What Norwegian's New All-Inclusive Fares Reveal About Cruise Pricing

For decades, cruise lines have promoted themselves as a comprehensive vacation: lodging, abundant dining options, port stops, and on-board entertainment—all in the fare. What’s left?

Plenty, according to Norwegian Cruise Lines, which is introducing “all-inclusive” pricing for 2015 cruises it sells this month. The package is priced according to the length of the cruise, from three days to two weeks, and offers a 10 percent discount on the cruise fare. The option for a seven-night cruise is $899 per person, more than double the $359 that Norwegian is charging for its basic low-season fare this fall. The package includes unlimited drinks, a $200 shore excursion credit, 20 photos, six bottles of water, prepaid daily service charges, and about four hours of Internet access. Buying the package also waives the usual $10 to $40 cover charge for dining at the company’s specialty restaurants, one per night. Factor in enough premium drinking, and the all-inclusive could justify the premium.