what is included in cruise travel?

i am planing on going on a cruise soon and wondering what is included ie meals drinks the ship we plan on going has a ice skating rink if anyone has gone on a cruise what was it like is it really worth the money what food and drinks are normaly included in the price and if not how much was it and is it free to go into the clubs gyms and activities on the ship i know off shore trips are extra

Included in the price of the cruise:
1. Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main dining rooms including water, juice, tea, lemon-aide, coffee
2. Meals and snacks from the buffet lines which are open nearly all day.
3. Room service (kitchen is open 24 hours a day)
4. Entertainment such as shows, clubs, dances, ice skating, rock climbing etc.
5. Exercise rooms and equipment

Extra costs:
1. Alcohol and sodas
2. Specialty snacks like Ben and Jerry's or Starbucks (a price list is displayed)
3. Specialty restaurants (reservations are required and they usually charge a fee of around 20 per person)
4. Entertainment such as gambling, wine tasting etc.
5. Spa services (reservations are required)
6. Port excursions
7. Tips

Is it worth the money? Absolutely. All of the extra expenses can be easily avoided by eating in the main dining room (where the food is amazing and you'll never feel cheated) and by making use of the vast free entertainment options. Tips are the exception. I personally feel (and I'm sure you will too) that the service on board is so amazing that you'll want to reward those who catered to your every desire. So I highly recommend tipping at the end of the trip. In my opinion a cruise is the best bang for the buck. I'm taking my 4th one in march and I can't wait. Have a great time.

You must be going on one of Royal Caribbean's ships. There are several that have an ice skating rink and yes the skating is free but its not available all day every day. The ships that have the ice rink also have a fabulous free ice show that you should not miss. Although its free you will have to go to a designated location and pick up the free tickets and do get to the show early as seating is open, first come first served.

The price of your cruise includes your cabin, all meals (except the specialty restaurants), all shows and entertainment, and use of all facilities on ship. The things that you will have to pay for once you are on the ship are:

Gratuities: They will amount to about $10 per person in your cabin per day; about $70 each for the week. When you check in at the pier they will set up an on-board charge account for you to cover any and everything you may buy on ship. They will issue you a "cruise card" which will also serve as your room key and pass to get on and off the ship. At the end of the cruise they will add the gratuity to your tab and you can pay with a credit card or cash, your choice.

Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks: Coffee, tea, milk, juice, and lemonade and punch will be provided free but you must pay for drinks (alcoholic beverages) and they will add a 15% gratuity to each drink of soft drink order. You can save on drinks by ordering them in a plain glass rather than the souvenir glasses they often use.

Photographs: Cruise lines will take plenty of photographs of you all over the ship, in the dining room, and as you exit the ship in ports. They also take a video and will offer it for a price. The photos will cost a lot, like $15 to $20 for most. Skip them and save yourself a lot of money. Take your own camera and have the other passengers photograph you on and off the ship.

Tours/Excursions: These are listed on your cruise line web site and you can reserve them well before the cruise and pay for them also. If you wait until you are on ship to book tours they will be charged to your on board account (then you can pay cash to settle your account on the last day)

Souvenirs: Anything you buy on ship from a gift shop or duty free shop goes on your on board account. Things that you buy on shore you pay cash or credit card for.

Casino: If you plan to gamble on ship you will need cash for that.

Other: most cruise lines have what they call "specialty" restaurants where there is a gratuity/service charge. All other food on board is free and its not really necessary to budget for food; you cannot eat all that will be available. There will be information on ship about the gratuity/service fees in the specialty restaurants. There will be places like a steak house and/or an Italian restaurant with a fee of about $20 per person per visit and then Johnny Rockets where the fee is $3.95 per person per visit. But there will be plenty of great free food available 24/7, including free room service.

--If you want/need to have your hair done, get a massage or wrap, or any services from the spa, you will have to pay for them. You can use the gym free but the spa stuff cost big bucks.

--Ships now have internet cafe and some have WiFi but the there is a fee for internet access and it is very expensive (like about $50 to $60 an hour). We always look for internet cafes in the ports; they are usually only $5 or $6 an hour

--You cabin will likely have a minibar with soft drinks and munchies; you have to pay for them .

Meals,except for some cruise ships that have the upscale dining,that's extra.Tea,water(not bottled water),coffee,juices,milk and hot chocolate are included,you can purchase a soda card for six to seven dollars per day and there is also a wine card that you can purchase.I am assuming that you haven't cruised before but if you have there are some wine and champagne parties that you would be invited to and the drinks in there are free.If there is a champagne art auction then the champagne is free as well. All the activities are free except if you get lessons by the golf pro, spa services,arcade and bingo.If there are any other activities have a fee you will be informed prior to taking part in them.Enjoy your cruise.