Charlene's Travel Notes | Edition 2
Two weeks ago, in the very first edition of Charlene's Travel Notes, I shared my experience aboard Celebrity Silhouette, focusing on the ship's wellness facilities and the different ways guests can relax, recharge and enjoy their time at sea.
This time, we're looking at another important part of planning a cruise: understanding the costs.
What does your cruise fare actually include? Which packages are available? What might cost extra? And when could paying a little more upfront actually offer better value?
The term all-inclusive can mean different things depending on the cruise line, fare selected and stateroom category. Understanding the differences before booking can help you plan your holiday budget with greater confidence.
Let's take a closer look at what you can expect when sailing with Celebrity Cruises.
One of the advantages of cruising is that many of the experiences you enjoy onboard are already covered by your cruise fare.
Generally, your Celebrity cruise fare includes:
Specific entertainment, activities and programming can vary by ship and sailing.
Charlene's Travel Tip: There is plenty to enjoy onboard without having to pay separately for every activity. However, it's important to understand that certain dining options, beverages, internet access and personal services may involve additional charges.
For many travellers, beverage packages are an important consideration when calculating the overall cost of a cruise.
Celebrity offers Classic, Premium and Non-Alcoholic beverage packages, each providing different choices.
Classic Beverage Package
The Classic Package includes a selection of:
Premium Beverage Package
The Premium Package includes everything in the Classic Package, along with:
If you order a beverage above your package's price allowance, you pay the difference, plus applicable gratuity.
What about gratuities?
Celebrity adds a 20% service fee to beverage package prices at checkout. This should be included when comparing the overall package cost.
If you don't purchase a beverage package, individual drinks are charged separately, with applicable gratuities added.
Beverage package pricing is dynamic and subject to change. Packages can generally be purchased before sailing or onboard, subject to applicable terms and conditions.
Is a beverage package worth the cost?
That depends on your preferences and how much you expect to consume.
If you enjoy several beverages throughout the day, a package may provide convenience and more predictable spending. If you rarely drink alcohol, purchasing beverages individually or considering the Non-Alcoholic Package may make more financial sense.
Charlene's Travel Tip: Compare the total package price, including the service fee, with what you realistically expect to spend purchasing drinks individually. The most expensive package isn't necessarily the best value for everyone.
Staying connected while travelling is important to many people, but not everyone needs the same level of internet access.
Celebrity offers two main Wi-Fi options.
Basic Wi-Fi
Basic Wi-Fi is suitable for:
It does not support video calls, streaming or posting photos and videos to social media.
Basic Wi-Fi is included with the All Included fare or can be purchased separately before sailing.
Premium Wi-Fi
Premium Wi-Fi provides additional connectivity, including:
Premium Wi-Fi can be purchased separately or is available through The Retreat.
Can you upgrade from Basic to Premium?
Absolutely!
Guests who have booked All Included can upgrade to Premium Wi-Fi either before sailing or onboard.
Celebrity recommends considering the upgrade before departure, as pre-cruise purchases may offer better discounts and savings.
Upgrades can be arranged through the Celebrity Cruises website or app.
Charlene's Travel Tip: If you mainly want to check email and send messages, Basic may be sufficient. If you want to video-call family, share holiday photographs or stream entertainment, Premium may be worth the additional expense. Consider your internet needs before deciding.
Getting to your departure port is another important part of planning your cruise vacation.
Airfare and transfers are not automatically included in the standard cruise fare.
Celebrity offers an air programme for guests who wish to arrange their flights through the cruise line. One advantage is the additional assistance and coordination available if flight disruptions affect your cruise arrangements, subject to the programme's terms and conditions.
Transfers between airports, hotels and cruise terminals should also be arranged separately unless specifically included in your booking or travel package.
Charlene's Travel Tip: Consider the convenience of coordinating your airfare through Celebrity, particularly when travelling internationally to meet your ship. Compare the overall arrangements and costs, and always review the applicable air programme conditions.
Even with a comprehensive cruise booking, some expenses remain additional.
These can include:
It's worth remembering that a cruise fare covers many experiences, but it doesn't necessarily cover every personal expense or optional activity.
Celebrity offers different fare arrangements, including Cruise Only and All Included, as well as enhanced amenities through The Retreat.
All Included combines the cruise experience with a beverage package and Basic Wi-Fi.
Guests can also choose to upgrade their beverage or Wi-Fi package, subject to the applicable pricing and conditions.
For some travellers, paying more upfront for bundled inclusions may offer convenience and better overall value. For others, purchasing only the services they intend to use may be more economical.
There is no single answer that works for everyone.
Charlene's Travel Tip: Before booking, compare the total cost of the different fare options, including any packages you might otherwise purchase separately. Think about what you will genuinely use rather than paying for extras simply because they are available.
Celebrity offers an upscale cruise experience with many dining, entertainment and recreational options included in the cruise fare.
However, understanding the difference between the basic cruise fare, additional packages and optional purchases is important when planning your holiday budget.
A little preparation before booking can help you:
Ultimately, the best cruise package isn't necessarily the most expensive one. It's the one that provides the experiences and services that matter most to you.
Every traveller has different preferences, priorities and expectations when it comes to a cruise vacation.
If you're considering Celebrity Cruises and would like more information, have questions about what's included, or would simply like help exploring your options, I'd be delighted to hear from you.
Charlene Dunbar Travel Advisor | TravelOnly Email: cdunbar@travelonly.com Website: cdunbar.travelonly.com
Let's explore the possibilities and find the cruise experience that's right for you.
Information is based on details provided by Celebrity Cruises and discussions with a Celebrity Cruises representative. Package inclusions, prices, availability and conditions may change and vary by ship, sailing, fare and stateroom category. Always confirm current details when booking.
Until next time, happy travels!
Charlene Dunbar TravelOnly Travel Advisor
Charlene Joseph-Dunbar
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