When planning a cruise vacation, understanding exactly what’s included in your cruise fare helps you budget effectively and make informed decisions about your holiday spending. While cruise lines offer excellent value with comprehensive inclusions, knowing where additional costs apply prevents unwelcome surprises during your trip.
But to answer your most burning question – YES it is possible to have an excell cruise for just £400ent[1] (or less).
What’s Included in Cruise Fare: The Essentials
Your Accommodation and Service
Your cruise fare covers your stateroom accommodation for the entire voyage, regardless of whether you’ve booked an interior cabin, oceanview room, balcony stateroom, or luxury suite. Daily housekeeping service keeps your room clean and tidy throughout your stay, with fresh towels and linens provided regularly. This comprehensive accommodation package represents exceptional value when compared to land-based holidays.
Check out our The Complete Guide to Cruise Ship Cabins: From Budget-Friendly Inside Staterooms to Luxury Suites[2] to learn more about the different accommodation options onboard.
Comprehensive Dining Included in Cruise Fare
One of the most significant inclusions in your cruise fare is the extensive dining coverage:
- Main dining rooms serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with restaurant-quality meals
- Buffet restaurants featuring international cuisines and extensive selections throughout the day
- Casual dining venues including pizzerias, grills, and poolside eateries
- 24-hour food options ensuring you’re never hungry during your voyage
- Continental breakfast room service available on most cruise lines
Beverages Included in Your Cruise Fare
Your cruise fare includes essential beverages to keep you refreshed:
- Complimentary water available throughout the ship
- Tea and coffee served at multiple locations and during meals
- Basic fruit juices provided with breakfast and meals
- Iced tea and lemonade typically available at buffet venues
Can you get free booze on a cruise ship? Yes!
Check out the Ultimate guide: How to get free drinks on a Princess Cruise[3]
Entertainment and Activities Covered by Cruise Fare
Your cruise fare provides access to an impressive array of entertainment options:
- Broadway-style theatre productions featuring professional performers and elaborate sets
- Live music venues with bands, solo artists, and dance orchestras
- Comedy shows and variety entertainment throughout your cruise
- Swimming pools and hot tubs for relaxation and recreation
- Sports facilities including basketball courts, mini-golf, and comprehensive fitness centres
- Children’s programs with supervised activities and dedicated play areas
- Enrichment activities such as dance classes, trivia contests, and educational lectures
- Quizzes, crafts and karaoke
Port Fees and Government Taxes in Cruise Fare
Modern cruise pricing typically includes or clearly separates mandatory charges. Port fees usually range from £10-35 per person per night, covering essential services like docking fees, harbour pilots, security services, and baggage handling. These charges ensure smooth operations at each destination on your itinerary.
What’s Not Included in Cruise Fare: Additional Expenses
Understanding what’s not included in your cruise fare helps you plan your onboard budget more effectively:
Alcoholic Beverages and Premium Drinks
All alcoholic drinks, sodas, specialty coffees, and premium beverages cost extra. Most cruise lines offer beverage packages that provide better value if you plan to drink regularly throughout your cruise.
Interested in what cruise line drinks packages? Check out our complete guides:
Service Charges and Gratuities
While gratuities can be removed from your onboard account upon request at guest services, automatic service charges (typically £16-20 per person per night) are added to recognise the hard work of housekeeping and dining staff. These charges ensure fair compensation for crew members who work tirelessly to enhance your cruise experience.
Specialty Restaurant Dining
Restaurants beyond the main dining room and buffet typically charge cover fees ranging from £15-55 per person for most venues, with premium establishments costing £60-150+ per person. These specialty dining experiences offer unique cuisines, intimate atmospheres, and elevated service not available in the included dining options.
On Princess ships, these would be restaurants like Sabatini’s, Crown Grill and The Catch by Rudy’s.
Technology and Connectivity
Wi-Fi and internet access require separate purchase, with basic browsing packages typically starting around £20-30 per day. Premium packages including streaming capabilities cost more but provide faster speeds and unlimited usage.
Wellness and Beauty Services
Spa treatments, massage therapy, beauty services, and thermal suite access all incur additional charges. These services typically include a 15% – 18% automatic service charge on top of treatment costs.
The price you see is not the price you pay.
Professional Photography Services
While ship photographers capture memories throughout your cruise, purchasing these professional photos requires additional payment. Cruise lines offer various photo packages to provide savings on multiple image purchases.
In-Stateroom Dining Beyond Basics
While continental breakfast room service is often complimentary, other room service menu items typically incur delivery fees (£3-10 per order) plus food costs. Guests in suite categories may receive enhanced complimentary room service depending on their accommodation level.
Shore Excursions and Port Activities
Guided tours and activities in ports of call are sold separately, with prices typically ranging from £35-300+ per person. Basic city tours cost £35-75, while adventure activities, helicopter tours, or full-day excursions range from £150-300+ per person depending on complexity and duration.
Maximising Value from What’s Included in Cruise Fare
Budget-Conscious Approach: You can enjoy an exceptional cruise experience using only the inclusions in your cruise fare. The main dining rooms, buffet options, entertainment venues, and activity programs provide outstanding value without requiring additional spending.
Enhanced Experience Strategy: Consider purchasing bundled packages that combine popular extras like beverages, Wi-Fi, and specialty dining for better overall value compared to individual purchases.
Expert Advice for Cruise Fare Questions
When uncertain about whether specific services or amenities are included in your cruise fare, visit the guest services desk for clarification. The knowledgeable staff can explain exactly what’s covered versus what costs extra, helping you make informed decisions about your onboard spending and avoid unexpected charges on your final account.
Understanding what’s included in your cruise fare empowers you to make the most of your vacation investment while planning appropriately for any optional extras that enhance your cruise experience.
Our take
On Princess, the Princess Plus package is a no-brainer. But even without drinks and WiFi, you can still get exceptional value from the base cruise fare.
Compare the cost of a week on a cruise ship with the cost of four nights in Center Parcs chalet[4] and you can see just how good value cruising really it.
Please note that we use sponsored links on this blog. Although we may earn a referral fee or bonus points on some of these products and services mentioned, we never recommend anything we wouldn’t use ourselves.
Check out our full Affiliate Disclosure Policy[5] for more info.
References
- ^ an excell cruise for just £400ent (www.journeyintodarkness.co.uk)
- ^ The Complete Guide to Cruise Ship Cabins: From Budget-Friendly Inside Staterooms to Luxury Suites (www.journeyintodarkness.co.uk)
- ^ Ultimate guide: How to get free drinks on a Princess Cruise (www.journeyintodarkness.co.uk)
- ^ Center Parcs chalet (www.journeyintodarkness.co.uk)
- ^ Affiliate Disclosure Policy (www.journeyintodarkness.co.uk)