What should be included in basic fare

My question to fellow cruisers is.....what are some of 'added value' things that you feel should be on a cruise and included in your cruise fare? Are these things not included, and if not what would you pay to have them included?

It would be nice to have all drinks included. I know we can buy drink packages now and that solves the problem, I just personally wish that the "all inclusive" was closer to land based all inclusives that include drinks. But I like cruising for the discounted all inclusive nature and so I don't really mind that it's not included, it's just the only thing I could come up with. Cruising already includes everything I expect and want for the price.

Did I use the word include enough? :)

It would be nice to have all drinks included. I know we can buy drink packages now and that solves the problem, I just personally wish that the "all inclusive" was closer to land based all inclusives that include drinks. But I like cruising for the discounted all inclusive nature and so I don't really mind that it's not included, it's just the only thing I could come up with. Cruising already includes everything I expect and want for the price.

 

Did I use the word include enough? :)

I agree with you that cruising includes everything I expect and want for the price. My wife & I do not drink so I don't agree with drinks should be included. Sorry I don't want to pay for others drinking, that's what the drink package is for.:)

I would like to see cruise lines include the gratuities / daily service charge in the base fare and pay their staff a decent wage. Same with any onboard purchases or services. Include any gratuity / service charge in the price of the good or service. If the charge is mandatory, include it in the upfront price. If I then want to reward exceptional service with an additional gratuity, I will.

Soda at lunch and dinner is something I'd like to see included in the basic fare. Tired of having to go back to my Stateroom to get the RFID chipped cup, then having to wait 15 minutes for a refill with the Coke Freestyle machines.

I was disappointed at the extra fees on Adventure last week for sea day activities. I would have enjoyed the mixology class and the jewelry making classes offered. Didn't feel I should have to pay for them, so I opted out.

Gratuities in the fare would be nice that way when you see the total you won't have to worry about paying the gratuities, it'll just all be in one price! and non alcoholic drinks (mock tails, sodas)

Soda at lunch and dinner is something I'd like to see included in the basic fare. Tired of having to go back to my Stateroom to get the RFID chipped cup, then having to wait 15 minutes for a refill with the Coke Freestyle machines.

Totally agree about soda!

Many of the things mentioned here will add to the cost of the cruise, and lets be frank as a non drinker why should I pay for your booze, and if you are a drinker why should you pay for my soda.

Tips, taxes and port fees are the ones that I want to see in the price, they are the ones that I have to pay anyway.

Gratuities in the fare would be nice that way when you see the total you won't have to worry about paying the gratuities, it'll just all be in one price! and non alcoholic drinks (mock tails, sodas)

I don't disagree but no one cruise line will make the move on its own. It would have to be an industry standard.

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I don't disagree but no one cruise line will make the move on its own. It would have to be an industry standard.

 

 

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Carnival do it in Australia [P&O Carnival and Princess at least] while Royal Lines {Royal Caribbean and Celebrity] don't so I am sorry they can do it one off.

Carnival do it in Australia [P&O Carnival and Princess at least] while Royal Lines {Royal Caribbean and Celebrity] don't so I am sorry they can do it one off.

That's nice to know but they don't do it on North American sailings so I'll rephrase it to until it becomes a North American industry standard. I have to ask though, are the gratuities listed on your invoices?

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all drinks, all meals, all excursions, all transportation to and from the cruise terminal ,all motels, all meals off the ship, house payments ,car payments college for the kids, cable bill, but not the tips on the ship that should be seperate:)

I like it the way it is. For instance, gratuities will increase as of June 1, '15, and if included in basic fare no one would know what that amount would be in the future--now, it is communicated, open and illustrated. We in the states, have been clamoring for the cable cos., etc. to offer "a la carte" menu so that we could choose and pay for the actual channels and services that we actual use. I've got some 300+ channels and barely use 25%, but I'm paying for the others. Why? Because the channels that I'm interested are only available as a package.

With regards to the Op's question, I opt for individual selection/choices.

I would like to see cruise lines include the gratuities / daily service charge in the base fare and pay their staff a decent wage. Same with any onboard purchases or services. Include any gratuity / service charge in the price of the good or service. If the charge is mandatory, include it in the upfront price. If I then want to reward exceptional service with an additional gratuity, I will.

I dislike "tipping" in any form. It should be included in the cruise price.

Soda at lunch and dinner is something I'd like to see included in the basic fare. Tired of having to go back to my Stateroom to get the RFID chipped cup, then having to wait 15 minutes for a refill with the Coke Freestyle machines.

I agree that soft drinks should be included.

You know that you don't have to lug that RFID cup around to get a soda? If you purchased the package you can just show your Seapass and they will bring you soda in a glass.

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Okay, I'll take the opposite view, just for discussion's sake.

Maybe very little should be included in the base price. Maybe the base price should get you a room, basic meal offerings, and some of the entertainment options. Then everything else should be available for purchase, either a-la-carte, or as part of a variety of packages.

This is kind of what they do now, but I would argue that it's not the charges but the delivery of the information that is lacking. Give me a clear, up front and accurate list of what is and is not included, and show my all my options up front as to what I can choose to purchase, and I'll be happy.

Everyone has different wishes. Some don't drink, while others enjoy a beverage package. Some are content with basic sustenance, and others look forward to grand gourmet fare. Why must we try and make it one size fits all?

Again, what I want is clear, and accurate up front indication of what is and is not included. Then I can fairly determine what I will need to spend to have the experience I want. At that point, like anything else, I can decide if it's worth it.

The problem with wanting to include more, is there is no such thing as a free lunch. You're going to pay for it one way or another. And the more you include, the more likely you're paying for something you won't use.

I agree include the "gratuities" in the price of the cruise - call it a service charge or whatever and then pay ALL staff a fair wage. Customer can then tip IF they get exceptional service and no staff member gets stiffed by people not wanting to tip. I think basic drinks (fresh juices at breakfast, teas (including herbal), coffees (including cappuccino, latte etc but maybe not flavoured coffee), cordials and soda should be included at meal times. Alcoholic drinks packages I am happy to pay extra for as a drinker. In regards to on board activities I like that a fair bit is currently included but would like to see classes such as casino classes,any sort of cooking class etc included in the price.

Okay, I'll take the opposite view, just for discussion's sake.

 

Maybe very little should be included in the base price. Maybe the base price should get you a room, basic meal offerings, and some of the entertainment options. Then everything else should be available for purchase, either a-la-carte, or as part of a variety of packages.

 

This is kind of what they do now, but I would argue that it's not the charges but the delivery of the information that is lacking. Give me a clear, up front and accurate list of what is and is not included, and show my all my options up front as to what I can choose to purchase, and I'll be happy.

 

Everyone has different wishes. Some don't drink, while others enjoy a beverage package. Some are content with basic sustenance, and others look forward to grand gourmet fare. Why must we try and make it one size fits all?

 

Again, what I want is clear, and accurate up front indication of what is and is not included. Then I can fairly determine what I will need to spend to have the experience I want. At that point, like anything else, I can decide if it's worth it.

 

The problem with wanting to include more, is there is no such thing as a free lunch. You're going to pay for it one way or another. And the more you include, the more likely you're paying for something you won't use.

I would have no problem with that, provided they didn't use it as an excuse to increase total revenue/

Everyone can "want" what they want, but the reality is, the only way they've been able to keep prices down over the years is by cutting things. People demand lower cruise prices and then complain when things are cut. Are you prepared to pay more for everything everyone asks for even if it's things you personally don't want?

Ask anyone here who cruised in the 80's what it cost then and they'll tell you that it's about what it costs now which explains a lot. Most who cruise now would rarely, if ever be able to cruise if the rate of increases of costs, what was included then, and inflation were applied to the costs from then.

I agree that soft drinks should be included.

 

You know that you don't have to lug that RFID cup around to get a soda? If you purchased the package you can just show your Seapass and they will bring you soda in a glass.

 

 

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More than half the fleet doesn't even have the freestyle machines anyway.

Interesting thing about that RFID chip. It is programmed to last 14 days. Second leg of a B2B, it still works. Same as prepaid parking in PC. ;)

As well as showing the tips in the overall cost, I'd like for local shuttle buses at ports to be included as well (the ones that cost $1-$5). At some ports they seem to be free, others charge a small amount for them - it would be easier if they'd just include "ship to port entrance/taxi rank/town centre/public transport stop". I'm not talking about ports where the main attraction is a 90 minute drive away, just the smaller places.

I was disappointed at the extra fees on Adventure last week for sea day activities. I would have enjoyed the mixology class and the jewelry making classes offered. Didn't feel I should have to pay for them, so I opted out.

I did the mixology class on Oasis. It was a little pricy at $29, but you did get 4 half size martinis. :p

I feel that if it was a no charge event it would have been overcrowded to say the least. Maybe charging a fee is a method of crowd control.

I guess they could include it with the drink package or as an upper tier or suite event.

Tips or service charge or whatever else it's called. I also like the suggestion of bus transport from ship to port exit.

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I would like to see cruise lines include the gratuities / daily service charge in the base fare and pay their staff a decent wage. Same with any onboard purchases or services. Include any gratuity / service charge in the price of the good or service. If the charge is mandatory, include it in the upfront price. If I then want to reward exceptional service with an additional gratuity, I will.

Holland used to advertise as "no tips allowed" but the crew still worked for that extra tip. Have not sailed with them since 2003, not sure that is still policy, probably not