Is everything included on a cruise?

Ingrid van de Loo · 06 Aug 2026

Most cruises do not include everything. What is covered depends largely on the type of cruise you book: an all-inclusive package typically covers meals, drinks, and accommodation, while a standard cruise fare often includes only the cabin and basic meals. Luxury small-ship cruises sometimes charge a single price that includes a surprisingly wide range of services. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about what you can and cannot expect on a cruise vacation.

What is the difference between an all-inclusive and a non-all-inclusive cruise?

The biggest difference lies in what is included in the base price. With an all-inclusive cruise, meals, drinks (including alcohol), gratuities, and sometimes excursions are all covered in one price. With a non-all-inclusive cruise, you pay a lower entry price, but drinks, specialty restaurants, excursions, and gratuities are all charged separately. The total cost can vary significantly in either case.

The distinction sounds simple, but in practice it is more nuanced. Large cruise lines often offer multiple packages: a basic package without drinks, a package with unlimited soft drinks, and a full drinks package. Each package comes with a different price and different terms, which makes comparison difficult.

Small-ship and boutique cruises typically work differently. They charge a higher per-person price but include more services in that rate. This means fewer additional costs on board and a clearer picture of what you are paying for upfront — an important advantage for travelers who dislike surprise charges at the end of their trip.

What costs are typically included in most cruises as standard?

On virtually every cruise, the cabin, basic meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the main dining room), and access to shared spaces on board are included in the base price as standard. This represents the absolute minimum you can expect from any cruise vacation, regardless of the operator.

Specifically, most cruises include the following as standard:

Accommodation in your booked cabin or stateroom
Three meals per day in the main restaurant
Access to the deck, lounges, and other shared spaces
Entertainment and activities on board (on larger ships)
Port fees and fuel surcharges (note: these are not always clearly listed)

Port fees and fuel surcharges are sometimes billed separately, even if they are not prominently mentioned in the advertisement. Always read the fine print before you book.

What is usually not included in a cruise?

On most cruises, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, shore excursions, specialty restaurants, spa treatments, and flights to the embarkation port are not included in the base price. These are the costs that most often catch travelers off guard and can significantly increase the total price.

An overview of what you typically pay extra for:

Alcoholic drinks and cocktails (unless you have an all-inclusive package)
Gratuities or service charges (sometimes automatically charged per person per day)
Organized shore excursions
Specialty restaurants or captain’s dinner events
Spa, sauna, or fitness treatments
Wi-Fi on board
Flights and hotels before or after the cruise
Travel insurance

On large cruise ships, gratuities can add up to ten to fifteen euros per person per day. This is an amount that is easy to overlook when comparing prices, but over a two-week trip it can quickly amount to several hundred euros in additional costs.

What is included on a luxury sailing cruise aboard the Clipper Stad Amsterdam?

On a luxury sailing cruise aboard the Clipper Stad Amsterdam, meals, drinks, and the support of the hospitality team are fully included in the price. Guests do not pay anything extra on board for food or beverages: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails are all prepared by the on-board chefs.

Specifically, the following is included in our luxury cruise:

All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by our chefs
Drinks, including cocktails
Accommodation in one of the 14 cabins on board
Support from the hospitality team throughout the entire voyage
Activities such as snorkeling and day excursions
The sailing experience itself: authentic, hands-on sailing aboard a historic three-masted clipper ship

Our cruise is small-scale: a maximum of 28 passengers share the ship, creating an intimate atmosphere that you simply cannot find on a large cruise ship. Prices start from €5,300 per person and cover a complete package with very few additional costs to expect.

How do you fairly compare the total price of different cruises?

To compare cruises fairly, you should always calculate the total price per person per day, including all additional costs. A low entry price means little if drinks, gratuities, and excursions are all charged separately. Factor everything in before drawing any conclusions about which cruise offers the best value.

Use these steps for a fair comparison:

Calculate the price per person per day based on the total duration of the trip.
Add the expected additional costs: drinks, gratuities, excursions, Wi-Fi.
Check what is included with meals: only the main restaurant, or specialty restaurants as well?
Factor in flights and transfers: for distant destinations, these can account for a large portion of the budget.
Pay attention to group size: a small ship with 28 passengers offers a very different experience from a mega-ship carrying thousands of guests.

A cruise with a higher base price but a fully inclusive package is in many cases cheaper than a lower-priced cruise where you pay separately for every drink and every meal. Transparency about the total price is a sign of a trustworthy operator.

How Clipper Stad Amsterdam helps you choose the right cruise vacation

Are you looking for a cruise vacation where you know exactly what you are paying upfront and there are no unpleasant surprises? Clipper Stad Amsterdam offers a clear alternative to the large cruise lines. We sail with a maximum of 28 guests aboard an iconic three-masted clipper ship through the Caribbean, and our offering is straightforward: everything you need on board is included.

What sets our luxury sailing cruise apart:

Fully inclusive: meals, drinks, and activities are all included
Small-scale and intimate: a maximum of 28 passengers, no anonymity
Authentic sailing: manually operated sails on a historic clipper ship
Young, dedicated crew with a high standard of service
Anchorages in secluded bays, far from the crowds

Would you like to know more about our voyages, or do you have a specific question about what is included? Get in touch with our team, or browse the available departures and reserve your place on board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are gratuities included on board the Clipper Stad Amsterdam?

Yes, on a luxury sailing cruise aboard the Clipper Stad Amsterdam, you do not need to tip separately. Unlike large cruise lines, where service charges can quickly add up to ten to fifteen euros per person per day, service is fully built into the total price. This means you will not be faced with any unexpected costs at the end of your trip.

What is a common mistake when booking a cruise?

The most common mistake is focusing on the low entry price without accounting for additional costs such as drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and excursions. Many travelers are shocked by the final bill, because these items can collectively cost more than the base fare itself. Always calculate the total price per person per day, including all expected extras, before making a booking.

How far in advance should I book a luxury sailing cruise?

Because the Clipper Stad Amsterdam accommodates a maximum of 28 passengers, available spots are limited and popular departures fill up quickly. It is advisable to book at least six to twelve months in advance, especially for trips during peak season. Booking early not only secures your spot but also gives you more time to plan your trip at a relaxed pace.

Are organized excursions and snorkeling activities included with the Clipper Stad Amsterdam?

Yes, activities such as snorkeling and day excursions are included in the total price of the luxury sailing cruise aboard the Clipper Stad Amsterdam. This is an important difference from large cruise lines, where organized shore excursions are typically charged separately and can quickly add up to a significant extra cost. You can therefore enjoy all on-board and on-location activities to the fullest without worrying about additional charges.

Is travel insurance required or recommended for a cruise on the Clipper Stad Amsterdam?

Travel insurance is not automatically included in the cruise price, but it is strongly recommended. For a sailing cruise in the Caribbean in particular, it is wise to take out a policy that covers medical expenses, cancellation, and lost luggage. Also check whether your current travel insurance covers adventurous or maritime activities such as sailing and snorkeling, as not all standard policies include this type of coverage.

What if I have special dietary requirements or food allergies — will these be accommodated on board?

On a small-ship cruise like the one aboard the Clipper Stad Amsterdam, it is much easier to accommodate individual dietary needs than on a large cruise ship carrying thousands of guests. It is advisable to communicate your requirements at the time of booking or well before departure, so that the on-board chefs can prepare accordingly. If you are unsure, feel free to reach out via the website to discuss what is possible.

What type of traveler is best suited to a small-ship sailing cruise?

A small-ship sailing cruise aboard the Clipper Stad Amsterdam is ideal for travelers who value authenticity, tranquility, and personal service over the hustle and bustle of a mega-ship. You are a great fit for this type of cruise if you enjoy adventure on the water, secluded anchorages, and an intimate atmosphere with a maximum of 28 fellow guests. It is less suited to travelers who are looking for large-scale entertainment shows, casinos, or the extensive facilities of a floating resort.

This content was generated with the help of AI — it may contain mistakes