Comments on: Nation of Why Not … Charge More http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/20090106436/nation-charge/ Blogging the cruising world Mon, 20 May 2013 22:21:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: John Belt http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/20090106436/nation-charge/comment-page-1/#comment-1057 John Belt Sat, 23 May 2009 14:28:24 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=436#comment-1057 Namvet4 (and others) stated that "in these economic times"(I am paraphrasing here) indutries need to 'nickel and dime' to get by. That's all well and good, but what happens when these hard times are over? Will the cruise indutry, not to mention all the other industries and government agencies for that matter, go back to business as before? Or, as is most likely the case, will they continue with these new revenue streams, using the new cash cow for all it's worth? Namvet4 (and others) stated that “in these economic times”(I am paraphrasing here) indutries need to ‘nickel and dime’ to get by. That’s all well and good, but what happens when these hard times are over? Will the cruise indutry, not to mention all the other industries and government agencies for that matter, go back to business as before? Or, as is most likely the case, will they continue with these new revenue streams, using the new cash cow for all it’s worth?

]]> By: Cruisemates Blog » Is Royal Caribbean Trying to Swim Upstream? - Kuki http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/20090106436/nation-charge/comment-page-1/#comment-791 Cruisemates Blog » Is Royal Caribbean Trying to Swim Upstream? - Kuki Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:35:43 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=436#comment-791 [...] Carnival, NCL and Royal Caribbean The truth is, the cruise industry always experiences a doldrums...Nation of Why Not … Charge More There’s little doubt that Royal Caribbean Cruise Line builds some...Cruising In A Suite Is Sweet [...] [...] Carnival, NCL and Royal Caribbean The truth is, the cruise industry always experiences a doldrums…Nation of Why Not … Charge More There’s little doubt that Royal Caribbean Cruise Line builds some…Cruising In A Suite Is Sweet [...]

]]> By: Gail http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/20090106436/nation-charge/comment-page-1/#comment-499 Gail Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:23:36 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=436#comment-499 I hate the nickle and diming! I used to cruise cause it was the 'all inclusive' nature of the trip. Charging for all these extras has turned me off. I'll change to land resorts...cruising has changed so much as far as I'm concerned...for the worse...long lines, poor food, poor service, charging for these extras...no thanks I hate the nickle and diming! I used to cruise cause it was the ‘all inclusive’ nature of the trip. Charging for all these extras has turned me off. I’ll change to land resorts…cruising has changed so much as far as I’m concerned…for the worse…long lines, poor food, poor service, charging for these extras…no thanks

]]> By: Bill http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/20090106436/nation-charge/comment-page-1/#comment-452 Bill Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:55:05 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=436#comment-452 I heard RCI is now planning on offering quote: Johny Rockets “better burgers” on their room service menu…. you guessed it… for an ADDITIONAL FEE! Better burgers? I have eaton JR burgers both on land and on RCI, and while I have not tried RCI's "kitchen burgers", I have tried Carnival's, and they are better than JR's. I heard RCI is now planning on offering quote: Johny Rockets “better burgers” on their room service menu…. you guessed it… for an ADDITIONAL FEE!
Better burgers? I have eaton JR burgers both on land and on RCI, and while I have not tried RCI’s “kitchen burgers”, I have tried Carnival’s, and they are better than JR’s.

]]> By: Kuki http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/20090106436/nation-charge/comment-page-1/#comment-451 Kuki Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:13:49 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=436#comment-451 Namvet... thanks for the comment. The blog was written to both express my annoyance with the manner RCI handled the roll out of it, and other increases, and planned increases. And also to inform those who would otherwise be uninformed until they were onboard. Once informed, of course, as you say, everyone has their choice of whether to pay or not, or whether to go elsewhere or not.... but at least they do so informed. Namvet… thanks for the comment. The blog was written to both express my annoyance with the manner RCI handled the roll out of it, and other increases, and planned increases. And also to inform those who would otherwise be uninformed until they were onboard.
Once informed, of course, as you say, everyone has their choice of whether to pay or not, or whether to go elsewhere or not…. but at least they do so informed.

]]> By: Namvet4 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/20090106436/nation-charge/comment-page-1/#comment-448 Namvet4 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:46:48 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=436#comment-448 "nickel and diming" is a fact of life in ALL service industries due to current economic conditions. If your writing to decry that, you are preaching to the choir! If you are writing because you feel that the introduction of the policy was poorly, or totally "UN" handled by RCI, then you have a legitimate point. You are the final arbiter of your spending. You challenge the cruise line on the policy and voice your displeasure; this is what generates feedback that hopefully the cruise line reads. Will there be more instances of this type of "policy change" being implemented? Does the sun rise in the East!?!? ;) “nickel and diming” is a fact of life in ALL service industries due to current economic conditions. If your writing to decry that, you are preaching to the choir! If you are writing because you feel that the introduction of the policy was poorly, or totally “UN” handled by RCI, then you have a legitimate point. You are the final arbiter of your spending. You challenge the cruise line on the policy and voice your displeasure; this is what generates feedback that hopefully the cruise line reads. Will there be more instances of this type of “policy change” being implemented? Does the sun rise in the East!?!? ;)

]]> By: Kuki http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/20090106436/nation-charge/comment-page-1/#comment-445 Kuki Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:58:48 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=436#comment-445 I think I hear the other show dropping already.... (or is being thrown?). Have no verificiation of this, but I heard RCI is now planning on offering Johny Rockets "better burgers" on their room service menu.... you guessed it... for an ADDITIONAL FEE! I think I hear the other show dropping already…. (or is being thrown?).
Have no verificiation of this, but I heard RCI is now planning on offering Johny Rockets “better burgers” on their room service menu…. you guessed it… for an ADDITIONAL FEE!

]]> By: Mike M http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/20090106436/nation-charge/comment-page-1/#comment-444 Mike M Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:54:56 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=436#comment-444 I am not a fan of the "additional" charges that are becoming more prominent on cruise lines. Cruise lines such as NCL do not hide the fact that there are additional charges for alternative restaurants, specialty coffee etc. but they give people alternatives so they do not have to pay for or use the product or venue. You also have alternatives to cruise other lines. The problem is that things that were once free are now being charged for and many cruisers take the "Stepford Cruiser" approach and will not complain or voice their displeasure via a letter or a comment on their comment card. The cruisers who cruise with the attitude of "Everything is great as long as I don't have to make my bed and all the food is wonderful as long as I don't have to make it.". These cruisers have as great of a negative impact on the overall quality of the cruise experience as the chronic complainer who cannot be pleased or is looking for a freebie from the cruise line. If all someone is looking for is not to make their bed or fix their own meals, there is a Motel 6 and a Cracker Barrel that will be glad to take your money for a week. People need to voice their displeasure with a change and do so in a rational, calm but firm manner so the cruise lines get the message. The cruise lines are a business and they will try to find new sources of revenue and cut costs to the point that it negatively effects their bottom line. When spending thousands of dollars on a cruise people need to make sure they are getting value for their money and not blindly accept every change and charge or nothing will be included in your cruise fare except your room. Take care, Mike I am not a fan of the “additional” charges that are becoming more prominent on cruise lines. Cruise lines such as NCL do not hide the fact that there are additional charges for alternative restaurants, specialty coffee etc. but they give people alternatives so they do not have to pay for or use the product or venue. You also have alternatives to cruise other lines.

The problem is that things that were once free are now being charged for and many cruisers take the “Stepford Cruiser” approach and will not complain or voice their displeasure via a letter or a comment on their comment card. The cruisers who cruise with the attitude of “Everything is great as long as I don’t have to make my bed and all the food is wonderful as long as I don’t have to make it.”. These cruisers have as great of a negative impact on the overall quality of the cruise experience as the chronic complainer who cannot be pleased or is looking for a freebie from the cruise line.

If all someone is looking for is not to make their bed or fix their own meals, there is a Motel 6 and a Cracker Barrel that will be glad to take your money for a week.

People need to voice their displeasure with a change and do so in a rational, calm but firm manner so the cruise lines get the message. The cruise lines are a business and they will try to find new sources of revenue and cut costs to the point that it negatively effects their bottom line.

When spending thousands of dollars on a cruise people need to make sure they are getting value for their money and not blindly accept every change and charge or nothing will be included in your cruise fare except your room.

Take care,
Mike

]]> By: Kuki http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/20090106436/nation-charge/comment-page-1/#comment-442 Kuki Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:24:30 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=436#comment-442 Marc.. certainly in these "times" the luxury lines are going to have to find ways to compete for what's a likely shrinking market (hopefully only temporary). And as they compete, they may well come into the price ranges that will cause new people to take a look. Regent's program sounds like it was well thought out, and I too like the idea of the free excursions, particularly in Europe, and more exotic destinations. In the Caribbean, it wouldn't mean much to me. Paul wrote an excellent feature article about Luxury Cruise Bargains recently http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/feature/LuxuryCruiseBargains-121208.cfm And I think it's clear for those booking suite categories on major lines, the Lux lines are definitely worth taking a look for close comparisons. On the flip side, if I had booked a Royal Suite on RCI, and they wanted to charge me $3.95 for a late night snack I'd be really CRANKY :) Marc.. certainly in these “times” the luxury lines are going to have to find ways to compete for what’s a likely shrinking market (hopefully only temporary). And as they compete, they may well come into the price ranges that will cause new people to take a look.
Regent’s program sounds like it was well thought out, and I too like the idea of the free excursions, particularly in Europe, and more exotic destinations. In the Caribbean, it wouldn’t mean much to me.

Paul wrote an excellent feature article about Luxury Cruise Bargains recently
http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/feature/LuxuryCruiseBargains-121208.cfm

And I think it’s clear for those booking suite categories on major lines, the Lux lines are definitely worth taking a look for close comparisons.

On the flip side, if I had booked a Royal Suite on RCI, and they wanted to charge me $3.95 for a late night snack I’d be really CRANKY :)

]]> By: Paul Motter http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/20090106436/nation-charge/comment-page-1/#comment-441 Paul Motter Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:07:56 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=436#comment-441 Marc - I agree on why it was done, I htink that is obvious. But I think it was a bad idea for customer relations reasons. Also - I love the freee shore excusrions idea. One of the best I have ever heard in terms of enticing me to want to book a cruise. However - they are large revenue generators, so I doubt many cruise lines will follow. I wish more people realized that river cruises usually give free shore excursions - part of their intrinsic vale. Marc – I agree on why it was done, I htink that is obvious. But I think it was a bad idea for customer relations reasons.

Also – I love the freee shore excusrions idea. One of the best I have ever heard in terms of enticing me to want to book a cruise.

However – they are large revenue generators, so I doubt many cruise lines will follow.

I wish more people realized that river cruises usually give free shore excursions – part of their intrinsic vale.

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