Surprising Inclusions in Your First Cruise Experience That Save You Money

Cruising offers a unique vacation experience where many costs are bundled into one price. First-time cruisers often find themselves pleasantly surprised by how much they get without extra charges. From meals to entertainment and even childcare, a cruise can feel like a floating resort with many perks included. This guide highlights the most common inclusions that often catch new cruisers off guard, helping you understand what you get for your money and where you might want to budget a little extra.

Cruise ship dining room with ocean views

Most Meals Are Included and More Than You Expect

One of the biggest surprises for first-time cruisers is how much food is included in the cruise fare. Unlike many vacations where every meal is an added cost, cruises bundle most dining options into the price.

What’s Usually Included

• Main dining room meals: Multi-course dinners with a variety of options, often including appetizers, entrees, and desserts.

• Buffet and casual dining: Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a wide range of dishes.

• Quick bites: Pizza, sandwiches, soft-serve ice cream, and snacks available throughout the day.

• Basic beverages: Water, tea, coffee, and some juices during breakfast hours.

  
  

Why This Matters

You can enjoy full meals and snacks all day without worrying about extra charges each time you eat. This means you can try different dining venues and sample a variety of foods without breaking your budget. Some specialty restaurants or premium drinks may cost extra, but the core dining experience is covered.

Entertainment Every Night Without Extra Tickets

Cruise ships offer a packed schedule of entertainment included in your fare. This can make your evenings as exciting as your days.

Typical Entertainment Options

• Broadway-style shows: Large-scale productions with professional performers.

• Live music: Bands, solo artists, and themed music nights.

• Comedy and game shows: Interactive and fun for all ages.

• Movies on deck: Outdoor screenings under the stars.

• Themed parties and events: Costume nights, dance parties, and cultural celebrations.

  
  

What Surprises New Cruisers

The variety and quality of entertainment feel like a resort and a mini entertainment district rolled into one. You don’t need to buy tickets or pay cover charges to enjoy these shows, which can save you a lot compared to land-based entertainment.

Kids’ Clubs and Teen Hangouts Included on Most Ships

Families often worry about keeping kids entertained on vacation, but many cruise lines include supervised kids’ clubs and teen areas as part of the package.

What’s Included

• Age-specific kids’ clubs: Activities and supervision for toddlers, kids, and tweens.

• Teen lounges: Spaces designed for older kids to hang out and socialize.

• Special programs: Crafts, games, and themed events tailored to different age groups.

  
  

Why This Is Valuable

Parents can relax knowing their children are safe and having fun. This can be a rare chance to enjoy some adult time while kids experience memorable activities. Note that late-night babysitting or nursery care for very young children might come with an extra fee on some lines.

Room Service May Be Included or Partly Included

Many cruise lines offer room service as part of the fare, at least for simple orders like breakfast or coffee.

What to Expect

• Basic room service: Coffee, tea, breakfast items, and light snacks delivered to your stateroom.

• Delivery fees: Some lines charge a small fee for room service or limit the menu items included.

  
  

Why This Is a Nice Bonus

Having breakfast or coffee delivered means you can enjoy a slow morning in your cabin without rushing to the dining room. It adds a touch of luxury and convenience to your vacation.

Daily Stateroom Attendant Service Is Included

Your cabin will be cleaned and refreshed daily without extra charges. This includes towel service, making your room comfortable and tidy throughout the cruise.

What’s Included

• Daily cabin cleaning: Beds made, trash emptied, and surfaces wiped.

• Towel service: Fresh towels and creative towel animals in many cases.

• Personalized touches: Your attendant may leave notes or small treats.

  
  

Why This Matters

Having someone take care of your room means less stress and more time to enjoy your vacation. It’s like having housekeeping included in your hotel stay, but on a ship.

What’s Not Usually Included (so you’re not caught off guard)

This is where people get surprised the other way—so I like to set expectations:

• Gratuities/service charges (often added daily unless prepaid)

• Alcohol and specialty coffee

• Wi-Fi

• Shore excursions

• Specialty dining restaurants

• Spa services

• Photos

• Some onboard experiences (arcades, certain character/dining experiences, etc.)

• Transportation to the cruise port (flights/hotel the night before)

  
  

Pixie tip: Cruising can still be very budget-friendly—you just want to decide ahead of time what “extras” matter for your family.

The biggest “surprise value” for families

If you’re cruising with kids, the biggest value items tend to be:

• Included meals/snacks all day

• Included entertainment nightly

• Included kids’ clubs

  
  

That’s why cruising can feel like a lot of vacation for the price—especially compared to paying per meal and activity on land.

Want help picking a cruise that matches your budget and includes what you care about?

Tell me:

• where you want to sail (Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, etc.)

• who’s going + kids’ ages

• your budget comfort zone

• what matters most (kids’ clubs, food, ship activities, chill vibe)

  
  

➡️ Visit PixieBound.com and I’ll help you compare cruise lines and itineraries that fit your family.