Cruise or all-inclusive: which is cheaper?
We priced 16 real trips: four home airports, two weeks (mid-November and early February), couples and families of four, with every cost people forget. At the cruise deal fares on sale when we checked, the cruise was cheaper in all 16, and families saved about $2,686. The exception is drinks: for a couple who wants them included, the all-inclusive won every time.
Prices checked October 19, 2026 · Nov 15–22, 2026 and Jan 31–Feb 7, 2027 · Re-priced every two months, next around December 19, 2026
trips where the cruise was cheaper than the cheaper of Cancun and Punta Cana, at the cruise deal fares on sale when we checked.
average saving for a family of four on the cruise. Kids cost the cruise about $396 each; the resorts charged about $1,217 more per child.
couple trips where the cruise stayed cheaper once both adults added the drinks package (about $1,495 for the week).
Price your version
- Cruise fare, inside cabin
- $698
- Gratuities ($20 pp a day)
- $280
- Flights to Orlando (2 × $218)
- $436
- Hotel night before sailing
- $188
- Airport–port shuttle
- $130
- Resort, 7 nights (median of 14)
- $1,721
- Flights to Cancun (2 × $456)
- $912
- Airport transfers
- $108
- Visitax (state visitor tax)
- $30
- Resort, 7 nights (median of 18)
- $1,665
- Flights to Punta Cana (2 × $507)
- $1,014
- Airport transfers
- $80
The cruise is about $1,027 cheaper than the cheaper resort trip (Punta Cana).
Flights are the lowest round-trip fare per person on Google Flights (bags extra). Resort price is the median 7-night total of the 4- and 5-star all-inclusives Google Hotels showed, taxes included. "Usual fare" is what Cruiseplum says this sailing has averaged.
What we found
- Deal fares are why the cruise wins. The sailings we priced were 34–64% below what the same sailing has averaged. At its usual fare the cruise would have been cheaper in 12 of 16 trips.
- Kids are cheaper on the cruise. On the cruise, the kids shared their parents' cabin for about $396 each, gratuities included. The resorts charged about $1,217 more per child for the week. The family cruise came out ahead by $1,816–$3,667.
- Drinks flip it for couples. Norwegian's drinks package costs about $107 a person a day (with its service charge). With it, the cruise cost a couple about $599 more than the cheaper resort trip, on average. Families still came out ahead in 8 of 8.
- Flights favor the cruise. Round trips to Orlando were $48–$271 a person; to Cancun and Punta Cana, $302–$676. From New York JFK in early February, the cheapest Orlando fare was $239, well above Google's usual $60–$140.
- The cruise has more extras to add. Gratuities, a hotel night by the port and the ride to the ship added $598–$1,048 to each cruise. The resorts' transfers and taxes added $80–$276.
All 16 trips
Totals for the whole party, 7 nights, inside cabin, flights and extras included. The winner column compares with the cheaper of the two resort trips.
| Trip | Cruise, deal fare | Cruise, usual fare | Cruise + drinks | Cancun | Punta Cana | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit · CoupleNov 15–22, 2026 | $1,732 | $2,178 | $3,227 | $2,771 | $2,759 | Cruisewith drinks: Punta Cana |
| Detroit · Family of 4Nov 15–22, 2026 | $3,095 | $3,713 | $4,590 | $6,374 | $5,479 | Cruisewith drinks: cruise |
| Detroit · CoupleJan 31–Feb 7, 2027 | $1,805 | $3,330 | $3,300 | $2,886 | $3,388 | Cruisewith drinks: Cancun |
| Detroit · Family of 4Jan 31–Feb 7, 2027 | $3,052 | $5,210 | $4,547 | $6,607 | $7,725 | Cruisewith drinks: cruise |
| Chicago O'Hare · CoupleNov 15–22, 2026 | $1,792 | $2,238 | $3,287 | $2,483 | $2,609 | Cruisewith drinks: Cancun |
| Chicago O'Hare · Family of 4Nov 15–22, 2026 | $3,215 | $3,833 | $4,710 | $5,798 | $5,179 | Cruisewith drinks: cruise |
| Chicago O'Hare · CoupleJan 31–Feb 7, 2027 | $1,965 | $3,490 | $3,460 | $2,558 | $2,820 | Cruisewith drinks: Cancun |
| Chicago O'Hare · Family of 4Jan 31–Feb 7, 2027 | $3,372 | $5,530 | $4,867 | $5,951 | $6,589 | Cruisewith drinks: cruise |
| Atlanta · CoupleNov 15–22, 2026 | $1,464 | $1,910 | $2,959 | $2,565 | $2,481 | Cruisewith drinks: Punta Cana |
| Atlanta · Family of 4Nov 15–22, 2026 | $2,559 | $3,177 | $4,054 | $5,962 | $4,923 | Cruisewith drinks: cruise |
| Atlanta · CoupleJan 31–Feb 7, 2027 | $1,589 | $3,114 | $3,084 | $2,726 | $2,892 | Cruisewith drinks: Cancun |
| Atlanta · Family of 4Jan 31–Feb 7, 2027 | $2,620 | $4,778 | $4,115 | $6,287 | $6,733 | Cruisewith drinks: cruise |
| New York JFK · CoupleNov 15–22, 2026 | $1,838 | $2,284 | $3,333 | $2,685 | $2,581 | Cruisewith drinks: Punta Cana |
| New York JFK · Family of 4Nov 15–22, 2026 | $3,307 | $3,925 | $4,802 | $6,202 | $5,123 | Cruisewith drinks: cruise |
| New York JFK · CoupleJan 31–Feb 7, 2027 | $1,971 | $3,496 | $3,466 | $2,852 | $2,902 | Cruisewith drinks: Cancun |
| New York JFK · Family of 4Jan 31–Feb 7, 2027 | $3,384 | $5,542 | $4,879 | $6,539 | $6,753 | Cruisewith drinks: cruise |
What each one includes
| What | Cruise (Norwegian) | All-inclusive resort |
|---|---|---|
| Room | Cabin with daily housekeeping | Room or suite |
| Main restaurants and buffet | Included | Included, often with à la carte restaurants |
| Alcohol and soda | Extra: package about $107 a person a day | Included |
| Water, coffee, tea, juice at breakfast | Included | Included |
| Specialty restaurants | Extra | Usually included, sometimes with limits |
| Gratuities | $20 a person a day, everyone 3 and older, added automatically | Optional, customary in cash |
| Wi-Fi | Extra | Usually included |
| Kids club | Included (Splash Academy, ages 3–12) | Included at most family resorts |
| Getting there | Flight to Orlando, a hotel night, a ride to the port | Flight and an airport transfer |
| Places you see | 3–4 ports in a week | One beach; excursions extra |
The sailings and resorts
The two sailings
| Sailing | Party | Inside | Balcony | Gratuities | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 15–22, 2026Norwegian Epic (Norwegian), Port Canaveral roundtrip: Great Stirrup Cay, Jamaica – Ocho Rios, Cozumel | Couple | $69839% below avg. | $89457% below avg. | $280 | Cruiseplum |
| Nov 15–22, 2026Norwegian Epic (Norwegian), Port Canaveral roundtrip: Great Stirrup Cay, Jamaica – Ocho Rios, Cozumel | Family of 4 | $1,20034% below avg. | $1,29648% below avg. | $560 | Cruiseplum |
| Jan 31–Feb 7, 2027Norwegian Epic (Norwegian), Port Canaveral roundtrip: Costa Maya, Roatan, Cozumel, Great Stirrup Cay | Couple | $85864% below avg. | $1,07871% below avg. | $280 | Cruiseplum |
| Jan 31–Feb 7, 2027Norwegian Epic (Norwegian), Port Canaveral roundtrip: Costa Maya, Roatan, Cozumel, Great Stirrup Cay | Family of 4 | $1,38061% below avg. | $1,50069% below avg. | $560 | Cruiseplum |
Cabin fare for the whole party, taxes and port fees included. The family shares one cabin. Hotel night before sailing: Best Western Cocoa Beach - Port Canaveral, $188 for two, $203 for four (Nov 14); Best Western Cocoa Beach - Port Canaveral $225 for two, Four Points by Sheraton Cocoa Beach $228 for four (Jan 30).
Cancun, Nov 15–22, 2026, couple: 14 resorts, median $1,721
| Resort | Stars | Guest rating | 7 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Oasis Cancún | 5 | 3.6 | $1,359 |
| The Pyramid Cancun | 5 | 3.9 | $1,407 |
| Royal Solaris Cancún | 4 | 4.3 | $1,467 |
| The Royal Cancun | 4 | 4.5 | $1,549 |
| Sunscape Cancun Resort & Spa | 4 | 4.4 | $1,673 |
| Wyndham Grand Cancún All Inclusive Resort & Villas | 5 | 4.2 | $1,706 |
| Hotel Riu Ventura | 5 | 4.2 | $1,708 |
| Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa | 5 | 4.3 | $1,733 |
| Hotel Riu Cancun | 5 | 4.4 | $1,858 |
| Hyatt Vivid Cancun | 5 | 4.3 | $2,019 |
| Sandos Cancun | 5 | 4.7 | $2,132 |
| Grand Park Royal Cancún | 4 | 4.7 | $2,157 |
| Iberostar Selection Cancún | 5 | 4.7 | $2,517 |
| Sun Palace Cancun | 5 | 4.6 | $2,623 |
Cancun, Nov 15–22, 2026, family of 4: 9 resorts, median $4,274
| Resort | Stars | Guest rating | 7 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Flamingo All Inclusive | 4 | 3.9 | $3,274 |
| Wyndham Grand Cancún All Inclusive Resort & Villas | 5 | 4.2 | $3,444 |
| Hotel Riu Cancun | 5 | 4.4 | $3,752 |
| Grand Oasis Cancún | 5 | 3.6 | $3,843 |
| Sandos Cancun | 5 | 4.7 | $4,274 |
| Iberostar Selection Cancún | 5 | 4.7 | $4,304 |
| Grand Park Royal Cancún | 4 | 4.7 | $4,688 |
| Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancún All Inclusive Spa & Resort | 5 | 4.5 | $6,747 |
| Paradisus Cancún | 5 | 4.6 | $7,458 |
Cancun, Jan 31–Feb 7, 2027, couple: 15 resorts, median $1,816
| Resort | Stars | Guest rating | 7 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Flamingo All Inclusive | 4 | 3.9 | $1,133 |
| Royal Solaris Cancún | 4 | 4.3 | $1,350 |
| Grand Oasis Palm | 4 | 4 | $1,435 |
| Park Royal Beach Cancun | 4 | 4.5 | $1,463 |
| Grand Oasis Cancún | 5 | 3.6 | $1,491 |
| Turquoize at Hyatt Ziva Cancun - Adults Only | 5 | 4.7 | $1,564 |
| Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa | 5 | 4.3 | $1,728 |
| Wyndham Grand Cancún All Inclusive Resort & Villas | 5 | 4.2 | $1,816 |
| Grand Park Royal Cancún | 4 | 4.7 | $1,879 |
| Hotel Riu Caribe | 5 | 4.4 | $2,081 |
| Sandos Cancun | 5 | 4.7 | $2,288 |
| Hotel Riu Cancun | 5 | 4.4 | $2,354 |
| Iberostar Selection Cancún | 5 | 4.7 | $3,223 |
| Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort | 5 | 4.5 | $3,762 |
| Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancún All Inclusive Spa & Resort | 5 | 4.5 | $4,142 |
Cancun, Jan 31–Feb 7, 2027, family of 4: 14 resorts, median $4,467
| Resort | Stars | Guest rating | 7 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Flamingo All Inclusive | 4 | 3.9 | $1,895 |
| Seadust Cancun- Beach Resort | 4 | 4.2 | $2,450 |
| Occidental Tucancún | 4 | 4.3 | $2,601 |
| Royal Solaris Cancún | 4 | 4.3 | $2,912 |
| Wyndham Grand Cancún All Inclusive Resort & Villas | 5 | 4.2 | $3,685 |
| Grand Oasis Cancún | 5 | 3.6 | $4,173 |
| Hotel Riu Caribe | 5 | 4.4 | $4,207 |
| Grand Park Royal Cancún | 4 | 4.7 | $4,727 |
| Beach Palace Cancun | 5 | 4.5 | $4,737 |
| Iberostar Selection Cancún | 5 | 4.7 | $4,819 |
| Hotel Riu Cancun | 5 | 4.4 | $5,056 |
| Hotel Riu Palace Peninsula | 5 | 4.5 | $5,404 |
| Hyatt Ziva Cancun | 5 | 4.5 | $8,007 |
| Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancún All Inclusive Spa & Resort | 5 | 4.5 | $8,796 |
Punta Cana, Nov 15–22, 2026, couple: 18 resorts, median $1,665
| Resort | Stars | Guest rating | 7 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean El Faro | 5 | 4.7 | $1,101 |
| Impressive Punta Cana | 5 | 4.2 | $1,142 |
| Vista Sol Punta Cana Beach Resort & Spa | 4 | 4.1 | $1,213 |
| Royalton Splash Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino | 4 | 4 | $1,239 |
| Bahia Principe Explore Turquesa | 5 | 4.6 | $1,342 |
| Hotel Riu Bambu | 5 | 4.1 | $1,393 |
| Ocean Blue & Sand | 5 | 4.6 | $1,408 |
| Hotel Riu Palace Punta Cana | 5 | 4.4 | $1,491 |
| Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana | 5 | 4.7 | $1,653 |
| Serenade All Suites, Adults Only Resort | 5 | 4.8 | $1,677 |
| Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa - All Inclusive | 5 | 4.7 | $1,984 |
| Meliá Caribe Beach Resort | 5 | 4.7 | $2,016 |
| Occidental Punta Cana | 5 | 4.6 | $2,152 |
| Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort, Spa & Casino | 5 | 4.9 | $2,262 |
| Majestic Elegance Punta Cana | 5 | 4.8 | $2,352 |
| Dreams Onyx Resort & Spa | 5 | 4.4 | $2,538 |
| Finest Punta Cana | 5 | 4.8 | $3,207 |
| Excellence El Carmen | 5 | 4.9 | $3,552 |
Punta Cana, Nov 15–22, 2026, family of 4: 14 resorts, median $3,291
| Resort | Stars | Guest rating | 7 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vista Sol Punta Cana Beach Resort & Spa | 4 | 4.1 | $1,528 |
| Ocean El Faro | 5 | 4.7 | $1,556 |
| Ocean Blue & Sand | 5 | 4.6 | $2,112 |
| Royalton Splash Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino | 4 | 4 | $2,481 |
| Occidental Caribe | 4 | 4.6 | $2,548 |
| Iberostar Waves Dominicana | 5 | 4.7 | $2,795 |
| Hotel Riu Palace Punta Cana | 5 | 4.4 | $3,276 |
| Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana | 5 | 4.7 | $3,306 |
| Majestic Elegance Punta Cana | 5 | 4.8 | $4,153 |
| Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort | 5 | 4.7 | $4,450 |
| Grand Palladium Bávaro Suites Resort & Spa | 5 | 4.7 | $4,697 |
| Occidental Punta Cana | 5 | 4.6 | $5,058 |
| Meliá Caribe Beach Resort | 5 | 4.7 | $8,066 |
| Dreams Onyx Resort & Spa | 5 | 4.4 | $14,924 |
Punta Cana, Jan 31–Feb 7, 2027, couple: 18 resorts, median $1,956
| Resort | Stars | Guest rating | 7 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occidental Punta Cana | 5 | 4.6 | $1,267 |
| Occidental Caribe | 4 | 4.6 | $1,505 |
| Hotel Riu Bambu | 5 | 4.1 | $1,540 |
| Ocean El Faro | 5 | 4.7 | $1,605 |
| Impressive Punta Cana | 5 | 4.2 | $1,607 |
| Hotel Riu Republica | 5 | 4.2 | $1,713 |
| Bahia Principe Explore Turquesa | 5 | 4.6 | $1,738 |
| Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana | 5 | 4.2 | $1,820 |
| Ocean Blue & Sand | 5 | 4.6 | $1,860 |
| Hotel Riu Palace Punta Cana | 5 | 4.4 | $2,051 |
| Royalton Bavaro, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort | 5 | 4.1 | $2,119 |
| Meliá Caribe Beach Resort | 5 | 4.7 | $2,317 |
| Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort | 5 | 4.7 | $2,421 |
| Majestic Colonial Punta Cana | 5 | 4.8 | $2,489 |
| Barceló Bávaro Palace | 5 | 4.7 | $2,541 |
| Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort, Spa & Casino | 5 | 4.9 | $2,599 |
| Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa - All Inclusive | 5 | 4.7 | $2,903 |
| Iberostar Selection Bavaro Suites | 5 | 4.7 | $2,930 |
Punta Cana, Jan 31–Feb 7, 2027, family of 4: 16 resorts, median $4,861
| Resort | Stars | Guest rating | 7 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean El Faro | 5 | 4.7 | $2,216 |
| Vista Sol Punta Cana Beach Resort & Spa | 4 | 4.1 | $2,638 |
| Occidental Punta Cana | 5 | 4.6 | $2,904 |
| Ocean Blue & Sand | 5 | 4.6 | $2,971 |
| Occidental Caribe | 4 | 4.6 | $3,227 |
| Royalton Splash Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino | 4 | 4 | $3,513 |
| Grand Palladium Bávaro Suites Resort & Spa | 5 | 4.7 | $4,584 |
| Iberostar Selection Bavaro Suites | 5 | 4.7 | $4,856 |
| Hotel Riu Palace Punta Cana | 5 | 4.4 | $4,866 |
| Royalton Bavaro, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort | 5 | 4.1 | $4,959 |
| Barceló Bávaro Palace | 5 | 4.7 | $5,083 |
| Bahia Principe Explore Legend | 5 | 4.7 | $5,597 |
| Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort | 5 | 4.7 | $5,876 |
| Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort | 5 | 4.8 | $6,555 |
| Majestic Mirage Punta Cana | 5 | 4.8 | $6,892 |
| Meliá Caribe Beach Resort | 5 | 4.7 | $8,567 |
How we priced it
Each trip is the same week, the same party and the same home airport, priced both ways on October 19, 2026. For each week we took the cheapest 7-night Caribbean, Bahamas or Mexico sailing from a Florida port on Norwegian, Royal Caribbean or Carnival in Cruiseplum's deal lists with fares for both two and four sharing a cabin: this time Norwegian Epic from Port Canaveral both weeks. Fares and price history come from Cruiseplum, which tracks what each sailing sells for. The resorts are every 4- and 5-star all-inclusive on Google Hotels' first page for Cancun and Punta Cana, lowest 7-night total with taxes, after removing places where all-inclusive is an add-on (their lowest price is room-only) and adults-only resorts for the family searches. Flights are Google Flights' lowest round-trip fare for each route, flying to Orlando the day before the cruise.
The lowest resort prices are often non-refundable rates from third-party sites; booking direct usually costs more. Not counted for either trip: excursions, spa, specialty dining, checked bags, travel insurance and tips at the resort.
We re-price everything every two months, with new weeks, so the comparison stays current; the next update is due around December 19, 2026.
Sources for the extras: Norwegian's daily gratuity · Norwegian drinks package price · Orlando airport–Port Canaveral shuttle, $64.90 a person round trip · Cancun airport shuttles (about $27 a person each way, an estimate) · Punta Cana airport shuttles (about $20 a person each way, an estimate) · Visitax rate and the official Visitax site (about $15 a person).
Questions
Is a cruise cheaper than an all-inclusive?
In the 16 trips we priced, yes at the cruise deal fares on sale on October 19, 2026: the cruise was cheaper in all 16, by about $896 for a couple and $2,686 for a family of four on average, flights and extras included. The exception is drinks: once a couple adds the cruise line's drinks package, the all-inclusive was cheaper every time.
Is a cruise cheaper for a family?
Usually, by a lot. Kids sharing their parents' cabin added about $396 each to the cruise (fare plus gratuities), while the resorts charged about $1,217 more per child for the week. Even with a drinks package for both adults, the cruise was cheaper for the family in 8 of 8 trips.
What does an all-inclusive include that a cruise doesn't?
Alcohol, soda and usually Wi-Fi. Both include the main restaurants, buffets, entertainment and (on most ships and family resorts) a kids club. On a cruise, alcohol, soda, specialty restaurants and Wi-Fi cost extra, and most lines add a daily gratuity per person.
What costs do people forget on a cruise?
Daily gratuities ($20 a person a day, everyone 3 and older on Norwegian), a hotel night before sailing (flying in the same morning risks missing the ship), the ride from the airport to the port, drinks, and shore excursions.
What costs do people forget on an all-inclusive?
Airport transfers, Mexico's Quintana Roo visitor tax (Visitax) in Cancun, tips if you leave them, excursions, and the gap between the cheapest non-refundable rate and booking direct with the resort.
Are these prices still available?
They were real prices on October 19, 2026, and they move daily, last-minute cruise fares most of all. We re-price this comparison every two months (next: around December 19, 2026). Use it to see how the two kinds of trip compare, then price your own dates.
Where are the cheapest cruises right now?
On our last-minute cruise deals page, which shows what last-minute sailings really cost per night with gratuities added. For resorts and rentals, see cheap vacations.