🚢Check Your Bill Before You Disembark: The Cruise Charges Nobody Warns You About

Cruising is one of the most all inclusive ways to travel, but “all inclusive” and “all included” are not the same thing. Between specialty dining, drink packages, excursions, and daily gratuities, it’s shockingly easy to reach the end of a seven day cruise and find a bill that’s grown by hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars beyond what you expected.

Here’s a real look at how those charges add up, and why you need to review your folio before you walk off the ship.

Where the Charges Actually Come From

Specialty Dining Most ships include several dining rooms in your fare, but “specialty” restaurants like steakhouses, chef’s table experiences, sushi bars, and themed restaurants carry a per-person cover charge, often $30–$90+ depending on the venue.

Drink Packages If you added an unlimited beverage package, remember it’s typically charged per day, per person in the cabin, not just for the people actually drinking. And if you go over your package’s daily drink cap or order something above the included price threshold, you’ll see overage charges too.

Photo Packages Cruise photographers are everywhere, and the packages can look like a good deal in the moment. Unbundled, individual photos and printed packages can run close to $200.

Spa Treatments Massages, facials, and other spa services are priced à la carte and add up fast, often $150–$200+ per treatment, before gratuity.

WiFi Packages Internet on the ship is priced separately from your cruise fare, typically by the day and how many devices, and prices vary widely by cruise line and package tier.

Excursions Even off ship extras like swimming with dolphins experiences or tours are priced per person and billed straight to your onboard account.

Gratuities Most cruise lines now apply a daily automatic gratuity per person, which adds up over the length of your cruise, and many guests are surprised to see it as a separate line item rather than something already “included.”

Why This Matters Before You Disembark

Once you’re off the ship trying to get a mistake on your bill is very difficult! Many have found that their only real recourse for a billing dispute is a credit card dispute with their bank. This is causes a chargeback to the cruise line and that’s where things get serious. Cruise lines can (and do) permanently ban guests who file chargebacks against their onboard account, even for legitimate errors. That’s a steep price to pay for something that’s often just a quick fix if you catch it while you’re still on board.

How to Avoid the Surprise

Check your onboard account daily through the cruise line’s app or the interactive TV channel in your cabin. Most ships let you view your running total in real time.
Review your final folio in person at Guest Services before you disembark, not after.
Understand your package terms going in. Know exactly what’s included, what counts as an “upgrade,” and what triggers an overage charge.
Ask before you order anything that seems like it might not be included, servers and staff are used to the question.

The Easiest Way to Avoid All of This? Book With Someone Who Catches It For You.

This is exactly the kind of thing we walk every client through before they ever step on board; what’s included in your fare, what to budget for extras, and how to keep an eye on your account so nothing catches you off guard at the end of your trip.

Ready to plan a cruise where you know exactly what to expect? Get in touch with us and let’s build your next trip together.

— Kurt & Nicole Jones, Just Jonesing Around Travel

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