More RCI Cost Cutting?

[OGCFreddie]

Yep, certainly is if you buy a drinks package. Only coupons we ever got use out of were the match play.

 

So for a few $5 match plays you complain about the whole system? For those of us who won't be drinking $60 or more per day worth of alcohol, the coupons are still far from worthless. A free picture is nice as well. Though not important to me, some really like the Bingo coupons. Do you really expect them to poll EVERY passenger to see which coupons they will be using? I think they did the best they could.

 

It is also very possible that doing away with the match plays could have been a decision of the casino (a vendor) rather than Royal. And like some others have already said, had some people not tried to take advantage by selling the coupon books on ebay or saving them for future cruises, they might still be using the coupon books today. However...times change and many things are now paperless. I send more emails than mail, I use the computer or cell phone for telephone numbers (I don't even own a phone book), and I pay most of my bills online. Why shouldn't RCI keep up with the times as well???

 

Why do we always hear about something they took away and hardly ever hear about something they do to enhance the cruising experience? It's a shame, really.

[phoenix_dream]

Cuts and / or additional revenue streams can not be directly tied to lower cruise fares. People claim they are okay with cuts as to keep the base fare low, yet they offer no proof that those cuts have actually amounted to reduced prices. I might be inclined to agree with that mentality if it could be proven, but it can't, it hasn't, and it won't. Therefore my viewpoint is we pay the same but get less in return. Hardly a bargain deal.

I definitely agree with your point. I read over and over and over on these boards that all these little cuts and all the pay-for-play options (specialty restaurants etc.) are being put in place to keep cruise prices low. I see zero evidence that cruise prices are being kept low and in fact on the cruises I evaluate quite the opposite is true. The cruise lines don't even claim this stuff, but they clearly benefit from people for some reason believing those facts to be true.

 

Are cruise prices, comparatively, cheaper than 20 years ago? Yes, I would agree with that. But did anyone consider that maybe 20 years ago they were much higher than they needed to be because the options were much more limited? Or that back then they did not have the added benefit of economy of scale in supply purchasing, staff allocation, and real estate allocation. That makes a huge difference.

 

Compare prices over the last several years and I would challenge anyone to prove that overall the prices have remained stable as the cost reducing changes have been implemented. Is any one small change a big deal, or does it make you not want to buy the product? Of course not, but over time they add up and they definitely are noticeable.

[cle-guy]

There's a website that tracks historical cruise fares we can't mention here that actually does prove the stable, and somewhat lower average cruise fares over the last 3 years. Exception being suites and premium cabins.

 

It shows in a very easy to read graph, taking into account all ships within a cruise line.

 

Celebrity where I frequent forums, had a raise in fares in the 2012 season a marked drop in 2013 and 2014 has been about steady to 2013, with some periods lower even.

 

Royal's fares are markedly DOWN from 2011-2012 versus 2012-2014. In fact current moths average fares are actually the lowest the graph shows from its start date in Jan 2010.

[tgnorton]

Everyone wants a "cheap" cruise.....this is what you get!

 

WOW - this is "cheap" pricing for RCI???

 

Seems like they are making cost cutting measures but prices are increasing....:eek:

[robandana]

There's a website that tracks historical cruise fares we can't mention here that actually does prove the stable, and somewhat lower average cruise fares over the last 3 years. Exception being suites and premium cabins.

 

It shows in a very easy to read graph, taking into account all ships within a cruise line.

 

Celebrity where I frequent forums, had a raise in fares in the 2012 season a marked drop in 2013 and 2014 has been about steady to 2013, with some periods lower even.

 

Royal's fares are markedly DOWN from 2011-2012 versus 2012-2014. In fact current moths average fares are actually the lowest the graph shows from its start date in Jan 2010.

 

Very interesting!

[AntiCatCH]

Royal's fares are markedly DOWN from 2011-2012 versus 2012-2014. In fact current moths average fares are actually the lowest the graph shows from its start date in Jan 2010.

 

Thats the price per day from royal for a ocen view (a quick and dirty plot in excel)

 

foto hochladen

Edited August 15, 2014 by AntiCatCH

[cle-guy]

AntiCatCH;43765774]Thats the price per day from royal for a ocen view (a quick and dirty plot in excel)

 

Would you mind emailing me, my email link is in my sig...

 

\/ \/ \/

[dfishner]

Have you seen more RCI cost cutting?

 

Here is what I saw on Explorer 2/9 to 2/16.

 

Drink/Cocktail napkins no longer have the RCI logo.

 

No ice bucket in the cabins - only on request.

 

Steward would not empty re fridge or remove Evian water from dresser.

Just plain refused - First time I heard a flat "NO" on RCI ...

 

Past Passenger event held @ 10:45 AM - on a day when you arrive in port @ 1PM - Saving drink alcohol drink costs?

 

"Top Tier Event" - Formal attire required to attend when casual is the MDR dress code.

Again - More alcohol savings?

 

What have you seen?

Did this really adversely effect your cruise? I would say not not sure why you started this thread

[DebJ14]

Just two thoughts, I believe you can pay more and get the things you want, if RCI doesn't offer them I know there are more expensive more luxury oriented lines out there.

and my second thought was that I don't ever remember getting a good meal on an airplane. honestly I thought doing away with airline meals was a merciful thing. My airline experience goes back to the seventies and the only good thing to eat ever on a plane has been the peanuts.

 

Even flying First Class will not get you the perks on United. We always flew Continental to Mexico before the merger and got a pretty decent meal both ways. Our last flight to Mexico on a $1300 ticket per person in First Class got us 1 adult beverage each and a banana and a bag of chips each. The flight attendant sat down and never resumed service after she served everyone their one drink and passed out the snacks. It is getting harder to find luxury and good service even if you are willing to pay for it.

Edited August 16, 2014 by DebJ14

[petesweet]

OMG - this post had me laughing so hard I literally (and I do mean "literally") was crying. I am so happy I work from home or else any co-workers I shared an office with would have thought I had finally lost it :eek:

 

For anyone who might have missed the entire post, it's #261.

 

Petesweet - if we ever cross paths on a ship, please remind me of this post.... you deserve a drink on me for the great laugh :D

 

Melissa

I was surprised to see this comment resurrected. Glad you enjoyed one of my favorite stories!!

 

Happy sails.

 

Kathy

[deliver42]

I have 2 cruises booked for 2015, but with no logos on the napkins, I think I'm going to cancel. I can't wipe my mouth without a logo.

[buck7]

I have 2 cruises booked for 2015, but with no logos on the napkins, I think I'm going to cancel. I can't wipe my mouth without a logo.

 

For an up front extra tip, the bartenders will draw a logo on your napkin. :D

[Lionesss]

This was the first time being on Barefoot Beach that the attendant told us that snorkel gear and floaties were no longer a perk.....

 

We said........................really:(

 

He got us two floaties, we did not pay for them.

 

We always give a generous tip, and did not thinks it was his fault for no snorkel gear.

 

We were just on lounger chairs, we do not rent a cabana.

 

Sea Ya

[cle-guy]

I worked for Marriott for several years. This or a very similar one to it, was being passed around having been typewritten and photocopied back in the early 90's!

 

It really is a VERY useful tool for training hospitality staff on the importance of proper, detailed communication that works even when staff have days of and have a replacement manager on shift, and the importance of actually carefully listening to the guest, and of how you need to properly pass on shift to shift information about the operation.

 

I just love this story!

 

 

A London hotel submitted the following exchange of letters to the Sunday Times.

 

Dear Maid,

 

Please do not leave any more of those little bars of soap in my bathroom since I have brought my own bath-sized Imperial Leather.

 

Please remove the six unopened little bars from the shelf under the medicine chest and another three in the shower soap dish. They are in my way.

 

Thank you,

S. Berman

 

[sNIP]

 

Dear Mrs.. Carmen,

 

Just a short note to bring you up-to-date on my latest soap inventory.

 

As of today I possess:

 

* On the shelf under the medicine cabinet -18 Camay in 4 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 2.

* On the Kleenex dispenser - 11 Camay in 2 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 3.

* On the bedroom dresser - 1 stack of 3 Cashmere Bouquet, 1 stack of 4 hotel-size Ivory, and 8 Camay in 2 stacks of 4.

* Inside the medicine cabinet - 14 Camay in 3 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 2.

* In the shower soap dish - 6 Camay, very moist.

* On the northeast corner of the tub - 1 Cashmere Bouquet, slightly used.

* On the northwest corner of the tub - 6 Camays in 2 stacks of 3.

 

Please ask Kathy when she services my room to make sure the stacks are neatly piled and dusted. Also, please advise her that stacks of more than 4 have a tendency to tip.

May I suggest that my bedroom window sill is not in use and will make an excellent spot for future soap deliveries.

 

One more item, I have purchased another bar of bath-size Imperial Leather, which I am keeping in the hotel vault in order to avoid further misunderstandings.

 

S. Berman

[TubbyMrT]

Even flying First Class will not get you the perks on United. We always flew Continental to Mexico before the merger and got a pretty decent meal both ways. Our last flight to Mexico on a $1300 ticket per person in First Class got us 1 adult beverage each and a banana and a bag of chips each. The flight attendant sat down and never resumed service after she served everyone their one drink and passed out the snacks. It is getting harder to find luxury and good service even if you are willing to pay for it.

 

I always fly first class. Last flight they offered Cheerios for breakfast. I pay $$$$ and they can't cough up a decent breakfast? Same decline in service in the cruise fleet. I pay a lot and get less and less.

 

The bottom line is that the service will continue to decline until the customer leaves. Then they will reverse action and attempt to lure the customer back. Perhaps with a larger bar of soap!

 

For alternate air, I do charter sometimes. But for the Oasis experience, there are no alternatives.