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Planning your first Royal Caribbean cruise? One of the biggest questions I hear from clients is, “What’s actually included in my cruise fare?”

If you’ve never cruised before, it’s a fair question. You may have heard that cruises are an incredible value, but you’ve also probably seen stories about people spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars once they step onboard.

So which is it?

The good news is that Royal Caribbean includes far more than many first-time cruisers realize. Your cruise fare covers your accommodations, most dining, world-class entertainment, kids’ programs, pools, water slides on many ships, and countless activities throughout your vacation.

The extras? They’re almost entirely optional.

As a travel advisor, one of my favorite things is helping families understand where it’s worth spending a little extra and where they can confidently save their money. Some families love specialty restaurants and drink packages. Others have an amazing vacation while spending little to nothing beyond their original cruise fare.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly:

• What’s included with every Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which experiences cost extra
• Which extras are actually worth considering
• How to avoid surprise charges
• My favorite money-saving tips for getting the most value from your cruise

Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or a seven-night family vacation, this guide will help you budget with confidence.

Here’s the Breakdown

If you’re looking for the short answer, here’s what your cruise fare typically includes:

✔ Included

• Your cruise cabin
• Main Dining Room meals
• Windjammer buffet
• Select casual dining venues
• Pizza, snacks, and soft-serve ice cream on many ships
• Coffee, tea, water, lemonade, iced tea, and select juices
• Broadway-style productions and live entertainment
• AquaTheater, ice skating, and comedy shows (available on select ships)
• Pools, whirlpools, and splash areas
• Water slides and many onboard attractions (available on select ships)
• Adventure Ocean youth programming
• Fitness center access
• Live music, trivia, game shows, dance parties, and dozens of daily activities

✘ Costs Extra

• Alcoholic beverages
• Soda, bottled water, specialty coffee, and fresh juices
• Wi-Fi packages
• Specialty restaurants
• Shore excursions
• Spa treatments
• Casino gaming
• Professional photography
• Most onboard shopping
• Select activities and classes
• Gratuities (unless prepaid or included in your booking)

The best part? You can absolutely enjoy an incredible Royal Caribbean vacation without purchasing every add-on. In fact, many of my clients intentionally skip several of these extras and still come home saying it was one of their favorite vacations.

Let’s break down exactly what your cruise fare includes—and where you may want to budget a little extra.

What’s Included in Your Royal Caribbean Cruise Fare?

One of the biggest misconceptions about cruising is that you’ll have to pay for everything once you step onboard. While there are certainly optional upgrades available, you’ll likely be surprised by just how much is already included in your cruise fare.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an activity-packed family vacation, there’s enough included to keep you busy from embarkation day until you return home.

Let’s take a closer look at everything that’s already covered.

Your Stateroom

Your cruise fare includes your home away from home for the duration of your vacation. Whether you’ve booked an interior cabin, an ocean view, a balcony, or a suite (see Cruise Cabin Types Explained), your stateroom includes:

• Comfortable beds and linens
• Private bathroom with shower
• Daily housekeeping
• Television
• Hair dryer
• Safe for valuables
• Climate controls
• Storage for clothing and luggage

One thing I love about cruising is that you only unpack once. Your room travels with you, so there’s no packing and unpacking every time you visit a new destination.

Travel Advisor Tip: If your budget allows, I almost always recommend a balcony cabin. It’s the perfect place to enjoy room service breakfast, watch the ship sail into port, or simply relax with a cup of coffee while the kids are asleep. For many families, the extra space and private outdoor area are well worth the upgrade.

Most of Your Meals

Food is one of the biggest values included with your cruise fare.

You can easily enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert every day without paying anything extra.

Included dining venues typically include:

Main Dining Room

The Main Dining Room offers a rotating menu each evening featuring appetizers, entrées, desserts, and kid-friendly options. Breakfast and lunch are also served here on select days.

Your dining experience includes attentive service, beautifully prepared meals, and the opportunity to try something new every night. If you can’t decide between two desserts, don’t be afraid to ask for both!

Windjammer Marketplace

Think of Windjammer as a buffet done right.

You’ll find a wide variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including:

• Fresh fruit
• Eggs and breakfast favorites
• Pizza
• Burgers
• Pasta
• International cuisine
• Carving stations
• Salads
• Desserts

It’s a great choice for families because everyone can find something they enjoy, even picky eaters.

Complimentary Casual Dining

Depending on your ship, you’ll also find complimentary quick-service options throughout the day. These may include:

• Pizza
• Hot dogs
• Sandwiches
• Café items
• Soft-serve ice cream
• Snacks

Offerings vary by ship, which is one more reason I help my clients choose the Royal Caribbean ship that best matches their vacation style.

Included Beverages

Not every drink costs extra.

Your cruise fare includes several beverages available throughout your sailing, including:

• Water
• Lemonade
• Iced tea
• Hot tea
• Regular coffee
• Milk
• Select juices during breakfast

These drinks are available in the Main Dining Room, Windjammer, and other complimentary dining venues.

Money-Saving Tip: Unless you know you’ll enjoy multiple specialty drinks every day, many families are perfectly happy with the complimentary beverages. You can always purchase an individual specialty coffee or cocktail without committing to a beverage package.

Entertainment Worth the Price of Admission

Royal Caribbean is known for offering some of the best entertainment at sea, and nearly all of it is included.

Depending on your ship, you may enjoy:

• Broadway-style productions
• Ice skating shows
• AquaTheater performances
• Live music
• Comedy shows
• Game shows
• Parades
• Dance parties
• Movies under the stars
• Karaoke
• Trivia competitions

Some of these productions rival shows you’d pay to see on land, yet they’re already included in your cruise fare.

Travel Advisor Tip: Reserve your entertainment as soon as reservations open in the Royal Caribbean app or Cruise Planner if your ship requires them. Popular shows often fill quickly, especially on newer ships.

Pools, Water Slides, and Onboard Fun

Your cruise isn’t just about visiting incredible destinations. The ship itself is a destination.

Depending on which Royal Caribbean ship you choose, your cruise fare may include access to:

• Multiple pools
• Whirlpools
• Splash pads
• Water slides
• FlowRider® surf simulator
• Mini golf
• Sports court
• Rock climbing wall
• Walking and jogging track
• Carousel (on select ships)

Some signature attractions require reservations or have additional fees, but many of Royal Caribbean’s most popular activities are completely free to enjoy.

Adventure Ocean Kids Club

If you’re traveling with children, Adventure Ocean is one of the best values included in your cruise fare.

Kids are grouped by age and can enjoy:

• Arts and crafts
• Science experiments
• Games
• Sports
• Themed activities
• Dance parties
• Interactive learning experiences

This gives children a chance to make new friends while parents enjoy a date night, relax by the pool, or catch a show.

Fitness and Wellness

If you like staying active on vacation, you’ll appreciate that the fitness center is included on every Royal Caribbean ship.

Guests can enjoy:

• Cardio equipment
• Weight machines
• Free weights
• Stretching areas

Some specialty fitness classes, personal training sessions, and spa services are available for an additional charge, but using the gym itself is complimentary.

Daily Activities from Morning Until Night

Every evening, Royal Caribbean publishes the next day’s schedule in the Royal Caribbean app.

You’ll often find dozens of complimentary activities, such as:

• Trivia contests
• Scavenger hunts
• Dance lessons
• Cooking demonstrations
• Pool games
• Family competitions
• Live music
• Educational talks
• Art demonstrations
• Theme nights

One of my favorite pieces of advice is to browse the schedule each evening and star anything that looks interesting. You don’t have to stick to a rigid plan, but having a few activities picked out makes it much easier to decide what to do throughout the day without feeling like you’re missing out.

What Costs Extra on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

While there’s plenty included in your cruise fare, Royal Caribbean also offers a variety of optional upgrades that allow you to customize your vacation. Think of these as exactly that—optional.

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that you have to purchase all of these extras to have a great cruise. That’s simply not true. Every family vacations differently, and what feels like a worthwhile splurge for one traveler may be an easy pass for another.

Here’s what typically costs extra and my thoughts on when it’s worth considering.

Beverage Packages

Royal Caribbean offers several beverage packages, including soda packages, refreshment packages, and the Deluxe Beverage Package, which includes alcoholic beverages.

These packages can be a great value if you plan to enjoy multiple specialty drinks each day, but they’re not the right choice for everyone.

Worth it if you:

• Enjoy specialty coffees every morning
• Plan to have several cocktails, beers, or glasses of wine throughout the day
• Drink bottled water regularly
• Love mocktails, smoothies, or premium beverages.

You may want to skip it if you:

• Mostly drink water, lemonade, tea, or regular coffee
• Only plan to have an occasional alcoholic drink
• Prefer bringing a reusable water bottle and using the complimentary beverage stations

Travel Advisor Tip: Beverage packages frequently go on sale before your cruise. I recommend purchasing when you see a good price in the Cruise Planner. If the price drops later, you can often cancel and repurchase at the lower price before your sailing.

Specialty Dining

The complimentary dining options are excellent, but Royal Caribbean also offers specialty restaurants for guests looking for a different dining experience.

Depending on your ship, options may include:

• Chops Grille
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen
• Izumi
• Jamie’s Italian
• Hooked Seafood
• 150 Central Park
• Wonderland
• Chef’s Table

These restaurants typically charge either a flat cover fee or à la carte pricing.

Worth it if you:

• Are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, or other special occasion
• Consider dining one of your favorite vacation experiences
• Want a quieter, more intimate atmosphere

You may want to skip it if you:

• Are happy with the Main Dining Room and Windjammer
• Are traveling with young children who may not enjoy a longer meal
• Would rather spend your vacation budget on excursions.

Personally, I often recommend choosing one specialty dinner during a week-long cruise instead of purchasing an unlimited dining package. It’s a fun way to experience something different without dramatically increasing your vacation budget.

Shore Excursions

Your cruise fare gets you to each destination, but exploring once you’re there is up to you.

Royal Caribbean offers hundreds of excursions, including:

• Snorkeling
• Beach clubs
• Ziplining
• Cultural tours
• Wildlife encounters
• ATV adventures
• Food tours
• Historic sightseeing

These excursions can be incredible experiences, but they’re not your only option.

Many ports have beautiful public beaches, walkable downtown areas, museums, and local restaurants that you can explore independently for much less—or even for free.

Travel Advisor Tip: I help my clients compare Royal Caribbean excursions with reputable independent tour operators to find the best fit for their budget, activity level, and comfort.

Internet Packages

Wi-Fi is not included with most Royal Caribbean cruise fares.

If you need to stay connected, you can purchase an internet package before or during your cruise.

Some travelers enjoy unplugging completely, while others need internet for work, checking in with family, or sharing vacation photos.

If multiple people in your cabin need internet, compare the cost of one multi-device package versus purchasing separate plans. It can often save money.

Spa Treatments and Salon Services

The Vitality Spa offers massages, facials, salon services, acupuncture, and other wellness treatments.

A spa day can be a relaxing vacation splurge, but keep in mind that pricing is generally comparable to—or slightly higher than—what you might pay at a luxury resort back home.

If you’re interested, watch for embarkation-day specials or port-day discounts, which can sometimes offer better pricing.

Royal Babies & Tots Nursery (Additional Cost)

If you’re traveling with children ages 6 to 36 months, Royal Caribbean also offers the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery on many ships. Unlike Adventure Ocean, the nursery is not included in your cruise fare and is available for an hourly fee.

The nursery provides supervised care in a smaller setting, giving parents the opportunity to enjoy a specialty dinner, catch a show, or simply relax while their little one is cared for by trained youth staff.

Because space is limited, nursery reservations are made on board and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Travel Advisor Tip: If you plan to use the nursery during your cruise, make it one of your first stops after boarding. Head there as soon as you’re able to reserve the times you want, especially if you’re sailing during school breaks or holidays when demand is highest.

Professional Photos

Throughout your cruise, photographers are stationed around the ship during embarkation, formal nights, and in the ports.

There is no charge to have your picture taken, but purchasing the photos does cost extra.

If professional family portraits are important to you, photo packages can be worth considering. Otherwise, don’t hesitate to hand your phone to a crew member or fellow traveler for a complimentary family picture.

Casino Gaming, Bingo, and Shopping

The casino, bingo games, art auctions, and onboard shopping are all optional ways to spend your time onboard.

If you enjoy them, set a budget before your cruise and stick to it. It’s easy for these small purchases to add up over several days.

Specialty Activities

Some onboard experiences carry an additional fee, depending on your ship.

These might include:

• Escape rooms
• Wine tastings
• Sushi-making classes
• Cupcake decorating
• Behind-the-scenes ship tours
• Private lessons or premium experiences

These activities can be a fun addition to your vacation, especially if you’ve sailed Royal Caribbean before and are looking to try something new.

So…Which Extras Are Actually Worth It?

If someone asked me where to spend a little extra money on their first Royal Caribbean cruise, my recommendations would be:

• A shore excursion you’ll remember for years.
• One specialty dinner if you’re celebrating something special.
• A beverage package only if you’ll truly use it enough to make it worthwhile.

Everything else depends on your travel style.

One of my favorite things about cruising is that you can create the vacation that’s right for you. Some families spend very little beyond their cruise fare and have an unforgettable trip. Others enjoy adding premium experiences throughout the week. Neither approach is right or wrong.

The goal isn’t to spend more. It’s to spend intentionally on the experiences that matter most to you.

Can You Cruise Without Spending Another Dollar?

Absolutely!

One of the reasons I love recommending cruises is that they can fit a wide range of budgets. While Royal Caribbean offers plenty of opportunities to upgrade your experience, you are never required to purchase those extras to have an incredible vacation.

In fact, many of my clients intentionally set a budget before they sail and stick to it. They enjoy amazing meals, world-class entertainment, beautiful destinations, and quality family time without feeling pressured to spend more.

If your goal is to keep your vacation as affordable as possible, here’s how to make the most of everything that’s already included.

Enjoy the Complimentary Dining

Between the Main Dining Room, Windjammer Marketplace, pizza, snacks, and other complimentary dining venues, there’s no shortage of delicious food included in your cruise fare.

Many experienced cruisers never pay for a specialty restaurant and still rave about the food.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, consider treating yourself to one specialty meal instead of purchasing a dining package for the entire cruise.

Stick with the Included Drinks

Water, lemonade, iced tea, hot tea, regular coffee, milk, and select breakfast juices are all included.

Bringing a reusable water bottle makes it easy to stay hydrated throughout the day without purchasing bottled water.

If you’d like an occasional specialty coffee or cocktail, buying them individually is often more economical than purchasing a beverage package if you don’t plan to drink enough to make the package worthwhile.

Take Advantage of the Free Entertainment

Some of the best experiences on a Royal Caribbean cruise don’t cost anything extra.

Spend your evenings enjoying Broadway-style productions, comedy shows, live music, ice skating performances, AquaTheater shows on select ships, game shows, and themed parties.

During the day, challenge your family to trivia, watch movies by the pool, play mini golf, or simply relax while taking in the ocean views.

These are the moments many families remember long after the cruise is over.

Choose Budget-Friendly Port Days

Not every port visit needs an expensive excursion.

Many destinations have beautiful public beaches, local shops, historic downtown areas, or scenic waterfronts that you can enjoy at little to no cost.

Before your cruise, research each port to see what interests you. Sometimes a relaxing beach day or a leisurely walk through town becomes one of the highlights of the entire vacation.

Set a Daily Spending Budget

If you know you’ll want a few extras, decide on your budget before you board.

Whether it’s $20 or $100 per day, having a plan helps prevent impulse purchases and keeps you in control of your vacation spending.

One of the biggest stressors after a vacation is receiving credit card bills for purchases you barely remember making. Setting a budget ahead of time allows you to fully enjoy your cruise without worrying about the financial impact when you return home.

Focus on the Experiences, Not the Extras

It’s easy to get caught up in everything that’s available for purchase onboard. But when I ask clients about their favorite cruise memories, they rarely mention the specialty coffee or souvenir they bought.

They talk about watching the sunset from their balcony.

They remember laughing together during a game show.

They remember their child going down the waterslide for the first time.

They remember exploring a new island, seeing a Broadway-style performance, or sharing dinner together every evening.

Those experiences are what make a cruise memorable, and many of them are already included in your fare.

That’s why I always encourage families to spend intentionally. Choose the upgrades that will genuinely make your vacation more enjoyable, and don’t feel like you have to say yes to every add-on. A Royal Caribbean cruise can be every bit as magical whether you spend nothing extra or choose a few special splurges along the way.

How Much Should You Budget for Extras?

One of the most common questions I receive is, “How much spending money do I need for a Royal Caribbean cruise?”

The honest answer is…it depends.

Some families spend almost nothing beyond their cruise fare, while others enjoy specialty restaurants, spa treatments, drink packages, and multiple excursions. Neither approach is right or wrong. The key is deciding before you board what kind of vacation you want and creating a budget that supports it.

Below are some general guidelines to help you estimate your onboard spending.

Travel Style	Typical Additional Spending (7-Night Cruise)*
Budget-Friendly	$0-$250
Moderate Splurge	$300-$900
Premium Splurge	$1,000+

Let’s take a closer look at what each budget might include.

Budget-Friendly Cruiser ($0–$250)

This is a great option for travelers who want to maximize the value of what’s already included.

You might:

• Enjoy complimentary dining throughout the cruise
• Drink the included beverages
• Skip Wi-Fi
• Explore ports on your own or visit public beaches
• Take advantage of the free entertainment and activities onboard
• Purchase only a few souvenirs or specialty drinks

Many families are surprised to learn they can have an amazing Royal Caribbean vacation while spending very little once they’re onboard.

Moderate Splurge ($300–$900)

This is where many first-time cruisers fall.

Your budget might include:

• One specialty dining experience
• A few alcoholic beverages or specialty coffees
• Wi-Fi for one device
• One organized shore excursion
• A few souvenirs
• Professional photos or another special keepsake

This approach allows you to enjoy a few upgrades while still keeping your vacation budget under control.

If this is your first cruise, you should also read First Time Cruisers? Here’s Everything You Need to Know.

Premium Experience ($1,000+)

If your vacation is all about treating yourself, this budget leaves room for many of Royal Caribbean’s premium offerings.

You might choose:

• A Deluxe Beverage Package
• An Unlimited Dining Package
• Multiple shore excursions
• Spa treatments
• Professional photo packages
• Specialty classes and experiences
• Shopping onboard
• Casino gaming

For some travelers, these extras become part of the vacation experience. The important thing is making those choices intentionally rather than feeling surprised by the final bill.

Don’t Forget About Gratuities

One expense that often catches first-time cruisers off guard is daily gratuities.

These are charged per person, per day unless:

• You prepaid them before your cruise
• They’re included as part of a promotional offer.

Gratuities help compensate the hardworking crew members who take care of your stateroom, serve your meals, and work behind the scenes throughout your vacation.

When I help clients book their cruise, I always point out whether gratuities are included or still need to be budgeted so there are no surprises later.

My Favorite Budgeting Strategy

If you’ve read some of my other blog posts, you know I’m a big believer in planning ahead.

One of the easiest ways to make your cruise feel more relaxing is to pay for as much as possible before you ever step onboard.

If you know you want Wi-Fi, a beverage package, specialty dining, or shore excursions, purchase them in advance when they go on sale. Not only can this save you money, but it also means fewer unexpected charges during your vacation.

I also recommend setting aside a small amount each month while you’re counting down to your cruise. Even saving $50 to $100 a month can cover many of your onboard extras by the time embarkation day arrives.

The goal isn’t just to stay within budget. It’s to come home with incredible memories instead of worrying about a credit card bill that arrives a few weeks later. A little planning before your vacation can make your time onboard feel far more relaxing.

Book Early and Let Me Watch the Sales for You

Royal Caribbean frequently runs sales on beverage packages, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, shore excursions, and other cruise add-ons. The catch? Prices can change several times before your sailing.

One of the ways I help my clients save money is by monitoring these promotions throughout the planning process. If a package you’ve already purchased drops in price before your cruise, I can let you know so you can cancel and repurchase it at the lower price (when eligible).

Many clients save anywhere from a few dollars to well over $100 simply by taking advantage of these price drops.

Choose the Right Ship Before You Book

One of the biggest mistakes first-time cruisers make is choosing a cruise based only on the itinerary or the lowest price.

The ship itself is part of the vacation.

Some ships have incredible water parks, surf simulators, zip lines, and neighborhood-style layouts that keep families entertained all week. Others focus more on relaxation and classic cruising.

As your travel advisor, I help match your family with the right ship based on your travel style, budget, children’s ages, and what experiences matter most to you. Sometimes spending just a little more on the right ship can eliminate the need for paid activities altogether because there’s already so much included.

Skip the Drink Package If It Doesn’t Make Sense

Drink packages can be a fantastic value for some travelers, but they’re not automatically the best deal.

Before recommending one, I ask clients questions like:

• Do you drink specialty coffee every morning?
• Will you enjoy multiple alcoholic beverages throughout the day?
• Do you typically drink bottled water?
• Are you sailing to relax by the pool or spending most of your days exploring ports?

Sometimes a beverage package is absolutely worth it. Other times, paying as you go saves hundreds of dollars.

The goal isn’t to buy more. It’s to buy what you’ll actually use.

Pick the Right Shore Excursions

Excursions are often one of the largest additional expenses on a cruise.

As your travel advisor, I help you decide:

• Which ports are easy to explore on your own.
• Where a Royal Caribbean excursion offers the best value.
• When a reputable independent tour company might save money.
• Which excursions are worth booking early because they frequently sell out.

I also consider your family’s activity level, children’s ages, accessibility needs, and budget so you don’t end up paying for an excursion that isn’t the right fit.

Pack the Essentials Before You Leave Home

Buying forgotten items onboard is almost always more expensive than packing them ahead of time.

These are six cruise essentials I recommend to almost every client:

• Reusable water bottle – Stay hydrated using the complimentary beverage stations instead of purchasing bottled water.
• Magnetic hooks – Cruise cabin walls are magnetic, making these perfect for hanging hats, swimsuits, backpacks, and lanyards.
• Waterproof phone pouch – Great for beach days, pools, and excursions without worrying about your phone.
• Reef-safe sunscreen – Protect your skin while staying compliant with destinations that prohibit certain sunscreen ingredients.
• Aloe vera gel – Even careful travelers sometimes get too much sun.
• Cruise luggage tags – Durable holders help protect your printed luggage tags from tearing during embarkation.

I’ve gathered my favorite versions of these products here: Browse my Cruise Essentials on Amazon or read 25 Cruise Items I Pack Every Time for the full list. I also advise you to read Cruise Packing Mistakes to avoid overpacking.

Sometimes the Cheapest Cruise Costs More

One of the biggest ways I help clients save money happens before they ever book.

The lowest cruise fare isn’t always the least expensive vacation.

For example, a sailing that costs $200 less might require:

• More expensive flights.
• Costly hotel stays before the cruise.
• Higher-priced excursions.
• Additional transportation.
• Fewer complimentary activities onboard, leading to more optional spending.

Sometimes a slightly higher cruise fare ends up costing less overall once everything is added together.

That’s why I look at your total vacation budget, not just the price of the cruise itself.

My Biggest Piece of Advice

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this guide, it’s this:

The best Royal Caribbean cruise isn’t the one where you spend the most money. It’s the one that’s planned around what matters most to you.

My role as your travel advisor isn’t to convince you to spend more. It’s to help you avoid spending money where you don’t need to.

Whether that’s choosing the right ship, watching for sales, recommending which upgrades are worth it, or helping you create a realistic vacation budget, my goal is simple:

I want you to come home talking about the memories you made—not the bill that showed up on your credit card a few weeks later.