Which Cruise Lines Are Actually All-Inclusive? The Honest Answer Isn’t So Simple

For a first-time cruiser, “all-inclusive” sounds simple, but cruise lines use the term very differently. On a typical mainstream cruise, the fare usually covers your cabin, meals in the main dining room and buffet, entertainment, and use of the ship’s main facilities like the pool and gym.

What often is not included are the extras many people assume come with the price, such as alcoholic drinks, soda, specialty coffee, Wi-Fi, gratuities, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa treatments, and sometimes even room service or bottled water. Some lines bundle some of those into the fare or a package, while others charge for them separately.

That is why this question matters. A few cruise lines come close to a genuinely all-inclusive experience, while others are really just more inclusive than average. In this guide, I break down which lines actually include the most, where the main gaps are, and when a bundled package can still be the smarter choice.

What “All-Inclusive” Really Means On A Cruise

Before comparing the lines, it helps to know what a normal cruise fare looks like.

What a typical mainstream cruise usually includes

• Your cabin
• Meals in the main dining room and buffet
• Basic snacks and some non-alcoholic drinks like water, tea, coffee, and juice from selected venues
• Theater shows, live music, and other standard entertainment
• Use of pools, hot tubs, and the gym
• Kids clubs on family-focused ships

What you often have to pay extra for

• Alcoholic drinks
• Soda, specialty coffee, bottled water, and other premium beverages
• Wi-Fi
• Gratuities on many lines
• Specialty dining
• Shore excursions
• Spa treatments
• Casino play, shopping, and photos
• Premium room service on some ships
• Flights, airport transfers, and hotel stays before or after the cruise

That is why the label matters less than what is actually covered. The real question is whether the fare includes the extras most people would otherwise end up paying for.

For this guide, I’m using a simple test. A cruise line only counts as genuinely close to all-inclusive if it covers most of the usual extra costs and leaves very little to pay once you are onboard. By that standard, some lines are clearly stronger than others.

Related read: What No One Tells You Before Booking Your First Cruise – How to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck

The Cruise Lines That Come Closest To Truly All-Inclusive

If your goal is to pay once, board the ship, and stop doing holiday maths in your head every five minutes, two names sit at the top for me: Regent Seven Seas and Scenic Eclipse. They are not identical, and neither is literally unlimited-everything in the purest sense, but both remove more of the usual extra charges than most rivals.

Regent Seven Seas

Regent is still one of the strongest answers to this whole question. Its regular cruise fare includes unlimited shore excursions, unlimited beverages, specialty dining, a daily replenished minibar, unlimited Wi‑Fi, prepaid gratuities, valet laundry, and even a one-night pre-cruise hotel for Concierge Suites and above.

The wrinkle is flights: Regent now sells two fare options, and the airfare piece sits in its Ultimate All-Inclusive fare rather than being baked into every booking automatically.

Scenic Eclipse

Scenic Eclipse is the other line that comes very close to the dream version of all-inclusive. Scenic’s U.S. pages highlight butler service for all suites, premium beverages, choice of shore excursions, all gratuities, complimentary Wi‑Fi, and airport transfers, while its ship-experience page also says excursions are included across its Discovery Voyages and Signature Yacht Cruises. That is about as close as most cruise lines get to a genuinely low-extra-cost experience.

Still, it is not a magic bubble: Scenic also makes clear that certain premium add-ons cost extra, including helicopter flights, submersible dives, scuba experiences, spa treatments, and some other optional activities.

If I wanted the fewest surprise charges at the end of the trip, those are the first two lines I’d shortlist. They do the best job of making the fare feel like the fare, not the starting point for a series of expensive little decisions.

Cruise Lines That Include A Lot, But Not Everything

Seabourn

Seabourn gets a lot right. It includes world-class dining, a stocked in-suite bar, complimentary premium spirits and fine wines, Wi‑Fi, and gratuities, which means the onboard part of the trip already feels very low-hassle.

Where it stops short of the truly all-in group is ashore: Seabourn’s own materials describe Ventures by Seabourn as optional shore excursions on regular sailings, though its expedition voyages do include Zodiac cruises, ice landings, and guided onshore walks in places like Antarctica.

Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys also bundles in a lot. Its inclusions page lists nine culinary experiences, unlimited fine beverages, thermal spa access, complimentary high-speed Wi‑Fi, onboard gratuities, shuttle services from port to city centers, and welcome drinks in the suite.

But its booking terms are very clear that a “Destination Experience” is an excursion or activity ashore that is not included as part of the all-inclusive journey price. So Explora is plush, polished, and generous, just not fully all-in once you start booking things off the ship.

Silversea

Silversea is a bit more complicated. On Classic voyages, its standard All-Inclusive fare covers the onboard side of things: butler-serviced suites, dining, unlimited wines and spirits, gratuities, and Wi‑Fi.

Shore excursions on those voyages are still something you choose and pay for unless you book All-Inclusive Plus, which adds shore-excursion credit.

On expedition voyages, Silversea says shore excursions and expedition activities are included. So Silversea can be very close to all-inclusive, but the answer depends on both the fare type and the kind of sailing you book.

SeaDream Yacht Club

SeaDream makes a strong case too. It includes an open bar, gratuities, gourmet meals, daily wines with lunch and dinner, 24-hour in-suite dining, and a long list of watersports gear and marina toys. That is a lovely setup if your idea of bliss is a small yacht and a glass that never seems to empty.

But it is not endless in every direction: SeaDream says rare cellar selections, top-shelf spirits, and select premium wines can cost extra, and its shoreside “Yachting Land Adventures” are sold separately.

Viking

Viking’s version of inclusion is different, and I think that is why people sometimes overstate how all-inclusive it is. Viking says it includes a shore excursion in every port, Wi‑Fi, beer and wine at lunch and dinner, and no charges for alternative restaurants. That is a strong package, especially for destination-focused travelers.

But Viking also sells a separate Silver Spirits beverage package for drinks throughout the day and around the ship, which tells you pretty quickly that the standard fare is not fully all-inclusive in the luxury-line sense.

Oceania

Oceania has become much more inclusive than it used to be. Its Your World Included promise now covers specialty dining, shipboard gratuities, unlimited Wi‑Fi, sodas, specialty coffees and teas, juices, and still and sparkling water. On top of that, guests pick one extra: wine and beer by the glass during lunch and dinner, or a shore excursion credit. That is a very decent bundle.

But because it is still a choice rather than a “have it all” package, I’d put Oceania just outside the truly all-inclusive club.

UnCruise

UnCruise is a bit of a special case. Its site says the fare includes excursions, adventure equipment, food, beverages including alcohol, transfers, and baggage handling, which is more than many luxury ocean lines manage. For active travelers who care more about kayaking, skiff rides, and wildlife than butlers and caviar, that is a seriously strong package.

The reason I would still stop just short of calling it truly all-inclusive is simple: gratuities are separate. UnCruise says crew tips are paid at the end of the cruise, and some itinerary pages spell it out even more bluntly with “gratuities not included.” So it is very close, but not quite the full no-extra-money fantasy.

Marella

Marella sits in a different part of the market, but it is still worth including here. It is more genuinely inclusive than most mass-market rivals because selected drinks and tips are included as standard, and package holidays usually fold in flights and transfers too.

But it still falls short of the luxury lines above because shore excursions, Wi‑Fi, and premium drinks can still add to the bill.

It is more genuinely inclusive than most mainstream lines, but it is still not the same thing as booking one of the luxury lines above, where more of the usual decisions have already been made for you. That difference matters because two cruises can start at similar headline prices and end up miles apart once the add-ons begin to stack up.

So Which Cruise Line Is Actually Best For You?

If you want the closest thing to a true “pay once and forget it” cruise, Regent Seven Seas is probably the safest pick, with Scenic Eclipse right beside it for travelers who want a more adventurous, expedition-style version of luxury. Those two do the best job of swallowing the usual pain points like excursions, gratuities, drinks, and internet.

If you care most about the onboard side of the trip, Seabourn, Explora Journeys, SeaDream, and Silversea all make a strong case. But each has a catch. Seabourn keeps most standard excursions outside the fare on regular cruises. Explora leaves shore experiences separate. SeaDream includes loads onboard but still sells shoreside adventures and some pricier drinks. Silversea depends heavily on whether you are booking a Classic voyage or an Expedition one, and which fare you choose.

If you are the kind of cruiser who doesn’t care about sipping cocktails all day and would rather have calm ships, included tours, and not much nickel-and-diming, Viking makes a lot of sense.

And if your priorities are food, comfort, and a lower onboard bill rather than unlimited bar service, Oceania’s newer inclusions are better than plenty of people realize.

Recommended read: The Best and Worst Luxury Cruise Lines for 2026, Ranked by Real Reviews

Which Cruise Lines Let You Add An All-Inclusive Package?

Not every line that feels all-inclusive starts out that way. A lot of mainstream and premium brands now sell bundled fares or add-on packages that wrap several common extras into one price. That does not make them truly all-inclusive by default, but it can make the final cost a lot more predictable.

Celebrity Cruises is a good example. Its All Included pricing adds a Classic Drinks Package and Basic Wi-Fi on eligible bookings, which can take care of two of the most common extra costs right away.

Princess Cruises takes a similar approach with Princess Plus and Princess Premier. Those packages bundle drinks, Wi-Fi, and other onboard perks, so they can make a standard fare feel much closer to an all-in holiday.

Holland America Line’s Have It All package is another strong middle ground. It combines shore excursions, a drink package, specialty dining, and Wi-Fi, which covers several of the extras people usually end up buying anyway.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea and Free at Sea plus packages also push in that direction. They include drinks, some specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and shore excursion credit, although guests still need to prepay the package gratuities, so it is not quite as simple as an all-in luxury fare.

P&O Cruises now fits into this category too. It recently introduced Classic and Deluxe all-inclusive packages that bundle drinks, Wi-Fi, and specialty dining credit. That makes it easier to turn a standard fare into a more predictable, bundled holiday, but it is still not truly all-inclusive because shore excursions and various other extras remain outside the package.

For a first-time cruiser, that is the main distinction to keep in mind. Some cruise lines include more from the start, while others only feel all-inclusive once you add the right package.

Suggested read: Why That Cheap Cruise Fare Isn’t the Bargain It Looks Like

Quick Comparison Chart: What’s Included and What Isn’t

This is the simpler version of the fine print. I’ve used broad, standard-fare inclusions here, so a few higher suites, world cruises, and special fare types can be more generous than the chart suggests.

Cruise Line	Drinks	Gratuities	Shore Excursions	Specialty Dining	Room Service	Wi‑Fi	Mini-Bar
Regent Seven Seas	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Scenic Eclipse	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Seabourn	Yes	Yes	Expedition sailings yes; regular cruises usually no	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Explora Journeys	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Silversea	Yes	Yes	Depends	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
SeaDream Yacht Club	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Viking	Limited	No	Yes, one in each port	Yes	Yes	Yes	Suite categories
Oceania	Limited	Yes	Limited	Yes	Yes	Yes	Limited
UnCruise	Yes	No	Yes	No separate specialty venues	No	Limited	No
Marella	Selected drinks	Yes	No	Some included, some extra	Suite perks only	No	No

Cruise Line	Flights + Airport/Port Transfers	Home Transfers	Spa Treatments	Biggest Catch
Regent Seven Seas	Transfers included more widely; flights sit in the Ultimate fare	Chauffeur credit on Ultimate fare	No	The standard fare is very strong, but flights and home-transfer style perks sit in the higher fare.
Scenic Eclipse	Airport transfers yes; flights no	No	No	It is one of the closest to true all-inclusive, but premium expedition extras and spa treatments cost more.
Seabourn	No	No	No	Excursions are the main weak spot on regular sailings.
Explora Journeys	Select higher suite categories	Select higher suite categories	No	It is very inclusive onboard, but shore experiences still cost extra and the transfer perks are not standard across all suites.
Silversea	Transfers when booked with Silversea air or hotel arrangements	No	No	What is included depends heavily on whether you book a Classic or Expedition voyage and which fare you choose.
SeaDream Yacht Club	No	No	No	Shoreside adventures, Wi‑Fi, and some premium bottles can still increase the bill.
Viking	Included when you buy flights through Viking Air	No	No	Drinks are limited, and gratuities are still extra.
Oceania	No	No	No	You still have to choose between wine and beer at lunch and dinner or shore excursion credit.
UnCruise	Group airport/vessel transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days; flights no	No	No	Gratuities are separate, and Wi‑Fi is limited when available.
Marella	Package holidays usually include flights and transfers; Cruise Only fares do not	No	No	It is good value for a mainstream line, but Wi‑Fi, excursions, premium drinks, and many add-ons still cost extra.

The Honest Bottom Line

An all-inclusive cruise is not automatically the best choice for everyone. If you rarely drink alcohol, prefer to be unplugged, and are unlikely to use specialty dining or other bundled perks, you may end up paying for a level of inclusion you never really use.

But if you are the kind of cruiser who would normally buy drinks, internet, excursions, or other extras anyway, an all-inclusive fare can make the trip feel much easier.

Regent Seven Seas and Scenic Eclipse come closest to that pay-once-and-relax experience, while Seabourn, Explora Journeys, Silversea, SeaDream, Viking, Oceania, UnCruise, and Marella all offer generous versions of it with a few notable gaps.

That is really the bottom line. The smartest choice is not always the cruise with the longest list of inclusions. It is the one that best matches the way you actually travel.

And if you are looking at a line that offers bundled fares or package upgrades instead of true all-inclusive pricing, it is always worth doing the maths first. In some cases, the upgraded fare will make life simpler and save money. In others, a standard fare plus only the extras you know you will use can work out better.

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