What would you be willing to pay extra for?

[Stateroom_Sailor]

I would pay $20 extra for a zipline in the MDR, smart casual attire of course! :p

[helpthejuggler]

I would be happy to pay to reserve a lounge chair by the pool as other suggested on this thread.

I had mentioned this is a previous thread and everyone thought it was a terrible idea. On most beaches, even at nice resort hotels, you have to pay for your beach chair- we always do this at Myrtle Beach.

We rented an Alcove on our last cruise but that is not available on all cruises.

It would be nice to know you always had a chair available for a small charge.

The first cruise I ever took on Holland America this was done.:)

 

But how would you feel if all the chairs had already been pre-sold and you had no chance to use one for the whole cruise?

[Redtravel]

Everyone wants more for less. Not everyone uses all the things provided on a cruise. I would pay extra for better service and entertainment. I would also pay extra for better toiletries. That lemon grass stuff is awful. I would also pay extra for unlimited laundry. HAL and Windstar offer this service. It cuts down on the amount of stuff you pack. Less stress on your back...and on the backs of the porters handling your bags.....and you get to come home with a bag of clean clothes. I recently did this on the Windsurf. It was such a pleasure not having to take time to wash clothes after the cruise. I would also pay extra on the drink program if they included the in room minibar. On luxury lines, they stock your minibar with your choice of beverages. It is so nice to reach into your bar and get a drink. Please bring back the ice bucket and water pitcher. I understand that on mass market cruises, the object is to offer a lower price and make up the difference with high prices on all the extras. In the competitive cruise market, offering a no frills low priced trip is a way of getting business.

[Jana60]

What have you seen Celebrity now charge for that they didn't before? I honestly can't think of anything that I can no longer get for the base fare, and I've been cruising with Celebrity for at least a decade. Yes, there are additional things that cost extra, but these are extras over and above the usual included items - just like always. What are all these "more and more things" that you are complaining about? Please be more specific instead of so conveniently vague with your claims.

 

 

 

I keep all my booking confirmations for future reference, as well as for memorabilia. For all the cruises I have taken, prices have stayed pretty stable or have actually been lower, with most recent cruises costing less than those earlier ones almost a decade ago. I don't see "when they raise the prices ... the price of the cruise never does go down".

 

I think you are only seeing the price picture from a very biased point of view and completely ignoring reality.

 

 

 

OK, that explains everything. :rolleyes:

 

I'm going on a 7 day Carnival cruise next week. Total price of my 185 sq ft balcony cabin is $544 plus taxes & port charges. Cheapest balcony cabin I could find for celebrity if I book right now from the same port to the same destination costs $1499.00 plus taxes & port charges. That's almost 1000 dollars more! So who is ignoring reality???:eek:

 

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[waterbug123]

My point was that a lot of people won't buy wine that cost more per glass than the bottle cost on land.

I don't buy wine on board and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I bring on some wine and the rest of the time, I do without. If I couldn't bring any on, I just wouldn't buy any.

Having a house wine would be a huge money maker for Celebrity. If they need a suggestion, the best wine I've ever had was bought for 2 Euros while we were in Rome. I'll be happy to point them in the right direction.

 

Apparently you don't order wine when dining out on land-based restaurants either. If you did, you'd realize that wine will virtually ALWAYS cost several times more in a restaurant (cruise ship or land-based) than it does if you just buy the bottle at the grocery store or Total Wine. You take a bottle onboard and you drink that, so you're talking about a total of maybe 10 glasses of wine per cruise. If you bought the existing house wine for $8 or $10 (they DO have a house wine on Celebrity) you'd pay a total of $40-$60 above and beyond what you'd pay if it was $4/glass, and sure- some other folks who don't buy wine on board would as well. But folks who really enjoy wine will buy several pricier bottles over the the course of the cruise and they spend far more than the extra $40-60 you'd spend. Whose money do you think Celebrity wants? Your $40-$60, or someone else's $100-$500?

It's the same reason the spa charges way more than land-based spas and salons. If they charged less, more people would visit, but they have no problem filling appointments at the current prices so why lower them?

[waterbug123]

I disagree. I've been on 26 cruises over a period of 14 years. During that time I've seen them make more and more things an extra charge. Yet when they raise the prices by adding extra charges for all of these items the price of the cruise never does go down.

 

You seem to be under the impression that Celebrity now charges for things that used to be included. Please name one. Things that are an extra charge have either always been an extra charge, or are new offerings that didn't exist before. It's not like they used to include something and now they charge for it. As for WHY they add new things for an extra charge the answer is simple- they are building bigger and fancier ships because that's what passengers want, and it's expensive to do so. That money needs to come from someone, but no one wants their basic cabin price to go up...so they find additional ways to bring in revenue.

 

I'm going on a 7 day Carnival cruise next week. Total price of my 185 sq ft balcony cabin is $544 plus taxes & port charges. Cheapest balcony cabin I could find for celebrity if I book right now from the same port to the same destination costs $1499.00 plus taxes & port charges. That's almost 1000 dollars more! So who is ignoring reality???:eek:

 

 

Carnival offers a different experience than Celebrity so to a certain degree you're comparing apples to oranges. Obviously Carnival can't fill their ships unless they charge a cheaper price so that should tell you something about supply and demand for the two cruise lines. If you just booked Carnival at $544 they must have more cabins available at this late date than Celebrity.

[helpthejuggler]

I'm going on a 7 day Carnival cruise next week. Total price of my 185 sq ft balcony cabin is $544 plus taxes & port charges. Cheapest balcony cabin I could find for celebrity if I book right now from the same port to the same destination costs $1499.00 plus taxes & port charges. That's almost 1000 dollars more! So who is ignoring reality???:eek:

 

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I couldn't see any Celebrity sailings from Miami in May 2014, which ship/sailing?

[Iamcruzin]

I keep seeing the term "Better Service" tossed around on this board on a regular basis. Can someone define what better service is? I have only sailed once on Celebrity and I found nothing wrong with the service. I was provided with anything I asked for and the entire staff was friendly and helpful. One night at dinner the waiter was informing us of an event that was going to take place the next day. He told us the wrong time but we had no intention of going so it didn't matter. The next morning at breakfast he was running around the buffet looking for all of the passengers who he gave the wrong information too. He found us and was so apologetic. We felt so bad for him. Now can you ask for better service than that? The fact that he remembered us impressed me since we had my time dining it was the only night we had that waiter.

[Max Circus]

Have you ever sailed on Celebrity? All of these things are provided at no extra charge. There is a comedy show, although it is not "dedicated."

 

 

Agreed. And the MDR has escargot every night on the classic menu. I loved that!!

[meatloafsfan]

I'd pay $100 a week for unlimited in room movies (not the adult ones - just the regular first run movies). I love snuggling up in the cabin with some room service and a movie. And turning on a movie before bed. Or watching bits and pieces of movies between other stuff.

 

I'd also pay a reasonable fee for craft classes (not painting or scrapbooking) but where you actually make something - paint pottery, make a picture frame, decorate a memory box or tshirt. I'd pay $5 - $10 for the class for real supplies, a real project and someone to show me a new technique or 2.

[BrendaJ]

Count me with those who would pay extra for a chair in a prime location. I don't think the rental would have to be an all-day thing either - who needs to sit in the sun all day? I would be happy to pay an hourly fee to get a chair where I want it when I want it. Paying by the hour would certainly put those chair hogs out of business in a hurry. :rolleyes:

 

I would also pay extra to get some special entertainment - something like a full-length Broadway-style musical, or a well-known entertainer.

 

I would enjoy more tasting-type experiences as well. We've done the martini's and wines; how about exotic fruits, cheeses, coffees or chocolates from around the world?

 

All in all, I'm very happy with what we get the price we pay now, but I can certainly see how the cruise line needs to find revenue-generating opportunities to offset the necessity of advertising low prices to attract customers.

[boogs]

I'm going on a 7 day Carnival cruise next week. Total price of my 185 sq ft balcony cabin is $544 plus taxes & port charges. Cheapest balcony cabin I could find for celebrity if I book right now from the same port to the same destination costs $1499.00 plus taxes & port charges. That's almost 1000 dollars more! So who is ignoring reality???:eek:

 

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Carnival offers a different experience than Celebrity so to a certain degree you're comparing apples to oranges. Obviously Carnival can't fill their ships unless they charge a cheaper price so that should tell you something about supply and demand for the two cruise lines. If you just booked Carnival at $544 they must have more cabins available at this late date than Celebrity.

 

The REALITY is that Carnival has been having a very tough time filling up their ships since their well publicized meltdowns in the last couple of years. This is well known in the cruise community. Many people are leery of their ships breaking down and having to endure another "poop cruise". Carnival has even caused a rare downturn in cruise bookings for the entire cruise industry. Another well know "reality" is that after reading about all the problems Carnival has been having many potential new customers have decided that they do not want to risk those things happening to them and instead have spent their money elsewhere. The entire cruise industry has been affected by this, all thanks to Carnival.

 

Bottom line is simple - Carnival is having a tough couple of yeara and needs to practically give away their staterooms to fill their ships. Most Carnival cruises sail with empty cabins, unlike all the other cruise lines.

 

It appears that it is you that is continuing to ignore reality. I know it certainly isn't a large segment of the cruising population.

Edited May 1, 2014 by boogs

[Quo Vadis?]

I would be willing to pay for a burial at sea.

 

Just in case my last memories are of doing what I like best, I would love to have my ashes spread over the waves followed by a wonderful wake.

 

And I'm not joking...

[Jana60]

I couldn't see any Celebrity sailings from Miami in May 2014, which ship/sailing?

 

There are none for May. Celebrities cheapest cruise is in November. but that is also an inexpensive time of the year for most of the cruise lines. I've never cruised celebrity and didn't realize this thread was on Celebrity because I was seeing it on my cell phone app in the general recent posts. I have enjoyed carnivals product and haven't had reason to look at celebrity in the past. I would enjoy hearing, what is celebrity giving you for that extra thousand dollars.

 

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[Jana60]

I couldn't see any Celebrity sailings from Miami in May 2014, which ship/sailing?

 

I checked stock prices of Carnival and they have been raising quite nicely. They had a brief drop during the problems that you describe but have gained back most of the value lost. I'm always curious if they have possibilities of upgrade so I look at what they have available. They always sale full! Like ALL of the cruise lines they lower their prices and have big sales close to the time of sailing to make sure they sale full. This is common and not indicative of a lower quality of cruise. Indeed I booked at a much higher price and received change to a lower price due to a casino offer. You are right in saying I can't compare celebrity and carnival since I have not sailed on Celebrity. I have however sailed on Princess, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean and I would be willing to spend more to sail on Carnival because I have had more fun on my Carnival Cruises.

 

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[jenniebnyc]

I would pay more for a private pool area for suite guests that is quiet, has better loungers and better service---give me a fruit kabob, wash my sunglasses, give me a cold towel (happened zero times on my last cuise on Relection), offer me some fruit infused water, have the girls from Canyon Ranch offer foot massages while I am lounging (they do this in mexico at most high end resorts for a fee), how about a popsicle? I want Modern LUXURY not Spring Break! X, you are making changes for the better, that is for sure, but you depserately need another pool!!!

[boogs]

There are none for May. Celebrities cheapest cruise is in November. but that is also an inexpensive time of the year for most of the cruise lines. I've never cruised celebrity and didn't realize this thread was on Celebrity because I was seeing it on my cell phone app in the general recent posts. I have enjoyed carnivals product and haven't had reason to look at celebrity in the past. I would enjoy hearing, what is celebrity giving you for that extra thousand dollars.

 

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This isn't comparing apples to oranges. Comparing cruise prices at different times of the year is like comparing apples to watermelons! :D

[Orator]

As the old saying goes: "Watch what you wish for;you just might get it".

[ghstudio]

I would pay more for a private pool area for suite guests that is quiet, has better loungers and better service---give me a fruit kabob, wash my sunglasses, give me a cold towel (happened zero times on my last cuise on Relection), offer me some fruit infused water, have the girls from Canyon Ranch offer foot massages while I am lounging (they do this in mexico at most high end resorts for a fee), how about a popsicle? I want Modern LUXURY not Spring Break! X, you are making changes for the better, that is for sure, but you depserately need another pool!!!

 

You are 100% right, we need to return to the age of the great ocean liners with first class, second class and steerage. One of Celebrity's problems today is that the riff raff in inside cabins actually walks by those of us in suites bringing down the quality of the pool area. Imagine...those in outside cabins actually use the same public rest rooms. Oh my.....

 

Clearly there is a need for an entire dedicated suite area....

[vulcan1971]

I would pay more for a private pool area for suite guests that is quiet, has better loungers and better service---give me a fruit kabob, wash my sunglasses, give me a cold towel (happened zero times on my last cuise on Relection), offer me some fruit infused water, have the girls from Canyon Ranch offer foot massages while I am lounging (they do this in mexico at most high end resorts for a fee), how about a popsicle? I want Modern LUXURY not Spring Break! X, you are making changes for the better, that is for sure, but you depserately need another pool!!!

 

Go to NCL and stay in the Haven.

[spookwife]

I would be willing to pay for a burial at sea.

 

 

 

Just in case my last memories are of doing what I like best, I would love to have my ashes spread over the waves followed by a wonderful wake.

 

 

 

And I'm not joking...

 

 

It can be done.

 

 

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[Mparis184]

There are none for May. Celebrities cheapest cruise is in November. but that is also an inexpensive time of the year for most of the cruise lines. I've never cruised celebrity and didn't realize this thread was on Celebrity because I was seeing it on my cell phone app in the general recent posts. I have enjoyed carnivals product and haven't had reason to look at celebrity in the past. I would enjoy hearing, what is celebrity giving you for that extra thousand dollars.

 

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We have been on over 30 cruises - our very first cruise was on the Carnival Paradise. We had a great cruise and it started our cruising career! We didn't sail on Carnival for another 15 years. We found Celebrity and loved sailing with them. The service and food were excellent and I really like Celebrity ship's deck layouts. I sailed on the Carnival Breeze in the Med two years ago and was amazed at what a good mass market ship she was. The food was fabulous and the service as good as the service on Celebrity. I didn't like their ship deck layout but that is a personal preference. I don't think all Carnival ships are as good as the Breeze but since I have only taken 2 Carnival cruises I don't know. We are going on the Carnival Splendor in September and this will be the true test.

 

It's impossible to compare all these ships, usually you do get more for your $$$ on Oceania, Azamara and Celebrity including fabulous high teas and specialty brunches along with service that can be exceptional ( or can't). Often alcohol is included in your package and if someone is a big drinker they really get a lot for their money. When everything is added up at the end of the cruise the more expensive cruise line might give you a cheaper price in the long run.

 

Marion

[meatloafsfan]

It's impossible to compare all these ships, usually you do get more for your $$$ on Oceania, Azamara and Celebrity including fabulous high teas and specialty brunches along with service that can be exceptional ( or can't). Often alcohol is included in your package and if someone is a big drinker they really get a lot for their money. When everything is added up at the end of the cruise the more expensive cruise line might give you a cheaper price in the long run.

 

Marion

 

didn't Celebrity just cut the brunch and I don't recall reading about any "high teas" on Celebrity ships (at least not for those not at Elite status). Carnival offers "Tea time" in the MDR every sea day (with wonderful cakes and pastries) included in your cruise fare.

[USVI-4-me]

I'd pay extra to get a round trip from Florida to Italy with frequent returns to Florida. I could stay over in Spain, France, or Italy for a holiday and not have to fly home. Hurray !!!

 

The airfare and transfer savings help pay for the return trip.

 

-Marisa

[jenniebnyc]

Go to NCL and stay in the Haven.

 

I have looked into this in the past. THe ship only leaves from NYC in the winter and I am not willing to cruise in freezing weather for almost 4 days to get to the carribean. Thanks for the suggestion though! This is exactly what I am looking for X to create on their S class ships!