Out to Sea for
April 6/13
(c) By Jim and Barb Fox
They’re not exactly
“booze cruises,” but drinking on board is becoming more convenient on ships at
sea.
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| Several cruise lines are offering all-inclusive drinks on board ships and at Carnival’s private island, Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. (Jim Fox photo) |
Many cruise lines are
catching the wave of all-inclusive vacations at land-based resorts when it
comes to alcohol and dining options.
Royal Caribbean
International has two new booze and soft-drink packages while Carnival has the
“Cheers” program, known previously as “My Awesome Bar.”
Bottoms up
When it comes to
cruising, ships have a captive drinking audience with most not allowing anyone
to bring liquor on board.
Wine is often an
exception, with a corkage fee of up to $20 a bottle when consumed in the dining
room or specialty restaurants.
Buying duty-free
liquor on the ship is similar to bottles being brought back from a shore
excursion as they are held for the guest until the end of the cruise.
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| Margaritas at the ready at a poolside party on a Holland America Mexican Riviera cruise. (Barbara Fox photo) |
Royal Caribbean has
expanded its beverage program that allows cruisers to pay one price for alcoholic
and soft drinks during the voyage.
That’s complemented
with dining packages so guests can also save and pre-book the ship’s signature
restaurants.
This provides
guests with “a greater selection of choices and delivers it to them at an incredible
value and convenience,” said Royal Caribbean’s Lisa Lutoff-Perlo.
The Classic
Beverage Package is $45 a person daily, plus 15-per-cent tip, providing beer,
house wines by the glass and non-alcoholic cocktails, fountain soft drinks and
juice.
The all-inclusive Premium
Beverage Package at $55 a day also adds frozen drinks and cocktails, including
premium brands. Details: RoyalCaribbean.com
Cheers, eh
Carnival Cruise
Line has launched the Cheers Beverage Program on 13 of its ships as well as its
private Bahamas’ island, Half Moon Cay, on a trial basis.
Guests pay $42.95 a
day, plus 15-per-cent gratuity for a variety of wine, beer and liquor as well
as soft drinks and non-alcoholic frozen cocktails, not costing more than $10
each.
For more expensive
drinks or bottles of wine and champagne, there is a 25-per-cent discount.
There is also a
15-drink daily maximum for alcoholic beverages and the program does not include
bottled water or specialty coffee.
The fee applies for
the entire voyage, not per day, and everyone staying in the same stateroom must
buy in to prevent additional guests sharing drinks on one card. carnival.com
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| Constantin is preparing to serve red wine on the Caribbean Princess. (Jim Fox photo) |
Norwegian Cruise
Line is “testing” its Ultimate Beverage Package similar to those offered by
Celebrity, Costa, Oceania and MSC for all-inclusive alcohol. ncl.com
Luxury lines such
as Regent Seven Seas has the “most all-inclusive” program with unlimited fine
wines and premium spirits, free open bars and lounges as well as in-suite
mini-bars being replenished daily. rssc.com
Crystal Cruises
provides “complimentary” fine wines and premium drinks along with pre-paid gratuities
for housekeeping, bar and dining staff.
Dressing to the nines
As many cruise
ships loosen dress codes to become less formal, Cunard Line has “renewed its
commitment to the joy of dressing up.”
Research with
passengers and luxury travellers led Cunard to strengthen its commitment to
“special-occasion dressing” three times a week on transatlantic crossings and twice
weekly on other sailings.
On the other nights,
“in response to growing travel trends,” Cunard will be “informal” where jackets
are still required for men but ties are optional.
By day, smart
casual remains the style of choice among passengers.
“Formal nights are
a chance for the ladies to sparkle in cocktail dresses or full-on evening
gowns, while for the gentlemen, dinner jackets – or tuxedos or dark suits –
always bring a touch of sharp, 007-type style to the occasion,” said Peter
Shanks, Cunard president.
“The glamour of
dressing to the nines is a hallmark of travelling with Cunard and distinguishes
us from the mass of cruise operators where dressing up has become a thing of
the past,” he added. cunard.com
Carnival operational review
After a series of
embarrassing and well-publicized ship breakdowns that inconvenienced guests, Carnival
Cruise Lines has launched a “fleet-wide comprehensive operational review.”
“The cruise line is
making significant investments to enhance the level of operating redundancies
and the scope of hotel services that can run on emergency power, and further
improve each ship’s fire prevention, detection and suppression systems,” said Gerry
Cahill, president and ceo.
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Jim and Barb Fox can be reached at outtosea50@hotmail.com
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