When we talk about the inclusive nature of a cruise vacation, one often has to compare to a land vacation to illustrate the value. On a cruise vacation, unpacking once but visiting multiple destinations on your floating resort is a part of that. Gourmet cuisine at every turn, included in the price, another. Beyond those undeniable differences though, the value gets a bit more difficult to define.
For some travelers, included onboard entertainment options rank high, having a casino along for the ride is a plus and organized activities make their vacation. For others, not so much.
Many cruise travelers are drooling over alternative dining venues, offered at an additional charge that is a fraction of what they might cost on land. They’re excited about a diverse offering of ship-sponsored tours at each port of call and appreciate snappy bar service around the ship, regardless of the price. For others, their feelings about paying ala carte for so many optional parts of the experience runs from mildly annoyed to a feeling of being “taken” for a ride, and not a in a good way.
Then there are upscale cruise lines that are inclusive to the point where alternative options are kept at a minimum. We found that last month on Azamara Club Cruises while sailing on Azamara Journey through Scotland, Ireland, Wales and France. The per person, per day price tag includes more. In addition, what Azamara calls “destination immersion” is really a unique way to travel, stopping at ports for a longer time, if not overnight.
We found that last same inclusive spirit last December with Seabourn sailing Seabourn Quest in the Caribbean too. Included in the price of each of their accommodations-
- Complimentary champagne and in-suite bar
- All-suite accommodations
- Complimentary open bars and fine wines
- Award-winning gourmet dining, and more
That “and more” translates t0 many little extras adding to the inclusive feel like Seabourn Square, a centrally located premium coffee bar with no charges, a in-suite library of 500+ current and classic no-fee movies or, get this: I like coffee early in the morning, like 5AM. I ordered it two mornings in a row and then it just appeared every morning after that.
Taking that inclusiveness a step further, Seabourn is introducing fares on some 2013 voyages that go a step further, including even more. Called their 2013 All-Inclusive Advantage Fares, Seabourn is offering a simple, convenient way to book a cruise vacation that combines the cruise with a complete package of other amenities, such as hotel, airfare, transfers and shore excursion credit, all for one price.
All-Inclusive Advantage Fares are available for a limited time on select cruises in early 2013 and include:
- Complimentary round-trip economy airfare, with business class upgrades available
- Complimentary one-night pre-cruise hotel stay
- Complimentary transfers between airport, hotel and the ship
- Complimentary shore excursion credit of up to $2,000 per suite
Guests can choose to apply the credit they receive toward shore excursions, overland journeys, transfer-tours or Seabourn private touring arrangements.
I’m telling you: This is the way to go.
“We understand that some travelers prefer to purchase their vacations for one price that includes everything, and we wanted to accommodate guests who prefer that option to sail with us,” said John Delaney, Seabourn’s Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales.
All-Inclusive Advantage Fares are available on 14 voyages aboard Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Legend, Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Sojourn. Cruises range from seven to 18 days and explore highly desirable destinations including India & Arabia, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, South America, and Australia & New Zealand. Click here to view the All-Inclusive Advantage Fares cruises. These special limited time All-Inclusive Advantage Fare cruises should be booked by October 31, 2012 for best selection.
But do we have to spend upwards of $1000 per day to get this inclusive experience. Some say yes, others no. Carnival Cruise Lines, to some on the other end of the scale, has their new Funship 2.0 onboard programming in full swing now, deployed on more vessels all the time. Tomorrow, we’ll compare a luxury line experience with that of a Carnival Funship 2.0 experience on a dollar to dollar basis. The result may surprise you.
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More about Azamara Club Cruises
- Azamara Journey to Scotland, Ireland and Northern Wales
- Lost In Space In Newark
- Classy and Appropriate, Azamazement Started Before We Even Reached The Ship
- Azamara Best Of Best
- Its West Wing Night On Azamara Journey, For Me
- Touring Scotland: Rent This Castle Please
- Ten Great Things About Azamara Club Cruises
- Ten Iffy Things About Azamara Club Cruises
- Touring Scotland: A Day In Magical Shapinsay
- Trend-Setting Cruise Line Chef Reveals Secrets
- On Board Azamara Club Cruises, Service Is The Name Of The Game
- Sailing Down A River On A Cruise Ship?
- Your Cruise Questions Answered: Azamara Club Cruises
More about Seabourn
- On board Seabourn Quest: We may not leave our stateroom..umm Suite!
- Sailing Seabourn: Check the attitude, set the stage
- At sea, there is dining and then there is Seabourn
- Caviar in the surf: Not your typical day at the beach
- Cruising to Barbados? See Blackie for a good time
- On St Lucia photo ops are plentiful
- Top digs on major cruise line vs the Seabourn experience- part one
- Major cruise line vs the Seabourn experience- part two
- Seabourn cruise even includes thrill ride, no charge
- A day in St Barts via Seabourn Quest
- The Seabourn Experience defined
- Seabourn cruise even includes thrill ride, no charge
- St Johns Cruz Bay direct via Seabourn Quest
- A taste of the Dominican Republic at Isla Catalina via Seabourn Quest
- Seabourn: Cruising amplified
Suggested reading-
 The Unofficial Guide to Cruises (Unofficial Guides)
This winner of the Lowell Thomas award for Best New Guidebook is for travelers who want to step behind the scenes of the world’s top cruise
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 Cruise Power: The Sail More, Pay Less Guide to Getting More from your Cruise Vacation
WHAT REVIEWERS’ SAY: “Excellent book … full of very sensible and valuable information. Definitely a must-have how-to for any cruiser.” – C
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 The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises, 2nd Edition: A cruise lover’s guide to selecting the right trip, with all the best ports of call (Travel Guide)
What’s really included in your cruise fare? What cabins are the best-and the worst? What cruise line has the largest standard cabins, even a
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 Open Road’s Best Of Bermuda (Open Road’s Best of Bernuda)
Bermuda continues to be a top American travel destination, with more than 750,000 Americans traveling there each year. Readers will find rev
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 The Everything Family Guide to Budget Travel: Hundreds of fun family vacations to fit any budget (Everything Series)
Taking a fun family vacation doesn’t have to break the bank, as proven by veteran travel writer Kelly Merritt. Inside, she offers no shortag
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