As with hotels and airlines, cruise lines are getting into the multi-tiered pricing business as well. Expect more meal options, with costs to match.

Cruises offer some excellent travel values. After all, your transportation, entertainment, lodging and food are all included at one price. But cruise veterans know not everything is included: alcoholic beverages, milkshakes, even carbonated soft drinks are extra. It has been that way for years, but lines are increasingly rolling out a variety of food options at additional costs. For example, the Emerald Princess offers a Crown Grill Restaurant, which is a steakhouse that requires an additional charge.

Look for more of these revenue-generating options to pop up on larger cruise ships that roll out in 2010. Let's hope the trend doesn't wind up with standard food so ordinary that you're obligated to upgrade. That's not likely to happen in 2010, but the trend bears watching.