What’s Included on a Cruise?

What’s included in your base fare will depend on the cruise line you book with and the particular package you choose. All-inclusive cruises will include a wider range of services and facilities than average, though certain aspects of the cruising experience tend to be included as standard.

Many cruise lines include accommodation, standard on board dining, access to public areas of the ship and entertainment. The standard of these inclusions, particularly accommodation and dining, will depend on the terms of the base fare, and we recommend confirming the details of what tier of accommodation, dining, etc., is included in your base price before booking.

Accommodation is one of the staples of your cruise fare, giving you a private and comfortable space to sleep, relax and appreciate the pleasures of cruise travel. Cruise lines go the extra mile to ensure accommodations are as comfortable as possible, offering soft beds, plush furnishings, and shower/bath facilities.

A variety of cabins and staterooms will be available on each cruise ship, providing different facilities within the booking cost. These might include a mini-bar, balcony, or 24-hour room service. 

Most cruise lines will include a basic food package in their cruise fare, comprising breakfast, lunch and evening meals at select eateries. In terms of drinks, basic packages typically include water, juice, tea, and coffee. 

Speciality dining options and wider drinks packages typically incur an additional cost. Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas, for example, offers its Main Dining Room and Café Promenade as complimentary dining experiences, while its Ultimate Dining Package unlocks access to restaurants such as the Japanese-cuisine Izumi and Chops Grille steakhouse.

A similar principle applies to additional drinks. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks may incur an additional cost on your onboard account, or guests can pay for a package before departure that covers select drinks throughout the voyage.

Cruise lines typically feature on board entertainment in their base cruise fare, with programmes incorporating so many different kinds of productions. From Broadway-style shows that utilise onboard theatres to put on unforgettable shows to quiz shows that allow families to compete with or against one another, every ship will have something different in store.

Shore excursion entertainment events require booking and an additional payment. From wine tastings in the Mediterranean to city tours around some of the world’s most famous urban landscapes, events that take place off the ship will likely require additional payment, so be sure to check ahead to see what experiences are available for your voyage.

When it comes to on board activities, guests have many options, but not everything is included in the base cruise fare. All modern cruise ships feature pool areas, with many offering a range of pools for adults, children and families to enjoy, all available within the cruise fare.

Where provided, gyms and state-of-the-art fitness facilities are typically included in your fare, though some fitness classes may come at an additional charge. Unless travelling with an all-inclusive cruise line, spa facilities are also not included in your cruise fare. Entry to spas and all treatments are chargeable, with rates varying between cruise lines. 

Children’s clubs are typically included in your fare, offering age-specific activities to keep children between 2 and 17 years of age entertained throughout their voyage. MSC Cruises, for example, excels with its range of LEGO clubs that make every day an adventure.

Services such as night nurseries are also available from cruise lines, including P&O Cruises, though they may incur an additional fee.

If booked as part of a fly-cruise package, flights and transfers will be included in the cruise fare. Transfers to and from the ship are usually made by coach, though the details of what transfer options are included in your cruise fare will vary between bookings.

Shuttle buses from the ship to designated drop-off areas in port are not always included in your fare. Some cruise lines may include shuttle bus transfers with certain bookings, but please speak to your Bolsover Cruise Club Cruise Expert for more information on cruise fares that include shuttle transfers.