What's Included on a Cruise? Every Line Compared
See exactly what each cruise line includes in the base fare across drinks, dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and more. Updated for 2026.
Included
Partially included
Extra cost
Not available
Mainstream Cruise Lines
| Category | Royal Caribbean | Carnival | Norwegian Cruise Line | MSC Cruises | Princess Cruises | Disney Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Dining | Main dining room, Windjammer buffet, and casual venues | Main dining room and Lido Marketplace buffet | Multiple complimentary dining venues (Freestyle Dining) | Main dining room and buffet included | Main dining room, Alfredo's pizzeria, buffet | Rotational dining (3 restaurants), Cabanas buffet |
| Room Service | Continental breakfast free; other items have delivery fee | Continental breakfast free; other items have charges | Delivery fee + per-item charges | Continental breakfast free 24/7; other items extra | Continental breakfast free; other items have charges | Room service included 24/7 |
| Alcoholic Drinks | Deluxe Beverage Package from ~$69/day | CHEERS! package from ~$59/day | Premium Package from ~$109/day. Often included in Free at Sea promo. | Premium Extra Package from ~$62/day | Premier Package from ~$69/day. Included in Princess Premier bundle. | No drink packages. Pay per drink at bars. |
| Soft Drinks & Juice | Water, lemonade, tea at meals. Soft drinks extra. | Lemonade and iced tea at meals. Bottomless Bubbles ~$9/day. | Water and juice at meals. Soft drinks extra. | Water at meals included. Soft drinks extra. | Water, juice at meals. Soft drinks extra. | Soft drinks, juice, milk included at all dining venues and pool deck |
| Bottled Water | Available for purchase or via beverage package | Available for purchase | Available for purchase or via package | Available for purchase or via package | Included with Princess Plus/Premier; otherwise extra | Available for purchase |
| Speciality Coffee | Available at Cafe Promenade; package or pay-per-cup | JavaBlue Cafe; pay per cup | Starbucks available on newer ships; pay per cup | Available at coffee bars; pay per cup | International Cafe; extra or included with Plus/Premier | Cove Cafe; pay per cup |
| Speciality Dining | Cover charges $25-$65 per person | Cover charges $15-$48 per person | Some specialty venues included in Free at Sea; others $20-$50 | Cover charges from $15-$45 | Cover charges from $20-$39. 2 meals included with Premier. | Remy and Palo have cover charges ($40-$75); all rotational dining free |
| Wi-Fi | VOOM packages from ~$15/day | Plans from ~$13/day | From ~$15/day. Often included in Free at Sea promo. | Packages from ~$10/day | MedallionNet from ~$10/day. Included with Princess Plus/Premier. | Connect@Sea from ~$12/day |
| Gratuities | $16-$18.50/person/day auto-charged | $16-$18/person/day auto-charged | $20-$25/person/day auto-charged | $14-$16/person/day in the Americas | $16-$18/person/day. Included with Princess Plus/Premier. | $14.50/person/day auto-charged |
| Entertainment & Shows | Shows, pools, rock climbing, FlowRider, ice skating | Playlist Production shows, comedy, waterslides | Broadway shows, waterslides, go-karts (some ships) | Shows, waterpark, sports facilities | Movies Under the Stars, production shows, pools | Character meets, Broadway-style shows, waterslides, fireworks |
| Fitness Centre | Fitness centre and jogging track included | Fitness centre and jogging track included | Fitness centre included | Fitness centre included | Fitness centre included | Fitness centre included |
| Spa Treatments | Treatments start around $100+ | Cloud 9 Spa treatments extra | Mandara Spa treatments extra | Aurea Spa treatments extra | Lotus Spa treatments extra | Senses Spa treatments extra |
| Kids Clubs | Adventure Ocean for ages 3-17 included | Camp Ocean ages 2-11, Circle C teens included | Splash Academy ages 3-12, Entourage teens | MSC Kids Club free for ages 3-17 | Camp Discovery ages 3-17 included | Oceaneer Club/Lab ages 3-12, Edge teens, Vibe teens |
| Shore Excursions | Bookable through the cruise line or independently | Bookable through Carnival or independently | Bookable separately. Free at Sea sometimes includes credit. | Bookable through MSC or independently | Bookable through Princess or independently | Port Adventures bookable through Disney |
| Laundry | Self-service laundry not available; valet laundry extra | Self-service coin laundry available on most ships | Valet laundry available for a fee | Valet laundry available for a fee | Self-service laundry available on most ships | Self-service laundry available on all ships |
Royal Caribbean
Includes extensive entertainment and activities
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Partial
Alcoholic Drinks
Extra
Soft Drinks & Juice
Partial
Bottled Water
Extra
Speciality Coffee
Extra
Speciality Dining
Extra
Wi-Fi
Extra
Gratuities
Extra
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Extra
Kids Clubs
Included
Shore Excursions
Extra
Laundry
Extra
Carnival
Self-service laundry available
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Partial
Alcoholic Drinks
Extra
Soft Drinks & Juice
Partial
Bottled Water
Extra
Speciality Coffee
Extra
Speciality Dining
Extra
Wi-Fi
Extra
Gratuities
Extra
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Extra
Kids Clubs
Included
Shore Excursions
Extra
Laundry
Partial
Norwegian Cruise Line
Free at Sea promo can add drinks, Wi-Fi, dining, excursion credit
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Extra
Alcoholic Drinks
Extra
Soft Drinks & Juice
Partial
Bottled Water
Extra
Speciality Coffee
Extra
Speciality Dining
Partial
Wi-Fi
Extra
Gratuities
Extra
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Extra
Kids Clubs
Included
Shore Excursions
Extra
Laundry
Extra
MSC Cruises
Yacht Club (ship-within-a-ship) includes butler, drinks, and premium dining
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Partial
Alcoholic Drinks
Extra
Soft Drinks & Juice
Partial
Bottled Water
Extra
Speciality Coffee
Extra
Speciality Dining
Extra
Wi-Fi
Extra
Gratuities
Extra
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Extra
Kids Clubs
Included
Shore Excursions
Extra
Laundry
Extra
Princess Cruises
Princess Plus and Premier bundles add drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Partial
Alcoholic Drinks
Extra
Soft Drinks & Juice
Partial
Bottled Water
Extra
Speciality Coffee
Extra
Speciality Dining
Extra
Wi-Fi
Extra
Gratuities
Extra
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Extra
Kids Clubs
Included
Shore Excursions
Extra
Laundry
Partial
Disney Cruise Line
Room service included 24/7
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Included
Alcoholic Drinks
Extra
Soft Drinks & Juice
Included
Bottled Water
Extra
Speciality Coffee
Extra
Speciality Dining
Partial
Wi-Fi
Extra
Gratuities
Extra
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Extra
Kids Clubs
Included
Shore Excursions
Extra
Laundry
Partial
Premium Cruise Lines
| Category | Celebrity Cruises | Holland America Line | Virgin Voyages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Dining | Main dining, Oceanview Cafe, Eden, and Mast Grill | Main dining room, Lido Market, and Dive-In burgers | No traditional main dining. 20+ eateries all included. |
| Room Service | Continental breakfast free; other items extra | Room service included 24/7 | Shake for Champagne delivery. Room service available for a fee. |
| Alcoholic Drinks | Included with Always Included fare. Classic package with standard drinks. | Elite package from ~$60/day. Included in Have It All bundle. | Bar Tab add-on from ~$50/day. Not included in base fare. |
| Soft Drinks & Juice | Soft drinks, juice, and water included with all fares | Water, juice, and iced tea at meals included | Still and sparkling water, drip coffee, tea, basic juices included |
| Bottled Water | Still and sparkling water included | Available for purchase or via package | Still and sparkling water included |
| Speciality Coffee | Included with Always Included fare | Drip coffee included; speciality coffee extra or via Have It All | Speciality coffee at extra cost |
| Speciality Dining | Cover charges $45-$75. Some meals included with higher fares. | Cover charges $15-$49. 1 dinner included with Have It All. | All 20+ restaurants included. No main dining room. |
| Wi-Fi | Basic Wi-Fi included with Always Included fare | From ~$13/day. Included with Have It All. | Basic Wi-Fi included (Starlink on newer ships) |
| Gratuities | Included with Always Included fare | $16/person/day auto-charged | All gratuities and service charges included |
| Entertainment & Shows | Theatre shows, Silent Disco, live music | Lincoln Center Stage, BB King's, shows | Shows, DJ sets, group fitness classes, festivals |
| Fitness Centre | Fitness centre and classes included | Fitness centre included | Athletic Club and group fitness classes included |
| Spa Treatments | Canyon Ranch Spa treatments extra. The Retreat guests get spa access. | Greenhouse Spa treatments extra | Redemption Spa treatments extra |
| Kids Clubs | Camp at Sea ages 3-17 included | Club HAL ages 3-17 (seasonal) | Adults only (18+). No children on board. |
| Shore Excursions | Bookable through Celebrity or independently | Shore excursion credit included with Have It All | Bookable through Virgin Voyages |
| Laundry | Valet laundry available for a fee | Self-service laundry available on most ships | Laundry service available for a fee |
Celebrity Cruises
Always Included fare bundles drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Partial
Alcoholic Drinks
Partial
Soft Drinks & Juice
Included
Bottled Water
Included
Speciality Coffee
Partial
Speciality Dining
Extra
Wi-Fi
Partial
Gratuities
Partial
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Extra
Kids Clubs
Included
Shore Excursions
Extra
Laundry
Extra
Holland America Line
Have It All bundle is excellent value
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Included
Alcoholic Drinks
Extra
Soft Drinks & Juice
Partial
Bottled Water
Extra
Speciality Coffee
Partial
Speciality Dining
Extra
Wi-Fi
Extra
Gratuities
Extra
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Extra
Kids Clubs
Included
Shore Excursions
Extra
Laundry
Partial
Virgin Voyages
All 20+ restaurants included (no cover charges)
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Partial
Alcoholic Drinks
Extra
Soft Drinks & Juice
Included
Bottled Water
Included
Speciality Coffee
Extra
Speciality Dining
Included
Wi-Fi
Included
Gratuities
Included
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Extra
Kids Clubs
N/A
Shore Excursions
Extra
Laundry
Extra
Luxury Cruise Lines
| Category | Viking | Regent Seven Seas | Silversea | Oceania Cruises | Cunard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Dining | The Restaurant and all alternative venues included | Compass Rose and all alternative restaurants included | La Terrazza, The Restaurant, and all alternative venues | Grand Dining Room and all specialty restaurants included | Britannia Restaurant, Kings Court buffet |
| Room Service | Room service included 24/7 | Room service included 24/7 from full menu | Room service included 24/7 from full restaurant menu | Room service included 24/7 | Room service included 24/7 from limited menu |
| Alcoholic Drinks | Beer, wine, and champagne with lunch and dinner included. Silver Spirits upgrade from ~$39/day for all-day. | All premium spirits, cocktails, wine, beer included everywhere | All premium spirits, cocktails, wine, champagne included | Not included. Packages from ~$40/day. OLife Choice may include. | Premium Drinks Package from ~$55/day |
| Soft Drinks & Juice | Soft drinks, juice, tea, coffee included 24/7 | All beverages included | All beverages included | Soft drinks, juice, coffee, tea included | Tea, drip coffee at meals included. Soft drinks extra. |
| Bottled Water | Bottled water included in stateroom and restaurants | Bottled water included; mini-bar restocked daily | Bottled water included; in-suite bar stocked to preference | Still and sparkling water included | Available for purchase or via package |
| Speciality Coffee | Speciality coffee and tea included | Speciality coffee included everywhere | Speciality coffee included | Speciality coffee included at Baristas cafe | Available at Cafe Carinthia; pay per cup |
| Speciality Dining | All dining venues included (Italian, Japanese, etc.) | All dining venues included with no reservations needed | All dining venues included | All dining venues included (Jacques, Polo Grill, Toscana, etc.) | The Verandah and speciality options have cover charges |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi included for all guests | Unlimited Wi-Fi included | Unlimited Wi-Fi included | OLife Choice may include Wi-Fi; otherwise from ~$20/day | Packages from ~$10/day |
| Gratuities | All gratuities included | All gratuities included | All gratuities included | All gratuities included | $14.50/person/day auto-charged |
| Entertainment & Shows | Enrichment lectures, performances, cooking demos | Shows, lectures, live music | Shows, enrichment lectures, live music | Shows, cooking classes, lectures | Royal Court Theatre shows, afternoon tea, ballroom dancing |
| Fitness Centre | Fitness centre, thermal pool, and spa area included | Fitness centre and classes included | Fitness centre included | Fitness centre included | Fitness centre included |
| Spa Treatments | Nordic spa/thermal area included. Individual treatments extra. | Canyon Ranch Spa treatments extra. Some suites include spa credits. | Individual spa treatments extra | Canyon Ranch Spa treatments extra | Mareel Spa treatments extra |
| Kids Clubs | No children under 18 on ocean cruises | No formal kids programme. Family-friendly on select sailings. | No formal kids programme | No formal kids programme | The Zone and night nursery included |
| Shore Excursions | One excursion included in every port | Unlimited shore excursions included in every port | Shore excursions available for purchase (not included) | OLife Choice may include shore excursion credit | Bookable through Cunard or independently |
| Laundry | Self-service laundry on all ships | Limited self-service laundry. Valet laundry available. | Complimentary laundry and pressing service | Self-service laundry on all ships | Self-service laundry on all ships |
Viking
One excursion included per port
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Included
Alcoholic Drinks
Partial
Soft Drinks & Juice
Included
Bottled Water
Included
Speciality Coffee
Included
Speciality Dining
Included
Wi-Fi
Included
Gratuities
Included
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Partial
Kids Clubs
N/A
Shore Excursions
Partial
Laundry
Partial
Regent Seven Seas
Truly all-inclusive: drinks, excursions, Wi-Fi, gratuities
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Included
Alcoholic Drinks
Included
Soft Drinks & Juice
Included
Bottled Water
Included
Speciality Coffee
Included
Speciality Dining
Included
Wi-Fi
Included
Gratuities
Included
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Extra
Kids Clubs
N/A
Shore Excursions
Included
Laundry
Partial
Silversea
All-inclusive premium beverages
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Included
Alcoholic Drinks
Included
Soft Drinks & Juice
Included
Bottled Water
Included
Speciality Coffee
Included
Speciality Dining
Included
Wi-Fi
Included
Gratuities
Included
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Extra
Kids Clubs
N/A
Shore Excursions
Extra
Laundry
Included
Oceania Cruises
All specialty dining included (award-winning cuisine)
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Included
Alcoholic Drinks
Extra
Soft Drinks & Juice
Included
Bottled Water
Included
Speciality Coffee
Included
Speciality Dining
Included
Wi-Fi
Partial
Gratuities
Included
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Extra
Kids Clubs
N/A
Shore Excursions
Extra
Laundry
Partial
Cunard
Legendary afternoon tea included
Main Dining
Included
Room Service
Included
Alcoholic Drinks
Extra
Soft Drinks & Juice
Partial
Bottled Water
Extra
Speciality Coffee
Extra
Speciality Dining
Extra
Wi-Fi
Extra
Gratuities
Extra
Entertainment & Shows
Included
Fitness Centre
Included
Spa Treatments
Extra
Kids Clubs
Included
Shore Excursions
Extra
Laundry
Partial
Key Takeaways
Most All-Inclusive
Regent Seven Seas leads with everything included: premium drinks, unlimited excursions, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and all dining. Silversea is similarly all-inclusive with complimentary laundry.
Best Value Mainstream
Virgin Voyages includes all restaurants (20+ venues), gratuities, Wi-Fi, and basic beverages. Celebrity's Always Included fare bundles drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities.
Best Bundles
Princess Plus/Premier and Norwegian's Free at Sea add significant value to the base fare. Holland America's Have It All is another strong bundle.
Shore Excursions
Only Regent (unlimited) and Viking (one per port) include excursions. Other lines charge separately, though promotional bundles may include credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cruise line includes the most in the fare?
Regent Seven Seas includes the most: all drinks, unlimited shore excursions, Wi-Fi, gratuities, specialty dining, and room service. Among mainstream lines, Virgin Voyages is the most inclusive with all restaurants, gratuities, and Wi-Fi included.
Are drinks included on any cruise line?
Yes. Regent Seven Seas and Silversea include all premium beverages. Viking includes beer, wine, and champagne at lunch and dinner. Celebrity includes drinks with Always Included fares. Virgin Voyages includes non-alcoholic beverages. Most mainstream lines offer optional drink packages.
Are gratuities included in cruise fares?
Gratuities are included with Viking, Regent, Silversea, Oceania, and Virgin Voyages. Celebrity includes them with Always Included fares. Princess includes them with Plus/Premier bundles. Other lines charge $14-$25 per person per day.
Is Wi-Fi included on cruise ships?
Viking, Regent, Silversea, and Virgin Voyages include Wi-Fi. Celebrity includes basic Wi-Fi with Always Included fares. Norwegian and Princess may include it via promotional bundles. Other lines charge $10-$20+ per day.
Are shore excursions ever included?
Regent Seven Seas includes unlimited shore excursions in every port. Viking includes one excursion per port. Other lines charge separately, though NCL's Free at Sea and Oceania's OLife Choice may include excursion credits.
What is the difference between mainstream, premium, and luxury cruise lines?
Mainstream lines (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL, MSC, Princess, Disney) have lower base fares with many add-on costs. Premium lines (Celebrity, Holland America, Virgin) include more in the fare. Luxury lines (Viking, Regent, Silversea, Oceania, Cunard) include most or all amenities.
Still have questions?
Ask CruiseGPT anything about this topic. Our AI advisors know every ship, port, and cruise line.
Ask CruiseGPT
2 free messages, no signup needed