NCL join the All Inclusive early booking 2015 market

This week saw NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) announce that for bookings made from the 17th September to the 30th October, customers would be able to add an all inclusive package to their booking from as little as £215 per person.

The package itself includes the following:

• 5% Discount off the cruise fare when taking this Add On Package
• Ultimate Beverage Package – Ultimate Beverage package includes all draft & bottle beer, variety of spirits, cocktails, glasses of wines that are $10.00 or less and unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and Great Stirrup Cay.
• Ultimate Dining Package  – Ultimate Dining package excludes A la carte venues, Ocean Blue, Entertainment based dining (Cirque shows, Second City lunches, Nick breakfasts, wine lovers, Illusionarium)(** Dinner show included when booked on the first night**), and Chef’s Table, Applicable dining venues will vary
• Water Package – 6 Bottles of water including the Gratuities on the package
• 20 Photo Package – Any Size Photo’s
• Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Bottle Of Wine – Also includes the Gratuities on the Wine
• Internet Package  – 250 Minute internet package this also contains the start-up fee
• Bingo Session – 1 Bingo Session but contains 3 games of Bingo
• Pre-Paid Gratuities

It does sound a great offering with lots of inclusions, and obviously the cost of the packages do vary on the length of the cruise and also the sailing – so for a 3 night cruise the price would be £215 per person and up to a 14 night cruise where the price would be £735 per person (this would give a saving of £301 if you were to purchase all the items individually)

NCL seemed to have watched what their competitors ie Celebrity (123go promotion) or Royal Caribbean’s latest All Inclusive promotion, and have come up with their own. What do you think of the above would you use or want everything that is included? For me I would utilize everything apart form the chocolate covered strawberries as sadly i am allergic to Strawberries, and always up for playing a game of bingo. Also the photo package is good and would probably stop so many photos been thrown away by the photographers at the end of every cruise.

However is this taking away from what cruising is about? and now maybe attracting a different clientele from what used to cruise? Or is this just a movement with the times? and listening to what guests what?