BREAKING NEWS FROM NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES – NCL.

NCL Escape in Southampton in 2015

Today marks a moment in the history books for Norwegian Cruises Lines or more so known as NCL.

From the 6^th April, onwards any cruise that you book with NCL will be Fully Inclusive, so you will as standard have the Drinks Package included which includes the Service Charge but not only this the Tips will be included as standard. This does appear to mean that they cannot be removed but they are built in to the fare, so it’s a bit different than before when they are added on to the cruise fare.

‘Every Ship, Every Sailing, Every Duration will be All Inclusive!’

This will only apply to new bookings and not existing ones unfortunately.

Thomson Cruises has this policy and its works really well so I am pleased that other cruise lines are now branching out and doing the same, this stops the issues around when is best to tip, how much and also means that the staff should be earning more, which happy crew makes for a happier environment when you get on board, doesn’t it?

They have said that the Drinks and Tips will be built in to the package, so these are not Free packages like they have at the moment, although nothing is rarely completely free and would have been worked in to the price, but if people believe they are getting something for free, there is more appeal to book. So, I would imagine prices would not change too much on what they are known.

So NCL will now be Freestyle Cruising All Inclusive! So, all you need to pay for is any additional shore tours, Spa Treatments, Speciality Restaurants and anything you buy from the shop on board so it will be possible to do a Cruise with NCL and not pay a penny out and after all we all know how quickly bar bills can build up.

I just hope this won’t turn NCL ships in to Boozing ships and change the Experience of Cruising with NCL, as typically it’s a very relaxed and chilled out affair.

Personally, I think this will be one of many to follow, and I believe we may see similar things going on with Celebrity and Royal Caribbean in the not to distant future.

When you book a cruise, is the drinks package enough to make you book?