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.
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
