Anticipate a hassle-free experience when you choose one of these all-inclusive cruises, where the prices encompass drinks, tips, and other perks.
On many cruise ships, your fare typically covers your accommodations, standard meals, entertainment, and daytime activities. However, additional charges can start to accumulate. Want a soda? That will go on your bill. Interested in a Pilates class? There’s a fee for that. Dining at specialty restaurants? Expect an extra charge as well.
These additional costs can quickly add up, often leading to disappointment when the final bill arrives at the end of the trip. Fortunately, there are cruises that defy this pattern, requiring little to no out-of-pocket expenses. On these all-inclusive cruises, the advertised price includes alcoholic beverages, crew tips, and sometimes even airfare, shore excursions, and hotel stays before or after the cruise.
Is an All-Inclusive Cruise a Good Investment?
While the top all-inclusive cruises tend to fall into the luxury segment, there are also budget-friendly options that are perfect for family getaways. It’s even feasible to evaluate the benefits and often discover genuine value.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is one of the most comprehensive cruise lines, providing price comparisons that illustrate how, when factoring in included airfare, accommodations, beverages, excursions, and tips, the cost difference between sailing on the upscale Regent and a standard mainstream ship is only a few dollars per day.
Scott Kertes, Captain of the Ship at Vacations by Design, emphasized the importance of consumers paying close attention to what is included and making direct comparisons. For instance, with Regent, people might experience sticker shock at a 20% higher price, but they are actually receiving 40% more value. You can board the ship without any cash in hand. However, he pointed out that on many all-inclusive ships, it’s more common to end up with a smaller bill rather than having no bill at all.
Larry Pimentel, former president and CEO of Azamara cruise line, noted that the appeal of all-inclusive packages lies in simplifying pricing for their global customers. On Azamara cruises, a selection of wine, beer, and spirits is complimentary, with passengers having the option to upgrade. If they suddenly desire a bottle of Dom Pérignon Champagne, they will need to pay for it, he explained.
Whether you’re aiming to bask in the sun on a Mediterranean cruise or explore Asia or Europe via a river cruise, there’s likely an all-inclusive choice available for you. Here’s what the leading all-inclusive cruise lines provide.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Fleet: Regent boasts a fleet of six elegant ships — the Navigator, Mariner, Voyager, Explorer, Splendor, and Grandeur — each with a capacity of 480 to 740 passengers. The company asserts that it operates the most luxurious fleet in the world, with these vessels sailing to destinations across the globe, including Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, and South America.

What’s included: Regent is renowned for its comprehensive all-inclusive offerings. Guests enjoy round-trip flights (business class for premium suites and intercontinental journeys), fine dining options, unlimited drinks including wines and spirits, an in-suite mini-bar, shore excursions at every port, gratuities, a luxury hotel stay before the cruise, and ground transportation to and from the ship.
Sample cruise: A 14-night journey from Cape Town, South Africa, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, aboard the Seven Seas Splendor.
Crystal Cruises

Fleet: Crystal Cruises operates the Crystal Serenity, which accommodates 740 passengers, and the Crystal Symphony, with a capacity of 606 passengers. These ships travel to various destinations including Europe, New England, Canada, the Caribbean, the Arabian Peninsula, Australia, Asia, and more. In 2023, the cruise line decreased the passenger capacity on both vessels to provide guests with additional space and ensure nearly one staff member for each guest on board. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options, wellness activities, and entertainment on both ships.
What’s included: The package features wines and spirits, gratuities, dining at Osteria d’Ovidio and other specialty restaurants, WiFi, 24-hour room service, and butler service in select suites.
Sample cruise: A 10-night journey from Venice, Italy, to Athens, Greece, aboard the Crystal Symphony.
Azamara Cruises
Fleet: A collection of four relatively small vessels, each capable of hosting around 700 guests, designed to resemble floating country clubs (imagine pools with poolside service and top-notch spas and fitness facilities). The Azamara Onward, Pursuit, Quest, and Journey travel throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, as well as Central and North America.

What’s included: Complimentary wines, beers, standard spirits, non-alcoholic beverages, tips, AzAmazing Evenings events, and self-service laundry facilities.
Sample cruise: Caribbean Journey Voyage; a nine-night experience on the Azamara Journey.
Silversea Cruises
Fleet: Experience luxury and expedition cruising on over a dozen all-suite vessels, exploring destinations such as Europe, South America, Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, the South Pacific, and Japan. The ships vary in size and capacity, from the 100-passenger Silver Origin expedition vessel to the Silver Ray, which will accommodate 728 passengers and is set to launch in 2024.

What’s included: All drinks (including fine wines, Champagne, spirits, and beer), an in-room bar, gratuities, select shoreside events on certain voyages, butler service, and more.
Sample cruise: A 14-day journey from Hong Kong to Singapore aboard the Silver Whisper.
Paul Gauguin
Fleet: The m/s Paul Gauguin is a luxurious small ship that accommodates 330 passengers and sails through the South Pacific. It features its own marina with kayaks, paddleboards, Zodiacs, and diving gear, along with three dining options and a spa.

What’s included: Guests can enjoy select wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks, an in-cabin refrigerator filled with soft drinks and beer, gratuities, water sports and snorkeling gear, as well as gourmet meals.
Sample cruise: A seven-night journey through Tahiti and the Society Islands aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin.
UnCruise Adventures
Fleet: The fleet consists of nine small vessels, accommodating only 22 to 86 guests. These include both expedition ships and boutique yachts that navigate the waters of Alaska, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, and beyond. Rather than extravagant entertainment options found on larger ships, UnCruise focuses on education, immersive experiences, and adventure, making it an excellent option for family cruises.

What’s included: The package covers excursions, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, access to kayaks and other sports gear, among other amenities. Gratuities are not included, with the company suggesting a tip of $35 per day for each guest.
Sample cruise: Experience the Alaska Fjords and Glaciers on a seven-night journey aboard the Explorer, Discoverer, or Adventurer.
Hebridean Island Voyages
Fleet: The Hebridean Princess and Lord of the Highlands, both with royal heritage, are recognized as two of the smallest luxury cruise ships in the world, accommodating just 48 and 38 passengers, respectively. The compact size of the Lord of the Highlands makes it perfect for navigating the historic locks of Scotland’s Caledonian Canal. Meanwhile, the slightly larger Hebridean Princess explores Scotland and beyond.

What’s included: All shore excursions, wines, spirits, Champagne, beer, nonalcoholic beverages, access to the ship’s bicycles, and all tips.
Sample cruise: Enjoy a week-long journey titled “Footloose in the Highlands and Islands” aboard the Hebridean Princess.
Oceania Cruises
Fleet: This upscale cruise line features seven elegant ships—four that hold around 650 passengers and three that accommodate 1,200. They explore various global destinations, from the British Isles to Antarctica, with itineraries focused on specific locations. The Insignia even offers world cruises lasting between 180 to 200 days, traveling around the globe.

What’s included: The standard package covers onboard dining at restaurants (including Jacques Pépin’s bistros), 24-hour room service, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, daily entertainment and activities, as well as WiFi. The OLife Choice package adds round-trip airfare and lets you choose from up to eight shore excursions, an alcohol package, or up to $800 in onboard credit.
Sample cruise: A 10-day journey from Papeete to Papeete, Tahiti, aboard the Nautica.
Viking River Cruises
Fleet: Over 50 vessels navigate the rivers of Europe, Asia, Egypt, and the United States. Among this extensive fleet, Viking is recognized for its signature, cutting-edge Longships, which accommodate 190 passengers. These ships are designed to navigate narrow waterways and feature balcony cabins with a distinct Scandinavian style.

What’s included: Shore excursions, WiFi, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during lunch and dinner, airport transfers, and additional amenities.
Sample cruise: An eight-day journey from Avignon to Lyon, France, along the Rhône River aboard a Viking Longship.
Alaskan Dream Cruises
Fleet: A group of five compact expedition vessels, managed by an Alaska Native company based in Sitka, accommodates between 12 and 76 guests as they navigate the renowned Inside Passage to observe wildlife and visit culturally rich remote villages.

What’s included: Onboard meals, a complimentary glass of wine or beer during dinner, airport transfers, and certain shore excursions.
Sample cruise: The Glacier Bay and Island Adventure in Alaska; a week-long journey on the Alaskan Dream.
Aqua Expeditions
Fleet: The fleet consists of five vessels, featuring both traditional riverboats (accommodating 30 to 40 guests) and superyachts (hosting 16 to 30 guests), offering a blend of luxurious comfort with cultural and natural experiences. Promoted as eco-friendly, these ships navigate the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, the Coral Triangle, and the Mekong River through Cambodia and Vietnam.

What’s included: The package includes meals on board, non-alcoholic drinks, selected beer and wine, shore excursions, entertainment, ground transportation (if you book one of Aqua Expeditions’ suggested flights), and additional amenities.
Avalon Waterways
Fleet: A collection of approximately 20 riverboats that navigate the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Seine, Mekong, Ganges, Amazon, and various other rivers across Europe, Egypt, Asia, and South America. The vessels vary in capacity, from the cozy nine-suite Treasure of Galápagos to larger ships that can host over 150 passengers.

What’s included: Complimentary WiFi, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks during meals (and throughout the day on certain itineraries), onboard dining options, and additional amenities.
Sample cruise: A romantic journey along the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland; an eight-day experience aboard the Avalon Vista, Avalon Expression, Avalon Panorama, or Avalon Imagery II.
AmaWaterways
Fleet: AmaWaterways has a fleet of 28 vessels, ranging from the intimate 28-passenger Zambezi Queen that navigates Africa’s Chobe River to the larger 196-passenger AmaMagna, which sails along the Danube. The cruise line focuses on rivers in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, offering guests a variety of itineraries themed around safaris and wine.

What’s included: Onboard meals (and some meals ashore, depending on the cruise), wine, beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner, shore excursions, and access to bicycles.
Sample cruise: Tulip Time cruise in the Netherlands; a seven-night journey aboard AmaCerto, AmaLucia, AmaMora, or AmaSerena.
Uniworld
Fleet: Uniworld operates 17 elegantly designed river cruise vessels that accommodate between 32 and 159 guests on various waterways, including the Seine, Danube, Nile, and Ganges Rivers, as well as the Venice Lagoon. Cruises typically last from approximately eight to 55 days and are available in Europe, Asia, and Peru.

What’s included: Guests enjoy unlimited premium beverages and wines, meals on board, fitness classes, airport transfers, tips, bicycle rentals, onboard entertainment, and additional amenities.
Sample cruise: An enchanting journey along the Danube from Budapest, Hungary, to Passau, Germany; an eight-day experience aboard the S.S. Maria Theresa.