In a welcome trend, more cruise lines are joining the shift toward including all the amenities in their fares.
Holland America Line‘s new Have It All package includes shore excursions, beverages, specialty dining and Wi-Fi in one base cruise fare.
Meanwhile, Celebrity Cruises has started offering an Always Included package of Wi-Fi drinks and tips as part of its new standard fare. It includes unlimited classic cocktails, wines by the glass, beer, sodas, specialty coffees and teas, juices and bottled water, unlimited Wi-Fi and daily gratuities.
Celebrity also offers two extra-cost upgrade options. Elevate adds unlimited premium drinks and shore excursions up to $200 per person. Indulge includes the Elevate perks plus unlimited streaming Wi-Fi and up to $400 per person in on-board credit. All guests in The Retreat, Celebrity’s all-suite accommodations, will receive the same amenities as the Indulge package at no additional charge.
“After this challenging year, ease and peace of mind have become even more invaluable commodities,” explained Peter Giorgi, Celebrity’s vice-president and chief marketing officer. “People want to spend more time being inspired, not getting lost in a myriad of booking options.”
There is only one option in Holland America’s plan that’s available year-round on all itineraries six days or longer, except grand voyages. Have it All comes at a price of $99 per person, per day, for a seven-day cruise, but represents a savings of at least 50 per cent compared to purchasing the components individually, said HAL President Gus Antorcha.
It’s based on requests from regular cruisers and travel partners, who “overwhelmingly pointed toward one simple fare that included our top amenities,’” he added. Past promotions that offered the perks became extremely popular, so the package is now available all the time.
The inclusions increase with the length of cruise. On cruises of six to nine days, the package covers one shore excursion up to $100 value or $100 off any one tour for all travelers in a stateroom. The Signature Beverage Package includes up to 15 drinks per day, with service charges included; one night of specialty dining for all travelers in a stateroom and a Wi-Fi package for the first and second travelers.
Cruises of 10 to 20 days include all the extras for shorter sailings plus an additional $100 shore excursion or tour credit of $200 per guest total and two nights of specialty dining.
Cruises of 21 or more days, excluding grand voyages, include all the extras of shorter sailings plus an additional $100 shore excursion or tour credit of $300 per guest and three nights of specialty dining.
Every traveler in a stateroom must book the premium fare. Travelers also have the option of declining the extras and paying a non-inclusive standard fare.
Luxury cruise lines including Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn Cruises and SeaDream Yacht Club have been all-inclusive for a long time.
Several other lines are currently offering promotional amenities packages as perks to encourage bookings during the pandemic uncertainty. It’s likely that to stay competitive, they’ll follow the trends and offer fares that include at least Wi-Fi and a drinks package.
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