A simplified inclusive pricing structure – with future cruises including drinks, Wi-Fi and tips as standard – has been unveiled by Celebrity Cruises (www.celebritycruises.co.uk) in the countdown to the resumption of sailings.
The announcement comes in the run-up to the maiden voyage of the line’s newest ship, the 2,900-passenger Celebrity Apex, which was originally due to be named in Southampton in March before the ceremony was postponed due to COVID-19. The second Edge Class ship and sister ship to Celebrity Edge, is now due to embark on its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale in January 2021.
Both vessels feature the ‘Magic Carpet’ deck that moves up and down the side of the ship. Designed by leading British architect Tom Wright, it is the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform that can be transformed into a lounge, bar, entertainment area or boarding platform for tender boats when the ship is anchored offshore.
All future sailings on Celebrity’s 14-strong fleet – apart from Galapagos voyages – will feature the ‘Always Included’ package which the line says will put an end to confusing promotions, complicated add-ons and limited time offers.
The new standard fare will cover unlimited drinks, including cocktails, wine by the glass, beer, soft drinks and speciality coffees and teas, unlimited free Wi-Fi and gratuities for the crew. Passengers that want additional levels of inclusions can pay extra for the Elevate package, with unlimited drinks and shore excursions valued at up to $200 per person, or the Indulge package which includes everything in the Elevate deal plus an additional $200 of on board credit per person.
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, said:
“Everything we do at Celebrity is driven by the desire to redefine what today’s luxury looks and feels like, with experiences modern travellers want. With the launch of our Edge Series ships, Celebrity Edge and her brand-new sister ship Celebrity Apex, we tapped into a powerful ‘New Luxury’ culture – relevant, relaxed, design-focused and inclusive. Today, nothing is more luxurious than when things are extra simple and extra special. We wanted to bring that big wonderful feeling of ‘everything is taken care of’ to life for our guests.”
Peter Giorgi, the line’s Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, added:
“After this challenging year, ease and peace of mind have become even more invaluable commodities. People want to spend more time being inspired, not getting lost in a myriad of booking options. Our new ‘Always Included’ approach makes the purchase process simple.”
Other innovations recently introduced by Celebrity include transforming the cruise safety drill – traditionally requiring all passengers to gather in one place before going to allocated muster stations – into the digital experience Muster 2.0, which can be accessed by guests from any smart device or on their cabin TV and completed at leisure prior to the ship’s departure.
Author Bio:
Known as the ‘River Cruise Queen’, Jeannine Williamson is an award-winning travel writer, cruise expert and our cruise correspondent, who has clocked up thousands of nautical miles.
Photographs courtesy of Celebrity Cruises
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