Is cruising still worth it?

[cruisemom42]

Consider me naive. What ships or cruise lines DON'T nickle and dime us?

 

The less expensive the fares in general, the greater likelihood that you're going to find the ship staff trying to make up that revenue in other ways on board. If you are intent on getting rock bottom pricing on your cruises, you're probably going to have to put up with some "nickle and diming".

 

There's always a trade-off. Pay more and avoid the arm-twisting. Or pay less and learn to tune it out.

[cruisemom42]

Agreed, but which line has a good combination of modern experiences and small ship adventures without breaking the bank?

 

So....

 

You want the ambiance and all-inclusiveness of the luxury lines, the entertainment of the behemoth ships, the personalized service of a smaller ship, the price point of Carnival, and all without having to fly to the port.

 

:confused:

[bUU]

IMHO no cruise line nickel and dime us. If I purchase anything it is my choice and no cruise line has ever twisted my arm to get me to purchase anything I didn't want to buy.

That's a good way of looking at it. It's long past time to retire the sad refrain, "nickel and diming." Those business practices are the gold standard for offering products and services to the market segments for bargain-conscious consumers. It's technically called "unbundling".

[navybankerteacher]

IMHO no cruise line nickel and dime us. If I purchase anything it is my choice and no cruise line has ever twisted my arm to get me to purchase anything I didn't want to buy.

 

 

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If it is understood that being "nickeled and dimed" requires being forced to spend on goods and services, I will agree. But I have noticed a much higher level of "spending opportunities" on NCL - where there are continuing efforts to sell drinks, lottery-type tickets, bingo, etc. at a much higher level than that on other lines.

[Cruise Junky]

LOL. "Unbundling". I read that some lines are now "unbundling" Tonic from Gin. If that's not nickling and dining I don't know what is.

[bUU]

LOL. "Unbundling". I read that some lines are now "unbundling" Tonic from Gin. If that's not nickling and dining I don't know what is.

Why should someone pay the same for a Tequila shot as they would pay for a Tequila Sunrise?

[Warm Breezes]

If it is understood that being "nickeled and dimed" requires being forced to spend on goods and services, I will agree. But I have noticed a much higher level of "spending opportunities" on NCL - where there are continuing efforts to sell drinks, lottery-type tickets, bingo, etc. at a much higher level than that on other lines.

 

I just can't see additional "spending opportunities" (love your wording) as nickel and diming. They are just extras that the passenger can choose to purchase or not. I personally have not noticed a higher level of effort to sell those extras on NCL than on any other cruise line. All main stream cruise lines have their "spending opportunities". That is how they make their profit. It should be expected that they will try to sell them to you. It is up to the passenger to spend their money wisely on things that they want to purchase. The cruise line is not twisting the passengers arm to get them to purchase anything.

 

I am cruising on NCL Escape in a month. The only charges I expect to have on my on-board account when we are done is some gambling and a few small souvenirs. I am anticipating these charges and would have them on any line I sail (as I have had in all my past cruises), so I know NCL will not be nickel and diming me for them. My DSC is covered by OBC from my TA and we received UBP and SDP as promos. I will come back in a month and let you know if they twist my arm into purchasing anything else. :rolleyes:;p:cool:

[Cruise Junky]

Why should someone pay the same for a Tequila shot as they would pay for a Tequila Sunrise?

 

Because when you get a shot of tequila it's usually high end tequila when in it's a sunrise, it's usually not unless specifically asked for and then the price of your sunrise is going up.

 

Maybe doing shots of Gin is the norm in Georgia, but it's not the norm.

[bUU]

Because when you get a shot of tequila it's usually high end tequila

Before making the assumption you've made, let's actually check with the ships that have started unbundling gin and tonic to see if they give you lesser gin while still charging you the full cost of the shot of gin plus the cost of the tonic. I bet they don't. I bet if they're charging you separately for the liquor and the rest that the liquor is the same and costs the same as a shot of the liquor.

[BOGOman]

IMHO no cruise line nickel and dime us. If I purchase anything it is my choice and no cruise line has ever twisted my arm to get me to purchase anything I didn't want to buy.

 

 

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Well said. I agree. On 5 cruises, never felt that way. I knew very well what was included and what was extra. To be honest was surprised to find not having to spend like a drunken sailor to have a GREAT time. My god, UBP is 15 drinks a day. After 7 days of that you need week to dry out, lol. But to each own.

 

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Maybe it never happened on a cruise you took, but when was the last time?. On our cruise last month they were touting specialty dining everywhere, and I mean everywhere and in every way. They advertised it before the cruise. They had a table set up at the entrance to the café, while greeters pushed it with the disinfectant and others roved the tables to make sure you were aware. They even showed up while we were already eating in the main dining room, interrupting bites and conversation.

 

And the photographers.Doesn’t that seem like arm twisting when they accost you everywhere you go, on and off the boat? You couldn’t take a pleasant stroll through the ship without passing through their artificial photographic scenes and being waved over, and over, and over. And they too come into the main dining room while you’re eating and enjoying newfound friends and conversation, asking you to bunch up for pictures. Doesn’t that seem like interference and an unwelcome invasion to you?

 

And the casino. On one of our cruises, a casino guy would come on the air at least twice per day and excitedly remind us that the Daily Lottery is up to some immense sum. Imagine relaxing on a lounge chair under the warm sun with a great book in your hand and that guy bursts into your concentration with loud, excited tones to get you moving to the gambling tables and slots. Thanks but no thanks.

 

What is it but old-fashioned arm-twisting when the ship allows – no encourages – its hawkers to have a go at you just about any time and anywhere? Does that happen at home? When dining out at home, do photographers come to your table? Does the house send somebody over during your meal to promote one of its other dining establishments? If all the efforts at the door, in our email, and on our phones to get us to buy or contribute to something at home are forms of arm-twisting, isn’t that the kind of thing that you would love to get away from during a vacation? If not, then you're paying big bucks for putting yourself into a captive situation where the arm-twisting is perhaps more subtle but easier for them and potentially more tempting to you. No wonder they smile so much.

Edited August 31, 2017 by BOGOman

[drsel]

Thanks for the info, BOGOman. Which cruise ship was this?

Was the cost of your cruise so cheap, that they had to resort to all these tactics to break even?

[Warm Breezes]

Maybe it never happened on a cruise you took, but when was the last time?. On our cruise last month they were touting specialty dining everywhere, and I mean everywhere and in every way. They advertised it before the cruise. They had a table set up at the entrance to the café, while greeters pushed it with the disinfectant and others roved the tables to make sure you were aware. They even showed up while we were already eating in the main dining room, interrupting bites and conversation.

 

And the photographers.Doesn’t that seem like arm twisting when they accost you everywhere you go, on and off the boat? You couldn’t take a pleasant stroll through the ship without passing through their artificial photographic scenes and being waved over, and over, and over. And they too come into the main dining room while you’re eating and enjoying newfound friends and conversation, asking you to bunch up for pictures. Doesn’t that seem like interference and an unwelcome invasion to you?

 

And the casino. On one of our cruises, a casino guy would come on the air at least twice per day and excitedly remind us that the Daily Lottery is up to some immense sum. Imagine relaxing on a lounge chair under the warm sun with a great book in your hand and that guy bursts into your concentration with loud, excited tones to get you moving to the gambling tables and slots. Thanks but no thanks.

 

What is it but old-fashioned arm-twisting when the ship allows – no encourages – its hawkers to have a go at you just about any time and anywhere? Does that happen at home? When dining out at home, do photographers come to your table? Does the house send somebody over during your meal to promote one of its other dining establishments? If all the efforts at the door, in our email, and on our phones to get us to buy or contribute to something at home are forms of arm-twisting, isn’t that the kind of thing that you would love to get away from during a vacation? If not, then you're paying big bucks for putting yourself into a captive situation where the arm-twisting is perhaps more subtle but easier for them and potentially more tempting to you. No wonder they smile so much.

 

A simple "no thank you" usually works for me if I am not interested in what they are selling. Quite honestly they have been hawking their wares on every line I have sailed since I started sailing in 2001. I really haven't noticed an increase the sale pitches but I'll let you know again in a month after my Escape cruise. Like I said before that is how the cruise lines make their profits. I expect them to try to sell me more, so I am not bothered by their attempts. I simply say "no thank you", smile and move on. It's really easy to do. Not one of them have grabbed me and twisted my arms into making a purchase. I don't even notice the selling on the air and I usually just throw the leaflets away. The photographers have always been there. I see these things as part of cruising. Like I said before these are their profit centers for the cruise lines. I know that. I expect it. If you are fall so easily into their temptations than maybe you should stand in front of a mirror and practice saying "no thank you" with a smile and walking away ;p

[drsel]

BOGOman doesn't fall for the marketing tricks. He said that it's a nuisance and a disturbance

[Gloworm2]

A week long cruise in an ocean balcony room on an Oasis class ship is $2500 for 2 people. That's about $175 a day per person. This gives you a room, 3 meals a day, snacks, deserts, entertainment, being waited on, 3 to 4 countries to see, swimming pools, fitness center, mini golf, basketball court, rock climbing wall, surf simulator, zip line, water slides, housekeeping services, tea, coffee, lemonade, games, private ocean view balcony with seating, new people to meet... I'd say it's a bargain!

 

 

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[BOGOman]

Thanks for the info, BOGOman. Which cruise ship was this?

Was the cost of your cruise so cheap, that they had to resort to all these tactics to break even?

 

I'm not interesting in bashing any particular line, only the whole industry to the extent that they're offering sizzle at modest cost as long as you're willing to put up with the ever increasing marketing on board to pay for that expensive steak.

[butterflycruise]

for smart consumers who research before traveling, I believe its worth it

[sfaaa]

Cruise passenger count and cruise line revenue are on the up and up for several years now. The performance indicator results speak for themselves.

[Cruise Junky]

Cruise passenger count and cruise line revenue are on the up and up for several years now. The performance indicator results speak for themselves.

 

How does their revenue speak to if I find it worth it? If Apple's revenue is up does that mean that its suddenly worth it for everyone to own an Iphone?

[BOGOman]

BOGOman doesn't fall for the marketing tricks. He said that it's a nuisance and a disturbance

 

Thanks for noticing. I'm actually very good at saying no and finish my cruises with little or nothing due on my OBA. Yet, I prefer to be left alone, to enjoy what part of it appeals to me the most without being pitched constantly to try other things (at inflated costs of course). Seems to me that the classiest of enterprises assume that the guest isn't too dumb to discover on his/her own the many ways to be pleased.

[drsel]

How does their revenue speak to if I find it worth it? If Apple's revenue is up does that mean that its suddenly worth it for everyone to own an Iphone?

I agree. If a company profits are soaring, it means that they are either overcharging customers or cutting costs, services and expenses; or a combination of both.

[Karysa]

Have to agree with the "stress free" value. My wife and I love to cruise and usually take one per year. However, for 2018, we decided to instead take a rail trip through both the Canadian and American rock mountains (with some additional car rentals.) While I generally enjoy cruise planning (selecting an itinerary, ship, private shore excursions, etc.) I am finding that planning the rail trip is a bit more stressful:

 

I was originally planning on flying into Calgary, taking a rental car from there to Banff and Jasper, then the train from Jasper to Vancouver, Vancouver to Portland, and Portland to Glacier National Park. But when I got to the 12 month window for rental cars, I found that there is no rental car company that allows a drop off in Jasper. So I had to totally change my plans to flying into Edmonton, take a train from Edmonton to Jasper and then a rental car down and back to Banff. In addition, I found that hotel reservations inside Glacier National Park were not easy. Luckily I was smart enough to call the in-park booking agency to find out exactly when the bookings for July 2018 would open - 7:00 am Mountain time for both internet and phone reservations. When I finally made it into the website at 7:05 my first two room choices were gone, but I was still able to book my third choice.

 

I know that we will love the trip, but I will also love getting back to less stressful cruise planning!

 

This is an adventure vacation! It sounds wonderful. Cruises have their place to but a Caribbean cruise is just another Caribbean cruise to many of us and after a while you yearn for something else.

[bUU]

How does their revenue speak to if I find it worth it? If Apple's revenue is up does that mean that its suddenly worth it for everyone to own an Iphone?

It indicates that, among other things, a substantial number of customers value their products highly, and that's the objective of all business.

 

 

 

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[Kamloops50]

We always think that the people who drink and use the casino are paying for part of our cruise. The big money maker on board are pictures and alcoholic beverages. Also by keeping track of your cruise and the fare you paid. There are saving to be had all the time , even after final payment.

[iancal]

The economy is better. They have better occupancy so the fare revenue per cabin is up. People are are more confident so they are spending more.

 

We did 4 Med cruises when the economy was in the toilet, plus lots of land travel in Europe. Prices were wonderful. We would pay double if we were to book now, four or five years later. Double, plus our dollar has gone down by 25 percent.

 

Now, it is better for us to do land trips so that is what we are doing primarily. Unless of course we see a great cruise offer during our travels (which we did for our SA cruise this past Feb).

[Cruise Junky]

It indicates that, among other things, a substantial number of customers value their products highly, and that's the objective of all business.

 

 

 

This message may have been entered using voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.

 

And as I asked originally, how does that prove its worth to me? Same example I used above, Apple's products are valued, does that make them worthwhile for everyone?