No Surprises On Your Bill
For a luxurious vacation at sea that wont deliver a shocking bill on disembarkation day, focus your search on all-inclusive cruises. While most of the best cruises can, at times, feel all-inclusive if you eat in the main dining room and drink only tap water on the rocks, thats not always the case. Many restaurants on the bulk of cruise ships, even on the most trusted cruise lines, carry an extra fee , and soda, wine, beer, and cocktails are going to cost you. And if you want to try a spinning class in the fitness center or do yoga on the deck, expect to see a charge added to your folio.
True all-inclusive cruises, on the other hand, offer guests nearly everything they could dream of while at sea . Of course, the per person fare will be higher than your usual stateroom on the big cruise ships, but youll get so much more included and have no surprises on your credit card statement. How much higher will depend on the specific ship and how luxurious it is!
If youre traveling as a family, consider one of the best cruises for kids, but for an all-in grown-up experience, try these all-inclusive cruises that cover all meals, even at the specialty dining destinations on board, as well as all activities. Many of them will also cover your alcoholic drinks, gratuities, laundry, shore excursions, airfare, and more. Read on to find out whichand to book your next trip! If you decide that youd prefer to be pampered on land, head over to this list of the best all-inclusive resorts.
Are There Any All Inclusive Cruises
My wife and I stayed at the Divi All-Inclusive in Aruba and loved it. The All Inclusive allowed us to do more without worrying about budgeting money for food and drinks. The AI made the trip as memorable as possible.
We were considering a cruise but we both said, we only want All Inclusive trips. I am in the absolute preliminary stages of the planning so any links, info, reviews etc will be helpful.
HI, I can only speak from an English point of view, but many companies ie cruisedeals.co.uk offer mainstream cruises ie Royal Caribbean, Thomson, StarCruises etc with early bird all inclusive drinks packages.
We have just booked a mediterranean cruise for next May with Thomson via cruisedeals, and we got the AI drinks package included.
I havent heard of a specific AI ship recently, but like you, I would be glad to go on one, although Thomson used to run one I think they stopped it a year or so later – I think the Brits may well have drunk it dry – )
Good luck
I have only heard of it on P & O round europe – and on Island transatlantic – we booked our cruise 12 months in advance and could not get a drinks package – there are a few deals for during the cruise usually
Hi Plunge,
These lines are luxury and all-inclusive: Regent Seven Seas, and Silversea. All food, drinks and tips are included. You pay for incidentals and excursions. I can speak about Regent as I have been on 15 cruises and one on Silversea. You may look into Seabourn and SeaDream.
So —
Where do you want to go?
Hidden Fees At An All
Although all-inclusive resorts tend to rely less on upselling their guests than cruise ships, not every all-inclusive resort is equal. Make sure to find out upfront what is included in the booking price, and what is not. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it often is.
Picture: Although Sandals and Beaches Resorts have a no-tipping policy , this can be one of those costs that are not included at an all-inclusive resort.
Verdict on hidden fees: Whether you book a cruise or an all-inclusive resort, youll have to read the fine print to make sure everything is truly included. However, especially cruises are known to make their money by selling upgrades left, right and center. If the website is not giving you this information, its best to reach out to customer service and ask them the following questions before booking:
- Which activities are included, free of charge?
- Is WiFi included ?
- Are tips and taxes included?
- Are all restaurants included and unlimited? What are the opening times? Do the restaurants serve à la carte or buffet?
- Are alcoholic drinks included at any time?
- Are the mini-fridges in the room stocked and free of charge?
- Are airport transfers included?
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All Inclusive Cruises 2021
All inclusive cruises are renowned for value and in the current climate of fluctuating exchange rates, you can fix your holiday costs now with Cruise1st’s diverse all inclusive offers.
If youre looking for a cruise with added value and peace of mind onboard, then your best option is an all inclusive cruise. Whilst a cruise holiday can give you more for your money there will be times when you will also spend a little more onboard. Book an all inclusive cruise and take away that extra expense so you dont go — overboard!
Beer And Wine Included With Meals
If youre interested a more affordable all-inclusive river cruise, youll find a variety of mainstream river cruise lines which offer river cruises with dinks included at meal times.This is known as ‘fully-inclusive’ river cruising. The drinks are usually limited to beer, wine, tea, coffees, soft drinks and water. Drinks at other times and other drinks such as spirts and cocktails are also available for an extra charge.
Cruise lines offering river cruises with drinks at meal times include:
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All Drinks Included Throughout The Day And Evening
When it comes to drinks, only the luxury river cruise lines offer truly all-inclusive river cruises – with a wide selection of drinks on offer throughout the day and evening. The only drinks which are chargeable on these river cruises are certain speciality wines and spirits.
Luxury all-inclusive river cruise lines include:
Butler Service In Every Suite
All guests are pampered equally aboard our ships. We are the only cruise line in the world to include butler service in every suite, in every category. A staff-to-guest ratio of nearly one to one ensures that your every wish is fulfilled with earnest precision, from the concierge who can customise your voyage to the butler who serves your breakfast in suite.
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Relaxation At A Cruise
Travelling on a cruise can be a bit frantic, you dont want to be one of those guests that almost missed the boat due to traffic congestion! As much as the purpose of the cruise itself is relaxation, the fact that everything is on a schedule doesnt contribute to this. So much so that many cruisers dont even try to make the most of their destinations once they arrive they simply find a nice beach near the port until its time to pack up and leave.
Which Cruise Lines Advertise Themselves As All
I have a full post on what is included in Marellas all-inclusive cruise fare. Make sure you check that out here if you are considering a cruise with Marella. Id definitely recommend it, I had a brilliant time and for the price everything that is included was amazing.
The Marella cruise fare includes the following:
- Meals in multiple restaurants
- Drinks, lots and lots of drinks. Including hundreds of alcoholic options. For the full list,
- Tips/Gratuities
Norwegian Cruise Line
Until recently Norwegian Cruise Line has had a promotion in the UK meaning that all cruises are booked on an all-inclusive basis. This made it a little too expensive for me so I am relieved to see that theyve removed this in the UK.
At the moment the current promotion is to pay £99 and choose two perks.
Virgin Voyages
There is a lot included in the cruise fare with Virgin Voyages. Virgin Voyages are part of the Virgin group and will be launching their first ship Scarlet Lady in 2020.
Virgin Voyages definitely are a premium cruise line and this is reflected in the price. All cruises with Virgin Voyages include:
- WiFi
- Fitness classes
- Some drinks
-
Viking Cruises
Viking ocean cruises are definitely a premium product. I cruised with Viking into the midnight sun last year and it was unlike anything Ive ever done before, or since! The ship was incredible. The standard Viking Cruises cruise fare includes:
- ALL food
Which Cruise Lines Include Alcohol? Drinks Lists Emma Cruises
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Are Cruises All Inclusive
Cruises are all-inclusive. Meals, limited drinks and accommodation are all included in the base cruise fare. There are a number of exclusions, alcohol, gratuities, excursions, WiFi and speciality meals usually cost extra.
A premium cruise line is more likely to market itself as all-inclusive but even luxury cruise lines are rarely truly all-inclusive.
Some cruise lines will have all-inclusive upgrade promotions or will market themselves as all-inclusive despite having exclusions. River cruises are traditionally more inclusive than ocean cruises.
Why All Inclusive Cruises
Cruising can take you from place to place in no time at all, usually overnight, so you will have plenty of time to explore a variety of exciting locations. With your accommodation, food and entertainment all in one place what could be better? All inclusive cruises take the worry out of any additional costs to your holiday, allowing you to take advantage of a range of onboard activities included in your all inclusive package. Take an all-inclusive cruise to avoid any nasty end of holiday bills!
Psst: All inclusive cruises are great all year round – take the stress out of Christmas and New Year dinner by enjoying celebrations on board! See what Easter cruises, Christmas cruises and New Year’s Eve cruises we have on offer.
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The Dreamcatcher: Best Vegetarian Hotel In Puerto Rico
Vegetarian hotel The Dreamcatcher is a home away from home in Puerto Ricos coolest neighbourhood. Set in the heart of San Juan, this boutique hotel is filled to the brim with home comforts given a luxury upgrade in a chilled out environment. The Dreamcatcher is the only vegetarian hotel in San Juan, and holds that title particularly well thanks to its incredible and regionally famous, locally sourced brunch. And, when it comes to the hotel itself, expect relaxed, cosy vibes that promote utter relaxation.
Each uniquely designed room comes with boho features like oversized hammocks, tropical-infused outdoor bathrooms, wrap around terraces and huge, soft queen size beds. Two large kitchens and a free-for-all herb garden means its easy to get creative if you fancy a night in, and chairs dotted around the gardens offer the perfect space for sitting back and simply taking in Puerto Ricos unique charm as the evening draws to a close.
Address: 2009 Cll España, San Juan, 00911 Puerto RicoPrice range: $$Website: www.dreamerspuertorico.com
Why Choose A River Cruise With Scenic
Luxury is having a butler at your call, crisp white sheets, and your own private balcony to watch the sun rise and set in a different country. Luxury is having chef-prepared meals and top shelf beverages*. Luxury is all-inclusive tours, events, experiences and having someone else arrange it all for you, to pick and choose as you please.
And luxury certainly is not having to reach for your wallet for any of it. Welcome to the Scenic experience, where all-inclusive means exactly that. This is the essence of the Scenic experience.
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Is Royal Caribbean All Inclusive
Royal Caribbean cruises include entertainment, dining, and will take you to different ports, but are they truly all-inclusive?
The idea of paying one price and then having your entire vacation taken care of is certainly appealing to a lot of people.
Alas, Royal Caribbean cruises are not all inclusive and have never been truly all-inclusive, but it does include a tremendous amount of value for what you pay. Royal Caribbean’s pricing model has traditionally been to include a base experience, and allow guests to pay for add-ons they they want.
There are some luxury lines that are much closer to all-inclusive, but generally speaking, mass market cruise lines are rarely inclusive of everything.
Part of the rationale for keeping the experience not inclusive of everything is it helps keep the entry price lower, as well as not include things people don’t want and is part of the price.
Despite the fact they are not all-inclusive, a Royal Caribbean cruise still packs a lot to enjoy, including:
- Your stateroom
- Medical attention
Caribe Hilton: Best Beachfront Hotel In Puerto Rico
Caribe Hilton is the definition of luxe: an exotic destination surrounded by 17 acres of lush foliage, promising an easy Caribbean getaway on a beautiful tropical landscape. Set between historic Old San Juan and culture-rich Condado, its the perfect location for those looking to relax or explore. Thats if you get time to leave the resort because, with nine restaurants and bars, pools, tennis courts, a spa, hammock garden and secluded beach, youll likely spend most of your time enjoying whats immediately in front of you.
The latter is one of the star attractions here: home to a sweeping oceanfront pool complete with swim up bar for easy Pina Colada-refilling access. Take a swim in the clear, calming waters or wander through the tropical gardens, home to its own bird sanctuary. The resorts impressive location also makes it a great spot for scuba diving, water sports or sightseeing tours.
Address: 1 Calle San Gerónimo, San Juan, 00901 Puerto Rico Price range: $$$$Website: www.caribehilton.com
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Truly All Inclusive Lines
Anytime we start listing cruise lines with certain qualities or amenities, it’s important to remember that there are cruise lines that even the most experienced of cruisers may never have heard of – and they’re not necessarily the most expensive . Further some of the larger lines may not market to your part of the world. Ever heard of Victory Cruise Lines, Paul Gauguin, AIDA? In short keep in mind we’re just providing some examples.
With the this list is far from all inclusive disclaimer out of the way, there are a few lines which stand out as having no additional costs which you’re likely to run into, aside from retail purchases.
Regent Seven Seas is a cruise line that is operated alongside Oceania under the NCL Holding umbrella, and offer experiences that focus on dining and service, which include all restaurants onboard, all alcoholic beverages , and even their catalog of group shore excursions. Similarly, Silversea, an independent cruise line offers truly all inclusive sailings, having been somewhat of a pioneer in the space, as does Crystal Cruises, which has been drastically expanding their offering to include luxury plane charters, river cruises, a yacht, and new ships.
From Regent Seven Seas‘ Website:
Transportation To A Cruise
Cruises as opposed to all-inclusive resort vacations dont necessarily require that you pay to get to your destination via flight unless of course you live nowhere near one of the select port cities that cruises depart from. The lucky few who do live in a city with a cruise terminal will be able to save money in this area, but generally, most people will have to catch a domestic flight to get there. Flights can make your overall vacation more expensive, especially if travelling in a group. Therefore, this is something worth factoring into your decision.
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Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady
Best for: Millennials
Richard Bransons Virgin Voyages cruise line is finally set to sail from Miami in early October after COVID delayed its launch by more than a year. This inventive, glittering new ship looks to disrupt the cruise industry by providing guests with as close to an all-inclusive experience as possible without actually using the words all-inclusive. There are no buffets, but rather more than 20 small-scale specialty restaurants from steakhouses to Korean barbecue joints, offering the feeling of intimate, big-city dining at seaand all at no additional cost.
Whats included: Dining destinations created by Michelin chefs to the plant-based Razzle Dazzle Restaurant offer food options 24 hours a dayand its all included in the price. And the affordable fares are priced per cabin, not per passenger. . You can also take as many group fitness classes as you wish, because there is no extra fees for those either, and see a number of theatrical productions for free. Tips are included, too.
Where you can cruise: The Scarlet Lady is making stops of the Beach Club at Bimini in the Bahamas, where a luxe beach day turns into a dance party around the bonfire on the sand because back-onboard time isnt until 11:59 p.m.! Virgin Voyages is also sailing to Cozumel, Key West, Costa Maya, San Juan, and Puerto Plata in the Caribbean.
What Is Included In A Cruise
For most mainstream/budget cruise lines the following will be included:
Accommodation Onboard
Absolutely every cruise includes a place for you to stay. A cruise without a cabin wouldnt be much good at all! Cabins vary from inside cabins to suites and the price varies accordingly. Youll usually find me in an inside cabin but I occasionally upgrade to a balcony.
Some food .
On every cruise, there is included food. You dont NEED to pay extra for any food.
There are plenty of options where you can pay more and the cruise line will try and sell these speciality restaurants to you throughout the cruise. It is perfectly okay to stick with the free options! I dont usually spend more on food when I cruise.
Free food options available on most cruises:
- The main dining room
- Buffet
- Pool grill
On some premium lines like Viking, all food is included without an upcharge.
Some drinks .
Whenever the buffet is open you will have access to water and usually tea/coffee for free. On some cruise lines like Celebrity Cruises there is juice available in the buffet all day, generally speaking, the juice is normally only available with breakfast.
If you are cruising on a British line you may have a kettle in your cabin which is another option if you fancy a free drink. Having a cup of tea on the balcony is one of my favourite cruising pass times.
Entertainment
Gym Access
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