A Celebrity cruise fare includes accommodation, main dining, buffet meals, selected casual food, live entertainment, pools, fitness facilities and most ship activities. Drinks beyond basic dispensers, Wi-Fi, gratuities, speciality dining, excursions and spa services depend on the fare or package.
Included in a standard Cruise Only fare
- Your selected stateroom and standard housekeeping.
- Main dining rooms, Oceanview Café and selected casual venues.
- Theatre shows, live music and most scheduled entertainment.
- Pools, hot tubs, Solarium and standard fitness-centre use.
- Camp at Sea core programme hours for eligible ages.
- Basic drinks such as tap water and selected buffet dispensers.
- Complimentary continental room service during the current morning window, subject to live policy.
What All Included adds
All Included currently combines the Classic Drinks Package and Basic Wi-Fi for eligible bookings. Onboard staff gratuities remain separate. Retreat suites automatically receive Premium Drinks and Premium Wi-Fi as part of the enhanced experience.
What still costs extra
- Daily onboard staff gratuities unless explicitly prepaid or included in a particular promotion.
- Speciality restaurants and dining packages.
- Shore excursions, transfers and most port activities.
- Premium Wi-Fi upgrades and additional-device plans.
- Spa treatments, salon services and selected fitness classes.
- Photographs, casino spending, retail and minibar purchases.
- Drinks above the package value limit and associated service charge on the difference.
Current gratuity structure
Celebrity differentiates daily gratuities by accommodation grade. Standard inside, ocean-view and veranda rooms carry the base rate; Concierge and AquaClass are higher; Retreat suites are higher again. Purchased drinks, packages, speciality dining and spa services can attract a separate percentage service charge. Check the official FAQ immediately before payment because rates change.
Is All Included worth it?
It is most persuasive for two adults who both drink daily and need Wi-Fi. It is less attractive for light drinkers, intensive port itineraries and passengers who want to disconnect. Compare the exact fare difference per person with the pre-cruise package price. Never call it all-inclusive without adding gratuities and planned extras.
How to compare the real price
Start with the same cabin category. Add daily gratuities, drinks or package cost, Wi-Fi, two realistic excursions and any speciality dining you genuinely plan to buy. Include flights and hotels for a fly-cruise. This total is more useful than comparing promotional percentages or a headline fare that excludes different items.
What included dining really covers
The main dining room or Edge Series dining rooms, buffet and selected casual venues provide enough variety for a complete cruise without speciality spending. The extra restaurants are choices, not necessities. Check the ship because venue names and inclusion rules vary. Room service, premium menu items and certain casual outlets can create charges even when the core food is included.
When Cruise Only is usually stronger
Cruise Only often wins for light drinkers, passengers with loyalty benefits, port-intensive itineraries and travellers who need only occasional Wi-Fi. Add the drinks, internet and gratuities you would genuinely buy. Do not give a package credit for consumption you would never choose at menu prices.
When All Included can work
All Included is more persuasive on sea-day-heavy cruises, for two adults who both drink regularly and when the fare difference is modest. It also removes repeated purchasing decisions. The convenience has value, but it should not hide the fact that staff gratuities remain a separate budget item under the current structure.
A simple costing worksheet
- Start with the Cruise Only fare for the exact cabin.
- Add daily gratuities for every chargeable guest.
- Add realistic drinks, not the maximum possible consumption.
- Add the number of Wi-Fi devices actually needed.
- Add planned speciality dining and room service.
- Compare the result with All Included and any separate package offer.
CruisePing verdict
Celebrity’s base fare is capable of delivering a full holiday without speciality dining or a drinks package. All Included buys convenience, not complete inclusion. Price the holiday using the cabin, gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi and two or three likely extras before comparing it with Princess, P&O, Cunard or MSC.