cash to tip porters that carry our luggage, give a few dollars to a funny bartender, and for snacks or small trinkets on the islands. Check out my cruise cabin prep kit for all of my little extras.
I also tuck back a little extra in larger bills to give to our room steward. They work long hours and somehow seem to yes to every request from opening the adjoining balcony to filling our ice bucket each night. I feel like they appreciate the extra cash tip and I am guaranteed it goes directly to them.
Most cruise ships do have an ATM but I am guessing the fees are a little scary!
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Do you have “extras” of cruising that need a line item in your budget? Kids at the arcade? Dad at the Casino? Share your tips with us below!
