Always included, Elevate and Indulge
Celebrity decided not too long ago to present “all inclusive” cruise prices, called “always included”. In this price, tips, drinks and internet connection are included. When choosing a suite, the included drink package is the premium version, and the internet connection includes video streaming. Onboard credits are usually added, but it is rather variable, depending on the promotions in progress.
When you do not choose a suite, it is however possible to upgrade options (premium drink package, internet with video streaming, credit for excursions in the form of credit on board, etc.). The price then goes up, but most of the time, it’s more advantageous than the sum of these options taken separately. And then this additional amount varies with the promotions. The best deal I could get was Indulge package (the highest) for around $620. It offered in addition to the options listed above, $600 onboard credit (to spend as you want, for excursions, specialty restaurants, etc.). That’s a real cost of… $20!
I sometimes found myself not knowing what to do with this credit (which is lost if it is not spent before the end of the cruise). Last time I had close to $300 left. I could have spent them by buying anything on board, but not very interested by whatever was sold onboard… so there is a trick, a little borderline, but which seems well known to cruise passengers… go to the casino, load your account to play from his onboard account, play a minimum, then claim the balance at the cash desk… which will be returned in cash. This practice seems tolerated, as long as part of the money thus transferred is played (I have read several times that 20% would be the right amount). A small return on investment.
Prices
Celebrity prices are on average higher than most mainstream companies. Well above Costa, MSC or Carnival (the services being much better, overall), but also above Royal Caribbean, Norwegian or Princess, which they try to surpass (with some success, it is certain) but also because the “always included” has a cost. However, this additional cost remains lower than what represents the amount which makes it possible to obtain, by purchasing them, the equivalent options from competitors. When you add the price of the cruise and the wifi, the service charges (autogratuities), the drink package, without forgetting to take into account the credits on board… Celebrity’s “always included” is ultimately very competitive! Only cruise passengers who don’t want to “stay connected”, who don’t drink, and who try (yes, yes!) not to pay service charges, may find the formula uninteresting.
The upgrade packages (Elevate, Indulge) which allow you to buy the upgrade of these options are also interesting because their price is much lower than the sum of the options taken separately. And above all, they often benefit from promotions, making them really unbeatable.
Again, on these 3 cruises, I benefited from the “solo” promotion, which allowed me to pay the same price as if I had been accompanied, which is almost never the case.
For reference, the prices per night, with systematically the highest package (“Indulge”: wifi stream, premium drink package, service charges paid, more than $300 to $600 of onboard credit) were:
- Concierge cabin (Apex, Norwegian Fjords) : $317
- Aqua Class cabin (Beyond, Mediterranean Sea) : $330
- Sky Suite (Apex, British Isles) : $435
Celebrity is well above the rest in its category. Although the prices may seem higher than some cruise companies in the same segment, a quick calculation of an equivalent offer shows that their version of the “all inclusive” Celebrity style remains very competitive. The service on board and the quality of the food (with a few minor exceptions) also set them apart. I’m not done traveling with them, that’s for sure. Next cruise, a “back2back” on the Celebrity Eclipse, in April 2023, from Sydney to Vancouver, via New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii… for 30 days!
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