15 Things That Secretly Cost Extra on Cruises (So You Can Budget Right)

Cruises seem straightforward. You book it, you board, and everything feels taken care of.

And honestly? That’s mostly true.

But there’s a second price tag that shows up in little ways—tiny charges you barely notice in the moment… until you check your onboard account and think, “Wait, when did that happen?”

I’ve had that exact experience. The kind where you’re having the best time, everything feels “small,” and then the total hits and you realize those little extras were quietly stacking the whole trip. That’s why I’m sharing this—so you can enjoy the fun parts without getting surprised like I did.

Here are 15 cruise costs people don’t see coming—so you can budget smart before you ever step on the ship.

If you want a quick companion read, this post pairs nicely: Why That Cheap Fare Isn’t the Bargain It Looks Like

1. Daily gratuities (automatic service charges)

Most cruise lines add a daily tip charge per person. It’s not usually a shock… until you realize it hits every day, for every person, and suddenly your “cheap cruise” is looking a little less cute.

If you like everything prepaid, you can often pay this before you sail. If you don’t, just plan for it so it doesn’t shock you on the last night.

More on how this works: The Truth About Tipping on a Cruise: What Crew Members Really Think

2. Drinks package math (and the stuff it doesn’t cover)

Drink packages can be a great deal… if you’re actually going to use them. If you’re more of a “two cocktails and a nap” person, you might be paying for a fantasy version of yourself.

Also, packages can have fine print. Some don’t include certain brands, bottled water, energy drinks, fancy coffees, or room service drinks. And sometimes there’s a tip added on top.

Quick gut-check: if you’d feel annoyed forcing yourself to “get your money’s worth,” skip it.

3. Specialty coffee, shakes, and “I just wanted something cute” drinks

The buffet coffee is usually included. The fancy coffee with the swirls and the long name? Not included.

This one gets people because it feels small. Five bucks here, seven bucks there… then you realize you accidentally made it part of the vacation budget.

If you want to control it, decide ahead of time: “One fancy drink a day” or “Fancy drinks on sea days only.”

4. Soda, sparkling water, and non-alcoholic “mocktail life”

Even if you never touch alcohol, you can still rack up a drink tab fast. Soda, specialty lemonade, juice blends, virgin cocktails, sparkling water… it adds up.

If you’re traveling with teens, this is where the budget can quietly sprint away. “It’s just a soda” becomes “it’s just twelve sodas.”

Plan for it by picking one approach: a soda package, pay-as-you-go, or bring whatever beverages the cruise line allows you to carry on.

5. Wi-Fi (and the “one device” trap)

Cruise Wi-Fi isn’t cheap, and it’s not always fast. The other surprise? Some plans cover one device at a time. So you’ll connect your phone… then your tablet… then you’ll play musical chairs with your own internet.

If you need Wi-Fi for work, buy it. If you don’t, consider treating the ship like it’s 2004 and you’re simply unavailable.

If you want a few ways to stay connected without spending extra money: How to Text on a Cruise Ship for Free

6. Specialty dining (and the upsells inside it)

You might pay extra to eat at a steakhouse, sushi spot, or chef’s table. That part is clear. What surprises people is the extra-upsell inside the extra.

Some menus have “premium” items with an added charge—big seafood platters, high-end cuts, fancy tasting add-ons.

If you’re budgeting tight, pick one specialty meal as your “this is our fun night” and keep the rest in the included dining rooms. You won’t go hungry, trust me. Cruises are basically built around feeding people.

7. Shore excursions (booked through the ship vs DIY)

Ship excursions are convenient, and they can also be pricey. A big chunk of the cost is the whole package: transportation, the guide, and the “we’re on the official plan” comfort.

That comfort matters, though. If the ship excursion is late, the ship usually works with you. If your DIY taxi tour runs late… well… start practicing your sad wave from the pier.

My usual move: book the ship’s excursion in ports where I’m nervous about timing, and go DIY in ports where it’s easy to get around.

8. Port transportation + beach day basics

Even when you skip ship excursions, ports still cost money. Taxis. Shuttles. Ferry tickets. Beach chairs. Umbrella rentals. That one bottled water that somehow costs more than it should.

This one got me once in a beach port where I thought I was being so smart going on my own. Then I paid for a taxi, chair rental, and lunch… and basically recreated the price of the ship excursion, just with more stress.

If your plan is “we’ll just wander,” set aside a simple “getting around” amount per port. It saves arguments later.

Helpful for DIY ports: 16 Best Walkable Cruise Ports You Don’t Need Excursions For

9. Spa days

Many ships run spa raffles, tours, and “skin analysis” events. They can be fun. They can also turn into a sales pitch that sticks around longer than you’d like.

Even entering the spa area can cost extra: thermal suite passes, day passes, private cabanas, and special loungers.

If you love spa time, budget for it on purpose. If you don’t, politely pass when someone offers you a “free gift.”

10. Fitness classes and personal training

The gym is usually included. The paid stuff is what sneaks up: yoga classes, spin, Pilates, bootcamps, body scans, and personal training sessions.

Typical cost range: fitness classes often run about $15–$25 per class, while class passes commonly land around $35–$100 depending on the sailing and package. Personal training is often around $80–$140 per hour, and gratuity may be added.

11. Photo charges

The photographers are everywhere. Dinner. Formal night. The staircases that exist mainly for photo drama.

You’ll take a picture thinking, “We won’t buy it.” And then you see it and you’re like, “Okay, but this one’s a keeper.”

Photo packages can be expensive, and it’s easy to talk yourself into “just one.” Decide before the cruise: are you buying none, a few, or a package?

12. Room service and delivery fees

Room service can be included on some ships and extra on others. Sometimes breakfast basics are included, but other orders come with a fee. And even when the food itself isn’t expensive, the delivery charge is what gets you.

Typical cost range: many cruise lines charge about $5–$10 per order for room service/delivery, and it’s common to see an automatic gratuity around 18–20% on top (especially if drinks are involved).

This is a classic “tiny fee” situation. You do it twice and suddenly you’ve paid for an entire specialty dinner… just in grilled cheese.

13. Laundry services

Some ships have self-serve laundry. Some don’t. Some offer laundry bag deals. Others charge per item.

Typical cost range: wash-and-fold bag deals often run about $15–$40 per bag (when offered). If it’s per item, laundry is commonly around $5–$12 per piece, and pressing often lands around $4–$15 depending on what it is.

If you’re cruising longer than a few days, laundry costs are worth planning for. And if you hate paying for laundry on vacation (same), toss a stain remover pen in your bag. Not glamorous, but powerful.

14. Kids’ extras: arcade, babysitting/nursery, and shiny things

Kids’ clubs are often included. The add-ons are where things jump: arcade games, claw machines, nursery care for little ones, special workshops, branded toys, and “I need a snack right now” moments that add up fast.

If you’re cruising with kids, set a daily “fun money” amount for them. It turns “Can I have this?” into “Yes, if it fits your cruise money.” Magical.

15. Pre-cruise costs you forget to count

This is the part nobody wants to think about because it’s not “fun cruise stuff.” But it’s real money: a hotel night near the port, parking, rideshares, shuttles, tips for drivers and porters, travel insurance, and maybe airport food that costs the same as a nice dinner at home.

If you plan these ahead of time, your cruise budget stops feeling like a moving target.

A Simple Cruise Budget That Actually Works (And How to Stick to It)

If you’re not paying attention, cruise costs can creep up in the background while you’re busy relaxing. Here’s a simple cruise budget that works, plus a few easy habits to keep you on track.

Start with the costs that are hardest to avoid, like daily gratuities and any packages you already know you want (Wi-Fi, soda, drinks, etc.). I used to treat gratuities like “future me’s problem.” Future me did not love that.

Next, pick a realistic daily “extras” budget. Use these ranges for most mainstream cruise lines:

• Budget cruiser: $25–$50 per person, per day
• Comfort cruiser: $50–$100 per person, per day
• Treat-yourself cruiser: $100–$175+ per person, per day

Then add a port-day bump. Port days are where taxi rides, beach chairs, and “just one more thing” start stacking.

• Sea day: stick to your daily range
• Port day: add $25–$75 per person, depending on your plans

Fast formula:
(daily extras × cruise days) + (port bump × number of ports) + (pre-cruise travel costs)

Before you board, pick your “Top 3 Yeses.” These are the three things you’ll happily spend money on, like one specialty dinner, one excursion, and one fun extra (photos, spa, fitness class, whatever you love). Everything else becomes “only if we still feel good about the budget later.”

Give repeat extras a lane. Instead of saying “no,” make a simple rule:

• Room service only on sea days
• Fancy coffee every other morning
• Arcade money after dinner

Use the included fun on purpose. Shows, trivia, live music, pools, and included dining are already part of the deal. If you choose those first, the paid stuff feels like a treat instead of the default.

Be ready for friendly sales moments. Spa “free gifts,” photo setups, art auctions… they can be fun, but they’re also designed to get you spending. A polite line that works: “Thanks! We’re all set today.”

Check your onboard account every day or two. Not to obsess—just to make sure nothing is snowballing.

And finally, keep a small “oops” cushion. Taxis cost more than expected. You end up loving a photo. A little buffer keeps one surprise from messing with the whole trip.

If you love saving money without feeling deprived, you’ll probably like this too: 20 Free Things You Can Get from Guest Services on a Cruise (Just Ask!)
And if you want to dodge the most common onboard “why did I buy that?” moments: 10 Things You Should Never Buy On A Cruise

Quick Wrap-Up

Cruises can still be an amazing deal. The key is knowing where the extra charges usually hide, picking a couple splurges, and put a simple limit on the little stuff.

Do that, and you’ll step off the ship with great memories… not a bill that makes you blink twice.

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