All Inclusive Cruises

[speedwell]

Does anyone know if it is possible to make a reservation without it being All Inclusive? I'm in the UK, so our terms and conditions might be different to the US, but I would much prefer to use my Elite Plus perks and pay a reduced fare.

[Cg52]

There is a Cruise Only Rates button when I search for a cruise. I’m in Canada. I think it’s new because it was not an option when I booked 4 weeks ago.

[NutsAboutGolf]

Many are reporting the reduced "Cruise Only" fare isn't enough of a savings and still book the AI fare as it covers gratuities.

[WestLakeGirl]

Remember that the offers are not “all inclusive”.  They are “always included” which covers drinks, wifi, gratuities and some on board credit.  You may be able to find some “simply sail” cruises but definitely compare the rates with and without the ”always included”

Edited August 6, 2021 by WestLakeGirl

[wrk2cruise]

The downside of the Simply Sail rates is they are always a GTY cabin.   To me the discount is not enough given the combination of no perks AND a GTY cabin.   I believe this is intentional to demonstrate the "value" of the AI pricing.   They are doing everything in their power to keep this high pricing in place.   I think it will be this way through most of 2022.

[speedwell]

Many thanks for your replies. I see there is another thread on the same subject, but it seems the Simply Sail option is not generally available in the UK

[isdoo]

Pretty sure you can book on the US site or vis a US agent to get non-all inclusive options. 

[jg51]

11 hours ago, isdoo said:

Pretty sure you can book on the US site or vis a US agent to get non-all inclusive options. 

On Celebrity cruises, there is no such thing as "all inclusive" fares.  Please scroll up and read post #4 to learn the proper terminology -- "always included" -- and what it includes/excludes.   [Of course, the name, "always included," is ridiculous, since it does not "always" apply!]

[NutsAboutGolf]

6 minutes ago, jg51 said:

On Celebrity cruises, there is no such thing as "all inclusive" fares.  Please scroll up and read post #4 to learn the proper terminology -- "always included" -- and what it includes/excludes.   [Of course, the name, "always included," is ridiculous, since it does not "always" apply!]

 

Like it or not (most don't), the "Always Included*" fare is pretty brilliant from a marketing perspective.  Topic gets talked about all the time, topic comes up near daily just here on CC.

[jg51]

2 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Like it or not (most don't), the "Always Included*" fare is pretty brilliant from a marketing perspective.  Topic gets talked about all the time, topic comes up near daily just here on CC.

.

We disagree, "Nuts...".  We don't think that the label is "brilliant" at all.  It is just plain stupid, because it is inaccurate.  If the label was deliberately chosen despite a knowledge that it was inaccurate, then it deserves to be condemned, not praised by you.

 

The fact that the "topic comes up near daily" does not make the false label praiseworthy.  What is coming up daily is mainly the inaccuracy of the label! 

 

Like everything else, the label will disappear (soon, we hope).  Celebrity may someday hire a new and honest executive, who will immediately dump the ludicrous "Always Included" label into the ash-heap of history!

.

[NutsAboutGolf]

1 hour ago, jg51 said:

.

We disagree, "Nuts...".  We don't think that the label is "brilliant" at all.  It is just plain stupid, because it is inaccurate.  If the label was deliberately chosen despite a knowledge that it was inaccurate, then it deserves to be condemned, not praised by you.

 

The fact that the "topic comes up near daily" does not make the false label praiseworthy.  What is coming up daily is mainly the inaccuracy of the label! 

 

Like everything else, the label will disappear (soon, we hope).  Celebrity may someday hire a new and honest executive, who will immediately dump the ludicrous "Always Included" label into the ash-heap of history!

.

 

I don't disagree with you; I will point out X/AI marketing got three paragraphs of out you...How soon will the AI label disappear, days, weeks, months or years?  Its anyone's guess...

[jg51]

7 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

I don't disagree with you; I will point out X/AI marketing got three paragraphs of out you...How soon will the AI label disappear, days, weeks, months or years?  Its anyone's guess...

.

Nonsense, amigo!

 

It was not the "X/AI marketing" itself that "got three paragraphs out of" us, but rather your defense and praise of it.  If you had you not said something positive about it, we would not have posted one word -- not even one letter of the alphabet! 

 

Moreover, if we have posted "three paragraphs" on the topic,  but they were condemnatory paragraphs, that is not good marketing by "X."  It is negative (self-defeating/suicidal) marketing!

.

[4774Papa]

On 8/6/2021 at 9:41 AM, Cg52 said:

There is a Cruise Only Rates button when I search for a cruise. I’m in Canada. I think it’s new because it was not an option when I booked 4 weeks ago.

I see very fed cruises offer the lower rates and none of them I want.   X, please go back to basic rates.

[NutsAboutGolf]

35 minutes ago, jg51 said:

.

Nonsense, amigo!

 

It was not the "X/AI marketing" itself that "got three paragraphs out of" us, but rather your defense and praise of it.  If you had you not said something positive about it, we would not have posted one word -- not even one letter of the alphabet! 

 

Moreover, if we have posted "three paragraphs" on the topic,  but they were condemnatory paragraphs, that is not good marketing by "X."  It is negative (self-defeating/suicidal) marketing!

.

 

How do we fix this?

[ChucktownSteve]

3 hours ago, jg51 said:

.

We disagree, "Nuts...".  We don't think that the label is "brilliant" at all.  It is just plain stupid, because it is inaccurate.  If the label was deliberately chosen despite a knowledge that it was inaccurate, then it deserves to be condemned, not praised by you.

 

The fact that the "topic comes up near daily" does not make the false label praiseworthy.  What is coming up daily is mainly the inaccuracy of the label! 

 

Like everything else, the label will disappear (soon, we hope).  Celebrity may someday hire a new and honest executive, who will immediately dump the ludicrous "Always Included" label into the ash-heap of history!

.

AI should really be AC...Always CHARGED.

[graphicguy]

On 8/7/2021 at 7:51 PM, jg51 said:

.

We disagree, "Nuts...".  We don't think that the label is "brilliant" at all.  It is just plain stupid, because it is inaccurate.  If the label was deliberately chosen despite a knowledge that it was inaccurate, then it deserves to be condemned, not praised by you.

 

The fact that the "topic comes up near daily" does not make the false label praiseworthy.  What is coming up daily is mainly the inaccuracy of the label! 

 

Like everything else, the label will disappear (soon, we hope).  Celebrity may someday hire a new and honest executive, who will immediately dump the ludicrous "Always Included" label into the ash-heap of history!

.

Who is this “we” you are referring to?

 

I do think it’s a great marketing term. Plus, the AI terms, at least compared to the “Take All Free” that NCL touts, where “free” means except for the proverbial tips and service charges, Celebrity’s truly is all included.

 

I was on their EDGE sailing last month.  Aside from purchases I made in the jewelry stores, my final bill was ZERO.  Tips, drinks, etc were truly all included.

 

Can you get a stripped down “no extras” rate.

 

Personally, I like the All Included rates on their sailings.  I hope it continues to be a part of their offering.  Not understanding your insinuation that Celebrity employing dishonest executives.  Does Richard Fain know this?  

[Bo1953]

On 8/7/2021 at 10:41 PM, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

How do we fix this?

LOL - keep booking under the new program, despite the protest(s)???

 

Cheers and bon voyage

[Bo1953]

On 8/7/2021 at 7:51 PM, jg51 said:

.

We disagree, "Nuts...".  We don't think that the label is "brilliant" at all.  It is just plain stupid, because it is inaccurate.  If the label was deliberately chosen despite a knowledge that it was inaccurate, then it deserves to be condemned, not praised by you.

 

The fact that the "topic comes up near daily" does not make the false label praiseworthy.  What is coming up daily is mainly the inaccuracy of the label! 

 

Like everything else, the label will disappear (soon, we hope).  Celebrity may someday hire a new and honest executive, who will immediately dump the ludicrous "Always Included" label into the ash-heap of history!

.

What is "inaccurate" or "false" about the AI marketing program??? What label would you recommend be considered for the program?

 

X clearly states what the inclusions are in AI or have they missed something you prefer it to include in it, as I Am fairly sure what the desire is by many who have posted against it here... so far.

 

Like other marketing programs that have come and gone, not only on X yet on other lines and other companies, for all that matters, its' worth and value will prove itself or not and either be modified or dropped.

 

I Am sure X is looking for brilliant marketing individuals, maybe some of us need to consider joining the company or firm that produce these schemes on 'Our' beloved cruise line... how dare they do this without consulting us first or test marketing it.

 

Have I mis-understood your comments in any manner?

 

bon voyage

[Alakegirl]

1 hour ago, Bo1953 said:

What is "inaccurate" or "false" about the AI marketing program??? What label would you recommend be considered for the program?

 

X clearly states what the inclusions are in AI or have they missed something you prefer it to include in it, as I Am fairly sure what the desire is by many who have posted against it here... so far.

 

 

 

 

But the inaccuracy isn’t what included, becausethat’s clearly spelled, out as you note. The inaccuracy is the word always. Yes, in print there is a tiny asterisk. Military rates often do not have the “always included“; casino rate is the same.  Some group bookings don’t have it either.  Then there’s “simply sail”.   So their “always” is rather “often”.  

 

And I have just been on hold with Celebrity listening to their endless tape while I waited to speak to a human person, and it repeats over and over again “ALWAYS included every cruise all the time”. No mention there of an asterisk explaining that it isn’t EVERY cruise ALL the time.  No mention of “some exclusions apply”

 

that’s the inaccuracy I object to.

 

 

Edited August 13, 2021 by Alakegirl

[Bo1953]

26 minutes ago, Alakegirl said:

But the inaccuracy isn’t what included, because that’s clearly spelled, out as you note. The inaccuracy is the word always. Yes, in print there is a tiny asterisk. Military rates often do not have the “always included“; casino rate is the same.  Some group bookings don’t have it either.  Then there’s “simply sail”.   So their “always” is rather “often”.  

 

And I have just been on hold with Celebrity listening to their endless tape while I waited to speak to a human person, and it repeats over and over again “ALWAYS included every cruise all the time”. No mention there of an asterisk explaining that it isn’t EVERY cruise ALL the time.  No mention of “some exclusions apply”

 

that’s the inaccuracy I object to.

Okay, I understand better your objection(s), my and this is only me, I do not expect to see all of the T&C's of every program at every touch point with any specialty or other such program. Generally, I accept there are exclusions and I need to make sure I understand what they are and if they apply to my booking and decide if I like them or not.

 

As long as it is in writing and available at their 'Official' point of contact, namely the website where T&C's are posted, that is the legal point. This is regardless of what I believe they need to do. If I choose not to read them there, then I accept the responsibility for circumventing the prevailing T&C's and when signing up for sailings part of the agreement, implied, that we will read and abide and understand the T&C's.

 

Now, were I to choose not to do the needed research at X's official website and rely on what I see on other websites and 'hearsay' then what surprizes and dis-appointments that arrive is on me and not X... Fair or not.

 

Here in the U.S. the T&C's can be had in writing and mailed.

 

About the loop, what would have happened were X to answer the phone very quickly and one did not hear the exclusions were they noted? The same argument can be made, I did not hear it while waiting and etc...

 

Looking for short cuts which are fool proof? Not gonna happen, we need to spend time at the authorized source, as that is the prevailing place for information and no where else.

 

We must accept that there will be multiple programs running at the same time for any sailing, just like in any other business which may have multiple programs at the same time targeting different market segments.

 

bon voyage

Edited August 13, 2021 by Bo1953

[NutsAboutGolf]

To oversimply it, the definition of marketing isn't to make someone happy, it's to promote whatever they're trying to sell...If you're complaining about "Always Included*", like it or not you're promoting it...

[graphicguy]

56 minutes ago, Alakegirl said:

But the inaccuracy isn’t what included, becausethat’s clearly spelled, out as you note. The inaccuracy is the word always. Yes, in print there is a tiny asterisk. Military rates often do not have the “always included“; casino rate is the same.  Some group bookings don’t have it either.  Then there’s “simply sail”.   So their “always” is rather “often”.  

 

And I have just been on hold with Celebrity listening to their endless tape while I waited to speak to a human person, and it repeats over and over again “ALWAYS included every cruise all the time”. No mention there of an asterisk explaining that it isn’t EVERY cruise ALL the time.  No mention of “some exclusions apply”

 

that’s the inaccuracy I object to.

 

 

I get what you're saying.  But, the alternative without an asterisk is to say "Sail with Celebrity.  Sometimes we include things".  Not very compelling.

 

27 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

To oversimply it, the definition of marketing isn't to make someone happy, it's to promote whatever they're trying to sell...If you're complaining about "Always Included*", like it or not you're promoting it...

Agreed!

[LGW59]

45 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

Okay, I understand better your objection(s), my and this is only me, I do not expect to see all of the T&C's of every program at every touch point with any specialty or other such program. Generally, I accept there are exclusions and I need to make sure I understand what they are and if they apply to my booking and decide if I like them or not.

 

As long as it is in writing and available at their 'Official' point of contact, namely the website where T&C's are posted, that is the legal point. This is regardless of what I believe they need to do. If I choose not to read them there, then I accept the responsibility for circumventing the prevailing T&C's and when signing up for sailings part of the agreement, implied, that we will read and abide and understand the T&C's.

 

Now, were I to choose not to do the needed research at X's official website and rely on what I see on other websites and 'hearsay' then what surprizes and dis-appointments that arrive is on me and not X... Fair or not.

 

Here in the U.S. the T&C's can be had in writing and mailed.

 

About the loop, what would have happened were X to answer the phone very quickly and one did not hear the exclusions were they noted? The same argument can be made, I did not hear it while waiting and etc...

 

Looking for short cuts which are fool proof? Not gonna happen, we need to spend time at the authorized source, as that is the prevailing place for information and no where else.

 

We must accept that there will be multiple programs running at the same time for any sailing, just like in any other business which may have multiple programs at the same time targeting different market segments.

 

bon voyage

"Always Included" has been discussed ad infinitum over the past many many months.  It has been chopped, dissected and put through the shredder, but it obviously has many lives because it is still here.  I understood what I was signing up for when I booked my two 2022 cruises, I had a choice that I liked.  Nothing has changed thus far about this program and it is probably here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future.  I personally really like it because it gives me exactly what I need, others ahhh not so much...I say relax, give it a try and then say, hmm yea that was OK, or yes, exactly as I thought it sucks.

[Bo1953]

8 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

"Always Included" has been discussed ad infinitum over the past many many months.  It has been chopped, dissected and put through the shredder, but it obviously has many lives because it is still here.  I understood what I was signing up for when I booked my two 2022 cruises, I had a choice that I liked.  Nothing has changed thus far about this program and it is probably here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future.  I personally really like it because it gives me exactly what I need, others ahhh not so much...I say relax, give it a try and then say, hmm yea that was OK, or yes, exactly as I thought it sucks.

What I have yet to figure out is, how to upgrade beverage package only and not the wifi too, while the OBC can help with additional upgrade, not sufficient enough for two (2) IMO... but so be it.

 

Hopefully there will be a sale on upgrades before I sail....

 

bon voyage

[LGW59]

13 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

What I have yet to figure out is, how to upgrade beverage package only and not the wifi too, while the OBC can help with additional upgrade, not sufficient enough for two (2) IMO... but so be it.

 

Hopefully there will be a sale on upgrades before I sail....

 

bon voyage

I wonder if once on board they will allow you to upgrade ONLY the bev package?  I was just looking at their FAQ's and (like much on the website) not exactly clear, LOL.  Good luck.