Cruise clients don’t always fully understand what it means to go all-inclusive, with some thinking it’s more flexible to choose the pay-as-you-go option. Here, we take a deep dive into whether all-inclusive is worth the price.
On a recent European cruise with a well-respected premium cruise line, I wondered why the advertised fare did not include “compulsory” gratuities.
When these are charged at US$17 per person per day (US$19 for a suite), that’s an extra US$238 or US$266 per person on a seven-day sailing. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it niggled.
Then there are all the other extras – an 18 per cent (or higher) service charge on every soft or alcoholic drink you buy, dining in specialty restaurants and drinks packages; Wi-Fi; fitness classes; use of spa facilities such as thermal suites; and shore excursions.
Some cruise lines now charge extra for room service (plus the 18-20 per cent service fee on top of the price) and for “luxury” items such as premium cuts of steak in the main dining room. This sort of nickel-and-diming does not go down well with seasoned cruisers.
Although pre-paid bundles and packages covering extras such as gratuities, drinks and Wi-Fi are increasingly offered by premium lines such as Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess and Norwegian Cruise Line, advisors need to do a lot of maths and wade through seasonal deals and different package tiers to find the best options for clients.
So is all-inclusive worth the cost?
“When people compare luxury and premium cruises, they often start with price – but the real difference lies in value, not cost,” says Megan Catterall, award-winning luxury travel advisor with Luxe by iTravel.
“On premium lines, everything feels à la carte: drinks, fine dining, even room service come with a price tag. It seems flexible, but those ‘extras’ add up – not just in dollars, but in distractions. You’re constantly signing slips, calculating tips, and deciding what’s worth it.
“Luxury cruising removes that noise. Everything is inclusive – the champagne welcome, the gourmet dining, the intuitive service that anticipates your needs before you ask. You’re not paying for moments; you’re living them.”
While the upfront fare for a luxury cruise is higher than for a comparable itinerary on a premium ship, guests reap many more benefits for every dollar spent. Regent provides a handy comparison table here.
Service is also a key differentiator – the ratio of crew to guests is higher, so guests enjoy more individual attention. That does not mean formal or stuffy – the best crew and staff are friendly, professional and go out of their way to ensure guests are relaxed and have everything they need. Gratuities are not requested or expected.
More personal space is another important factor, particularly since the pandemic. There is a formula to calculate space per passenger ratios, but the bottom line is that luxury ships provide a greater choice of larger, all-balcony staterooms and suites.
Public spaces such as lounges, bars, restaurants and pool decks are never crowded – and guests never have to queue for anything.
Fine dining is a given on luxury ships. Whereas guests might pay from US$35 to US$60 per head (plus the extra 18-20 per cent service charge) for dinner in specialty restaurants on premium ships, it’s all included on most luxury lines.
There are a few exceptions, but the quality and choice of dining on luxury ships rivals anything you can find in sophisticated city establishments.
Going ashore
Shore excursions are an integral part of any cruise. Guests can organise their own trips, but if they opt for a ship-run tour in every port on a premium line, costs can escalate rapidly.
Luxury lines such as Ponant, Regent, Scenic, Silversea and Viking offer one free shore excursion in every port, as well as extensive choices of extra-cost excursions.
Whether they choose an included excursion or an extra-cost excursion, guests on luxury cruises can expect smaller groups on tours, priority access to select sites, and, in some cases, evening events when overnighting in port.
Azamara provides one included cultural event on every cruise of nine or more nights; some of the evening excursions on Regent’s overnight immersive itineraries are extra-cost, but provide experiences that would be hard to organise independently.
A snapshot of what to expect on an all-inclusive cruise
- Australians and Brits are notoriously averse to tipping – it’s not part of our culture or pay structures, as it is in America. Luxury lines that cover gratuities in their fares include Azamara, Crystal, Explora Journeys, Oceania Cruises, Ponant Explorations, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Scenic, Seabourn, Silversea and Viking.
- Most luxury lines include unlimited drinks in the fare; Viking provides beer and wine with lunch and dinner. Prepaid drinks packages on premium lines can reduce bill shock, but they cost up to US$100 per day, every day of the cruise. If one person in a stateroom buys a package, other guests in the same stateroom must buy one too, and an 18 to 20 per cent service charge is added to the package price. One big social bonus when all drinks are included is that there’s never any awkwardness about who pays for wine at a group dinner.
- Wi-Fi, room service, dining in all restaurants (including specialty venues), fitness classes and access to spa facilities (but not treatments) and some shore excursions are included on most luxury ships. Six of the most inclusive luxury cruise lines provides a more detailed breakdown of which lines include what.
The last word
Megan Catterall says ultimately, all-inclusive is a world defined by space, service and simplicity.
“Fewer guests, more attentive crew, and a calm, effortless atmosphere that lets you fully unwind. There’s no stress, no upselling – just a seamless experience where every detail feels personal.
“Luxury cruising isn’t about extravagance; it’s about ease. You’re investing in peace of mind, in time well spent, in a way of travel where everything flows naturally.
“Once you’ve sailed this way, it’s not just a better cruise – it’s a better way to see the world.”
For more information, visit Azamara, Crystal, Explora Journeys, Oceania, Ponant, RSSC, Scenic, Seabourn, Silversea, Viking.
