More and more often, travelers are turning to all inclusive cruise deals as the way to get the most for their vacation dollars. But are these deals really the best way to get more for less? The answer is definitely maybe, and whether they are the best choice for you will depend on a variety of factors.

Even traditional cruise deals include everything a traveler could need for a wonderful vacation. They include the accommodations, dining, a variety of shipboard activities, and of course, the travel from port to port. Some cruises even offer some on-shore activities as part of the package, such as the use of a private beach (a popular option for Caribbean cruises).

But even with all the amenities offered in a traditional cruise, there are things that aren’t included. Many do not include beverages outside of meal times, and don’t include alcoholic beverages at all. They may include dining in the dining room, but not in some of the on-board restaurants, and they may not include snacks. There may be some shipboard activities that have an additional cost, or there may be fees for activities while on-shore. All these incidentals can add up quickly, and make all inclusive deals more attractive.

But is an all inclusive cruise a good deal? That will depend on what you want out of a cruise, what services or amenities you expect to use, and of course, the price difference between the traditional cruises and the all inclusive deals. Expect to do a little research before making a decision.

Make sure that you know exactly what is included in the package you’re pricing, whether it’s an all inclusive cruise or not, and then seriously consider which services or amenities that you will use. For instance, if you don’t drink or only have a cocktail at dinner, there’s no advantage to a package that includes wine and cocktails. If you plan to party the night away every night, though, a package that will handle your bar tab in the ship’s dance club is an excellent deal. No one will ever go hungry on a cruise depending “just” on the dining room, but if you want to eat every meal in a different restaurant on board, it makes sense to find cruise deals that include that option.

Go through the same comparison process when considering the activities offered, whether on-board or in port. Free snorkel lessons will go unused if you don’t like the water; the tour of the dungeons in the old Spanish prison won’t be appreciated by the claustrophobic. If your idea of the perfect day on shore is hanging out in a sidewalk cafe or browsing through the local shops, it’s a waste of money to pay for a planned activity, no matter how much of a bargain it is.

In the end, deciding whether all inclusive deals are a good value is going to depend on the needs and expectations of the individual traveler. It’s not a good value to pay for things that aren’t needed or won’t be used, so compare carefully. Gather your facts and then decide if an all inclusive cruise is for you.