Cruising Expenses

Each cruise line will differ with the way their on-board expenses work, as some cruise lines come as a fully inclusive package where almost everything is included, such as drinks, excursions and premium dining. However, most cruise lines offer a full board option giving you the choice to purchase other packages. Here are just a few of the additional extras and their prices. More information can be found directly on the cruise line website.

Spa and Wellbeing packages

In my experience, I have found P and O cruises and Fred Olsen cruises to have better prices for some of these services, such as P and O who offer the back, neck and shoulder massage from £72 for 50 minutes and Fred Olsen from £37 for 30 minutes and £65 for 1 hour.

All Inclusive drinks packages

Again, Fred Olsen seems to have a great All Inclusive drinks package from £19pp per night, which gives you plenty of choice from wine, draught beers, cans of cider along with spirit and selected cocktails and the premium drinks are also discounted.

Some cruise lines may offer a free drinks package from time to time such as Celebrity cruise (outside cabins and above) and Royal Caribbean. However, this is only on selected promotions and if not offered can still be pre-booked through your cruise account prior to the departure and worth the money, as if you are having more than 5 drinks a day, this pays for itself.

Specialty dining

This can vary from cruise line to cruise line as most will offer something different to the others. and again, some cruise lines may offer this free of charge within their packages, such as Norwegian Cruise lines who offer a 3-night specialty dining package along with either a free drinks package or free shore excursions. To give you an idea, the 3-night specialty dining package would normally cost around $89pp.

Gratuities

Now, this is a big one as can vary depending on the cruise line. Some cruise lines offer the gratuities within their fare such as Marella cruise lines and as of May 2019 P and O cruises. But typically, how much on average should you be tipping. Every cruise line (who doesn’t already include them) will have a daily discretional gratuity charge and this can be found directly on the cruise line website before traveling. But this will differ depending on the cruise line such as Costa cruises from 10 euros pp per day, Cruise and Maritime from £7pp per day, Fred Olsen from £5pp per day. Whereas Celebrity and Royal Caribbean start from $14.50pp per day.

So, it is always worthwhile checking the cruise line website before confirming your cruise to get an idea as to what you may be paying for when you are on-board. Once booked, you can also book extras trough you cruise account and make payment for them before you embark.

If you are still looking for that perfect cruise holiday, then why not get in touch on 0330 303 8216.