Norwegian Sky to become all inclusive!

[susique]

Our 4 day cruise for May 2016, booked in February increased by $150 pp.

[janpo]

I had started a thread about this earlier,left, came home and the entire thread is gone. What happened to it?

[halos]

Do you seriously believe that NCL is not going to make money on this all inclusive promo? They are not doing it out of generosity to the cruising public. They are going to make a profit on it.

 

Nothing wrong with that. It's what they are in business to do. If I were one that could drink several hundred $$ worth of booze on board I might come out a little ahead. But the moderate or light drinkeys are going to be subsidizing the others. And they as much as admitted in the quote in the CC article that they expect the end result of this to be higher fares.

I agree with you totally.

 

I wouldn't like to pay a higher fare for all inclusive beverages myself, but I wasn't one of the ones who complained about being nickeled and dimed either. I never understood that complaint at all. I thought it was great to pay a fair cruise fare and then add what I wanted, when I wanted. I love having OPTIONS.

SO many people wanted something where they weren't 'nickeled and dimed' but I guarantee that those that felt nickeled and dimed are going to look at the fares on this ship and complain they are too high. What they want is free booze for actually next to no cost and that is never going to happen.

 

I do think that shorter sailings with included alcohol will basically be booze cruises and that will appeal to some. As long as NCL doesn't do this fleet-wide, it's all good. There are a lot of other ships to sail.

Edited April 22, 2015 by halos

[arb3]

I bet this won't last long. These short itineraries were already drunk fests when people had to buy their own booze. If it is now included, I can only imagine how drunk some people will get! I wonder how long it will take some drunk idiot to fall overboard!

[TwizzlersAddict]

Our 4 day cruise for May 2016, booked in February increased by $150 pp.

 

You mean since the time of the announcement?? Or since February and yesterday?

[Kingmaker_inc]

So with MDR and Buffet NCL is becoming all inclusive on the Sky. My guess is that at least half the people on these boards will make that into a negative. Sorry Andy Stuart you can't win. Has anyone confirmed higher fares yet?? Umm I am guessing no. But let the negatives begin.

.

 

I checked the 2016 version of our 2015 Sky cruise... it has gone down by $120.00 BUT mine includes the UDP, UBP, Excursions Bonus and Prepaid DSC.

[bobg529]

One plus I DO see, is that you can book an inside cabin and still get the deal, which is not true with the Freestyle Choice offerings. Depending on where the prices go tomorrow, you may be able to get on a pretty good bender for cheap. Just do freebies only for four days, then crash in a cheap motel for a night, and then maybe sail out for a week on the Escape. I figure 4 nights on South Beach will cost me much more than 4 days in an inside cabin on the Sun. A hangover is always easier to deal with in a dark room anyway. :rolleyes:

[susique]

You mean since the time of the announcement?? Or since February and yesterday?

 

Went up two weeks ago. Same thing happened on our Getaway cruise in March. We booked a suite in October, before the promos, then watched the price climb $2700 more, then presto, "free UBP, UDP and OBC". They get more money. They have to. Not saying it is bad. Remember last summer or so? They emailed out those surveys and I guess lots of people said they would pay for these items.

 

I live in South Florida and we have a lot of fun on the Sky. It's a great little getaway for my twin sister and myself. We have done two 3 day. There was a lot of partying around the pool deck. Just a few drunks. Those videos are spring break and they happen on all ships. The one we are taking next May is a four day, when school is in.

[SissasMomE]

Lovely :rolleyes:

[dna529]

I really don't get why people think the Sky is a booze cruise. We sailed her two weeks ago and I did not see the first drunk person. Met some really nice families and the staff was great!

[SissasMomE]

I really don't get why people think the Sky is a booze cruise. We sailed her two weeks ago and I did not see the first drunk person. Met some really nice families and the staff was great!

 

We've never had an issue either. We weren't on during spring break though ... and the shorter cruises do tend to be booze cruises.

[ncklhaus]

This is the email I received copied and pasted:

 

 

 

 

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE INTRODUCES ALL-INCLUSIVE CRUISING, NOW WITH FREE UNLIMITED PREMIUM OPEN BAR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning January 2016 all guests sailing aboard Norwegian Sky will enjoy an even more all-inclusive cruise experience with dining, entertainment and now free unlimited beer, wine and premium spirits included. Whether they choose white or red, shaken or stirred, on the rocks or straight up, Norwegian Sky guests will revel in the freedom and flexibility of the most inclusive contemporary cruise vacation at sea.

 

 

 

"We're taking Freestyle Cruising to the next level to provide our guests with an experience unmatched by any other contemporary cruise line," said Andy Stuart, president and chief operating officer for Norwegian Cruise Line. "Norwegian Sky guests will have the freedom to enjoy a cruise vacation the way they desire-whether it's lounging by the pool with a margarita, having a laugh at a comedy show, catching up on their favorite book on their balcony, or indulging in fine dining- all included in their cruise fare."

 

 

 

Guests will enjoy a variety of unlimited premium spirits, innovative cocktails curated by the award-winning mixologists from Miami's Bar Lab, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to $11 aboard Norwegian Sky in 2016 and beyond*. Guests 3 to 20 years of age will enjoy unlimited sodas and juice throughout their cruise.

 

 

 

Norwegian Sky sails port-packed three- and four-day roundtrip cruises from Miami to the Bahamas year-round. The new all-inclusive experience will also provide guests with the freedom to enjoy unlimited beverages while soaking up the sun on Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas.

 

In addition to the wide variety of inclusive offerings onboard.

 

 

 

Norwegian Sky guests also have the option to indulge in a variety of extra onboard experiences such as specialty restaurants and pampering Mandara Spa treatments. While in port, Norwegian Sky guests can also opt to choose from a wide array of shore excursions offering leisure, adventure and cultural experiences including swimming with dolphins, historical island tours, beach time and more.

 

 

Norwegian Sky offers a broad selection of staterooms options including spacious suites and penthouses that accommodate up to five guests, balcony staterooms, oceanview staterooms and moderately priced inside staterooms designed with families in mind to accommodate up to four guests. The ship features 13 dining options,12 bars and lounges, two pools, five hot tubs, an onboard spa, casino and children's programming.

 

 

 

* Guests must be at least 21 years of age at time of sailing to enjoy premium beverages

[DMH15]

This is such false advertising. You read the post by NCL on facebook and they list it as all inclusive. That is absolutely not true. Not all restaurants are included and all they added was the UBP and that limits the drinks you can get. You still have to pay extra for a lot of items. Anyone that think this is a great idea is sorely mistaken.

 

 

I have been to lots of all-inclusive resorts with upcharge restaurants. Or even worse where you are limited to only one visit in the upscale dining.

[susique]

I really don't get why people think the Sky is a booze cruise. We sailed her two weeks ago and I did not see the first drunk person. Met some really nice families and the staff was great!

 

We noticed a few on the Getaway as well. I would think that the UBP has a little to do with that. Some people think they just have to get what it could be worth. There was a guy at the bar on deck trying to start fights with everyone, then fell asleep on the stool. The bar staff said they may leave him there. They said they figured his wife was getting drinks for him when they refused to serve him.

[KyleClark]

[LMaxwell]

I am booked for this year with the promo UBP. $229 pp on a 4 day in an ocean view. How is this different?

[Solararc]

It is different because it's a steady perk one will now get while sailing this vessel, included in the base price, and not a promo choice

 

 

*Living Large*

Edited April 23, 2015 by Solararc

[Partyatsea]

We love this! We love the UBP and have paid out of pocket for it our last 2 cruises. We have it as a promo our next few cruises going forward, real money in our pocket! What amazes me, as a frequent GSC visitor, is how they can forgo the money from the thousands of drinks I see served when I am there, twice a week. Sometimes the bars get 2 or 3 deep.

[Shawnino]

NCL might have just cornered the Florida Embarkation binge-drinker/alcoholic market in one fell swoop.

[LMaxwell]

It is different because it's a steady perk one will now get while sailing this vessel, included in the base price, and not a promo choice

 

 

*Living Large*

But functionally speaking nothing more or less than what I've got now?

[Solararc]

But functionally speaking nothing more or less than what I've got now?

 

 

Correct in practice it's exactly what you have booked right now, as someone else said even inside cabins will receive this perk, so good news there for those who would book an inside cabin and normally be excluded from some promos.

 

 

*Living Large*

[SissasMomE]

We love this! We love the UBP and have paid out of pocket for it our last 2 cruises. We have it as a promo our next few cruises going forward, real money in our pocket! What amazes me, as a frequent GSC visitor, is how they can forgo the money from the thousands of drinks I see served when I am there, twice a week. Sometimes the bars get 2 or 3 deep.

 

Well, we know the UBP carries over to GSC, but will this?

[Solararc]

Well, we know the UBP carries over to GSC, but will this?

 

 

It most certainly does!!

 

 

*Living Large*

[SissasMomE]

It most certainly does!!

 

 

*Living Large*

 

Very cool!

[LMaxwell]

Correct in practice it's exactly what you have booked right now, as someone else said even inside cabins will receive this perk, so good news there for those who would book an inside cabin and normally be excluded from some promos.

 

 

*Living Large*

Same weeks for comparison

 

2015 OV with UBP promo - 229 pp

2016 OV with Inclusive Drinks - 409 pp

2016 Inside with Inclusive Drinks - 339 pp

 

So for 2016 I gotta spend $200 more to get on the ship; no view. Business must be good!

 

NCL will be advertising this to death. Curious to see what, if anything, Royal does with Enchantment coming to Miami and if Carnival has any tricks up their sleeves.