Category: Blue Cruise

Imagine stepping onto a traditional Turkish gulet, handing over your luggage, and not reaching for your wallet again until you disembark a week later. Every meal, every drink, every swim stop, every sunset—all covered. This is the promise of an all-inclusive Blue Cruise holiday, and it’s transforming how travelers experience Turkey’s stunning Turquoise Coast.

If you’ve ever been caught off guard by a hefty bar bill at the end of a “full-board” yacht trip, or if you simply want a truly worry-free vacation, all-inclusive cabin charter might be your perfect match. Here’s everything you need to know.

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What Makes a Blue Cruise “All-Inclusive”?

Let’s start with clarity, because the term “all-inclusive” means different things to different operators.

Standard Full Board vs. All-Inclusive

Feature	Standard Full Board	All-Inclusive
Breakfast	✅ Included	✅ Included
Lunch	✅ Included	✅ Included
Dinner	✅ Included	✅ Included
Afternoon tea/cookies	✅ Included	✅ Included
Water	❌ Extra charge	✅ Included (unlimited)
Soft drinks	❌ Extra charge	✅ Included (unlimited)
Local beer	❌ Extra charge	✅ Included (unlimited)
Local wine	❌ Extra charge	✅ Included (unlimited)
Spirits/cocktails	❌ Extra charge	Often included, sometimes limited
Coffee/tea outside meals	❌ Extra charge	✅ Usually included
Fresh fruit juice	❌ Extra charge	✅ Often included at breakfast

The bottom line: On a standard full-board cruise, you’ll pay for every sip of water, every cola, every glass of wine or beer. On an all-inclusive, nearly everything is covered from the moment you step aboard.

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What’s Actually Included?

A genuine all-inclusive Blue Cruise holiday typically includes:

Food (already covered in full board)

• Breakfast: Turkish style with cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, honey, jam, fresh bread, butter
• Lunch: Light meals including salads, pasta, vegetables, fresh fruit
• Dinner: Multi-course Turkish feasts with 3-4 meze (appetizers), a main course of chicken, meat, or fish, rice or bulgur, salad, and fresh fruit
• Afternoon tea: Cookies or cake served around 16:30

Beverages (the big difference)

• Unlimited water (this alone saves €20-40 per day on a standard cruise)
• Unlimited soft drinks (Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, tonic water, soda water)
• Unlimited local beer (typically Efes or Tuborg)
• Unlimited local wine (red, white, or rosé—usually drinkable but not premium)
• Unlimited spirits (local options like Yeni Rakı, vodka, gin, sometimes rum and whiskey)
• Coffee and tea served throughout the day (not just at breakfast)
• Fresh fruit juices (usually at breakfast, sometimes throughout the day)

Service Hours

Most all-inclusive packages operate on a schedule:

• Drinks served: Typically 10:00 to 23:00 or 23:30
• Open bar: Self-service or crew-served depending on the gulet
• Night service: Some boats offer a limited night bar (paid separately) after 23:00

What’s Still Not Included

Even on all-inclusive, these items usually cost extra:

• Premium spirits (imported brands like Johnnie Walker, Absolut, Bacardi)
• Premium wines (imported or reserve Turkish wines)
• Champagne or sparkling wine
• Energy drinks
• Bottled water taken ashore (some operators charge for this)
• Port taxes for Greek island itineraries (€50-210 per person, paid in cash)
• Airport transfers
• Crew tips (customary 5-10% of cruise price)
• Water sports (jet skis, paddleboards beyond basic canoes, banana boats)

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Types of All-Inclusive Blue Cruises

Not all all-inclusive packages are created equal. Here are the main categories you’ll encounter:

1. Standard All-Inclusive (Most Common)

Includes unlimited local beer, wine, soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee during waking hours. Spirits are often limited to one or two local options. This covers 95% of what most people want to drink.

Typical price premium over full board: €70-120 per week

2. Premium All-Inclusive

Adds unlimited local spirits, a wider selection of mixers, better-quality local wines, and sometimes imported beer (like Corona or Heineken). Service hours may extend later into the night.

Typical price premium over full board: €120-180 per week

3. Ultra All-Inclusive (Rare on Gulets)

Includes everything—premium imported spirits, champagne, energy drinks, minibar restocking (on gulets that have minibars), and sometimes even crew tips. This is more common on large luxury gulets or small cruise ships.

Typical price premium over full board: €200-300+ per week

4. “Soft” All-Inclusive (Marketing Trick Alert!)

Some operators advertise “all-inclusive” but only include water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee—no alcohol. Read carefully. If it seems cheap, this is probably what’s being offered.

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How All-Inclusive Compares: Real Cost Analysis

Let’s do the math. On a standard full-board Blue Cruise, here’s what a typical couple might spend daily on drinks:

Item	Quantity	Price	Total
Bottled water (1.5L)	3 bottles	€2 each	€6
Soft drinks	4 cans	€2.50 each	€10
Beer (local)	4 beers	€3.50 each	€14
Wine with dinner	2 glasses	€5 each	€10
Cocktail after dinner	1 cocktail	€8 each	€8
Daily total per couple			€48
Weekly total per couple			€336

Add in tea, coffee, fruit juice, and the occasional round of drinks for new friends, and a couple can easily spend €400-500 per week on beverages alone.

Now compare all-inclusive pricing:

Season	Full Board (pp)	All-Inclusive (pp)	Difference
Low (Apr-May, Oct)	€370	€470	+€100
Shoulder (Jun, Sep)	€550	€670	+€120
High (Jul-Aug)	€750	€890	+€140

For a couple traveling in high season:
Full board + drinks = €750 × 2 + €500 = €2,000
All-inclusive = €890 × 2 = €1,780

You save €220 and never think about your bar tab. Even in low season, the math favors all-inclusive for anyone having more than 2-3 drinks per day.

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The Best Routes for All-Inclusive Blue Cruises

All-inclusive packages are available on most Blue Cruise routes, but some are better suited than others:

1. Bodrum – Gulf of Gökova – Bodrum (7 nights)

The classic route and most likely to offer all-inclusive. Calm waters, numerous swim stops, and evenings spent at anchor in beautiful bays—perfect for enjoying unlimited drinks without worrying about seasickness.

Highlights: Orak Island, Çökertme, Seven Islands, Sedir Island (Cleopatra’s Beach)

2. Fethiye – Kekova – Fethiye (7 nights)

The most scenic route, with visits to the sunken city of Kekova and the Blue Lagoon. Many operators offer premium all-inclusive here because it attracts more international travelers.

Highlights: Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley, Kaş, Kekova, Göcek

3. Marmaris – Ekincik – Marmaris (4 nights)

Shorter itineraries are increasingly offering all-inclusive to attract weekend travelers. Perfect for testing the concept without committing to a full week.

Highlights: Dalyan River (optional), İztuzu Beach (turtle beach), Kumlubük Bay

4. Turkey-Greece Combined (7-10 nights)

These require a Schengen visa but offer incredible variety. Port taxes (€50-210 per person) are still extra, but drinks are covered once aboard.

Highlights: Kos, Rhodes, Symi, Bodrum, Didim

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What to Expect On Board an All-Inclusive Gulet

The Bar Setup

Most all-inclusive gulets operate on an honor system or simple self-service arrangement:

• Coolers or small refrigerators stocked with beer and soft drinks
• Large water dispensers (5L or 10L) in the dining area
• A “bar corner” with local spirits, mixers, wine, and glassware
• Coffee machine or Turkish coffee pot available throughout the day

Some premium gulets have a staffed bar where the crew serves drinks—this tends to reduce waste and overconsumption.

Drink Quality

• Local beer (Efes Pilsen, Efes Dark, Tuborg Gold) is crisp, refreshing, and 5% ABV—perfect for hot days.
• Local wine varies dramatically. Mid-range gulets serve drinkable but unremarkable wine. Premium gulets offer better local labels from regions like Cappadocia or Thrace.
• Local spirits include Yeni Rakı (anise-flavored, similar to Greek ouzo), local vodka (often Burgaz or İzmir), local gin (Beefeater is imported; local options like İzmir Gin are improving), and local rum (rare—usually Captain Morgan or similar).
• Cocktails are basic: rakı with water and ice (the national drink), gin and tonic, vodka soda, screwdriver. Don’t expect mojitos or margaritas unless you’re on a premium gulet.

Consumption Culture

Turkish gulet culture is relaxed, not rowdy. Drinking is social—accompanying meals, conversation, and sunset watching—rather than an end in itself. The crew has seen everything and won’t tolerate excessive drunkenness that disrupts other guests.

Unspoken rules:

• Don’t waste drinks (it’s disrespectful to the crew and environment)
• Pace yourself—it’s a week-long cruise, not a single night
• Respect that some guests don’t drink at all
• Never bring your own alcohol (it’s prohibited and seen as deeply rude)

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Who Is All-Inclusive Perfect For?

✅ Great for:

• Social drinkers who enjoy 2-4 drinks daily with meals and sunset
• Couples who want predictable, upfront costs
• Groups of friends where everyone has different drinking habits (no arguments about splitting bills)
• First-time cruisers who don’t want to think about money on vacation
• Those on a strict budget who want to avoid surprise charges
• Travelers who dislike carrying cash (once aboard, you don’t need it)

❌ Probably not for:

• Non-drinkers or very light drinkers (you’re subsidizing others)
• Wine connoisseurs (local wine is basic)
• Cocktail enthusiasts (selection is limited)
• Those who prefer total silence and solitude (social atmosphere is part of the deal)
• People with alcohol dependency issues (unlimited access can be problematic)

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How to Choose the Right All-Inclusive Package

Questions to Ask Before Booking

1. “What specific brands are included?”
   “Local beer” could mean Efes (good) or a no-name budget beer (not good). “Local wine” could be drinkable or terrible.
2. “What are the service hours?”
   Some cut off at 22:00. Others serve until midnight. Know before you go.
3. “Are cocktails included, and if so, which ones?”
   Some packages include basic two-ingredient cocktails. Others charge extra for anything requiring a blender or fresh juice.
4. “Is bottled water included when going ashore?”
   On some boats, water is free on board but you pay €1-2 for bottles to take on excursions.
5. “What happens if the boat runs out of a certain drink?”
   Reputable operators stock for the full week. Less reputable ones might run out of beer by day 4.
6. “Can we pay to upgrade from full board to all-inclusive after boarding?”
   Some allow it (for the remaining days). Most require booking the package in advance.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Price too good to be true (€50 extra for all-inclusive? Something’s missing)
• Vague language (“selected drinks included” – selected by whom?)
• “Unlimited” with asterisks (check the fine print)
• No mention of brands (they’re probably serving the cheapest possible products)

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Sample All-Inclusive Menu (Actual from a Premium Gulet)

Beer

• Efes Pilsen (bottle, 330ml)
• Efes Dark (bottle, 330ml)
• Tuborg Gold (bottle, 330ml)

Wine

• Kayra Terra (red, white, rosé) – 1L carafe
• Doluca Sarafin (red, white) – premium option for dinner

Spirits

• Yeni Rakı (standard)
• Burgaz Vodka
• İzmir Gin
• J&B Whiskey (imported, limited)

Soft Drinks

• Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Fanta (orange, lemon), Sprite, tonic water, soda water, ginger ale

Non-alcoholic

• Bottled water (still, 500ml and 1.5L)
• Ayran (Turkish yogurt drink) – often available at breakfast
• Şalgam (fermented turnip juice) – an acquired taste!
• Fresh orange juice (breakfast only)
• Turkish tea (served all day in traditional tulip glasses)
• Turkish coffee (served all day)

Cocktails (basic, included)

• Rakı + water + ice
• Gin + tonic
• Vodka + soda + lime
• Screwdriver (vodka + orange juice)

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A Typical Day on an All-Inclusive Blue Cruise

Unlike an all-inclusive resort where you might feel pressure to “drink your money’s worth,” the gulet environment encourages natural, relaxed consumption. Here’s how a typical day flows:

08:30 – Wake up, grab Turkish tea from the bar (included), watch the sunrise over a new bay

09:00 – Breakfast with fresh orange juice (included)

10:00 – Morning sail. Grab a bottle of water (included) and find a sun lounger

11:30 – First swim stop. Swim to shore, then return to the boat for a cold Efes (included)

13:00 – Lunch with ayran or soda (included)

14:00 – Afternoon sail. The bar is open but most people nap or read

16:30 – Afternoon tea with cookies, plus Turkish coffee for those who want it

17:30 – Final swim stop of the day. Sunset beers appear around 18:30

20:00 – Dinner. Two glasses of wine (included) while the main course is served

21:30 – Post-dinner rakı on the foredeck under the stars

23:00 – Bar closes. Most guests head to bed, happy and hydrated (thanks to all that included water)

Total drinks consumed by an average guest on this day:
2 teas + 1 juice + 3 waters + 1 beer + 1 soda + 2 wines + 1 rakı = 11 drinks

Cost if paying separately: approximately €40-50
Cost with all-inclusive: €0 (already paid)

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The Financial Case for All-Inclusive (With Real Numbers)

Let’s compare two real 7-night Blue Cruise options for July 2025 on comparable gulets:

Option A: Standard Full Board

• Cabin price: €750 per person
• Estimated drinks per couple: €450
• Port taxes (if Greece route): €120 per couple
• Total for couple: €2,070

Option B: All-Inclusive

• Cabin price: €890 per person
• Drinks: €0
• Port taxes (still extra): €120 per couple
• Total for couple: €1,900

Savings with all-inclusive: €170

And that’s assuming no splurge cocktails, no late-night rounds with new friends, and no days when you’re extra thirsty. In reality, the savings are often €200-300 per couple.

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What the Crew Wants You to Know

I spoke with several gulet crew members while researching this article. Here’s their advice for all-inclusive guests:

“Don’t waste the water.”
“We provide unlimited water, but it comes from large jugs. Pour what you’ll drink. Watching someone fill a glass, take one sip, and leave it in the sun… it hurts.”

“Tipping is still appreciated.”
“Just because drinks are included doesn’t mean we’re not working hard. The cook, the deckhands, the bar server—we’re all still there. 5-10% of the cruise price is standard.”

“The all-inclusive doesn’t cover rudeness.”
“Most guests are lovely. But some arrive thinking ‘unlimited’ means ‘I can treat the crew like servants.’ It doesn’t. Kindness is free.”

“Turkish coffee takes time.”
“It’s not instant. It’s brewed slowly in a special pot. Order it 15 minutes before you want it, not when you’re rushing to leave for a swim stop.”

“We notice when you share drinks with non-all-inclusive guests.”
“Don’t. It’s stealing. If your friend didn’t pay for the package, they can buy their own drinks from the bar.”

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Best Operators for All-Inclusive Blue Cruises

While I can’t endorse specific companies (as offerings change yearly), here are the characteristics of reputable all-inclusive providers:

Look for:

• Transparent pricing – The all-inclusive supplement is clearly stated (usually €70-180)
• Specific brand names – “Efes beer and Kayra wine” not just “local drinks”
• Guaranteed departures – The cruise runs even with few bookings
• Online reviews mentioning all-inclusive – Look for recent feedback about drink quality and availability
• Written confirmation – Get the all-inclusive terms in writing before paying

Be cautious of:

• Extremely low deposits – Some operators collect deposits then cancel
• No online presence – A reputable gulet operator has reviews on multiple platforms
• Pressure to book immediately – Legitimate all-inclusive deals don’t require snap decisions
• “Call for price” listings – Transparency is a good sign; opacity is not

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Potential Downsides (Real Talk)

All-inclusive isn’t perfect for everyone. Here’s honest criticism from past guests:

“I felt pressured to drink more than I wanted.”
Some travelers report feeling like they need to “get their money’s worth.” Remember: you’re paying for convenience and predictability, not a drinking contest.

“The wine gave me a headache.”
Cheap local wine can be high in sulfites and tannins. Premium all-inclusive or bringing your own (if allowed) solves this.

“I missed trying local craft beers and specialty cocktails.”
All-inclusive menus are limited by definition. If you’re a beverage explorer, you might feel constrained.

“The bar closed too early.”
On many gulets, all-inclusive stops at 23:00. Night owls may need to pay for late-night drinks or go without.

“We were the only all-inclusive guests on a full-board boat.”
Some operators mix packages. Watching others pay for drinks while you get them free can feel awkward, both for you and for them.

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Is All-Inclusive Right for You? A Decision Flowchart

Do you drink alcohol?

• No → Choose standard full board
• Yes → Continue

Do you drink more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day on vacation?

• No → Standard full board may be cheaper
• Yes → Continue

Do you want to think about money while on holiday?

• Yes → Standard full board (keep a tab)
• No → All-inclusive is for you

Are you particular about wine, beer, or cocktail quality?

• Yes → Premium all-inclusive or standard full board with selective purchases
• No → Standard all-inclusive works

Do you hate carrying cash or signing drink slips?

• Yes → All-inclusive is perfect
• No → Either works

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Final Verdict: Book It or Skip It?

Book the all-inclusive if:

• You enjoy 3+ drinks daily (beer, wine, or cocktails)
• You want zero financial surprises on vacation
• You’re traveling with a group of varying drinking habits
• You hate carrying cash or signing receipts
• You’re on a tight budget and want costs fixed in advance

Skip the all-inclusive if:

• You drink little or no alcohol
• You’re a wine connoisseur or craft beer enthusiast
• You prefer total control over what you consume
• You’re booking a very short cruise (3-4 days) where the math may not work
• You’re traveling solo and unlikely to drink much

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The Bottom Line

An all-inclusive Blue Cruise holiday offers one of the best values in Mediterranean travel. For a modest premium over standard full board (typically €70-180 per person per week), you gain unlimited water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and often spirits—plus the priceless gift of not thinking about money while floating on turquoise water.

The math usually favors all-inclusive for anyone who drinks regularly. But beyond the numbers, there’s something special about handing over your wallet on day one and not seeing it again until you’re back on dry land. No tabs to settle. No awkward calculations about who owes what. No moment of shock when the final bill arrives.

Just you, the sea, a cold Efes in your hand, and not a single worry about the cost.

Note: All prices and policies mentioned are based on market research for the 2025 season. Always verify current offerings, terms, and visa requirements with your chosen operator before booking. The Turkish Riviera is waiting—and your next drink is already included.