Comparing the Total Cost of a Cruise
Turn very different fares into numbers you can honestly compare.
Get Side-by-Side Cruise QuotesThe only fair way to compare two cruises is to compare what the whole trip will cost you. Fares that look hundreds of dollars apart can end up level — or swap places — once you add what each one leaves out.
Build a Like-for-Like Total
Take each cruise you are considering and add the items below for everyone in your cabin, for every day of the sailing. Use the line’s own published prices or the quote your advisor gives you; do not guess.
| Cost item | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Cruise fare | Same cabin category, same dates, same number of guests? |
| Taxes, fees and port expenses | Shown separately or already in the price? |
| Gratuities | Added daily per person, prepaid, or included in the fare? |
| Drinks | Will you buy a package, pay as you go, or are drinks included? |
| Wi-Fi | Included, bundled in a package, or charged per device? |
| Specialty dining | How many nights will you eat in extra-charge restaurants? |
| Shore excursions | Included tours, or will you buy them? |
| Getting there | Flights, a pre-cruise hotel, transfers and parking |
Inclusions on Three Very Different Lines
The lines below illustrate how widely inclusions vary. These are the lines’ own descriptions as of late 2026; always check the current terms for your sailing.
| Line | What it says the fare includes |
|---|---|
| Virgin Voyages | Gratuities, basic Wi-Fi, dining across its eateries and group fitness classes |
| Viking (ocean) | One shore excursion in every port, Wi-Fi, and beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner |
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Unlimited shore excursions, beverages, pre-paid gratuities, specialty dining and Wi-Fi |
Many mainstream lines take the opposite approach: a lower base fare with most extras sold separately or as packages. Neither model is wrong; the point is to compare totals rather than headlines.
Your Habits Change the Answer
If you drink little, never use the internet at sea and prefer exploring ports on your own, an inclusive fare can mean paying for things you will not use. If you enjoy a cocktail before dinner, want to stay connected and like guided tours, the same fare can be the bargain of the comparison. Be honest about your habits before you add up the numbers.
For luxury sailings in particular, our sister site Cruising First Class explains which inclusions matter most at the top of the market.
Watch the Promotions
Lines often attach perks such as onboard credit, drinks or Wi-Fi to a fare for a limited time. These change the comparison, so check what is attached to each quote and when it expires. Current offers across many lines are collected on Cruising for Less and on our sister site Wave Season during the year’s big sales period.
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise build these like-for-like totals for clients as a matter of routine.
Get an Apples-to-Apples Quote
Send us two or three cruises you are weighing up. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will total each one, extras included, and send free quotes.
Get Free Cruise Quotes