Money: what's included in a cruise fare, and what's extra
The short answer
On mainstream lines, your fare includes your cabin, meals in the main dining room and buffet, entertainment, pools and the gym. Extras usually include daily gratuities, alcohol and most soft drinks, WiFi, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, spa, photos and laundry. Taxes and port fees are added to the fare.By Kathryn Lyn2 min readReviewed September 2026
| Usually included | Usually extra |
|---|---|
| Your cabin and housekeeping | Daily gratuities / service charge |
| Main dining room and buffet | Alcohol, soda, specialty coffee |
| Most casual food venues | Specialty restaurants |
| Theater shows, pools, gym | WiFi |
| Kids' clubs (most lines) | Shore excursions |
| Water, basic tea, coffee, some juice | Spa, casino, photos, laundry |
Some lines include more. Oceania includes gratuities for all guests; Virgin Voyages includes basic WiFi and adds nothing to drinks; Viking includes wine and beer with meals. Luxury lines include far more, at a higher fare.
Gratuities, by line
| Cruise line | What the line says | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | Added automatically to your Sail & Sign account each day | September 21, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean International | $18.50 per guest per day, or $21.00 in a suite | September 21, 2026 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | No required or recommended tipping for general service | September 21, 2026 |
| MSC Cruises | A daily Hotel Service Charge per person, set by the region you are sailing | September 21, 2026 |
| Princess Cruises | Crew Appreciation, charged daily by stateroom category | September 21, 2026 |
| Celebrity Cruises | $19.50 per guest per day inside, ocean view and veranda | September 21, 2026 |
| Disney Cruise Line | $16.00 per night per guest is the recommended amount, including infants and children | September 21, 2026 |
| Holland America Line | US $18.00 per guest per day, or US $20.00 in a suite | September 21, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | $22 per Sailor per day, or $20 if you prepay before you sail | September 21, 2026 |
| Viking | $20 USD per person per night, added automatically if not prepaid | September 21, 2026 |
| Cunard Line | US$18 per person per day in Britannia and Britannia Club, US$19 in the Grills | September 21, 2026 |
| Oceania Cruises | Included in the fare for all guests | September 21, 2026 |
First-timer questions
Questions, answered.
The questions people ask most. Tap one to open it, or open them all and read straight down.
7 questions on this page
Is a cruise all-inclusive?
Not on most mainstream lines. Your cabin, main meals, entertainment and pools are included; gratuities, most drinks, WiFi, specialty dining and excursions usually cost extra. Some lines and some fares bundle more.
How much does a cruise cost?
It ranges widely by line, ship, cabin and season. To budget, take the fare with taxes and port fees, then add daily gratuities per person, drinks, WiFi, excursions and travel to the port.
Is it cheaper to do a cruise or an all-inclusive resort?
It depends on what you'd buy. A cruise includes meals and moves you to several places; an all-inclusive resort usually includes drinks. If you'd buy a drinks package and several excursions, compare the totals, not the headline prices.
What is complimentary on a cruise ship?
Meals in the main dining room, buffet and many casual venues; water, basic coffee and tea; entertainment; pools, hot tubs and the gym; kids' clubs on most lines; and on some lines continental breakfast room service.
What should I never buy on a cruise?
Sunscreen and basic medicines, which cost more on board; bottled water if your line includes water; and any package you won't use enough to beat paying as you go.
Do first-time cruisers get deals?
Cruise lines run frequent promotions open to everyone, and loyalty perks favor repeat guests. First-timers get the best value from choosing the right cabin and fare type, and from comparing total cost, not just the headline.