Drink package vs Open bar (NCL style) effect on the ship (non-drinkers)

[MrB]

We are non-drinking cruisers in our 60's. We have a question about having open bars vs forcing people into drink packages. 

Does having an open bar change the nature of the ship, for better or worse, in comparison to forcing people into big ticket drink packages where they think that they have to drink a lot to get their money's worth? Does either plan change the nature of the cruise?

We might be interested in a Cuba itinerary on NCL (just because of convenience to embarkation port.) All of their Cuba trips are open bar vs drink package. We are quite wary of the open bar, but can understand that it might prevent some overindulging. We are looking for feedback either way,

BTW, our non-drinking is just our choice. We understand that it can be an important aspect of certain cruisers expectations. By the same token, Carnival is not for us for this reason.

Thanks. Posting here because we love RCI and that's what we are familiar with,.

Tom

[twangster]

Welcome to the message boards!

The NCL Sky was known to be a party ship when it was doing 3 and 4 nights Bahamas cruises with open bar.  Now that Cuba has opened up to cruise operators she spends much of her time doing Cuba cruises.   

The weekend 'booze cruise' market is different than the Cuba cruise market. 

Sky still does a 3 night Nassau cruise and a 3 night Great Stirrup Cay cruise on many weekends in between her 4 and 5 night runs to Cuba.  When the marketing for these cruises has a huge "Open Bar" graphic as the lead photo you have to know these cruises are more likely to be booze cruises.

Several years ago I did a B2B on Carnival, 4 night followed by 3 night.  The clientele was very different on the two cruises.  The weekend 3 night cruise was a party boat.  I suspect the same may be true for the Sky.  On a weekend 3 night cruise it's more likely to be a booze cruise then the following day when she sets out for Cuba she is less likely to be a booze cruise.  In reality I'm sure it varies cruise to cruise.  A couple of obnoxious drunks on any cruise can set the tone for the pool deck for all.  That applies to any cruise line.  I don't think the stereotype booze cruise crowd seeks to go to Cuba, but I could be wrong.

Royal has some very interesting Cuba itineraries that have two new ports added to the mix.  Check those out before deciding.  

 

 

[MrB]

Thanks for the reply. It was my impression also that these were booze cruises with the addition of the banner ad you mentioned.

[twangster]

You might do better seeking an NCL forum.  Let's face it, this forum is RCI centric so not likely many here have gone on Sky to Cuba. 

This is a great site but another forum that has NCL cruisers participating may yield better feedback.  

[Michael Vitale]

11 hours ago, twangster said:

Welcome to the message boards!

The NCL Sky was known to be a party ship when it was doing 3 and 4 nights Bahamas cruises with open bar.  Now that Cuba has opened up to cruise operators she spends much of her time doing Cuba cruises.   

The weekend 'booze cruise' market is different than the Cuba cruise market. 

Sky still does a 3 night Nassau cruise and a 3 night Great Stirrup Cay cruise on many weekends in between her 4 and 5 night runs to Cuba.  When the marketing for these cruises has a huge "Open Bar" graphic as the lead photo you have to know these cruises are more likely to be booze cruises.

Several years ago I did a B2B on Carnival, 4 night followed by 3 night.  The clientele was very different on the two cruises.  The weekend 3 night cruise was a party boat.  I suspect the same may be true for the Sky.  On a weekend 3 night cruise it's more likely to be a booze cruise then the following day when she sets out for Cuba she is less likely to be a booze cruise.  In reality I'm sure it varies cruise to cruise.  A couple of obnoxious drunks on any cruise can set the tone for the pool deck for all.  That applies to any cruise line.  I don't think the stereotype booze cruise crowd seeks to go to Cuba, but I could be wrong.

Royal has some very interesting Cuba itineraries that have two new ports added to the mix.  Check those out before deciding.  

 

 

Sir, where did you get the impression you are “forced” into ANYTHING ??  They offer a drink package. If you’re non drinkers, don’t buy it !!  There, no force involved.

[ellcee]

39 minutes ago, Michael Vitale said:

Sir, where did you get the impression you are “forced” into ANYTHING ??  They offer a drink package. If you’re non drinkers, don’t buy it !!  There, no force involved.

Quite possibly their marketing. I was under the same impression but when I was looking into booking a cruise I saw you had to pay.

[MrB]

OP here:

My term "forced" is more about those that wish to drink are pushed towards the drink package, not that it is a requirement for sailing. Though I bet there are cruises somewhere that would require a drink package for everyone. I guess you could say that the "everyone in the cabin" rule is sorta kinda maybe a truly forced requirement.

Heck, as a non-drinker, I know that those heavy $$$ drink packages are a tax on drinkers and a subsidy for me. An open bar is actually a tax on me, as I would probably have to pay a bit more than normal, and a subsidy for the drinkers. That's life. Same is true with the casino. If you don't use it, it's a subsidy as the price of the cruise would be higher without it being present.

 

[twangster]

Speaking of tax on cruisers...

In another thread recently I noted that NCL Sky charges higher taxes and port fees on comparable sailings.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/9079-ncl-vs-rci/

Cruise on Sky to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay.  Base fare $259 pp, 4 nights, taxes are $262

Same week.  Cruise Mariner to Nassau and CocoCay.  Base fare $248 pp, 4 nights, taxes are $166

Same week.  Cruise Enchantment to Nassau and CocoCay.  Base fare $ 267, 4 nights, taxes are $166.

Great Stirrup Cay is literally right beside CocoCay.  

Tax on Sky Cuba cruises is harder to compare because Royal tends to include Key West and/or different ports which makes it harder to draw a fair and even comparison to NCL.  

[whitsmom]

We are sailing on the NCL Getaway in November 2019 and we are not getting the drink package even if we use the free perk to add it instead of the dining option will would still have to pay 20% fee just to have the drink package.  There is no way we would get our monies worth doing that.  We might have 1 or 2 drinks per day and considering that the drink package does not include bottled water - well it's just not for us.  We will use that money for excursions!

[Michael Vitale]

On 8/27/2018 at 8:47 AM, MrB said:

OP here:

My term "forced" is more about those that wish to drink are pushed towards the drink package, not that it is a requirement for sailing. Though I bet there are cruises somewhere that would require a drink package for everyone. I guess you could say that the "everyone in the cabin" rule is sorta kinda maybe a truly forced requirement.

Heck, as a non-drinker, I know that those heavy $$$ drink packages are a tax on drinkers and a subsidy for me. An open bar is actually a tax on me, as I would probably have to pay a bit more than normal, and a subsidy for the drinkers. That's life. Same is true with the casino. If you don't use it, it's a subsidy as the price of the cruise would be higher without it being present.

 

The same can be said about everything in life. If not for the guy in the $50K Sky Loft suite, maybe my regular balcony would cost more. Convoluted logic at best. Back to the original point, no one is forced to pay for anything they don’t want, except maybe the port fees LOL

[whitsmom]

I guess the way I look at it - if it is a price you are comfortable with then go for it.  If it goes on sale (drink pkg, VOOM, excursions and etc) then you can cancel and re-book.