No more All-Inclusive

Norwegian Cruise Lines have scrapped the All-Inclusive concept from it’s cruises. From next month they are taking it off and replacing it with a new pricing programme instead. The programme will be called “Free At Sea” and will replace the old Premium All Inclusive cruise. I think it had been coming as I don’t think Norwegian Cruise Lines were benefiting from it. The extra cost to include the drinks package and the gratuities made their prices not competitive comparing with the likes of Royal Caribbean, Princess and others. The new programme according to them will give passengers more flexibility to meet their individual needs. The ‘Free at Sea’ programme requires customers to pay £99 to access two benefits which the line claims are worth more than £700.

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)

I can see the point for doing that as some people are not interested in the drinks but may be after the speciality dining option and some have kids that will want to save money this way. Personally I think the drinks package will give you the highest value (if you drink that is) but it’s good news I think as now you can just tailor according to your own needs the package that suits you and hopefully that will reflect in the cruise prices as it may be more affordable to a lot more people. I do like the freestyle concept of cruising!