TV Show about how Cruiselines make their most profit

[Rick-cruiser]

Tonight, CNBC is airing at 9:00 PM EST the show "Cruise Inc: Big Money On The High Seas". Many people missed it the first time, so I'm getting the word out in case you want to watch it, TIVO it, DVR, VCR, etc...

 

It gives very good insight as to how cruiselines make most of their profit... they do it once they have you as a captive passenger on board the ship.

 

How are they able to offer such low rates on their basic fares? $399 for a 7-day cruise? $599 for a 14-day cruise? Well, they "get ya" once you're on board.... charging exorbitant prices for drinks, shore excursions, and expanding the opportunities for you to make a donation to their casino (navagating crowds to pass through the casino between venues - on the way to/out of the theater, etc).

 

It provides an interesting behind-the-scenes investigative report regarding this aspect of the cruise industry.

 

- Rick

[Sophisticated Traveler]

Tonight, CNBC is airing at 9:00 PM EST the show "Cruise Inc: Big Money On The High Seas". Many people missed it the first time, so I'm getting the word out in case you want to watch it, TIVO it, DVR, VCR, etc...

 

It gives very good insight as to how cruiselines make most of their profit... they do it once they have you as a captive passenger on board the ship.

 

How are they able to offer such low rates on their basic fares? $399 for a 7-day cruise? $599 for a 14-day cruise? Well, they "get ya" once you're on board.... charging exorbitant prices for drinks, shore excursions, and expanding the opportunities for you to make a donation to their casino (navagating crowds to pass through the casino between venues - on the way to/out of the theater, etc).

 

It provides an interesting behind-the-scenes investigative report regarding this aspect of the cruise industry.

 

- Rick

 

Rick, I'm surprised with over 25 cruises over many years, you would find this "news". The only news is instead of charging more for cabins now and only casinos, drinks, photos, etc. were the extra profit, now they charge little for cabins and "get ya" as you say, for everything from coffee to ice cream.

 

However, I don't think they can "get ya" for a lot of cruisers who can't afford to pay for the extras. And many of the new cruisers clearly cannot.

[lifevicarious]

However, I don't think they can "get ya" for a lot of cruisers who can't afford to pay for the extras. And many of the new cruisers clearly cannot.

 

Wow, I'm not sure if you are a troll or you just look down on everyone. This is at least the 2nd of your 5 posts that judge people. If you are so sophisticated and want the high end experience, why do you hang out in a mass market forum?

[dkjretired]

Tonight, CNBC is airing at 9:00 PM EST the show "Cruise Inc: Big Money On The High Seas". Many people missed it the first time, so I'm getting the word out in case you want to watch it, TIVO it, DVR, VCR, etc...

 

It gives very good insight as to how cruiselines make most of their profit... they do it once they have you as a captive passenger on board the ship.

 

How are they able to offer such low rates on their basic fares? $399 for a 7-day cruise? $599 for a 14-day cruise? Well, they "get ya" once you're on board.... charging exorbitant prices for drinks, shore excursions, and expanding the opportunities for you to make a donation to their casino (navagating crowds to pass through the casino between venues - on the way to/out of the theater, etc).

 

It provides an interesting behind-the-scenes investigative report regarding this aspect of the cruise industry.

 

- Rick

 

Rick:

 

I saw that awhile ago and your assessment is correct. It is an excellent behind the scenes report where NCL deserves a lot of credit for the access they gave the reporter. Thanks, I might catch it again....I was recently on NCL Gem and you I could relate the hard sell that will be shown on the show....

[RodPat]

Saw that show before but I have to say I have never felt pushed to buy anything onboard. Yes they make their profit on onboard sales, but who said profit is a dirty word. Profit is what makes the world go round and not making it as it is now is making the world wobble instead of spin. If you don't like the casino, walk through and keep going. If you don't want specialty coffee, drink the coffee in the buffet area. Life is full of choices, so make one.

 

Pat

[Cnd_Cruiser]

Personally I want the cruise industry to make a profit. That way the will still be there when I want to cruise. I saw this show a while ago and found it interesting. We always spend money on board, drinks, speciality dining, spa etc. and always feel that we have had great value for our vacation.

[celebritydave]

I agree with Pat. If everyone who cruised, brought all their own drinks on board and never gambled or spent money in the shops, we would all be paying more for the cabins. The way it is now, if you don't want to spend you don't have to. I never thought the mini bar prices were that bad compared to what you pay on shore in a decent restaurant or bar.

 

Would you go to a restaurant and bring your own drinks?

[Imagineer]

...on our cruise on Mercury just last week, it was patently obvious that they really try to push the drink sales, but as has already been mentioned, you can just say "no thanks", no one's got a gun to your head...

[snausman]

Rick thanks for the heads up about the show. We missed it the first time around.

[Fogfog]

Tonight, CNBC is airing at 9:00 PM EST the show "Cruise Inc: Big Money On The High Seas". Many people missed it the first time, so I'm getting the word out in case you want to watch it, TIVO it, DVR, VCR, etc...

 

It gives very good insight as to how cruiselines make most of their profit... they do it once they have you as a captive passenger on board the ship.

 

How are they able to offer such low rates on their basic fares? $399 for a 7-day cruise? $599 for a 14-day cruise? Well, they "get ya" once you're on board.... charging exorbitant prices for drinks, shore excursions, and expanding the opportunities for you to make a donation to their casino (navagating crowds to pass through the casino between venues - on the way to/out of the theater, etc).

 

It provides an interesting behind-the-scenes investigative report regarding this aspect of the cruise industry.

 

- Rick

 

 

THANK YOU

Have set a reminder...We are looking at an Aug 2010 cruise booking 3 cabins and trying to compare lines like Celebrity vs Regent (inclusive)

[jackdiamond]

Thank you for the post. However, I believe I will feel better watching Hannity. By the way, my wife and I only spend what we want; and, we have never been pushed in this regard. Also, we are fairly experienced cruisers having cruised about 25 times in eleven years.

[CruisingEasy]

Saw that show before but I have to say I have never felt pushed to buy anything onboard. Yes they make their profit on onboard sales, but who said profit is a dirty word. Profit is what makes the world go round and not making it as it is now is making the world wobble instead of spin. If you don't like the casino, walk through and keep going. If you don't want specialty coffee, drink the coffee in the buffet area. Life is full of choices, so make one.

 

Pat

 

Monroe - my best friends family lives there. I know the area well. I used to work there in Concordia.

[RodPat]

Monroe - my best friends family lives there. I know the area well. I used to work there in Concordia.

 

Yes we right next door in a community called the Ponds. Lived in Bergen county for most of our lives and just got tired of all the traffic. Nice living in farm country.

 

Pat

[CruisingEasy]

Yes we right next door in a community called the Ponds. Lived in Bergen county for most of our lives and just got tired of all the traffic. Nice living in farm country.

 

Pat

 

I know Bergen county and Monroe well. I will be sailing the Equinox 12/4/09 as it will be my honeymoon. Getting married in Cranbury on 11-7-09. How do you like those Bergen county businesses closed on Sundays - nice!!!! I used to work for Drug Fair but they closed.

[Rysyonok]

Thank you for letting us know about the show :) I guess it is what it is though... when you book a cruise, you expect to pay more than the sticker price... it's no different than shopping at a supermarket - you can bring all coupons you want, but it's the last second grab at checkouts - soda, gum, candy - that's gonna get you :)

[LuAnn]

thanks for the heads-up. 1/2 a million dollars worth of fuel taken on for a 7 day cruise? That is amazing! LuAnn

[I&J Cruisers]

Rysnook

That's exactly what long time cruisers are always complaining about. I started cruising in 1983 and in those days there was nothing to spend money on. Drinks were ridulously cheap. Bingo was a token fee that all ended up in the pot. Photo's were all 3x5's and cost $3.50 each. here was no casino and no shops except a sundry shop onboard with very little merchandise. All fitness classes were free. A cruise for 2, in an outside cabin on B deck, (next to lowest passenger deck) cost $2800. I'm paying less for an aqua class cabin on Solstice next January. That $2800 included air fare and transfers to and from the ship and luggage pick up to and from the ship. The credit if you didn't want air or transfers was $100pp. But you knew at the outset that it was all paid for before you boarded the ship.

[Rysyonok]

I&J Cruisers,

 

I guess that's how it is all over the place these days. The sticker price goes down; the add-ons go up. I have not been on a cruise yet, but I have been to many places by car, rail, or air. And I've seen the onset of lower air fares, etc that was promptly matched by extra baggage fees and so on... So it does not bother me to know that I will be nickeled-and-dimed while on board.

 

But I can see how it can be difficult to adjust to when people had experienced it the way you described things to be... :)

[I&J Cruisers]

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining, just stating facts. There's a lot that's much nicer now. Cabins are much nore comfortable. Balconies were unheard of then. The buffet consisted of a small counter on Lido deck that was open for a continental breakfast; lunch was in the Dining Room or hamburgers, hot dogs or chilli, and desserts and finger sanwiches at tea time. It goes on and on. You can't stop the evolution of anything. I still live cruising.

Irene

[Rysyonok]

I&J Cruisers,

 

I agree :)

[FinelyCruising]

Saw that show before but I have to say I have never felt pushed to buy anything onboard. Yes they make their profit on onboard sales, but who said profit is a dirty word. Profit is what makes the world go round and not making it as it is now is making the world wobble instead of spin. If you don't like the casino, walk through and keep going. If you don't want specialty coffee, drink the coffee in the buffet area. Life is full of choices, so make one.

 

Pat

 

I agree. I don't understand why the cruise line is not allowed to make money any way they can. No one complains about how Wal-Mart does it.:rolleyes:

[RodPat]

I know Bergen county and Monroe well. I will be sailing the Equinox 12/4/09 as it will be my honeymoon. Getting married in Cranbury on 11-7-09. How do you like those Bergen county businesses closed on Sundays - nice!!!! I used to work for Drug Fair but they closed.

 

Congratulation on your upcoming marriage. Cranbury is such a lovely town. It is like a slice of old Americana. We eat breakfast at Teddys at least a few times a week. I like being able to go to the store on Sundays in central Jersey. We go to visit our daughter and her family who still live in Bergen County and can't take them shopping unless we go to NY state. Nice for those people who work in the stores as then they can have a day off.

You will love Equinox. I was on Solstice the early part of December and fell in love with her. Great ship for a honeymoon.

 

Pat

[ma_in_ak]

I would rather pay for all the extra things I want to have - bar, spa, specialty restaurants, bingo, etc. than not have the choice to have them at all. At least I can purchase only those things I want. I think it's still pretty affordable. And it can be even more so if you choose not to go to the bar, bingo, casino, etc.

[beach spring]

Acc. to CNBC web page, the program will be re-aired

 

Tuesday, September 8th 9p | 1a ET

Saturday, September 19th 7p ET

 

Also, apparently you can watch it on cnbc.com.

[DougK]

I would rather pay for all the extra things I want to have - bar, spa, specialty restaurants, bingo, etc. than not have the choice to have them at all. At least I can purchase only those things I want. I think it's still pretty affordable. And it can be even more so if you choose not to go to the bar, bingo, casino, etc.

 

Of course, the same argument can be applied to things that *are* included in the cruise price. For example, shows, dining room food, turndown service, the library, dancing, etc. There's simply no logic as to what is and isn't included. Honestly, why does it cost extra for soda, but not for milk? Trivia is free, but there's a charge for gym classes -- even though both are entirely optional, and the cost to provide them isn't significantly different.

 

How long is it going to be before there's the "main" show for free each night, and a smaller, higher-quality "specialty" show for a fee? Maybe start instituting a charge for eating in the dining room rather than casual dining? Or a charge if you want both soup and salad, instead of just one? Those are just as logical as charges that exist today.

 

I think the only real question is how much passengers are willing to put up with separate charges. Right now, it looks like people are more interested in a lower base fare and more extra charges. Except on high-end, truly all-inclusive lines. But at some point, it's possible that the cruise experience will change enough that it's no longer attractive. All-inclusive land resorts are trying to capture a segment of people who used to go on cruises, but don't like to have to think about what every additional item is going to cost.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see some differentiation in the future, with some lines moving to entirely a la carte pricing as is typically found on land, and others moving to truly all-inclusive. But I suspect most will stay in the middle ground, and keep trying to move more things into the fee category so they can keep base fares low. Just like airlines -- most now charge for bags and food, there are a few that still include them, and there are a few others that charge for just about everything as a separate item. As long as consumers keep basing their comparison shopping only on the base fare, there's not much incentive for providers to include more in the base fare than their competitors do, and there is incentive to instead slowly take items away.