Move to Included amenities

[kdr69]

With Carnival Corp brands Princess including their Drinks, WiFi and gratuities in their pricing and now Holland America announcing their "Have it All" promotion with  shore excursions, drink packages, specialty dining and WiFi included in the cruise price at 50% off do you think Carnival will follow suit with a similar promotion and could this be a move towards an "all-inclusive" pricing strategy?  I personally wouldnt mind an all in price but at the same time i understand not everyone needs all the add-ons.

[mondello]

I think they want to keep prices low to continue attracting first time cruisers. There is a vast pool of those that have never cruised. The low fares bring in the newbies. And I do mean the advertised fares before adding gratuities, Cheers, etc.

[jfunk138]

Perhaps the cruiselines are already feeling the bleeding to restriction-free, already open all-inclusive land based resorts?  They cannot yet make any promises about restrictions, but maybe by including the extras they hope to capture some bookings before folks send their deposit money to the all-inclusive resorts?

[BlerkOne]

Cruise lines don't give things away - it is included in the price. For example, Princess has two prices - one without the goodies. The bundle is discounted, but Princess isn't losing any money.

 

As for Carnival with a 1 price fits all, never. Families aren't going to want to subsidize binge drinkers.

Edited April 22, 2021 by BlerkOne

[MCC retired]

Both Princess and HAL have  a lower cruise price Rate Code on virtually every sailing ,that does not include all those amenities for those that do not want/need those things included in the cruise price.

[sanger727]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

Cruise lines don't give things away - it is included in the price. For example, Princess has two prices - one without the goodies. The bundle is discounted, but Princess isn't losing any money.

 

As for Carnival with a 1 price fits all, never. Families aren't going to want to subsidize binge drinkers.

 

I was thinking of it a different way. I think when two prices are offered that is the most convenient. I enjoy having the drink package but would never pay full price for it. But if it's offered with wifi/gratuities/etc at a reasonable add on cost I will pay that. Bundled prices can still offer a good discount over paying for everything separately. 

 

I think that could go over well with Carnival customers. After all, didn't they just start offering a handful of fares that "included" the drink package. I was thinking that it's unlikely that Carnival would expand that because they probably make more off their customers selling everything separately. Given the number of threads I read about people purchasing cheers maybe it's the opposite problem. Too many people purchase cheers already so bundle pricing would be lost revenue. 

[BlerkOne]

2 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

 

I think that could go over well with Carnival customers. After all, didn't they just start offering a handful of fares that "included" the drink package. I was thinking that it's unlikely that Carnival would expand that because they probably make more off their customers selling everything separately. Given the number of threads I read about people purchasing cheers maybe it's the opposite problem. Too many people purchase cheers already so bundle pricing would be lost revenue. 

Carnival has experimented in the past year with promotions that include a drink package, no casino required, but it costs more than you could otherwise book the cruise for. It is less than buying Cheers but comes with some restrictions like on cancellation. Depending on when you book, it might be a bargain, or maybe not so much.

[BlerkOne]

7 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

 

I was thinking of it a different way. I think when two prices are offered that is the most convenient. I enjoy having the drink package but would never pay full price for it. But if it's offered with wifi/gratuities/etc at a reasonable add on cost I will pay that. Bundled prices can still offer a good discount over paying for everything separately. 

 

I think that could go over well with Carnival customers. After all, didn't they just start offering a handful of fares that "included" the drink package. I was thinking that it's unlikely that Carnival would expand that because they probably make more off their customers selling everything separately. Given the number of threads I read about people purchasing cheers maybe it's the opposite problem. Too many people purchase cheers already so bundle pricing would be lost revenue. 

I think they also experimented with internet, but that must have been a failure. They have also played with specialty dining packages. Maybe they will someday offer a discounted bundle, but I still doubt it will be required. Even NCL allows you to pass on "freebies" that you get hit with a service charge on.

[asalligo]

Carnival makes a lot on Cheers, so I doubt this would be a good move for them. People who like to drink have a large drink appetite when they first board the ship and the reality is most people cannot keep up with the break even point for drinks all week. Keeping the 15 drink limit is also a good idea for them. They already get too much heat for over imbibing cruisers and this limits losses from really hard drinkers. 

Edited April 22, 2021 by asalligo

[BlerkOne]

2 hours ago, asalligo said:

Carnival makes a lot on Cheers, so I doubt this would be a good move for them. People who like to drink have a large drink appetite when they first board the ship and the reality is most people cannot keep up with the break even point for drinks all week. Keeping the 15 drink limit is also a good idea for them. They already get too much heat for over imbibing cruisers and this limits losses from really hard drinkers. 

They do, but maybe they are trying to make more. Often only one person wants Cheers in a cabin but doesn't buy it because the roommate also has to purchase. I can see where Carnival would make less money on the boozer, but more money off of a light drinker. It's something for the bean counters to figure out. Promotions exist with a certain return expected - if they don't get the return, the promotion disappears.

[Sagittarius traveler]

I don't drink but the milkshakes and coffee would be nice just dont drink alcohol

 

 

Internet I don't care I chose cruising to not have signal and hide lol.

 

I wish they redesigned some ships and not have the same layouts which sucks. 

 

 

[BlerkOne]

12 minutes ago, Sagittarius traveler said:

I don't drink but the milkshakes and coffee would be nice just dont drink alcohol

 

 

Internet I don't care I chose cruising to not have signal and hide lol.

 

I wish they redesigned some ships and not have the same layouts which sucks. 

 

 

Check out Mardi Gras! You'll get lost if you expect the same same.

[Sagittarius traveler]

Just now, BlerkOne said:

Check out Mardi Gras! You'll get lost if you expect the same same.

 

 

I hope so!!! Because Horizon was the same lol

[Sagittarius traveler]

I mean like same layout same things lol.

 

I might have to just get that other feel from RCL and NCL

[BlerkOne]

10 minutes ago, Sagittarius traveler said:

 

 

I hope so!!! Because Horizon was the same lol

Horizon was largely. You should be please with Mardi Gras.

 

Personally I like the feeling of coming home when boarding a cruise ship.

[Sagittarius traveler]

Yeah I liked the family harbor that was a plus for my 5 year old at the time and just seeing her pretend to play with the other kids on the video game (the kids were sweet and wanted to teach her lol told them unplug it and she wouldn't know lol).

 

Kiki was awesome and the serenity deck

 

[Saint Greg]

Having just come back from an all-inclusive. It sure was nice not having to purchase a drink package. Not having to give my card for every drink. Or Sign for every drink. Not having to count every drink. Being able to get 2 cups of coffee without waiting 5 minutes. Getting pastries from the coffee shop without paying for them. Having good internet and not paying for it. Having a lot of TV channels. Not having to pay for speciality restaurants. 
 

There are some trade offs. Fewer alcohol choices. Some of the specialty restaurants aren’t as good. Primarily the steakhouse. No comparison on that one. Carnival’s Teppanyaki is better...but not $32 better. What I did last week would probably cost me an extra $1000+ on carnival.

 

 

Edited April 23, 2021 by Saint Greg

[Saint Greg]

8 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Cruise lines don't give things away - it is included in the price. For example, Princess has two prices - one without the goodies. The bundle is discounted, but Princess isn't losing any money.

 

As for Carnival with a 1 price fits all, never. Families aren't going to want to subsidize binge drinkers.

They should charge for the gym, the mini golf, the water park, the dive in movies, and the ice cream. I don’t use any of those and I’m tired of subsidizing others.

[BlerkOne]

2 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

They should charge for the gym, the mini golf, the water park, the dive in movies, and the ice cream. I don’t use any of those and I’m tired of subsidizing others.

They should just get rid of everything or charge for everything that is complementary including Guy Burgers, pizza, entertainment, the view, etc. Wasn't some cruise line going to go full a la carte? How did it go or was that just a rumor?

 

I don't need schools on land these days. Never admitted to a hospital.

 

I think that is one of those slippery slopes.

[Barry ATL]

20 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

They should just get rid of everything or charge for everything that is complementary including Guy Burgers, pizza, entertainment, the view, etc. Wasn't some cruise line going to go full a la carte? How did it go or was that just a rumor?

 

I don't need schools on land these days. Never admitted to a hospital.

 

I think that is one of those slippery slopes.

 

Remember EasyCruise?  Everything was a la carte with very cheap cabins (well, what they called a cabin).  That experiment only lasted a few years.

[BlerkOne]

29 minutes ago, Barry ATL said:

 

Remember EasyCruise?  Everything was a la carte with very cheap cabins (well, what they called a cabin).  That experiment only lasted a few years.

Thanks! That's the one.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EasyCruise

 

Looks like were resurrected in a different form

http://www.easycruise.com/

 

CruiseCritic.Com: Top 15 small ship cruise lines and "Best for Yacht Cruises" category

 

 

 

[TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail]

The only true ala carte I support are:

 

drink packages (wish they’d eliminate room orders for drinks or whatever hang up they have for not allowing each room member to choose or not choose the several hundred dollar packages) and

specialty dining (there is quite a bit of quality difference between them and the strap-on-the-feed-bag buffet).  In the end you either pay the premium or everyone gets mediocre food.

Edited April 23, 2021 by TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail

[BoozinCroozin]

The advertising is based on the programmatic manipulation of the less educated. NCL still advertises 30% off and "Free at Sea". Do you know how many people think what they are getting is free?

• Cabin price is a minimum of $150 more per person
• 20% gratuities added on top of that for drinks
  • It is not clear to the customer that this doesn't include the ~$15pp/day cabin fee
• Dining is limited to 2 restaurants that cannot be booked until day of the cruise
• WiFi is limited to some odd number of minutes instead of size. How nice to load up say Facebook that takes 5 minutes instead of 5 seconds (hypothetical). 

Personally, I can do the math myself. The problem is an extremely large percentage of the population can't and that is who they are trying to get their hooks into. For CCL, I know the drink package is another $1,000, cabin fee is ~$300 (3 of us), and shore excursions are on top of that. So, that $3,000 cruise turns out to be near $6,000 at the end of the day. It would be nice to have it as $5,000 and leave your wallet at home. That would be very enticing but it will also show the nickel and diming of all cruise lines and most vacation places as well.

Edited April 23, 2021 by BoozinCroozin

[sanger727]

14 hours ago, BoozinCroozin said:

The advertising is based on the programmatic manipulation of the less educated. NCL still advertises 30% off and "Free at Sea". Do you know how many people think what they are getting is free?

• Cabin price is a minimum of $150 more per person
• 20% gratuities added on top of that for drinks
  • It is not clear to the customer that this doesn't include the ~$15pp/day cabin fee
• Dining is limited to 2 restaurants that cannot be booked until day of the cruise
• WiFi is limited to some odd number of minutes instead of size. How nice to load up say Facebook that takes 5 minutes instead of 5 seconds (hypothetical). 

Personally, I can do the math myself. The problem is an extremely large percentage of the population can't and that is who they are trying to get their hooks into. For CCL, I know the drink package is another $1,000, cabin fee is ~$300 (3 of us), and shore excursions are on top of that. So, that $3,000 cruise turns out to be near $6,000 at the end of the day. It would be nice to have it as $5,000 and leave your wallet at home. That would be very enticing but it will also show the nickel and diming of all cruise lines and most vacation places as well.

 

The worst one I saw in the past was on Celebrity. This was for a 12 night Hawaii cruise. The base price of the cruise included 1 perk (at that point there was no option to book without perks, I think the equivalent of sailaway popped up closer to sailing but this was 12+ months out). You could "go best" for $520 more pp. The base price would get you the drink package included presumably. The "go best" price got you upgraded to the premium drink package, free wifi, free gratuities and $300 OBC for the stateroom. Problem with that was the drink package upgrade plus the gratuities came out to $309 pp. Add in 150 OBC and you are only at $459 pp. I'm sure that made the wifi at somewhat of a discount, but really really not worth it. But it sure sounds great to get "all" that included in your cruise fare 🙂 

[SNJCruisers]

On 4/22/2021 at 1:15 PM, BlerkOne said:

As for Carnival with a 1 price fits all, never. Families aren't going to want to subsidize binge drinkers.

Carnival could just come out with a two tier system like Princess.  One is basic, no frills that would satisfy the families.  The second one on Princess is only 40.00 pp per day, which includes gratuities, drink package and wifi.  After factoring out the 14.50 for grats, it's only 25.50 for drinks package and wifi.  This would appeal to even the one or two alcoholic drink per day, but I like my coffee and non alcoholic stuff cruiser.

The OP never said an all inclusive policy, just an all inclusive option.  With the Princess option, those families and teetotalers like yourself would not be subsidizing a thing.