Marella Cruises All Inclusive: What is actually included and what costs extra?

Marella Cruises, the cruise arm of TUI, has built its reputation on a genuinely all-inclusive offer aimed squarely at British holidaymakers. But "all-inclusive" means different things on different lines, so here is exactly what you get for your money and where the extras hide.

What is included as standard

On a Marella all-inclusive fare, the headline inclusions are generous:

• Drinks throughout the day and evening - a wide range of beers, spirits, wines by the glass, soft drinks and hot drinks are covered by the all-inclusive package as standard on most ships.
• All main dining - the buffet and the main restaurants are included, with no cover charge.
• Tips and gratuities - this is a big one. Marella includes service charges in the fare, so there is no daily gratuity quietly added to your bill like on most other lines.
• Entertainment - shows, live music, bars and the on-board activities are all part of the package.

For UK cruisers used to drinks packages and daily tips piling up, this genuinely takes the guesswork out of budgeting.

What costs extra

No cruise is truly everything-included, and Marella is no exception. Expect to pay separately for:

• Premium and branded spirits above the standard included range
• Speciality dining restaurants that carry a cover charge
• Shore excursions - organised trips in port are a significant extra and add up quickly
• The spa, treatments and salon
• Wi-Fi packages for staying connected at sea
• Photos, the casino, and shop purchases

The drinks package detail

The standard all-inclusive drinks offer covers most of what an average drinker wants. If you favour premium labels - top-shelf spirits or finer wines - you can upgrade to a premium drinks package for an extra daily charge. For most guests the standard inclusion is more than enough.

How it compares

Against lines like P&O or MSC, where drinks packages and daily gratuities are separate add-ons, Marella's bundled approach often works out simpler and can be cheaper for guests who like a drink. The trade-off is that the headline fare looks higher because so much is baked in. When you compare like for like - adding drinks and tips to a rival's fare - Marella frequently closes the gap or comes out ahead.

Where the real savings are

The single biggest controllable extra is shore excursions. Marella's organised trips are convenient but pricey. Exploring ports independently, or booking trips with reputable local operators, can save a small fortune across a two-week cruise without giving up the experience.

The bottom line

Marella's all-inclusive is one of the more genuinely comprehensive offers in the UK market: drinks, main dining, tips and entertainment are all covered, which makes budgeting refreshingly easy. The extras to watch are premium drinks, speciality restaurants, the spa, Wi-Fi and especially shore excursions. Plan around those and you will enjoy a holiday with very few surprises on the final bill.

Want to see how Marella stacks up against other lines for your trip? Take our quiz and we will find your ideal all-inclusive cruise.