Christmas really is a magical time of year, isn’t it? How else can you explain the generous offers cruise lines are desperate to make in order to get us to book holidays with them next summer?
Royal Caribbean has been giving away free flights to whisk you to their ships in the Mediterranean, and although I might have my reservations about the reference to tips in P&O’s promotion, there’s no doubting the bargain fares on offer.
Other lines all have their different tricks to distract us from the Christmas shopping and peeling the sprouts and to think instead about lazy days at sea and exciting times visiting historical sites or exotic shops.
But my prize for the most arresting offer (so far) goes to Thomson Cruises, who today announced what they claim is a £1 million bar bill giveaway. On bookings made before January 31, passengers can upgrade to the all-inclusive option for just £49.
Now most of the cruise fare is already all-inclusive, as far as meals and entertainment is concerned. What we are talking about here is, in effect, an all-you-can-drink package for less than £50 instead of the regular price of £189 per week. Some premium labels cost extra, and don’t expect to be able to drink your own body weight in Champagne for that price, but it’s still a good deal.
Just remember that as you tot up the cost of your Christmas haul of wine, beer and spirits from the supermarket, or as you dig deeper into your pocket for another round at the office party.
It won’t be long before we hear from the True Temperance wing of the Misery Society that this is outrageous, and will only encourage people to drink to excess on their holidays – which of course they would not do at full prices.
Snowballs to them, I say. And cheers to Thomson.
UPDATE: Thomson Cruises have now announced that on departures on their ships Thomson Destiny and Thomson Spirit from December 2011 to April 2012 the all-inclusive drinks option will be available absolutely FREE. Sounds like the best Christmas present ever, unless you’re a Friend of Bill W.
About the Author: John Honeywell
John Honeywell is a travel writer specialising in cruise ships and cruise travel. Winner of CLIA UK's Contribution to Cruise award 2017.
CHEERS for Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year..