NCL Cruises seem to back track on Premium All Inclusive cruising

If you follow my blog or social media pages regularly you will know that I love a bit of a tipple, especially a frozen cocktail and sneaky glass of vino in the late afternoon. When looking at cruise holidays I do take into account the cost of drinks packages or if the cruise lines are doing any promotions like free drinks etc. A lot of my customers are the same so almost always mention pricing a NCL cruise when looking at offers as they see the tag line saying ‘Premium All Inclusive’ with drinks, gratuities, and internet included. I do always try and advise people that this sometimes means there are that bit more expensive that other cruiselines as they are all in.

But more and more recently we have seen the prices of NCL creep up and I have found them to be more expensive than other lines – even if you factor in the costs of booking a separate drinks package and gratuites. They just don’t seem to be good value for money anymore.

It seems that the powers that be in NCL have had a complete rethink of this plan. They announced yesterday that they are scrapping the current Premium All Inclusive option and replacing it with a more flexible choice – Free At Sea.

Now, just to slightly confuse things to get the Free At Sea promotion, well you have to pay for it. So not exactly free but I still think it is great value all the same.

NCL actually operate this programme in all markets outside Europe, but will expand to the UK and Ireland, and the continent, from April 2.

For the Meager sum of £99 each customers can choose two of the following:

• A premium drinks package, worth up to US$99 per person, per day, including gratuities and service charges
• Speciality dining for three nights of a seven-night sailing, worth $89 per person, including gratuities and service charges
• Free WiFi, up to 250 mins per stateroom on a seven-night basis.
• US$50 dollars on board credit per stateroom, per port, to spend on shore excursions
• The third and fourth passenger in a stateroom, sails for the cost of taxes only (selected sailings only)

If you are lucky enough to be staying in one of the lovely stateroom classes like Haven, Concierge or suites you would automatically be eligible for all five.

They are saying the new fares will be lower and you still have all the normal benefits like the amazing Freestyle dining, entertainment, kids clubs etc but what is not included any more or even available to be one of the options you choose in the ‘Pick 2’ thingy are Gratuities. They are no longer included and can be added either before you travel or once on board. With so many cruise lines including these now, like Virgin Voyages, P&O and Marella, it just feels like a step back so we will have to see how this is received by the cruising world.

I would love to know what you think of this and if it would make you check out their cruises and products more in the future.