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How Much Spending Money Do You Need on a Cruise UK

By Cruise Advisor Editorial Team · Updated 2026-08-06 · 12 min read

Passengers enjoying drinks and shopping on a cruise ship deck

A practical UK guide to how much spending money you need on a cruise per day in 2026. From drinks packages to excursions, learn realistic daily budgets and smart ways to save.

If you've searched for how much spending money do you need on a cruise per day, you're in the right place. In this comprehensive 2026 guide we break down daily costs for UK cruisers — from £-priced drinks packages on P&O and Cunard to shore excursions on Marella — so you can budget with confidence.

Why the per-day figure varies so much

The short answer above hides a lot of nuance. How much you spend onboard depends on several variables: cruise line, ship, itinerary length, how many port days you have, whether meals and drinks are included, and your personal habits. A 7-night P&O cruise around the Canary Islands in 2026 will have different optional costs to a 14-night Cunard transatlantic crossing on Queen Mary 2. Added to that are one-off purchases such as flights, travel insurance, pre- or post-cruise hotels and spending ashore — these affect your overall trip budget but are outside the per-day onboard estimate.

Most fares include your cabin, main dining room meals, many onboard activities, entertainment and basic non-alcoholic drinks (tea, coffee, filtered water). P&O, Cunard and Marella include different levels of service in 2026 fare structures — for example, Cunard still maintains a more traditional gratuity policy built into some fares on Queen Mary 2, whereas Marella tends to offer inclusive drink options on select sailings. Always check the fine print when booking; 'all inclusive' can mean different things.

Fixed costs to factor in per day

Fixed costs are those charged per person per day regardless of whether you use the service heavily or not. In 2026 the most common fixed daily costs are:

Gratuities/service charges: P&O Cruises says tips are included in the price (P&O Cruises, checked 1 Nov 2026); Marella says all tips and service charges are included (Marella, checked 1 Nov 2026); Cunard adds a hotel service charge of US$18 per person per day (Britannia and Britannia Club) or US$19 (Grills) (Cunard, checked 1 Nov 2026).
Wi‑Fi (if bought as a daily plan): roughly £6–£20 per device per day (cheaper for multi-day bundles).
Pre-booked shore excursions: variable but often average £40–£120 per trip; you can spread this over days.
Specialty dining cover charges: approximately £10–£50 per person depending on the restaurant and cruise line.
Medical clinic visits: consultations start from an estimated £50 on many ships.

Typical variable costs per day (the big ones)

Variable costs are the areas where travellers can control spending. The usual suspects include drinks, shore excursions, spa treatments, casino losses, photos and onboard shopping. To give realistic UK-based figures for 2026, here are typical per-day ranges:

Drinks if bought individually: £10–£40 (one soft drink + one alcoholic drink per evening)
Drinks with an average drinks package: £20–£55 per day
Shore excursions averaged across a week: £15–£60 per day (spread cost)
Spa treatments: £30–£150 per session
Laundry: £5–£15 per load if using self-service coins; full service more
Photos and souvenirs: £5–£50 per day depending on habits

How drinks packages change the maths

Drinks packages are a frequent reason budgets vary. On P&O Iona or Britannia in 2026, a standard 'soft and selected alcoholic' package might usually cost £45–£55 per day. Cunard’s more classic approach has premium drinks package options on Queen Mary 2 priced somewhere around £55–£65/day. Marella often offers more inclusive drinks deals in select promotions which can start from £20/day when bundled with a cabin. If you drink more than two alcoholic drinks a day, a drinks package often makes sense. However, if you only have a couple of drinks, paying as you go may be cheaper.

<table><thead><tr><th>Ship/Line</th><th>Example Package</th><th>Approx Cost per Day (£)</th><th>Included</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>P&O Iona</td><td>Classic Drinks Package</td><td>£48</td><td>Soft drinks, selected wines/spirits, cocktails up to £8</td></tr><tr><td>Cunard Queen Mary 2</td><td>Premium Drinks Package</td><td>£60</td><td>Wider selection, premium wines, select champagnes</td></tr><tr><td>Marella Discovery 2</td><td>Promo Inclusive Drinks</td><td>£30 (promo)</td><td>Most drinks included, varies by sailing</td></tr></tbody></table>

Sample per-day budgets: realistic examples

Below are sample daily budgets for typical UK cruisers in 2026. These are per person per day and assume a mid-length cruise (7–10 nights) with a mix of sea and port days.

<table><thead><tr><th>Style</th><th>Cost per Day (£)</th><th>What it covers</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Budget</td><td>£15–£35</td><td>Basic gratuities, pay-as-you-go drinks (1 soft + 1 alcoholic), cheap excursions or self-guided port days, minimal extras</td></tr><tr><td>Mid-range</td><td>£40–£70</td><td>Gratuities, drinks package or moderate bar tabs, 1-2 paid excursions per cruise (spread daily), occasional specialty dining</td></tr><tr><td>Premium/Luxury</td><td>£80–£150+</td><td>Premium drinks packages, multiple paid excursions, spa treatments, speciality dining every few days, shopping</td></tr></tbody></table>

Example calculation for a 7-night P&O cruise

Let’s do a concrete example: 7-night P&O Iona sailing Canary Islands, 2026.
• Gratuities: £10/day = £70
• Drinks package: £48/day = £336
• 2 shore excursions at £60 each = £120 (spread over 7 nights = ~£17/day)
• Wi‑Fi day plan: £8/day = £56
Total extras: £589 across the cruise = close to £84/day. So for that particular itinerary and habits, expect to typically spend £80–£90 per day on top of your cabin fare.

If your cruise has many port days you’ll likely want to go ashore and spend on excursions, meals off-ship or shopping. A Mediterranean cruise with four port days in a 7-night cruise will usually result in higher daily averages than a week at sea where more time is spent enjoying included entertainment and facilities.

Shore excursions: do you book with the cruise line or independently?

Book with the cruise line for convenience and guaranteed return to ship; prices are often higher. Independent operators can be cheaper — for example a P&O shore trip that’s £55 or so might be available from a reputable local operator for about £30–£40. However, independent bookings carry risk if a tour runs late: the ship waits for passengers on official excursions but not for independent bookings.

Pros:
• Can be significantly cheaper
• Often more personalised or unusual itineraries
• Flexibility in duration and timing
Cons:
• No guarantee ship will wait if you’re late
• Mixed standards; vet suppliers carefully
• You might miss out on included transport from port to shore-side meeting points

Tips for saving on excursions

Tip: Book a mix. Do one or two official excursions (especially those that involve transport or limited-access sites) and try independent or self-guided options for simpler port calls.

Dining: speciality restaurants and how they affect daily spend

Most UK cruise lines include main dining venues and buffets in the fare. Specialty and chef’s table experiences cost extra: expect around £15–£50 per person on P&O and Marella, and about £25–£70 for certain Cunard speciality venues in 2026. If you dine specialty twice on a 7-night cruise, add roughly £10–£20/day to your budget.

Speciality dining is worthwhile for celebrations or unique menus. On Cunard Queen Mary 2, an evening in a premium steakhouse or the Verandah can be a highlight and worth the extra for food lovers. Bookings often open before sailing with early-bird discounts.

How to minimise specialty dining costs

Look for online offers before you sail; Cunard and P&O sometimes offer dining credit or discounts when pre-booked in 2026.
Consider sharing tasting menus or choosing less-expensive premium nights.
Use complimentary dining rooms for most meals and reserve one specialty night.

<table><thead><tr><th>Line/Ship</th><th>Venue</th><th>Avg Cost per Person (£)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>P&O Britannia</td><td>Chef’s Table</td><td>£40</td></tr><tr><td>Cunard Queen Mary 2</td><td>The Verandah</td><td>£55</td></tr><tr><td>Marella Discovery 2</td><td>Pan-Asian Specialty</td><td>£25</td></tr></tbody></table>

Wi‑Fi and communications: budget for online needs

Wi‑Fi prices in 2026 are more competitive than earlier years, but still a significant line item. P&O and Cunard have tiered packages: social media bundles from approximately £6/day, basic browsing £10–£12/day, and premium streaming £16–£20/day. Marella often includes a limited Wi‑Fi promo on some departures; always check your booking page for offers.

Many UK passengers turn off ship Wi‑Fi and use local SIM cards when ashore — good value in ports with reliable mobile coverage. For example, a UK tourist SIM loaded with 5GB might generally cost £10–£15 and cover several port days. Keep in mind roaming charges and whether your phone supports local networks.

Onboard shopping, photos and casino: the wildcards

Onboard shops carry duty-paid and often duty-free items. Perfumes, watches and jewellery can seem like bargains but there are often similar prices ashore or online. Ship photographers take dozens of shots and offer packages: expect to normally pay £15–£60 for single prints and £50–£150 for a package. Casinos attract some passengers — set a strict loss limit and stick to it.

Spa and wellness costs

Spa therapies range widely: massages typically £45–£120, salon services £10–£60. Many ships run spa promotions early or late in the cruise — keep an eye on daily bulletins. Booking a spa package often reduces per-treatment cost if you plan multiple treatments across the voyage.

Currency, tipping and card charges for UK passengers

Most ships accept sterling for UK sailings, especially on UK-based lines like P&O and Marella. Cunard also accepts sterling in many outlets. If you’re on an international itinerary, onboard accounts might bill in USD or EUR — your credit card issuer will apply an exchange rate. Some ships apply a small foreign transaction fee; check with your bank. Pre-paid gratuities are commonly charged in sterling for UK bookings but always check your final invoice.

Carry some local currency for small purchases ashore and tipping in ports where cash is customary. Many UK cruisers find an estimated £50–£100 in small notes per person adequate for a week, supplemented by cards.

Money-saving strategies that actually work

Here are tested ways to reduce the per-day spend without compromising your cruise experience.

Pre-book selectively — some packages are cheaper when pre-booked online; others are cheaper on board.
Choose your drinks strategy: share a drinks package across cabin mates if allowed, or buy a limited pre-paid package for the first few days.
Mix official and independent excursions to manage costs.
Use complimentary dining and entertainment, and limit specialty nights.
Take advantage of onboard credits and promotions (2026 seasonal offers run regularly).
Bring essentials: suncream, a refillable water bottle and basic adapters to avoid ship prices.
Monitor your onboard account daily to spot unexpected charges early.

Using onboard credits effectively

Onboard credits are commonly offered to entice bookings. Treat them as a means to reduce discretionary spend — use them for spa treatments, speciality dining or excursion discounts. Remember that onboard credit is non-refundable and must usually be used during the cruise.

<table><thead><tr><th>Item</th><th>Typical Cost (£)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Single cocktail</td><td>£6–£12</td></tr><tr><td>Speciality dinner</td><td>£15–£55</td></tr><tr><td>One-off shore excursion</td><td>£30–£150</td></tr><tr><td>Wi‑Fi day pass</td><td>£6–£20</td></tr><tr><td>Spa massage</td><td>£45–£120</td></tr><tr><td>Gratuities per day</td><td>£8–£15</td></tr></tbody></table>

Family cruising: how to budget for children and teens

Families have additional considerations. Children may have reduced or free fares but still generate spending on excursions, kids’ drinks/snacks, photos and excursions. Many lines offer family drink packages or kids-eat-free promotions in 2026 which reduce per-day spending. For example, Marella’s family-friendly promotions on several 2026 sailings included kids’ beverage bundles and complimentary kids’ club access.

A family of four on a P&O family cruise might budget £120–£220/day in extras, including two drinks packages for adults, one excursion for the family and some shopping — but the figure can vary widely depending on the itinerary and ages of children.

Saving on family costs

Use kids’ promotions, pick free ship activities, pack snacks for port days and limit speciality dining nights. Some parents split a drinks package among adults while children use kids’ inclusive options provided in promotions.

Special considerations for transatlantic and repositioning cruises

Long sea days mean more time to enjoy included entertainment and fewer port spending opportunities, which can lower daily extras. However, longer voyages also invite more drinks, specialty meals and spa treatments — you might spend on more onboard experiences. If you’re crossing the Atlantic on Cunard Queen Mary 2 in 2026, expect spa and speciality dining interests to push the per-day spend higher even without excursions.

Repositioning cruises sometimes have lower fares and attractive onboard offers, meaning your base fare is lower and onboard credits more generous — reducing the effective per-day spend if you manage extras carefully.

Booking tips that cut costs before you sail

Your decisions at booking stage influence onboard spending. Book smart: choose flights bundled with transfers to avoid last-minute taxi costs, review included drink options, and keep an eye on email offers from your cruise line for dining or excursion discounts in 2026. Consider travel insurance that covers missed connections so you don't need to buy last-minute rebookings.

Check daily schedules from previous sailings, read forums and MyCruiseAdvisor guides such as How to Pick a Cruise Drinks Package and Cheap Excursions: Tips. These internal resources often point to current promotions and line-specific tricks.

How to track and control spending on board

Ask for a printed account mid-cruise, set daily spending limits on your cabin account, and use cash for small purchases to avoid a run-away tab. Many lines send daily email updates with account balances — review them every evening.

Photo: Example printed onboard account showing drinks, spa and excursions (image for reference only).

Final checklist: planning your per-day spend

Before you go, decide on the following and estimate costs:
• Drinks strategy (package or pay-as-you-go)
• Number and type of excursions
• Likely spa or salon treatments
• Shopping and photo allowance
• Wi‑Fi needs
Once you set these, you can calculate a realistic per-day budget and stick to it.

Decide drinks approach and check 2026 package pricing for your ship.
Pick must-do excursions and add up cost.
Estimate gratuities based on cruise line (P&O and Marella include tips in the fare; Cunard adds US$18–US$19 per person per day).
Add Wi‑Fi and any spa items you want.
Add a discretionary shopping/photo buffer (e.g. usually £10–£30/day).
Total and divide by cruise nights for per-day figure.

Illustrative example (hypothetical): 10-night Queen Mary 2 transatlantic

An illustrative breakdown (estimates, not a real booking) for a 10-night QM2 crossing:
• Hotel service charge: Cunard lists US$18 per person per day in Britannia (Cunard, checked 1 Nov 2026) — in the order of £13/day = £130
• Premium drinks package: £60/day = £600
• Two speciality meals: £120 total = £12/day
• Wi‑Fi premium: £18/day = £180
• One shore transport pickup/shore lunch: £50 = £5/day
Total extras: £1,060 across the cruise = £106/day. Transatlantic crossings often have higher onboard spending due to sea days and premium options.

FAQ Section

Q: Is it cheaper to buy drinks packages before I board? A: Often yes — pre-booking online or at the time of booking can save 5–15% compared to onboard prices. Check line-specific offers for 2026.

Q: Do all cruise lines charge daily gratuities? A: Most do. P&O, Cunard and Marella include or add service charges differently; check your booking for exact rates.

Q: Can I pre-pay gratuities? A: Yes, many lines allow pre-payment during booking or on the cruise booking portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much spending money should a solo traveller budget per day?

Solo travellers should budget similarly to couples on a per-person basis but be aware of solo supplements in specialty bookings or to share packages. A solo cruiser planning modest extras should expect around £25–£50 per day. If you prefer a drinks package and regular excursions, budget around £60–£90/day. Look for solo cabin deals or shared dining options on P&O and Marella to reduce overall costs.

Are drinks cheaper ashore or onboard?

It varies by port. Some ports offer cheaper local beers and wines than ships, but tourist areas can be expensive. In 2026, many UK passengers find cocktails cheaper ashore by around £2–£6 in non-touristy venues. If you plan to drink heavily in port, compare costs — sometimes a ship drinks package still wins if you're on sea days or prefer onboard conveniences.

Do I need to tip in restaurants if gratuities are already added?

If prepaid gratuities or service charges are included, additional tipping is discretionary and usually for exceptional service. On Cunard, for example, some fare types include service charges; always check your final invoice. On P&O and Marella, tipping policies are clear at booking and on the cabin paperwork.

How do I avoid unexpected charges on my onboard account?

Check your account daily via the ship app or request a printed statement. Avoid signing for items you didn’t order. Discuss any unclear charges with guest services immediately. Keep a nightly review habit — it prevents small surprises from growing by the end of the cruise.

Are there family-friendly deals to reduce per-day costs?

Yes. Marella and P&O often offer family promotions including kids-eat-free and discounted child excursion rates in 2026. Booking early and choosing family-friendly sailings with included entertainment can reduce discretionary spending.

Can I use travel credit cards to reduce fees onboard?

Using a card with no foreign transaction fees is sensible for cruises that bill in USD or EUR. Some UK cards offer extra travel protections. Check your bank’s interchange rates for cruise-ship billing currencies in 2026 to avoid surprises.

Should I buy travel insurance to cover onboard medical costs?

Yes. Ship medical clinics charge for consultations and treatments; travel insurance that covers medical costs and repatriation is essential. Some insurers offer cruise-specific cover which also protects against missed port days or excursions if you’re ill.