All-inclusive cruises

What is an all-inclusive cruise holiday?

An all-inclusive cruise means the core costs of your holiday — accommodation, meals, drinks and often gratuities — are bundled into one fare before you sail. The exact inclusions vary by cruise line and fare tier, which is where booking with a specialist makes a real difference. Some lines cover unlimited spirits and Wi-Fi as standard; others offer a choice of tiers so you pay only for what you’ll actually use. Knowing which lines go furthest — and which fares represent genuine value — is what our cruise experts do every day.

Itineraries range from short 4-night breaks to extended 94-night voyages, with a median of around 13 nights. Whether you want a fortnight around Australia or a longer transpacific crossing, there is a sailing to match.

Where do all-inclusive cruises go from Australia?

The strongest concentration of sailings covers the waters closest to home, with Australia itself leading the way, followed closely by New Zealand and South East Asia. Further afield, Japan, the transpacific and the South Pacific all have strong representation. Here is how the regions break down.

Close to home — Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and Southeast Asia

Australian coastal itineraries are the most plentiful, sailing between the country’s major ports. If you’re based near a departure port, some sailings require no flight at all — you simply drive or catch a train to the terminal. From another state, it is a short domestic hop rather than a long-haul journey. Cruising around Australia in 2027 is a popular choice, and cruises from Sydney to New Zealand are among the most searched routes on the site.

New Zealand sailings are the second-largest group, offering dramatic coastal scenery from end to end. Many itineraries combine Australia and New Zealand in a single voyage, finishing in Auckland — a domestic flight then connects you home, making the one-way format very manageable.

South East Asia rounds out the close-to-home options, with sailings that call at ports across the region. Many depart from or arrive into Singapore, which is well served by direct flights from Australia’s eastern capitals. The South Pacific and French Polynesia add a more remote flavour for those wanting island-hopping in the Pacific.

The long haul — Japan, the transpacific and beyond

Japan sailings have grown in popularity and a good range departs from or arrives into Yokohama (Tokyo) and Tokyo. A fly-cruise to Japan pairs neatly with a pre- or post-cruise stay — our team can arrange both alongside the cruise itself.

Transpacific crossings bridge Australia and the Americas, with Hawaii a popular mid-point. Cruises from Sydney to Hawaii in 2027 are on sale now. Voyages continuing to Vancouver, Canada give you a natural way to combine a cruise with North American travel on either side. For those drawn to the Mediterranean, Mediterranean cruises in 2027 are available, with embarkation options in southern Europe. We can book the international flights, hotels and transfers as part of the same package — so the whole trip is arranged in one go.

Which cruise lines offer all-inclusive sailings?

Six cruise lines account for the great majority of all-inclusive availability, each with its own approach to what “all-inclusive” actually means in practice.

MSC Cruises is the most popular line by volume on these pages, offering a wide range of itineraries and fare options. Celebrity Cruises offers three clearly defined fare tiers: a cruise-only rate at the entry level; a mid-tier that adds a drinks package and basic Wi-Fi; and The Retreat, which covers premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, suite accommodation and access to an exclusive lounge and private sundeck. Choosing the right tier for how you actually cruise is the kind of call our experts make straightforward.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Explora Journeys, Silversea Cruises and Seabourn all sit at the luxury end of the market, where all-inclusive is the default rather than an upgrade. Scenic and Azamara also have sailings on these pages, both known for destination-rich itineraries with strong inclusions built in.

Why choose all-inclusive cruising?

The case is simple: one price covers the holiday. You are not tracking bar tabs, tipping at dinner or calculating Wi-Fi costs. On a fully inclusive ship, the only things left to spend on are shore excursions and personal items — and even those can be covered on certain fare tiers.

For couples and solo travellers who want to relax rather than budget, the all-inclusive model removes the mental overhead that comes with an à-la-carte ship. You know your costs before you leave home, which makes the whole experience more settled from the moment you board.

Fares start from A$319 pp* for shorter sailings, which gives a genuine entry point into luxury ocean cruising for those trying an all-inclusive holiday for the first time. A mix of round-trip and one-way itineraries means you can choose the format that suits your travel plans, without being locked into returning to the same port.

Ships worth knowing about

Three ships stand out for the depth of their all-inclusive offering across these pages.

Seabourn Quest carries only 450 guests, which means the crew-to-guest ratio is noticeably higher than on most ocean ships. Every suite opens onto its own private balcony, and fine wines are included from the moment you board. The social heart of the ship is Seabourn Square — an open-lounge space that feels closer to a private members’ club than a cruise-ship atrium. If you want to look at how the suites are laid out, the Seabourn Quest cabins and deck plans are worth a look. The Grand Wintergarden Suite runs to around 115 m², nearly twice the size of the ship’s Owner’s Suites, with a separate bedroom, generous living area and full kitchen.

Seabourn Ovation pairs classical luxury with complementary fine dining throughout the ship — no à-la-carte surcharges, no reservation fees. The Grand Wintergarden Suite on Ovation also reaches around 115 m² and sleeps up to 4 guests, with a private hot tub. See the Seabourn Ovation cabins and deck plans for the full layout.

Seven Seas Grandeur sails for Regent Seven Seas Cruises and is positioned around spacious, unhurried voyages with immersive port calls. Regent describes its experience as the most inclusive luxury at sea — everything from shore excursions to flights is available as part of the package on certain fares. The Seven Seas Grandeur cabins and deck plans show a range of suite categories built around generous living space.

For those drawn to Explora Journeys, EXPLORA II is worth noting. The Owner’s Residence aboard EXPLORA II spans 183 m² of interior space plus a 132 m² private terrace, positioned across the full width of the stern — the largest single living space on the ship by a significant margin. Details are on the EXPLORA II cabins and deck plans page. EXPLORA III and EXPLORA IV are also sailing on these pages, with cabin layouts available on their respective EXPLORA III and EXPLORA IV deck plan pages.

Silversea’s Silver Ray brings butler-serviced suites and unlimited wines and spirits as standard across all fare tiers — the Silver Ray cabins and deck plans show the full range of suite options. MSC Magnifica and MSC Splendida offer broader fare choice at a more accessible price point; cabin layouts for both are on the MSC Magnifica deck plans and MSC Splendida deck plans pages. Seven Seas Mariner rounds out the Regent fleet with cabin and deck plan details available if you are comparing suite categories.

What does a cruise holiday actually include?

It depends on the line and fare tier you choose, which is exactly why it pays to look carefully before booking. Here is a snapshot of what three lines cover.

Silversea includes butler-serviced suites, all dining venues, unlimited wines and spirits, onboard gratuities and Wi-Fi across its standard all-inclusive fares. The enhanced tier adds a shore excursion credit based on voyage length and a fully refundable deposit — useful if your plans are subject to change.

Celebrity Cruises structures its fares in tiers: the entry rate is cruise-only and lets you add extras later; the mid-tier bundles a drinks package and basic Wi-Fi; and The Retreat covers premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, suite accommodation and exclusive lounge access.

Explora Journeys offers airport-to-airport fares on some sailings, covering the journey fare, return economy flights, private transfers and hotel stays — so the entire trip from your front door is on one ticket. Terms apply, and our team can walk you through exactly what is and is not covered before you commit.

Make it a full cruise holiday

Because most sailings on these pages depart from international ports — including embarkation options in the United States, Italy, Spain and Greece — the cruise is usually the centrepiece of a longer trip. CruiseAway can arrange the flights out and back, a hotel the night before you board, transfers between the airport and the terminal, and any tours you want to build in around the voyage. Everything goes on a single booking through our DreamAway Packages, so there is no juggling of separate reservations.

If you are sailing from an Australian port and live nearby, you can be at the terminal without a flight. From another state, a domestic connection is straightforward and we can add it to the same booking. Either way, our cruise experts help you match the cabin grade and fare inclusions to how you actually travel — not just the headline price.

Sailing from Sydney or Brisbane? Both are major departure ports. Prefer a Christmas departure? Christmas cruises from Sydney in 2026 are available, and last-minute sailings from Sydney are updated regularly. Those wanting a longer Australian coastal voyage may also find the 28-day cruise around Australia itinerary worth exploring, and departures from Melbourne open up options from Victoria. For something focused on 2027, all-inclusive cruises in 2027 have their own page, and if Melbourne is your home port, all-inclusive cruises from Melbourne narrow it down further.

Top alternatives to consider

If you are open to exploring beyond a purely all-inclusive format, the broader cruise range covers a wide variety of fare types and destinations. Those looking for value-led options may find the cheap cruises page useful as a comparison, and Australian cruises covers the full range of domestic sailings regardless of fare structure.

The Princess Cruises Australia 2026/2027 season launch is also worth checking — Princess has strong Australian itineraries and fare types that include a range of add-on packages. And if you want to plan ahead beyond 2027, all-inclusive cruises in 2028 are already on sale.

Cruises from Sydney to New Zealand in 2027 remain one of the most sought-after routes, and for those who want the full itinerary picture for 2026, all-inclusive cruises in 2026 are listed separately.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.