I cruise with Princess because their packages Premier and Plus are awesome. No need to upgrade Wi-Fi on either package. Plus it includes casual and/or a speciality dining. Just a great value.
I am considering sailing with Princess this year. I will be sure to look into both of those. Last time I sailed with Pricness, they did not have any package options.
Let me know if you find any other good options! I would love to review them and see how they stack up. I just took an NCL cruise out of Boston. I can't wait to show you those videos!
I prefer the non-alcoholic pkg and premium Wi-Fi purchased separately. I am willing to pay at the end for the occasion cocktail or glass of wine at dinner. On my European cruise last year, we had to skip one port, so I was reimbursed for the shore excursion. I ended up owing about $5 when I got off the ship. I can go and get specialty coffees, sodas and I always get a couple bottles of water before going ashore. Works best for me like this.
I remember not too long ago when the all included package included gratuities. Not anymore. And you are correct that the WiFi package isn’t really worth it unless you upgrade.
Thanks Tom! Another excellent and informative video. Our default is All-Included, Included Gratuities, upgrades to Premium Drink and Wifi. For us, it's all worth it but we'll admit that we like nice wine and drinks (we especially like sitting at Sunset Bar or World Class Bar) and we cruise to relax and have fun. Also, with our pre-cruise costs (2.5 hr to Toronto, nice hotel, flights, pre-cruise hotel, nice dinner) the cost of our "all-in" packages are a relatively small portion of our overall costs. Costs are going up everywhere for everything and cruising the way we like is still excellent value.
Same thing for us! 88$ cad for the premium represents about 4 nice drinks as we enjoy nice wine. Our default for us is concierge, all included with upgrade to premium. We follow the sales and usually can get all that for 500$ cad a day per person ehich is our budget. Would never pay for retreat.
Hi Steven! Thanks for always sharing your feedback-I really value your perspective. The part about escaping completely really resonates with me. I also understand the concern about pre-cruise costs. Like you, I often fly from NY to Florida, and the expenses for flights, a hotel stay, and a nice dinner can definitely add up quickly. Despite that, there's something special about waking up and hitting the beach before boarding my cruise ship. It's my favorite way to start a vacation!
@@tomsunday we like it for the boarding day lunch in the MDR avoiding the crowd at the buffet, better pillows, higher quality bathrobes and bathroom products, perks like the sail away on the helipad, priority tenders, officers welcome party, higher captain's club points, a bottle of bubbly, better location and better staff attendant and the gold card!
Thank you for explaining the reasoning. This makes sense. I actually did not know you get access to the helipad during the sail away. I need to try this! Maybe I'll sail Concierge next! Thanks for sharing!
As I am an ELITE PLUS Captains Club member, I get my free MIMOSA in the morning at the Coffee Lounge ( Tuscan Grille), my cappuccino free all day long and during Happy Hour ( 5 o 7 pm) my alcoholic drinks and soft drinks and water free.
I agree that the all inclusive fare is not always the best option. But, as you know it really depends on the cruise and itinerary! My wife and I do not drink alcohol very often. So it is much better to buy the WIFI and the drinks separately. also, often times the Celebrity Cruise offers the differant drink packages and a discounted cost. Unless you are getting a suite where all of the WIFI and drinks are included. I think it makes sets for us not to have the included package! But, yo9u really do need to cost it out based on your needs~!
Hi Paul. Thanks for your comment. You make a very good point. Sale prices and promotions make the all inclusive even less appealing. I never mentioned this angle in the video. I appreciate the insight!
We have 17 Celebrity cruises and are 6 points from Elite Plus. We have given up on Celebrity. The classic drink package has become a joke and regular fares have significantly increased. We had always loved Celebrity. Now, I can’t believe we get a better deal on Norwegian.
@@tomsunday We’ve only done 1, Queen Mary 2, Southampton to NY. I loved it. A Time Machine trip back to the late 40s. My wife isn’t as keen on so many sea days. I love sea days even in the Caribbean. She’s doing a Christmas Market River cruise with our daughter in November so I decided on the Transatlantic solo.
Latest Celebrity Cruises Tips: th-cam.com/play/PLAMELD7KEuK7l-FyGZnPrnJuHUy6Vh44c.html&si=J-Nt1_a1nQLjnZuQ
I cruise with Princess because their packages Premier and Plus are awesome. No need to upgrade Wi-Fi on either package. Plus it includes casual and/or a speciality dining. Just a great value.
I am considering sailing with Princess this year. I will be sure to look into both of those. Last time I sailed with Pricness, they did not have any package options.
Agree. It’s gotten so greedy there I’ve started researching new options. They used to be my go to
Let me know if you find any other good options! I would love to review them and see how they stack up. I just took an NCL cruise out of Boston. I can't wait to show you those videos!
@@tomsunday I can’t wait for the videos! I’ve been so curious
Excellent video Tom. Celebrity need to be called out.
I am glad you enjoyed the video. I hope they decide to change this package and make it more valuable for cruisers.
I prefer the non-alcoholic pkg and premium Wi-Fi purchased separately. I am willing to pay at the end for the occasion cocktail or glass of wine at dinner. On my European cruise last year, we had to skip one port, so I was reimbursed for the shore excursion. I ended up owing about $5 when I got off the ship. I can go and get specialty coffees, sodas and I always get a couple bottles of water before going ashore. Works best for me like this.
I am 100% with you. I also get the non-alcoholic beverage package, wifi and just al carte the drinks. It's a nice balance.
I remember not too long ago when the all included package included gratuities. Not anymore. And you are correct that the WiFi package isn’t really worth it unless you upgrade.
Hopefully they redesign this package and make it more valuable for our cruising community.
Thanks Tom! Another excellent and informative video. Our default is All-Included, Included Gratuities, upgrades to Premium Drink and Wifi. For us, it's all worth it but we'll admit that we like nice wine and drinks (we especially like sitting at Sunset Bar or World Class Bar) and we cruise to relax and have fun. Also, with our pre-cruise costs (2.5 hr to Toronto, nice hotel, flights, pre-cruise hotel, nice dinner) the cost of our "all-in" packages are a relatively small portion of our overall costs. Costs are going up everywhere for everything and cruising the way we like is still excellent value.
Same thing for us! 88$ cad for the premium represents about 4 nice drinks as we enjoy nice wine. Our default for us is concierge, all included with upgrade to premium. We follow the sales and usually can get all that for 500$ cad a day per person ehich is our budget. Would never pay for retreat.
Hi Steven! Thanks for always sharing your feedback-I really value your perspective. The part about escaping completely really resonates with me. I also understand the concern about pre-cruise costs. Like you, I often fly from NY to Florida, and the expenses for flights, a hotel stay, and a nice dinner can definitely add up quickly. Despite that, there's something special about waking up and hitting the beach before boarding my cruise ship. It's my favorite way to start a vacation!
Hi Louise! Why do you like Concierge? I am gathering some feedback and I would love to know your take. Is there a reason that it's your go to?
@@tomsunday we like it for the boarding day lunch in the MDR avoiding the crowd at the buffet, better pillows, higher quality bathrobes and bathroom products, perks like the sail away on the helipad, priority tenders, officers welcome party, higher captain's club points, a bottle of bubbly, better location and better staff attendant and the gold card!
Thank you for explaining the reasoning. This makes sense. I actually did not know you get access to the helipad during the sail away. I need to try this! Maybe I'll sail Concierge next! Thanks for sharing!
The cruise lines are slowly killing themselves with the cutbacks.
As I am an ELITE PLUS Captains Club member, I get my free MIMOSA in the morning at the Coffee Lounge ( Tuscan Grille), my cappuccino free all day long and during Happy Hour ( 5 o 7 pm) my alcoholic drinks and soft drinks and water free.
Those are some great perks. I can't wait to get to that status.
I agree that the all inclusive fare is not always the best option. But, as you know it really depends on the cruise and itinerary! My wife and I do not drink alcohol very often. So it is much better to buy the WIFI and the drinks separately. also, often times the Celebrity Cruise offers the differant drink packages and a discounted cost. Unless you are getting a suite where all of the WIFI and drinks are included. I think it makes sets for us not to have the included package! But, yo9u really do need to cost it out based on your needs~!
Hi Paul. Thanks for your comment. You make a very good point. Sale prices and promotions make the all inclusive even less appealing. I never mentioned this angle in the video. I appreciate the insight!
As always you are right on.
We have 17 Celebrity cruises and are 6 points from Elite Plus. We have given up on Celebrity. The classic drink package has become a joke and regular fares have significantly increased.
We had always loved Celebrity. Now, I can’t believe we get a better deal on Norwegian.
I actually just came back from NCL Gem. Which NCL cruise ships have you tried?
@@tomsunday The first trip is booked for November on the Pearl Barcelona to Miami 14 days.
I hope you enjoy your cruise! I always wanted to take a transatlantic cruise!
@@tomsunday We’ve only done 1, Queen Mary 2, Southampton to NY. I loved it. A Time Machine trip back to the late 40s. My wife isn’t as keen on so many sea days. I love sea days even in the Caribbean.
She’s doing a Christmas Market River cruise with our daughter in November so I decided on the Transatlantic solo.
“All included” isn’t…
exactly!