As a reminder, meals in the main dining room and buffet, water and juice from buffet or pool-area dispensers, select fitness classes and use of the gym, kids and teens facilities, some onboard workshops and seminars, the main pools, most entertainment and your room are included in the price you pay for your cruise.

When you book a cruise in 2026, your base fare typically covers your stateroom accommodation, basic meals in the main dining room and buffet, onboard entertainment, and transportation between ports. However, the modern cruise industry has shifted toward an "unbundled" model. You are often not paying for "extras" like alcoholic beverages, specialty coffee, sodas, or Wi-Fi unless you purchase a specific "all-inclusive" package. Additionally, most lines charge daily service gratuities (often $16–$20 per person, per day) which are added to your onboard account. Other out-of-pocket costs in 2026 include shore excursions, spa treatments, and "specialty dining" at high-end onboard steakhouses or sushi bars. While the base price looks like a bargain, veteran cruisers in 2026 estimate that the final "true" cost of a vacation is usually 30% to 50% higher than the initial advertised fare once these "add-ons" and port fees are factored in.