The cruise deal looks unbeatable: seven nights for $499. Accommodations, meals, entertainment—all set, right?
For most travelers, though, that bargain fare is only the opening bid. By the time the ship returns to port at the end of a vacation, the final bill can rival—or even exceed—what you would have paid for a cruise with a much higher starting ticket price.
That’s because many mainstream cruise lines rely on à la carte pricing, which helps keep base fares low by shifting much of the trip’s cost to onboard spending.
Luxury lines, by contrast, bundle far more into higher upfront fares—often starting around $1,600 to $4,000 per person for entry-level, week-long ocean sailings, depending on season and itinerary.
Yet even travelers who find a bargain fare could still wind up spending that much. Added charges—such as drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and excursions—quickly pile up once onboard.
To help cruise consumers know how these pricing models differ in practice, we compared what’s included in the base fare across mainstream, premium, and luxury cruise lines.
Our methodology
To compare the best bargains for every cruise line, we examined what is included in the lowest publicly available base fare for a standard seven-night cruise for two adults. For cruise lines that offer interior cabins, we took the interior-category fare; on lines without interior cabins, we used the lowest available cabin category. Optional bundled fares, add-on packages, and limited-time promotions were excluded.
Each cruise line is evaluated using the same set of cost categories to show which commonly used amenities are included in the base fare and which require additional payment. “Included” refers to what is covered by the base cruise fare; “extra” refers to costs customers must pay on board or in advance. Where inclusion rules are identical, cruise lines are grouped for clarity.
Because commonly purchased add-ons (Wi-Fi, drink packages, specialty dining, and so on) can add several hundred dollars per person over a week and vary widely by ship and sailing, this comparison focuses on inclusions rather than total price, giving travelers a clear framework for estimating their true cruise costs before booking.
Cruise lines in this comparison
- Mainstream: Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises
- Premium: Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line
- Luxury: Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Explora Journeys
What each line includes in the base fare
Mainstream lines:
- All of our Mainstream lines include cabin accommodations, meals in main dining rooms and buffets, and onboard entertainment in the base fare.
Premium lines:
- All of our Premium lines include cabin accommodations, meals in main dining rooms and buffets, and onboard entertainment in the base fare.
Luxury lines:
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: all dining venues, beverages, Wi-Fi, gratuities, shore excursions, and onboard entertainment
- Viking Ocean Cruises: all dining venues, Wi-Fi, select beverages with meals, one shore excursion per port, and enrichment programming
- Silversea Cruises: some dining venues, beverages, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and onboard entertainment
- Explora Journeys: some dining venues, beverages, Wi-Fi, gratuities, thermal spa access, and onboard programming
Which cruise lines include port fees and taxes
Port fees and government taxes are included in the advertised cruise price for all the cruise lines we surveyed. The costs are itemized during the booking process and/or on final invoices.
Which cruise lines include Wi-Fi
Mainstream lines:
- Wi-Fi costs extra.
Premium lines:
- Wi-Fi costs extra.
Luxury Lines:
- Wi-Fi is included in the base fare.
Which cruise lines include drinks
On most mainstream and premium cruise lines, only basic coffee, tea, water, and select juices are included in the base fare.
For this comparison, soda, bottled water, specialty coffee, and alcoholic beverages are treated as additional-cost items unless otherwise noted.
Mainstream lines:
- Drinks, including soda, cost extra
Premium lines:
- Celebrity Cruises: Drinks cost extra.
- Princess Cruises: Drinks cost extra.
- Holland America Line: Drinks cost extra
- Disney Cruise Line: Soda is included in the base fare, other drinks cost extra.
Luxury lines:
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Drinks, including alcohol, are included in the base fare.
- Viking Ocean Cruises: Beer, wine, and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner; specialty coffees, teas, and bottled water are included 24/7; cocktails and spirits cost extra.
- Silversea Cruises: Drinks, including alcohol, are included.
- Explora Journeys: Drinks, including alcohol, are included.
Which cruise lines include specialty dining in the base fare?
All cruise lines offer a subset of their restaurants as part of the base fare, but charge extra for some speciality dining outlets.
Mainstream lines:
- Specialty dining costs extra.
Premium lines:
- Specialty dining costs extra.
Luxury lines:
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Specialty dining is included in the base fare.
- Viking Ocean Cruises: Specialty dining is included.
- Silversea Cruises: Specialty dining is included.
Explora Journeys: Specialty dining is included, except for select venues that carry an additional charge.
Explora Journeys Which cruise lines include tips in the base fare?
Mainstream lines:
- Gratuities cost extra.
Premium lines:
- Gratuities cost extra.
Luxury lines:
- Gratuities are included in the base fare except for on Viking Ocean Cruises.
Which cruise lines include activities & entertainment
This category refers to organized onboard activities beyond the main theatrical shows (which are usually included), such as scheduled games, workshops, lectures, demonstrations, and other ship-hosted programming.
Mainstream lines:
- Many onboard activities (such as classes or specialty attractions) cost extra.
Premium lines:
- Some onboard activities (such as classes or specialty attractions) cost extra.
Luxury lines:
- Organized onboard activities are included in the base fare.
Which cruise lines include shore excursions
Mainstream lines:
- Shore excursions cost extra.
Premium lines:
- Shore excursions cost extra.
Luxury lines:
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Shore excursions are included (unlimited).
- Viking Ocean Cruises: Shore excursions are included (one per port).
- Silversea Cruises: Shore excursions cost extra.
- Explora Journeys: Shore excursions cost extra.
Which cruise lines include kids clubs in the base fare
Mainstream lines:
- Carnival Cruise Line: Kids clubs and programming included during standard hours (ages 2+); late-night group babysitting costs extra.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Kids clubs and programming included during standard hours (ages 3+); no nursery care offered.
- Royal Caribbean: Kids clubs and programming included during standard hours (ages 3+); nursery care for under-3s and babysitting cost extra.
- MSC Cruises: Kids clubs and programming included during standard hours; nursery care for under-3s costs extra.
Premium lines:
- Celebrity Cruises: Kids clubs and programming included during standard hours (ages 3+); no nursery care or babysitting offered.
- Princess Cruises: Kids clubs and programming included during standard hours (ages 3+); no nursery care or babysitting offered.
- Holland America Line: Kids clubs and programming included during standard hours (ages 3+); no nursery care or babysitting offered.
- Disney Cruise Line: Kids clubs and programming included during standard hours (ages 3+); nursery care for children under 3 and babysitting cost extra.
Luxury lines:
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Kids club and programming are included on select sailings during standard hours.
- Viking Ocean Cruises: Kids clubs and programming are not offered.
- Silversea Cruises: Kids clubs and programming are not offered.
- Explora Journeys: Kids clubs and programming are included during standard hours.
Which cruise lines include photo packages in the base fare
Mainstream lines:
- Photo packages cost extra.
Premium lines:
- Photo packages cost extra.
Luxury lines:
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Photo packages cost extra.
- Viking Ocean Cruises: No onboard photo packages are offered.
- Silversea Cruises: Photo packages cost extra.
Explora Journeys: Photo packages cost extra.
dining room, Nieuw StatendamHolland America Which cruise lines include spa access in the base fare
Spa facilities and included access vary by cruise line. Some spas offer only basic amenities (saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation areas) in the base fare, while others include larger wellness areas with thermal suites, hydrotherapy pools, snow grottos, and other hot- and cold-water features. Private treatments cost extra.
Mainstream lines:
- Spa access costs extra.
Premium lines:
- Spa access costs extra.
Luxury lines:
- Spa access is included in the base fare.
Which cruise lines include fitness and wellbeing classes in the base fare
Mainstream lines:
- Fitness and wellbeing classes cost extra.
Premium lines:
- Fitness and wellbeing classes cost extra.
Luxury lines:
- Fitness and wellbeing classes are included in the base fare.
Which cruise lines include room service in the base fare
Mainstream lines:
- Carnival Cruise Line: Included food is limited (continental breakfast included), other items à la carte; delivery fee is included.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Food is included; delivery fee costs extra.
- Royal Caribbean: Food is mostly included (hot breakfast items may carry a charge); delivery fee costs extra (outside of complimentary continental breakfast).
- MSC Cruises: Included food is limited (continental breakfast included); delivery fee costs extra.
Premium lines:
- Celebrity Cruises: Included food is limited (continental breakfast included); delivery fee costs extra for non-breakfast orders.
- Princess Cruises: Some dishes are included, some à la carte; delivery fee costs extra.
- Holland America Line: Some dishes are included, some à la carte; delivery fee is included.
- Disney Cruise Line: Food and delivery fee are included.
Luxury lines:
- Food and delivery fee are included
Which cruise lines include laundry services
Mainstream lines:
- Laundry and pressing services cost extra.
Premium lines:
- Laundry and pressing services cost extra.
Luxury lines:
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Laundry service is included.
- Viking Ocean Cruises: Laundry service costs extra; use of self-service laundry rooms is included.
- Silversea Cruises: Laundry service costs extra.
- Explora Journeys: Laundry service is included (one bag per suite).
Which cruise lines include transportation and transfers
Mainstream lines:
- Airfare, airport transfers, and pre- or post-cruise hotel stays cost extra.
Premium lines:
- Airfare, airport transfers, and pre- or post-cruise hotel stays cost extra.
Luxury lines:
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Airport transfers are included; airfare and pre-cruise hotel stays are included on some itineraries or otherwise available as add-ons.
- Viking Ocean Cruises: Airport transfers are included; airfare and pre-cruise hotel stays are included on some itineraries or otherwise available as add-ons.
- Silversea Cruises: Airport transfers are included; airfare and pre-cruise hotel stays are included on some itineraries or available as add-ons.
Explora Journeys: Shuttle service from port to city centers is included; airfare, airport transfers, and hotel stays cost extra.
Camp Ocean kids club, Carnival Cruise LineCarnival Cruise Line Spotting red flags that a “cheap” cruise will cost much more
Use this checklist to estimate your real costs in the long run:
- Add daily gratuities to every fare comparison (use the Frommer's tipping guide).
- Estimate drinks and Wi-Fi per day; many lines now sell packages that bundle these for a set cost.
- Assume at least one paid shore excursion per port.
- Check whether fitness classes or spa access charge per-use fees.
- Confirm whether kids' programs are limited to standard hours and if evening care costs extra.
- Note whether room service or dining outside the main venues comes with extra fees.
- Factor in pre-cruise costs such as parking, flights, and transfers.
When all of these extras are added up, a cruise advertised at $499 can quickly approach—or even exceed—the cost of a more inclusive sailing with a higher upfront price.
When à la carte is still the better deal
À la carte pricing can still make sense for travelers who drink little or no alcohol, skip most shore excursions, rely on included onboard entertainment, and don’t plan to use Wi-Fi, specialty dining, spa services, or fitness classes extensively.
For those cruisers, paying only for what they actually use can result in a lower total cost than an all-inclusive fare.
The key is honesty about personal habits. Decide how much cost predictability matters to you. Travelers who intentionally limit add-ons—and don’t mind tracking expenses along the way—may still come out ahead on a lower base fare, particularly when they plan in advance.
The bottom line
At the lowest advertised fare, mainstream and premium cruise lines typically include cabin accommodations, meals in main dining venues, and onboard entertainment.
The biggest add-ons that travelers routinely use—Wi-Fi, drinks, gratuities, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa access, and fitness classes—almost always cost extra on mainstream and premium lines.
Luxury cruise lines, meanwhile, with obvious luxury pricing usually include far more of these costs upfront, which can significantly narrow—or even eliminate—surprise expenses at the end of the trip, resulting in a more predictable vacation.