Crystal Cruises has always been a staunch opponent of the all-inclusive model favoured by its luxury rivals, but recessions bring out the flexibility in everyone, it seems, because they have just launched an All Inclusive - As You Wish promotion.
Its two ships haven't actually gone all-inclusive, which on other luxury cruise ships means drinks and gratuities are included in the price.
It's even better than that. A whopping $2,000 per couple on-board credit to spend on things they want - wine, shore excursions, spa treatments, gratuities. In fact the only thing you can't use it for is gambling in the casino, which is fair enough.
The All Inclusive promotion is available on all Crystal Serenity cruises in the Med between July and November, all 11-night Baltic and British Isles cruises on Crystal Symphony between July 19 and August 23 and Symphony's transatlantic from Dover to Boston in September.
I'd love to know what the most popular on-board buy is. If it's alcohol, might Crystal be persuaded down the all-inclusive route after all? Only time will tell.
Jane Archer
