The sneaky ways cruise lines squeeze every penny from their passengers
'Nothing on holiday jolts you back to reality more harshly than being presented with the bill containing an automatic service charge, which on American cruise lines can be as high as 20 per cent'
Slowly but surely, cruise companies are finding increasingly inventive ways to slip in extra charges on unsuspecting passengers.
The latest one to come to the attention of the The Telegraph was by the most stately of lines, Cunard, which has slapped a 15 per cent service fee on drinks from in-cabin minibars.
One passenger on a Southampton-New York return crossing aboard the line’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, was taken aback at having to pay the supplement after deciding to treat himself.
“For a half bottle of house wine, which cost around £13, I had to pay £2 for the pleasure of having to get down on my knees to get the item out of the fridge, opening the bottle and pouring the wine before putting the remains back in the fridge,” said 71-year-old Londoner John Crampton.
Cunard defended the charge, but it’s the latest case of cruise companies subtly upping the ante when it comes to making more money from their clientele.
Since the dark days of the pandemic, which grounded cruise ships across the world, lines have been intent on rebuilding their shattered finances and maximising income while keeping headline prices competitive.
A mini-bar service charge, imposed by Cunard, has attracted criticism
Rubbed up the wrong way
One area where prices have risen sharply post-pandemic are in the ever-more sumptuous cruise ship spas.
By their very nature, these are luscious sanctuaries where pampered guests waft in a sybaritic cocoon of indulgent therapies, but nothing jolts you back to reality more harshly than being presented with the bill containing an automatic service charge.
On American cruise lines it can be as high as 20 per cent, and there’s even a box for an extra discretionary tip to boost this further.
With many spa treatments now easily topping $200, it doesn’t take a maths genius to work out that the gratuity, plus some products (if you succumb to the sales pitch), can take the final bill northwards of $250.
Made in America
The thorny issue of cruise ship gratuities has long dogged the industry, especially as amounts are higher on US lines where bills for drinks, as well as spa treatments, carry an automatic service charge.
This is in addition to the main daily levy which now averages around $18 per person, rising to about $20pp or more for suite guests. On the likes of Oceania Cruises (up to $23pp for suite guests) and Norwegian Cruise Line (up to $25pp) it is higher, while Cunard Line and Princess Cruises (both $17pp-$19pp) and boutique line Star Clippers (€8pp is recommended) charge less.
With children on most ships having to pay too, it can add a whopping £375 to the bill for a family of four on a week-long sailing.
Gratuities on UK-facing lines tend to be significantly lower, with the likes of Ambassador Cruise Line and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines charging rates of £7pp (£6pp on voyages of 16 nights or more) and £5pp respectively.
However, upmarket brands such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn and Silversea include tips in the overall price, as does Viking. It’s a policy that has been adopted by a growing tally of other companies, notably P&O Cruises, Azamara, MSC Cruises and Tui-owned Marella Cruises.
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The rise of the ‘crew appreciation’ charge
A more recent trend neatly sidestepping misgivings over this practice, which has never sat comfortably with a British audience less accustomed to the American tipping culture, is the rise of added-value deals from lines such as Princess Cruises and NCL.
From around £50 per passenger per day, guests can bolt on packages that include selected drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities or, as some lines call them, “crew appreciation” charges.
“Around 90 per cent of my customers opt for these packages,” said Hampshire-based travel homeworker Sarah Bolton, a cruise specialist who works for Travel Counsellors.
“People want to know what they’re paying upfront and prefer an all-inclusive package so they’re clear about what’s covered. Then it just leaves other extras such as spa treatments, excursions and speciality dining, which are optional.”
The cost of Wi-Fi and drinks, especially on US lines where higher prices (cocktails at $12 or more) are exacerbated by variable pound/dollar exchange rates, can quickly ramp up on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Fine dining on some cruise lines costs extra
Speciality dining, where charges can comfortably reach $50pp or more (among the most expensive venues is the Empire Supper Club on Royal Caribbean International (RCI) mega-ship Icon of the Seas which costs an eye-watering $200pp), is another area that can run away, particularly for family groups, though some mainstream lines offer pre-purchase dining packages that can be more cost-effective.
It’s also worth remembering that even in complimentary dining restaurants, there’s an increasing trend for more lavish dishes, such as steak and lobster, to command a supplement.
Another area where charges can ramp up are excursions, though cruise companies have sought to increase the choice of shore outings in recent years, offering more exclusive arrangements and some cheaper alternatives.
Alternatively, guests can explore under their own steam or pick up port-side tours from local operators, which in some cases may be cheaper.
Unexpected extras at sea
Call it penny-pinching or, in American parlance, nickel and diming, but there are several less obvious ways that cruise companies try to ramp up the on-board spend of customers.
It starts as soon as you step on to the ship and are met by waiters gliding across the decks with loaded trays of mouth-watering sail-away cocktails. They may look tempting, but they come at a price.
Exclusive deck areas, such as The Sanctuary on Princess, The Retreat on P&O Cruises and the Vibe Beach Club on NCL, all serve a mix of rarefied exclusivity with plush sun-loungers, waiter service and titbit treats for fees that can range from a few dollars to over $100 and even more if you book a cabana.
It’s a similar story for spa thermal suites with day passes on sale for around $50 (sometimes half-day passes are offered too), while those wanting more access can snap up a pass for the entire cruise.
Fees have also started to creep in for some onboard attractions with NCL charging $15 to race around its go-karting track (or $199 for unlimited rides) and Carnival Cruise Line charging the same amount, per person, for its Bolt roller-coaster ride, while RCI charges for its sky-diving simulator (from $30) and North Star viewing pod. There’s no wriggling out of the extra fee on Escape Room attractions on some ships too.
A fee applies for those who want to try out the North Star viewing pod
Families cruising to RCI’s private island resort, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, may also get caught out by charges for its water park, which boasts the highest waterslide in the Caribbean, as it costs from $80pp.
The line’s new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, which opens in the Bahamas this December, promises party, chill and family fun, but this comes at a price with adult day passes from $169.99.
Yet despite such a variety of ways to part cruise passengers from their money, it’s worth noting that many are discretionary, so can be easily avoided.
“Cruising is one of the best-value, hassle-free holidays available today,” said Tony Andrews, managing director of Cruise.co.uk.
“Guests know upfront that the majority of their holiday is taken care of with extras such as gratuities, wi-fi and drinks packages often part of the overall price.
“Being able to visit multiple destinations on one trip, via excursions designed for a range of tastes and budgets, makes it one of the most cost-effective holidays you can find,” he added.
This article was first published in September 2023 and has been revised and updated.
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