Fred Olsen take a jump……

From 7^th March 2017 Fred Olsen cruise Line will be increasing the amount they charge to add on the drinks packages.  The price to now add on the all-inclusive drinks package will be charged at £15.00 per person per night, a jump of £5 per person per day.  If you are on a short break, then the new charge is £34 per person per night.  A short break is defined as cruises of 1 to 4 nights, I presume people tend to drink more on a short break cruise!!

So, what are the benefits to passengers for this price increase?

Guests can enjoy an increased choice of house wines with a choice of 3 red, 3 white and 3 rose.  Additional beverages include an Irish Whiskey liqueur and a “Bar Managers Special”, an additional benefit is to those passengers that have already paid the drinks package will also have these extra choices.  Also, any passengers that are booked on the festive sailings will now be able to benefit from the new cost of £15.00 per person per day instead of the original cost of £29 per person per day.  Don’t worry if you have already paid the £29 per person per day festive sailings, Fred Olsen cruise lines will refund the difference before sail.

Increasingly cruise lines are now including the cost of drinks at the time of sailing, but does this appeal to all passengers?  I would love to know your thoughts on this.  Me personally I think it suits some passengers but not everyone, there are people who cruise that do not purchase drinks on board, they are happy to stay with the drinks they serve at the drinking stations on board, where you can get water, tea and coffee and juices (at breakfast time), surely these passengers are being penalised at the time of booking when the cruise lines advertise a “free drinks package”.

What are your thoughts to this increase?