Blog / Cruise Comparisons, published , Tim Cruise Travel Agency
Premium Cruise Lines Compared: What’s Included in the Fare
Premium cruise lines do not share one standard bundle. Oceania, Viking Ocean, Azamara, Virgin Voyages and Windstar each include a different mix of specialty dining, drinks, Wi-Fi, crew gratuities and shore excursions. Here is what each one covers today.
Sources checked October 26, 2026. Fare rules can differ by booking date and market, so we confirm the fare on your quote.
| Cruise line / fare | Dining | Drinks | Wi-Fi | Crew gratuities | Shore excursions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oceania Your World Included Official source | ✓ Included all specialty restaurants | ~ Depends on fare choose meal-time wine and beer OR a tour credit | ✓ Included Wi-Fi throughout the ship | ✓ Included shipboard gratuities | ~ Depends on fare credit only if chosen |
| Viking Ocean Official source | ✓ Included alternative restaurants at no extra charge | ✓ Included beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner | ✓ Included Wi-Fi | ? Confirm on quote ask us to show gratuities on the quote | ✓ Included one shore excursion per port |
| Azamara Base fare + optional Experience More Official source | ✓ Included main dining; specialty dining extra or package/suite benefit | ✓ Included selected beer, wine and spirits; premium upgrades extra | ~ Depends on fare suite benefits or optional package | ✓ Included onboard gratuities | ~ Depends on fare cultural events; package tour credits |
| Virgin Voyages Official source | ✓ Included all 20+ eateries | ~ Depends on fare essential drinks; Premium fare adds a Bar Tab | ~ Depends on fare Basic, Classic or Premium by fare | + Extra cost shown separately at booking | + Extra cost Shore Things sold separately |
| Windstar Official source | ✓ Included every meal, including the newer restaurants | ◇ With named package All-Inclusive fare adds beer, wine and cocktails | ◇ With named package in All-Inclusive fare | ◇ With named package in All-Inclusive fare | + Extra cost tours sold separately |
Match the fare to the trip you want
These lines often appeal to travelers stepping up from big ships, but they solve different problems. If touring matters most, an included excursion is worth more than an all-day bar. If food is the draw, look at how many specialty restaurants are included. If you need to work online, check the Wi-Fi tier, not just the word Wi-Fi.
Oceania: one amenity of your choice
Your World Included covers dining in all specialty restaurants, shipboard gratuities, Wi-Fi throughout the ship, specialty coffees, sodas, teas, Vero Water, juices and smoothies, plus free laundry for Concierge and suite guests. On top of that you choose one extra: wine and beer by the glass during lunch and dinner restaurant hours, or a shore excursion credit.
Best fit: food-focused travelers. Choose the drinks if you plan your own days ashore, and the tour credit if you will book several ship excursions.
Viking Ocean: a tour in every port
Viking Ocean includes one shore excursion in every port, Wi-Fi, beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, 24-hour specialty coffees, teas and bottled water, and alternative restaurants at no extra charge. Drinks outside meals are extra.
Best fit: travelers who want an easy introduction to each port without planning every day. The included tour is a set option, so you may still buy a second tour for a special interest. Viking's river and expedition ships have their own inclusions.
Azamara: base inclusions and Experience More packages
Azamara already includes selected beer, wine and spirits, onboard gratuities, main dining and self-service laundry. Experience More is an optional upgrade, rather than a requirement to get an included drink or have crew tips covered. Specialty dining and upgraded drinks follow the chosen package or suite benefits.
Azamara relaunched its Experience More packages on September 15, 2026, with three tiers: Essentials, Enjoyment and Indulgence. They are priced per person, per day, and the new structure applies to sailings departing on or after September 24, 2026. Eligibility follows the sailing date, not the booking date, and the packages can be combined with eligible loyalty, Veranda Plus and suite benefits.
Every tier includes unlimited Starlink Plus Wi-Fi (one device, or two with Indulgence) and a shore excursion credit. Higher tiers add better drinks, more specialty dining, laundry service and, with Indulgence, a spa credit. Azamara also hosts complimentary AzAmazing Evenings cultural events on most sailings.
Best fit: port-focused travelers who stay late in port and want connectivity sorted. Suite guests should compare their existing benefits before adding a tier.
Virgin Voyages: three fare choices
Every Virgin fare includes all 20+ eateries, essential drinks such as water, coffee, soda and tea, group fitness classes and entertainment. For cabins up to Sea Terrace, booked since October 7, 2025, you choose a fare. Base is non-refundable and includes Basic Wi-Fi for one device. Essential includes Classic Wi-Fi for one device. Premium includes Premium Wi-Fi for two devices with streaming, a Bar Tab drinks credit and a 60-day dining reservation window.
The service gratuity now appears as its own line at booking. You can prepay it at a lower daily rate or have it charged onboard, and there are no extra tips added to drinks, dining or spa services.
Best fit: adults who want lots of restaurant variety. Alcohol and Shore Things excursions are extra on every fare.
Windstar: cruise fare or All-Inclusive fare
Windstar's cruise fare includes every meal, including the newer restaurants on its Star Class ships. The All-Inclusive fare adds Wi-Fi, unlimited beer, wine and cocktails, and gratuities. Shore excursions are sold separately.
Best fit: small-ship travelers who want a simple fare. Pick the All-Inclusive fare if you drink with dinner and want tips handled in advance.
Comparing two quotes
Price the same cabin type, sailing length and party size. Then add tips, the Wi-Fi tier you need, drinks outside any allowance and the tours you would book. A restaurant lover might lean to Oceania or Virgin, a first-time visitor to Europe to Viking, and someone who likes long port evenings to Azamara. None of them is the best choice for everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Does Oceania include drinks and a shore excursion credit together?
No. Your World Included gives you a choice of one: wine and beer by the glass during lunch and dinner restaurant hours, or a shore excursion credit.
Are gratuities included on Virgin Voyages?
For fares sold since October 7, 2025, the service gratuity is shown as a separate line at booking. You can prepay it at a lower daily rate or have it added onboard, and there are no extra tips on drinks, dining or spa services.
Which Virgin fare includes the best Wi-Fi?
The Premium fare includes Premium Wi-Fi for two devices per Sailor, with streaming. Essential includes Classic Wi-Fi for one device, and Base includes Basic Wi-Fi for one device.
Who can buy Azamara's Experience More packages?
Eligibility is based on the sailing date, not the booking date. The new three-tier packages apply to sailings departing on or after September 24, 2026.
Official sources
Azamara base inclusions: Always Azamara; included drinks and optional beverage upgrades.
Checked October 26, 2026.
- Oceania: Your World Included
- Viking Ocean: Inclusive value
- Azamara: Experience More announcement; Onboard packages and FAQ; AzAmazing Evenings
- Virgin Voyages: What's included; VoyageFair Choices announcement; VoyageFair Choices and gratuity FAQ
- Windstar: Why Windstar
Ready to compare a real sailing?
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