All Inclusive Cruises Explained
Drinks, Wi-Fi, dining, tips and excursions: what gets bundled, and what never is.
Get an All-In Cruise QuoteAll Inclusive Cruises: What the Phrase Really Means
Every cruise includes more than a hotel does: your cabin, most meals, entertainment and the travel between ports. So what makes all inclusive cruises different? It is the extras — drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, gratuities, excursions, sometimes flights — that are bundled into the fare instead of being charged as you go.
Four Levels of Inclusion
| Level | Usually included | Usually extra |
|---|---|---|
| Standard fare | Cabin, main dining and buffet, shows, pools, kids’ clubs, basic drinks such as water, tea and coffee | Alcohol and soda, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, excursions, gratuities |
| Enhanced fare | Standard, plus some basic drinks, all restaurants or Wi-Fi | Alcohol, excursions, often gratuities |
| Bundled package fare | A drinks package, Wi-Fi and sometimes dining or excursion credit added for a higher fare | Gratuities on some lines, premium items |
| Luxury all-inclusive | Most drinks, all dining, Wi-Fi and gratuities; some lines add excursions or flights | Premium wines, spa, private tours |
Inclusions change. Lines revise what their fares include, sometimes by market and fare type. We describe what each line publishes at the time of writing; always confirm the inclusions on your own quote before you book.
What Is Almost Never Included
- Flights and hotels before or after the cruise, unless your fare type says so.
- Spa treatments and salon services.
- Premium or reserve wines and spirits.
- Private tours and some special excursions.
- Travel insurance.
- Shopping, photos and casino play.
Even on the most inclusive ships, read the small print on drinks served in the suite, laundry, and the number of devices covered by the Wi-Fi.
Reading the Word “Included”
Marketing uses “included” loosely. A fare may include a drinks package for the first two guests only, or Wi-Fi for one device, or an excursion credit rather than any excursion. Bundles are sometimes included on one fare type and not on a cheaper one for the same cabin. When you compare quotes, list what each one actually covers, line by line.
Our page on the best all inclusive cruises shows what individual lines publish, and inclusive vs a la carte helps decide which model fits you.
Is All-Inclusive Worth It?
An all-inclusive fare buys two things: the extras themselves, and the freedom of not thinking about them. Some travelers value the second as much as the first; they order the wine they like, try the specialty restaurant on a whim and leave the ship without a final bill. Others would rather keep the fare low and spend only on what they choose. Neither is wrong. The useful exercise is to list what you would buy on an a la carte line, estimate it honestly, and compare it with the difference in fare — the method on our cost-per-day page.
All-Inclusive Questions
Do all inclusive cruises include alcohol?
Luxury all-inclusive lines generally include most wines and spirits, often with a premium list at extra cost. Included-fare lines vary: some include only soft drinks, some include wine and beer with meals, some sell a bundled package.
Are gratuities included on all inclusive cruises?
On most luxury lines, yes. On included-fare lines it varies, and it has changed recently on some. Check the quote.
Find an All-Inclusive Cruise That Fits
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare what different lines include for your dates and show you the total. Free.
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