Norwegian Cruise Line Rolls Out Inclusive Fares for U.K. and International Passengers

[LauraS]

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Norwegian Cruise Line Rolls Out Inclusive Fares for U.K. and International Passengers

 

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[jocap]

How very, very sensible of NCL!

I was on NCL Jade out of Southampton in 2008. In those days, the only US ships sailing from that port were Sea Princess, and the brand new RCI- Freedom at first, then Independence, which was expensive. We spoke to many Brits who had only sailed with the UK managed ships- P&O, Fred, Thomson...and the whole idea of tipping, and expensive drink was annoying to them. Some thought that the ship had come from Norway, so couldn't understand how a European ship could charge such tipping prices. The much smaller amounts suggested by UK ships, or the tips included with Thomson, was what they expected. The queue for removals was long...

When RCI struggled to fill their new ships, they removed tips from drinks (included them in the price, though), and even added kettles to cabins... and the ships became popular.

As Europeans are used to paying the offered price for a holiday, NCL's decision will not come as such a shock to those who haven't heard of the American tipping way. The sooner all ships sailing from the UK move to more inclusions, the better!

[MicCanberra]

Cool, very cool indeed.

[Ray66]

U.K. holidaymakers booking a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line from April 6 will benefit from unlimited inclusive alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including a large variety of premium brands, as well as gratuities, rolled into the fare.

Not sure it's a good idea including unlimited drinks in the fare as this probably means they will have to increase fares. Which means people who don't drink much will be subsidising those who do.

 

I agree with putting gratuities into the fare price though. Cunard currently charge $11.50pp (£9) a day. And there again, people who remove the auto grats are being subsidised by those who leave them on.

P&O announced last week raising their grats from only £5 to just £6. Why is there such a big difference between the two amounts when both lines are owned by Carnival plc?

[jocap]

P&O prices seem to increase in spring- actually, they've been £5.50 this last year. They also increase the drinks prices, supposedly by checking pub prices outside of London. Again, we find them reasonable.

As for Cunard... the line seems to be more for US customers, which is why the prices are in $$ not ££. Americans are used to service workers not earning the living wage, and so tipping is the norm in their country to a much greater degree than in Europe and the rest of the world; Cunard is following that norm.

Just my opinion, though! :D:D

[Ray66]

The QM2 may have a lot of US customers but on the QE and QV there are mainly English passengers.

 

Fares and drinks are dearer on Cunard as well as auto grats.

[MicCanberra]

Why is there such a big difference between the two amounts when both lines are owned by Carnival plc?

My guess would be the differing levels of service and the staff to passenger ratio.