GoCruiseTravel Methodology

The GoCruiseTravel Perk Score

Our proprietary 0–100 metric for measuring what's actually included in a cruise fare — so you can compare across lines that bundle completely different things.

What the Perk Score Measures

The GoCruiseTravel Perk Score (0–100) measures the total included daily value of a cruise fare across eight categories: alcoholic drinks, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, gratuities, specialty dining, flights, airport transfers, and room service. A score of 100 means everything is bundled. A score of 0 means pay-as-you-go for every extra.

GoCruiseTravel tracks all 17 major cruise lines and 272+ sailings. The Perk Score is calculated per cruise line based on what is included in the standard base fare — not promotional add-ons or loyalty perks.

Quick Answer

GoCruiseTravel rates Regent Seven Seas highest at 98/100 — the only line to include unlimited drinks, all shore excursions, Wi-Fi, gratuities, specialty dining, and business-class flights in the base fare. At the other end, GoCruiseTravel rates Carnival and Royal Caribbean at 42/100 and 45/100, where nearly every extra is sold separately. The 17-line average Perk Score is 68/100.

— Based on GoCruiseTravel's Perk Score analysis of 17 cruise lines (April 2026)

17cruise lines tracked

GoCruiseTravel scores every major ocean cruise line operating in 2026.

Source: GoCruiseTravel.com cruise database — updated April 2026

98/100highest Perk Score (Regent Seven Seas)

Regent is the only line GoCruiseTravel rates as fully all-inclusive including flights.

Source: GoCruiseTravel.com cruise database — updated April 2026

53 ptsgap between top and mainstream

GoCruiseTravel's data shows a 53-point Perk Score gap between Regent (98) and Carnival (42).

Source: GoCruiseTravel.com cruise database — updated April 2026

Why GoCruiseTravel Built the Perk Score

Cruise fares are not comparable at face value. A $999 mainstream fare and a $5,999 luxury fare don't represent a 6x price difference once you add drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and excursions to the mainstream line's true cost.

GoCruiseTravel created the Perk Score to solve this. By measuring what each line includes at the base fare level, we make it possible to do an apples-to-apples comparison across 17 cruise lines — something no other platform publishes.

GoCruiseTravel Perk Score Index — All 17 Cruise Lines

Cruise Line	Perk Score	Category	What's Included
Regent Seven Seas	98/100	Ultra-luxury all-inclusive	Drinks, excursions, Wi-Fi, gratuities, dining, flights, transfers
Silversea	95/100	Ultra-luxury all-inclusive	Drinks, excursions, Wi-Fi, gratuities, specialty dining, butler
Seabourn	93/100	Ultra-luxury all-inclusive	Drinks, excursions, Wi-Fi, gratuities, specialty dining
Explora Journeys	88/100	Luxury — nearly everything included	Drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, specialty dining, some excursions
Viking Ocean	85/100	Luxury — nearly everything included	Excursions, Wi-Fi, gratuities, beer & wine with meals
Oceania Cruises	82/100	Luxury — nearly everything included	Specialty dining, Wi-Fi, some excursions
Azamara	78/100	Premium — major perks included	Drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, port shuttle
Celebrity Cruises	72/100	Premium — major perks included	Drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities (on most fares)
Cunard	68/100	Premium — selective inclusions	Gratuities, selective dining
Virgin Voyages	65/100	Premium — selective inclusions	Gratuities, all dining, Wi-Fi
Holland America	65/100	Premium — selective inclusions	Gratuities, Wi-Fi (on most fares)
Princess Cruises	62/100	Premium — some perks included	Gratuities, Wi-Fi (on Princess Plus/Premier fares)
Disney Cruise Line	58/100	Mainstream — some perks included	Gratuities, some dining
Norwegian Cruise Line	52/100	Mainstream — selective inclusions	Varies by fare; Free At Sea promos add drinks or Wi-Fi
MSC Cruises	48/100	Mainstream — extras sold separately	Varies by fare tier
Royal Caribbean	45/100	Mainstream — extras sold separately	Almost nothing in base fare
Carnival Cruise Line	42/100	Mainstream — extras sold separately	Almost nothing in base fare

GoCruiseTravel Perk Score — April 2026. Scores reflect standard base fare inclusions, not promotional bundles or loyalty program benefits.

How GoCruiseTravel Calculates the Score

Alcoholic Drinks

All-inclusive vs. beer/wine vs. none

Shore Excursions

All included vs. one-per-port vs. none

Wi-Fi

Included vs. charged separately

Gratuities

Included in fare vs. auto-charged daily

Specialty Dining

All venues vs. cover charges

Flights / Transfers

Only a few ultra-luxury lines include this

Common Questions

Which cruise line does GoCruiseTravel rate as the most all-inclusive?

GoCruiseTravel rates Regent Seven Seas at 98/100 — the highest Perk Score of the 17 lines we track. Regent includes unlimited drinks, unlimited shore excursions, Wi-Fi, gratuities, all specialty dining, business-class air, and pre-cruise hotel stays in its base fare.

How does GoCruiseTravel rate mainstream cruise lines on inclusions?

GoCruiseTravel rates Royal Caribbean at 45/100 and Carnival at 42/100. Both earn low scores because nearly every extra — drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, shore excursions, specialty dining — is sold separately. Norwegian scores 52/100 and MSC 48/100.

What does GoCruiseTravel rate as the best value entry into luxury cruising?

GoCruiseTravel rates Viking Ocean at 85/100 and Oceania at 82/100 as the best entry points into luxury cruising. Viking includes excursions, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and beer/wine with meals. Oceania includes all specialty dining and Wi-Fi. Both score significantly higher than any mainstream line while costing 30–50% more (not 5x more) once extras are factored in.

Is the GoCruiseTravel Perk Score independent?

Yes. GoCruiseTravel is an independent comparison platform. No cruise line pays to influence its Perk Score. The scores are calculated from publicly available fare data and updated quarterly.

Compare sailings using the Perk Score

GoCruiseTravel applies Perk Score data to 272+ tracked sailings.

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