Amount paid to secure a cruise (5)
I believe the answer is:
coast
'cruise' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'amount paid to secure a' is the wordplay.
'amount paid' becomes 'cost' (I've seen this in another clue).
'to secure' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are secured inside).
'cost' placed around 'a' is 'COAST'.
(Other definitions for coast that I've seen before include "Make no effort" , "Land bordered by the sea" , "that goes all around the UK?" , "Shoreline" , "Sea border" .)