What is included in Celebrity cruise fare in 2025?

Last updated: April 10, 2026 · By Dave Giovacchini

A standard Celebrity Cruises fare in 2025 includes accommodations, main dining, buffet, entertainment, and basic amenities — but drinks, specialty dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions all cost extra unless you book during a promotional period or choose the Always Included package.

Photo: Royal Caribbean International

Celebrity Cruises markets itself as a premium line, and the fare does reflect that — but don't assume 'premium' means 'all-inclusive.' Your base ticket covers the essentials, and the cruise line has become increasingly aggressive about upselling everything else. Here's exactly what you get and what will hit your onboard account.

What's Actually Included in a Standard Celebrity Fare

At the base fare level (no promotions, no package upgrades), here's what Celebrity includes:

• Accommodations in your chosen stateroom category
• Main Dining Room meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Oceanview Café (buffet) all hours it's open
• Pool Grill and casual dining venues (burgers, pizza, basic fare)
• Entertainment — production shows, live music, comedy, movies under the stars
• Fitness center access
• Most onboard activities — trivia, dance classes, deck parties
• Port taxes and fees (these are itemized but included in the total fare you're quoted)
• Kids Club (Camp at Sea) for ages 3–17

What is NOT included by default: alcoholic or premium non-alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, gratuities ($18.50/person/day for most cabins, $21/person/day for suites), Wi-Fi, shore excursions, spa treatments, and most retail purchases.

Photo: Royal Caribbean International

Cost Breakdown: Base Fare vs. Always Included vs. Suite Class

Celebrity's Always Included pricing is now the default when you book directly on their site — it bundles the Classic Beverage Package ($75–$85/person/day value), basic Wi-Fi ($20–$25/person/day value), and gratuities ($18.50/person/day) into the fare. This is genuinely good value if you drink alcohol. If you don't drink, you're subsidizing other passengers.

Key Factors That Affect What You Actually Get

1. How You Book Book directly on Celebrity's website and you'll almost always see Always Included pricing by default. Book through a third-party at a stripped-down rate and you may be looking at a base-only fare — read the fine print carefully.

2. Cabin Category Inside, ocean view, and veranda cabins get the standard Always Included package. Aqua Class adds access to the Blu restaurant (a significant dining upgrade) and the Persian Garden spa thermal suite. The Retreat (suites) includes everything — premium drinks, unlimited specialty dining in some cases, Retreat Sundeck access, and dedicated butler service.

3. Promotional Periods Celebrity runs frequent promotions — sometimes upgrading the Classic Beverage Package to Premium at no charge, or throwing in a specialty dining credit. Black Friday, Wave Season (January–March), and last-minute deals are the best windows. Always compare the promotion value against what you'd actually use.

4. The Classic vs. Premium Beverage Package Gap The Classic Package (included in standard Always Included fares) covers drinks up to $10 per drink. In 2025, that cuts out most cocktails, many wines by the glass, and all premium spirits. The Premium upgrade runs $20–$30/person/day extra and covers drinks up to $17. If you drink anything beyond beer, basic wine, or well cocktails, the upgrade pays for itself fast.

Photo: Carnival Cruise Line

What Costs Extra on Celebrity — No Matter What Package You Have

Specialty dining is the biggest budget leak. Celebrity has expanded its specialty restaurant roster significantly, and the upcharges are real. If you're booking an Always Included fare thinking you'll eat all your dinners in specialty restaurants, budget an extra $50–$150/person per cruise on top of your fare.

Practical Tips to Maximize What's Included

1. Always compare Always Included vs. base fare math. Occasionally a stripped-down base fare plus à la carte drinks actually beats Always Included — particularly on short 3–4 night cruises where you won't drink enough to justify the package.

2. Book Aqua Class if the spa matters to you. The Persian Garden thermal suite alone would cost $30–$40/day if purchased separately. Aqua Class cabins add Blu restaurant access on top of that — it's one of Celebrity's best hidden values.

3. Pre-purchase specialty dining before you sail. Celebrity typically offers 20–30% discounts on specialty dining packages bought before embarkation vs. onboard pricing.

4. Check your onboard credit situation. Many travel agents (including through CruiseHub) offer onboard credit on Celebrity sailings that can offset specialty dining or spa costs — effectively extending what's 'included' in your trip.

5. If you're a light drinker, negotiate. Celebrity will sometimes allow one passenger in a cabin to opt out of the beverage package if the other keeps it — but this is at their discretion and increasingly rare. Worth asking.

6. Retreat guests: push for what's owed. Suite guests sometimes don't realize that unlimited specialty dining is included in certain Retreat bookings. Confirm your entitlements at the Retreat Concierge desk on day one.

Which Celebrity Fare Level Is Right for You?

Celebrity sits in an interesting position: it's not a true all-inclusive line, but the Always Included package gets it close enough that most travelers won't feel nickel-and-dimed on the big items. The specialty dining and shore excursions are where they'll get you.

Use CruiseMutiny to plug in your Celebrity sailing and see exactly what your total out-of-pocket cost looks like before you ever hand over a credit card — because the base fare is only the beginning of the story.