Specialty Dinning Price Increases

[BlerkOne]

4 hours ago, vwrestler171 said:

Carnival "subsidizing" the gamblers helps keep the prices down for YOU.  The gamblers spend a lot more in the casino than their room would cost so the casino offers them cheap rates to get them onboard.

Gamblers love to assert this without any numbers to support. Yet some admit to gambling almost nothing. and sometimes gamblers win some.

 

They certainly are among the biggest complainers including Carnival cutting back offers. Post covid, giving away cabins was a way to get occupancy up and cash flow going, but with cruise lines running at over 100% occupancy, there simply isn't a need.

 

 

[Drew B 58]

9 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Gamblers love to assert this without any numbers to support. Yet some admit to gambling almost nothing. and sometimes gamblers win some.

 

They certainly are among the biggest complainers including Carnival cutting back offers. Post covid, giving away cabins was a way to get occupancy up and cash flow going, but with cruise lines running at over 100% occupancy, there simply isn't a need.

 

 

Any given gambler might cause Carnival to lose money on these offers, but collectively, they make Carnival money.  Or at least I assume they do.  They’d be really dumb to offer those deals at a loss and I really don’t think they are dumb.

 

Industry-wide, cruise lines don’t make most of their money on the fares; they make it on ancillary spending.  Drinks (whether a la carte or in packages, specialty dining, excursions, shopping, bingo, etc.).  And of course the casino.  If they can get enough players who will play enough money for enough time, the casino will ALWAYS come out ahead!

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, Drew B 58 said:

Any given gambler might cause Carnival to lose money on these offers, but collectively, they make Carnival money.  Or at least I assume they do.  They’d be really dumb to offer those deals at a loss and I really don’t think they are dumb.

 

Industry-wide, cruise lines don’t make most of their money on the fares; they make it on ancillary spending.  Drinks (whether a la carte or in packages, specialty dining, excursions, shopping, bingo, etc.).  And of course the casino.  If they can get enough players who will play enough money for enough time, the casino will ALWAYS come out ahead!

I assume they make money, too. The real question is the ROI sufficient? 

 

Obviously some gamblers really do risk a lot. I suspect most don't.

[Drew B 58]

18 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

I assume they make money, too. The real question is the ROI sufficient? 

 

Obviously some gamblers really do risk a lot. I suspect most don't.

Probably.  But if they don’t consistently, they probably stop receiving the offers…

[TiredTrucker]

10 hours ago, WKUFan1 said:

I have the Steakhouse, Cucina, and JiJis booked twice each on my next cruise in March on the Horizon. I booked the cruise last month and purchased Cucina and JiJis at the old price 1X and when I went to book for a second time I got hit with the higher fees (I should have booked everything at once last month). I don't mind the additional upcharge as the food quality is decent in all those restaurants.  I also have Chef's Table booked for this cruise (as I book on every cruise) and feel Chef's Table is the best value at sea...you pay 2X the fee for a comparable experience on land.

 

We were going to book Cucina and JiJi's for our cruise in March but after talking over the price increase with the wife (there are 4 of us going) we figured we'd rather spend the $200 on food in port since we have never cruised before and don't know how good (or bad) the included food is.  And also, I'm a cheapskate.  😉

[mz-s]

10 hours ago, TiredTrucker said:

 

We were going to book Cucina and JiJi's for our cruise in March but after talking over the price increase with the wife (there are 4 of us going) we figured we'd rather spend the $200 on food in port since we have never cruised before and don't know how good (or bad) the included food is.  And also, I'm a cheapskate.  😉

 

I typically recommend first-time cruisers stick to the included food as well, personally. At least, don't pre-book anything. If you decide you want to eat the specialty dining once onboard then there are almost always tables available.

[Joebucks]

On 11/3/2023 at 7:17 PM, Saint Greg said:

Well the fare was only $429. I used 7 of their $50 off excursion deals with free at sea. Add that in with a couple steakhouses and there is no fare.

 

 

This still doesn't prove much. What is $429? Out-the-door price? One person? Pre-taxes and fees? Their oldest and smallest ship? Are their excursions marked up? Are they $50 cheaper in port? It's pretty much a known fact that they raise the rates to give you "free" stuff. 

 

Might you have gotten a better deal? It's possible. However, flashy "discount and free" headlines don't prove anything. If you're going to compare, I'd rather see an actual comparison.

 

What I will say though, is I feel the price has really contracted between the two. Carnival seems to have gotten more expensive while Norwegian got less expensive. 

[Saint Greg]

31 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

 

This still doesn't prove much. What is $429? Out-the-door price? One person? Pre-taxes and fees? Their oldest and smallest ship? Are their excursions marked up? Are they $50 cheaper in port? It's pretty much a known fact that they raise the rates to give you "free" stuff. 

 

Might you have gotten a better deal? It's possible. However, flashy "discount and free" headlines don't prove anything. If you're going to compare, I'd rather see an actual comparison.

 

What I will say though, is I feel the price has really contracted between the two. Carnival seems to have gotten more expensive while Norwegian got less expensive. 

You would think there was a $50 markup to call it a discount but they had $50 excursions that were free. A couple well-  known ones I can name is the sky glider in icy strait and gold belt tram in Juneau. Free. $69 for the train to Seward. It’s $119 through the railroad 

 

 

Edited November 5, 2023 by Saint Greg

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, Saint Greg said:

You would think there was a $50 markup to call it a discount but they had $50 excursions that were free. A couple well-  known ones I can name is the sky glider in icy strait and gold belt tram in Juneau. Free. $69 for the train to Seward. It’s $119 through the railroad 

 

 

Is there a way I can get discounted excursions. I think they are kind of expensive. I have 5 ports I'd like a excursion. Booked 3 due to price. 

[Saint Greg]

56 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Is there a way I can get discounted excursions. I think they are kind of expensive. I have 5 ports I'd like a excursion. Booked 3 due to price. 

When you book with that “free excursions” as a part of their “free at sea” it automatically takes $50 off of all excursions. And if there is a $50 excursion, it’s free.

 

[ninjacat123]

Just now, Saint Greg said:

When you book with that “free excursions” as a part of their “free at sea” it automatically takes $50 off of all excursions. And if there is a $50 excursion, it’s free.

 

Good to know!

[firefly333]

1 minute ago, Saint Greg said:

When you book with that “free excursions” as a part of their “free at sea” it automatically takes $50 off of all excursions. And if there is a $50 excursion, it’s free.

 

How do I get free at sea? Still confused. 

 

I'm booked 2 weeks on dream jan 13..wanted a sale on excursions. Hoping black friday. I'm not used to paying full prices .. carnival has no sales unless I find a special promotion? 

 

I'm already booked. Panama columbia costa Rica aruba and curacao I'd like a excursion. 

[Saint Greg]

28 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

How do I get free at sea? Still confused. 

 

I'm booked 2 weeks on dream jan 13..wanted a sale on excursions. Hoping black friday. I'm not used to paying full prices .. carnival has no sales unless I find a special promotion? 

 

I'm already booked. Panama columbia costa Rica aruba and curacao I'd like a excursion. 

That was a NCL discussion 

 

[LatinaInTexas]

4 hours ago, Joebucks said:

 

This still doesn't prove much. What is $429? Out-the-door price? One person? Pre-taxes and fees? Their oldest and smallest ship? Are their excursions marked up? Are they $50 cheaper in port? It's pretty much a known fact that they raise the rates to give you "free" stuff. 

 

Might you have gotten a better deal? It's possible. However, flashy "discount and free" headlines don't prove anything. If you're going to compare, I'd rather see an actual comparison.

 

What I will say though, is I feel the price has really contracted between the two. Carnival seems to have gotten more expensive while Norwegian got less expensive. 

I have been researching Alaska cruise prices for the last week so I have those numbers between Carnival and Norwegian.

For the last week in May 2024 on Carnival Spirit and Norwegian Encore the price difference comparing apples to apples is $771 less on Norwegian.

This is counting base fare, port fees and taxes, drink packages, gratuities on drink packages, regular gratuities, one steakhouse dinner, gratuities on steak house dinner, and the $50 off excursions on Norwegian based on me taking 3 excursions. Also Norwegian offers a ten percent military discount on base fare that Carnival doesn't.

Also to note the Spirit is like you mentioned a smaller, older ship compared to the Encore which is a nice big and new ship.

This aligns with pricing when I compared Carnival and Norwegian for my May 9 night cruise. Norwegian was significantly lower priced.

Does this happen regularly where Norwegian is the better deal? I don't know since May was my first time cruising them. But it was enough of a savings to consider them again.

 

 

[BlerkOne]

5 hours ago, Joebucks said:

Are their excursions marked up? Are they $50 cheaper in port? It's pretty much a known fact that they raise the rates to give you "free" stuff. 

 

Sometimes a bargain, sometimes marked up bigly. Buyer beware 

[cheer25mom]

On 11/2/2023 at 12:41 PM, Drazil65 said:

Just checked our MG cruise in December and prices not only increased as OP noted but there are some new offerings under specialty dining options.  I have never seen these options in the past, they are $65 pp and offer cooking and dinning experiences like "Mission Masala Tiger Class with dinner" and "An Elegant Affair Class with dinner - Spain".  There are several others as well, anyone else notice these?  

We just booked the Tiger Class for our cruise in 2 weeks. I will let you know! 

[jimbo5544]

As most know, cruising is extremely busy and many ships sailing at capacity.  With that, excursions often are completely sold out and others are selling at a large premium.  Simply the reality of a system that is booming.  The options are: book with the line, or book outside the line.  Not sure what any of this has to do with speciality dining increases.

Edited November 6, 2023 by jimbo5544

[weezal]

wow, 20% increase on chef's table too. serious inflation
i wish carnival provided announcement, or advance warning of the increases.

 

[ProgRockCruiser]

12 minutes ago, weezal said:

wow, 20% increase on chef's table too. serious inflation
i wish carnival provided announcement, or advance warning of the increases.

 

Zoinks!  Glad we're already booked at the old rate of about $90 pp for an upcoming cruise.  That might give me hesitation to book next time.

[hard_eight]

1 hour ago, weezal said:

wow, 20% increase on chef's table too. serious inflation
i wish carnival provided announcement, or advance warning of the increases.

 

What ship is that cruise on? Still $80 on Nov 19th Conquest:

[weezal]

jubilee in feb 2024. radiance in dec 2023 also shows higher pricing

[hard_eight]

Guess it's going up after a certain date...

[WKUFan1]

On 11/4/2023 at 1:54 PM, vwrestler171 said:

Carnival "subsidizing" the gamblers helps keep the prices down for YOU.  The gamblers spend a lot more in the casino than their room would cost so the casino offers them cheap rates to get them onboard.

Thank you for that...nothing irks me more than complaints about the comps gamblers get. Yes, the casino offers me free suites. Yes, the casino offers Free Drinks Everywhere for me and my guest. Yes, the casino offers me free excursions and round trip land transportation when I'm on an Elite sailing. Surprisingly none of that is actually free. My casino spending (losses) far exceeds the value of the comps given on every cruise... I always start a cruise with a 10k bankroll and have a line of credit with Ocean Players Club. The casino doesn't hand out charity. Carnival gets my gambling dollar because I'm a smoker and they allow it in their casinos. I took a Celebrity cruise on the Apex last Thanksgiving and the no smoking thing ruined my gaming experience. As long as Carnival allows smoking in their casino, they will get my business. 

[DallasGuy75219]

On 11/3/2023 at 5:51 AM, jimbo5544 said:

The industry is the same…..being forced to close for 19 months will do that.

Other cruise lines (at least the ones I sail regularly) have not cut nearly as drastically as Carnival.  So Carnival is now my distant third choice after Princess and Royal.

[TiredTrucker]

1 hour ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

Other cruise lines (at least the ones I sail regularly) have not cut nearly as drastically as Carnival.  So Carnival is now my distant third choice after Princess and Royal.

 

I was pricing Caribbean cruises out of Galveston and the prices between Carnival and Princess were a surprise.  I don't know anything about the individual boats and maybe that accounts for it, but Princess was less.