I'm posting this question on more than one forum to get accurate answers- responses. High quality of serive and a traditional/classic style of cruising is how HAL markets it product & how posters respond on the boards. Don't get me wrong, I have sailed HAL & it is the only mid priced-preminum line I sail. I also have a 16 day Panama Canal in a category B coming up, so I know the benefits of this cruise line.
I know that we are all different & that we all have different tastes & preferences. The cruise industry seems to recognize this to some extent. Now, there are some lines I wouldn't sail & have been vocal about that on this board. I think they are gawdy & below my taste. However, I'm VERY aware that my tastes have a tendency to exceed my means!
I always wondered why someone would shell out big bucks to sail a week in the penthouse suite on Carnival, HAL, Celebrity, Princess, or Royal Carribean when they could get so much more on a higher quality line. Some people think the luxury lines are too snooty & might feel uncomfortable. My best friend noted that its easier to be a big fish in a little pond rather than a little fish in a big pond. I'm starting to agree.
Ok, so if one can get past that, let's consider costs. A week to 12 day long cruise on Silverseas can run from $8,000 per person upwards depending on the location. But, some (there are some great specials out there) are around $4,500- $5,000. So lets stick with this low figure. For that price, one gets round trip air fare to the port, a pre night hotel with all taxes, tips, & fees, transfers to the ship, some shore excursions & a special on land BBQ or brunch, cruise fare, all meals, all beverages including alcohol, tips ARE included, and the abosolute finest quality available on the seas. Service will be impecable, at no time will your wishes be ignored or dismissed. You can sail without anyone telling you no or having to sign for a thing. The ships are small so there is never a line for anything. In fact, you couldn't wait in line anywhere if you wanted to. The pool is NEVER crowded, ample deck chairs with thick padding, plush towels. Someone even walks around with an Evian sprits bottle to mist you! Hello. All sunscreen & tanning lotion is complimentary & someone's only job is to walk around (behind the sprits guy) and offer free products to you. Half way open your eyes & a waiter is standing there to take you drink order. Glass half full, the bartender is mixing another without you asking. In between sprits guy's rounds, here comes a lady with cooling towels for your face & hands.
No, you won't get an owner's suite for that rate, but most ships have veranda cabins in that range & there aren't any inside cabins or upper/lower. All of their cabins are spacious beyond anything in the standard mega ship market. Robes, personalized stationary, in cabin tea serives, party set up-- gratis, whirlpool bath etc. The only thing one pays for is the casino & spa services. That's it. They even pre pack complimentary bags for shore days whether you take their tours or not. And there's a table set up with water to take ashore. Want Belgium waffles & a western omlette at 3 am, pick up the phone. When the food arrives & your cabinmate wakes up from the smell & decides they want a shrimp cocktail & a chef salad, no problem. Tell them to send up a different selection of videos so you can watch a movie while you eat.
So, why would someone shell out $7,000-$10,000 per person for a penthouse on a mass market line where you still have to pay for soda, juice, ice cream, water, pizza, or any alcoholic beverage? Yes, the folks sailing Silversea, for the most part, are of means & have a certain ettiquette education found in charm schools of the past. But, not always. Personally, I'm not a wine expert & can't tell you good, bad, or horrible vintage. Guess what, I don't have to because the wine steward will make the suggestion for me. Too much silverware on the table? Well, my momma taught me well, but I get confused sometimes & just rely on the outside in rule.
Forget Silversea for a minute. Raddison isn't all inclusive like that, but they aren't slouching either. Their Tahiti cruise is the most laid back on the sea. Not a jacket or tie in sight. Sequinn gown-not! And, for $2,300 & $900 single supplement, I can sail the Paul G. for 7 days with a lot of those same services. Air included plus up to a $250 ship board credit. Tips still included, service still impecable, personally selected complimentary bar set up & replenishment, cabins wonderfully decorated, wine & beer with lunch or dinner. And lobster means lobster, not flash frozen lobster tails. Even the Mariner, the only all suite all veranda ship afloat, is reasonably priced considering the amenities. Geez, I found 2 cruises that fit my schedule for more than 7 days where the single supplement was waived, I didn't wipe out my frequent flier account, & the service was out of this world. Each cruise cost me less than traveling in the lowest veranda cabin on HAL, paying their 190% single supplement.
No, luxury lines aren't for those seeking the $599 or better 7 night deals, they just don't compare. (does HAL even have those???) I'm just wondering about those who book the highest, most expensive Princess, Carnival, HAL, or RCCL suites. I know there are suite perks, but do they match the ones on say Silversea? One major draw back or significant difference is the entertainment. There isn't a feather boa to be found on the Silver Cloud if your life depended on it. No rip roaring, non stop night life. And, it can be difficult for those that need to be constantly intertained. But, it is elegantly understated & I think its beautiful. That's what folks say about HAL, so I think the tastes are about the same. Each of the lines I mentioned have ships that are 1000 times smaller. Some sailing with between 80-200 people.
The PG once sailed from Tahiti with 72 people on board though the ship holds much more. RSSC didn't run any last minute fire sales to fill up the ship & they didn't cut back on any of the services or try to increase on board revenue. I don't think they even care about that. It was unbelievable. Talk about passenger/crew ratio! Most crew had nothing to do but follow you around (at a descrete & unobtrusive distance) waiting for a request. I thought one guy was going to whip out palm leaves & start fanning us by the pool while someone else peeled grapes. Even the captain called me by my name when I past him on the first morning of the cruise & stopped to ask me specifics about my home town. (places, people, generally what was going on there, etc) Somehow he knew I was from Palm Beach.
Dining is open seating & there isn't too much for small children to do so that may be a reason for those traveling with a large family. But, the lectures & workshops are truly interesting & enlightening. This, too, is sort of in line with HAL, except for the open seating which I don't like anyway.
So, I've said all this to preface the basis for my question. I'd like to hear from people who have booked those suites on the budget/mid prices/mass market lines. Or those who just have an opinion. Its particulary relevent in light of all the discussions about the hidden cost of cruising & the nickle & diming that adds up on board. Yes, HAL has free ice cream, designer coffee, and hot hor 'd erves before dinner as well as other perks. ( And I know the suites have VCRs, but on the luxury lines, all cabins have that)
The penthouse on the Volendam's 14 day holiday cruise is $17,000 per person & that's without transportation, taxes, or pre/post cruise hotel, etc. But you know someone has already booked that for sure. On the cruisecritic board, everytime someone posts a question about suite amenities, some guy from Florida always responds (in all caps) that they "always book a full suite or the penthouse" for every HAL cruise. Yet, $34,000 goes a long way on Silverseas, RSSC, & especially Seabourn. (gotta love the cross over Mariner discount)
BTW, I'm not the poster child for luxury cruise lines or Silversea in particular. I sail as a solo passenger & like a longer cruise. So, I have sat down & figured out the cost of everything that I pay for before, during, and after the cruise plus tips, then add that to my 190% cruise fare. After doing that I compare apples to apples. It really isn't that much of a bargain for me to buy & then haul Snapple & Minute Maid on board (don't drink soda) to off set some on board expenses. I'm talking about the whole shabang. Taxi rides for one are nominally less than HAL transfers. (except in some foreign countries where HAL is just outrageous for the $ of their bus) Airfare during the season I want to fly.-- High season I can forget about using FF miles & who wants to get stuck with a non refundable plane ticket to Dubai if the cruise changes etc?
What I found is a better bargain for a better product on the luxury lines when everything is included. So, I'm wondering how those booking higer categories justify the expense to themselves. There's certainly no need to justify it to me or anyone else. I do find that there are some unique things about the fellow HAL passengers that I find amusing, enriching, & refreshing so that's a definite plus. Also, its nice to sometimes get lost in a semi crowd or have more people to interact with. And, I love some of the more mature folks I meet on board HAL.
Note that I am not talking about world cruises or ones over 30 days so much as the week -10 day ones. For those longer cruises I can understand wanting the room/space. This has sort of turned into an unsolvable rubic cube mystery for me & I've wanted an answer for a long time. I just read posts hoping to hear something, but no one has posed or broached the subject that I've seen.
We have booked suites on HAL for a number of years. The reason we haven't booked on the "luxury" lines is simply based on value. For $2,500/pp we get a 550 sq. ft. stateroom and lots of amenities on a ten day cruise. If we include the cost of spirits, tips, and some excursions the total for the two of us is about $6,000. Try to find a suite on a luxury ship with 450 sq. ft. of interior living space and 100 sq. ft. of veranda space for less than $10,000. I strongly disagree with your implied attitude that people who book suites and penthouses on non-luxury cruise lines are unable to make good monetary judgements and "waste" their money. Indeed the opposite is true their choices are made on percieved value.
I don't think that I implied those booking the penthouse on non luxury cruises are unable to make good monetary decisions or that they waste their money. I posted a genuine question that has bothered me for awhile. So, if you found offense, I apologize.
$2,500 per person is a good deal on HAL for a suite. ---For 10 days. Is the penthouse available for that price? If so, I'll take it. But, I don't think so. Because that's the category I'm asking about. I think you're referring to the mini suites category A or B. Absolutely nothing wrong with then. I sail in the B category. ---Unless the upgrade fairy visits me next time, because I'm not willing to spend $5,000 cruise only for the S suite (not the penthouse) without the other perks unless its 14 night or longer. But, that is just me. We all have different opinions & value systems.
Also, if you aren't willing to spend $10,000 on Silversea or Radisson, you aren't shelling that out for HAL either. I love space just as much as the next person. Claustrophobia weakens me so inside/outside cabins aren't really an option. A veranda (any size) is necessary.
Some people read mystery thrillers or romance novels for relaxation in their spare time. I read cruise brochures & discount offers. I know that an 11 night carribean cruise on Celebrity's newest ship is $8,000 per person. So that one person is paying MUCH more than you or I. I have to check my stash, but I am certain that a 450 sq. ft cabin can be had on a luxury ship for $16,000 for a week. Please re-read my post because that was what I wrote & limited the discussion to a max of 10 day cruises.
However, that same person on the Celebrity sailing still has to pay for alcohol, sodas, shore excursions, airfare, transfers, hotel, internet serivce, specialty or alternative on board dining, tips, the list goes on. My question is, how much is their trip REALLY costing them? And, what about the many, many, ship wide amenities & benefits I didn't even mention. If you note, that is what got me thinking-- once I sat down & figured up what my TOTAL trip costs for a solo passenger.
It may not be about the money for some cruisers. Perhaps they really, really, don't want any of the other services & prefer to stand in line for cold hot dogs & taco fixins at the Carnival midnight buffet. Perhaps some people don't want to be pampered. Perhaps some feel out of place. Sail7seas made a very good point on the cruisemate chit chat forum. She doesn't want to fly to any of Silversea's exotic locations because she's having issues with the airlines (aren't we all) & after 25 cruises in the same penthouse, its like a second home.
As for others, I don't know & that's why I am asking.
Linda: I am very interested, also, in this topic. My husband and I have had this dicussion from time to time and I fully understand your point. I hope more "lurkers" out there, will put their fingers to their keyboards and give us some of their thoughts.
My personal observation is that there are a large number of HAL repeaters who again and again book the Category "S" and may or may not have tried the "premier lines". This category interestingly is always the first to sell out. It has been a private topic of conversation at the "Suite Passenger" cocktail parties on various cruises that we've been on.
One small correction, however, so as to not be misleading. We do not book the Penthouse suite; we are always in the category "S" full suite.
Linda, I accept your apology. I was refering to the Cat S suites. The mini-suites are about half the size of these staterooms. If we restrict the question to penthouse suites they are about 900 sq. ft. and cost about $7500 per 10 day cruise on HAL and we add $1500 for spirits, excursions, tips, etc. it would total $9,000 or $900 per day. You thought that $16,000 per week for 450 sq. ft. on a luxury cruise line would be about right. This would be about $2286 per day or a difference of $1386 per day for a room half the size of a HAL penthouse. To me the added service and ambiance is just not worth $1386 per day. While I could afford a week on the luxury line I would rather have the equivalent of 18 days in a HAL penthouse or 27 days in a HAL suite with very little difference in service or amenities. IMHO.
The answer you just gave was very helpful. That's one of the conclusions I came up with but wasn't sure. Sailing on a moderate/premium line in the higher/highest category with amenities but cruise more often while forfieting some luxury amenties rather than sailing in the "lap of luxury" once or twice a year is your preference? You, and probably many others, prefer the sq footage to the other on board perks, etc? That makes sense. Or it makes a lot more sense considering that we're talking about HAL. This line already includes many things that the other mass market lines do not. I'm still not sure about the value of Carnival though.
Also, we have to make sure we compare apples to apples so the destination is a major factor. Thanks to all who posted.
I would love to try a premium line for the same price we are paying for our 10 day HAL cruise in a full suite -- about $2600 per person after my TA's rebate. I don't like to fly so we are driving to Florida. Neither of us are big drinkers so our bar tab is modest. We prefer exploring on our own except for those occasions where it is not possible to do so either safely or where the time constraints make it prudent to book an excursion through the ship so that is not generally a huge expense either.
Now I am the first to admit you can't always find such good bargains as this -- it is one of HAL's alumni recognition cruises, but the careful shopper can take advantage of HAL's good bargains more often than you might think.
Linda,I am glad I was helpful. To us sailing in a suite or penthouse on HAL is the "lap of luxury". We also look at the ship and accommodations as the most important part of the cruise experience. The majority of the premium class ships offer more choices in on-board activities and entertainment than the smaller luxury ships. Also destination is not important to us when considering a cruise. All we are looking for is smooth sailing in a warm climate to get away from the Northeast winters. We also appreciate the convienience of a short flight to Fort Lauderdale and quick access to the ship. When destination is important then we fly there and stay longer in a nice resort or hotel.
You obviously have never enjoyed the Penthouse .....Have booked my family
for 7/20 Rotterdam Penthouse...If you are going to go go first class, do it
right and stop talking about money....
Personally I don't spend the money because I'm treated just like all of you who would fork out that much money for a suite.....Now if I win the lottery then I'll think twice about paying for a suite!
I'll take the pampering, exsqusite food, services offered by the luxury lines (Radisson is our favorite) in the least expensive cabin rather than the "luxury" of a penthouse. When it comes time to go ashore, the penthouse gang is in the same line as the $99 a night inside cabin person as 2000 + try to get off at the same time. And don't forget to sign that check for that $2.00 bottle of water. I'll suffer in the lower priced cabin (who spends much time there anyway) on the luxury liner knowing there are probably only 500 other people and the water is free!
Just one comment!!!!!!!! Carnival treats us like kings and queens. We have always received the highest quality pampering on a Carnival ship. We have our 4th cruise booked for April 2002. Of course it is with Carnival. There are 10 of us who cruise together and enjoy the entire experience....... Our attitude is we will have a great time and we have a Great Great time....... Char
We have taken 20+ cruises & have had penthouse cabins on all but maybe 3.
Various ships, Princess, Celebrity, Renaissance,Crystal. Never had a bad cruise and wouldn't go back to a lesser cabin ever. The free alcohol, tips included blah, blah, blah.. is great but you just pay in advance on the ships you mentioned.
Why no, the suites guests aren't standing in line with the others to go ashore. They have their priority tender tickets. Nor they standing in line for the cold hot dogs,they have special dining rooms for breakfast and lunch. And they aren't jostling for pool deck chairs,they are lounging on their private decks. Those who say HAL does not have multi class cruising hasn't hung out in the suite lounge.
Some of you seemed a little harsh in your responses toward the end. Gee, guess I'm not as touchy as I ought to be. I read it as a question. Perhaps I just take offense to referring to some women or solo traverlers as "frigid", but that's something for another board discussion. I think its just a matter of personal taste. Some folks may think the other lines stuffy. Some may rather have sq footage over shipwide services. Some may like a larger ship than the typical yatch like size of the ultra luxury lines. Some may want a ship offering lots of night life, entertainment, and social distractions. The ultra luxury lines are sedate in comparison to even HAL! Some people don't like that. Oh well. To each their own. But are we really as suspicious, hostile and defensive as some of the responses indicate. I sure hope not.
"Yet, $34,000 goes a long way on Silverseas, RSSC, & especially Seabourn. (gotta love the cross over Mariner discount)"
Is there a crossover Mariner discount from HAL and Seaborn? Thanks-enjoyed your commentary. We have only taken 2 cruises-one20 years ago on the old Home Lines and one in a mini-suite on the HAL this past Dec. This year, we're trying RSSC Mariner in Dec.
My family is sailing on the Statendam 12 May 2002 and here is the reason we found the penthouse suite to be a VERY GOOD DEAL.
My 94 year old father-in-law will be with us and he must have a step in shower. The three of us do not wish to share a C or H catagory cabin which is listed as handicapped.
I found a sale on this sailing the first week of Sept. and we will be sharing the cost three ways: myself, my husband and my father-in-law. Total for the penthouse, all tax and fees, and the Platinum insurance (for full refund) is $7757.62. That works out to $2585,87 per person for lots of room, two toilets, and lots of service. I think we will be very pleased.
Why waste $$$ on penthouse or suites
Even the captain called me by my name when I past him on the first morning of the cruise & stopped to ask me specifics about my home town. (places, people, generally what was going on there, etc) Somehow he knew I was from Palm Beach.
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