Over the years I’ve tried plenty of cruise packages across a lot of different price points. And each cruise line explains “all-inclusive” differently. It’s frustrating because I keep having to look for the fine print, which can take hours and is super hard on most cruise websites.
Turns out I’m not alone in this frustration. Kantar asked 10,000 people what they actually want from cruises, and “all-inclusive pricing and convenience” came in second only to visiting multiple destinations, people are sick of surprise bills, yeah, so am I.
Have you seen the price of a fitness class on some of these cruises lines, OMG they are SO expensive, I naively thought you might get this included, but nope it’s another $35 US for ONE class most of the time. Don’t get me started on the extra pricings for Wifi. 😱😱😱
Actually I learned the hard way about wifi on my Princess Cruise from Aussie to LA. I expected basic internet to be included, the ships all have starlink, I’ve got it at home and it doesn’t cost that much right? But noooo, nothing is free. We were on a 30 day cruise and I need to work at least a little bit each day, it was an unbelievable $650 US for the whole time for just ONE device, just 30 days, wholly molly that’s expensive ah? We did find a very sneaky work around and bought a mini hub which only needed one connection for all 5 of our in room devices. You can read about how we did this in my cruise ship internet – cost saving tips.
I just can’t be bothered spending hours trying to find this info, as I’m sure you can’t either. So I’ve put together this guide to help you sort through the maze and fine print of what cruise lines call “all-inclusive”.
What All-Inclusive Actually Means (it’s messy!)
The Basic Cruise Con
Every cruise line markets their base fare as “all-inclusive” because it includes your floating hotel room, cafeteria food, and entertainment that peaked in 1987. This isn’t all-inclusive – it’s the bare minimum to keep you alive and marginally entertained.
Real All-Inclusive Tiers:
- Level 1: Enhanced Base – Adds drinks packages and always gratuities
- Level 2: Premium Plus – Includes some specialty dining, WiFi, low level shore excursions
- Level 3: True Luxury – Everything included, even airfare and butler service
The gap between these levels is huge. Don’t take my word for it, CLIA’s industry reports show that base cruise fares only cover about 60% of what passengers actually spend. The other 40%? That’s where cruise lines make their real money by confusing you about what you’re actually buying.
The Cruise Lines That Actually Get It Right
Virgin Voyages: The Disruptor Done Right
Virgin’s “Always Included” fare genuinely lives up to the name. Basic WiFi, group fitness classes, still and sparkling water, and most dining venues come standard. No fake “resort fees” or surprise charges for yoga classes. I really like this.
What’s Actually Included:
- Group fitness classes (worth $30+ per class elsewhere)
- Basic WiFi (saves $30+ per day)
- Still and sparkling water everywhere
- Most restaurants (specialty venues have small cover charges)
The Catch: Adult-only ships, so forget bringing the kids for a family “all-inclusive” experience.
MSC Cruises: European All-Inclusive with Style
MSC’s Yacht Club creates an actual ship-within-a-ship experience. Private restaurant, sundeck, butler service, and premium drinks included. Unlike other cruise lines that put “suites” on the same deck as interior cabins and call it luxury.
What Makes It Different:
- Separate entrance and elevator access
- Priority boarding and disembarkation
- Premium drinks package included (saves $50-80 per day) – that’s pretty good!
- Dedicated concierge service
Celebrity Cruises: Premium Done Right (Sometimes)
Celebrity’s “Always Included” packages bundle classic drinks (which means no top shelf), WiFi, and gratuities. The catch? It’s only “always included” when they feel like including it. During peak season, expect to pay extra for the privilege. That really isn’t fair is it?
Insider Reality Check: Celebrity’s WiFi barely works in port, their “classic” drinks exclude most wine lists, and gratuities are included but spa services still auto-add 18% service charges.
The All-Inclusive Pretenders
Royal Caribbean’s Smoke and Mirrors
Royal Caribbean loves marketing “all-inclusive” packages that exclude their best restaurants, fastest WiFi, and most popular drinks. Their beverage packages include house wine that tastes like it was filtered through gym socks. Yuck!
What They Don’t Tell You:
- Specialty restaurants still charge $35-75 per person
- Premium WiFi costs extra (basic barely loads photos)
- Excursions? Not included unless you upgrade to packages that cost more than some land vacations
Norwegian’s “Free at Sea” Fiction
Norwegian’s marketing department deserves awards for creativity. “Free at Sea” sounds all-inclusive until you realize the “free” specialty dining is limited to lunch only, WiFi works sporadically, and beverage packages exclude premium spirits that anyone actually wants to drink.
The True Luxury Leaders
Regent Seven Seas: When Money Actually Buys Everything
Regent delivers what all-inclusive should mean. Shore excursions, premium spirits, specialty restaurants, WiFi that actually works, and even business-class airfare on some bookings. No surprise bills, no nickel-and-diming, no fine print shenanigans.
Why It Works:
- All shore excursions included (saves $100-300 per port)
- Premium beverages throughout the ship
- Specialty dining never charges covers
- Butler service in every suite
- Unlimited laundry and dry cleaning
The Reality: You’ll pay 3-5 times more than mainstream cruise lines, but everything is genuinely included.
Silversea: Small Ship Sophistication
Silversea’s all-inclusive model works because they understand their clientele won’t tolerate hidden fees. Butler service, premium drinks, all restaurants, and WiFi come standard. Shore excursions are included, but they’re cultural experiences, not tourist traps.
Seabourn: Yacht-Style All-Inclusive
Seabourn treats all-inclusive like a private yacht experience. Open bars everywhere, no cover charges, and shore excursions that feel like private tours rather than cattle calls.
Detailed Breakdown: What’s Really Included vs. Marketing Fluff
Beverages: The Biggest Scam Category
What “Premium Beverages” Actually Means:
- Mainstream Lines: House wine, domestic beer, basic spirits
- Luxury Lines: Top-shelf everything, premium wine lists, craft cocktails
Hidden Exclusions to Watch:
- Room service beverage delivery fees
- Specialty coffee shop drinks
- Fresh-squeezed juices (seriously, some lines charge extra)
- Bottles of wine over $50 (even with “premium” packages)
Dining: All Restaurants vs. Selected Venues
The Mainstream Trick: “All dining included” means main dining room and buffet. Specialty restaurants cost $25-75 per person extra.
Luxury Reality: Every restaurant onboard included, no reservations fees, no cover charges.
Shore Excursions: The Profit Center
Most cruise lines exclude shore excursions from all-inclusive packages because that’s where they make serious money. Luxury lines include them because they’re not running budget operations.
Cruise Industry News regularly reports on this – shore excursions can generate $50-150 per passenger per port day. No wonder they’re not ‘included’ in those budget packages.
What Included Excursions Really Mean:
- Budget Lines: Nothing included, book independently
- Premium Lines: Discounts on overpriced ship excursions
- Luxury Lines: Curated experiences with expert guides
Honest Assessment: When All-Inclusive Actually Saves Money
All-Inclusive Makes Sense For:
- Heavy Drinkers: If you consume 6+ alcoholic beverages daily, packages pay for themselves
- Travel Weekly’s cruise coverage shows that beverage packages have the highest profit margins of any cruise add-on – sometimes 300-400%. They wouldn’t push them so hard if they weren’t making bank.
- Tech-Dependent Travelers: Constant WiFi users save money with unlimited packages
- Specialty Dining Enthusiasts: Those who avoid buffets and main dining rooms
- Luxury Seekers: High-end cruisers who want predictable costs
Skip All-Inclusive If You’re:
- Light Drinkers: Two glasses of wine at dinner? Buy individually
- Port-Focused Travelers: Spend days ashore exploring, not drinking on deck
- Budget-Conscious Families: Kids don’t need premium beverage packages
- Buffet Browsers: Happy with included dining options
Practical Wisdom: Booking Strategy That Actually Works
Pre-Cruise Package Timing
- Book Before Final Payment: Packages cost 10-20% less when booked early
- Watch for “Free” Promotions: Celebrity and Norwegian frequently offer complimentary packages during wave season
- Avoid Onboard Purchases: Packages cost 30-50% more once you’re sailing
Reading the Fine Print Like a Pro
WiFi Package Reality: “Unlimited” often means “one device” and “streaming speeds” exclude video
Beverage Package Exclusions: Room service, specialty coffee, bottles over $X, some wine lists
Dining Package Limits: Covers per person, per day restrictions, reservation fees still apply
Gym and Spa Gotchas: “Included fitness classes” exclude personal training, premium equipment access, and most spa treatments still charge full price plus automatic gratuities
Luggage Reality for All-Inclusive Cruisers
When you’re paying premium prices for all-inclusive packages, you need luggage that won’t embarrass you at embarkation. I recommend Level8 luggage – sophisticated enough for luxury ships, durable enough for multiple cruises, and designed by people who actually travel.
Common Questions About All-Inclusive Cruises
Do all-inclusive packages actually save money or are they cruise line profit centers? It depends entirely on your consumption habits and the specific package. Heavy drinkers and specialty dining enthusiasts can save 20-40% with comprehensive packages. Light consumers often overpay by 50-100% for services they won’t use. Luxury lines offer genuine value; mainstream lines often don’t.
Why do some cruise lines charge extra for basic items like water and WiFi? Because they can. Mainstream cruise lines operate on razor-thin margins from base fares, so they’ve unbundled everything possible into separate revenue streams. Luxury lines build these costs into higher base fares because their clientele won’t tolerate nickel-and-diming.
What’s the difference between “Always Included” and “Free at Sea” promotions? Marketing semantics designed to confuse you. “Always Included” packages are permanently part of certain fare types. “Free at Sea” promotions are temporary offers that disappear after booking. Both exclude dozens of services despite the names.
Are gratuities really included in all-inclusive packages? Sort of. Included gratuities cover your stateroom steward, main dining room staff, and buffet servers. Spa services, specialty restaurants, and excursion guides still expect additional tips. Luxury lines handle all gratuities; mainstream lines handle basic service only.
Can you upgrade all-inclusive packages once onboard? Yes, but expect to pay 30-50% more than pre-cruise prices. Cruise lines know you’re trapped at sea and price accordingly. Book maximum packages before sailing or stick with individual purchases.
Which cruise lines have the most transparent all-inclusive pricing? Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and Seabourn lead in transparency because everything is genuinely included. Virgin Voyages and some MSC packages offer good value with clear inclusions. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have the most confusing package structures with endless exclusions.
All-inclusive cruises are fantastic when done right and profit centers when done wrong. Choose cruise lines that respect your intelligence, read every word of package descriptions, and remember that true luxury doesn’t require constant mental math about what’s included.
