What “included” actually includes

Five things sold with a price attached, and what that price does not cover. The gap is where a holiday budget goes wrong, and it is the part most sellers are not incentivised to explain.

All-inclusive

Usually covers: Three buffet meals, local-brand soft drinks, beer and spirits, and usually a snack service through the afternoon.
Usually does not: Imported spirits, most cocktails, wine beyond the house pour, à la carte restaurants beyond one or two "free" visits, bottled water outside the restaurants, the spa, and motorised watersports.

Ask this: Which bars and restaurants are included, and which drinks brands? Not "is everything included".

A hotel day pass

Usually covers: A lounger, the pools, the beach and often lunch, for a set price.
Usually does not: Drinks, in most cases — which is where the day’s real cost hides — and sometimes the towel deposit.

Ask this: Does the price include drinks, and which ones? Confirm it at the desk, not with the person selling on the beach.

A dive package

Usually covers: A number of dives with tanks and weights, guide, and the boat.
Usually does not: Kit hire, marine park fees, port fees, nitrox, and the boat tip. On a week these are a substantial addition, not a rounding error.

Ask this: What is the total for the week, all fees and kit included, for the number of dives I will actually do?

An excursion

Usually covers: Transport, a guide, and often a lunch.
Usually does not: Site entry tickets — which on a Luxor day are the largest single component — drinks with lunch, and the tips at each stop.

Ask this: What is not included? Ask it in exactly those words.

An airport transfer

Usually covers: A private car from the terminal to the hotel door.
Usually does not: Anything you could not have arranged in five minutes on arrival for a fraction of the price, on the Hurghada–El Gouna corridor at least.

Ask this: Is this cheaper than a ride app for this route? For the far south it usually is; for Hurghada it usually is not.