Do you have to pay separately for food on a cruise?

So, you’re wondering about food on cruises, huh? A totally valid question! I mean, nobody wants to get stuck on a boat and be hungry, right? It’s a pretty big deal.

The short answer is, kinda. Cruise fares usually include food, yes, but it’s not quite as simple as it sounds. Think of it like this: your ticket gets you into the main buffet – which, let me tell you, can be a chaotic but strangely comforting experience after a day of sea-sickness medication and slightly questionable poolside cocktails, haha! – and the main dining room, usually a more formal affair with waiters and stuff. That’s all included, generally speaking.

But then… things get interesting. My friend Sarah went on a cruise to the Caribbean last year, and she was shocked by the extra charges. She thought everything was included, you know? Nope. They’d advertised this amazing steakhouse, and it cost her, like, fifty bucks extra per person, for a single meal! Fifty bucks! And that’s not counting the pricey cocktails she kept ordering, because, well, vacation, right? She basically ended up spending almost as much on extras as on the initial cruise fare itself. Crazy, isn’t it?

So, yeah, specialty restaurants are usually extra. Same goes for things like room service – convenient, I know, but those little breakfast sandwiches add up quickly. I learned that the hard way on my honeymoon in Alaska. We were so lazy, we just ordered room service every morning, thinking it was no biggie. It definitely was a biggie. Our credit card statement felt less like a honeymoon souvenir and more like a slap in the face, lol. Premium drinks, too – those fancy cocktails and imported beers are almost always going to cost you extra.

In short: The basic food’s included. But be prepared to open your wallet for anything beyond the basic stuff. Read the fine print carefully, because those extra costs can really sneak up on you! You might be surprised how much those little “extras” can really add up to.