Best all-inclusive cruise lines to book this wave season

It’s tempting to book with a cruise line that promises the cheapest deal, but expensive extras can soon add up once you’re on board. 

When we asked 1,700 passengers about their cruise holidays, four out of the top five ocean cruise brands were all-inclusive, so they don’t ask you to fork out extra for drinks, premium restaurants, wi-fi or service charges.

Two almost all-inclusive cruise lines were also highly rated by guests: Tui’s cruise brand Marella and Virgin's adults-only cruise brand, Virgin Voyages. 

Before booking an all-inclusive cruise, check exactly what you get for your money because it varies from brand to brand.

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Viking 

Customer score: 87%

This Swiss cruise brand describes itself as ‘the thinking person’s cruise’, so forget nightclubs and casinos - you’ll have libraries, lectures and cooking classes to enjoy. Guests praised the friendly, attentive staff and excellent food. Viking scored five stars almost across the board and its small-ship cruises, which carry up to 930 passengers, are less pricey than swankier all-inclusive lines.

What’s included? Drinks with meals, all dining options, tips, the spa (but not treatments), gym classes, one excursion in every port of call, flights and overseas transfers.

Viking is a Which? Recommended Provider - find out how the big-brand cruise lines compare

Saga

Customer score: 85%

Aimed at the over-50s, Saga sails around Europe and the Caribbean on two 999-capacity ships and makes life easy for passengers. There’s a chauffeur service if you live within 250 miles of Dover, Portsmouth or Southampton, and no need to cough up extra for drinks, speciality restaurants or room service. One guest told us: ‘Activities during sea days, such as jewellery making and art classes are extremely high quality.’ 

What’s included? Door-to-door transfers, open bar, all meals, 24-hour room service, some excursions, wi-fi, tips and travel insurance.

Read our full Saga review and find cruises with Saga 

Marella

Customer score: 81%

Tui’s almost all-inclusive cruise offers family-friendly and adult-only fly cruises on mid-sized, 1,900-capacity ships, which sail around the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and the Caribbean. Prices compete with the most popular names on the ocean, and Marella clinched four out of five stars for on-board facilities, entertainment and customer service. Guests told us cruises were well-organised with a wide variety of activities. You do have to cough up extra for specialty restaurants, excursions and pricey wi-fi.

What’s included? Drinks, most dining venues, kids’ clubs, some gym classes, tips, flights from regional UK airports, overseas transfers.

Marella is a Which? Recommended Provider - read our full review

Virgin Voyages

Customer score: 80%

Launched two years ago, Virgin Voyages also includes more than your average cruise line in the headline fare, but you have to fork out extra for drinks and excursions. It's steered clear of cruising traditions, so there’s no dining room, buffet or theatre on its 2,700-capacity ships. Instead passengers can choose from a dozen themed restaurants, and entertainment includes circus, magicians and a ship-wide party. One customer told us: ‘It’s aimed at younger people, but I still enjoyed the atmosphere and party vibe.’

What’s included? All dining venues, wi-fi, tips, gym classes, flights and overseas transfers.

Noble Caledonia

Customer score: 90%

From icebreakers voyaging the North Pole to tiny 36-capacity ships touring the Adriatic coast – Noble Caledonia has fantastic trips, albeit at high prices. The drawback is that its ships don’t have the wealth of facilities you’ll find on bigger vessels but it's ‘always a top-class experience’, according to one guest. Noble Caledonia was the only brand to earn the full five stars for excursions, which are included in the upfront fare. 

What’s included? The majority of excursions, drinks with meals, tips, flights and overseas transfers for fly cruises.

Noble Caledonia is a Which? Recommended Provider - read our full review

Seabourn

Customer score: 84%

This high-end US cruise line carries a maximum of 600 passengers and roams from the Arctic to Antarctica, and Australia to South America. Despite its intimate ships, Seabourn clinched top marks for the passenger-to-space ratio and on-board facilities. Guests were also impressed by the personalised service on board. Excursions cost extra, but almost everything else is included in the headline fare - even champagne from the open bars.

What’s included? Drinks (including a minibar), all meals, wi-fi, tips, most classes in the gym, flights and overseas transfers.

Regent Seven Seas

Customer score: 80%

This US luxury cruise line’s fare even includes a valet laundry service. It achieved full marks for its ‘all-suite’ cabins and on-board facilities on its 700-capacity ships, which include jogging tracks, libraries and spas (which cost extra). It’s eye-wateringly expensive, but guests gave it a good value-for-money rating. One said: ‘The ships are luxuriously appointed, the service was wonderful and you felt very spoilt.’

What’s included? Drinks (including minibar), all restaurants, tips, wi-fi, laundry service, flights, overseas transfers.