What is the largest source of income for cruises, aside from ticket fares?

The largest source of income for cruises, aside from ticket fares, comes from beverage sales. Beverage services onboard cruise ships are significant revenue generators because they often include a wide variety of options, from alcoholic beverages to specialty coffees and non-alcoholic drinks. Cruise lines typically mark up the prices of beverages substantially compared to regular retail prices, which can lead to high profit margins. Additionally, many cruise lines offer drink packages that encourage guests to purchase more drinks upfront, further boosting their revenue from this category.

While food sales, excursion packages, and merchandise sales are also important revenue sources, beverage sales tend to outweigh these other categories in terms of profitability and volume on cruise ships.