Is Princess becoming a la carte?

[tripman]

After 4 cruises on 3 different lines, I think Princess has become my favorite. But I'm a bit concerned with something. Each new ship seems to have more and more features to pay extra for. I know it is a business, but at some point, it would become more of a hassle. There are already more than enough specialty restaurants. There are extra charges for ice cream and special coffees, and now I've read that on the newest ship, there is a deck you can't go on without paying extra. It is not that bad yet, I just worry that 5 years from now, you'll need to pay to be in the first few rows of the theater, or you'll have to pay for any type of dining room service, or that you'll be charged for pool use.

 

It isn't coming to this, is it? I know it isn't just Princess that does this, but that whole Sanctuary thing is what got me thinking.

[Toto2Kansas]

Although everything else in this world is costing us more, cruise prices continue to stay as low as 10-15 years ago or longer. There has to be someway for them to make up for the inflation that the world is paying in other places.

 

I think this is a going trend and you will see more and more of it as time passes on most lines. Personally, if this is what it takes to keep the initial cruise price low, then we are all for it. The 'extras' are things you don't have

to attend or pay for, so at least you have a choice in the matter.

[sunviking82]

I think that the basic services, main dining rooms, pools, buffets, will continue to be free and some new services like MUTS will also be free, but some of the nice to have's such as the santuary or speciality coffee's will have a charge similar to what the land based resorts do today. When you think about all the "free" items on a Princess cruise today verse 5 years ago, you have 2 or 3 times the features or activities. A few high end fee required features doesn't mean that chairs near the pool are going to require a charge, but for those who want to pay for something special one day or every day, it gives you the option.:)

[sppunk]

Cruising has ALWAYS been an a la carte vacation option.

 

The original Cunard lines, which were the first true "cruise" ships, had speciality restaurants, rooms, etc. where fees were required.

 

People seem to forget that these things are EXTRA - they are not required. I have absolutely no problem going on a cruise and not spending $5 for a coffee or $30 on another restaurant.

[tennisobo]

I have to agree with previous posters. The cost of a cruise is still a good deal for a very nice vacation. There is quite a bit of competition for the mass market cruiser. Each line tries to offer something different or special that the other line doesn't. They charge extra for that, but the basic cruise experience has not changed.

 

We had reservations for Sabatini's on our last cruise. Since we were perfectly happy with our regular dining room experience, we cancelled the Sabatini's reservation. We just didn't see the point in paying extra just because it was offered. To others, it was worth it for a different dining venue.

 

I don't want special coffees. I'm happy to let others pay for that. It wasn't that long ago that special coffees would not even have been an option.

 

I can go on my cruise and have a great time without ANY of the extras that others are willing to pay for. So, I'm happy with things the way they are.

 

:) Happy sailings....

[tripman]

A few high end fee required features doesn't mean that chairs near the pool are going to require a charge, but for those who want to pay for something special one day or every day, it gives you the option.:)

 

But that is exactly what I'm concerned about. Starting with a deck that costs extra, who is to stop them from charging for the row of chairs by the pool, or the first few rows of the theater, or for dessert at dinner...once it is seen to be profitable, then it'll take off and it will never go back.

 

I understand the economics of keeping initial costs low, but at the same time, I don't want a vacation with costant pressure of purchasing something.

[Princess Patches]

I share Tripman's concern about the ever increasing number of items for which you must pay extra. Where is it leading? The Sanctuary fee is bothersome because this is the first time Princess has ever required a fee to access a specific area of the ship. It reminds me of the old first class/steerage system.

 

I agree that the cruise experience is fine right now because I am able to have a wonderful cruise without paying for any of the extras such as specialty coffees, the Sanctuary and the specialty restaurants. But what if they start charging for all of the restaurants, including the anytime and traditional dining rooms or they charge you $5 to see a movie and so on? The best way to end all of these extra fees would be for people to stop paying them. If everyone refused to pay to use the Sanctuary on even one cruise I guarantee you it would be free on the next cruise. Spread the word

[Nliedel]

I paid for one snack on the Crown and never felt deprived any other days. I had no problem getting enough good food and enough water to drink (I am not counting my booze here). Honestly not visiting the Sanctuary did not kill me and I did not miss it.

 

I truly believe you can cruise on Princess without feeling nickel and dimed to death.

[tripman]

I share Tripman's concern about the ever increasing number of items for which you must pay extra. Where is it leading? The Sanctuary fee is bothersome because this is the first time Princess has ever required a fee to access a specific area of the ship. It reminds me of the old first class/steerage system.

 

I agree that the cruise experience is fine right now because I am able to have a wonderful cruise without paying for any of the extras such as specialty coffees, the Sanctuary and the specialty restaurants. But what if they start charging for all of the restaurants, including the anytime and traditional dining rooms or they charge you $5 to see a movie and so on? The best way to end all of these extra fees would be for people to stop paying them. If everyone refused to pay to use the Sanctuary on even one cruise I guarantee you it would be free on the next cruise. Spread the word

 

This is what I am saying. I probably should have made clear that the current system doesn't bother me at all. The only thing on my final bills are excursions, tips, maybe a picture or two, and I am perfectly happy with not having any of the extra items. I have a great time not eating a the specialty restaurants, or coffee, or not going to the sanctuary, and their existance doesn't bother me.

 

But my concern is what may be coming in the future. If they realize they can make money by charging for access to a deck...then what.

 

So please don't take my original post as a complaint about the current state of affairs...but more as concern as to what may be ahead.

[Nliedel]

I strongly suspect that there will be some lines going ala carte in the future. I would be very sad and it would probably affect my willingness to cruise.

[mek]

quote=Princess Patches If everyone refused to pay to use the Sanctuary on even one cruise I guarantee you it would be free on the next cruise. Spread the word.

 

And I can guarantee you, if people stop paying for the extras, Princess and all cruise lines will raise their prices at the speed of light and we still won't have everything included . As far as the Sanctuary is concerned, if they stop charging for it, then it will become overrun with people and that will be another problem. They need to charge something to keep contol of the area, or simply do away with it and make it open deck space and not a premium area.

[yarlenna]

What is old is new again! I remember when you had to sign up for your deck chair - -

[Nliedel]

What is old is new again! I remember when you had to sign up for your deck chair - -

 

You know I can see it now, a whole dining room full of people pounding their forks and crying, "bring it back, bring it back!" :p

[cruzinchris]

As far as the Sanctuary is concerned, if they stop charging for it, then it will become overrun with people and that will be another problem. They need to charge something to keep contol of the area, or simply do away with it and make it open deck space and not a premium area.

 

Does anyone know if there will be a "Sanctuary" on the Emerald Princess? My understanding is that the new ship will be a clone of the Crown.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

quote=Princess Patches If everyone refused to pay to use the Sanctuary on even one cruise I guarantee you it would be free on the next cruise. Spread the word.

 

And I can guarantee you, if people stop paying for the extras, Princess and all cruise lines will raise their prices at the speed of light and we still won't have everything included . As far as the Sanctuary is concerned, if they stop charging for it, then it will become overrun with people and that will be another problem. They need to charge something to keep contol of the area, or simply do away with it and make it open deck space and not a premium area.

 

I agree with you 100%. By going and paying the fees for the extras the cruiselines see that what they have decided to do is OK. If nobody uses the pay for venue they will quickly rethink their decision.

 

NCL tried to charge extra for entertainment a couple of years ago. The pax stayed away in droves and they quickly did away with that policy.

 

Bill

[DesrtDrmr]

We're okay with not paying extra for "extras". We have only been to a specialty restaurant once............for an anniversary meal, and while it was very nice, the food and service were good, it was not much better than the included restaurants. The one thing that was better was the personal attention because the restaurant was almost EMPTY! Only two other tables were occupied. We like Princess' own ice cream, so don't have to buy any, DH likes (?) Princess coffee (although he's a "Starbucks Snob" at home), and I don't drink coffee, and neither of us drinks much alchohol. We don't drink much soda, but don't mind paying for it if we want one, or a glass of wine. We choose to cruise on mass market lines BECAUSE we can pick and choose what we'll pay for. We don't cruise on luxury lines, even if we wanted to pay those prices, because we don't want to pay for everyone else's "extras". It is not worth it to us, to have an all inclusive fare, as we don't use all the items which are included.

[FredS]

Many things that use to be "free" or have a small fee are going a la carte. Cable TV used to be one price and a small selection of channels. Now we have several different groupings of channels that we can add to the "basic" fee. I read there is a push to charge based on the number of channels you watch. Gas stations had a lot of "freebies" (oil check, tire check, wash windshield, etc.) now they only have gas and the price is higher than ever. Remember when getting a permit from the city to build had a single price? Now you pay and pay and pay for a multitude of "permits" for one project.

[JAMESCC]

Honestly I don't know how any of these companies make a profit really. Think about the cost of fuel. I mean now thats a staggering amount of money. The fairs are really cheap for a seven or nine day vacation where you travel to three or four different countries/islands. The Crown princess was my first cruise so i bought stuff just for the hell of it. I racked up a bill on the ship for $1,000 but I looked at the bill and to be honest i really didn't need anything on that list I just bought because I was there. I ate free everyday except when we went to the Crown grill and that my friends was worth EVERY penny! Before i went my friends who have gone before said it was the best value in vacationing and now that i have gone I can't argue. Now my trip turned out to be free because of the list but I will say that I will go again no doubt. Up till that point it was just too much fun. I mean we had a major list and I already can't wait to go again that should tell you something.

[cruzinchris]

Does anyone know if there will be a "Sanctuary" on the Emerald Princess? My understanding is that the new ship will be a clone of the Crown.

 

Answering my own question here. The Emerald is now featured on the Princess site (deck plans, amenities, etc.), and there is definitely a "Sanctuary." The entire ship appears to be an exact replica of the Crown.

 

Bon Voyage!

Chris

[fti]

Having just returned from the Diamond Princess three weeks ago, I too saw the push toward ala carte and commercialism to the n-th degree - constantly selling watches, jewelry, T-shirts, drink cards, wine-tasting, coffee cards, taking and selling cruise photos, you name it. I bought very few of these optional things but it did bother me a bit to see Princess always trying to sell you something almost every minute of every day.

 

Having said that, I would rather see a lower cruise price and be slightly bothered by it, but ignore the salesmanship of Princess and just keep walking. Let those who really want to buy it.

 

I think the cruise lines will have to continue to include at least some basic amenities in the base cruise fare. Let's at least hope so. If you can't get three free meals a day without paying, or can't gain access to some outside area of the ship, for example, then it will have gone too far.

[naragonl]

Hi,

 

Just off 7-11 Crown tilt,

We really never felt nickeled and dimed

We dined at Sabitini's, Crown Grill and had along the way 2-3 bottles of wine, casino and soda card.

 

The Sanctuary is not a big deal, I think it is more of a conversation place because very few used it. I'd think Princess will throttle the cost a little to get more people. But, we never felt we were missing something or couldn't find a place away from crowds.

 

There is just so much 'stuff' to do and see without the extra charges.

 

I think it all balances out in the end, we get a fair prices for a cruise and enjoy lots, and the cruiseline gets to make some extra money with these little 'charges'.

 

my 2 cents only

[momofmeg]

Although everything else in this world is costing us more, cruise prices continue to stay as low as 10-15 years ago or longer. There has to be someway for them to make up for the inflation that the world is paying in other places.

 

I think this is a going trend and you will see more and more of it as time passes on most lines. Personally, if this is what it takes to keep the initial cruise price low, then we are all for it. The 'extras' are things you don't have

to attend or pay for, so at least you have a choice in the matter.

 

 

I agree with you and heck why should we pay for services we don't use-and we would be doing just that if cruise prices go up-this way we can pick and choose.

 

I know a couple years back on the questions asked section of the boards-people were asking was there a cruiseline that did not "nickle and dime you to death". One person answered back lines like Oceania and other upscale lines didn't.

 

I posted yes but they were so much more expensive-I would have to eat a lot of ice creams, drink a lot of wine,colas, and cappacinos to make it worth it to me.

 

This person posted back he did not mind paying more not "go through the hazzle"-and acted as though I was an idiot and a cheapskate. All these other guys posted and agreed with him.

 

So I posted well maybe they should just cruise Oceania if they felt that way-but I would rather spend my money on what I really wanted. Several poked fun at me a good bit-but the way I see it-the last laugh is on them-unless they have money to burn-I don't.

[ccrain]

Not really ala' carte. This is the evolving way of cruising today. People are shopping based on price per cabin per person. Cruise lines have to keep these prices low to compete, so they come up with additional ways to capture lost revenue.

 

The best way to visualize this, and counter the argument over past practices is to simply look at the older ship designs. The Princess Sun class has no sanctuary, didn't even have an internet cafe, no alternative dining and syrup coffee from day 1 - although cappacinos and brewed coffee were free then.

 

Look at the main alternative revenue streams on a cruise ship - booze, casino, photographs, excursions, tips (as in reduced payrolls), spa. These will remain relatively constant, unless one increases the sizes of the ship (like the CP class?) so to capture additional income, they have to offer something else and charge for it.

 

Thus was born the personalized videos, the alternative resturants, the gym classes, golf simulator, scholarship@sea. Now we have the sancturary, special handling in Vancouver.

 

Soon I predict we will have UPS/FedEx shipping home from the ship (cheaper than the $50 overweight airline charge), pay per view movies or pay per play video games, express boarding, bungie jumping into the propeller wake, helicopter rides from the top deck, parasailing between the bungie jumpers - all of which will cost more.

 

As long as the cruising public demands low cruise rates, lines will continue to investigate ways to get revenue from other sources.

 

If you don't believe me, look at the build schedules for the mainstream lines versus the build schedules for the "all inclusive" luxury lines.

 

And I have to say - at least on a cruise they will sell you a piece of the carpet if they can, whereas in Hawaii, they charge you for walking on the carpet.