5 Cruise Extras That Are Worth the Money

Going on a cruise is an exciting adventure, but you might wonder about all those extra packages and features that come with additional charges. While some extras may not be worth the money, others can enhance your holiday experience.

You’ll find a range of options to choose from, like special dining experiences, spa packages, drinks deals, WiFi access, and shuttle buses. Each of these extras can add value to your trip in different ways. It’s worth taking a closer look at what’s on offer to see if any of these perks might make your cruise even more enjoyable.

1. Drink Packages

When you book most cruises, plenty of things are included in your fare, but drinks (both soft drinks and alcoholic ones) usually aren’t covered. You’ll get a couple of free juice options for breakfast and free tap water, but otherwise, you’ll need to pay for your drinks.

That’s why most cruise lines offer a drinks package option – you pay a set fee and can enjoy all the drinks you want throughout your cruise. Some packages might have a limit, like 15 alcoholic drinks a day, but that’s usually plenty for most people.

These drinks packages vary by cruise line and can cost as much as $100+ per person per day. It sounds like a lot, but when you consider that a cocktail might cost you $15 or a beer $9, the package could actually be worth it. You’ll need to do a bit of math before you book – figure out how many drinks you’re likely to have each day, roughly how much that’ll cost, and then see if the drinks package makes sense.

It’s not just for those who love booze either. Most cruise lines offer a soft drinks package option as well. These are great for anyone who doesn’t drink alcohol or just wants one or two alcoholic drinks a day and is happy to pay for those separately but wants to save on sodas and juices.

You can use my cruise drinks package calculator to help – it’ll handle most of the calculations for you, once you know roughly how many drinks you’ll have each day.

2. Fancy Meals on Board

Every cruise ship has loads of dining options – you’re never stuck with just one restaurant, even on the smallest ships. But not all of them are included in the fare. Speciality restaurants, which focus on specific cuisines or themes, usually come with an extra charge.

Depending on the place, the menu is sometimes a la carte and other times a fixed fee. The good news is you don’t have to use them if you’re trying to save money—the main dining room and the buffet are usually more than enough, plus there are free snack bars, too.

That said, I definitely recommend checking out the speciality restaurants on your cruise ship. The food there can be on another level in terms of choice and variety. The main dining room and buffet can get a bit repetitive, while the speciality restaurants offer something new, with great menus and unique concepts.

The prices aren’t usually too high either. Apart from the Chef’s Table, most restaurants cost between $20 and $40 per person, which is often cheaper than eating out on land.

It’s even better if you’re on a ship with a speciality dining plan. You can pre-pay for a package that gives you discounted meals – so keep an eye out for those.

If you’re celebrating something special, like an anniversary or birthday, or you just love great food with lots of variety, the speciality dining restaurants are totally worth the extra cost.

Remember to book ahead. Popular spots can fill up fast, especially on sea days. You don’t want to miss out on the yummy food!

3. Spa Thermal Suite Passes

One of the best ways to unwind on a cruise is by hitting up the spa. It’s like stepping into a peaceful, relaxing oasis, often with a thermal suite. This could be your basic sauna and steam room, but some ships go all out with things like simulated salt caves. These are amazing for escaping reality and giving your skin a deep cleanse.

Now, access to these thermal suites isn’t usually free, but you can snag a pass for a day or for the entire cruise. And let me tell you, loyalty discounts can be a lifesaver. 

When I cruised on MSC Euribia, I got spa access for free thanks to my Diamond status with Royal Caribbean and the MSC Status Match programme. Plus, my cabin mate only had to fork out £20 instead of the usual £80.

So, if you’re a spa lover or just need a break from the non-stop action of a busy family cruise, a pass to the thermal suites can be an absolute game-changer. Trust me, it’s worth every penny!

4. Shuttle Buses

Unless you’re on a river cruise, most cruise ports aren’t smack dab in the middle of the action. You might find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere, far from the main town or city.

Sure, you could get off and try walking, but that might end up being the world’s most exhausting sightseeing tour, and you’ve only got a few hours to explore. Booking an excursion is another option, but unless you’ve recently won the lottery, it can be ridiculously pricey, especially through the cruise line.

So, instead, check out the shuttle buses at the port. It’s usually much cheaper to pay a small fee to be chauffeured right into the city centre and back to the ship in plenty of time before it sails off without you. This way, you can skip the long hike and avoid selling a kidney to pay for a tour.

Some ports even have free shuttle buses, so do a bit of detective work or ask around before your cruise to see what’s available.

5. WiFi Packages

Connecting to mobile internet on a cruise is crazy expensive – roaming charges are through the roof, so you absolutely need to make sure your phone’s data is turned off while you’re sailing.

If you want to get online during the cruise, you’ll have to use the ship’s WiFi. Most cruise lines sell WiFi packages for the entire cruise, usually around $20-25 per day, and it’s even more if you want to connect multiple devices.

It’s not cheap, but it can be worth it, especially if you’ve got several sea days in a row or if you need to work. A lot of us work flexibly now and might prefer to stay on top of emails or projects while cruising.

If you just want to catch up with friends or check social media, it’s better to wait until you’re in port and can find some free WiFi nearby. There’s always somewhere you can walk to. But if you do need to get online, paying for the ship’s WiFi is worth it, and the speeds are getting better as more cruises switch to faster Starlink internet.

Wrapping It Up

I recommend doing some homework on your cruise ship and cruise line before you book and sail. This way, you’ll know what to expect on board, including any extra packages or sneaky charges they might impose.

That doesn’t mean you have to be suspicious of everything, though. Sure, you might get the occasional hard sell on the ship, but some of those extras are totally worth it, especially if it’s a special cruise or your circumstances call for a bit of indulgence.

Always check if you’re getting good value – but don’t just assume you’re not. Sometimes, those extras can really make your cruise experience fantastic!

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