What's Included in the Price of a Cruise?
One of the most common questions travelers ask is, "What's included in the price of a cruise?"
The answer depends on the type of cruise you choose.
Most mainstream cruise lines include your accommodations, meals, entertainment, and many onboard activities, while luxury and river cruise lines often include much more—sometimes almost everything you'll need for your vacation.
Here's how they compare.
Mainstream Cruise Lines
Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and MSC Cruises include many vacation essentials in your cruise fare.
What's Typically Included
Your cruise accommodations
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
Main dining room and buffet restaurants
Broadway-style shows and live entertainment
Pools and hot tubs
Fitness center
Youth and teen programs
Transportation between ports
What's Usually Extra
Depending on the cruise line and cabin category, these may have an additional cost:
Alcoholic beverages
Specialty coffee
Specialty dining
Shore excursions
Wi-Fi
Spa treatments
Casino gaming
Gratuities (on many sailings)
Travel insurance
Many cruise lines offer beverage packages, Wi-Fi packages, and bundled promotions that can add value depending on your travel style.
Luxury & River Cruises
Luxury ocean cruises and many river cruises include significantly more in the upfront price, making budgeting easier.
Cruise lines such as Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Viking, AmaWaterways, Explora Journey's, and Avalon Waterways often include amenities that would typically cost extra on mainstream cruise lines.
What's Often Included
Depending on the cruise line and itinerary, your fare may include:
Fine dining throughout the ship
Alcoholic beverages
Specialty restaurants
Wi-Fi
Gratuities
Shore excursions
Airport transfers
Laundry service (on some cruise lines)
Enrichment programs and cultural experiences
Some luxury cruise lines even include airfare and pre-cruise hotel stays on select itineraries.
Which Option Is Right for You?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer.
A mainstream cruise is an excellent choice if you're looking for flexibility and the ability to customize your vacation by paying only for the extras you want.
A luxury or river cruise may offer better overall value if you prefer having most of your vacation expenses included before you sail.
The Bottom Line
The lowest cruise fare doesn't always represent the lowest overall vacation cost. Comparing what's included—and what you'll likely pay extra for—can help you choose the option that offers the best value for your travel style and budget.
Ready to Book Your Next Cruise?
Whether you're looking for an affordable family getaway or an all-inclusive luxury experience, our experienced travel advisors can help you compare your options and find the cruise that's right for you.
CLICK HERE to Contact Expedia Cruises of OVC today to start planning your next vacation.