Are there cruises that are not all-inclusive?

Not everything is included in the cruise fare, as guests can choose to pay extra for add-ons and to enjoy some venues. While it appears that cruises are all-inclusive vacations, not every cruise is. While some provide all-inclusive packages, like Norwegian Cruise Line, some cruises do not have that option.



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Luxury ships offer the most inclusive packages, but you're going to pay for extras regardless of cruise line. Ramsey is a freelance travel journalist covering business travel, loyalty programs and luxury travel.

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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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Taxes, gratuities or a service charge, plus other “extras” are just some of the things not included with your cruise fare. As cruise lines encourage cruisers to pre-book specialty restaurants, beverage packages, photo packages and more, many new cruisers are wondering…

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There are fees for accessing some areas of the ship, including limited-access sundecks and some spa pools. Services like laundry and dry cleaning, baby-sitting, baby care items ordered in advance, and some fitness classes may also show up on your bill as extras.

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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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Coffee, tea, juice, and non-bottled water are included in your cruise fare. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic packages are available on most cruise lines for an additional charge. Alternatively, beverages can be ordered and paid for separately with an average gratuity of 15-18% added to your bill.

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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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While there are certainly upscale all-inclusive resorts whose rates are much higher than you might pay elsewhere, most all-inclusive resorts can be a great value. When everything is included in the price, you can save money on your vacation, making all-inclusives worth it for budget travelers.

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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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Dining in the main dining rooms and buffets, accommodations, and entertainment are generally included in your cruise fare. However, specialty dining, beverages, activities such as spa treatments, fitness classes, shore excursions, and gratuities are not included in the base fare and require additional charges.

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Ships & Cruises – Frequently Asked Questions Your cruise price includes almost every part of your onboard experience, such as: Your stateroom along with all applicable taxes and port fees. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Soft drinks served at meals and at each ship's beverage station.

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Additionally, on most cruise ships, you can choose to have your meals at the buffet, grill by the pool or pizzeria. In other words, formal dining and casual options are available to you for free while on a cruise. But most cruises don't cover some specialty restaurants and dishes.

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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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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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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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The lure of the cruise ship's main dining room is you can order multiple appetizers, entrees and desserts with no limit. To keep from overeating at dinner, stick to one appetizer and one entree rather than trying several. Or make a meal of a few small appetizers. You don't need to eat it all every night.

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At several of the biggest cruise brands, including Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America, the main drinks packages that include all types of drinks cost about $60 per person per day. Other brands, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, charge as much as $138 per person per day for a top-tier package.

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Continental breakfast is complimentary. American breakfast has a service fee of $7.95¹ per room delivery. ROOM SERVICE MENU Craving convenience? Tempt your taste buds with these favorites.

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