Are Cruises Good Value Compared to All-Inclusive Resorts
On price alone, they're closer than most people think. A mainstream Caribbean cruise and a mid-range all-inclusive week often land in the same range for a Canadian couple once flights, drinks and tips are counted. The real difference is what you get for the money: several destinations and a floating resort, or one beach with the bar always open.
What each one actually includes
| Mainstream cruise | All-inclusive resort package | |
|---|---|---|
| Flights from Canada | Not included; you book to Florida or the port | Usually included, often direct |
| Airport transfers | Extra | Usually included |
| Accommodation | Included | Included |
| Meals | Main restaurants and buffet | All restaurants, sometimes with reservations |
| Alcohol and soda | Extra, or a package | Included |
| Entertainment | Large production shows, live music | Evening shows, smaller scale |
| Destinations | Four or five ports in a week | One |
| Tips | Daily gratuities added to your account | Optional, at your discretion |
| Currency | US dollars on board | Packages usually priced in Canadian dollars |
What does a week cost for a Toronto couple?
Rough totals for 7 nights in February, outside March break, at recent prices. Both exclude travel insurance.
Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale, inside cabin:
- Cruise fare: US$1,400–2,400 (roughly C$1,900–3,300)
- Taxes and port fees, if not in the fare: C$300–550
- Toronto–Fort Lauderdale flights: C$400–800
- Hotel night before sailing: C$200–350
- Gratuities: C$310–390
- Drinks without a package: C$300–700
- Two or three excursions: C$300–800
- Rough total: C$3,700–6,900
Riviera Maya all-inclusive, mid-range four-star package:
- Package with flights and transfers: C$3,000–5,000
- Tips, if you leave them: C$100–200
- One or two excursions: C$200–600
- Small local tourist taxes in some destinations
- Rough total: C$3,300–5,800
The full cruise budget is broken down in what a Caribbean cruise costs from Canada, and the drinks maths in are drink packages worth it.
Where the cruise wins
- Variety. New scenery most mornings, without repacking.
- Entertainment. Big ships run full theatre productions, comedy and live music every night at no extra charge.
- Families with children. Kids clubs are included on most lines, which few resorts can match at that scale.
- Alaska, the fjords and the Mediterranean. There's no all-inclusive equivalent for seeing glaciers or several European cities in a week.
- Light drinkers, who effectively pay for alcohol they don't drink at a resort.
Where the resort wins
- Drinks. If you'd use them, included cocktails are hard to beat.
- Direct flights. Canadian packages fly direct to Cancún, Punta Cana, Montego Bay and Varadero from many cities, while cruises from smaller airports usually mean a connection and a hotel night in Florida.
- Winter flight risk. A snow delay at an all-inclusive costs you a day at the beach. A delayed flight to a cruise can mean missing the ship, as explained in winter flights and Caribbean cruises.
- Pure relaxation. Same beach, same chair, no all-aboard times.
- Pricing in Canadian dollars, with fewer extras appearing on a US-dollar bill at the end.
Timing matters for both
March break pushes both formats to their highest prices. Direct all-inclusive flights from Canada fill early for that week, and so do family cabins on Florida sailings. If your dates are flexible, late January, early February and late April are usually better value for either, though prices vary by year and destination.
What about "all-inclusive" cruises?
Some premium fares, such as Celebrity's All Included fares or Princess Plus, bundle drinks and wifi, which closes much of the gap. Luxury lines go further and include almost everything, at a much higher price. The term isn't standardized, so check the inclusions line by line; what "all-inclusive" means on a cruise explains the differences.
Have a question about this? A licensed cruise expert can answer it for free — no booking required, no pressure.
Ask a cruise expert →How to compare for your own trip
Price both for the way you'd actually spend the week: your flights from your home airport, your realistic drink count, the excursions you'd book and the tips you'd leave. Compare those totals rather than the advertised prices, which leave out different things. What's included in a cruise fare is a useful checklist for the cruise side.
Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.
Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
Are drinks included on cruises like all-inclusive resorts?
Not by default on mainstream lines. Alcohol, soda and specialty coffee cost extra unless you buy a drinks package or book a bundled fare, such as some Celebrity, Princess, Holland America or Norwegian offers, while most all-inclusive resorts include drinks in the price.
Do cruises or resorts offer better value for families?
Both can work. Cruises include kids clubs, shows and several destinations in one trip, while resorts give easy, unstructured beach time with direct flights from many Canadian cities. Family size, the children's ages and how much the adults drink usually decide it.
Is it cheaper to fly to an all-inclusive or to a cruise from Canada?
All-inclusive packages from Canada normally bundle the return flight and transfers into the price, often direct from cities like Calgary, Winnipeg or Halifax. Caribbean cruises usually mean booking your own flight to Florida plus a hotel night, which adds several hundred dollars per couple.
More questions you might have
- Disney Cruise Line Alcohol Policy: What You Can Bring On BoardWhat Disney Cruise Line lets you carry aboard at embarkation — wine allowances, the corkage fee, the beer-and-spirits ban, and what happens to bottles bought in port.
- How to Navigate a Large Cruise Ship Without Getting LostMega-ships can feel like a maze on day one — the simple orientation tricks that make navigation second nature by day two.
- What Happens If a Hurricane Threatens Your Caribbean CruiseHow cruise lines actually respond to tropical weather — itinerary rerouting, safety priorities, and why ships rarely sail into real danger.
- Cruise Ship Cabins Explained: Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, SuiteThe four categories every fare chart lists — what each actually contains, typical square footage, and matching category to how you'll really use the cabin.
- How Exchange Rate Swings Affect Cruise Pricing for CanadiansWhy the same cruise can cost noticeably different amounts month to month — and the booking choices that manage this risk.
- Where Should Canadians Cruise in June: The Smart PicksThe month Alaska truly opens up and Europe hits its stride — June's dual destination strength for Canadian cruisers.
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