What’s included in the cruise fare: Everything you need to know before sailing

When planning a cruise vacation, understanding exactly what is included in your cruise fare helps you budget effectively and make informed decisions about your vacation spending. While cruise lines offer excellent value with all-inclusives, knowing where additional costs apply prevents unwelcome surprises during your cruise.

But to answer your most pressing question – Yes It’s possible to get an excellent cruise for just £400 (or less).

What’s included in the cruise fare: The basics

Your accommodation and service

Your cruise fare covers accommodation in your stateroom for the entire cruise, regardless of whether you book an interior cabin, ocean view room, balcony stateroom, or luxury suite. Daily housekeeping keeps your room clean and tidy throughout your stay, with fresh towels and linens provided regularly. This all-inclusive package represents exceptional value when compared to land holidays.

Check out our The complete guide to cruise ship cabins: from budget-friendly ensuite staterooms to luxury suites To learn more about the different accommodation options on board.

The cruise price includes an all-inclusive meal

One of the most important items included in your cruise fare is the comprehensive dining coverage:

• Main dining rooms Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with restaurant-quality meals
• Buffet restaurants Featuring international cuisine and wide selections throughout the day
• Informal places to eat Including pizzerias, grills and poolside restaurants
• 24-hour dining options This ensures that you will never go hungry during your trip
• Continental breakfast room service Available on most cruise lines

Drinks included in your cruise fare

Your cruise fare includes essential beverages to keep you refreshed:

• Free water Available throughout the ship
• Tea and coffee It is served in multiple locations and during meals
• Basic fruit juices Served with breakfast and meals
• Iced tea and lemonade Usually available in buffet places

Can you get free booze on a cruise ship? Yes!
verify The ultimate guide: How to get free drinks on a Princess Cruise

Entertainment and activities covered by the cruise fare

Your cruise fare provides access to a fantastic range of entertainment options:

• Broadway-style theatrical performances Featuring professional artists and elaborate sets
• Live music venues With bands, solo artists and dance orchestras
• Comedy shows And diverse entertainment throughout your cruise
• Swimming pools and hot tubs For relaxation and relaxation
• Sports facilities Including basketball courts, mini golf, and comprehensive fitness centers
• Children’s programmes With supervised activities and designated play areas
• Enrichment activities Such as dance lessons, trivia competitions, and educational lectures
• Contests, crafts and karaoke

Port fees and government taxes are included in the cruise fare

Modern cruise prices usually include or clearly detail mandatory fees. Port fees typically range from £10 to £35 per person per night, and cover basic services such as berthing fees, port pilots, security services and baggage handling. This fee ensures smooth operations at every destination on the itinerary.

What is not included in the cruise fare: Additional expenses

Understanding what’s not included in your cruise fare helps you plan your onboard budget more effectively:

Alcoholic beverages and specialty drinks

All alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, specialty coffees and premium drinks cost extra. Most cruise lines offer drink packages that provide better value if you plan to drink regularly throughout your cruise.

Service fees and gratuities

While gratuities can be removed from your onboard account upon request at Guest Services, an automatic service charge (usually £16-20 per person per night) is added in appreciation of the hard work of our housekeeping and dining staff. This fee ensures fair compensation for crew members who work tirelessly to enhance your cruise experience.

Specialty dining restaurant

Restaurants outside the main dining room and buffet typically charge a cover charge of between £15-55 per person in most venues, and premium establishments charge £60-150+ per person. These specialty dining experiences offer unique cuisine, an intimate atmosphere, and upscale service not available in inline dining options.

On Princess ships, these will be restaurants such as Sabatini’s, Crown Grill, and The Catch by Rudy’s.

Technology and communication

Wi-Fi and internet access require a separate purchase, with basic browsing packages usually starting around £20-30 per day. Premium packages including streaming capabilities cost more but offer faster speeds and unlimited usage.

Health and beauty services

Spa treatments, massage therapy, beauty services and access to thermal suites all incur additional costs. These services typically include an automatic service fee of 15% to 18% on top of treatment costs.

The price you see is no The price you pay.

Professional photography services

While ship photographers capture memories throughout your cruise, purchasing these professional photos requires an additional payment. Cruise lines offer various photo packages to provide savings on multiple photo purchases.

Living room dining goes beyond the basics

While continental breakfast room service is often free, other room service menu items usually incur a delivery charge (£3-10 per order) in addition to food costs. Guests in suite categories can receive complimentary enhanced room service depending on their level of stay.

Shore excursions and port activities

Guided tours and activities at ports of call are sold separately, and prices usually range from £35 to £300 per person. Basic city tours cost between £35-£75, while adventure activities, helicopter tours or full-day excursions cost from £150-£300+ per person depending on complexity and duration.

Maximize the value of what’s included in your cruise fare

Budget-conscious approach: You can enjoy an exceptional cruise experience using only what is included in your cruise fare. Main dining rooms, buffet options, entertainment venues and activity programs provide great value without requiring additional spending.

Enhanced experience strategy: Consider purchasing bundled packages that combine popular add-ons like drinks, Wi-Fi, and specialty food for a better overall value compared to individual purchases.

Expert advice for cruise fare questions
When you are unsure whether specific services or amenities are included in your cruise fare, visit the Guest Services Desk for clarification. Our experienced staff can explain exactly what is covered for additional costs, helping you make informed decisions about your onboard spending and avoid unexpected charges on your final account.

Understanding what is included in your cruise fare enables you to make the most of your vacation investment while appropriately planning any optional extras that enhance your cruise experience.

We have a take

On Princess, the Princess Plus package is a no-brainer. But even without drinks and Wi-Fi, you can still get exceptional value from your base fare.

Compare the cost of a week on a cruise ship to the cost of four nights in a Center Parcs chalet and you can see how good cruises really are.

Please note that we use sponsored links on this blog. Although we may earn referral fees or bonus points on some of these products and services mentioned, we never recommend anything we don’t use ourselves.

Check out our full affiliate disclosure policy for more information.

What’s included in the cruise fare: Everything you need to know before sailing appeared first on Journey Into Darkness.

Source link