Carnival pilots new all-inclusive packages – but Aussies miss out again

• Carnival is piloting new all-inclusive cruise packages.
• These package together drink and wifi, as well as other discounts and benefits.
• However, Aussies are excluded from this limited-time promotion.

Carnival is piloting two new packages, the Essential Value Package and the Ultimate Value Package, which offer a more inclusive style of cruising for Carnival, with both packages on sale for one week only.

However, unfortunately, Carnival ambassador John Heald said the one sentence that Aussies hate to hear: “Apologies that at the moment this is not available for savings from Australia.”

These new packages are in the style of Princess’s packages, Princess Plus and Princess Premier, combining drinks and Wifi, as well as bringing in other benefits.

The Essential Value Package, costs USD$50 (AUD$75) per day, and comes with Carnival’s ‘Cheers! Zero Proof’ package, a value Wi-Fi plan, a $50 discount on shore excursions and a $25 discount on specialty dining.

So full inclusions for the Essential Value Package include

• A non-alcoholic drinks package with sodas, juices, bottled water, sparkling water, coconut water, premium coffees and teas, zero proof cocktails, alcohol-free beer and wine, frozen drinks, smoothies, protein shakes, milkshakes and energy drinks
• A basic wifi package, with highs peed access to social media, emails, airline websites and more.
• A USD$50 discount on shore excursions when booked in advance
• A USD$25 discount on specialty dining when booked in advance.

Then the Ultimate Value packages which stars at USD$90 (AUD$135) comes with

• An alcohol and drinks package, which includes all spirits, cocktails, beer and wine by the glass with a USD$20 or lower menu price and non-alcoholic drinks like sodas, energy drinks, specialty coffee, hot tea and more. As well as discounts on more expensive alcohol.
• A premium wifi plan, this offers access to all socials at higher speeds, as well as video and music streaming.
• A USD$50 discount on pre-booked shore excursions.
• A USD$25 discount on pre-booked specialty dining.
• 50% off spa treatments booked before the cruise.
• 50% off photo packages booked before the cruise.

These packages, while for now only temporary, offer a completely new style of package for Carnival Cruises, that offers a more inclusive experience and encourages Carnival cruisers to get all their costs in order before a cruise and have everything pre-booked, and likely at a better price if you already generally get packages and book shore excursions and specialty dining.

While for the now the packages are only available for a week, it’s very common for Carnival to pilot new packages or offerings like this with limited availability to gauge interest, and then properly launch them afterwards.

Why do Aussies keep missing out?

Why passengers from the USA or Europe might have read the announcement with excitement, Aussies cruisers would have their eyes fixed on, “Apologies that at the moment this is not available for savings from Australia.”

Unfortunately this sentiment has been common for Aussie Carnival cruisers lately. The list of times when Aussies have missed out appears to be stacking up.

• Carnival’s new zero-alcohol drinks packages have less inclusions for Aussies, most notably with premium tea and coffee not being included.
• Newly converted Carnival ships, Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter don’t have all the perks of normal Carnival ships, such as 24/7 free pizza and soft serve.
• Carnival hasn’t brought any of its sailings exclusively for adult to adults to Australia yet.
• Aussie P&O Australia cruisers (a cruise line which was owned by Carnival) weren’t given any loyalty points with Carnival when the ships were transferred over to Carnival cruisers.
• On Carnival’s new rewards programs, Aussies can’t access the credit cards that allow for faster accumulation of loyalty points.

Even though this is promotion is only for a week, it’s still a huge loss for Aussies as anyone else with a Carnival cruise booked over the next couple of years can book it. Not to mention, this exclusion creates a worry that if the packages become a regular fixture, Aussies could be left out again.

Many Aussies are feeling like they get the rough end of the bargain with Carnival. Despite it being a beloved cruise line in Australia, new ships and packages are given to USA and European cruisers, while Aussies get the leftovers.

What do you think? Are Aussies right to feel aggrieved?