My next holiday adventure is a cruise on the Vision of the Seas from Dubai, up and down the Arabian Gulf, and back to Dubai for a week beginning February 20.
I paid the “all-inclusive” price more than a month ago, but today I’ve bought some extras — a drinks package and internet access (which comes at a discount if you buy it before you sail).
The internet offering has improved vastly since my first cruise with Royal Caribbean, and it’s evolved into one of the better offers at sea.
I like the fact that it offers unlimited use rather than based on time or data used. At about US$11 a day it’s not a bad deal, although it’s restricted to one device, so I’ll have to decide if that’s my phone, my iPad or my laptop. As I intend to post pictures on the go, it’ll probably be the phone.
I know I’ve been critical of their abuse, but the all-in drinks package makes sense. Having a nice coffee in the morning, followed by a cocktail by the pool, a beer or two at the bar and a fizzy before and drink during the “Broadway-style” the show would mean spending more than the US$55-per-day price.
Paying upfront means that — unless a moment of madness strikes and I hit the casino, or I decide to spend money at ports I’ve been to before — the whole week is entirely paid for: food, accommodation, drinks, tips and entertainment.
It’s quite a bit more expensive that my last Arabian Gulf cruise, which was on the Costa Diadema, because I’m paying a supplement on my room — the penalty for travelling solo. However, I’m keen to have the Royal Caribbean experience again.
I’ve also done my online check-in, which ought to mean that I sail through check-in. I’ll let you know how that goes when the time comes.
