What can cruise lines do better in 2013?

[Waihekean]

No fee for espresso based coffee's and juices.

[Dayenu]

For those of us that aren't fortunate enough to live in or near a port city and have to fly, I wish that the cruise lines could develop some sort of partnership with the airlines. After booking a cruise, it would be great if you could use your booking number as a means of getting a discount on airfare, even if it's only 10%.

 

Oh, this is a GREAT idea!!

[The Sunset Glow]

my "other" request would be that smoking rules be revised. On my previous cruises, smoking was permitted in certain areas, but it wasn't enforced and there were men smoking cigars out by the pool in a smoke free designated area. While I have no problem with people lighting up, I choose to go where smoking isn't an issue. For instance, I know it's allowed in the casinos, so I purposely avoid the casino... but I shouldn't have to avoid areas designated as smokefree. Then there's the issue of smoking on balconies... I think the problem would be solved by making one entire side of the ship smoking and the opposite side non-smoking. I don't care which side is which, just pick one and I'll book the non-smoking side, so that when I go outside on the balcony of my stateroom, I can enjoy the sun and the view or even just have my slider open to the fresh air, without having to smell smoke (both cigar and cigarette) wafting up from a lower balcony or a next door neighbor. I had one cruise where we couldn't open our door all week, not even for a minute, due to a couple of chain smokers in the adjacent room... they were out there every waking minute. I couldn't even leave the door open at night to hear the ocean, because one of the occupants would get up in the middle of the night to have a cig every night. That's their rite, I understand that. They paid for that room. All I'm saying is that the cruiselines should have a way to keep all of their customers satisfied by keeping rooms separate. I'm more than happy to stay wherever I need to stay to avoid inhaling 2nd hand smoke. These ships are so huge, it shouldn't be that difficult.

 

Yes, ditto that for me too. Why should we be relegated to inside or ocean view cabins when we love having a balcony? There has to be a way to appease all of us.

[editor@cruisecritic]

Thanks, everyone, for all the great comments!

 

Carolyn

 

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

[mabones]

I suggest more Caribbean destination cruises from Boston. Right now there is only a Repo. Plus, I have noticed that Balcony Staterooms from Boston are very expensive, compared to Fort Lauderdale. I can Fly down to Fort Lauderdale & hop on a cruise for 8-10 days for the same price as a 7-day leaving from Boston to Bermuda. It would only take me 35 minutes to drive to Boston, and I could vacation more.

 

I also agree with the other posters about the Gratuities. They should be added into the initial price of the cruise.

[marco]

I would like to see ALL the lines be more transparent about "port taxes and fees" The upcoming cruise we're going on is over $300 in port taxes and fess. I asked the agent what the exact breakdown was and she said "ask the line". I did. To me, it's a very general generic question but the line's rep wanted to know my name, booking #, reservation # before she would even talk to me about it and then said "they couldn't divulge that information". What's up with that!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!? And since you cant' get on the ship unless you pay the port taxes and fees, the pricing should be comparable to what the airlines have to do now...that is, the price quoted has toINCLUDE all taxes and fees.

[cruiseco]

I would like to see ALL the lines be more transparent about "port taxes and fees" The upcoming cruise we're going on is over $300 in port taxes and fess. I asked the agent what the exact breakdown was and she said "ask the line". I did. To me, it's a very general generic question but the line's rep wanted to know my name, booking #, reservation # before she would even talk to me about it and then said "they couldn't divulge that information". What's up with that!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!? And since you cant' get on the ship unless you pay the port taxes and fees, the pricing should be comparable to what the airlines have to do now...that is, the price quoted has toINCLUDE all taxes and fees.

 

What cruise line still charges "port taxes"? Do any?

[EdmPair]

I am split on this. One one side is if they roll the port taxes and other compulsory governmental fees into the price and show me only that number out front, then it matters little to me where my money goes.

 

Of course not all lines do that. So you see a price with an asterisk. This makes price comparison harder but I still do not need to know how much of my cash goes to Belize compared to Roaton. Could I change it if I did know? No.

[Sailingpeace]

For those of us that aren't fortunate enough to live in or near a port city and have to fly, I wish that the cruise lines could develop some sort of partnership with the airlines. After booking a cruise, it would be great if you could use your booking number as a means of getting a discount on airfare, even if it's only 10%.

 

Fabulous idea !!! It is what happened with big conferences I used to attend .

[Sailingpeace]

More lectures and port talks even in the Carribean ( history, geology, politics, culture, food, art etc). Not just the shopping port talk.

[Sailingpeace]

Ban walkie-talkies and create no cell phone zones ( like everywhere on the ship public areas but one spot on the ship).

[luddite]

Ban walkie-talkies and create no cell phone zones ( like everywhere on the ship public areas but one spot on the ship).

 

Nice!

[JackAZ]

If only they would enforce dress code for "formal" nights.Recently on a 15 day Panama Canal cruise we sat atthree different tables on formal nights and I was the only formally dressed male.

[Algebralovr]

More lectures and port talks even in the Carribean ( history, geology, politics, culture, food, art etc). Not just the shopping port talk.

 

I've actually been on a ship with some of that. It all depends on what line you cruise on.

[muttley]

friendlier solo passenger prices.

[JimAOk1945]

Embarkation/Debarkation at Galveston TX terminal needs improvement at Terminal 2!!!

 

At present it is chaotic and disorganized.

[Travel2Learn]

Improve WiFi speed and pricing.

Better solo fares.

Improve the room service coffee.

[binkysmom]

Set a dress code policy and enforce it. No one should wear jeans on a cruise or shorts to dinner.

Sharon I

 

I don't do "hot weather" cruises. Only city based (Europe, Canada/New England). I always wear my jeans, but they are dark wash trouser style or slim legged "cigarette" style. Never baggy, faded or torn. I like wearing them to dinner on non formal nights. Although I did wear a pair of black tuxedo jeans with a sequin tunic for formal night on my last cruise. I think most people would have thought they were just black pants.

[binkysmom]

better night entertainment, I like mid-sized or smaller ships and wish the internet was cheaper! Also better drink specials.

[notalandlover]

Make prepaid gratituties a part of the fare or get rid of them. Longer stops at the ports. It would be great to see the different ports in the late evenings hours.

[Editor Colleen]

Good morning! Thanks to all for participating in our poll. We've written about your responses here: http://www.cruisecritic.com/blog/index.php/2013/01/03/what-can-cruise-lines-improve-on-in-2013/?isalt=0 Check it out.