The Best All-Inclusive Cruise Lines For Brits

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This is a sponsored post.

When it comes to cruising, the convenience of an all-inclusive package can take your holiday to the next level.

Marella Cruises

Everything from drinks and tips to flights and excursions can be covered, allowing you to focus on enjoying your holiday without worrying about hidden costs.

But when it comes to British cruisers, certain cruise lines stand out for their tailored offerings, seamless travel experiences, and value for money.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best all-inclusive cruise lines that are perfect for Brits, from the best value to ultra-luxury options.

Let’s dive into the details and find out why these lines are perfect for British passengers.

Save up to £300 on Marella’s All Inclusive cruises!

Discover fantastic savings on cruises around the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Caribbean! Offer ends 3rd March so be quick!

1. Marella Cruises

Marella Cruises, a British cruise line, takes the crown for the best all-inclusive value for Brits.

The Marella Discovery cruise ship, adorned with festive flags, sails through the ocean at sunset, its decks bustling with passengers enjoying the journey.

From regional flights to British-friendly amenities, Marella ensures that UK passengers enjoy a seamless and relaxed cruise experience.

With departures from over 20 UK airports, you’ll have no trouble getting to your ship. And fares are great value too when you consider everything that’s included.

Their standard All Inclusive cruise fare includes:

  • Drinks: Enjoy a wide range of drinks, from beer and wine to spirits and soft drinks, served from 10 AM until 2 AM each day.
  • Tips: No need to worry about gratuities as they are covered in the fare.
  • Flights & Transfers: All your flights and transfers are arranged by Marella, making the journey smooth and hassle-free.
  • Port Fees & Taxes: These are included in the fare.

What’s not included:

  • WiFi: Available for a small fee, it’s cheaper than many other cruise lines.
  • Premium Drinks: You can upgrade from £12 per person per day for a premium drinks package.
  • Shore Excursions, Laundry & Spa: You’ll pay for these individually.

What makes Marella especially great for Brits is the home comforts provided onboard. You’ll find well known brands such as Tiptree jams and Yorkshire Tea, favourite tipples such as Gordon’s Gin and proper back bacon. Plus, your whole trip – from flights and back again – can be organised from the comfort of your sofa with one easy booking.

Plus, for those looking for a more relaxed, family-friendly experience, Marella offers plenty of entertainment and onboard options.

Here’s a video I made about the things I particularly enjoyed on my recent Marella cruise…

If you want a genuine all-inclusive experience without breaking the bank, and you want to enjoy some fantastic cruise itineraries while you do, then Marella Cruises is a standout choice.

Browse Marella Cruises’ deals here!

2. Saga Cruises

Saga Cruises is a cruise line for British passengers over the age of 50 who are looking for a luxury experience with a laid-back atmosphere.

Saga Spirit of Discovery stern

Its small-ship cruises focus on relaxation and attention to detail, making it a good choice for mature travellers.

However, while it’s the British cruise line that includes the most in your fare as standard, those fares can be pretty high in comparison to cruise lines like Marella.

Included, you’ll get:

  • All Drinks by the Glass: Enjoy unlimited drinks, from wine and beer to spirits and soft drinks.
  • Shore Excursions: A selection of excursions are included at no extra cost.
  • Domestic Transfers: Saga covers transfers from your home to the port, which is a fantastic benefit for UK-based passengers.
  • Travel Insurance & WiFi: Included in the fare for added peace of mind.
  • Room Service & Gratuities: Both are also covered, leaving nothing to worry about.

What’s not included:

  • Premium Shore Excursions & Spa Treatments: These are available for an additional fee.
  • Laundry: This service incurs an extra cost.

Saga also offers a peaceful cruising environment with no children on board, ensuring that passengers can truly unwind.

For Brits, the added bonus of UK-based transfers and the fact that all cruises sail from the UK makes this a good option for anyone looking for a hassle-free, all-inclusive getaway.

Just be prepared to pay a premium for it.

3. P&O Cruises

OK, so by default, P&O Cruises is not an all-inclusive cruise line. However, there are fare options to tailor your cruise to make it a more inclusive experience, meaning it’s worth including here.

Ventura

For Brits, it offers a cruise line steeped in British tradition, complete with British pubs, afternoon tea, and regional flights from over 30 UK airports. Those flights aren’t always included in the fare as standard though, so make sure you’re comparing like-for-like if you’re putting P&O up alongside a cruise line like Marella.

What’s included by default:

  • Accommodation, Meals & Entertainment: All standard services, including meals and entertainment, are included in the cruise fare.
  • Tips: Covered in your fare.

Optional all-inclusive upgrades:

  • Flights & Transfers: You can opt to add these to your package.
  • Drinks: You can add on a drinks package for your cruise. Non-alcoholic options start at £14.45 per day, while you’ll pay between £49 and £60.50 per day if you want a package with alcohol included.
  • WiFi: You can add on a WiFi package for the duration of your cruise, starting from £14 per day.

What’s not included:

  • Shore Excursions, Laundry & Spa: If you want these, you’ll pay for them individually.

P&O’s British charm and cuisine are key selling points, and by adding a drinks package or other extras, Brits can make their cruise experience even more all-inclusive.

However you have to remember what’s included in the base fare, and make sure that if you compare it against an all-inclusive cruise line, that you factor in the additional costs.

4. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred. Olsen Cruises is another UK-based option for those looking for a classic British cruise experience. Fred. Olsen prides itself on its warm, welcoming atmosphere and smaller, more intimate ships, and tends to be popular with an older crowd – though families are welcome too.

Fred Olsen Bolette

Again, Fred. Olsen is not all-inclusive as standard, but you can tailor your cruise package.

What’s included by default:

  • Accommodation, Meals & Entertainment: All standard services, including meals and entertainment, are included in the cruise fare.
  • Flights and transfers: Most Fred. Olsen cruises depart from the UK, but their fly-cruise options do include budget airline flights in the fare.

Optional all-inclusive upgrades:

  • Drinks: The Fred. Olsen drinks package costs £24.99 per person, per night (£35 for shorter cruises of five nights or fewer).
  • WiFi: You can pay for WiFi packages. Similar to Marella Cruises, you don’t need to pay for the full duration of your cruise if you don’t want to.

Not included:

  • Tips: You’ll need to factor in the additional cost of tipping on a Fred. Olsen cruise. It’s £5 per person, per day.
  • Shore Excursions, Laundry & Spa: If you want these, you’ll pay for them individually.

Fred. Olsen’s drinks package is relatively inexpensive when compared to those offered by P&O Cruises, but the overall fares are higher, and typically higher than a Marella cruise fare which already includes your drinks.

It’s an attractive option for many still, but it may not offer the best value when put side-by-side against other all-inclusive British cruise lines.

5. MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is not a British cruise line, but it does offer cruises from the UK. If you want a cheap cruise deal then it’s often a good choice, as fares can be quite low and you can add on drinks packages and WiFi at an affordable rate.

MSC Armonia

However, make sure you always read the reviews, especially those from British cruisers, to check that you’ll be happy with the quality of the service, dining and entertainment onboard, especially as it isn’t tailored to a British market.

What’s included:

  • Accommodation, Meals & Entertainment: All standard services are included.
  • Tips: Tips are included when you cruise in Europe. If you cruise with MSC from North America, you’d need to pay extra.

All-inclusive upgrades:

  • Drinks: MSC has a range of drinks packages you can choose from, with those that include alcohol starting at around £37 per person, per day.
  • WiFi: You can book a WiFi package for the duration of your cruise, starting from around £16 per day, though prices vary.

Not included:

  • Flights and transfers: You’ll need to add these on if you book a cruise that doesn’t start and end in the UK.
  • Shore Excursions, Laundry & Spa: If you want these, you’ll pay for them individually.

I wanted to include a ‘cheap’ cruise option as a useful comparison, especially with several MSC sailings available from the UK. However, you need to be careful because the costs quickly add up once you start tailoring your cruise into an all-inclusive one.

6. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Just like I wanted to add in MSC as a cheap comparison option, I also wanted to explain what the most inclusive cruise line looks like – and that’s Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Regent Seven Seas Cruise

For those who want an ultra-luxury experience, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers one of the most comprehensive all-inclusive packages in the world. However, this comes at a premium price, so it’s best suited for those looking to splurge.

And it’s not aimed at Brits, again, but a global cruise audience.

What’s included:

  • Unlimited Drinks: All beverages, including premium brands, are included.
  • Shore Excursions: Unlimited shore excursions are part of the package.
  • Flights, Transfers & Gratuities: Everything from flights (including business class on select suites) to gratuities is included.
  • WiFi & Room Service: All are included as standard.
  • Specialty Dining: All specialty restaurants are included.

What’s not included:

  • Spa Treatments & Domestic Transfers: These will cost extra.

Regent’s service is second to none, and for Brits looking for a true luxury experience, this line is the epitome of luxury cruising.

But you will definitely pay for it. A standard cruise with Regent Seven Seas could cost 3-5x as much as a Marella cruise which includes drinks, for example.

The best all-inclusive cruise option if you’re British is…

When it comes to choosing the best all-inclusive cruise, Marella Cruises truly stands out. It’s the perfect balance of outstanding service, incredible value, and everything you need included – all without the hefty price tag often associated with luxury cruises.

Marella cruising with friends

What sets Marella apart is their attention to detail, specifically tailored to British guests. From regional flights departing from over 20 UK airports to having tea and coffee-making facilities in every cabin, it’s clear that this cruise line understands exactly what British passengers want.

The experience feels distinctly British, from the familiar flavours at the onboard bars to the exceptional service that’s always friendly and attentive without being over-the-top.

But it’s not just about the atmosphere; it’s about the value you get for your money. When you book with Marella, you’re not left with a pile of surprise bills at the end of your trip.

Where Marella really wins, though, is in its great value. It’s one of the few lines where you can get all of this without breaking the bank.

Marella Cruises The Dining Club

While some other lines might look appealing with a “cheap” base price, it’s easy to find that you’re paying extra for drinks, tips, and other essentials. Marella’s all-inclusive nature means you can truly relax, knowing everything is covered.

The other cruise lines on this list offer excellent options but if it’s all-inclusive cruising you want, without breaking the bank, then Marella should be top of the list.

Save up to £300 on Marella’s All Inclusive cruises!

Discover fantastic savings on cruises around the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Caribbean! Offer ends 3rd March so be quick!

Related posts

If you found this interesting, please share!

Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me



2 thoughts on “The Best All-Inclusive Cruise Lines For Brits”

  1. What about Ambassador Cruise line, much better value for money than any of the others. A British shipping line and excellent value

  2. I appreciate the article, but it’s hard to not consider the bias with Marella Cruises being considered the best when the post is sponsored by Tui who own Marella Cruises; no?

Leave a comment