If you want to know how to save money on a cruise once you’ve boarded, start with the big three: drinks, internet and shore excursions. Then budget for the costs you can’t avoid, like daily gratuities. Most of the money people spend onboard goes on convenience. Planning a few things before you sail can easily save a couple of hundred dollars a person on a seven-night trip.
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This guide covers the onboard costs that catch people out, which ones you can skip, and where paying for an extra really does save you money.
The Cruise Hidden Costs to Budget for First
Before you try to cut anything, know which charges you can’t avoid. Your fare covers your cabin, the main restaurants, the buffet, most entertainment, pools and basic drinks like tap water, regular coffee, tea and some juices at breakfast. Nearly everything else goes on your cruise card.
| Charge | Typical cost (late 2026) | Avoidable? |
|---|---|---|
| Daily gratuities / service charge | About $16 to $20 per person per day in standard cabins on big US lines, more in suites | Mostly no (can be prepaid) |
| Service charge on drinks, spa and specialty dining | Usually 15% to 20% added to the menu price | Only by not buying |
| Cocktails | Roughly $11 to $14 each before the service charge | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Often around $20 to $30 per device per day | Yes |
| Ship-sold shore excursions | From under $50 to several hundred dollars per person | Yes |
| Taxes, fees and port expenses | Charged at booking, not onboard | No |
Lines raise gratuities every so often. In 2026 Carnival went to $17 a day in standard cabins and Princess also raised its rate. Royal Caribbean charges $18.50 and Norwegian $20 in non-suite cabins. Some lines work differently. Fred. Olsen includes gratuities in the fare, and P&O Cruises dropped its automatic daily charge some years ago. Check your line’s current rate before you work out a budget.
15 Ways to Avoid Spending Extra on Your Cruise
1. Use the free drinks
Water, drip coffee, tea, iced tea and lemonade are free on most mainstream ships, usually at the buffet. A refillable insulated bottle makes this much easier. Fill it at breakfast and you won’t be tempted by a $4 soda at the pool bar.
2. Do the drink package math honestly
Alcoholic drink packages often cost $60 to $120 per person per day once the service charge is added, depending on line and sailing. To break even you usually need around six or more drinks a day, every day. Most lines also require everyone sharing a cabin to buy the same package. If you drink two or three glasses of wine with dinner, paying as you go is almost always cheaper. Our guide to cruise drink package loopholes covers the less obvious ways to get more for your money.
3. Bring wine if your line allows it
Many lines let adults carry on a bottle of wine or Champagne at embarkation. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess and Cunard allow one bottle per adult, while Celebrity allows two per cabin. Drinking it in your cabin is usually free. Corkage of roughly $15 to $25 applies if you take it to a restaurant. MSC doesn’t allow carry-on alcohol. These rules change, so check your line’s current policy before you pack.
4. Look out for happy hours and drink-of-the-day deals
Discounted drinks, two-for-one specials and casino promotions are listed in the daily program or the cruise app. Suite guests and loyalty members on some lines also get free drinks in a lounge for a set time each evening.
5. Stick to the included restaurants
The main dining room, buffet and casual venues are part of your fare, and on most ships the food is good. Specialty restaurants usually cost $30 to $70 or more per person, plus a service charge. If you want one special meal, book it before you sail when lines often run discounts, or go at lunch on a sea day when some venues cost less.
6. Order room service wisely
Some lines charge a delivery fee or menu prices for room service, and some still offer a free continental breakfast. Read the menu card in your cabin before you order a late snack.
How to Save Money on a Cruise in Port
7. Explore ports on your own
The ship’s shore excursions are convenient, but you pay extra for the cruise line’s margin. In many ports, like Nassau, Cozumel, Barcelona and Kotor, you can walk off the ship and reach the main sights on foot, by public bus or with a licensed taxi. Booking a highly rated local tour operator in advance often costs much less than the ship’s version of the same tour. The trade-off is that the ship won’t wait if an independent tour runs late, so leave plenty of time.
8. Or simply stay onboard
If you’ve been to a port before, a quiet ship day can be a treat. Pools are empty, there are no queues for loungers and spas often discount treatments while most guests are ashore. And you won’t spend a penny on taxis or souvenirs.
9. Skip the photo and art traps
Professional photos, art auctions and onboard shops can quietly add a lot to your bill. Look before you buy, and use your own phone for the embarkation and formal-night shots.
Save Money on Wi-Fi, Laundry and Extras
10. Decide on Wi-Fi before you sail
Cruise internet is much faster than it used to be, but prices have gone up. In 2026, many lines charge around $20 to $30 per device per day, and streaming tiers cost more. If you need to stay connected, buy the package before you sail. It’s almost always cheaper than buying onboard, and lines often discount it during sales. If you only need to check messages, buy a single-device plan and share it by logging in and out.
11. Turn off mobile roaming
At sea, your phone can connect to the ship’s own cellular network, which bills through your carrier at very high rates. Switch on airplane mode as soon as you board. If you need data in port, a cruise plan from your carrier or a regional eSIM is usually far cheaper.
12. Pack so you don’t need laundry
Laundry service is charged per item or per bag and adds up quickly. Some ships have self-service launderettes, which cost much less per load. British-market lines such as P&O Cruises are known for them, while many big US ships don’t have any. Pack mix-and-match outfits and a small travel pack of detergent, and you may not need to pay for laundry at all.
13. Bring the essentials from home
Sunscreen, seasickness tablets, painkillers and phone chargers cost much more in the ship’s shop or medical center. A small kit from home can save you an expensive visit to the ship’s doctor for something minor.
14. Treat onboard credit as part of your budget
If your fare came with onboard credit, plan to use it on gratuities or a set treat rather than spending it on impulse. On many lines, credit you don’t use can’t be refunded.
15. Check your folio every day
Look at your account in the app or on the cabin TV every evening. You’ll spot mistakes early, and it’s much easier to stop overspending when you see the running total.
How Much Money to Take on a 7-Day Cruise
There’s no single answer, but a sensible plan for a seven-night mainstream cruise looks like this:
- Gratuities: about $120 to $140 per person, unless your line includes them
- Drinks: $0 if you stick to the free drinks, $100 to $250 for a moderate drinker paying as they go
- Excursions: $0 to $500 or more, depending on how you explore
- Wi-Fi: $0, or $140 to $210 for one device for the whole trip
- Cash: a little for port taxis, local food and tips ashore
Also allow for the card hold. Lines put a pre-authorization on your card at check-in. Norwegian, for example, caps its initial hold at $300. Debit card holds can stay for up to 30 days after you get home. If you’d rather use cash, most lines take a cash deposit instead. Norwegian asks for $300 per person on a seven-day cruise.
Many of the biggest savings come before you sail, from booking at the right time and choosing the right fare. Our guide on how to get cheap cruises and the latest cruise deals for 2027 are good places to start.
Before you set a spending limit, it is worth knowing what cruise port fees and taxes add to your fare, as these charges vary by itinerary.
FAQs
Can I remove the automatic gratuities?
On most lines you can ask Guest Services to adjust or remove them, but the money makes up a large part of crew pay. Most people keep them and prepay at booking so the cost is fixed.
Is a cruise drink package worth it?
Only if you’ll drink enough to beat the daily price, often around six or more drinks a day. Light and moderate drinkers usually save money by paying per drink.
Is it cheaper to book Wi-Fi before the cruise?
Usually, yes. Most lines charge less for internet packages bought before you sail than onboard, and often discount them during sales.
Do excursions get cheaper closer to the cruise?
Ship-sold excursions rarely drop in price. Popular ones sell out, so book early if you want a specific tour. Independent tours can be cheaper, but check reviews and the return time.
What are the most common hidden costs on a cruise?
Gratuities, drink service charges, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, excursions, laundry and spa treatments make up most of the onboard bills that surprise people.
