Are cruises really all-inclusive?

With some cruise companies ? usually the six-star lines ? literally everything is included as part of your fare. On others, you may still have to pay for extras such as room service, wi-fi, premium drinks, speciality dining and gratuities. Some lines also include complimentary shore excursions while others don't.



In 2026, the term "all-inclusive" is highly dependent on the cruise line's category (Luxury vs. Contemporary). For "Contemporary" lines like Royal Caribbean or Carnival, the base fare is not all-inclusive; it typically covers your room, basic dining (buffet and main dining room), and entertainment, but charges extra for soda, alcohol, specialty coffee, Wi-Fi, and "specialty dining" restaurants. However, "Luxury" lines like Regent Seven Seas or Silversea provide a true all-inclusive experience in 2026, where shore excursions, premium spirits, business-class flights, and even laundry are included in the headline price. For a 2026 traveler, a "high-value" strategy is to look for "bundled" packages on lines like Celebrity or Princess (e.g., "Celebrity All Included"), which allow you to add Wi-Fi and drinks to a standard fare for a much lower cost than buying them separately, effectively creating an "inclusive" experience on a mid-range budget.

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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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An all-inclusive deal is rather like a licence to indulge – so if you really want to take advantage of all those extra facilities, fun activities and foodie treats, you may find that it's worth your while to pay a slightly higher fare.

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As part of the cruise price, there is always complimentary food of many types and flavors. Drinks included are tap water, some juices and iced tea on most lines; everything else typically costs extra. Coffee and tea are complimentary, but you'll need to pay for specialty coffee beverages.

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All major cruise lines will let you buy drinks on an a la carte basis when cruising. You don't need a drinks package to be able to drink alcoholic beverages or any other type of beverage on a ship.

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On most cruise lines' ships, alcoholic drinks cost extra and incur an automatic 15 to 20 percent service fee. Pricing will vary by line, but it's akin to restaurant and nicer bar prices -- about $12 per cocktail, $8 to $10 per glass of house wine, $14 to $25 for nicer wines.

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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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What drinks are free of charge?
  1. Water. Water is always free of charge on most cruise ships. ...
  2. Flavored water. Some cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean drink package provides their passengers with several options of flavored waters to choose from. ...
  3. Lemonade. ...
  4. Tea and coffee. ...
  5. Hot chocolate. ...
  6. Milk. ...
  7. Fruit juices.


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Food on Cruise Ships Free Food on Cruises: Meals are free of charge in cruise ship main dining rooms, buffets and select specialty venues such as Princess' International Cafe, Carnival's Blue Iguana Cantina and Guy's Burger Joint, Royal Caribbean's Park Cafe and Boardwalk Dog House and Norwegian's O'Sheehan's.

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An all-inclusive resort stay covers everything essential in the booking cost. This usually includes accommodation, meals, drinks, activities, and entertainment, all without extra charges.

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Cruises offer great value for your vacation dollar because the fares include nearly everything you'll need for a fantastic trip: food, accommodations, daytime and evening entertainment and transportation between destinations.

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Cruises can be a great vacation idea, especially if you're not overly interested in trip planning. One of the most significant benefits of a cruise is that much of the work is done for you, including the itinerary, dining and entertainment options.

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You probably won't need much actual cash while onboard, as many cruise lines will just charge purchases to your account. Even ship casinos these days have cashless credit systems. On nearly all cruises, passengers are given an itemized bill at the end of the trip listing all charged expenses.

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While water, juice, and tea are usually free on a cruise, you often have to go to the ship's restaurants to get them. Meanwhile, non-alcoholic drinks like sodas cost extra (usually around $2-3 per serving), so bringing those on with you when allowed can save you a decent amount.

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Food and drinking are usually complimentary on the cruises. You are also allowed to bring your own snack on the cruise so that you can have what you love. A certain time is fixed for every meal - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can either have it with everybody in the dining room or bring it to your room.

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Yes, you can buy a beverage package. These all-you-can-drink packages allow passengers to pay a set fee up front for unlimited drinks (of a certain type, as outlined by the package's fine print), rather than pay per drink once onboard the cruise ship.

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The summer months, especially June, July, and August, are the peak travel season for cruises. This is primarily due to families taking advantage of school holidays and vacation time. With increased demand, cruise prices tend to be higher during these months.

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The total savings potential depends on how and when you book your cruise, and what deals you find. That said, it's possible to save 50% or more. We examined several last-minute deals for cruises departing within 30 days and found that some of the best deals offered savings from 60% to 70%. However, savings can vary.

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Yes! Cruise lengths can run anywhere from a two-night cruise to 250-plus-day world cruises. If you don't have a lot of time, look for two- to four-night weekend itineraries. The average cruise sailings range from five to 14 nights.

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While purchasing a beverage package prior to your cruise is the most cost effective, you can opt to purchase one on board for a slightly higher price.

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