What Does “All-Inclusive” Really Mean on a Luxury Cruise?

Luxury cruise lines frequently use the words all-inclusive, but that doesn't mean every expense disappears. Dining, drinks, gratuities and WiFi may be included, while shore excursions, flights, hotels, transfers, spa treatments and specialty experiences can vary considerably. The better question isn't whether a cruise is all-inclusive. It's whether the fare includes the things you actually value.

Luxury cruising is supposed to make travel easier.

You board the ship, unpack once and much of what you need is already taken care of. Then you start comparing cruise lines.

One includes excursions. Another includes drinks but not excursions. One offers multiple fare levels. Another includes virtually everything onboard but treats much of what happens ashore separately.

Suddenly, all-inclusive doesn't seem quite as simple as it sounds. And that's because it isn't.

Are luxury cruises really all-inclusive?

Many luxury cruises are highly inclusive, but few include literally every possible expense.

Luxury cruise fares commonly include:

• Dining
• Beverages
• Gratuities
• WiFi
• Entertainment
• In-suite refreshments

The biggest differences tend to appear around:

• Shore excursions
• Flights
• Airport transfers
• Hotels
• Private experiences
• Spa treatments
• Premium wines and spirits
• Specialty culinary experiences
• Laundry
• Expedition activities

That's why two cruises described as all-inclusive can have very different final costs.

The mistake I wouldn't make

I wouldn't choose a luxury cruise simply because one company appears to include more. More isn't automatically better.

“An inclusion only has value if it's something you would have paid for anyway.”

Stern & Anchor take

Imagine one cruise includes several organized excursions. If you enjoy guided touring and would otherwise purchase excursions in every port, that inclusion could represent significant value.

But what if you prefer wandering independently, arranging private guides or spending the afternoon at a café? You're still paying for an inclusion. You're simply not using much of its value. That changes the comparison.

Regent Seven Seas: luxury through maximum bundling

Among the major luxury cruise lines, Regent Seven Seas makes inclusiveness a central part of its proposition.

Its current All-Inclusive Cruise Fare includes unlimited shore excursions, specialty restaurants, beverages, wines, cocktails, WiFi, gratuities, valet laundry and 24-hour in-suite dining. Concierge Suites and above also include a one-night pre-cruise hotel package, while Penthouse Suites and above add personal butler service.

There are still distinctions. Regent Choice excursions are enhanced experiences that can carry a supplementary charge. Travellers choosing Regent's Ultimate All-Inclusive fare can also receive additional travel benefits such as flights and airport-to-ship transfers, subject to the current fare terms.

Who benefits most?

Travellers who appreciate predictability. If you like having excursions organized, restaurants included and many logistical details handled before you leave home, Regent's model can be very compelling.

The value isn't merely financial. It's also the luxury of not having to think about every transaction.

Silversea: the fare you choose matters

Silversea demonstrates why you need to look beyond the words all-inclusive.

Its current All-Inclusive fare for Classic voyages includes butler-serviced suites, dining, wines and spirits, gratuities and WiFi. Shore excursions, however, are selected and purchased separately.

Silversea's All-Inclusive Plus fare changes that equation by providing a shore-excursion credit on Classic voyages. Expedition cruising operates differently again: under All-Inclusive Plus, expedition voyages include landings and shore excursions.

So asking whether excursions are included on Silversea doesn't have one universal answer. The better question is: which Silversea fare and which voyage are we talking about? That's exactly why careful comparison matters.

Seabourn: highly inclusive onboard, more freedom ashore

Seabourn approaches inclusiveness around the onboard experience. Its current offering includes complimentary dining venues, premium spirits and fine wines, caviar, in-suite refreshments, gratuities and WiFi.

Destination experiences are more individualized. Certain optional shore programs and experiences carry additional charges.

For some travellers, that's not a disadvantage. It's freedom.

If you want the ship experience to feel almost frictionless but prefer deciding separately how much to spend ashore, Seabourn's structure may suit you very well.

Explora Journeys: luxury resort thinking at sea

Explora Journeys takes a somewhat different approach. The brand feels closer in philosophy to a contemporary luxury resort than a traditional cruise ship.

Explora's current Journey experience includes nine culinary experiences, including In-Suite Dining; unlimited beverages including fine wines, Champagne and premium spirits; high-speed WiFi; onboard gratuities; access to the Ocean Wellness spa thermal area; and group wellness, fitness and mindfulness activities. Port-to-city shuttle services are also included where required or available.

Destination Experiences and some optional experiences are handled separately. This can make sense for a traveller who wants considerable luxury onboard but doesn't necessarily want sightseeing bundled into the cruise fare.

It's another example of why less bundled doesn't necessarily mean less luxurious.

Crystal: highly inclusive onboard luxury

Crystal describes its current experience as Ultra All-Inclusive. Dining, bars, select premium wines and spirits, gratuities and butler service across suites form part of that proposition.

But even here, details matter. Specialty restaurant reservations are complimentary up to an allotment determined by voyage length. Additional reservations carry a charge.

Again, the lesson isn't that Crystal isn't all-inclusive. It's that all-inclusive has boundaries everywhere.

What may not be included?

Even on an expensive luxury cruise, the following may not be included in your particular fare or voyage:

• Private shore experiences
• Spa treatments
• Certain premium wines or spirits
• Boutique purchases
• Some specialty dining experiences
• Pre- and post-cruise hotels
• Airfare
• Private airport transfers
• Optional land programs
• Travel insurance

Something included on one itinerary or fare may not be included on another. Expedition cruising is a particularly good example, because landings, Zodiac operations and specialist guiding are structured differently from a classic ocean voyage.

So before comparing prices, compare what those prices actually buy.

Which type of all-inclusive traveller are you?

This is where the decision becomes much easier.

“I want as little to think about as possible.”

Look closely at Regent Seven Seas. Its extensive bundling can make the entire voyage feel remarkably seamless.

“I want personalized luxury and destination depth.”

Look closely at Silversea. Just make sure you're comparing the correct fare and voyage type.

“I want almost everything taken care of onboard, but I'll decide how I explore.”

Seabourn deserves serious consideration.

“I like contemporary luxury resorts and want freedom ashore.”

Look at Explora Journeys.

“Service and dining are central to my idea of luxury.”

Crystal belongs in the conversation.

None of those are rankings. They're starting points.

Is an all-inclusive luxury cruise actually better value?

Sometimes. But the lowest final bill isn't necessarily the best value.

Suppose Cruise A costs more upfront but includes excursions, drinks, gratuities and laundry that you would otherwise purchase. Cruise B has a lower advertised fare but you add those things individually. Cruise A might ultimately cost less.

But reverse the traveller. If you don't drink much, dislike organized excursions and prefer exploring independently, some of Cruise A's expensive inclusions may have very little value to you.

That's why I wouldn't ask which cruise line includes the most. I'd ask which cruise line includes the most of what matters to me. That's a much better way to choose.

The Stern & Anchor perspective

All-inclusive should make luxury travel simpler. It shouldn't make choosing a cruise more confusing.

When I compare luxury cruise lines, I don't just count inclusions. I look at how you'll actually travel.

• Will you take an excursion in every port?
• Would you rather arrange private experiences?
• Do you enjoy wine with dinner?
• Will you use specialty restaurants?
• Do you want flights and hotels handled as part of the trip?
• Would you pay extra for a butler?
• Are you considering Antarctica or another expedition destination?

Those answers tell us what the inclusions are actually worth to you.

Because the most inclusive cruise isn't automatically the best luxury cruise. The best value is the voyage that includes more of what you'll use and less of what you won't.

Not sure what you're really paying for?

Tell me what kind of voyage you're considering and how you like to travel. We'll compare the actual experience, not just the advertised fare.