Cruise Add-Ons Can Add Hundreds to the Cost of a Sailing

Cruise passengers can face substantial onboard and port-related costs beyond their fares. Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package is priced at about $65 to $120 per person, per day. Carnival’s CHEERS! package costs $69.95 per day when bought in advance, with an additional 20% service charge.

Shore activities can also command a premium. An analysis cited in the report estimates that cruise-line excursions generally cost 30% to 80% more than comparable tours booked independently. In Juneau, a whale-watching trip reserved through a cruise line can cost between $215 and $265 and accommodate at least 50 passengers.

Spa and photography purchases represent other potential expenses. A 50-minute massage at Norwegian Cruise Line’s Mandara Spa has cost $149 to $179, while the company adds a 20% gratuity to spa and salon services.

The report lists Royal Caribbean digital photographs at $24.99 each and a 50-photo package at $299.99 per stateroom. Carnival’s portrait packages purchased before departure range from $99.99 for five photographs to $299.99 for 15. The report also says Royal Caribbean charges $3 for each slot-machine cash withdrawal.