15 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know Are Included in Your Cruise Fare

• Adrenaline for Free: Experience high-tech thrills like surf simulators, sky-high ropes courses, and multi-story dry slides included in your base fare.

• A Taste of Luxury: Indulge in daily traditional afternoon tea on classic British lines or grab unlimited soft-serve ice cream by the pool on family favourites.

• Stress-Free Tech: Use free onboard apps to manage your entire holiday, from daily planners and spending trackers to booking your next show.

Think a cruise is just a cabin and a buffet? Think again!

We know that the real magic of an epic cruise holiday lies in those surprising "extras" that don't cost an extra penny. From adrenaline-pumping onboard activities to elegant British traditions, we’ve rounded up the best food, activities, and amenities you may be surprised are included in your cruise holiday.

1. Unlimited Ice Cream

You’re never far from a sweet treat at sea. Most family-friendly lines like Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line offer complimentary soft-serve stations on the pool deck.

Disney Cruise Line takes it up a notch with themed stations, and Virgin Voyages even includes premium scoops at their onboard gelato shop, "Lick Me Till Ice Cream".

2. Complimentary Kids' Clubs

One of the biggest hidden savings for families is the world-class childcare. On P&O Cruises, all kids' clubs are included in your fare, offering age-appropriate activities from toddlers to teens. Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean also provide extensive supervised clubs where your little ones can engage in science experiments, themed parties, and character meet-and-greets at no extra cost.

3. Onboard Apps & Digital Planners

Navigating a massive ship is easy with free onboard apps. Whether it's the P&O Cruises app or the Princess Cruises' innovative PrincessMedallion app, you can view your daily planner, check your onboard spending in real-time, and even book your next dinner table right from your phone. These apps ensure you never miss a show or a trivia session while onboard!

4. Gravity-Defying Dry Slides

If you want the thrill without the swimsuit, try the dry slides. The Ultimate Abyss on Royal Caribbean or the Venom Drop on MSC World Europa are multi-deck plunges that are as terrifying as they are fun. Norwegian Cruise Line's newer ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, also feature "The Drop," the first free-fall dry slide in the world, taking you from the top deck to the heart of the ship in seconds.

5. Traditional Daily Afternoon Tea

For a touch of British class, you can't beat a daily afternoon tea. On Cunard, P&O Cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, and Ambassador, this is a refined affair with white-glove service, finger sandwiches, and warm scones. It’s the perfect way to spend a sea day without spending a penny, maintaining those home comforts even in the tropics.

6. West End & Broadway-Style Entertainment

The quality of entertainment at sea has reached new heights. You can enjoy West End-style theatre shows and familiar comedy acts on P&O Cruises, or full Broadway productions like Grease or Hairspray on Royal Caribbean. Disney Cruise Line offers exclusive original stage shows featuring your favourite characters—all included in your cruise fare.

7. Massive Onboard Waterparks

The pool deck is just the beginning. Modern ships from Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are now floating waterparks with multi-storey waterslides. Disney’s "AquaDuck" and MSC Cruises’ sprawling splash zones for the little ones are fully included, meaning you can slide as many times as your heart (and stomach) can handle.

8. Full-Scale Cinemas

Forget watching movies on a tiny cabin TV. Lines like Disney Cruise Line and Cunard offer grand, theatre-style cinemas showing the latest Hollywood blockbusters. MSC Cruises and P&O Cruises also feature massive outdoor screens and indoor cinema spaces for a proper movie-night vibe while you sail.

9. Guided Shore Excursions

While ocean lines typically charge for tours, one of the biggest perks of a river cruise—especially with lines like Riviera Travel—is that a selection of guided shore excursions is included in every port of call. Local experts lead you through the heart of Europe’s iconic cities, providing deep cultural insight at no extra cost.

10. The Only Planetarium at Sea

For a truly "out of this world" experience, Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 features Illuminations, a full-scale planetarium. You can settle into a reclining seat and take a virtual journey through the stars or watch spectacular 3D science films, all while sailing across the Atlantic.

11. Ice Bars

While you might pay for the cocktails, entry to the famous "SVEDKA & Inniskillin" Ice Bar on Norwegian Cruise Line is often included or accessible through various booking promotions. Everything is made of ice, the chairs, the glasses, and even the bar itself. It's a "cool" experience you won't find at a standard hotel!

12. SkyRide

Ever fancied cycling through the air 150 feet above the sea? On Carnival Cruise Line’s Vista-class ships, the SkyRide is a twin-track pedal-powered adventure that offers the most incredible views of the ocean. It’s a high-energy inclusion that kids and adults alike will love.

13. FlowRider

Ever wanted to hang ten in the middle of the ocean? This 12-metre-long surf simulator is a staple on many Royal Caribbean ships and is completely free to use. Whether you’re a pro surfer or just want to try bodyboarding, the instructors are on hand to help you catch a wave without the beach crowds.

14. Access to Private Islands

When you sail the Caribbean, your ship might stop at a private paradise like Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean) or Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line). Access to these exclusive islands, including their pristine beaches and even food on the island, is usually completely included in your fare.

15. High-Ropes Courses

Test your balance on multi-level ropes courses that extend over the side of the ship. Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line offer these adrenaline-pumping tracks, often featuring "The Plank", a narrow beam that lets you walk 8 feet out over the open water for the ultimate photo op!

Keen to find out more about what else is included in your next cruise holiday? Contact one of our expert cruise consultants today!