Let's talk about the stuff that turns a "just the cruise fare, please" booking into a whole shopping spree: drinks packages, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, excursions, spa days. If you've ever wondered why the same drinks package was $79/day when your friend booked it and $54/day when you did... you're not imagining things. Here's what's actually going on, and how to make it work in your favor. 👇
Cruise Extras Have "Surge Pricing" Too
Just like flights and hotel rooms, cruise extras use dynamic pricing. That means the cost of your drinks package, Wi-Fi plan, dining package, shore excursions, and spa treatments can shift based on the ship, the sailing date, and — this is the big one — when you book. Two people on the exact same cruise can pay very different prices for the exact same add-ons. The good news? Once you know the game, you can play it.
Rule #1: Book Extras Early
Across the board, booking your extras earlier tends to save you money — especially for:
- Drinks packages 🍹
- Wi-Fi
- Specialty dining
- Shore excursions
Prices generally creep up the closer you get to sail date, so if you already know you want the drinks package or you're dying to try that specialty steakhouse, don't wait until you're standing at the pier.
Rule #2: If You Want It All, Look at the Bundles
Planning to buy more than one extra? Do the math on an all-inclusive style package before buying things a la carte. Cruise lines have their own versions of "get it all in one price," like:
- NCL's Free at Sea
- Holland America's Have It All
- Princess's bundled packages
Sometimes these bundles beat buying drinks + Wi-Fi + dining separately. Sometimes they don't, depending on what you'll actually use. Either way, it's worth pricing it both ways before you check out. (This is exactly the kind of comparison I help clients run through — because nobody wants to pay for a spa credit they'll never use.) 💆♀️
Rule #3: Excursions Are a Little Different
For shore excursions and private island experiences, the strategy shifts a bit:
- Popular excursions (the ones that sell out) are worth locking in right after you book your cruise.
- For everything else, it can pay to shop around and compare independent tour operators like TripAdvisor and Viator against the cruise line's own excursions.
Sometimes the ship's excursion is worth the convenience. Sometimes an independent tour gets you a smaller group and a better price. Knowing which is which is half the battle.
Rule #4: Do a Little Homework Before You Buy Dining or Spa
Before you swipe that card on a specialty restaurant or spa treatment:
- ✅ Check whether gratuities are included in the price
- ✅ Make your reservations early — the good time slots go fast
- ✅ Watch for onboard daily deals once you're sailing
- ✅ Ask the spa desk directly about last-minute or embarkation-day discounts (this one's slept on! 🤫)
The Bottom Line
Cruise extras aren't "set it and forget it" pricing — they move. Booking early, comparing bundles, and asking the right questions onboard can genuinely save you real money on the things that make your cruise feel extra special.
Want help figuring out which package actually makes sense for your cruise? That's literally what I'm here for. DM me "EXTRAS" and I'll help you sort out drinks packages, bundles, and excursions before you ever set foot on the ship.
Travel Happy,
Teri
#tripsbyteri