So it’s your first time taking a cruise and you’re not sure what to expect.  Here we give you a quick list of what, generally, is included on your cruise, what the additional costs are, and how to maximize your fun!

So the main question all first-timer cruisers ask is “what’s included”?

Generally speaking most of the food on board your cruise will be free.  This includes the buffets, 24 hour room service, the formal dining room, 24 hour pizzeria, desserts, and so much more.  You can enjoy everything from waffles and eggs, to burgers, to lobster tails.  We found the quality of food on cruises to be excellent.

Most ships will have specialty restaurants such as a steak house, Italian restaurant, sushi and Asian restaurants.  Remember, in the formal dining room and in the buffets you can have Italian and Asian style dishes for free.  But specialty restaurants will cost extra.

Coffee, iced tea, juices (lemonade and fruit punch) and filtered water are free as well.  It’s self service, so drink up!

Alcohol, soda, coffee bar (Starbucks style drinks), and milk shakes are additional.  In regards to soda and alcohol, most cruise lines allow guests to bring 1 bottle of wine or champagne per adult.

There’s always a lot to do on a cruise.  The comedy shows, Broadway style shows, night clubs, kids program, water slides, sports deck, fitness center, live music, karaoke…  it’s all free.  But, as you can imagine, there are many things onboard that will be additional.  Some of the more obvious things are the spa, hair & beauty salon, casino, gift shops, video arcade, baby sitting, internet access and photographs to name a few.

To view what’s included on your cruise, please click here:

Carnival Cruise Lines
Disney Cruise Lines
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Royal Caribbean

Tips/Gratuities

Most first time cruisers are not aware of this additional cost that cruise lines will charge them.

Nowadays, all cruise lines will automatically charge you for tips.  Typically this will cost $12-$15 per person per day depending on the cruise line.  So if you take a 3 day cruise, expect an additional $36-$40 charge per person.  On a 7 day cruise you will be looking at an additional $84-$100 per person.

You can pay the tips any time before your cruise or the cruise line will automatically charge you onboard.  It’s up to each guest how they prefer to pay.

So once on board there is no need to tip any crew member.  You can order room service as often as you like and tipping your room service attendant is not required or expected.

Here are the links to each cruise line so you can review:

Carnival Cruise Lines
Disney Cruise Lines
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Royal Caribbean