Cruise ships are very good at giving you ways to spend money.
Specialty restaurants, drink packages, spa treatments, private retreats, premium attractions — it can sometimes feel like there’s another charge waiting around every corner.
But there’s another side to it.
A surprising amount is still included in your cruise fare, and some of the best freebies are easy to miss simply because they aren’t advertised as loudly as the paid extras.
Some perks are available to everyone. Others depend on the cruise line, ship, loyalty status or even where you happen to be at the right time.
So before you start swiping your cruise card, here are 15 free cruise perks you might already have — and might be forgetting to use.
1. Free Room Service Breakfast on Some Cruise Lines
There’s something wonderfully lazy about having breakfast delivered to your cabin. Even better when the delivery charge is $0.
Royal Caribbean is one of the easiest examples. Its continental room service breakfast is complimentary, so you can order things like pastries, fruit, cereal, coffee and juice without paying the usual room service charge. If you want a cooked breakfast such as eggs or an omelet, though, that’s where the extra cost kicks in.
Carnival has a similar setup on most of its ships. Continental breakfast is complimentary from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with fruit, cereal, yogurt, baked goods, coffee, tea, milk and juice among the options. Hotter à la carte choices cost extra. One important exception: Carnival says charges apply to all room service items on ships sailing from Australia.
Disney Cruise Line is even more generous. Room service is available 24 hours a day and many items are included in the cruise fare, although Disney notes that some items and deliveries can carry a fee.
MSC Cruises gets a little more complicated. Its current U.S. policy lists free continental breakfast with free delivery for Fantastica and Aurea guests, while the exact inclusions depend on the experience booked.
And then there’s Norwegian. The food itself may be listed as complimentary, but NCL currently adds a $4.95 room service fee to breakfast orders fleetwide. Guests staying in The Haven and qualifying Suites are exempt.
So this is definitely one perk worth checking before you sail. If your cruise line still gives you continental breakfast delivery for free, I’d use it at least once — preferably on a balcony, in a robe, while everyone else is fighting for a table at the buffet.
2. Free Food From More Places Than Just the Buffet
One of the easiest mistakes to make on a cruise is assuming that “included food” means the buffet and main dining room. On some ships, you’ve got several other places to eat without paying another cent.
Royal Caribbean is a good example. Along with the Windjammer and Main Dining Room, many ships have complimentary spots such as Sorrento’s for pizza, Café Promenade for snacks and pastries, Park Café, El Loco Fresh and even the Dog House. Exactly what’s available depends on the ship.
Carnival also has a surprisingly long list of included casual food venues on selected ships. Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina are probably the best-known, but Carnival also has places such as Big Chicken, Street Eats and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse that can be included in your fare.
Princess has more free options than you might think too. Along with the main dining rooms and World Fresh Marketplace, Princess includes places such as the International Café, top-deck pizza by the slice, poolside burgers and hot dogs on applicable ships. Just be careful not to confuse those with venues such as Alfredo’s or Gigi’s, which can carry an extra charge unless they’re included through a package.
MSC’s included dining goes well beyond one basic buffet line. Across the fleet, its buffet can include a Meat Carvery, Pasta Station, Take Away Station, Daily Special Corner, Wellness Corner, Ethnic Corner and Dessert Corner, all included in the fare. Its main restaurants are included too, so you can sit down for a proper meal without paying for specialty dining.
Norwegian has some particularly useful complimentary casual venues. On applicable ships, O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill or The Local serve pub-style comfort food and are open 24/7, so you can grab things like burgers, sandwiches or fish and chips without heading to the buffet. NCL also offers complimentary Main Dining Rooms, cafés, outdoor grills and its Garden Café buffet, although the exact lineup depends on the ship.
This is one of those things I’d check on the first day. Walk around, open the cruise line app and work out which restaurants have already been paid for as part of your fare.
Otherwise, it’s surprisingly easy to spend $20 or $30 on lunch and discover later that there was free pizza, burgers or snacks about two decks away.
3. Free Second Entrees in the Main Dining Room
If two main courses look good, don’t automatically assume you have to choose between them.
Royal Caribbean is one of the more generous cruise lines here. In its Main Dining Room, you can order more than one appetizer, entree or dessert without paying extra. So if you’re torn between two dishes, you can simply try both.
Carnival also lets guests order a second entree without an extra charge. It’s only when you move onto a third entree that a $5 surcharge applies.
That’s not the case everywhere, though. MSC Cruises charges $5 for a second entree on cruises departing from U.S. homeports, while appetizers and desserts are still included.
Norwegian has also introduced a $5 charge for additional main courses in its complimentary dining rooms.
So this is one of those classic cruise perks that’s starting to vary quite a bit between lines. If you’re on Royal Caribbean or Carnival and genuinely can’t decide between two entrees, it’s worth knowing you may not have to.
Just maybe don’t treat “I can order two” as a nightly eating challenge.
4. Free Drinks You Don’t Need a Beverage Package For
Cruise lines are very good at advertising drink packages, which can make it feel like you’ll spend the entire vacation drinking tap water unless you buy one.
That’s not quite true.
Royal Caribbean includes water, tea, select juices and regular coffee in the cruise fare. Complimentary coffee is available in several dining and food venues too, although Starbucks and other premium coffees cost extra.
Carnival gives you a decent selection as well. In the Main Dining Room and Lido Marketplace, non-bottled water, lemonade, iced tea, hot chocolate and regular coffee and tea are included. Carnival also says coffee, hot tea, lemonade and unsweetened iced tea are available in the Lido Marketplace 24 hours a day.
Norwegian includes iced tea, regular coffee and ice water, plus some juices at the buffet during breakfast. Regular coffee at its coffee bars can also be complimentary, while specialty coffees cost extra.
There are also a few chances to grab drinks that would normally cost extra.
Royal Caribbean’s onboard art auctions begin with a complimentary champagne toast, for example. You don’t need to buy a painting just because you accepted the champagne, either.
Loyalty status can unlock even better perks. Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor members at Diamond level currently receive four complimentary beverage vouchers per day, while Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members receive more.
Norwegian’s Latitudes Rewards program also includes drink-related events at certain loyalty tiers, including an exclusive cocktail party and, for higher-status members, perks such as wine tastings and mixology experiences.
And if you spend time in the casino, check your player benefits before buying a drink. Several cruise lines offer complimentary drinks to qualifying casino guests while they’re actively gambling. On Royal Caribbean, for example, Club Royale Prime, Signature and Masters members get free drinks in the casino while playing. Carnival also has its “Drinks On Us!” benefit for eligible casino players and certain casino offers.
The important bit is that simply sitting at a slot machine doesn’t automatically mean free cocktails. These perks are usually tied to casino status, level of play or a specific offer.
What you generally won’t get for free are sodas, bottled water, specialty coffees, fresh-squeezed juices and mocktails. Those are exactly the kinds of drinks cruise lines bundle into paid packages.
So before spending hundreds of dollars on one, think about what you actually drink. If you’re perfectly happy with coffee in the morning, iced tea at lunch and lemonade by the pool — with the occasional free champagne or casino drink thrown in — you might discover that the included options are enough.
Not exciting enough for Instagram, perhaps. But your onboard account won’t complain.
5. Free Ice Cream and Desserts
It’s very easy to walk past a fancy gelato counter, see the prices and assume ice cream is another thing you now have to pay extra for.
Not always.
Royal Caribbean still has complimentary soft serve at Sprinkles on applicable ships, and the cruise line describes it as unlimited. You’ll usually find it near the pool deck, which makes it dangerously easy to convince yourself that walking past the machine counts as exercise.
Carnival has its own version called Swirls. It’s complimentary across the fleet, with self-serve soft ice cream and frozen yogurt available during the day and into the evening. Carnival also offers plenty of included desserts elsewhere onboard.
Princess is another good one for free soft serve. Its included dining lineup specifically lists complimentary chocolate and vanilla soft serve on deck, along with desserts in the buffet and pastries at the International Café.
MSC is a little different. Its buffet has an included Dessert Corner on all ships, so cakes, pastries and other sweets are part of the fare. But the more tempting branded counters, such as Venchi Gelato and Jean-Philippe Maury chocolate venues on selected ships, cost extra.
Norwegian’s complimentary buffet also includes sweet options, while its specialty dessert and gelato venues can cost extra.
And that’s really the trick with cruise desserts. The premium cupcake, gelato or milkshake counter might be staring you in the face, but there are usually included sweets hiding in the buffet, dining room or casual restaurants too.
So before paying for something sweet, have a quick look at what’s already included.
You may discover the free dessert is only a few steps away — and nobody is keeping count of how many times you go back.
6. Free Movies Under the Stars Or on Deck
Going to the movies on land can get expensive surprisingly fast. On a cruise, you may be able to watch a recent film on a giant outdoor screen without paying anything extra.
Princess Cruises is probably the best-known example. Its Movies Under the Stars program shows feature films, concerts and even sporting events on a huge poolside screen, and Princess still throws in complimentary popcorn too.
Royal Caribbean also offers complimentary Outdoor Movie Nights on select ships. These are shown on a large screen above the pool area and can include first-run movies and live sporting events. There’s no extra charge, although the screenings are weather permitting and not every ship has the same setup.
Carnival has a similar setup with Dive-In Movies at its Seaside Theater on ships that have the big outdoor screen. You can watch recent blockbuster movies or sporting events from a poolside lounger — or even from the pool itself — and Carnival lists the activity as included in the cruise fare.
Just don’t confuse that with every movie experience onboard. Carnival’s IMAX theaters on Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon, for example, cost extra. So if you’re only looking for a movie night, check the daily schedule before paying for a ticket.
Disney Cruise Line is another good one for movie fans. It screens recent first-run Disney movies as well as older favorites during cruises, and occasionally even holds movie premieres at sea. The Navigator app shows what’s playing each day.
There’s something slightly ridiculous — in a good way — about watching a movie on a giant screen while you’re sailing through the middle of the ocean.
And if someone is handing out free popcorn too, I’m certainly not going to argue with them.
7. Free Broadway-Style Shows and Live Entertainment
Some of the best entertainment at sea is still included in your cruise fare, and on certain ships it’s the kind of show you could easily pay a decent amount to see on land.
Royal Caribbean is one of the strongest examples. Its fare includes Broadway-style shows, original productions, ice skating shows, AquaTheater performances on select ships, comedy, live music and more. On ships with licensed Broadway productions, you can see major musicals without buying a separate theater ticket.
Norwegian also includes a wide range of live entertainment. Depending on the ship, that can mean production shows, comedy, live bands, cabaret and bigger productions such as The Choir of Man.
Princess has Broadway-caliber production shows and its own Princess Originals, along with comedians, magicians, live musicians and other performers around the ship. Its entertainment lineup varies by vessel, but the main theater productions are part of the cruise experience rather than a separately ticketed night out.
Carnival includes Playlist Productions on most of its fleet, alongside comedy, karaoke and live music. Carnival also lists live music as included across all ships, so you can move from a theater production to a piano bar or live band without buying another ticket.
MSC deserves a mention here too. Its main Broadway-style theater shows are included, with international musicals, singers, dancers, magicians and other performers scheduled throughout the cruise. MSC says performances held onboard are free for guests.
There is one MSC exception worth knowing about. Carousel Productions at Sea on certain ships is a separate immersive experience and carries an extra charge, so don’t assume every show with a stage is included.
The important thing is to check your ship’s schedule early. Some popular performances require reservations even when the ticket itself is free, and the best times can fill up quickly.
Still, when you can watch a full-scale musical, comedy show, ice performance or theater production for no extra charge, that’s one of the better perks hiding in plain sight.
Especially when the alternative on land might involve a three-figure ticket and a parking fee.
8. Free Trivia, Game Shows and Competitions
Not every free activity onboard needs a stage, a giant screen or a production cast.
Some of the most fun cruise activities are the simple ones: trivia, music quizzes, scavenger hunts, karaoke contests and team games. They show up constantly on daily schedules, and most don’t cost anything to join.
Norwegian is a good example. On several ships, its Famous Riffz music trivia game show is complimentary, with teams competing against each other while a live band plays along. Norwegian also offers plenty of casual games and activities elsewhere onboard, although some branded game shows, such as Wheel of Fortune, can carry an extra charge depending on the ship.
That distinction is worth paying attention to. A trivia session in a lounge might be completely free, while a bigger game-show experience involving prizes or purchased play cards may not be.
Royal Caribbean and Carnival also fill their daily schedules with quizzes, competitions and audience-participation games, and these can be some of the easiest ways to meet people onboard without spending anything.
My advice is to check the app or daily planner each morning and pick one thing you wouldn’t normally do.
Worst case, you discover you know far less about 1980s music than you thought. Best case, you come home with bragging rights and a very cheap souvenir prize.
9. Free Fitness Center Access
If you like to work out on vacation — or just want to feel slightly better about that second dessert — most major cruise lines offer complimentary access to the ship’s fitness center.
You’ll typically find treadmills, bikes, free weights and resistance machines, although the size and equipment vary from ship to ship.
The catch is that not everything inside the wellness area is free.
Fitness classes such as yoga, Pilates, spinning or personal training may carry an extra fee, and facilities like thermal suites, saunas or spa relaxation areas can also be part of a paid package depending on the ship.
That’s why it’s worth separating “gym” from “spa” in your head. You may walk past a beautifully branded wellness center and assume the whole area costs extra, when the main workout room is actually included.
And some gyms have one perk you definitely don’t get at home: ocean views from the treadmill.
Whether that makes running any more enjoyable is another question.
10. Free Adults-Only Retreats on Selected Ships
Quiet deck space can feel like a premium perk on a busy cruise ship, but some major cruise lines still give adults their own retreat without charging extra.
Royal Caribbean’s Solarium is one of the best examples. It’s an adults-only area for guests 18 and over, with pools, whirlpools and loungers, and is included in the cruise fare. The exact layout varies by ship, but you’ll find a Solarium across the fleet.
Carnival has Serenity, its adults-only retreat for guests 21 and over. It’s available across most of the fleet, with Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter offering Oasis Adults Only instead. The idea is simple: loungers, quieter surroundings and somewhere to escape the main pool deck without paying for a private cabana or club.
Norwegian also has adults-only areas on selected ships, including Spice H2O. On ships such as Norwegian Encore, it offers hot tubs, pools and loungers overlooking the wake.
Disney Cruise Line is another good option if you want some child-free pool time. Its Quiet Cove Pool is reserved for adults 18 and over and is included in the cruise fare on most Disney ships. Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy also have Satellite Falls, another adults-only area where you can cool off away from the family pools.
Princess and MSC show why it pays to check before assuming an adults-only-looking space is free. Princess is well known for The Sanctuary, but this is generally a paid retreat on many ships, although access can be included with certain Sanctuary Collection accommodations on newer ships.
MSC also has quieter and more exclusive deck areas depending on the ship, but some of its most appealing private spaces are tied to premium options such as MSC Yacht Club rather than being available to everyone.
The important thing is not to assume every adults-only space is free. Some cruise lines sell access to premium beach clubs, private sun decks and exclusive lounges, while others still include a quieter retreat in the basic fare.
So before paying for somewhere peaceful to sit, check the deck plan first. You might already have one included.
11. Free Kids’ Clubs
If you’re cruising with kids, this can be one of the most valuable freebies on the entire ship.
Most major family-focused cruise lines include supervised kids’ clubs in the fare, with activities split by age group. That means children can spend a few hours playing games, doing crafts or meeting other kids while parents get some time to themselves.
Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean program is complimentary for kids during its standard hours. However, late-night sessions after 10 p.m. cost extra. Nursery care for younger children can also carry a fee.
Carnival also includes its core youth programs in the fare. Camp Ocean caters to younger kids, while Circle C and Club O2 cover older children and teens. Paid babysitting or late-night care is a separate thing, so it’s worth checking the schedule rather than assuming every session is free.
Disney Cruise Line is especially strong here. Its themed youth clubs for kids, tweens and teens are included in the cruise fare, while nursery babysitting for younger children costs extra.
Princess also includes supervised youth programming in the fare, with dedicated spaces and activities for kids and teens. On particularly busy family sailings, though, space in the program may be limited.
MSC has complimentary clubs covering almost every age group, from its Mini Club for younger children right through to the Teen Club. Its Baby Club is included too, although some MSC Baby Care services cost extra.
Norwegian offers Splash Academy for kids ages 3 to 12 and Entourage for teens ages 13 to 17 at no extra charge while the ship is sailing. Late Night Fun Zone is different, with an additional hourly fee after 10 p.m.
Use the complimentary daytime and evening programs, and you can get a proper break without adding another charge to your onboard account.
For families, that might be one of the few cruise perks where both the kids and the parents feel like they’ve won.
Related read: 9 Reasons Princess Cruises Are Better for Families Than You Might Think
12. Free Activities You’d Pay For on Land
Some cruise ships are basically floating amusement parks these days, and a surprising number of the attractions are already included in your fare.
Royal Caribbean is probably the standout example. Depending on the ship, complimentary activities can include the FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing walls, zip lines, mini golf, ice skating, bumper cars, laser tag and the Ultimate Abyss dry slide. Even the huge Category 6 waterpark on Icon Class ships is included.
That doesn’t mean everything is free. Attractions such as Crown’s Edge, RipCord by iFLY, North Star and certain escape rooms can cost extra, so this is another case where it pays to know what your fare already covers.
Carnival also packs in plenty without an extra charge. Depending on the ship, you might find WaterWorks waterslides, mini golf, sports courts and ropes courses included. BOLT, the roller coaster found on some newer Carnival ships, is a different story and carries an additional fee.
Norwegian can have plenty going on too, with attractions such as waterslides, mini golf, obstacle courses and ropes-course-style activities appearing across the fleet. Exactly what’s included varies considerably by ship, so check before assuming every flashy attraction is part of the fare.
MSC Cruises has some impressive free attractions as well. On selected ships, its onboard water parks are included in the fare, with slides, pools and splash areas that would easily cost extra at a land-based resort. Just check before joining every attraction, because some extras, such as the zip line on certain ships, do carry a fee.
Disney Cruise Line also includes its pools, waterslides and sports activities in the fare. Depending on the ship, that can mean riding AquaDuck, a raft-style water coaster that loops around the upper decks, or AquaDunk, a faster body slide with a drop-floor start.
Other Disney ships have AquaLab, which is more of an interactive splash and water-play area, while newer ships such as Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny have AquaMouse, a themed raft ride with water sections, scenes and special effects.
For families especially, that can add up to a lot of entertainment you’ve already paid for.
This is where choosing the right ship can make a big difference.
A family could easily pay a small fortune on land for surfing, climbing, waterparks, mini golf and similar activities. On the right cruise ship, you can spend half the day doing them and never add a dollar to your onboard account.
Although after climbing a rock wall and riding a waterslide six times, that complimentary soft serve from earlier suddenly feels very well earned.
13. Free Celebration Extras If You Tell the Cruise Line
If you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or honeymoon onboard, it’s worth adding it to your reservation.
Most major cruise lines will at least acknowledge the occasion in some way. Royal Caribbean and Carnival, for example, can bring out your included dessert with a candle and a little dining-room singalong if you let the team know.
Disney and Princess also let guests note special occasions on their bookings, although the bigger extras such as cakes, Champagne, flowers and cabin decorations are usually paid add-ons rather than automatic freebies.
MSC can be a little more generous if you have loyalty status. Gold, Diamond and Blue Diamond Voyagers Club members currently get a complimentary birthday cake, while higher tiers can receive other perks such as a bottle of spumante, a free photo or a specialty dining benefit.
So don’t expect your cabin to magically fill with balloons just because it’s your birthday.
But if the cruise line is offering you a free cake, candle or slightly embarrassing song, you might as well take it.
14. Free Items You Can Borrow or Request
Before buying something you forgot to pack, it can be worth asking Guest Services or your cabin steward first.
Cruise ships often keep useful items available for passengers to request or borrow, although exactly what’s available varies by cruise line and ship. The important bit is that these things aren’t always advertised, so you may never know unless you ask.
Mad About Cruises already has a full guide covering 20 Free Things You Can Get from Guest Services on a Cruise (Just Ask!), so I wouldn’t repeat that entire list here.
Instead, think of Guest Services as your first stop when you suddenly realize you’ve forgotten something or need a small practical item onboard. Your cabin steward can also be surprisingly helpful with cabin-related requests.
There’s no guarantee they’ll have exactly what you need, and availability can change from one ship to another.
But asking costs nothing. And it’s considerably less annoying than buying something onboard, then discovering five minutes later that the ship would have lent you one for free.
15. Free Onboard Events That Include Food or Drinks
Some of the best freebies onboard aren’t things you can order whenever you want. They’re tied to specific events, loyalty programs or invitations.
Norwegian’s Latitudes Rewards program is a good example. Depending on your status, perks can include an exclusive cocktail party, a Wines Around the World tasting, dinner with officers and a Sail & Sustain mixology experience.
Princess can be especially generous at the higher Captain’s Circle tiers. Elite members currently get a complimentary Grapevine Wine Tasting, a free mini-bar setup, canapés on formal nights and afternoon tea delivered to their stateroom. Platinum and Elite guests also get access to a dedicated lounge.
MSC also gives higher-tier Voyagers Club members access to special events and extras. Diamond-level benefits include an exclusive party, while some higher-tier perks can also include a bottle of spumante with macarons in the cabin and a complimentary specialty restaurant tasting-menu dinner.
Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program works a little differently. Rather than relying mainly on events, Diamond members currently receive four complimentary drink vouchers per day, with higher tiers getting more.
Carnival has free-drink opportunities too, but they’re more often tied to casino play or specific VIFP offers. Some eligible guests receive Drinks On Us! while actively gambling, and certain promotions can include a cocktail party as well.
The common theme is that these perks are easy to miss if you don’t check what you qualify for.
Look through your loyalty benefits, invitations and daily planner as soon as you board. There may be a cocktail party, wine tasting, lounge event or other freebie included that you would otherwise never know existed.
And missing free wine because you didn’t check your benefits feels like a particularly painful mistake.
How to Find the Freebies on Your Particular Ship
The tricky part is that cruise lines don’t always make the free stuff as obvious as the things they’re trying to sell you.
Your best starting point is the cruise line app or daily planner. Look through dining, entertainment, activities and loyalty benefits rather than only checking the headline events. That’s often where you’ll spot complimentary tastings, trivia sessions, movie screenings or activities you might otherwise walk straight past.
It’s also worth checking the deck plan and dining listings shortly after you board. Some ships have included restaurants, adults-only areas or attractions that aren’t immediately obvious unless you know they’re there.
And if you’re unsure whether something costs extra, ask.
Guest Services, your cabin steward or a crew member at the venue can usually tell you whether it’s included before you swipe your card or tap your medallion.
That five-second question can save you from paying for something you already had access to.
Suggested read: 23 Surprising Things Your Cabin Steward Can Bring You free on a Cruise
Final Word
Cruise ships give you plenty of opportunities to spend money, but they also include more than many passengers realize.
The trick is knowing what you’ve already paid for. Free food, shows, kids’ clubs, activities, quiet spaces and even the occasional glass of Champagne can easily get overlooked when the paid upgrades are advertised everywhere.
Not every perk applies to every ship or passenger, and some depend on loyalty status, casino play or the cruise line you’re sailing with.
But that’s exactly why it pays to check.
Before you reach for your cruise card, have a quick look at what’s included first. You might find that some of the best things onboard don’t cost anything extra at all.
Related Posts:
- Cruising Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive – Here’s How to Do It the Smart Way
- What No One Tells You Before Booking Your First Cruise – How to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck
- 15 Things That Secretly Cost Extra on Cruises (So You Can Budget Right)
Today’s Top Cruise Deals
See today’s best deals from ALL travel agents
