Planner Tab
The Planner tab helps you estimate the big optional extras before you sail — onboard Wi-Fi, a drinks package and gratuities — so you can budget with realistic numbers rather than guesswork. It uses prices bundled inside Cruise Buddy, matched to your cruise line, combined with the length of your cruise and the size of your party.
📷 Screenshot needed: Planner tab (
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Estimates only
The figures shown are estimates only and should be used as a guide. Prices change often and vary by sailing — always check directly with the cruise line before making any financial decisions.
How estimates are worked out
The Planner reads three things from your cruise automatically:
- Cruise line — taken from the ship or cruise line you entered. This decides which bundled package prices are shown. If your line isn't recognised, the Planner shows a "no data" message for that tool.
- Cruise length — the number of days between your start and end dates.
- Party size — the number of assigned people, or your traveller count if no one is assigned.
Switch between the three tools using the Wi-Fi / Drinks / Gratuity selector at the top of the tab.
Wi-Fi
Estimates the cost of an onboard internet package.
- Pick a package from the cruise line's available plans.
- Set the number of devices you need to connect. If a package only covers fewer devices than you need, the Planner calculates how many packages you'd have to buy ("Packages needed").
- The estimate shows both a pre-book price and an onboard price where the cruise line offers both, multiplied across your cruise length and the number of packages.
Below the estimate, an Available Wi-Fi packages card lists every bundled package for your line with its pre-book and onboard pricing, so you can compare.
Drinks
Estimates the cost of an all-inclusive or similar drinks package.
- Pick a package from the cruise line's plans.
- Set the number of people who will buy the package (defaults to your party size). Many lines require every adult in a cabin to buy the package, so this is adjustable.
- The estimate multiplies the per-day price by your cruise length and the number of people.
An Available drinks packages card lists each package with its per-day price.
Gratuity
Estimates auto-applied daily service charges (gratuities).
- The cabin type is detected from your cabin (interior, ocean view, balcony, suite, and grill grades where relevant). You can change it if the detection isn't right.
- The estimate multiplies the daily gratuity rate by your cruise length and party size.
When no prices are available
If Cruise Buddy doesn't have bundled prices for your cruise line — or doesn't recognise the line — a tool shows a short "no data" message instead of an estimate. The Planner only covers lines with bundled reference pricing; more lines are added over time. If your line is missing, send us a feature request.