What's Your Deal?
Published Wednesday, October 9th 2019 - Updated Monday, October 14th 2019I just learned our Cruise Planners Exclusive Pre-Paid Gratuities offer for select Royal Caribbean cruises to the Caribbean (Click HERE for more details) has been extended to Saturday, October 19!
If you're like my good friend Nick, who has tried other cruise lines but keeps coming back to Royal Caribbean for their unique approach that appeals to active adults and families, then you should follow his lead. He phoned in his deposit this morning to take advantage of the free gratuities offer.
But maybe you're more a fan of the Modern Luxury approach of Celebrity, and you always add a beverage package so you won't have a shocking bar tab at the end of your cruise. In that case, you should consider Royal Caribbean's upscale sister Celebrity which has their Beverage Package as an amenity choice. Celebrity's "Kids Sail Free" on select sailings promotions will continue until the end of October, as they try to pry some of that loyal family business from their sister line Royal Caribbean.
Another special scheduled to end on Halloween is Norwegian's "free or reduced air" from select gateways promo, but their "free at sea" seems to be continuing beyond that date, though the number of amenity choices for balcony rooms could go down at any time.
Yes, specials come, but they also go. Often, different promotions are being advertised on the same cruise line but for different destinations or embarkation dates.
All of these amenity choices from mainstream, large ship cruise lines that most of us are likely to choose for our next vacations have been introduced to lure clients by immitating different aspects of more expensive small-ship ocean cruises or river cruises.
Some deluxe lines like Regent Seven Seas, with all-Suite ships, include about everything imaginable, including Business Class Air for Alaska cruises in 2020.
Others like Azamara --- free pre-paid gratuities and free open bar on for every guest --- or Oceania --- "free" air and intenet plus one OLife choice from which you can opt out to save on price but lower value --- do a great job splitting the difference.
Most river cruises include lots of freebies including introductory excursions in each port, beer and wine with lunch and dinnner, and on board internet. Some like Uniworld take that a step further with completely open bar and as many excursions as you have the time and energy to take.
So what's your deal?
Let me know where you want to go, and I'll be happy to share what's available at the time you're ready to book.
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