I think the issue that Joanna and Marcie point out is the one often overlooked. If people come out of their suites for cocktail hour in the lounges the ambiance and cruise experience is enhanced. It's not about FREE liquor...it's about making the cruise more social ie FUN!

We first cruised on Seabourn which is all inclusive. Within hours of boarding you know so many of the passengers because we all mingled in the bars before dinner. You find interesting dinner companions there and it helps the traffic flow to the dining room - people don't all show up at the same time because they are enjoying socializing in the lounges.

It seems that passengers would find a better experience with this policy. I know we did, and from the reports of others on the WC it was true there also.

None of this has anything to do with tier levels, but as Lawrence points out...the cruise experience that keeps passengers returning is really the goal of the tier program isn't it?