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Is "class" cruising coming back


dcruiser50
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An interesting article:

https://malcolmoliver.wordpress.com/z-industry-comment-are-class-divisions-on-the-rise-on-board-newbuilds/

I think the end was interesting:

"There are probably blue-collar workers dining in Cunard’s ‘Queens Grill’ because they feel it is work trying and at the same time plenty of wealthy people who would not dream of paying Cunard’s high Grill Class fares."

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Doesn't MSC already have something similar with their different experience classes?
Yes, they do but they call it the experience. "Bella, Wellness, Aurora" as well as Yacht Club. We sailed the new MSC Seaside in April under the basic Bella experience with my kids. It was wonderful and admittedly felt no inferiority to anyone else nor did we expereince any bad service or anything else based on class or "experience" that we booked. It was great .........
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We are sailing the Celebrity Silhouette in 2020. Almost all of their ships are going to get a pretty good facelift over the next 2 years under their "revolution" with more areas being designated to suite guests ..... Simply put, they will be taking more of their ships and doing the crap like the other lines are doing and giving more areas to just those willing to pay more than the average cruiser. I for one would never pay for it, especially for the Haven on NCL for that matter which I feel is probably the biggest and one of the most expensive ripoffs around in the cruise industry.

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I don't cruise solo but I'm curious as to what you mean by mark ups and restrictions. For example, how are solo guests unfairly restricted?

I don't want to get on a solo traveler 'woe is me' platform, as I make my own choices of how to travel and accept the fine print or not, but when looking for cruises (across the lines), I have experienced the following:

- a reasonable sale price per person for a transatlantic, but the fine print clearly states based on double occupancy, so when you type in 1 for the reservation, the price for one person is 3 times the pp price because it is based on the book price rather than a sale price. Why not just sell the room as 2 people at sale price?

 

- one person in the room, but you pay double for the bid to upgrade

 

- purchase of drinks packages - again, based on 2 in the room, so double

- MSC's experiences are suddenly not available to lower price cabins when you click 1 but are available if you dummy buy 2

Of course, this is their prerogative, but it does demote solo travelers to less than 'desirable'....

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- a reasonable sale price per person for a transatlantic, but the fine print clearly states based on double occupancy, so when you type in 1 for the reservation, the price for one person is 3 times the pp price because it is based on the book price rather than a sale price. Why not just sell the room as 2 people at sale price?

 

I know that this is a bit off-topic but I'm asking questions because I have a sister who is solo and will be joining us on a future cruise that I haven't booked, yet. She's cruised before but would prefer her own stateroom this time.

 

For the above scenario, is it possible to add a ghost person as guest #2? Would that be cheaper as 2 x the sale price vs. 3 x the price?

 

- one person in the room, but you pay double for the bid to upgrade

That seems to be fair. Solos are treated as 2 people in both cases.

 

- purchase of drinks packages - again, based on 2 in the room, so double

This I haven't seen. From my understanding, there would only be a charge for 1 person (either promo service charge or purchased at full price plus service charge).

 

- MSC's experiences are suddenly not available to lower price cabins when you click 1 but are available if you dummy buy 2

Again, does ghost booking a 2nd guest work better? It's funny that you mentioned MSC as we intend on going back onto Seaside and I will be booking an interior for 1 person in our group.

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I think it's the result of the new generation of mega-ships. When the larger ships were not too functionally different than the medium sized ships, then there is no real need. Like the difference between a 40kt vs 80kt ships is decent, but not too dramatic. So in that era, there was no need for different classes on one ship, both groups don't benefit. You just build a different ship/line/branding for different classes. But with these new mega ships, people like the increased activites, more things for kids, better entertainment, etc. But there's not enough passengers to make a luxury class mega-ship, so now we are back to multiple classes.

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Yes, and to anyone that says no I say you're simply not paying enough attention to what's going on aboard the past few years. Are you paying for this class system? Yes, we are if desired. We are only a few years away in my opinion where a "3rd class" will only have access to the buffet while having a choice to pay a lower rate. You'll have The Haven (1st class) the MDR (2nd class) and the Lido Buffet (3rd class). It will be reflected in pricing. Think I am crazy? Just wait and see .......

 

Don't give Frank Del Rio any ideas...assuming he's not working on this already.

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I think it's the result of the new generation of mega-ships. When the larger ships were not too functionally different than the medium sized ships, then there is no real need. Like the difference between a 40kt vs 80kt ships is decent, but not too dramatic. So in that era, there was no need for different classes on one ship, both groups don't benefit. You just build a different ship/line/branding for different classes. But with these new mega ships, people like the increased activites, more things for kids, better entertainment, etc. But there's not enough passengers to make a luxury class mega-ship, so now we are back to multiple classes.

 

The smaller NCL ships still have suites, though, which is a very similar thing. A normal balcony room doesn't get a butler or lunch at Cagney's, but the suites do. The main difference in the larger ships is just an increased area for the "first class" guests, no?

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I have sailed in regular balconies and the Haven. I see nothing wrong with offering guests more luxury and perks for a price in special areas.

 

If you don’t like it, I think Norovirus got it right, don’t sail on ships that offer an exclusive area to higher paying guests.

 

I also wonder if people have problems with NCL making Spa Access and the Vibe Beach Club extra cost? Isn’t that the same thing as the Haven?

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I have sailed in regular balconies and the Haven. I see nothing wrong with offering guests more luxury and perks for a price in special areas.

 

If you don’t like it, I think Norovirus got it right, don’t sail on ships that offer an exclusive area to higher paying guests.

 

I also wonder if people have problems with NCL making Spa Access and the Vibe Beach Club extra cost? Isn’t that the same thing as the Haven?

 

Someone on a budget in an inside stateroom could conceivably spring for the spa pass for the extra hundred bucks far more realistically than spending 10k+ to get in the Haven.

 

I bet if an NCL ship ever sinks the people on the lower decks will be locked below like on the Titanic. I heard a rumor the Haven has their own dedicated lifeboat with better rations stored on board and an emergency butler.

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yes..i am kidding...it was a play on the stereotype that all haven passengers are rich/ well off....its actually just the opposite im my opinion..we all struggle...we hate paying taxes..writing checks to daycare..mortgage payments..over paying for gasoline and bottled water... all the while trying to give our kids the best..

im just happy to be on a ship once every few years...my mistake i made was i had a 2 bedroom haven room on the breakaway...now its tough to sail in anything less.

You had me at red soled heels. I was scratching my head wondering who would wear their Louboutins (sp) on a cruise anyway!

 

(I only know what they are from watching Sex and the City).

 

Thanks for the laugh.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

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Someone on a budget in an inside stateroom could conceivably spring for the spa pass for the extra hundred bucks far more realistically than spending 10k+ to get in the Haven.

 

I bet if an NCL ship ever sinks the people on the lower decks will be locked below like on the Titanic. I heard a rumor the Haven has their own dedicated lifeboat with better rations stored on board and an emergency butler.

 

 

Yes but Haven rations cost a lot more than Garden Café rations. And THAT Daily Service charge for rations is outrageous! All of it added to your account for your convenience of course!

Edited by david_sobe
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Amen. I guarantee you a teacher in a tough public school making $29k/year works plenty damn hard.

Excellent example!! And I couldn't agree with you more. When I started teaching I made less than that!! and I sailed in on OV cabin bc it was commiserate with what I could afford for my hard work. Fast forward many years later to my current standing as a school principal...I still travel commiserate with what I can afford.

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I know that this is a bit off-topic but I'm asking questions because I have a sister who is solo and will be joining us on a future cruise that I haven't booked, yet. She's cruised before but would prefer her own stateroom this time.

 

For the above scenario, is it possible to add a ghost person as guest #2? Would that be cheaper as 2 x the sale price vs. 3 x the price?

 

The cruise lines may have caught on to the 'ghost' booking. I haven't read of it here, but a cruiser on a British cruise line stated that he and a friend had bought a cruise on sale, his friend was sick and not able to come. Supposedly, they wouldn't let the one man board without paying the difference to bring the price up to the single supplement... now, that could be fake news, or cruise lines getting smart. It is sad that solos have to resort to subsurface to get equivalent sale prices. This side of the Atlantic people seem to not be penalized (and they get the port taxes for passenger #2 refunded), but like no longer being able to carry on water because of it being replaced by booze too often, they might want some sort of proof of any claim of a second person not turning up.

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Nope. Has nothing to do with your social class. It's all about dollars and your choice!

 

Something for everybody.

 

It seems this question gets asked every now and again by folks who either do not want to pay or can't afford but begrudge those that can and do.

 

I cruise suites and Haven. I am middle class. Just, at my age, have made good financial choices. The Haven is full of people like me.

 

The super high class is on Regent, Crystal, Silversea, etc. or on their own or leased yacht.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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Society has classes whether proclaimed or not. Sometimes it is only the person or persons who try to create their own 'class structure'. If cruise demographics are even minutely represented by some CC posters, then 'in some people's minds' - yes, there are classes. Senses of entitlement, outward flash, name dropping ship's officers, frequent reminders of their 'status'. It might not be intentional, but these all lead to a 'better than thou' impression that really stands out when read by infrequent site members.

 

Also, the cruise lines' poor recognition of solo travelers in fee schedules, are telling solo travelers that they don't rate, because they don't bring in the ++++ spending. Yes, there is a slow increase in making allowances for solos, and NCL offers more acceptance than most, but across the board, solo travelers are seen as 'steerage', denied sales promotions and charged up to double the rates (sometimes triple the sales rates) in order to be allowed to cruise. I have no problem in paying up for the room portion of fees, it is all the other mark ups and restrictions that are smacks in the face and clearly send the message that the largest growing travel niche market isn't for 'them'.

 

I know about the "double cost" for solo travelers (same price as if two people sailed).

 

But what is this about "triple"?

 

Also, the so-called "sale price" is THE "price". No one ever pays the "brochure price" (which makes that advertising, to us anyway, either absurd or seriously misrepresenting the "real" price).

 

Is it different outside the USA (I assume from your post)?

 

GC

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I have been wondering if class cruising is coming back? That is are we as a society going back to first class, second class, and steerage. With the increase in perks for suites, haven, restricted areas becoming the norm are we that far away from separate dinning, pool area etc.

Not sure of my feelings on this, just wondering what others are thinking

 

It never left, and it’s all based on money on a cruise ship. Real class has nothing to do with it. There certainly is not a caste system. You bring money to the table you get the “class” perks. I certainly don’t have a problem with that. It has nothing to do with actual class. There are rich people and poor people and everything in between just as there are people with class and those who do not have class. There is absolutely no cause and effect here. Societally speaking those with true class make all those around them feel at ease, no matter their circumstance, and do not flaunt whatever it is they may have.

And I apologize for going off on a tangent, lol.

 

Someone mentioned a future where you have Lido, MDR and Haven passengers. Anyone would have the ability to cruise in any of these depending on wants and needs. If it was a port intensive cruise I would most certainly choose Lido. My goal one day is to do a transatlantic in the Haven. Attainable if I ever bother to save enough for it....

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It’s no different from the different class of houses we leave before the cruise, in the different classes of neighborhoods, and drive in the different classes of cars to get there.

 

It’s always been there on some lines (Cunard really stood out), now it’s just caught up on the larger mass market ships.

 

On the Jewel class we didn’t need the Haven, but liked the suite perks. But on the larger ships we feel it’s a necessity.

 

As others have said, it’s different from a birth-based class/caste system that you can’t move up from!

 

I was literally talking to my 80+ year old mother today about how we didn’t have the money growing up for any trips except taking the subway to Coney Island, and she’s happy now my wife and I can travel... and then now switch from that to saying the Haven is a “necessity.” :)

 

But also, people spend their money differently. I have a 80 minute commute (each way), in a modest house, so we have the money for our expensive vacations!

Edited by psac
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Solo, cheapo traveler here. I have very mixed feelings about you Haven people (smile) On one hand, I appreciate the fact that you are willing to pay $7000-10,000 for a room for a week and book that room 2 years in advance because that exact room is that important to you. That allows me to pay $359 for my inside sail away room for the same departure. Are you getting 20-30 times more the experience than I? I don't think so- you might. As someone mentioned upthread earlier, I buy a spa pass. I spend the week in the thermal suite and find my bliss. That makes me a bad revenue passenger- I don't go to the casino or shop in the stores or go to the art auctions- I just float there in the bubble tub and smile. I listen to Haven folks here discuss how much to tip the butler and how disappointed/angry/upset they were that they were not properly recognized by a bartender for being a Haven guest and that they were not given priority seating to (fill in the blank). To someone like me, that complaint sounds self indulgent and snotty, but to the person who paid 30 times my fare, they likely felt justified.

 

Different perspectives.

 

As far as paying double, etc- I sailed solo on MSC years ago with no problems. Now there are a number of people with stories about how they can't book on that line as a solo or the solo trip is that much more expensive. Guess what? Same on Carnival and Royal Caribbean. The easiest, most sane way is to simply approach a solo booking as the cost of the cabin for the trip rather than per person. After all, you buy the hotel room and the car- you don't pay by the bed or the seat. NCL offers some amazing deals to solos and downright steals fi you can go last minute. I did a cruise on the Pearl for $50 a day. You can't eat for $50 a day on vacation, much less a room and transportation.

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