Things Cruise Lines Used to Include for Free (But Now Charge Extra For)
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
Cruising hasn't necessarily gotten worse, but it has definitely gotten nickel and dimed.
My first Christmas cruise wish is room service that's actually free.
Wi-Fi is included. Now, they too have gone the route of giving you basically the um connectivity up front, right?
So, my Christmas wish would be cleaner pricing, fewer surprises, and less fine print.
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Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
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✅ Get Your Free Solo Cruise Savings Guide HERE: https://tinyurl.com/FreeSoloSavings Cruising hasn’t necessarily gotten worse, but it has become more expensive in ways many travelers don’t expect. In this video, I break down things cruise lines used to include for free that now come with extra charges, service fees, or upcharges. From room service and specialty dining to Wi-Fi, fitness classes, and port transportation, many once-included cruise perks have quietly disappeared over the years. This video is framed as my Cruise Christmas Wish List, the amenities and experiences I wish cruise lines would bring back. This isn’t about being cheap or anti-cruise. It’s about transparency, value, and understanding how modern cruise pricing has changed. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a frequent cruiser, this video will help you understand: What is no longer included in your cruise fare Why cruise bills feel higher than they used to How cruise line fees and upcharges add up Which cruise extras may still be worth paying for If you’re researching cruise costs, cruise fees, or wondering if cruising is still worth it as we move into 2026, this video gives you an honest, experience-based breakdown. #cruise #cruisetips #cruisedeals #cruiselife #cruiseship #cruisevacation 🌐 Let’s Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wadewire/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solocruisetravel Website: https://thesolocruise.com/ Business: solocruisercontact@gmail.com ⏱️ CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 – Cruising Didn’t Get Worse… It Got Nickel-and-Dimed 00:43 – My Cruise Christmas Wish List Explained 01:55 – Room Service That’s Actually Free 03:05 – Specialty Dining Used to Feel Special 04:48 – Paying Just to Leave the Port 06:11 – Fitness Classes Behind a Paywall 07:05 – Wi-Fi That Costs More Than Your Cruise 09:06 – In-Room Entertainment Paywalls 10:44 – Late-Night Food Isn’t What It Used to Be 11:54 – Service Fees on Top of Gratuities 16:18 – This Isn’t About Being Cheap 13:14 – Final Thought: What Cruising Should Feel Like Again