Crystal Cruises will include wine, spirits and gratuities for housekeeping, bar, butler and dining room staff in cruise fares starting in March 2012.
“Crystal is going all-inclusive in 2012,” said Bill Smith, senior vice president of sales and marketing for the luxury line. The new policy will go into effect after the 2012 World Cruise when both ships head for Europe on trans-Atlantic voyages: Crystal Symphony’s “Beyond the Sea” sailing from Miami to Lisbon on March 19, 2012, and Crystal Serenity’s “New World to Norway” voyage from New York to London on May 8, 2012. The company is waiting until then because the cruise schedules are already published through the first quarter of 2012.
“Pricing is already out in the marketplace with the ‘All Inclusive-As You Wish’ [shipboard credit] promotion, and it would just be too confusing because a lot people are already booked on that,” Smith explained.
The company is doing away with the suggested $7-per-person gratuity for waitstaff in the Prego, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar specialty restaurants, but there still will be charges for Vintage Room wine dinners because they include high-end wines and liquors. Gratuities will still be accepted in the salon and spa.
Crystal will end the “All-Inclusive-As You Wish” promotion, which gave onboard credit of up to $2,000 per couple, although some shipboard credits still will be available through agreements with national accounts and for Crystal Society members who reach certain levels.
Smith said Crystal is becoming more inclusive, not because of competitive pressures, but because it is the “next step in Crystal’s evolution as a luxury leader.” The company has also instituted a Personal Choice dining program that allows guests to dine whenever they choose, as well as the traditional two dinner seatings.
“We now have open seating dining and we are all-inclusive, so we are competitive with any of our luxury competitors and we’re positioned way out in front of the premium and mass-market guys now,” Smith said. “I feel particularly sensitive to what the marketplace and travel agents say. There are some things our competitors do that we don’t do. Some things we do, our competitors don’t do. This is just an easier message for the consumer and travel agent. We want to be competitive, but we didn’t respond just because they were doing it, we felt the market was ready for us to do it.”
He noted that Crystal does not charge for enrichment programs such as Berlitz language programs, Yamaha keyboard classes and lessons with PGA Golf professionals. The line will continue to stock the bar in penthouse accommodations and include a bottle of wine in regular accommodations.
There still will be sommeliers in dining room who will offer a complimentary selection of red and white wines that will likely vary by night and destination. A “Connoisseur’s List” of higher-end wine, champagne and spirits will be available at additional cost.
The company is not looking at including shore excursions, What impact will including beverages and tips have on cruise fares? “This hasn’t really impacted our fares,” Smith said. “I don’t think you’ll see an increase in our fares to cover this. We’ve been very aggressive with our pricing in 2012.”
Overall, including beverages makes a more pleasant atmosphere at the dinner table on the ships, since guests won’t have to wrangle over bills and sign chits for every drink, he said: “It just makes the experience so much more comfortable, not awkward, so much simpler and much more convivial.”
A complete list of 2012 Crystal itineraries and fares is posted and available at TheCruiseOutlet.com. All 2012 cruises are now open for booking.
Also included with all cruises is free round-trip air transportation from two dozen North American gateways (or an air credit), with airport/ship transfers included.
Always included at no additional cost are: non-alcoholic beverages such as bottled water, specialty coffee drinks, soft drinks and fresh juices; high tea; ice cream and frozen yogurt bar; gym, steam, saunas and whirlpools; fitness classes such as Spinning and group Pilates Reformer instruction; Walk-on-Water weighted vests and Nordic Pole walking equipment; dozens of computer/technology classes; art classes; Crystal Visions lecture series; welcome champagne; shuttles to town; pillow menus; self-service laundries; twice-daily housekeeping with nightly turndown service; and 24-hour room service. Penthouse accommodations also include personal butler service, pressing, stocked bar, and other amenities and services.
For more information, call 800-775-1884 or visit www.thecruiseoutlet.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment