When booking a cruise, it’s easy to assume that the base fare covers everything—after all, isn’t it supposed to be an all-inclusive vacation? Well, not quite. Once you’ve booked your cruise, the cruise line will tempt you with a variety of add-ons, from WiFi and drink packages to shore excursions, specialty dining, and spa treatments. The big question is: are these extras actually worth the money?
Some can enhance your trip, while others are just clever ways to get you to spend more. Here’s a breakdown of what’s worth the splurge and what you can skip.
Are Cruise Extras Required?
Before we go over what cruise extras are worth the splurge, for those of you who are going on a cruise for the first time, you should know that cruises are truly all-inclusive. You don’t need to buy any cruise extras to enjoy your cruise vacation.
In fact, I have been on many cruises without buying cruise extras. Cruise extras are optional luxuries—not essentials—so whether you splurge or skip them is entirely up to you.
Cruise Extras: Worth It or Not?
Specialty Dining
Specialty dining is one cruise extra that I personally think is a waste of money. Yes, you’ll get a gourmet meal and amazing service at one of the specialty restaurants, but is it really worth paying an extra $30–$50 per person when the main dining room and buffet are free? In my opinion, no.
You can get high quality, gourmet meals with excellent service at the main dining room, so there’s no real need to spend extra for a “special night out.” The food is already great, and the experience feels just as upscale.
The only time I’d recommend splurging on specialty dining is if you’re a first-time cruiser. First timers should try a specialty restaurant once just for the experience. But after that? Save your money—you’re not missing out on much.
WiFi
WiFi is one cruise extra that I almost always purchase. My husband and I need to stay connected for work, check emails, and go online, so for us, it’s a necessary expense.
However, for most cruisers who don’t need it for work, WiFi may not be worth the cost. If your cellphone plan includes international text and data, like T-Mobile, you can simply wait until you reach port to check emails and send messages.
If you’re considering buying WiFi just to text family and friends onboard, you don’t need to. Most cruise lines have a free chat feature within their app that allows you to communicate with other passengers. It’s a convenient way to make plans and stay in touch, especially on sea days, without paying for an expensive internet package.
Drink Packages
Cruise beverage packages are notoriously expensive, typically costing between $80 and $100+ per person per day. To make it even pricier, most cruise lines require all adults in the same cabin to purchase the package. For a couple on a seven day cruise, a $100 per day package adds up to a staggering $1,400 on top of the cruise fare. That’s really expensive!
A drink package is only worth it if everyone in your cabin is a heavy drinker. At $100 per day, you’d need to drink at least seven alcoholic beverages (assuming each drink costs around $15) just to break even. That’s a lot of drinks every single day. If you only have the occasional cocktail, paying per drink is almost always the cheaper option.
Your cruise itinerary also plays a big role in whether a drink package is worth it. If your cruise has port stops every day, you’ll be spending most of your time exploring rather than drinking onboard. In that case, you won’t get much value from the package.
On the other hand, if you have multiple sea days and plan to lounge by the pool with a cocktail in hand, it may be a more worthwhile splurge. Check out 8 Reasons Why Cruise Ship Beverage Packages are a Waste of Money
Shore Excursions
Of all the cruise extras, shore excursions are often the most worthwhile—especially in ports where exploring on your own is difficult or unsafe. One of the biggest advantages of booking through the cruise line is the guarantee that the ship won’t leave without you if your tour runs late. However, cruise-sponsored excursions are typically the most expensive option. You can often find better deals by booking directly with local tour operators.
When deciding whether to book shore excursions through the cruise line, I use four main criteria. First, I consider the safety of the port. If the U.S. Department of State has issued a heightened travel advisory, I will typically book through the cruise line for added security.
Second, I look at the tour’s end time. If an independent operator’s tour cuts too close to the ship’s all-aboard time, I’ll pay extra for the peace of mind that comes with a cruise-sponsored excursion.
Third, price is always a factor. If the cruise line’s excursion is only slightly more expensive than an independent tour, I’ll usually book through the cruise for reliability. Finally, I ask myself whether I can easily explore the port on my own. If a port is walkable and safe, I skip the tour altogether and explore at my own pace.
To make the best decision, it’s important to research your options before your cruise. Websites like Viator can help you compare prices between cruise-sponsored excursions and independent tour operators. Taking the time to compare can help you get the best experience at the best price.
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Spa Treatments
Spa treatments on cruise ships are generally a waste of money. They’re significantly more expensive than similar services on land, so unless you’re looking for a luxury experience and want to treat yourself, it’s better to skip them.
However, the one exception that might be worth considering is a spa thermal suite pass. Some cruise ships offer these passes, giving you unlimited access to relaxation areas with amenities like hot stone loungers, saunas, salt rooms, and jacuzzis.
If you enjoy peace and quiet, it might be worth it for you to pay extra to escape the crowds. It’s also worth it if your cruise itinerary has multiple sea days, that means you’ll be able to maximize your thermal suite pass.
Photo Packages
Cruise photos are notoriously expensive, with a single picture costing $35 or more. While purchasing a photo package can lower the price per photo, it’s still very expensive.
The only time it might be worth it is if you want a professional family portrait for holiday cards or a keepsake. However, in most cases, photo packages are an unnecessary expense. With today’s smartphones and cameras, most travelers can take great photos on their own without paying for expensive photo packages.
Private Cabana Rentals
Some cruise lines offer private cabana rentals as a cruise add-on, providing access to a secluded cabana along with refreshments and other perks. While these rentals offer exclusivity, they come at a steep price.
In my opinion, they’re not worth the cost unless you’re traveling with a large group and can split the cost. If you’re after a VIP experience and don’t mind the splurge, a private cabana can be a treat. Otherwise, there are plenty of free lounge areas on the ship or free lounge chairs on the cruise private island that you can use without the extra cost.
Priority Boarding
Many cruise lines sell priority boarding packages as a cruise extra, allowing you to skip the lines and get on the ship faster.
For example, Carnival’s Faster to the Fun program includes priority boarding, express luggage delivery, early stateroom access, a direct line to guest services, and priority disembarkation.
Royal Caribbean’s The Key package offers similar perks, plus an exclusive welcome lunch, reserved seating at shows, and expedited access to some onboard activities.
In my opinion, paying for priority boarding isn’t worth it. The embarkation process is usually efficient, and lines don’t get long enough to justify the extra cost. Unless you absolutely hate waiting in line or want a VIP experience, this add-on is rarely necessary.
Also, if you have cruise loyalty status, higher-tier members often receive priority boarding as a free perk—so there’s no need to pay extra for something you might already be entitled to.
A Word About Prepaid Gratuities
Cruise lines often offer the option to prepay gratuities, which can sometimes confuse first-time cruisers. It’s important to know that prepaid gratuities are not a cruise extra—they’re simply a way to pay your required service charges in advance.
If you don’t prepay, gratuities will still be automatically added to your onboard account, typically ranging from $18 to $25 per person, per day. Either way, you’re paying the same amount, whether upfront or at the end of your cruise.
These gratuities go directly to the hardworking crew members who make your cruise experience enjoyable, from your stateroom attendant to the dining staff. Some cruise lines allow minor adjustments to the amount, but skipping gratuities entirely isn’t advised, as they are a key part of crew compensation. Check out Should You Remove Automatic Gratuities on Your Next Cruise?
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