Celebrity Cruises Goes All
11/11/2020, 7:00 PM
When travel collapsed, one of the first things that happened was the airlines;stopped playing some of their petty pricing games with customers.;
Suddenly, when they realized they needed us, airlines wanted to be our friends. Cancellation fees were dropped. Then change fees went out the window. ;
Now that the cruise lines are gearing up to restart vacations in the United States, it’s cruising’s turn to play nice.
Celebrity Cruises has announced that when it returns to service, all passengers will automatically be enrolled in the new “Always Included” program. Beginning November 17, two Wi-Fi logins per stateroom, both alcoholic and nonalcholoic beverages, and gratuities will be part of everyone’s standard cruise fare. Normally, all those things are charged separately.
The standard package entitles passengers to basic Wi-Fi and “classic cocktails, wines by the glass, beer, sodas, specialty coffees and teas, juices and bottled water,” according to the official FAQ. Here, “classic” pretty much means no top-shelf booze. The;Celebrity website;goes into detail about which kinds of alcohol are included; it’s a decent list that would satisfy the general public.;
Connoisseurs can pay another $30 a day for the Elevate add-on that buys them more bandwidth for streaming video and access to the premium hooch.
What Is A Package Holiday
A package holiday is where transport, accommodation and other extras are packaged and sold together by a travel agency.
Often there are special rates and discounts applied to make it more appealing and sometimes extra services may be added like a rental car, activities or massage vouchers. But unlike all-inclusive packages, you will need spending money in addition to these basic costs. Working out how much to save for your holiday doesnt need to be complicated, just read our guide.;
Play Travel
The Price Of Your Cruise Includes Accommodations Onboard Activities And Entertainment Most Meals And Snacks Onboard And An Itinerary Featuring Popular Ports Of Call
Accommodations
Staterooms vary by ship, with sizes and configurations to meet different budgets and needs.
Onboard Activities and Entertainment
Onboard activities may include a fitness center, shopping, a full-service spa, a casino, swimming pools, recreational attractions, enrichment programs, guest lecturers, a supervised youth program and more.
Most Meals and Snacks
Cruise lines differ in their dining options, but generally offer a range of choices including fixed-time dining, flexible-time buffet dining, and room service.
Ports of Call
Itineraries are designed to include some of the most celebrated, scenic and culturally enriching places in the world.
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What Are The Benefits Of All
- No surprise bills
It can quickly add up if youre ordering daily sunset cocktails or ice creams for the whole family. When you know the cocktails are included, and the kids can help themselves to as much food as they like, it brings peace of mind.;
- Great for the time-poor booker;
If you dont have the time or inclination to micromanage your next trip, being able to book your entire holiday in a few clicks saves you a lot of time . With all-inclusive packages, you wont need to plan activities to suit the multiple interests of your family or fellow travellers. Instead, they can just choose for themselves from the dizzying array of options once youre there.;;
- Safety comes with certainty
Visiting a country that has a history of street crime? It may be safer to stay within your all-inclusive resort and enjoy all it has to offer. Plus, you can be sure they wont take you anywhere too hairy for any out-of-resort activities too. If feeling very safe while travelling is a priority for you, check out our look at the safest places to travel in the world.;
- Its a great way to make friends
All-inclusive holidays are great for socialising. Youll be on a vacation with like-minded people who are into the same things you are , so you can all take part in the activities, entertainment and meals together.;
Youth Programs And Child Care
Each Carnival ship has several supervised youth programs, created especially for children of various age groups. Kids from 2 to 11 can enjoy activities at Camp Carnival. It is open day and at night so parents can leave their children in protected care and take some time for themselves. Carnival’s teen hangouts include Circle “C” and Club 02, which allow kids 12 and older to interact with one another, have video gaming tournaments, or dance to the latest music and have fun.
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The Pros And Cons Of A Drinks Package
Does it make sense to buy a drinks package if you arent offered one as a booking incentive? The quick answer is that it depends.
The first thing you should do when considering a drinks package is carefully think through how many drinks you normally order while on vacation.
Drinks packages on ships often are quite pricey, and they only make sense if youre a big spender on drinks a really big spender. Carnival, for instance, charges as much as $59.95 per person, per day for its Cheers! drinks package. Royal Caribbean drinks packages sometimes cost as much as $89 per day. One Norwegian drinks package is over $120 a day. These packages only make sense if you routinely spend more than those amounts on drinks on a per-day basis.
If youre a beer drinker, the packages generally are not a good deal. Its better just to pay for beer as you go. On Carnival ships, for instance, many beers cost $6.25. Youd have to order more than nine beers a day at that price for Carnivals Cheers! package to start paying off.
The packages make better sense for wine drinkers, as the cost of wine by the glass on cruise ships often is high. Wines by the glass on Carnival ships range from around $8 to $14. At the higher end of that spectrum, youd have to order five glasses a day for the package to start paying off.
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That means the packages make the most sense for passengers who consistently order a large number of drinks from day to day.
What Is Included In A Carnival Cruise
Compared to 7-day resort stay, Carnival cruises can save travelers more than $1,000 per vacation.
When taking a cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines there are a variety of activities that are included. In fact, they are mostly all-inclusive, with a majority of the expenses incurred for a Carnival cruise vacation already included in the price. This includes things such as accommodations, dining, entertainment, activities and youth programs. Sometimes, there are additional offers that can provide passengers with additional on-board credits, free cabin upgrades and savings on shore excursions. Things that are included in your ticket.
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What Restaurants Are Included On The Marella Discovery
Not all Marella ships have the restaurants below, this bit is based on my experience of the Marella Discovery.
47°
47° is the main restaurant onboard the Marella Discovery. We ate here loads of times and never had a bad meal. The dress code is smart and men are asked to wear a polo shirt or collared shirt. The dress code seems pretty relaxed and the atmosphere in the restaurant was always friendly. You could happily eat here every day of the cruise. The restaurant is also open for lunch during sea days.
Are Cruises All Inclusive
Cruises are all-inclusive. Meals, limited drinks and accommodation are all included in the base cruise fare. There are a number of exclusions, alcohol, gratuities, excursions, WiFi and speciality meals usually cost extra.
A premium cruise line is more likely to market itself as all-inclusive but even luxury cruise lines are rarely truly all-inclusive.
Some cruise lines will have all-inclusive upgrade promotions or will market themselves as all-inclusive despite having exclusions. River cruises are traditionally more inclusive than ocean cruises.
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Why Buy A Norwegian All
Mostly, because youre on vacation! ;With any one of Norwegians beverage packages, you wont have to reach for your wallet or mentally tally how much youve spent on booze. ;Theres not a much worse way to end a cruise than to get the final bill and go into shock for what youve spent on drinks.
But, if you dont think you can drink enough to break even, then even for the convenience, its not worth it. Basically, with the least expensive Premium Beverage Package, youd have to put away close to six to ten drinks a day to even the score. ;While this doesnt include certain Lavazza specialty coffees, bottled water or fresh juices, you can get your drinks at any bar or restaurant onboard plus its good at Norwegians private island, Great Stirrup Cay. ;
Norwegian offers five drink packages. They range from just about every ultra-premium brand an adult could request down to two kids unlimited soda programs. ;
Fare Structures For Cruise Food And Fun
Looking for some rest and relaxation on your next vacation? If so, a cruise can be your ticket to an exotic getaway that offers everything you need to have an enjoyable journey. While these floating hotels offer some of the best bang for your buck on the travel market, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of your next off-shore adventure. Something to consider is whether to sail on a traditional cruise or an all-inclusive cruise. While many cruise lines tout an array of amenities, not all provide the same complimentary services.
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Azamara Cruises Include Alcohol
Cruises with Azamara include some beers, wines, and selected spirits. The drinks are available all day but are not available to order through room service.
There are two packages that you can upgrade to a premium package and an unlimited package. These packages allow you to have a much wider choice of drinks. That said, you could quite happily cruise with Azamara and not spend another penny on drinks.
What Alcohol Is Included On Marella Cruises
- Draught Beers
- Aperitifs, Liqueurs, Ports and Sherries
- Gins, Vodkas, Rums and Tequilas
- Whiskies and Brandies
Soda, juices, and mocktails are also included.
To see the full list of the drinks available on Marella cruises check out the post here:;
What Alcohol isnt included?
When cruising with Marella it is possible to upgrade to a premium beverage package. This costs £50 a week and means you can have premium spirits, soda by the can instead of fountain soda, and premium teas and coffees.
Drinks packages on other cruise lines can cost in excess of £50 per day so £50 for a week is an absolute bargain.
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Sticker Shock On Mass
Many unsuspecting passengers discover that quite often especially on the big mass-market ships ;soft drinks, bottled water , alternative dining venues, shore excursions, ground transportation to and from the ship, certain exercise classes like yoga and Pilates, Internet service, tips, ship-to-shore phone calls, and in some cases even ice cream that is dished out on deck, all come with an added fee. Some lines charge fees for use of certain areas of the spas treatments are always extra unless you purchase a special package.
I’ve seen parents suffer final bill shock when discovering their little tykes spent a small fortune at the ice cream parlor on one ship. Another couple argued vehemently with the purser about a $400 phone bill for calls made from their stateroom. Many passengers think juices and sodas are courtesy, but on some ships they are not.
So before plunking down that credit card for your cruise deposit, ask your travel agent, call the cruise line or go to the website to see what you get for what you pay, even when youre told its all-inclusive. While the mass market cruise lines sometimes roll out all-inclusive specials, generally all-inclusive pricing refers to sailings on luxury or boutique ships.
Find Out If Cruise Drink Packages Are Right For You
When youre planning a cruise, theres a lot to think about including whether or not to get a cruise drink package. Are all-inclusive cruises;the best deal for you? Going on a cruise means relaxing, sitting by the pool, enjoying live music in the lounge, and dining in wonderful restaurants. All these settings seem to go better with a drink.
How much do drinks coast on a cruise? Drinks can be expensive, and your daily tab can add up fast. All inclusive cruises or a cruise drink package might be right for you if you intend to relax and enjoy the celebration mood that accompanies a cruise vacation. Here at CruiseExperts.com, weve done some research to help you decide whats best for the cruise you plan.
Victor and Pat C.
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Best for: People who can afford to splurge
Making the claim of having the worlds most luxurious fleet is bold, but year after year, Regent Seven Seas delivers on that promise on each of their five ships. The fares wont be within everyones reach, but everyone who is on board will be treated to a truly first-class experience with practically everything covered under Regents expansive all-inclusive program.
Whats included: Round-trip airfare , pre-cruise overnight hotel stays, airport-to-ship transfers, 24-hour room service, open bar, gratuities, Wi-Fi, laundry service, and unlimited shore excursions.
Where you can cruise: Regent Seven Seas cruise ships sail to exotic destinations all over the globe, from Alaska to the Caribbean in North America, and Europe, Australia, and Asia. Perhaps best of all, this cruise line offers two-for-one fares, making once-in-a-lifetime luxury possible on an all-inclusive cruise. Just be aware, though, that there are a few things you wont be able to do on cruises in our post-COVID world.
How To Snag A Free Drinks Package
Most big-ship lines offer one or more drinks packages for an extra charge but you might be able to get one of the packages for free. Some big-ship lines will throw in drinks packages for no extra cost as a perk during limited-time booking promotions.
The line perhaps best known for throwing in free drinks packages as a booking perk is Norwegian. Norwegian seemingly always is running some variation of its Free at Sea promotion that brings a choice of a free drinks package, free specialty dining, free excursions and other perks. Depending on the cabin category you book, you can get one or more of the freebies thrown in.
Other lines that sometimes run promotions with free drinks packages include Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Holland America.
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How To Get Aroundthis
Booking with certain cruise lines are a sure way to get themost amenities for your money. For example, companies like Carnival, Norwegian,Holland America as well as Royal Caribbean are known to provide one level up intheir all-inclusive experience. These upgraded cruise packages include alldrinks and also provide travel to and from the cruise ships from your hotel.Some cruise lines even include full use of the spa. If you opt in for a luxurycruise , gratuities to all staff are typicallyincluded in the price of your trip. The downside to luxury cruises are theschedule tends to be more rigid and the activities and excursions are plannedfor you and set in stone. There arent many opportunities for exploring on yourown. Its something to consider when youre planning your trip.
An all-inclusive cruise may sound good on paper, but youhave to make sure you understand what this type of vacation will mean for you.Decide if you want to book a cruise and pay out of pocket for extras or pay ahigher price up front and enjoy a truly all-inclusive experience. It might endup averaging out in the end. Do your research, be realistic in your planningand find a cruise that maximizes your money and the number of activities youcan do. In doing so, youll ensure an unforgettable trip for you and yourfamily.
Transportation To An All
All-inclusive resorts more than likely will require an international flight to get there. Luckily you dont have to fly far. Many travelers from the U.S. choose to vacation in the Caribbean, where paradise awaits within a two-hour flight from U.S. shores. The beautiful palm fringed beaches of The Bahamas, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Barbados and Turks & Caicos are just around the corner. Fortunately, airport transfers are often included in the all-inclusive package.
Verdict on transportation: Although it only takes a couple of hours to fly from the U.S. to the Caribbean, cruise wins. Cruise vacations often dont require an international flight and might even be on driving distance if youre living near one of the port cities.
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Feel The Competitive Edge
When you’re looking at your upcoming vacation options at all-inclusive cruises or resorts, a ton of questions might come up. How will the quality of the all-inclusive package be? Is everything really included? Am I going to have to fork over a bunch of money to do all of the super-cool onboard activities? Luckily, when you board a cruise and seek out amazing activities, sports and adventures, there are no surprises. Are you interested in zip-lining over the Boardwalk? That’s included. Are you hoping to catch a wave on the surf simulator? You can try as many times as you’d like. Do you want to get a view of the horizon from the best spot possible? Then climb to the top of the rock-climbing wall to experience it. Are you hoping to spend a whole day beating your buds at laser tag? The best out of three wins! Are you interested in getting dizzy on the bungee trampoline? The world is your oyster. And that’s all because the possibilities for fun are endless while you’re onboard. But what about when you get to the port? Make sure to book an excursion ahead of time for the best possible prices . Choose from incredible cruises that include hands-on activities and incredible excursions. Spot breaching whales in , or fly high on a flightseeing adventure over misty fjords in Ketchikan. Take the whole gang on an epic expedition you’ll be bragging about for decades.