Is the all-inclusive package worth it on a cruise?

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.



People Also Ask

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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But, in nearly all cases, the price before your cruise will be cheaper than waiting until you are onboard. Drink packages cannot be shared, and in a road sense, all four cruise lines require that all adults 21 and over staying in the same room buy a package if one is going to.

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Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences, but there are a lot of variables to consider.

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Is food included on a cruise? You do not have to pay for food on a cruise – but you might want to. Unless you're sailing on an all-inclusive luxury cruise ship, you'll find two types of restaurants on board a cruise ship: free venues and extra-charge, specialty restaurants.

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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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The prices of some cruises will decrease last minute – but this doesn't always happen. Booking a cruise within the last 60/90 days may not always be the best way to get a bargain. If you leave it this late you run the risk of the cruise line only having a few cabins left and the prices increasing.

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Vacations can be expensive, so naturally, whenever there's a study that suggests ways to travel cheaper, it's worth digging into. According to an extensive study that followed price drops in the cruise industry, Thursdays may be the best day to book a cruise.

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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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Much of the food is included in your cruise fare, with the exception of the steakhouse, Cucina del Capitano, and chef's table that cost a little extra. You can eat as much as you want!

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If you go on an all-inclusive vacation, it means your stay, unlimited food, drinks, activities and entertainment are included in the booking price of the resort – without any surprise costs.

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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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This outline features some of the must-know nuances of cruise fare inclusions as well as cruise fare extras.
  • Food on Cruise Ships. ...
  • Drinks on Cruise Ships. ...
  • Room Service on Cruise Ships. ...
  • Shows and Entertainment on Cruise Ships. ...
  • Activities on Cruise Ships. ...
  • Spa Services on Cruise Ships. ...
  • Fitness on Cruise Ships.


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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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How to Get Free Stuff on a Cruise: 8 Tips to Know
  1. Be Brave and Get Onstage for Free Prizes. ...
  2. A Spa Tour Just Might Come With Free Perks. ...
  3. Proving Your Cruise Line Loyalty for Free Stuff. ...
  4. Score Freebies Shopping on Your Cruise. ...
  5. Win Prizes at Onboard Trivia and Other Games. ...
  6. Attend an Art Auction for Free Bubbles.


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We recommend paying for on shore purchases that are over $10 with a credit card to reduce the amount of cash you need to carry when off-ship and for a good record of your purchase, and use pocket change or local currency for the rest.

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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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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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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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