Are cruises considered all-inclusive?

While food, some drinks, entertainment and lodging are part of the package — there are often more costs once you're on board. Some cruise lines specifically advertise themselves as all-inclusive, and you'll likely encounter fewer add-on opportunities on these ships.



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In most cases, all inclusive cruise packages are ones that allow you to pay one price for the accommodations, meals, most non-alcoholic beverages. It also covers onboard entertainment as well as taxes and port fees. Depending on how you booked your cruise, it may also include airfare and hotel reservations.

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Cruise line drinks packages let you order as many drinks as you want while on a cruise for one flat fee. This takes the place of paying for drinks one at a time. At some lines, there are several tiers of drinks packages. Basic tiers often just include sodas and bottled water.

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Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean cruise ships aren't all-inclusive – at least not in the true sense. While they may not be fully all-inclusive, they do offer guests exceptional value. The pricing model allows cruisers to receive a base experience and pay for any add-ons they may want to enjoy.

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Free Activities on Cruises: Trivia, pool games, big-screen movies, dance classes and sports deck activities (basketball, rock climbing, mini-golf, shuffleboard and more) are all normally free on a cruise ship. Ships that offer enrichment classes do not typically charge extra for them.

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Cruises are all-inclusive. Meals, limited drinks and accommodation are all included in the base cruise fare. There are a number of exclusions, alcohol, gratuities, excursions, WiFi and speciality meals usually cost extra.

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What is the cheapest time to book a cruise? Prospective cruisers can usually find a lot of good deals at the beginning of the year during wave season, Goldberg-Glazer said. That period typically lasts from January until March. However, the optimal time to book may depend on when you plan to sail.

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Cruise fares include many items that would typically cost travelers extra, like food. Some cruise lines may have more included dining options than others. Not all menu items and eateries are included.

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In these cases, the staff gratuities are built directly into the all-inclusive fares, and their crewmembers are paid accordingly. In short, gratuities should not be viewed as an optional extra, but more as a required service fee, which ensures fare wages for the hardworking cruise crew.

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Do I need a passport? We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.

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So which food is included and which cost extra? While not all the food on Royal Caribbean is included, there is enough food and drink for you to enjoy that is included so you will not need to pay extra for food. However, you may feel inclined to pay for drinks or meals anyway as a way to enhance your cruise.

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Continental breakfast is complimentary.

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Policy – Guests are allowed to take spirits, wine, and champagne onboard, though most alcohol is included in the price of the cruise. Policy – Two bottles (750ml each or smaller) of wine or champagne per cabin are allowed. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption.

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In many cases, no. Several of the biggest cruise lines, including Carnival, Holland America and MSC Cruises, have a rule that if one adult in a cabin orders a drinks package, all adults in the cabin must order the package. This is to prevent two or more people in a cabin from sharing a single drinks package.

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How to Hack (and Share) the Royal Caribbean Drink Package
  1. 1 Buy your drink package before the cruise.
  2. 2 Share the drink package with someone else.
  3. 3 Order top-shelf liquor at the bar.
  4. 4 Take advantage of the non-alcoholic drinks.
  5. 5 Take bottled water with you on excursions.


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Tips are therefore paid on the value of the package, and not per drink as you order. You're welcome to tip bartenders extra on a cruise, but keep in mind that a tip has already been added when you purchased the beverage package.

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You definitely have to pay for it. Prices for cocktails on cruise ships usually run about $10-14 per drink, before gratuity. So expect to spend about $12 to $16.50 per beverage when gratuity is added. Here is a sample menu from a recent Carnival cruise to give you an idea of what's offered.

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