I am planning a cruise and wanted to see if anyone had a tip on which lines include alcohol in the ticket price. The last cruise I took was inexpensive, but when you added bar tabs it more than doubled in price.
Thanks!

Regent, Silverseas, seadream and seabourn include alcohol. But the cost of sailing on any of them are 3-4 times more than "mass market" line.

It's not only if you drink on those companies, but what you drink. Top of the line tipples cost more.

My Uncle William breaks even! 'nuf said.

thanks for the advice. I am younger (26) so would probably have more fun on a boat like carnival. Do any of these ships offer an unlimited drink package (like the pop one, but much more fun and costly).

You need real money (or a credit card) to run up a big tab on Carnival. Expect high prices and weak drinks.

I was just checking on an upcoming cruise on Holland America and note that they now offer a "Signature Cocktail Card for 10 signature cocktails" for $64.69 but there's debate on Cruise Critic as to whether that's a good value, and I wouldn't really recommend HAL to the average 26-year-old unless you're taking Granny for an outing.

Cheers,
Fredd

I don't know why you wouldn't recomend HAL. It has an generally older crowd simply because it is more expensive but it is not exclusively full of ancient remains. It does not have drunken teenagers in the hallways like some other cruises, but there is usually a good variety of passengers from very old to children.

If you are looking to do nothing but get drunk and loud then stay away from HAL. If you want a cruise that isn't full of that then you might look at HAL.

No, for a 26-year-old, it wouldn't be my first recommendation - HAL tends to be more "sedate" - but I tend not to make recommendations in any case because so much depends on the individual cruiser.

Mrs. Fredd and I have sailed a total of about 60 days on HAL in the last six years and we're sailing again in October. I think the OP would be well advised to check out www.cruisecritic.com as I and others often recommend here. We've also sailed on Princess, Celebrity, Carnival, Princess, and Cunard (QM II) and I have no idea which lines this particular individual might prefer. If I were guessing, it might be Carnival, Princess and Celebrity from among those we have experienced, but that can vary from ship to ship and cruise to cruise as well.

Anyway, I'm a Mariner in good standing and we're looking forward to our next cruise on HAL.

Cheers,
Fredd

The prices are equivalent to your average bar and the drinks aren't bad.

To the OP: Don't let people's false impressions sour you on Carnival or other mass-market lines. You would have to drink A LOT to make up the fare difference between the mass-market lines and the all-inclusive lines.

If you're young and enjoy fun and nightlife, go with Carnival or RCCL. Personally I recommend Carnival, but you probably can't go wrong with RCCL either. You just spend ~150% of the Carnival fare for the same thing.

The point of the all-inclusive lines isn't the free drinks. People on SeaDream etc. want a different level of service and none of the mass market hysteria and crowds that comes with the mainstream cruise lines.

Right. But the OP has made it clear his main concern is the inclusion of alcohol. In fact he stated that he thinks he'd be happier on a mass-market line.

In which case he should bring his charge card or go to Sandals or something similar.

Agreed.

Thanks for the tips. I posted this becuase the last cruise I went on I racked up a large bar tab - but it would still be cheaper (and probably more my speed) on a Carnival. Does anyone know of a good ship on Carnival which is not a family oriented boat.
Thanks!

NCL at least offer an "all inclusive" option.. several in fact. You must be part of a group booking (min 8 staterooms) and everyone must pre pay the charge. I would imagine that other cruise lines in that market do the same.

You also didn't mention where you are looking to cruise. There are a few European operators in the 3* range that often offer all - inclusive upgrades, such as Thomson Cruises and Island Cruises.


Mark