Cruise Fees and Extra Costs to Check Before Booking

Check daily gratuities, service charges on purchases, package restrictions and transport costs before booking. Many of these charges are disclosed; the problem is budgeting only for the cabin fare. Optional purchases are different from charges your booking terms require.

Daily gratuities and purchase charges

These can be separate. Royal Caribbean currently lists an 18% gratuity on drinks, beverage packages, specialty dining, room service and minibar purchases, and 20% on spa and salon purchases, except where prohibited by law. Paying daily crew gratuities does not automatically cover those purchase charges.

Virgin's current rules separate daily service gratuities for new bookings from October 7, 2025; unmodified older bookings retain their original inclusions. Virgin says it does not add separate gratuities to drinks, dining or spa services. Check the terms attached to your booking, rather than assuming every line uses the same system. Our gratuity guide explains what to check.

Packages: read the checkout total

Check which guests must buy a package, the number of days charged, exclusions and any service charge. An internet package may limit connected devices. Compare the package with purchases you actually want; our drink package guide includes hypothetical break even examples.

Room service, dining and corkage

Disney includes many room service items, but fees can apply to certain items and deliveries. A room service menu is not a promise that everything on it is included.

Norwegian's current wine policy applies corkage to wine or Champagne consumed in a restaurant, public space or your cabin. Its stated waiver covers guests with a beverage package, including a qualifying Free at Sea package. Check your booking's current terms before bringing a bottle.

Costs away from the cabin fare

• Flights, baggage, hotel nights, transfers or parking.
• Excursions, beach passes, meals ashore and travel insurance.
• Optional dining, drinks, photos, shopping, spa treatments and internet.
• Childcare or paid activities: confirm ages, hours and fees for your ship.

Recent Reddit budgeting discussions describe small purchases adding up despite advance planning. Those are personal accounts, not evidence that every passenger pays the same extras.

Use a written budget and check your onboard account before leaving the ship. Keep prepaid receipts to query an unexpected charge. See a worked cruise budget for how to combine the costs.