Is This The End of All-Inclusive Cruising?

Above, the show aboard the Norwegian Sky last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last year, during the cruise to the Bahamas, we took in a show aboard the Norwegian Sky. It was a rock 'n roll themed show with dancers. We enjoyed the show and, it was free (well, it was part of the cruise cost). 

The show was part the all-included price of the cruise.

Some are concerned that cruise lines may start charging for shows and other amenities that are now included in the price of the cruise. 

This is the topic of an article in Cruise Passenger.

They begin it with:

Once upon a time, cruising was considered an all-inclusive experience. Nearly all activities, restaurants, entertainment, room service, childcare and more were all included in the price.

The beauty of cruising is that additions like entertainment and most meals are included in your fare. But we are seeing more and more amenities incur extra charges, rather than being included in the base cruise fare. 

In the same way that some years ago, every restaurant on a cruise ship was free, and now some are specialty restaurants that require forking out extra, we’re likely to see this happen with more cruise amenities that we currently enjoy as inclusions. 

Could shows be next to go?

A huge perk of cruising is seeing Broadway-style shows in massive theatres for free, as well as having free access to all sorts of other live entertainment and more intricate and intimate shows that can be found across cruise ships.

Cunard, for example, has started charging USD$20 per person for select shows carried out in their Bright Lights Society bar, and USD$46 per person for their onboard show, Bitter Sweet Symphony. For now, charges for shows only apply to their newest ship, Queen Anne, and the tickets for the shows do come with some drinks included.

While other major cruise lines don’t charge for entertainment, some cruise lines, such as Virgin Voyages, also charge extra for certain shows. 

Some cruisers on social media are worried that this will become the norm for contemporary and premium cruise lines.

To read more, go here.