While a lot is included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare, there are extra costs that can add up to your final bill.
The base cruise fare you pay includes your cabin, most meals, and entertainment. It represents an excellent value, and it's attractive to many people who want to try cruises for how much you get.
However, a Royal Caribbean cruise is not all-inclusive and there are things that will cost extra. Some may surprise you, but it's part of the modular approach to cruise ship pricing.
While you may not be shocked to see a spa treatment or souvenir costs extra, there are fees that will encounter that are not as obvious.
The more you know in advance of your cruise means there is less to be surprised by later on.
Gratuities
With the exception of Australia, Royal Caribbean does not include gratuities for crew members in its cruise fare and you'll be expected to pay it later.
Royal Caribbean charges an automatic gratuity to every passenger, regardless of age, that covers the services provided by your stateroom attendant and dining room staff. These crew members work extremely diligently to ensure you have a great cruise experience, and the gratuity is a way to recognize their hard work.
Decades ago, gratuities were paid by hand in the form of cash at the end of the cruise and it was always a bit awkward. To make it simpler, these have become automatic to be charged to the guest.
If you were to book a cruise and then do nothing else, you'll see a daily charge of $18.00 per person, per day for standard cabins and $20.50 per person, per day for guests in Grand Suites and above.
The best way to avoid paying gratuities onboard is to pre-pay them prior to the cruise beginning. Simply ask your travel agent (or Royal Caribbean if you booked directly with the cruise line) to add it to your account. This ensures you pay the gratuities before the cruise begins and there are no surprises once onboard.
Before someone comments on this post and points out you can go to Guest Services to remove gratuities from your account all together, it's important to note that ability is so that the guest can then turn around and pay gratuities in cash "the old fashioned way". It is not meant as a money-saving strategy.
Internet
When you're on a cruise ship, expect to have to pay to use the internet on mainstream cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean.
Unlike hotels on land, the cost of satellite internet is significantly higher. Internet on land relies on cables, whereas cruise ships don't have that ability.
Internet access on Royal Caribbean will cost you about $22.99 for one device at a time onboard, although you can get a discount if you pre-purchase it on Royal Caribbean's website. Likewise, there are WiFi discounts offered for Crown and Anchor Society members.
You could avoid internet charges by waiting until you get to a port of call to use the internet. Quite often there are restaurants, bars, or cafes that include free internet for their visitors. Some cruise terminals offer complimentary WiFi as well.
Another option is to book a suite (Grand Suite or higher category suite) on an Oasis, Icon, or Quantum Class cruise ship. Suites on these big ships include a complimentary one-device internet package for each guest in the cabin, regardless of age.
Onboard attractions
Royal Caribbean is known for the amazing things you can do on a cruise ship, and some come with an extra cost.
There are private lessons at the Flowrider surf simulator, rides on the North Star, and private karaoke sessions that all have an extra cost.
The good news is you can avoid these extra costs by taking a more DIY approach.
The Flowrider has plenty of complimentary sessions throughout your cruise. While you won't have an instructor, the crew members working are happy to offer tips and advice when it's your turn. A few falls and you'll probably pick it up.
Read more: I learned how to surf on a weekend cruise
North Star costs money if you go for a ride while the ship is at sea, but it's complimentary while in port. In my experience, there's no reason to pay for the sea day sessions. You'll get a very similar experience while docked in port.
Newer Royal Caribbean cruise ships with private karaoke rooms can be rented at Spotlight Karaoke, but this is a luxury you don't need to buy. In the main venue, karaoke is complimentary, so you just need to sign up for a turn.
Some onboard activities have no workaround to the cost, such as the escape room or Crown's Edge experience. If you really want to try these, you'll have no choice but to pay them.
Room service fee
Royal Caribbean charges for room service to have food delivered to your cabin, and it's a $7.95 service fee with a 18% gratuity that brings the total price to $9.40. This is per order, not per item.
The continental breakfast has no service fee, and it offers toast, bagels, coffee, donuts, cereal and more. It's perfectly suitable for a light meal.
If you really love room service, then you could book a suite. Grand Suites and above include room service as part of the suite experience.
Specialty restaurants
No matter which cruise ship you sail on there, there will be a few restaurants that have an additional cost to dine there.
Read more: How does specialty dining work
The appeal of these restaurants are cooking styles and/or food quality you cannot find elsewhere on the ship.
Before you assume these restaurants are necessary, you shouldn't overlook the included restaurants. Most people find the Main Dining Room, Windjammer buffet and other included options satisfactory and an enjoyable experience too.
While there's nothing wrong with choosing to pay extra for a specialty restaurant meal, be aware there is more than enough food included with your cruise fare that you do not have to pay for the extra cost restaurants.
Read more: 7 reasons to eat at specialty restaurants instead of the Main Dining Room on your cruise
If you think you will eat at a specialty restaurant, be sure to pre-book before the cruise because there are discounts offered regularly off the onboard price.
Beverages
Just like dining, there are some drinks included with your cruise fare and others that cost extra.
Royal Caribbean includes coffee, water, tea, and flavored water in its cruise fare, so you don't need to pay extra for bottled water or specialty coffees.
If you want soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, you'll probably save money if you purchase those in the ports your ship visits.
Many times the cost of a beer, latte, or margarita is cheaper in the ports you visit than on the ship.
Another option for those that want to enjoy unlimited drinks without the surprise bill later is to buy a drink package. Pre-purchasing one could save you hundreds of dollars later.
Shore excursion prices
Royal Caribbean will offer many shore excursions in the ports you visit, and while these organized tours are a great way to see the place you are visiting, they're optional.
You could very easily walk off the ship and explore on your own. There's no requirement to have a tour booked in order to disembark a cruise ship.
By doing a little research prior to your vacation, you could come up with a walking tour on your own. Or you could just walk around and see what you can find on foot.
A less-expensive option is to book a shore excursion through a third-party (rather than Royal Caribbean). Sometimes this gets you a similar tour at less of price. Be sure to vet the tour operator and ensure you have ample time to return to the ship before it is scheduled to depart.
Read more: Simple tips to safely take a cruise ship shore excursion
