The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fare includes much of the onboard experience, but it does not include every component of the vacation. Most dining, selected alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, standard Wi-Fi, onboard gratuities and the suite are included. Shore excursions, spa services, laundry, air, hotels, transfers and selected culinary experiences are common additional costs.
For bookings made on or after July 1, 2025, the official ticket contract includes suite accommodations, onboard meals and entertainment, nonalcoholic beverages, a curated selection of beers, wines and liquors, standard Starlink Wi-Fi, onboard gratuities and itinerary port fees in the cruise fare. Current ticket contract
Quick answer You can enjoy an excellent voyage without constantly signing for routine meals and drinks. The largest variable expenses are usually shore excursions, airfare and transfers, hotels, spa treatments, private-reserve beverages and the signature fee restaurant. In Alaska and other excursion-heavy destinations, those extras can materially change the comparison with a more inclusive cruise line.
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Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection inclusions and extra costs at a glance
| Expense category | Included in the standard cruise fare? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Suite accommodations | Yes | Every suite has a private terrace |
| Most onboard dining | Yes | One signature restaurant on each yacht carries an additional charge |
| 24-hour in-suite dining | Yes | Private events or specially ticketed dining may cost extra |
| Nonalcoholic beverages | Yes | Included selections apply |
| Curated beer, wine and spirits | Yes | Private-reserve selections and caviar are extra |
| In-suite minibar | Included selections | Premium or specially requested items may differ |
| Standard Starlink Wi-Fi | Yes | Any enhanced option offered may be additional |
| Onboard entertainment | Yes | Specially ticketed events can be separate purchases |
| Onboard gratuities | Yes | Voluntary tips for spa, salon or excursions remain at the guest’s discretion |
| Shore excursions | No | Group, private and custom experiences are available for purchase |
| Spa and salon treatments | No | Cancellation terms apply to booked services |
| Laundry and dry cleaning | Generally no | Some Marriott Bonvoy elite benefits can reduce this cost |
| Airfare | No, unless a specific offer says otherwise | Price the air and cruise together |
| Hotels and transfers | No, unless packaged or promoted | RCYC hotel packages have separate terms |
| Medical care, shopping and personal purchases | No | Billed separately |
| Visa expenses and government charges | Not necessarily | Review the invoice and country requirements |
The table summarizes the current cruise-fare definition, booking terms and official dining FAQ. Your booking confirmation controls if a promotion or package changes the standard inclusions.
What is included in the cruise fare?
Your suite and private terrace
The cruise fare includes your selected suite. Every suite across Evrima, Ilma and Luminara has a private ocean-view terrace. The size, layout and suite benefits vary by yacht and category. Official yacht overview
Most dining
Regular dining venues and 24-hour in-suite dining are included. The cruise line’s current dining FAQ identifies S.E.A. aboard Evrima, Seta su Ilma and Seta su Luminara as the regular specialty venues carrying an additional charge. Official dining FAQ
Private dining such as Dining Privée and specially ticketed culinary events can also have separate pricing. That is not a contradiction: the signature restaurant is the yacht’s standard fee venue, while a private event or exclusive dining arrangement is a separate product. Official Dining Privée information
Selected beverages and the minibar
Nonalcoholic beverages and a curated selection of beer, wine and liquor are included. The booking terms exclude private-reserve purchases, caviar and applicable corkage charges. Current ticket contract
The practical question is not “Are drinks included?” but “Will I be satisfied with the included selection?” Most travelers can enjoy the voyage without purchasing a separate beverage package. Wine collectors and guests who prefer rare labels should budget separately.
Standard Wi-Fi
Standard Starlink Wi-Fi is included in the cruise fare for bookings made on or after July 1, 2025. Current ticket contract
If an enhanced tier is offered for your voyage or use case, confirm its cost and device limits. Travelers who must conduct video meetings or move large files should not assume that “included Wi-Fi” guarantees a particular speed at every point on the itinerary.
Onboard gratuities
Onboard gratuities are included in the fare. The cruise line notes that guests may voluntarily extend gratuities for salon services, spa treatments and shore excursions. Official onboard-service FAQ
Which dining experiences cost extra?
Each yacht has one signature restaurant that carries an additional charge:
| Yacht | Fee restaurant | What distinguishes it |
|---|---|---|
| Evrima | S.E.A. | A tasting-menu experience associated with chef Sven Elverfeld |
| Ilma | Seta su Ilma | A multicourse fine-dining experience |
| Luminara | Seta su Luminara | Luminara’s signature fee restaurant |
The cruise line identifies these as the only regular dining venues with an additional charge. Reservations are limited, and the fee and available wine pairing should be confirmed for the specific sailing. Official specialty-dining FAQ
Dining Privée, celebratory packages and specially ticketed events may also cost extra because they are private or separately packaged experiences rather than standard restaurant service. Current booking terms
Are shore excursions included?
No. Shore excursions and sightseeing are excluded from the standard cruise fare. The Shore Collection offers select-group tours, predesigned private excursions and custom private experiences. The cruise line recommends beginning the reservation process early because capacity can be limited. Official Shore Excursions page
Cancellation terms differ by excursion type. Unless the listing says otherwise, select-group excursions generally require cancellation at least 48 hours before departure to avoid a fee. Predesigned private excursions are payable when booked and carry a 100-percent cancellation fee. Custom private excursions are also payable when booked and carry a nonrefundable administrative fee of $200 per person, credited toward the excursion if it is booked. Current booking terms
Excursions are where two similarly priced luxury cruises can diverge sharply. If you expect to book a tour in every port, compare that estimated cost with a line that bundles excursions into its fare.
Are spa and salon services included?
Spa and salon treatments are additional purchases. Unless the service’s terms say otherwise, a spa appointment canceled within 24 hours is subject to a 100-percent cancellation fee. Current booking terms
Access to fitness facilities and the availability of complimentary wellness spaces should be confirmed separately from paid treatments. Do not treat “The Ritz-Carlton Spa is onboard” as meaning massages, facials or salon services are included.
Does laundry cost extra?
Laundry and dry cleaning are generally additional. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum and Titanium members receive complimentary first-evening pressing, while Ambassador members receive complimentary laundry throughout the voyage under the current elite-benefit chart. Marriott’s current RCYC terms
That can make elite status surprisingly valuable on a longer voyage. See Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Marriott Bonvoy Benefits Explained for the full tier comparison.
Airfare, hotels and transfers
Airfare, hotel accommodations and transfers are not part of the standard cruise fare unless your confirmation or a specific promotion says otherwise. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection can sell air and hotel products, but they remain distinct components with their own terms. Current ticket contract
This is particularly important for one-way voyages. A sailing ending in Whittier, for example, requires a plan for reaching Anchorage or continuing into Alaska. Visit Anchorage identifies road, rail, motorcoach and shuttle connections between Whittier and Anchorage. Visit Anchorage’s transfer guide Compare the complete door-to-door cost before judging the cruise fare.
Government fees, port fees and possible surcharges
For bookings made on or after July 1, 2025, the cruise-fare definition includes port fees associated with the itinerary. The same terms separately exclude certain government-imposed fees and allow an extraordinary surcharge before final payment in limited circumstances involving unforeseen external cost increases. No such surcharge may be imposed after final payment. Current ticket contract
The safest approach is to review the booking invoice rather than assume every tax or fee is embedded in the headline fare.
A realistic way to budget for the extras
Instead of assigning one generic “extras” number, decide what kind of traveler you are:
| Your travel style | Expenses most likely to matter |
|---|---|
| Relax-onboard traveler | Spa, specialty dining and private-reserve beverages |
| Destination-first traveler | Shore excursions, private guides and transfers |
| Food-and-wine traveler | Signature restaurant, wine pairing, private dining and reserve bottles |
| Celebration traveler | Spa, photography, private dining and celebration packages |
| Long-voyage traveler | Laundry, hotels, air and transfers |
| Mostly included traveler | Few extras beyond air and transportation |
The point is not that every guest will face every charge. It is that the mix of extras should reflect how you actually travel.
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Is The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection worth it after the extras?
It can be, particularly for travelers who value small scale, contemporary design, a private terrace, personalized service and the ability to choose their own experiences ashore. The value becomes less obvious when a traveler expects expensive excursions in every port or prefers a more completely bundled fare.
That is why a line-by-line comparison matters. A higher published fare can sometimes cost less after excursions and other extras, while a less inclusive product can be the better value for a guest who wants few organized tours.
Ready to compare the complete cost?
A travel advisor can review the actual invoice, explain which items are included, identify promotions or onboard credits and compare the same trip structure across multiple cruise lines. That is more useful than applying one generic “all-inclusive” label to every traveler.
Send me the voyage and suite you are considering. I will help you separate the true necessities from optional upgrades and show where another luxury line may—or may not—offer better total value.
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Frequently asked questions
Is The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection all-inclusive?
It is highly inclusive but not unlimited. The fare includes the suite, most dining, selected beverages, standard Wi-Fi, entertainment and onboard gratuities. Excursions, spa services, laundry, air, hotels, transfers, reserve beverages and selected dining experiences are generally extra. Current ticket contract
Are drinks included?
Nonalcoholic beverages and a curated selection of beers, wines and liquors are included. Private-reserve purchases, caviar and applicable corkage charges are excluded. Current booking terms
Is specialty dining included?
Most dining is included. S.E.A., Seta su Ilma and Seta su Luminara are the signature fee restaurants on their respective yachts. Private dining and specially ticketed experiences may also cost extra. Official dining FAQ
Are shore excursions included?
No. Group, private and custom excursions are available for purchase. Official Shore Excursions page
Are gratuities included?
Onboard gratuities are included. Additional tipping for spa, salon or excursion services is voluntary. Official FAQ
Is Wi-Fi included?
Standard Starlink Wi-Fi is included for bookings made on or after July 1, 2025. Current ticket contract
Sources and currency
Published September 25, 2026. Inclusions and exclusions are based on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s current ticket contract, booking terms, dining FAQ and shore-excursion information. Promotions and packages can alter the standard fare; the booking confirmation and current terms control.