Norwegian to offer "All Inclusive"

[UPNYGuy]

Very succinctly put. :cool:

 

Terry, I think you have a great idea but it sounds like it would be too complicated for most people. The whole idea behind All Inclusive is "I don't have to think about it", as someone else noted.

 

And I don't think Haven guests are the target audience as dining in the Haven for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is similar to the quality/experience of dining at Cagney's. And that's at $30 pp, per meal. That and a cocktail and I'm good...:rolleyes:

 

Thank you for your comments, Annmeat. The cost for the H5 still makes me nervous, even though we got a remarkable price, as SissasMomE stated. Go girlfriend planners!!! ~:D~

 

kcwingwalker- I totally understand that changes like this can make us nervous and upset. I'm sending you a big hug. {{{^^}}} Somehow I know you'll be okay. :o;)

 

 

I'll agree to disagree that Haven guests aren't part of the target audience. ;). DW and I book in The Haven.

 

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Edited July 31, 2014 by UPNYGuy

[sparks1093]

I actually think the package would be much more attractive if it didn't lock you into what NCL decided was all-inclusive and instead let the customer choose. That is, if you paid the $899. or whatever price they set it at, and could, for example, select from a menu of things those that you wanted included in your package. So, instead of being forced to take UDP and UBP and 20 photos and 200 excursion credit, etc, if you wanted the package, you instead could choose from a list of pre-set menu options with assigned values up to a certain assigned value. I've seen menu options like this set up so that items of equivalent value are grouped together in columns and then you are told, for example, you can choose 1 thing in column A, 2 things in column B, and 3 things in Column C, etc. For example, the menu might include things like:

 

1) UDP ($120)

2) UBP (however much it costs)

3) UDP Enhancement Credit that can be used elsewhere (i.e., Ocean Blue, paid dinner shows, Noodle Bar)( 200?)

4) 200 shore excursion credit;

5) 250 internet minutes;

6) 20 photos (?);

7) Slot cash credit for casino (100);

8) Coffee and juice package (???)

9) some number of bingo games (?)

10 Vibe or Posh Pass (?)

11) Vibe or Posh Cabana (299)

12) Corks and Caps (?)

13) Spa Pass (?)

 

 

You get the idea. And then people could choose a combination that appealed to them that added up to a total pre-determined value. That would be sooooo worth it. But this is unsaleable to people who do not drink much, or have no interest in specialty dining, or do not do excursions, or do not drink soda etc....

 

Terry

 

I would find something like this to be much more appealing.

[mitsugirly]

I have only made it to page 3 and cc seems to be really slow tonight with my other post timing post before posted, so I'm a little aggrevated. I am subscribing so that I can come back tomorrow to read the rest. :)

[mitsugirly]

I have only made it to page 3 and cc seems to be really slow tonight with my other post timing post before posted, so I'm a little aggrevated. I am subscribing so that I can come back tomorrow to read the rest. :)

[Twelvevman]

I would only consider it if you could use the Shore Excursion credit in advance of the cruise. I would use it towards a cabana at GSC and that cannot wait until onboard to book.

[Warm Breezes]

Sounds like Apollo Management is making the first step to transition NCL from a mainstream cruise line to going all inclusive like their upscale Oceania Cruise Line that they hold a majority interest in. Very interesting announcement in what could be the future gameplan for NCL in the years to come.

 

I disagree with this. I see this as an addition to the "freestyle" cruise concept. IMHO freestyle is all about choices. In this case the choice would be to purchase "all-inclusive" or not. Over the years I have read of people asking for the "all-inclusive" option and/or complaining about being "nickled and dimed" because they didn't want to purchase things "a la carte" and this gives them the option to purchase an "all inclusive" package that they want.

 

If you book H1 at 10,000 per person, the discount covers the cost of the package. That was where I was going. And if you book in the H3 or H2 and are paying 4,500 per person (minimum) for 2 people, the package is basically half price.

 

Norwegian is aiming this at the top level Haven guests.

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I agree with this. My first thought when reading about the "all-inclusive" option was that this would be a no brainer if I were purchasing a suite or garden villa because the discount on the room would cover the majority if not all of the cost. Since I have not opted to go that route yet and many of the items offered are things we don't get anyways, this would not be a value added item for us....so our "freestyle" choice would be "no thank you." :D

Edited July 31, 2014 by Warm Breezes

[miataman19]

$1898 for 2 people. That's another 7 day cruise. Depends on the cruisers. Not worth it for us. I'll take another cruise...lol

 

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[TifffanyD]

Does anyone know if you have to pay for this right when you add it? Or can it be added onto your cruise price and paid off at final pay date? I know it's not available yet so noone can know FOR SURE but just wondering if anyone has heard anything about it.

[emcelh]

And I don't think Haven guests are the target audience as dining in the Haven for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is similar to the quality/experience of dining at Cagney's. And that's at $30 pp, per meal. That and a cocktail and I'm good...:rolleyes:

 

:o;)

 

Not all ships have a Haven Restaurant though, just the 3 newest and largest.

[poffles]

No, it doesn't include flight. It also doesn't include the stateroom itself.

 

You may already realize this, but I can't tell based on the fact that you're saying it doesn't include the flight.

 

LOL ... nope didn't realize didn't include stateroom. This is now hilarious to me, wouldn't get a second glance from me now realizing that. I think their reference to an "all inclusive" concept will be lost on most people.

 

WOW :eek:

[missdenise]

$1898 for 2 people. That's another 7 day cruise. Depends on the cruisers. Not worth it for us. I'll take another cruise...lol

 

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My thoughts exactly!

[cruzsnooze]

I like the concept but not the price. This particular all inclusive has items I wouldn't need like photos and water and alcohol . If I travel with friends it won't work unless they also bought into this package. For those of us who wouldn't drink more then 1 drink once in a while it just doesn't make sense.

Somewhere along the line NCL may have several packages so we can choose one that suits our individual needs. For now it's a good start for them to start something on this order IMHO. I like the concept but not the price.

[pe4all]

I like the concept but not the price.

Agree. With 4 adults in a cabin, an extra $7500+ on top of cruise fare is nuts. We spend no more than $600-900 total by the end of a cruise now. And 2 of our 4 can't drink due to medication issues. 1,000 minutes of internet time would be wasted - we usually use around 50 minutes per cruise. But some people may jump at this "deal." Nice of NCL to offer an option.

[Warm Breezes]

Agree. With 4 adults in a cabin, an extra $7500+ on top of cruise fare is nuts. We spend no more than $600-900 total by the end of a cruise now. And 2 of our 4 can't drink due to medication issues. 1,000 minutes of internet time would be wasted - we usually use around 50 minutes per cruise. But some people may jump at this "deal." Nice of NCL to offer an option.

 

Confused:confused: Where did the $7500 come from? Wouldn't 4 people at an additional $899 be $3596?? Then you need to knock off 10% from the room cost to get the net cost of the package.

Edited July 31, 2014 by Warm Breezes

[dna529]

$1898 for 2 people. That's another 7 day cruise. Depends on the cruisers. Not worth it for us. I'll take another cruise...lol

 

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This!

 

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[GrabMyWrist]

I keep seeing it repeated through this thread. It's $1798 not $1898.

[conandrob240]

It is priced too high. Unless you were going to buy all of those items, there is NO savings. The only scenario I can see it working for is if you were already going to buy a very expensive Haven suite anyway- with the 10%, might work out favorably. Otherwise, it is about $150 too high to generate many takers, IMO. And about $250-300 away from this being a real hit with cruisers. At $599 with a few of the dumb amenities removed ( who needs a bottle of wine when you have UBP?), these would be being booked by lots of people.

Edited July 31, 2014 by conandrob240

[GrabMyWrist]

We have two on the books. One at the end of this year and one next. I'm thinking I may try it out on my upcoming trip, provided I don't lose my OBC for rebooking. I did the math and it's a relatively decent deal.

 

$1798 for two people.

 

Here's a rough breakdown based on an average 7 day cruise.

 

1. Dining Package for 2 = $238.00

2. Beverage Package for 2 = $869.40

3. Shore Excursions for 2 = $400.00

4. DSC for 2 = $168.00

5. (2) 250 MB internet packages = $200.00

6. 20 photos = $400.00

7. Chocolate Covered Strawberries = $12.00

8. Bottle of wine = $25.00

9. 1 Bingo session = $20.00

10. 6 bottles of water = $25.00

11. 10% off the cruise fare = ???.00

 

In the case of my upcoming cruise, we are in a Suite. Our final cost for the Suite is $3319.00 and includes a $300.00 OBC.

 

Here's what we roughly spend on a cruise for two people, in addition to cruise fair.

 

Shore Excursions = $500.00

Alcohol = $500.00

Specialty Dining = $100.00

DSC = $168

-----------------

Total = $1268.00

 

Total cost of cruise plus add-ons = $4587.00

 

We would still have a $300.00 OBC, so could be $4387.00.

 

 

So now let's see if it's a deal for our cruise.

 

$3319 minus 10% = $3019.00

 

So now the base fair is $3019.00 plus $1798.00 for the package = $4817.00

 

We would still have a $300.00 OBC to use towards the Spa and other things. (Provided we don't lose it due to rebooking.)

 

Based on my rough math, and I do mean rough, here's what I figure.

 

For basically $500.00 more I can have the full meal deal and not worry about a thing after my cruise.

[pe4all]

Confused:confused: Where did the $7500 come from? Wouldn't 4 people at an additional $899 be $3596?? Then you need to knock off 10% from the room cost to get the net cost of the package.

Sorry - you are right. My bad with math!!:D Still too much when our average bill at end of cruise is 600-900 $$.

Edited July 31, 2014 by pe4all

[ChristinaN]

Any word yet if the pricing is the same for children?

[emcelh]

I doubt anyone at NCL expected a majority of cruisers to find this cost effective. It's just another option that may appeal to those that spend money on all of the included items anyway. You have to do the math and if you're going to spend the money anyway it may be worth it. It's no different that making a decision about buying the dining or beverage package. If no one bites, it will either go away or some changes will be made.

 

Once I took my mother in law to a dinner buffet. I paid whatever the charge was for her and she decided she only wanted a bowl of soup. It's sort of the same thing, if you're not going to eat, don't pay for the buffet.

[littlelulu01]

It will be interesting to see what the actual offer is. The survey I was sent had options for alcohol packages included and no alcohol packages included. I'm hoping for an option that excludes alcohol package.

 

The way it sounds like its going to be offered the average person would probably not be able to consume enough alcohol to make the beverage package worth it and still remember the cruise. Everyone eats meals while on a cruise but very few consume that much alcohol every day so a mandatory inclusion of all the alcohol you can drink is probably a deal breaker for most considering the package.

 

It's probably a smart idea to package it all together if your a big drinker and if in a suite or haven making it even more appealing with 10%, but for the average cruiser in a regular room I fail to see any value or success with sales for the majority unless they offer some sort of choice on which components we want.

 

Disney certainly has success with their dining packages and many people want all inclusive. Some people say they save a bundle with disney dining but for our last trip we spent whatever we wanted and ate quite well and spent less than half compared with their deluxe package.

 

I imagine if NCL offers a little choice in their AI offerings like Disney does it will be wildly successful and make them a great deal of money. I would certainly be interested if I had a little choice in the components, even if it meant I spent a little more.

 

I'm hoping for x amount of $ for UBP, and x amount for soda and juices. I'm not opposed to trying some of the cruise lines excursions. Seems like in recent years many people book on their own so this may be a way for the cruise line to recapture this group and lost revenue. Regarding the UDP it's nice to have the options even if they are not used every night.

[GrabMyWrist]

My PCC told me this morning that she has training regarding this promo tomorrow morning. She has no idea yet, what if any, promos are currently combinable with this offer.

 

She is going to email me as soon as her training is complete. :D

[pokerpro5]

This is a dumb offer, and unlikely to appeal to many, because it requires you to need usage of several major add-ons (shore excursions, UDP, UBP, internet) for every person in your party to be worth doing.

 

However, I am not understanding the hate on NCL for offering it (it doesn't affect you if you aren't interested), and I especially don't understand the comments like, "Maybe worth it if you're a suite passenger, but not an inside cabin passenger!"

 

Now, I can fully understand the argument that the typical inside passenger won't WANT it (because they are presumably cruising on a budget), but the value of this package is the same no matter where you are staying on the ship.

 

I think NCL would be best offering do-it-yourself inclusive packages, where you select beforehand which features you want, and it automatically prices it for you. This, in turn, will give the cruiser a bit of a discount on these items, while benefiting NCL because it forces them to pay in advance for things they otherwise decide against later. You know, kind of a prepay discount.

 

I would actually go for that, because I am 100% certain that I need certain things (UDP, internet) while 100% certain that I don't want/need certain other things (shore excursions, UBP).

 

I think "sun~" was correct in that they are going for the segment of the cruising population (maybe Europeans) who aren't carefully itemizing, but rather just want to feel like they are having an all-inclusive experience and don't need to think about individual costs.

Edited July 31, 2014 by pokerpro5

[pokerpro5]

I do find it hilarious that this was the result of their surveys.

 

The survey was a great idea, but I doubt that the collective results yielded, "Passengers want a rigid all-inclusive package which forces them into some of the most expensive add-ons, doesn't save them much, and is still leaving out major upcharge-services such as the spa."