Is there such a thing as an all-inclusive cruise?

Question

I like the idea of paying everything up front, if possible.

Answer 1

Only very high-end or specialty cruises are "all-inclusive" - and even to what extent of exclusivity varies from line to line.

I was on the Celebrity Xpedition in March, doing a Galapagos cruise and everything was included! All drinks, all tips, all shore excursions, (two a day!), even a complimentary 30 minute massage!

However, back to the "real world" of cruising. The first question you need to ask yourself is where and when do you want to cruise?

The choices are constantly growing: the Caribbean has three options:
- Eastern, (generally; San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Martin, Nassau - this is my wife's favorite for shopping)
- Western ports (generally; Jamiaca, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel - usually more adventurious shore excursions).
- Southern (generally some combination of: St. Thomas, St. Martin, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, Aruba, and Curacao - this is my favorite), you'll need to fly to San Juan; then there's Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riveria, Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific, Hawaii, South Pacific, the Orient, Europe (too many options to list here), and a growing popularity for European River Cruising and Barging.

The next question is how structured you want your cruise to be. Most ocean cruise lines have "assigned" dining times and various dress codes for dinner (formal nights, casual nights, etc.). Others have "Freestyle" or "Personal Choice" Dining. In other words, they have 6-10 restrauants for you to choose from, and you eat when, where, and with whom you want - and dress as casual as you please.

Your budget does come in to play in both departure city and cabin selection. A quick scale, from least expenseive to most expensive cabin types is: Inside; Oceanview; Balcony; Suite. The best location for least motion is as close to mid-ship as possible - another factor that not too many people realize is that the higher decks have more motion than the lower decks.

As far as what's included and what's not included in your cruise price, here's a little guide:

- Included - Ship accommodations, ocean transportation, most meals, coffee/tea/juices, most entertainment, and port taxes.

- Not Included - Any item of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages, sodas, spa and salon treatments, speciality coffees, shore excursions, gratuties, air transportation, transfers, photographs, medical services, etc.

Some final thoughts; 1) make sure you use a good travel agent; 2) ask your travel agent to price out "Celebrity Cruise Line" for you - absolutely the best (our personal favorite!); and 3) remember that August - October is hurricane season in the Caribbean.

Have fun - planning is a big part of the enjoyment!

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Answer 2

On the following lines everything is included in the price except the air fare, shore excursions, salon/spa, casino, and personal purchases. Sometimes econ. air is included on promos or if they're trying to fill up the ship.

SilverSea, Regent, Seabourn, Crystal, SeaDream - all except Crystal ships have < 1000 passengers. The other ships only carrying between 390 - 790 passengers. Cabins are all suites and no inside cabins. SeaDream ships are mega-yachts, carry only 110 passengers and have smaller cabins.

A bit pricier than the other lines but, if you want impeccible food, accommodations, service, etc. and have the most all-inclusive experience, these are the only lines. You can't go wron with any of them. You can usually get a really good deal on these ships in the off seasons.

To compare apples-to-apples, find a cruise, line, and itinerary that you like and lthen select a balcony cabin. Figure in $15/day per person for gratuities, and $8.00 per drink (the tip is included) Add all of these together and compare this price to an all inclusive ship to determine if this is something you'd like to do. I guarantee once you sail one of these lines,you'll never want to go any other way.

Answer 3

Most cruise claim to be, and if you're careful can be. Food is generally included along with lemonade and coffee. The nighlty entertainment also included. Here are some of the "extra" costs I discovered when I sailed Carnival Cruise and how to avoid them.

Things that cost extra:

1. Booze.
Solution: You can bring your own wine if it's properly boxed up)
If you bring it to dinner you'll have to pay a corking fee but you can drink it in your room for free. There are lots of bars on the boat too, so you may catch yourself buying a few drinks too.

2. Movies - There are recent movies avalbe in your room for $9 a piece. Kind of expencise but nice to relax and watch a movie some evenings.
Solutions: Do other activites like the live comedy shows (which are free) or dancing.

3. Excursions - when your on shore they offer extra activities like scuba diving or horseback riding.
Solution: Go exploring on your own. It can be an adventure! and there's rarely a cost to lay on the beach and swim in the ocean.

4. Using the telephone or the internet:
Solution: Don't do it! It's a vacation after all, you should just relax and enjoy!

5. Pay for photos
Solution: Just bring your own camera

Overall we had a great time on carnival despite having a bit of bill at the end. If you have self restraint you can have a great time with the included options, just be prepared for more up sells and to make smart decisions. Have a good vacation!

Answer 4

It depends on what you want included. Most cruises include meals if you are on the ship. The include tea, water, juice, ect. NO Pop or Alcoholic beverages. They have regular meal times but most have SOME place to eat onboard open 24 hours. It might only be pizza though. The clubs onboard are free, but the alcoholic drinks they serve are not. It will cost you to gamble and it will cost you to go to the spa for extra services like haircuts and massages. They are absolutely wonderful though. PLUS something they don't tell you till you get there. They automatically add 10% to the price of EVERYTHING for a tip. Sometimes more. That includes your steward/stewardess, so don't feel like you have to tip them over and above, even though we did.

When you do go off the ship to shore excursians you pay out the A$$ for them if you buy them from the cruiseline. See if you can get brouchoures ahead of time for wherever you are going. My husband and I took pre arranged tours for a few of the islands we went to but we got real sick of dealing with guides that couldn't hardly speak English or the accent was so awful we couldn't understand. By the time we got to the 3rd stop we decided to do our own sightseeing. If I hadn't been with my husband, I would have NEVER done this. EVER. It can be somewhat dangerous. BEWARE that there are people that go ashore every day that don't come back to the ship and they get LEFT. If not something worse.
We found a nice guide (at the dock the guides are all registered with the government) and he agreed to take us around basically the whole day for 30 dollars US each, so that was 60 for him. In his dealing directly with us he didn't have to wait for the cruise line to pay him monthly and we didn't feel like we got ripped off for a 50 dollar 2 hour tour. The main reason I picked him was this. We stood around in the waiting area and listened to the drivers talk. He spoke GOOD English. He was a Korean War Vet, as was my Father. I know that might not be a very good referrence but you know.. how do you know anything about someone that gives you a tour otherwise?


Good luck and by all means have fun, Just be safe.

Answer 5

most cruises include meals, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, lodging, entertainment and children's programs with the cruise fare. Sodas are normally $2. Unlimited soda passes sold for roughly $6/day.

Higher end luxury cruise lines like Crystal, Cunard and SilverSeas will include some shore excursions and edutainment.

Radisson Seven Seas - now Regent Cruise Lines has the most comprehensive all-inclusive program. Your stateroom is stocked with 2 bottles of alcohol of your choice. Soda can be brought to stock your fridge. Fine wines poured at meals. Cocktails served anywhere but by the pool are included.

Yachts of Seabourne - a yachting experience - includes fine wines, alcohol and more personalized shore excursions.

Answer 6

All Carnival cruise lines are all inclusive. All you have to pay for is the tips for the people that clean your room, anything you purchase from a bar including soda, and your shore excursions (tours). You should take with you one hundred dollars per day of spending money because the tours can get pricey.

Answer 7

If you are looking for heaven on earth, try Seabourn. They have three ships, the Pride, the Spirit and the Legend. The ships are all smallish, only about 200 passengers. Word of warning: it's an older crowd and a more sedate style; it doesn't cater to young people or children at all. Everything is included with Seabourn, and all their cabins are suites, some with "mini balconies" (just large enough to step out on), but the rest have huge, five foot windows. I have sailed with them twice to the Caribbean and would not want to try any other line, I fell in love with the level of service, and the food is incredible.

Answer 8

A cruise is all-inclusive, except for drinks.

Answer 9

Most of them are all inclusive except for alchohol. The food is enless!!

Answer 10

Most cruises are. Are you talking drinks?