BunnieBear

Exactly!, So it seems that short cruises are priced much cheaper, or even subsidized to below $40 per day.

Thats because they anticipate binge blow out spending on alcohol, casino, spa, etc by the party crowd who frequent these short cruises

I can't imagine buying a 70 day drinks package for instance... but will manfully tackle next month's 10.

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I imagine they use a lot of different factors when pricing. People on longer cruises may have a lower daily on board spend for instance than people on a blow out week.

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If it's only a couple people, then might work. BUT the last thing I am going to do, if I have a view is waste my time calling someone. I am out in my "dark place:" I have already scouted out on the ship. I would never expect to just wait until someone calls me. I AM out looking at an investment of my time for my priorities. Sorry. Selfish- yes.

Or you're sleeping oblivious to the fact anything is going on because nobody could be bothered to tell you. Can't stay up all night on the off chance with ports to explore next day.

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I have only seen aurora from a cruise ship twice. I have seen it multiple times landing touring.

 

It requires a LOT of effort, the narrow "midnight" thinking couldn't be farther off. ANYTIME during darkness- with darkness with clear - meaning- can see stars, not that you are seeing in front of you, and activity. I have seen aurora and a setting sun, as example during very active aurora. So the midnight thinking is way off. It also is in a constant state change and can be gone in minutes. I've done two aurora Alaska visits, that are intense. You stay up all night. :)

 

With anyone, wanting to try and see aurora from a cruise ship- essential you DAILY check the prediction stats. For viewing on the inside passage it has to be strong whereas in Fairbanks you can get more favorable views with lower ratings. LOOK, at least every hour, and a complete look. You are going to miss it, if not looking in the right direction. Get someplace dark- which is tough on a ship. Do NOT count on any nothification. You can "sign up" all you want, it takes a LOT of time to make calls. Good Luck.

We thought a system where one person rouses the next cabin number in the chain so only one or 2 people need notifying by the bridge/guest services but the message spreads fast.

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That's so cool! How'd you arrange for your roll call to get a wake up call if it happens?

We're still working on that bit :-)

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Oosterdam has left a little early. With all the rain this afternoon people probably had no desire to linger in Juneau.

It'd have to be knee deep before I gave up on my day :-)

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We were lucky to see them on our last early September RCI cruise...thanks to the Captain blowing the horn at midnight and adult kids with us that called our cabin :D

As early as midnight? Yippee. We're on the Jewel the last week of September and thought we might need to keep setting alarms to go up to check but our roll call is going to try to get a wake up call if it happens.

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Look out for the KCLs in the mdr and buffet,cheers,Brian.

On NCL do you think?

I'm not so sure that the statement "gratuities are "Included" in the fare in Australia is incorrect. The statement says they are not added to the on-board account and says nothing about whether they are "included" in the fare. The fare and the on-board account are not the same thing.

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Yes, you are likely to be charged state tax while in port and for a brief time after leaving port. The tax is dependent on which state you are located. If you have a $10 drink, for ex. the $10 is covered by the UBP, you've already paid the 18% on that drink but you will be charged the tax (70 cents if tax is 7%) on your on-board account.

Is this true of Seattle and Alaska?

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Hi,try the 2 HOHO bus routes,good way to see Seattle.Alaska doesnt need sales tax,its already an arm and a leg,lol,cheers,Brian.

A Tracy arm and a King Crab leg? Thanks for the tip.

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If you wind up going on a cruise in October and find out that you paid $626 more per person (cruise and air fare) because you waited until fares kept sliding up, you might reconsider.

I've had it the other way though where you have a holiday booked well ahead of time, so go, but find it less enjoyable because it's too similar to something else you've done recently, or you're missing something you wanted to attend at home (friend's wedding) that only got arranged after you'd booked. Sometimes spontaneity is better.

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How do you know that? I thought the opposite,we pay a lot more than US ,with all the discounts and perks they get.

You get the perk of an upgrade or onboard credit if the price of your cruise goes down between booking and paying, and refundable deposits I believe? We didn't get that.

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What was more transparent? The price or the clothing? :')

Ha Ha. Annie I think you have a racy reputation here :-)

Goodnight all x

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Alaska doesn't have sales tax :)

 

Do you mean Washington state or DC?? I guess the former.

 

I am a boring excel geek.

 

Enjoy your trip.

 

Annie

Aha, thank you. Yes, Seattle. That'll be my first US city. Not that there'll be much time for anything but racing around trying to fit everything into the 2 days we have there.

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On a multi-generational family trip to USA, that is what I do.

 

3 columns

 

Ticket Price (USD)

Till Price which includes sales tax (USD)

Est GBP price.

 

Annie

I have Washington, Alaska and Vancouver to factor into mine. 2 currency rates and possibly 3 or more different tax rates (need to check that and what items are/are not taxed) Spreadsheet needed I think! ;-)

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Tax systems, and corresponding pricing laws are in general not put in place for tourists.

 

I would prefer where VAT identified separately since I can get it refunded when I am a tourist in the countries that charge it.

 

We can debate the pros and cons of taxation systems and country laws for quite a while. Doubt we would change many opinions though.

True :-)

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I agree. By not displaying a tax inclusive price, they are creating a potential barrier to sales.

 

Even Costco in the UK displays the price in both formats.

 

Annie

I may do myself a ready-reckoner for each port to save pondering time.

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Interesting use of the term transparent. I, for one, consider a system that breaks out the cost of goods and taxes into separate line items to be more transparent than one where they are lumped into one number.

 

The total price system might be more accurate, complete, or a few other descriptors, but I would not call it more transparent.

If the tax is compulsory it becomes irrelevant doesn't it? Especially to a tourist. The higher amount is what you've got to have in your pocket :-)

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There was a time in New York where provided you were purchasing clothing or shoes under a certain limit which I think was $110, there was no sales tax.

 

Annie

Tourists would probably spend more if it was more transparent.

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Then why are you complaining about gratuities? Sorry if I misunderstood your position, but I am confused about you comments criticizing gratuities. :confused::confused:

I'm not. My complaint is they're not added to the purchase price advertised.

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Therein lies another cultural difference.

 

When I purchase a household item in the UK, the price displayed is the price I pay inclusive of taxes, delivery costs etc.

 

'Hidden Fees' is against the law.

 

That is why I hate shopping in USA, the price displayed is NEVER the price you pay - I know another cultural difference.

 

Annie

It is a strange system not knowing the cost until it's rung up at the till.

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And, if you purchase a promotional package from the cruise line that included pre-paid gratuities, you would be able to do the same. So what is your point? Just wait for one of those promotions and then you can be as happy as a bee in honey on your next cruise and not spend a single penny more. Or, book on a luxury all-inclusive cruise line instead. (Oh wait, then you would complain about the high prices they charge for that all-inclusive environment - never mind).

 

When you choose to go with a lower price cruise line, don't complain that you don't get the same amenities as if you booked with an expensive luxury all-inclusive line. It was your choice. Take responsibility for it instead of complaining about the additional costs you didn't want to pay for on that luxury line. :rolleyes:

I started my first post saying I was happy to pay what's due, I don't know what's given you the impression I wasn't. I just want clear straight forward pricing.

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We went to Greece all-inclusive earlier this year and could have spent nothing over and above the holiday price had we wished.

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There is your fatal flaw. We are talking about cruise vacations. No cruise line that I know of, other than the luxury lines, claim to be all inclusive. They all clearly explain on their websites and sales brochures what is and is not included in the cruise fare. Again, you are assuming that a person is either too stupid to read, or living under a rock.

 

Besides, every all-inclusive land based resort that I have ever researched clearly detailed what was not included in the base cost, including taxes and other non-resort fees, plus excursions, car rentals to explore, etc. None are 100% all-inclusive. You will always have to pay something over and above the cost they quote, usually depending on what your interests are and what you want to do.

You're really not getting the point I'm making. I could have put self-catering, the point is the same, the cost is usually as advertised - not "oh, and a little bit more because we don't properly pay our staff"

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No different than any purchase they make from virtually any vendor:

 

Buy a car, you pay additional tax and license fees, plus transportation costs to the dealer.

 

Buy a washing machine, they pay additional taxes and possible delivery fees and disposal fees for the old machine.

 

Buy a television and pay additional taxes and electronic recycling fees.

 

In other words, buy virtually anything and there will be so-called "hidden fees" that aren't listed on the sales flyer, brochure, TV ad, etc. A person would have to be living under a rock to not understand the concept of additional costs when purchasing something.

Generally if you book an all-inclusive hotel holiday here you pay what is advertised - unless you want to take additional luggage. The examples you give are not competing holiday options. This is my point.

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