Don't Get Surprised by Your Cruise Drink Tab

One of the best features of cruise vacations is the unlimited amount of food and drink available and included as part of the cruise fare. Eat and drink anytime you get the urge... what could be better? But beware that not all drinks on a cruise are free!

Most cruises have unlimited free drinks including water (not bottled), iced tea, lemonade (on some cruises), tea, and coffee. If you are on a tight budget, this variety will be plenty. But if you enjoy a larger selection of beverages while on your cruise vacation, be sure to include it in your vacation budget accordingly.

Soda - expect to pay around $2 for a 12-ounce can of soda onboard the ship. Most cruise lines offer a soda card that can be purchased on the first day of the cruise. The cost for a soda card will be around 6 to 7 dollars a day per person.

Specialty Coffee - if you enjoy premium coffee or specialty coffee drinks, most cruise lines have a Seattle's Best, Starbucks, or some other premium coffee bar onboard. The prices of these special coffee drinks are similar to that of any premium coffee store, maybe a little higher.

Alcohol - as would be expected, a great attraction on a cruise vacation is alcoholic drinks. Don't worry about finding a place to buy a drink because there is a bar service around every corner. The price of beer, wine, and other alcoholic drinks on a cruise will compare to that of an upscale restaurant bar.

Gratuity - also remember that each drink purchase will automatically include a gratuity of around 16%!

So at the end of your cruise when you go to pay the tab for your onboard expenses, don't be caught off guard by an onboard beverage expense that's higher than the cost of the cruise itself. Believe it or not, it is a very common occurrence. Plan ahead and be sure to add a budget item to pay your cruise drink tab.