Jan115

You're right on the mark, Andi - I think that's what Disney had in mind all along when they built Aulani. Cruise and resort package in paradise. Sounds good to me! ??️?️

What a brilliant idea and great use of older ships when they're put out to pasture! Looking forward to hearing more about it.

Congratulations on your upcoming cruise, Linda! I'll be cruising the opposite end of the country - New England. I think it's going to be a tad warmer where you're going!? I have a special fondness for Grand Princess - she was the first-ever cruise for my husband and I back in 2002, and we cruised her out of San Francisco to Alaska a few years back, after she had the big "handle" removed from the aft section.? Enjoy your bucket list Hawaiian cruise, and be sure to come back here and tell us all about it!

I agree! I once added up the number of drinks we had on a cruise, and it didn't even amount to half the value of a beverage package. ?

Welcome to CruiseCrazies @Manni! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first, we welcome your comments, cruise stories and questions and look forward to seeing more of you around our friendly community! ??

Welcome to CruiseCrazies @Tommyray! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first, we welcome your comments, cruise stories and questions and look forward to seeing more of you around our friendly community! ??

Joe - thanks for a great discussion topic! Yes, prices for beverage packages are getting out of control, and as long as guests want them and are willing to pay for them, the cruise lines will sell them at their inflated prices. I'm not particularly loyal to any one cruise line, but have found myself cruising a lot recently on NCL - due to my husband's Twin River Casino cruise perks ? - not because of any love for the drink package, but because I have grown to like "freestyle" cruising and their ships. Would I leave a favorite cruise line for a more-inclusive option? I used to think not, but I have been eyeing Viking Ocean lately, not because of their inclusive beer and wine at lunch and dinner, but because of the other inclusive amenities as well (excursions, internet, specialty dining, etc). There is a lot of nickel and diming with the major lines, and it's getting worse. Like Andi, I generally only get a beverage package when it's a free perk. However, there was a time - as late as 2017 - when Princess gave you the option of taking cash in the form of onboard credit in lieu of the beverage package, and I would chose the OBC in a heartbeat. I don't drink enough to warrant the cost, especially on a port-intensive cruise. I chose the free package as one of my two perks on NCL Epic 7-day Mediterranean in June, and may have had 2 drinks a day, if that. I am mostly a water drinker (from my own reusable container to be environmentally friendly), don't drink soda and might have a specialty coffee afternoon jolt. Other than that, a drink package is wasted on me. Now if it's a cruise with a lot of sea days, there will be more frozen drinks and beers by the pool, but still not enough to validate paying for a drink package. Now for big drinkers - or for those who don't want to keep tabs on how much they are spending on booze, I can see why it's attractive. Alcohol has been budgeted in before the cruise, so no pressure to hold back. As a seasoned cruiser, I have no problem with lines offering a drink package for those who can use them, but they should offer an "in-lieu-of" onboard credit option or maybe a "light-drinker" package at half the price.

I love when we get the new ships here in the Northeast!

Have a wonderful cruise, @Cruisesnyou. Wishing you clear skies and calm seas as you soon sail away aboard Celebrity Equinox. Please tell us all about your adventure when you return, or post a review! ??

Donald - thanks for sharing your photos and ship experiences. I can imagine how an 8-year-old would be enchanted by the Norisle ferry. No need to be "polite" here. We would LOVE to hear about your least favorite cruise line. I promise we won't judge!? My dream is to do a transatlantic, but if I want to take my husband along, I have to adhere to his schedule which, unfortunately, doesn't allow for long cruises at the best times of the year. ? May someday ...

Global warming may be melting the ice, but it's the Arctic after all - there's going to be ice at one time or another. I can imagine that predicting the presence of ice in the Northwest Passage during any given season must be real tricky. $31,000 is a lot of money to pay for a cruise which may not reach its destination.?

Welcome to CruiseCrazies @Crooosin! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first, we welcome your comments, cruise stories and questions and look forward to seeing more of you around our friendly community! ??

Welcome to CruiseCrazies @MikeAbbatt! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first, we welcome your comments, cruise stories and questions and look forward to seeing more of you around our friendly community! ??

Welcome to CruiseCrazies @Toralou! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first, we welcome your comments, cruise stories and questions and look forward to seeing more of you around our friendly community! ??

I'm a little late to the Bon Voyage party, Jackie, but I hope you're having a fantastic cruise! ?️?

Hi Swath - Great to see you posting again. ? Thanks for this information. It's a good point of reference, especially for first timers looking to compare cruise lines. Funny, though ... I always think of Princess as Premium, in the same class as Celebrity and Holland America. ?

Have a wonderful cruise, Keith and Rita. Wishing you clear skies and calm seas as you soon sail away aboard Carnival Fantasy. Please tell us all about your adventure when you return, or post a review! ??

Welcome to CruiseCrazies @Glenna! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first, we welcome your comments, cruise stories and questions and look forward to seeing more of you around our friendly community! ??

Welcome to CruiseCrazies @Arnie! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first, we welcome your comments, cruise stories and questions and look forward to seeing more of you around our friendly community! ??

Welcome to CruiseCrazies @ANDRELLA! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first, we welcome your comments, cruise stories and questions and look forward to seeing more of you around our friendly community! ??

Welcome to CruiseCrazies @Becca! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first, we welcome your comments, cruise stories and questions and look forward to seeing more of you around our friendly community! ??

Welcome to CruiseCrazies @Longbilly! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first, we welcome your comments, cruise stories and questions and look forward to seeing more of you around our friendly community! ??

Welcome to CruiseCrazies @Nicki! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first, we welcome your comments, cruise stories and questions and look forward to seeing more of you around our friendly community! ??

Welcome to CruiseCrazies @Wayneway38! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first, we welcome your comments, cruise stories and questions and look forward to seeing more of you around our friendly community! ??

Welcome to CruiseCrazies @Ladyrose110! Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first, we welcome your comments, cruise stories and questions and look forward to seeing more of you around our friendly community! ??