Hidden Costs of Cruising

I know, you thought cruising was more in the realm of an all inclusive vacation, and while "I" consider cruising the best bang for my travel buck with lodging, meals, snacks, most activities and entertainment onboard included, there are still additional costs you should consider.

Alcohol and Soft Drinks

Alcoholic beverages of any kind are not included in your cruise rate (except with some luxury lines) and if you have children or are heavy drinkers, a bar tab can add up quickly with alcoholic drinks running $4 - $8.50 each and soft drinks $1.50-$2 each.

How You Can Save - daily drink specials for alcoholic drinks, drink ice tea or lemonade with your meals, buy soda cards.  Some lines will allow you to bring onboard soft drinks, wine and champagne to be consumed in your cabin or on your private verandah, check with the cruise line before making your reservations if this is important to you.

Tipping

Most cruise lines recommend $10-$12 per day per person, if you stay in a suite cabin, be prepared for this to be $15 per person or more a day.  Anything purchased at a bar onboard will be charged a 15% gratuity automatically.  Room service (food included in the price of the cruise) stewards should be tipped as service is rendered depending on what they are bringing to your cabin, $1 - $3 normally.

With most cruise lines you are able to pay this cost up front and have the cruise line pay out the staff for you.

Fuel Surcharges

Due to the cost of escalating fuel costs, this extra is showing up with every mode of vacation travel and is unfortunately something travelers should become accustomed to.  Many cruise lines are charging anywhere from $8 - $12 per person per day (with some cruise lines there is a maximum of 10 days this will be charged regardless of the length of the cruise).

Laundry

Most cruise lines will have a laundry facility onboard (not self service) and this service can be pricey (although there will be specials offered once onboard per laundry bag).  Some older ships will have self service laundry facilities onboard and while there isn't an abundance of machines it's available if needed.  Many cruise lines will include laundry and dry cleaning in the price of a Suite (great deal).

Casino Gambling

This is the same money drainer on a ship as it is on dry land.

Shore Excursions

Make sure you read all about the costs of shore excursions on your line's web site and on sites like Cruise Critic .  Shore excursions can run from $25 - $65+ per person (with some in the hundreds of dollars per person depending on the excursion).  While you may find the same excursion at a less expensive price through an independent tour operator, should there be a problem in getting back to the ship, the ship will not wait for you (they will if you are on one of their excursions however).  You may also run into a language barrier on independent tours, sub standard transportation, or be taken into an area and left (although this is not a frequent happening, it has happened).

Be careful, and choose independent tours from those that have had a great deal of success with past cruisers/vacationers.

Spa

Massages typically run $90-$125 per hour.  You can find discounts on port days (while others are off the ship).

Gym facilities are included in the price of your cruise and most cruise ships have very nice gym facilities.

Hot tubs and pools are also included in the price of your cruise.

Souvenirs

Stores onboard are typically expensive and you're able to find less expensive t-shirts and such in port.  Avoid the temptation to go into the stores onboard if you cannot afford this trapping.

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