11 cruise fees you should know about before booking

Before booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, you’ll want to understand what is and is not included in your cruise fare. 

Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean cruises aren’t all-inclusive. Before getting too excited about the cheap cruise deal that you found, you’ll want to consider how much extra you will spend on cruise fees. 

While not all are required, there are some that you have to pay, such as port fees and gratuities. These two things alone can tack on an extra $400 per person depending on where you’re cruising to and how long the sailing is. 

Read more: What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare

Here are 11 cruise fees you should know about before booking your Royal Caribbean cruise, so you can appropriately budget. 

Port fees

When Royal Caribbean sends out emails advertising cruise deals, the rate shown doesn’t include port fees. These mandatory fees vary based on where you’re sailing to, with port fees in Alaska costing more than those in Europe or the Caribbean. 

In July 2025, for instance, the port fees on a 7-night sailing to Alaska onboard Quantum of the Seas cost as much as $295 per person, while the fees for a 7-night cruise to the Caribbean onboard the brand-new Icon of the Seas cost around $185 per person.  

Port fees are charged by the ports of call to the cruise line, as ships do not get to dock for free, and are then passed on to passengers. They’re usually a summation of a few different fees, including the docking fee, per-passenger fee (head tax), and pilot fee. 

Unlike gratuities that can be adjusted at Guest Services, port fees are paid in full by the time of final payment.

Wi-Fi

Hoping to stay connected while at sea? You will have to purchase a Wi-Fi package. Unlike other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean only offers a single package: Voom Surf + Stream.

With this package, you’ll get 24-hour access to the internet. There aren’t any restrictions on what you can access, either.

You can browse the web, send, and receive emails, and chat on messenger apps, as well as stream your favorite television shows, music, and movies. You’re also able to video chat with those back home and post on social media.

Of course, there are ways for you to check in on everyone at home without paying $20 per day, such as only connecting while in port at local restaurants or coffee shops. For most, however, it’s not feasible to be completely out of touch with the world. 

Related: How to get free wifi on Royal Caribbean

Gratuities 

As of November 2023, the automatic gratuity rate for Royal Caribbean cruises is $18.00 per person, per day for standard cabins (Junior Suites and below) and $20.50 per person, per day for suites.

This means that a family of four in a standard balcony stateroom on a 7-night cruise can expect to pay an extra $504 for the week. 

You can choose to pre-pay them before your sailing, either at the time of booking or by calling Royal Caribbean/your travel agent, or have them added to your onboard account to be settled at the end of your cruise. 

Each guest, regardless of age, will be assessed the daily gratuity, which is then split amongst hardworking crew members. 

Premium menu options

Included in your cruise fare is unlimited food from complimentary dining venues onboard. While the restaurants vary based on cruise ship, all Royal Caribbean vessels have a Main Dining Room and buffet. 

If you choose to eat in the ship’s dining room, you’ll notice a few premium options on the menu:

• Maine lobster tail: $16.99 (a single lobster tail is included on itineraries with “The Royal Night” menu)
• Chops Grille filet mignon: $19.99
• Surf & turf: $34.99

There will be plenty of things to choose from if you don’t want to pay for these upgraded offerings. If, however, you want a more intimate dining experience, you will want to consider splurging on a specialty dining meal. 

These range in pricing; however, if you book ahead through the Cruise Planner, you can take advantage of pre-cruise sales. 

Related: First look at Royal Caribbean’s new main dining room menus

Room service

Speaking of dining, every Royal Caribbean ship offers 24-hour room service, where you can have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks delivered right to your cabin. Whenever I cruise in a balcony, I make a point to enjoy breakfast on my private verandah at least once!

Aside from continental breakfast, all Royal Caribbean room service orders incur a $7.95 fee, as well as an 18% gratuity, bringing the total cost to around $9.40. 

The fee is a fixed-cost, meaning that you’ll pay the same amount whether you order one dish or three. 

Royal Caribbean’s continental breakfast includes items like toast (wheat, white, gluten-free), plain bagels, English muffins, assorted pastries, cereals, fruits, and yogurts. If you want any hot items, you’ll have to order those and pay the service charge. 

Additionally, it’s customary to give a small cash tip to the crew member delivering the food to your stateroom. 

Corkage fees

Each guest is permitted to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne with them when they board their ship. While this likely won’t be enough to last you the entire cruise, bringing your own alcohol onboard, even in a limited quantity, is a great way to save a little bit of money and enjoy your favorite wine on the ship. 

You aren’t charged to bring the bottle onboard; however, if you opt to consume it in a public area, such as the dining room, you’ll be charged a corkage fee of $15 per bottle. 

To avoid this pesky fee, simply consume the wine in your stateroom. Don’t bring the bottle with you to dinner or a show. 

Thermal suites 

There’s no denying that cruise ship spas are expensive, with a 50-minute Swedish Massage costing upwards of $150. 

Thermal suites are popular because you can either a pass that gives you access for the entire cruise. For instance, on my upcoming cruise onboard Quantum of the Seas, the Cruise Planner lists a 7-day pass at $125, which is cheaper than a 50-minute treatment!

Childcare 

Don’t worry, Adventure Ocean programming is complimentary for kids between the ages of 3 and 12 during the day. An hourly rate applies after 10:00pm, though. There is a separate program for teens (12-14 and 15-17). 

Additionally, children under the age of 3 cannot partake in the complimentary programming. Instead, Royal Babies & Tots is a nursery drop-off for guests between the ages of 6 and 36 months. This costs $6 per hour between 9:00am and 6:00pm and $8 per hour from 6:00pm until midnight. 

Regardless of where your child has to go, there will be age-appropriate activities for them to enjoy while parents get some much-needed alone time. 

Select non-alcoholic beverages 

Your base fare includes select beverages, including water, milk, tea, coffee (regular and decaf), lemonade, iced tea, flavored waters, juices (at breakfast and not fresh squeezed), and hot chocolate (via instant packets). 

If you want anything else, such as specialty coffees, sodas, or mocktails, you’ll have to either pay for each drink individually or splurge on a Royal Caribbean drink package. 

As of December 2023, most zero-proof cocktails are $7.00, with specialty coffees at Cafe Promenade and Cafe Latte-tude ranging from $4.00-$5.50. Soda onboard Royal Caribbean ships costs $3.50. 

Royal Caribbean offers two different non-alcoholic packages: the Classic Soda Package and the Royal Refreshment Package. 

The latter is the more expensive package, as it includes all non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails), Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages and soda refills at any venue, bottled still and sparkling water, specialty teas and coffees, Johnny Rockets shakes, and freshly squeezed juices.

The Classic Soda Package includes just soda, so you’ll have to pay extra for any other non-alcoholic beverages. 

Related: What drinks are free on your Royal Caribbean cruise?

Alcoholic drinks

Alcoholic beverages cost extra on Royal Caribbean cruises, too. Whether you want a cocktail, glass of wine, or crisp beer, you’ll have to be willing to spend some additional money. 

The Deluxe Beverage Package is their only alcoholic package. As such, it’s also their most expensive. Typically, it can cost anywhere from $56 to $105 per person, per day.

Packages are priced dynamically, meaning that the ship, itinerary, and time of year all play a role in what the cost is for your specific sailing. 

If you opt to purchase each drink individually, you’ll find most cocktails around $14.00, with beer ranging from $7.49-$7.99. Hard ciders, like Angry Orchard and Strongbow, are $7.99, and most glasses of wine fall within the window of $8.00-$14.00. 

Those sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Lababee, Haiti will be delighted to know that drink packages work ashore!

Certain onboard activities

Royal Caribbean is known for packing its ships full of onboard thrills. Depending on which class you sail on, you’ll find anything from ice skating rinks to skydiving simulators, bumper cars, zip lines, water slides, and more. 

While the majority of activities are included in the cost of your cruise fare, there are some you’ll have to pay extra for, such as the North Star observation capsule on sea days or fitness classes. 

Similarly, if you want a FlowRider lesson, whether it’s private or a group, you’ll have to pay extra, with the latter being the cheaper option. Usually, group lessons cost around $60 per person. 

Related: Top 30 extra cruise costs that are not included