How much does a cruise cost and what's actually included?

One benefit of cruising is that you can generally find something to suit almost any budget.Maybe you're wanting to splurge tens of thousands on a luxury cruise, or save a few dollars to do more shore activities on your next family holiday.Either way, research is the key to being prepared and sticking to your budget. So how much does the average cruise actually cost - and what's generally included?READ MORE: Australia's number one tourist landmark, according to social media usersHow expensive is it to go on a cruise?Like we said above, if you have money to spend there are definitely some luxe options available. But for the average traveller a cruise doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.Prices depend on the destination, duration of the cruise, and the type of accommodation.Looking at the average cost of a seven-night cruise on some popular cruise lines, expect to spend around $500-$1000 for an inside cabin and $1500+ for a balcony cabin.Cruise Critic broke things down a little further. For instance, a Carnival Cruise from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef right now costs about $900 for an inside cabin and $2,500 for a suite. A five-night cruise from Melbourne to Tasmania costs about $700 for an inside cabin and $2,000 for a suite.Princess Cruises has a seven-night cruise from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef costing about $1000 for an inside cabin, $1400 for an ocean view cabin, $1800 for a balcony cabin, and $3000 for a suite.Royal Caribbean's seven-night cruise from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef costs $1100 for an inside cabin, $1400 for an ocean-view cabin, $1900 for a balcony cabin. A five-night cruise from Melbourne to Tasmania costs approximately $850 for an inside cabin, $1150 for an ocean view cabin.Disney cruises are a little pricier. For example, a similar cruise to Great Barrier Reef costs $1500 for an inside cabin. A ten-night cruise from Sydney to New Zealand costs about $2500 for an inside cabin and $6000 for a suite.How much money should I take on a cruise - per person?Experts recommend cruisers budget for about $100 per person per day for onboard expenses (including shore tours, souvenirs, drinks, etc). Some of these can be ticked off in a good cruise package.It's always good to have cash in local currency on hand for the ports, and if you want to offer extra tips (more on that below).Most cruise boats have ATMs. Just be prepared for the fact that withdrawal fees may be charged in US$ and will be higher than on land at your local bank.Tipping on cruise shipsWhen cruising in destinations where tipping is a big part of the culture - like the United States - certain cruise lines allow you to pre-tip before you step onboard. Or a daily fee is included on your room account, but you can generally adjust this or remove it if you want to.Australians aren't generally accustomed to tipping and it's not generally expected on Aussie cruises. But if you have the cash, leaving a little something for your room steward who makes your bed and cleans your toilet would not go astray.How do you pay on a cruise?Instead of using cash or credit cards directly, most cruise lines give you a cruise card that you can keep on a lanyard linked to your onboard account. (This is also your room key).You use this to pay for things like drinks, excursions, and souvenirs. At the end of the trip, the total charges are settled with the payment method you provided at the start.Princess Cruises has a medallion. It connects with the cruise lines app and otherwise functions the same as the card. Use it to pay and get into your cabin.It has the added benefit of working a little like an AirTag, allowing you to find family members onboard. Virgin Voyages has The Band that is similar.What does the price of a cruise include?Some cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival offer great value, with fares generally covering your room, most food and onboard entertainment and even transportation to the port from a hotel.But they are not all-inclusive. There are some extras you have to pay for on a cruise such as speciality dining, drinks and the like.When it comes to what food is included, the main dining room as well as the buffet are all yours to enjoy. Many ships also have complimentary pizzerias (such as Royal Caribbean's Sorrento's) and cafe snacks (like Princess Cruises' International Cafe).Other venues, often called speciality dining, charge either a per-person surcharge or have an a la carte menu. You can also get these covered as part of a package.Looking at room service on most cruise lines, you can still order continental breakfast for free, but all-day and late-night dining often costs extra.Included drinks are usually complimentary water (not bottled), non-speciality coffee and tea, and beverages like lemonade, iced tea and juices.Disney and Virgin Voyages offers free soft drinks as well but that generally falls into a drinks package for most other cruise lines.Virgin Voyages also offer free WiFi, whereas usually you need to pay or buy a package which includes it.Most onboard attractions and activities are included in your cruise fare, like pools, hot tubs and lounge chairs for sunbathing. Water parks, waterslides and splash areas are also complimentary. Access to the fitness centre is also normally included but you'll often need to pay for classes, or use of the spa facilities. Some rides on ships also cost extra.Sailing with a luxury cruise line will generally give you the true all-inclusive experience. Your fare will typically include free soft drinks, speciality coffees, most wines and spirits, Wi-Fi, crew tips and often speciality dining. Sometimes airfare, pre-cruise stays and shore excursions are included, as well.