HUGE Price Increase on Premium Internet Plan

[Stateroom_Sailor]

5 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Whether we book anymore HAL cruises will depend on how it goes with our upcoming 42 day cruise.   Reading negative and positive posts here on CC is helpful, but the ultimate proof only comes from being on a cruise.

Hank

 

I am trying to assess the same.  I found this video interesting, where we can see it for ourselves.  This couple favors fun ships, so they didn't like the lack of activities.  Since HAL packed their best shows into this 3 night cruise, a longer cruise would have especially not been for them.

 

10 min and 35 min in, the food doesn't look bad.  Smaller portions must be the cost cutting strategy.

 

30:20 their shower was in poor shape, 35:45 rust.  They also complain that nearly the entire ship was hot.  Where the AC units down, or are they cutting costs on temperature control?

 

 

Personally, I am not too worried about the food portion sizes.  If they're going to cut food costs, I prefer it this way.  If I am still hungry, and can have a 2nd appetizer, or a small snack later.  I'm less trilled about the maintenance and temperature onboard.  

 

 

 

[3rdGenCunarder]

1 hour ago, fsufancc said:

The price increases are across the board for all the lines (or so it seems).  We are sailing to Alaska on RCL Quantum OTS in June.  The prices are up and down on the Royal website but are not down to what they were some months ago.  My issue is when the price goes up and there is no added benefit.  The Wifi costs should be fixed if they have not installed the new Starlink systems otherwise you are being gouged for bad/slow internet service.

 

We are HAL newbies and I keep looking at the website for discounts on the add-on stuff.  The Thermal Suite has been fixed at $149 and has not moved for 5-6 months. No black-Friday deal, no Presidents Day sale, nothing.  The price of the Veranda Cabins are up about $1,000 since we booked. We are sailing to Norway and I booked independently for some excursions.  The RIB boat tour was $175/pp on HAL and only $53/pp thru the local operator (and looks like the same trip).

 

I am grateful that we got in on the "Best Sale Ever" deal when we booked and got pre-paid gratuities, wifi, drinks package, $100 OBC, $100/pp excursion credit, specialty dining and more. 

 

Don't look for specials on the thermal suite. The spa is run by an outside company and the price is the price.

[terrydtx]

4 hours ago, Stateroom_Sailor said:

$89pp, are they looking for alcoholics that pass out in the hallways?  "That's a good deal honey, I am going to spend $120 per day on booze anyways!"

Actually it $89pp per day plus 18% gratuity or $105pp pd. On a 7 day cruise that's $735pp. 

[Stateroom_Sailor]

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

Actually it $89pp per day plus 18% gratuity or $105pp pd. On a 7 day cruise that's $735pp. 

 

I'm guessing drinks are about $12, so you're going to need 9 per day to see savings, pp.  If someone is a light weight and only wants 6 drinks, the other person will need to offset it with 12.  I could see a market on a 3 night booze cruise in the middle of Spring Break, but why would they expect such customers on a longer premium brand?  Or maybe they think a % of their base is gullible and won't do the math!

 

Then again, it might take a lot of alcohol to get through that "Goop at Sea" Gwyneth Paltrow sailing!

 

Edited March 8, 2023 by Stateroom_Sailor

[chumley]

We are cruising in April and I wanted to buy the Internet package ahead of time. Where can I do that?

 

Thanks!

Leslie

[firsttimer1971]

7 hours ago, chumley said:

We are cruising in April and I wanted to buy the Internet package ahead of time. Where can I do that?

 

Assuming you already have an HAL/Mariner-account -> Log in -> My Bookings -> Manage my Cruise -> Cruise Activities -> Packages & Gifts -> Internet

Only the Premium Internet Plan is available to buy ahead of time.

[chumley]

Thanks!