Norwegian scraps Premium All Inclusive

For 2 years now Norwegian Cruise Line has operated on the basis of Premium All Inclusive, Meaning a drinks package and gratuities would be included in the standard price.

Shortly after they also launched what was know as the just cruise fare, which excluded drinks and tips.

Well has this worked for them? No, since they have just announced that from 2 April they will be scrapping the current terms and replacing with Free at Sea.

Now 2 years ago, just before NCL decided to go all inclusive there was nearly always an offer running 3 for Free I think it was called, whereby you could choose tips, drinks onboard spend, dining package etc.

This will be replaced with whats known as “Free at Sea”

Giving guests the option to book the cruise on the standard full board price, but with the choice of 2 of the following for £99:

• 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)

Pretty good value I would say, providing the prices decrease somewhat from what they all ready are. NCL prices were in the higher priced range and so hoping this change will make a difference and open NCL back up to more bookings since this has declined since they went all inclusive.

In addition guests in the Haven suites will receive all 5 options as standard. Making the Haven very appealing.

The reasoning for this change is to try and give a fresh new promotion:

Vice President and MD for UK Ferrin said: “When we launched Premium All Inclusive it was really innovative. No-one else was doing it and it was very successfully endorsed. But as we’ve looked at it afresh, things have moved on. A number of competitors have copied elements so the message has become diluted. It’s not as strong an offer anymore, and was hard for us to differentiate.”

So I cannot wait for this exciting change to bring NCL back to the forefront as the ships as just spectacular.