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Actually, on our last cruise in Dec 2012, we did our usual inside guarantee. It was on Celebrity, and We also purchased (at a 10% discount) the lowest end all inclusive alcohol package. That package (which we made good use of and included specialty coffees) combined with the required daily service fees cost MORE than the cabin, taxes and port charges. Still, it was a very good cruise and still a bargain for what we paid and received.
We are not doing the liquor package on our next cruise. We figured it would not be worth it, but we are doing a new wine package NCL added about a year or so ago. They have been talking about adding a package similar to the liquor one, but with only wine and beer. That one we would take. So far it is just being talked about, maybe tried, but not cruise line wide.
I quite agree with you; however, I'd guess 95% of travelers cannot afford what you are describing. After all, I would estimate the cheapest cabin on what you describe would cost at least $2500/pp for 5-7 nights. If I'm wrong about that, please please please correct me.
Very wrong. Look at Windstar, they have seven night sailings starting at $1800 or so. They have a six night Barcelona to Rome next year that's currently only $1500. They are my favorite line. Elegant without pretense, great food, and very interesting ports that the big ships can't get into.
By the way, people can afford, they choose not to. I'd rather sail one week on a line like Windstar, Regent, or the Paul Gauguin than three weeks on an over crowded, nickel and diming, mass market line.
We are not doing the liquor package on our next cruise. We figured it would not be worth it, but we are doing a new wine package NCL added about a year or so ago. They have been talking about adding a package similar to the liquor one, but with only wine and beer. That one we would take. So far it is just being talked about, maybe tried, but not cruise line wide.
That MIGHT make me reconsider my refusal to sail NCL again. The people bringing Gatorade bottles filled with mixed drinks into the dining room just turned me totally off. They bragged about hiding the booze when they boarded.
That MIGHT make me reconsider my refusal to sail NCL again. The people bringing Gatorade bottles filled with mixed drinks into the dining room just turned me totally off. They bragged about hiding the booze when they boarded.
I know and it pisses me off as well. Every time I go to CruiseCritic and see that subject: how can I sneak booze on the ship, then all the answers makes me sick. Even if you have a way to get it on and yes, most of us know about rum runners, you don't flaunt it. BTW, it isn't just the tacky people on NCL that brag about smuggling the booze, it is cruisers on Carnival and RCI as well. Our first cruise on Princess, the first night, a couple at our table showed up with a glass of wine each they had brought on and a bottle hidden in her tote, so they wouldn't have to pay a corkage fee. Bringing it on to drink in your cabin? Fine, but not in the public areas and certainly don't brag about it. People have to understand, the 3 biggest money makers for the cruise lines are: casino, bars and excursions. They are in the market to make money, in case some of you have forgotten. I will add one more thing, It seems that the port of debarkation sometimes makes a difference to the class of cruisers.
Very wrong. Look at Windstar, they have seven night sailings starting at $1800 or so. They have a six night Barcelona to Rome next year that's currently only $1500. They are my favorite line. Elegant without pretense, great food, and very interesting ports that the big ships can't get into.
I'm not finding anything below $2K for 7 nights. And most are running $2500 for 7 nights. And I don't think that includes taxes, tips, wine with lunch/dinner, excursions, etc. Or am I looking at the wrong sites???
There would be tips and taxes added. You are allowed to bring on your own wine, although they will charge a corkage if you bring it to the dining room with you. We found that we only needed one, maybe two excursions in a week, many of their ports are small enough that you can DIY it. For example in Santorini we decided against the $90 ship excursion and spent the $5 or so for the cable car and then $7 or so (the Euro conversion) on a r/t public bus ride to Oia. We saw everything we wanted to see, took the bus back, had lunch at a cafe and used their wireless to check emails and such, and paid the $12 lunch tab. Total cost for the day was $25 total for both of us.
There are no extra charges for the alternate restaurants, all your food is included with no upcharges at all. They also have the sports platform that lowers when they are in ports where they can use it and there are no charges for any of the items except SCUBA. No charges for fitness classes. We cruised on a special with included wine and our on board charges were for spa treatments (I think I had five or six over the course of a couple of weeks) a couple shore excursions, and my husband ordered a couple of beers one day. Just keep looking for specials.
People have to understand, the 3 biggest money makers for the cruise lines are: casino, bars and excursions
I see this claimed often, and I'm curious if there's a source for it. I saw documentary that CNBC did on the cruise line industry (focusing on NCL), and one of the NCL executives stated that 75% of their income comes from the base cruise fare that the individuals purchase. The other 25% comes from alcohol, specialty restaurants, excursions, etc...
Oh I found it on NCL's website here. It's a pretty cool watch if you're interested in the industry and have 45 minutes to kill.
I see this claimed often, and I'm curious if there's a source for it. I saw documentary that CNBC did on the cruise line industry (focusing on NCL), and one of the NCL executives stated that 75% of their income comes from the base cruise fare that the individuals purchase. The other 25% comes from alcohol, specialty restaurants, excursions, etc...
Oh I found it on NCL's website here. It's a pretty cool watch if you're interested in the industry and have 45 minutes to kill.
This is valid for most mass market cruises. It is not valid for many premium and most luxury cruises.
I look for basically the same thing you look for. The next cruise I am going on, however, is the departure port. I'm saving a boat load of money (pun intended) on airfare because I can just drive to the port. Good food is important to me, however, I hate, yes hate dressing up. I am much more comfortable being casual, so the luxury liners are not for me.
I would never choose a cruise that had "mandatory" formal nights, like they used to have. I'd rather eat pizza in my cabin or hot dogs on deck.
I see this claimed often, and I'm curious if there's a source for it. I saw documentary that CNBC did on the cruise line industry (focusing on NCL), and one of the NCL executives stated that 75% of their income comes from the base cruise fare that the individuals purchase. The other 25% comes from alcohol, specialty restaurants, excursions, etc...
Oh I found it on NCL's website here. It's a pretty cool watch if you're interested in the industry and have 45 minutes to kill.
Don't believe it: Look at it this way: you pay, say, $1000.00 a person for an decent outside cabin or a balcony, depending on the ship and the itinerary. Some of that goes to port fees, which are generally about $150.00. Now you are paying $850.00 for the actually cruise. Think about the cost of food, ship maintenance, crew, entertainment, etc. There is no way this is correct. I think what he said, is true, as for the amount of income, but what he didn't say, was the amount of profit. Yes, the income for a standard cabin might be $2000.00 and your onboard charges might be as little as $500.00, but that is the part that is profit. The cost of the cruise is not. At least that is one way to look at it. So, he wasn't lieing, just giving a false idea of profit versus actual income. This is like saying the rental property I have gives me a $1800 a month income, what I am not saying is: that income is profit. BTW, I am going to watch the video if I can get my speaker to work...I may have seen it, but if not it will be interesting.
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