Is this the way forward?

NCL have recently announced that they are going completely All Inclusive.  Yes that is right!  Every cruise with NCL going forward will include the all inclusive drinks package and also your gratuities.  I really feel this is a good move for NCL as most of the time now all passengers want are drinks packages.  Other cruise lines do offer promotions at the moment with free drinks but to go All Inclusive with every ship and every sailing as standard I really think will help NCL stand out from the crowd.  I wonder if this will become a standard thing for all cruise lines.  it will be interesting to see if other cruise lines follow in NCL’s footsteps.  At the moment cruise lines use the All Inclusive drinks package as part of their promotions.  As NCL are now All Inclusive and include the gratuities I wonder whether we think the prices will reflect this?  After all cruise lines don’t give away anything for nothing.  I personally feel that it is great to have your drinks and tips included as you know then where you are at on board with spending money as drinks prices and tips really put on to your on board account.  I think that at least now you know what is paid for and my only expense would be speciality restaurants and excursions.  NCL don’t have any mandatory formal dress nights and being able to eat where you like, when you like it has been a good option for people who don’t find the more traditional cruise line styles appealing.  I have travelled with NCL quite a few times myself and they really are a lovely cruise line.  I wonder if going All Inclusive as standard will attract a different cruising crowd or if they will have any problems with guests maybe drinking too much?  I am quite keen to see how this goes down with passengers and lets watch this space, maybe all cruise lines will go this way.