The short answer
On most mainstream cruise lines, your fare covers your cabin, meals in the main dining room and buffet, basic drinks such as water, tea, coffee and some juices, and access to most pools, shows and entertainment. Alcohol, soda, specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, spa treatments and gratuities are commonly extra. Exact inclusions vary by cruise line, ship, fare type and any package you add, so use this as a general guide and confirm with your cruise line.
Food that is usually included
Most ships have several venues that are covered by the fare:
- Main dining room: a sit-down, multi-course meal with rotating menus, usually for breakfast, dinner and often lunch.
- Buffet: a casual, self-service restaurant open for most of the day.
- Casual counters and cafes: pizza by the slice, grab-and-go snacks and pastries are often free.
- Pool-deck extras: some lines offer soft-serve ice cream or burgers at no charge.
- Room service: policies differ a lot. Many lines include a continental breakfast, but charge for other orders. See which cruise lines have room service for more.
Drinks that are usually included
Basic non-alcoholic drinks are typically free in the dining room and buffet. This often means water, iced tea, lemonade, regular coffee and tea, milk, and some juices at breakfast. Sodas, bottled water, specialty coffees, fresh juices and all alcohol are usually extra, unless covered by a drink package.
What Royal Caribbean includes
Because it is one of the most searched examples, here is a typical picture for Royal Caribbean. Offerings differ by ship, so treat this as a general outline:
- Food: the Main Dining Room, the Windjammer Marketplace buffet, Cafe Promenade snacks, Sorrento’s pizza on many ships, and soft-serve ice cream on the pool deck.
- Drinks: tap water, iced tea, lemonade, regular coffee and tea, milk, and some juices at breakfast.
- Extra cost: specialty restaurants such as Chops Grille, alcoholic drinks, sodas and bottled water, specialty coffees, and branded venues such as Starbucks.
For a deeper look at what is free to drink, read are there any free drinks on Royal Caribbean.
What usually costs extra
Plan your budget around these common add-ons:
- Gratuities or service charges, which many lines add automatically per person per day. Our rundown of the other hidden costs of a cruise covers these and more.
- Alcohol and soda, either by the glass or through a drink package. For one example of the maths, see whether the Carnival Cheers drink package is worth it.
- Specialty restaurants. Whether they are worth it depends on your priorities, as covered in are cruise specialty restaurants worth the extra cost.
- Wi-Fi and phone use. See using your cell phone on a cruise without roaming charges to avoid surprises.
- Shore excursions, spa treatments, casino play, photos and laundry. If you want to know whether you can get laundry done, read does Princess Cruises have laundry service as an example of what lines offer.
- Medical care, which is billed separately, as explained in medical care on a cruise ship.
Activities and entertainment
Most lines include theater shows, live music, pools, fitness classes and kids’ programs in the fare. Some attractions, particularly the more elaborate ones, may carry a fee. For example, readers often ask whether the zip line is free on Royal Caribbean. Water attractions vary widely too; see which cruise ships have a lazy river.
Inclusions vary by fare, line and package
Luxury and premium lines often include far more, sometimes drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and room service. Mainstream lines usually offer lower base fares and let you add packages. Suite guests and loyalty members may receive extra perks. Promotions, such as free drink or dining offers, can also change what your booking covers.
How to check before you book
- Read the cruise line’s “what’s included” page for your exact ship.
- Check your booking confirmation for fare type and any promotions.
- Ask your travel advisor or cruise line to confirm gratuities, Wi-Fi and drink policies.
- Look at the daily planner once onboard. It lists hours and any fees.
What “washy washy” means
You may hear a crew announcement of “washy washy” at the entrance to dining venues. It is a friendly reminder to use hand sanitizer or wash your hands before eating, which many lines encourage as part of general hygiene.