All Inclusive Cruises

[LGW59]

1 minute ago, LGW59 said:

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.

Also, from the FAQ's, I found this interesting.  I seem to recall seeing a number of posts here saying you still have to have a tip added at beverage point of sale.  This says gratuities included, which makes sense under "always included".  Perhaps someone just off their cruise can let us know.

 

Do I need to tip onboard for beverages?

Beverage Gratuities are included for any Classic or Premium Beverage Package as provided within Always Included, Elevate or Indulge.

[Bo1953]

7 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

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.

LOL, I will be upgrading one way or the other, preferably the most economical way...

 

Yet, a very good question, can the beverage package be upgraded once aboard if you have AI base package....

 

Cheers and bon voyage

[grandgeezer]

1 hour 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...

Look up the definition of "promoting", if you are complaining about it you are definitely not promoting it.

[NutsAboutGolf]

5 minutes ago, grandgeezer said:

Look up the definition of "promoting", if you are complaining about it you are definitely not promoting it.

 

According to google/Oxford, first entry is "further the progress of"

[jgmorgan]

In the past pre-cruise beverage upgrades for us required the dreaded phone call to Celebrity, it couldn't be done online.  This time we chose the Drinks and More upgrade (the premium drinks, casino credit, wine tasting event, and the mini-bar) seemed like a reasonable value compared to the cost of upgrading just the drink package.

[pumpkin 11]

On 8/7/2021 at 5:51 PM, jg51 said:

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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!

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How is it inaccurate?

[LGW59]

11 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

LOL, I will be upgrading one way or the other, preferably the most economical way...

 

Yet, a very good question, can the beverage package be upgraded once aboard if you have AI base package....

 

Cheers and bon voyage

At this point, if two buck Chuck was the only wine offered on board, I'd be one happy camper.

[jgmorgan]

 

2 minutes ago, pumpkin 11 said:

How is it inaccurate?

 

The horse may be near death.😬

[pumpkin 11]

Just now, jgmorgan said:

 

 

The horse may be near death.😬

lol

[LGW59]

2 minutes ago, jgmorgan said:

 

 

The horse may be near death.😬

"We" think there will still be a return... 😷

[pumpkin 11]

Whether it stays or not - I suspect celebrity is trying to get ahead of lines like Virgin and perhaps even Viking. I think for the most part people were sick of the pick 3 stuff and it was confusing. Also LLP wants rates to go up obviously, but to be fair I do believe the more you can include in the price of the cruise the better the value. I truly believe that.

 

Personally I am not wild about included internet because I'd rather not look at my phone on vacation, (and the basic is about only good for email) but that is just personal preference.

[4774Papa]

1 minute ago, pumpkin 11 said:

Whether it stays or not - I suspect celebrity is trying to get ahead of lines like Virgin and perhaps even Viking. I think for the most part people were sick of the pick 3 stuff and it was confusing. Also LLP wants rates to go up obviously, but to be fair I do believe the more you can include in the price of the cruise the better the value. I truly believe that.

 

Personally I am not wild about included internet because I'd rather not look at my phone on vacation, (and the basic is about only good for email) but that is just personal preference.

pumpkin,

Perhaps four you more items included in  the price of the cruise is good, but no us.  AI has resulted in way higher prices for us than before.    Prior to AI, we would spend only about $350 at most for alcohol on a two week cruise.   Now we are looking more at Royal, which doesn't have the forced bundled pricing.

[publicpersona]

I expect marketing people to puff, exaggerate, subtly imply things that are not true, etc. The “Always Included” marketing scam goes over the line of clearly telling a bald face lie by further explaining it as “every sailing”, “every booking”, “every room”, “every time.” This goes beyond puffery to the point of making fun of the customer who believes it is true exactly as it says.

 

I do believe some of you Celebrity apologists would overlook it even if they said “There are no exceptions EVER” which is just about what they say. I like Celebrity too, but I’m not going to pretend this marketing scheme hasn’t gone too far.

Edited August 13, 2021 by publicpersona

[pumpkin 11]

Just to be clear, All included is not "All-Inclusive." It is a lighter version. 

[pumpkin 11]

3 minutes ago, publicpersona said:

I expect marketing people to puff, exaggerate, subtly imply things that are not true, etc. The “Always Included” marketing scam goes over the line of clearly telling a bald face lie by further explaining it as “every sailing”, “every booking”, “every room”, “every time.” This goes beyond puffery to the point of making fun of the customer who believes it is true exactly as it says.

 

I do believe some of you Celebrity apologists would overlook it even if they said “There are no exceptions EVER” which is just about what they say. I like Celebrity too, but I’m not going to pretend this marketing scheme has gone too far.

celebrity apologists! Haven't heard that one in a while!

[LGW59]

4 minutes ago, publicpersona said:

I expect marketing people to puff, exaggerate, subtly imply things that are not true, etc. The “Always Included” marketing scam goes over the line of clearly telling a bald face lie by further explaining it as “every sailing”, “every booking”, “every room”, “every time.” This goes beyond puffery to the point of making fun of the customer who believes it is true exactly as it says.

 

I do believe some of you Celebrity apologists would overlook it even if they said “There are no exceptions EVER” which is just about what they say. I like Celebrity too, but I’m not going to pretend this marketing scheme hasn’t gone too far.

Not a Celebrity apologist here, just a person who makes his own choice on the product offered me and if I decide to make that purchase.  LLP was not here pressing my keyboard buttons.

 

[bigbenboys]

Overall I like the Always Included. It is about convenience. I did the math this morning.

Millie Oct 27, 2021 15 night cruise. 

Sky suite, simple sail $7499pp. Always Included $8999pp. So we are talking $1500pp difference. I'll get drinks in MC/Retreat, so dont really need a drink package.

Tips $270 pp

Wifi $199 pp without our elite plus discount.

Seems like we will save about $1000 pp. Am I missing something?

 

[Bo1953]

1 hour ago, jgmorgan said:

 

 

The horse may be near death.😬

The glue that binds us on the topic... LOL

 

cheers and bon voyage

[sgmn]

On 8/7/2021 at 10:36 AM, speedwell said:

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

Being in the travel industry my UK industry travel agent offers basic cruise only prices but honestly the difference was minimal and the always included was well worth the small difference and we are Elite so would of had the Elite perks 

[Spif Barwunkel]

Once again roils the contentious AI tempest in a teapot. Two simple words, "Always Included" rankles the cockles and beckons the bluster of otherwise sensible, easy-going human beings. And, just like times before there will be no solution, no satisfaction, no mitigation.

 

It is what it is, for now. For now is....................this long, or longer? Truth be told, AI is quite simple, really, 2 + 2 simple and quite effective. If you are still worked up when next you step foot on a cruise ship, use that AI and have an alcoholic beverage to drink....whether you drink alcohol or not. You would certainly feel better than you do now.   

Edited August 13, 2021 by Spif Barwunkel

[jg51]

4 hours 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”.  ... that’s the inaccuracy I object to.

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EXACTLY!  Thanks, "Alakegirl," for explaining this to the person or persons that objected to what we wrote, almost a week ago.

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3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

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. ...

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EXACTLY -- "not very compelling," but HONEST!  And honesty is what matters to the decent people (like Alakegirl) whom we admire. 

 

Marketing," be d***ed, is what we say.  Honesty is infinitely more important than marketing.  Honesty will be rewarded immediately and always.  Deceptive marketing will be punished, in the long run.

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[davekathy]

2 hours ago, LGW59 said:

Also, from the FAQ's, I found this interesting.  I seem to recall seeing a number of posts here saying you still have to have a tip added at beverage point of sale.  This says gratuities included, which makes sense under "always included".  Perhaps someone just off their cruise can let us know.

 

Do I need to tip onboard for beverages?

Beverage Gratuities are included for any Classic or Premium Beverage Package as provided within Always Included, Elevate or Indulge.

The gratuities have always been included in the CBP and the PBP. Pre AI and currently with AI. Those saying otherwise have been wrong and were not speaking from experience. We have no issues with the AI. We would like to see RC go that way also.  We would like to see the WiFi replaced with an OBC.  We are always disconnected once we are on the ship. Possibly in more ways than one. 🥴 I only use maybe 15 minutes total of our CC internet minutes and that's only on the last day to print off our airline boarding passes.  

Edited August 13, 2021 by davekathy

[jg51]

2 hours ago, publicpersona said:

... The “Always Included” marketing scam goes over the line of clearly telling a bald face lie by further explaining it as “every sailing”, “every booking”, “every room”, “every time.” This goes beyond puffery to the point of making fun of the customer who believes it is true exactly as it says. ...

[emphasis added by jg51]

.

Thanks so much for chiming in, "publicpersona," because you are absolutely right.  Unfortunately, many people (even some members here) have apparently been raised to tolerate dishonesty in marketing -- or even to praise it!  So sad!

 

You went on to write, "I do believe some of you Celebrity apologists would overlook it even if they said “There are no exceptions EVER” -- and someone scoffed at your reference to "Celebrity apologists."  We, however, used to have that EXACT two-word phrase pass through our minds ... until we realized that the apologists could (at least sometimes) be X employees!  [We won't say, "Always Employees," though.😁]

.

2 hours ago, pumpkin 11 said:

Just to be clear, All included is not "All-Inclusive." It is a lighter version. 

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The deceptive phrase is "ALWAYS Included" -- not "all included" nor "all-inclusive."

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1 hour ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

Once again roils the contentious AI tempest in a teapot. Two simple words, "Always Included" rankles the cockles and beckons the bluster of otherwise sensible, easy-going human beings. ...

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Sometimes attempts at humor fall flat, Spif -- as in this case. 😒  This is a serious subject.

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[LGW59]

1 hour ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

Once again roils the contentious AI tempest in a teapot. Two simple words, "Always Included" rankles the cockles and beckons the bluster of otherwise sensible, easy-going human beings. And, just like times before there will be no solution, no satisfaction, no mitigation.  😂

 

It is what it is, for now. For now is....................this long, or longer? Truth be told, AI is quite simple, really, 2 + 2 simple and quite effective. If you are still worked up when next you step foot on a cruise ship, use that AI and have an alcoholic beverage to drink....whether you drink alcohol or not. You would certainly feel better than you do now.   Well said Spif!

 

[grandgeezer]

14 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

 

 

2 hours ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

Once again roils the contentious AI tempest in a teapot. Two simple words, "Always Included" rankles the cockles and beckons the bluster of otherwise sensible, easy-going human beings. And, just like times before there will be no solution, no satisfaction, no mitigation.

 

It is what it is, for now. For now is....................this long, or longer? Truth be told, AI is quite simple, really, 2 + 2 simple and quite effective. If you are still worked up when next you step foot on a cruise ship, use that AI and have an alcoholic beverage to drink....whether you drink alcohol or not. You would certainly feel better than you do now.   

How could you possibly feel better by doing something you didn't want to do in the first place? For the record, I do occasionally drink alcohol, but by choice, not trying to justify the high cost.