What is not included in a cruise fare?

What is not free on a cruise ship?

Okay, so basically, on a cruise, you gotta know what's not free. It's kinda wild, actually.

Like, the booze and stuff – wine, beer, hard liquor, fancy cocktails, yeah, not free. You gotta pay for all that. I learned that lesson the hard way last time, lol.

And get this, like, your fancier coffees and teas, like, the Starbucks they got onboard? Nope, gotta cough up some cash for those. It's just regular coffee that's free.

Plus, soda. I know, right? Even soda costs extra. Same with bottled water and if you're feeling bougie, like, freshly squeezed juices. No freebies there.

You can either pay as you go, which honestly, adds up fast! Or, you could get a beverage package. It just depends on how much you plan to drink, you know?

Here's what you should really keep in mind:

• Booze: This includes wine, beer, liquor, and cocktails.
• Fancy Drinks: Think Starbucks-style coffee and specialty teas.
• Soft Drinks: Yep, even sodas aren't free, kinda sucks, huh?
• Bottled Stuff: Bottled water will cost you extra, too.
• Juices: Only the fresh-squeezed kind hits your wallet.
• Consider a Package: If you plan on drinking more than a few things, a drinks package might save you some serious bucks.

What does the cruise fare include?

Your cruise fare? Access, not ownership. Stateroom, sure. Dining? Limited selection. Entertainment? What the masses want. Pools, hot tubs? Shared space. Amenities and activities? Basic.

What it excludes matters more:

• Booze. Always extra.
• Specialty restaurants. Pay up.
• Shore excursions. Pricey add-ons.
• Gratuities. Mandatory.
• Wi-Fi. A luxury.
• Spa treatments. Obvious expense.
• Photographs. They know you will cave.

It's a curated illusion. Don't mistake it for reality. Booked it months ago. Leaving soon, regardless. My money, their rules.

How do you know if a cruise is all-inclusive?

It’s 3 AM, and this is messing with me. All-inclusive… the word itself feels heavy. You're paying upfront, right? One lump sum. That's the key.

• Accommodations: Your cabin. That's a given. I expect that.

• Food: Most meals are included. Buffets, main dining rooms. Don't expect every single little thing to be free though. Fine dining often has extra costs. I learned that the hard way, last year.

• Drinks: Mostly non-alcoholic. Water, juice, tea. Alcoholic drinks? Extra, usually. It’s a killer. This is what stings.

• Entertainment: Shows, maybe some activities. Think cheesy but fun. But don't count on that fancy Broadway-type stuff unless it's specifically advertised.

• Taxes and fees: Ugh, those sneaky extra charges. A decent all-inclusive package covers these. Hopefully.

Airfare and hotels… depends entirely. It's a gamble really. Some packages include flights, but not always. Hotels, even less frequently. I booked a cruise in 2023, it was only the cruise itself, no extra frills. It was, well, disappointing. I miss my dog. This cruise thing… it wasn’t what I imagined.

Does a cruise include everything?

Cruise all-inclusive? Hmm. Nope. It's mostly all-inclusive. I went on the Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas last month, wow that ship is huge, right?

Stateroom is included. Food is included, mostly.

• Stateroom.
• Dining.
• Entertainment.
• Pools and hot tubs!

But not everything. Are they kidding me?

Drinks are extra. Booze costs extra. Specialty restaurants cost extra too. Oh man, that Chops Grille steak... worth it, I guess?

• Alcohol is extra, always.
• Specialty dining has an upcharge, darn it.
• Shore excursions? Extra, of course.

Shore excursions are def extra. WiFi. Extra. I need to call mom, gotta have Wi-Fi! So pricey tho. Plus tipping. Ugh. Gratuities aren't included. It adds up, you know.

• Wi-Fi ain’t free.
• Gratuities will get ya.

So, "mostly" is the keyword there. "Mostly." I feel like I'm always being tricked.

Is all food free on Disney cruises?

Okay, so food on Disney cruises? Yeah, mostly free, like, 80% of it is covered. Last year, (summer 2023, Bahamas cruise!), I pigged out.

I mean, seriously.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner? All free. The buffets? Oh man, endless shrimp and pizza. It was glorious.

Place? Castaway Cay...dreaming of it... the food was... chefs kiss.

The only thing I had to pay extra for? A daiquiri. And dinner at Palo. Worth it tho, Palo is a must. The adults-only thing was needed, trust me.

It was around 7 p.m. The sun was setting. I felt happy. Really happy.

The rotational dining thing? That's included! It's cool, you move restaurants each night, but your servers follow you. Neat, huh? I liked Animator's Palate the best.

Food I enjoyed:

• Mickey waffles (obviously!)
• The endless soft serve
• Room service (yes, it's free!)
• All the bread at dinner. All of it.

Food to avoid:

• ...maybe some of the themed cupcakes, they looked better than they tasted.

Drinks cost extra:

• Alcohol, yeah, that's gonna get ya.
• Specialty coffees.
• Sodas, unless you get the refillable mug thing (didnt get it last time).

Restaurants costing more:

• Palo (Italian, adults-only)
• Remy (French, fancy, adults-only)

My advice? Eat ALL the free food! And maybe splurge on Palo.

What do you have to pay for on a Disney cruise?

Okay, so Disney cruises? Ugh. Prepare your wallet!

I went on the Disney Wish in July 2024. Stateroom was included, duh. So were most meals in the main dining rooms like Worlds of Marvel.

But those fancy restaurants like Palo Steakhouse? Forget about it! Ka-CHING! That cost extra. SO not worth it, btw.

Booze is extra too. I learned that the hard way. Bartender saw me coming. $$$ flew out of my account like crazy.

And shore excursions? Those are NOT free. We did a snorkeling thing in the Bahamas...pricy!

What else? Gratuities, gotta pay those at the end, whether you like it or not. Ugh, felt obligated.

Internet was extra. Ridiculous! Had to pay to post my vacation pics on Insta. Seriously?!

And that stupid photo package with the characters? Photos added up BIG time! Regret that one. The kids wanted them, tho...

• Included:

  • Basic stateroom
  • Main dining room meals
  • Most shows and activities (check the daily Navigator, that paper schedule thing)

• Not Included (Extra Costs):

  • Specialty dining
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Shore excursions
  • Spa treatments
  • Souvenirs
  • Gratuities
  • Internet
  • Specialty drinks, like milkshakes, at some locations

Basically, the cruise fare is just the starting point. You'll end up spending way more than you think. Be warned!

What extras do you have to pay for on a Disney Cruise?

Disney cruises: Hidden costs sting! You'll find the base price deceptive. Expect extra charges for practically everything. It's a money-making machine.

Port Adventures: Shore excursions, naturally, aren't free. Think pricey. Seriously pricey. My last cruise? A guided tour to a local market cost a fortune. Avoid impulse bookings.

Retail Therapy: Forget reasonable prices in the shops. Souvenirs and trinkets are inflated. It's a blatant cash grab. I swear, they marked up a tiny stuffed Mickey by 500%!

Pampering: Spa treatments? Expect premium pricing. Manicures, massages – all wallet-busters. This is not a budget vacation. Save your pennies.

Photography: Onboard photographers swarm you. The resulting images? Expensive. High-resolution photos cost a small fortune. You'll be tempted though. Don't fall for it.

Babysitting: The kids' club is a godsend, but babysitting? Prepare for hefty fees. I recall it being outrageous. Factor these into your calculations.

Communications: Calls from the ship? Exorbitant. Stick to texting. Otherwise, you’ll be bankrupt before you reach port.

Entertainment: Arcades aren't cheap. Think Vegas-style prices. This is a targeted cost that most people forget about.

Booze: Alcohol isn't included. Drink packages offer a slightly better deal, but still, it's pricey. BYOB (haha, you can't).

Fine Dining: Enchante, the upscale restaurant? A reservation costs an arm and a leg. Expect a hefty surcharge. You are paying for the experience. Maybe it's worth it.

Remember: Budget carefully. These extras can easily double the cost of your Disney cruise. It’s a trap! Plan accordingly. Don't be surprised by the final bill.

Do you pay for drinks on a Disney cruise?

Ugh, Disney cruises. 2023, right? My family, four of us, went on the Wonder. It was… intense. The food? Yeah, it's included, that's the big deal. But, don't think it's ALL free.

They had this fancy adult-only restaurant, Palo, that cost extra. Like, a LOT extra. Seriously, we considered it for our anniversary but nope, not happening. My wife wanted to go crazy, get the fancy stuff, champagne and all. I put my foot down. Too pricey. We’re talking $100+ per person. Total ripoff.

The regular dining rooms? Fine. Buffets? Chaos, especially with kids. My daughter, Lily, was six then, she loved the pizza. Ate it every day. My son, he's picky. He mainly ate chicken nuggets, honestly. But hey, they were free chicken nuggets.

Drinks? That's where it gets tricky.Juice boxes, water, soda—you pay for those. The coffee in the morning? Paid. Specialty coffee drinks? More expensive. Cocktails? Don't even get me started. We spent a fortune on drinks. It was crazy. I felt like I was being constantly nickel and dimed.

• Included: Main dining rooms, buffets (though the quality varied)
• Extra Cost: Palo, specialty coffee drinks, most alcoholic beverages, soda, juice, basically anything beyond water.

We spent probably $500 extra on drinks alone. Next time, I'm bringing a huge cooler. Seriously. Water bottles, cheap juice boxes... I’m planning that out NOW.

Are drinks complimentary on a cruise?

Cruises generally include complimentary food, and drinks, but there's a catch.

• Basic beverages like tap water are universally free. Free water. Gotta stay hydrated, right?
• Juices and iced tea are often included--but selection varies.
• Coffee and tea are usually complimentary, though fancy lattes will cost you. It's a capitalist cruise ship.

Everything else--sodas, alcohol--will likely incur a charge. My sister, she only drinks sparkling water, so she ends up paying a lot.

Ultimately, the drink situation depends on the cruise line and your specific package. Check the details carefully before booking! It can be pricey.

Consider an all-inclusive beverage package. Do the math to see if it pays off. Are you a heavy drinker? Okay.

What does the cruise fare include?

Cruise fares are surprisingly comprehensive. Think of it as a bundled package.

Crucial inclusions: Your cabin, naturally. Multiple dining options, from casual buffets to fancier restaurants. Onboard entertainment, from live shows to maybe a casino – it varies wildly depending on the ship and line, of course. Amenities are generally included: pools, hot tubs, gyms – the usual suspects.

What's often extra: Drinks beyond water are usually a separate cost. Excursions ashore? That's extra. Spa treatments? Definitely extra. Specialty dining, if it exists? You'll pay more for that filet mignon.

Let's get specific. My last cruise on Royal Caribbean in 2023 included everything mentioned above. Their drink packages are expensive, though. I opted out and just bought bottled water. I regret not doing more shore excursions, though. Next time, I'll budget more.

• Stateroom: Your private space on the ship. Size and location depend on the fare you pay, obviously.
• Dining: Multiple restaurants onboard. Consider your dietary needs when booking.
• Entertainment: Shows, casinos, pools, and more. It’s amazing how much they cram onto a ship.
• Amenities: Fitness centers, pools, hot tubs, and sometimes even climbing walls.

Important Note: Always check the fine print before booking. Cruise lines vary. Some include gratuities, some don’t. Always read the terms and conditions carefully. That's my best advice. The sheer volume of information can be overwhelming.