drsel Posted June 21, 2018 #101 Share Posted June 21, 2018 We don't buy drink packages on Carnival or HAL because we don't drink that much. I do get free drinks in the casinos every time we cruise and the server gets a tip - I asked the casino hosts because I wanted to make sure he/she received a tip. So free is free there.Wow, how did you manage that? Which cruise ships offer free drinks in the casino? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsel Posted June 21, 2018 #102 Share Posted June 21, 2018 I suggest you don't take the offer and instead pay for the drink package plus the 20% gratuity on the price of the package. That way you won't feel you are being swindled. I hope that helps!That's hilarious! Thanks for the humor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Wheels Only Posted June 21, 2018 #103 Share Posted June 21, 2018 I am on the Sun in just under a month ... it's an open-bar ship so free drinks but it's not a "promo" ... I was going to bring cash to tip the bartenders but on an open-bar ship, are gratuities squeezed into my cost to sail somehow? You are charged a higher DSC. Norwegian Sky All-Inclusive and Norwegian Sun All-Inclusive (Port Canaveral sailings only) $22.99 USD per person per day for Suites $19.99 USD per person per day for all other stateroom types Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingNole Posted June 21, 2018 #104 Share Posted June 21, 2018 I am on the Sun in just under a month ... it's an open-bar ship so free drinks but it's not a "promo" ... I was going to bring cash to tip the bartenders but on an open-bar ship, are gratuities squeezed into my cost to sail somehow? I was on the Sun earlier this month. As another poster mentioned, the DSC is higher, $19.99/day. But yes, yes, yes, please tip those guys and tip them well for good service. From what I observed, they were the hardest working staff on that entire ship and also from what I observed, that sailing had some of the cheapest clientele I've ever cruised with. You should have seen how excited they were just to get $1 and treated with courtesy. It was sad, really. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinkat311 Posted June 21, 2018 #105 Share Posted June 21, 2018 You are charged a higher DSC. Norwegian Sky All-Inclusive and Norwegian Sun All-Inclusive (Port Canaveral sailings only) $22.99 USD per person per day for Suites $19.99 USD per person per day for all other stateroom types Thank you!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinkat311 Posted June 21, 2018 #106 Share Posted June 21, 2018 I was on the Sun earlier this month. As another poster mentioned, the DSC is higher, $19.99/day. But yes, yes, yes, please tip those guys and tip them well for good service. From what I observed, they were the hardest working staff on that entire ship and also from what I observed, that sailing had some of the cheapest clientele I've ever cruised with. You should have seen how excited they were just to get $1 and treated with courtesy. It was sad, really. :( Thanks!! I will still plan doing so!! kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstuff1 Posted June 21, 2018 #107 Share Posted June 21, 2018 I am on the Sun in just under a month ... it's an open-bar ship so free drinks but it's not a "promo" ... I was going to bring cash to tip the bartenders but on an open-bar ship, are gratuities squeezed into my cost to sail somehow? yes, baked into the cruise price. plus higher per day DSC/cabin tips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankees111 Posted June 21, 2018 #108 Share Posted June 21, 2018 I was on the Sun earlier this month. As another poster mentioned, the DSC is higher, $19.99/day. But yes, yes, yes, please tip those guys and tip them well for good service. From what I observed, they were the hardest working staff on that entire ship and also from what I observed, that sailing had some of the cheapest clientele I've ever cruised with. You should have seen how excited they were just to get $1 and treated with courtesy. It was sad, really. :( You are paying a higher DSC to sail on the all inclusive sun. Nothing wrong with throwing a few bucks to a bartender for exceptional service but I whole heartedly disagree that additional tipping should be expected, and not doing so definitely does not make one cheap. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankees111 Posted June 21, 2018 #109 Share Posted June 21, 2018 You are paying a higher DSC to sail on the alcohol all inclusive NCL Sun. Nothing wrong with throwing a few bucks to a bartender for exceptional service but I whole heartedly disagree that additional tipping should be expected, and not doing so definitely does not make one cheap. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare whitshel Posted June 22, 2018 #110 Share Posted June 22, 2018 "Free" is all in the marketing, here are 4 cruises, I just picked a random weekend after the holiday season with 4 nice but not newest ships in the respective fleets. Priced for 2 guests NCL Getaway 7 night western- $2912 including all taxes and service charges Rccl Allure of the Seas 7 night western-$1992 including taxes + drink package $924 (20% gratuity included)=$2916 Carnival Magic 7 night western. $1809 including taxes + drink package $918 (15% gratuity included)= $2727 Celebrity Equinox 7 night eastern $3574 including free bev package perk and taxes included Now the rccl and carnival bev packages are buying on the ship, $55 and $56.95 per day respectively plus gratuity. (you can both online cheaper but we're going to keep it on the ship) so NCL- $2912 "Free package" RCCL-$2916 a la carte CCL-$2727 a la carte CEL-$3574 "Free Perk" So it basically comes down to nothing is free, choose a ship and sail date that is right for you at the price you want to pay. Again I can bring up the Bliss and the Symphony and totally blow these prices up but I thought these 4 ships are pretty equal in age and or popularity among the respective cruise line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmexicoNita Posted June 22, 2018 #111 Share Posted June 22, 2018 You are paying a higher DSC to sail on the all inclusive sun. Nothing wrong with throwing a few bucks to a bartender for exceptional service but I whole heartedly disagree that additional tipping should be expected, and not doing so definitely does not make one cheap. Sent from my iPhone using Forums though we normally tip a few people extra including the bar staff I agree with you. This should not be expected and for those who do not, I certainly don't think they are cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatka Posted June 22, 2018 #112 Share Posted June 22, 2018 "Free" is all in the marketing, here are 4 cruises, I just picked a random weekend after the holiday season with 4 nice but not newest ships in the respective fleets. Priced for 2 guests NCL Getaway 7 night western- $2912 including all taxes and service charges Rccl Allure of the Seas 7 night western-$1992 including taxes + drink package $924 (20% gratuity included)=$2916 Carnival Magic 7 night western. $1809 including taxes + drink package $918 (15% gratuity included)= $2727 Celebrity Equinox 7 night eastern $3574 including free bev package perk and taxes included Now the rccl and carnival bev packages are buying on the ship, $55 and $56.95 per day respectively plus gratuity. (you can both online cheaper but we're going to keep it on the ship) so NCL- $2912 "Free package" RCCL-$2916 a la carte CCL-$2727 a la carte CEL-$3574 "Free Perk" So it basically comes down to nothing is free, choose a ship and sail date that is right for you at the price you want to pay. Again I can bring up the Bliss and the Symphony and totally blow these prices up but I thought these 4 ships are pretty equal in age and or popularity among the respective cruise line. Well.. Celebrity is premium mass market, so price is different to start with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsel Posted June 22, 2018 #113 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Yes, among the mass market lines, Celebrity and Princess are rated 5* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PTC DAWG Posted June 22, 2018 #114 Share Posted June 22, 2018 For non drinkers, the sail away cabins can be a real bargain..if location isn't that big of a deal. Me, I'll take the UBP.....but yeah, pick a cruise you like and take it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pghflyer Posted June 22, 2018 #115 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Yeah, none of the "free" stuff is really free but doesn't mean that it isn't valuable. On my latest cruise, I was surprised when my TA got me a substantially cheaper rate on a cruise by not having the "Distinctive Voyage" benefits included (who knew it was even an option to NOT have it!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsel Posted June 22, 2018 #116 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Yeah, none of the "free" stuff is really free but doesn't mean that it isn't valuable. On my latest cruise, I was surprised when my TA got me a substantially cheaper rate on a cruise by not having the "Distinctive Voyage" benefits included (who knew it was even an option to NOT have it!). What exactly is this '"Distinctive voyage" benefit in Norwegian and how do you know if your cruise has it?On our last Celebrity cruise, our OTA put us in the "Distinctive voyages" class as a loyalty gift. We were invited to an exclusive private cocktail party only for the DV guests and we also received a complimentary shore excursion with lunch in a 5* hotel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JamieLogical Posted June 22, 2018 #117 Share Posted June 22, 2018 What exactly is this '"Distinctive voyage" benefit in Norwegian and how do you know if your cruise has it?On our last Celebrity cruise, our OTA put us in the "Distinctive voyages" class as a loyalty gift. We were invited to an exclusive private cocktail party only for the DV guests and we also received a complimentary shore excursion with lunch in a 5* hotel. On Norwegian, Distinctive Voyages give you $50/port shore excursion credit, $100 hotel credit, up to $400 airfare credit, 250 minutes of internet, and a "phone package", which I have no idea what that is. These perks are combinable with any other Free At Sea perks you would otherwise be eligible for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsel Posted June 22, 2018 #118 Share Posted June 22, 2018 On Norwegian, Distinctive Voyages give you $50/port shore excursion credit, $100 hotel credit, up to $400 airfare credit, 250 minutes of internet, and a "phone package", which I have no idea what that is. These perks are combinable with any other Free At Sea perks you would otherwise be eligible for.How much more does it cost? Is it optional? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JamieLogical Posted June 22, 2018 #119 Share Posted June 22, 2018 How much more does it cost? Is it optional? There is no upfront cost associated with it, it is just available on select cruises. It sound like someone was able to *save* money by having their TA remove the perk from their booking though. I don't think you'd be able to count on that happening in the future or saving any specific amount of money by doing that. You would probably just have to talk to your TA or Cruise Consultant during the booking process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsel Posted June 22, 2018 #120 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Thanks. I think that Distinctive voyages has a website listing all the cruises in 2018 where it is available Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsel Posted June 22, 2018 #121 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Thanks. I think that Distinctive voyages has a website listing all the cruises in 2018 where it is available https://view.joomag.com/distinctive-voyages-2018-2019-affiliates-2018-dv-mag-nonengaged-afi/0970416001525720672?short Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsel Posted June 22, 2018 #122 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Thanks. I think that Distinctive voyages has a website listing all the cruises in 2018 where it is available https://view.joomag.com/distinctive-voyages-2018-2019-affiliates-2018-dv-mag-nonengaged-afi/0970416001525720672?short Only Celebrity, Holland America and the premium cruise lines like Oceania, Crystal, Cunard, Silverseas, etc are included. No Norwegian anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElaineKeagy Posted June 22, 2018 #123 Share Posted June 22, 2018 There is no upfront cost associated with it, it is just available on select cruises. It sound like someone was able to *save* money by having their TA remove the perk from their booking though. I don't think you'd be able to count on that happening in the future or saving any specific amount of money by doing that. You would probably just have to talk to your TA or Cruise Consultant during the booking process. I know you can get a much better rate if you opt-out of the FREE at Sea perks using the SailAway rate. Don’t see that option for Distinctive Voyages. Don’t know what makes some cruises Distinctive, but the perks are not always the same as what someone else posted. My last cruise was Distinctive and one of the perks was double points. So my points went from 18 to 36 and that moved me into Gold and positioned me for Platinum during my next cruise. And I had double shore excursion credits so that worked out well for me. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare broberts Posted June 22, 2018 #124 Share Posted June 22, 2018 I know you can get a much better rate if you opt-out of the FREE at Sea perks using the SailAway rate. ... As far as I can determine, the SailAway rate offers a very limited selection of generally poor cabin choices. This is what convinced me that the cruise line profits directly from the "Free at Sea" program. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgie562 Posted June 22, 2018 #125 Share Posted June 22, 2018 https://view.joomag.com/distinctive-voyages-2018-2019-affiliates-2018-dv-mag-nonengaged-afi/0970416001525720672?short Only Celebrity, Holland America and the premium cruise lines like Oceania, Crystal, Cunard, Silverseas, etc are included. No Norwegian anywhere. This is the correct link https://www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/distinctive-voyages Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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