It helps to think of it this way: Your cruise fare is mostly all-inclusive — your stateroom, dining in a variety of locations, onboard entertainment and access to pools, hot tubs and other amenities and activities are typically included on a cruise.

On most mainstream cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian, the vast majority of onboard entertainment is included in your base cruise fare. This typically covers high-production Broadway-style musicals, comedy shows, live bands in the lounges, and poolside activities like trivia or outdoor movies. However, in 2026, some lines have introduced "premium" experiences for an extra fee, such as high-tech escape rooms, certain "dinner and a show" pairings, or exclusive behind-the-scenes tours. While you won't pay to sit in the main theater, some highly popular shows now require advanced (often free) reservations to manage capacity. Luxury lines, conversely, tend to include almost everything, while "ultra-budget" lines might charge for specific high-adrenaline activities like go-karting or IMAX theaters.