All Inclusive Versus Regular Cruises

What’s Best for Your Vacation?

Planning a cruise getaway? One key choice to make is between an all-inclusive cruise and a regular cruise. Both offer amazing experiences on the water, but understanding their differences can help you find the perfect fit for your style, budget, and travel goals. Here’s a friendly breakdown of what you should consider.

What’s Included?

All-Inclusive Cruises:
These cruises bundle almost everything into one upfront price: meals at most onboard restaurants, premium beverages (alcohol and non-alcohol), gratuities, onboard activities, Wi-Fi, and sometimes shore excursions. It’s a worry-free way to relax and enjoy every moment without unexpected costs. Some luxury cruise lines even offer airfare and transfers, free valet laundry, one-night pre-cruise hotel stays and more.

Regular Cruises:
You get the basics: accommodation, standard dining (often buffet and main dining room meals), and access to ship amenities. Extras like specialty restaurants, alcoholic drinks, shore excursions, spa treatments, and Wi-Fi usually come at an additional cost.

“Many travelers don’t like to feel nickel and dimed with every added expense on top of their cruise,” explained Mary Ellsworth, a travel advisor at Cruise & Travel Experts. “They want to pay one upfront price before their cruise and then not have to continue to take out their wallet (or key card on most ships now) to keep adding extra expenses on to their final bill.  We always encourage travelers to really look at the all-inclusive ship option if they are someone who wants to eat at all the specialty restaurants, drink premium drinks, and sign up for a shore excursion in each port as it often makes sense to go with a more inclusive cruise line.”

Budgeting Benefits

All-Inclusive:
Great for budget-conscious travelers who want to know the total cost upfront, avoiding surprises. You can indulge freely without tracking expenses daily, making it ideal for stress-free luxury or multi-generational family trips.

Regular Cruises:
Typically lower base fares, which can be attractive if you’re a light spender onboard or plan to eat mostly included meals and skip extras. But costs can add up if you indulge in drinks, excursions, or specialty dining—so watch the wallet!

Dining Experience

All-Inclusive:
Enjoy high-end dining at no extra charge. Options often include Michelin-class chefs or exclusive restaurants serving gourmet meals, paired wines, and specialty cocktails. Foodies adore the variety and quality!

Regular Cruises:
Enjoy solid, tasty options at main dining venues and buffet spots. Specialty dining is available but billed separately. It’s perfect for travelers looking for classic cruise food and flexibility.  Many cruise lines offer a variety of quick casual restaurants and eateries now included in your fare so finding a variety of tasty food onboard is usually not an issue.

Onboard Activities & Entertainment

All-Inclusive:
Many premium all-inclusive lines pack their ships with enriched entertainment, cultural lectures, cooking classes, wellness programs, and free shore excursions. You’ll get top-tier experiences that satisfy mind, body, and soul.

Regular Cruises:
Offer fun activities, shows, and entertainment, but some programs may require extra fees such as fitness classes, special shows, and wine tastings or specialty cocktail mixer classes. You can tailor your experience by selecting a la carte events.

“I have seen on classic cruises where now they are charging for more events onboard that perhaps used to be included, such as a magic show with two craft cocktails,” said Debra Dickerson, a travel advisor at Cruise & Travel Experts.  “Something else I’ve noticed recently is that the main dining rooms included with your cruise are starting to offer upsells on their dinner menus—think lobster or premium cuts of beef. Also, if you decide to order a second meal from the dinner menu, many places now charge an extra fee for it.”

Shore Excursions

All-Inclusive:
Many excursions are included or heavily discounted. Some cruises even offer unique private tours as part of the package, ensuring you see the best without extra hassle.

Regular Cruises:
Excursions generally cost extra. This gives you flexibility to explore on your own or choose tours based on your budget and interests. Sometimes opting to walk the port town on your own or taking a cab to a local beach is more affordable than booking a tour.

Who Should Choose Which?

• All-Inclusive Cruises: Best for travelers wanting luxury with no surprises, those who love gourmet food and drinks, and families or groups who value convenience and inclusivity. Perfect if you want to relax and enjoy every experience without managing extra costs.
• Regular Cruises: Ideal for budget travelers, casual cruisers, or those who enjoy picking and choosing their onboard experiences. Also great if you like exploring ports independently and controlling spending throughout the trip.

No matter what you choose, cruising promises unforgettable destinations, ocean views, and incredible memories.