Cruise with Kids: What's Included and What's Not

The rate covers far less than the advertising suggests. An honest look at what’s actually included, what’s charged separately, and how to put together a realistic budget for a week with the family.

Published July 22, 20264 min read

Cubierta de un crucero con piletas y reposeras

A cruise is marketed as an “all-inclusive” vacation, but it isn’t. It includes enough so that the phrase isn’t a lie, and excludes enough so that the final bill comes as a surprise. With kids, the gap between what you expect and what you actually get widens.

What Is Included

Accommodations and on-board transportation

The cabin, obviously, and the not-insignificant fact that the hotel moves on its own: you unpack your suitcase once and wake up in a different place every day. With kids, this is probably the biggest advantage of this format over a land-based trip.

Main meals

Buffet, main dining room, and several casual dining options are included, generally with extended hours. On most cruise lines, pizza and ice cream are available much of the day at no extra charge—a detail that makes the trip much more enjoyable for kids and saves parents from arguments.

Room service is included on some cruise lines and has a flat fee on others. It’s best to check in advance.

Kids’ Club

All major cruise lines have age-specific clubs, generally for children ages three and up, with very extended hours. They’re included in the fare.

This is, by far, the most valuable feature for a family. It allows adults to enjoy a quiet dinner, visit the spa, or simply read. The kids, in general, don’t want to leave.

Entertainment

Evening shows, pools, water slides, outdoor movie theater, daytime activities. All-inclusive.

What’s Not Included, and How Much It Costs

Tips

They’re automatically charged to the bill: between $14 and $18 per person per day, including children. For a family of four staying seven nights, that’s between $390 and $500.

This is the most surprising expense because it doesn’t appear in the advertised price and isn’t really optional.

Beverages

Water at the table and at the buffet, regular coffee, tea, and breakfast juices are included. Soft drinks are not included on almost any cruise line, with the exception of Disney Cruise Line. Bottled water is not included either.

A soft drink package for children costs between $8 and $12 per day per child. The alcohol package for adults costs between $60 and $90 per day, and generally, you must purchase it for all adults in the cabin.

Shore Excursions

This is the most expensive item after the fare. A family excursion costs between USD 60 and 150 per person. On a four-port itinerary, a family of four can spend more than USD 1,500 on this alone.

It’s not mandatory to go on a tour: you can walk around the port, take a taxi to a nearby beach, or stay on the ship, which is empty on port days—and that’s when you’ll enjoy it the most.

Specialty Restaurants

Between USD 30 and 60 per person. They’re not necessary: the included meals are sufficient. This is a truly optional expense.

Internet

Between USD 15 and 30 per day per device. It’s expensive and tends to be slow.

Photos, spa, arcade

Photos taken by the ship’s photographer cost between USD 20 and 30 each. The arcade charges per game, and that’s where kids tend to spend money without realizing it: it’s a good idea to set a spending limit on your stateroom card, which all cruise lines allow you to do at the front desk.

The Actual Budget

Item (family of 4, 7 nights)	Approximate cost
Inside cabin fare	$2,800
Tips	USD 450
Pack of soft drinks (2 children)	USD 140
Excursions (3 ports)	USD 900
Miscellaneous expenses on board	USD 300
Flights and transfer to the port	Variable
Total excluding flights	USD 4,590

In other words: approximately 60% more than the published rate. That’s the figure you should use when comparing this to other vacation options.

Practical Tips for Traveling with Kids

Balcony cabin: With kids who take naps, being able to step out onto the balcony while they sleep is worth every dollar of the difference.
Cabin location: Requesting a mid-deck cabin in the center of the ship greatly reduces motion. Avoid decks directly below the nightclub or the buffet.
Bring a power strip without a surge protector: Cabins have two outlets, but there are always four devices to plug in. Surge protectors are prohibited and will be confiscated.
Documents: Minors traveling without both parents need authorization. Each cruise line and each port of call has its own requirements, and this cannot be resolved at the port.
First day: Your luggage won’t arrive in your cabin until the afternoon. It’s a good idea to pack swimwear, sunscreen, and any necessary medications in your carry-on bag.

Is it worth it?

With children between the ages of four and twelve, yes, definitely. The kids’ club, the food that’s always available, and not having to pack and unpack suitcases make this one of the least stressful family vacation options out there.

With babies, it’s more complicated: most clubs don’t accept children under three who aren’t yet potty-trained, and individual childcare is charged by the hour. It also works very well with teenagers, as long as the ship is large and has a club for that age group.