One of the things that make taking a cruise vacation so great is that once you board the ship you don’t have to worry about anything. That isn’t to say you don’t have to pay for anything. I am always surprised how many people think cruises are all-inclusive. Although some cruises do include everything, I have only used the mainstream cruise lines so I can’t talk about the ultra-luxury cruises.

Generally, when you book a cruise, all of your major expenses are included in the fare. When I say major expenses, I am talking about lodging, some entertainment, meals (including non alcoholic/non-soda drinks), snacks and some shipboard activities. Let me assure you that you can have an incredible time on a cruise without spending (other than tips) a dime more than what you spent at booking. However, the rest of us will incur additional expenses. Here is a break down of the main out of pocket expenses not included in the cost of your cruise.

Transportation to and from port: Those of you lucky enough to live close to a port of embarkation will get substantial savings from being able to drive to the ship. The rest of us will probably need to take a plane to the cruise terminal. In some cases, the cost of the plane ticket can be nearly as much as the cruise.

Shore excursions: Each port will have dozens of excursions designed to increase your enjoyment of that port. These excursions cost anywhere from 10 dollars to thousands of dollars per person. Shore excursions are not mandatory and I will assure you that if you choose to explore on your own it is possible to have just as much fun at a fraction of the cost.

Tipping: At the end of your cruise tips are automatically charged to your account. Although all cruise lines have their own policies on tipping, generally you can expect 10 dollars per person per day added to your account. The tip is divided between your wait staff and cabin steward. There is also a 15 percent gratuity attached to any bar tab.

Alcohol and other Beverages: While water, tea and juices are usually included in the initial price of the cruise other drinks do cost extra. Alcoholic beverages and wine are not included on most cruises, soft drinks and bottled water also cost extra. Some people advocate sneaking alcohol on board the ship, but usually it is against cruise line policy to do so.

Specialty restaurants: Meals are included on cruise ships, but most cruises have alternative extra cost restaurant with higher quality food. The restaurants tend to cost anywhere between 10 and 30 dollars per person. While the quality of the food is an upgrade in these specialty restaurants, to many it may not be worth the price.

The Casino: The cruise ship casino can also be a major out of pocket expense. With every new ship, the casinos get larger and larger. Cruise lines design ships so that traffic is funneled through the casino in an effort to get cruisers to try the games. If you are unlucky like me, it may be wise to ignore all of the shiny slot machines.

The Spa: Another source of extra revenue on board cruise ships is the spa. Massages and various treatments are available for passengers. These treatments are usually 100 dollars or so but may be discounted on port days. The staff does work on commission so you can expect a sales pitch to buy their products at the end (and sometimes during) your treatment.

As you can see there are many ways someone can add to, double or triple the cost of a cruise, some (like tipping and transportation) are unavoidable but the rest are strictly a matter of personal taste. My advice to you would be to choose your extras wisely in order to keep expenses down.