AnnaNicole

I love the M class ships.   I am glad you enjoyed your cruise.  

3 minutes ago, AnnaNicole said:

 

 

 

 

43 minutes ago, eyelovcrusin said:

So what’s the dollar limit for the classic and premium package now? And can one person in cabin upgrade to premium as long as the other one has the classic package?

I believe it is $10 for classic and $17 for premium.

2 hours ago, markeb said:

I've lost old threads. Didn't the top end of the premium package go to $17? So this is now 6 1/2 drinks a day at the high end?

 

What's seems self-defeating to me is I imagine most people are going to go for the most expensive drinks at that price. Even people who normally would have bought beers in the classic package. There's a point where customer behavior is to "get my money's worth". Over $100/day is going to cross that threshold for almost everyone...

On my last two cruises,  the staff pushed Celebrity branded Elegance wine that was $11/glass.  Many times, they were out of all of the premium wines I requested.   I ended up having to go to the Wine Cellar to get a good glass of wine (thanks, Nelson!).   

I only drink two or three glasses of wine.   The package was a convenience factor for me.   Now that I have to buy the same package for my husband (who does not drink), it is not worth it.    

In September, I paid $728 total including gratuity for a Premium alcohol package for myself and a classic non-alcohol package for my husband for a 7 day cruise.

In December, I paid $437 total for 5 day cruise for Premium Alcohol package ($60 per day) for me and classic non-alcohol ($13 per day) for my husband. 

In January, I would have to pay $1680 for the two of us, as he will have to have the same Premium alcohol package.   If I could do the same packages as our last two cruises, it would be less than half that amount.  

1 hour ago, ABoatNerd said:

Excellent post.

What I find wonderful about your post is your obvious critical thinking and ability to make course changes based on analysis.  An "obedient consumer" you are not. Well done indeed. 

Blind obedience is a dangerous thing for people and many consumers operate this way. Corporations often rely on the "obedient consumer". Depending upon what % of passengers Celebrity thinks are "obedient consumers", drives their business decisions. In Celebrity's case they know many of their longer time customers have abandoned them for the premium lines (myself included) so they are honing in on the new customer who of course, has limited to 0 knowledge of the previous Celebrity product and who are younger and more likely to react to fluff entertainment, gadgets, find "fast food" ok and not question the nickel and diming, because it is all new and exciting.

My career was in marketing and in our corporate boardroom was a gigantic sign with the words "obedient consumer".

I compliment you in your analysis and wish you happy sailing on any of the many cruise lines out there. Always put yourself first.

 

 

Well said.  

3 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

LOL-----I get it---

I'm "seriously considering" cancelling my Golf membership because last time my hamburger was overdone, the fries were cold, and I lost $ 2.50 that day after missing a 2 ft putt on the 18th hole------- but in the end---- won't.

Looking forward to what you decide---- I'll give 200/1 that you -------won't cancel your upcoming cruise.. 

( No offence intended --- No " Don't decide or tell me what to do " post necessary--- It's all in fun )

 

I loved all of my past Celebrity cruises, but I am seriously considering cancelling my February cruise and I am looking elsewhere for my future cruises.  It's not just the change in quality and quantity (choice) of food, it is also the changes in other areas (beverage packages cost and conditions, nickle diming dining, etc).    The lack of communication of these changes is problematic too.  

If Celebrity replaced cabin beds with cots, would you be ok with that?  

And now all stateroom passengers HAVE to book the same package.   A change in policy since I booked my cruise several months ago.     I am not happy about the huge increase in the package price since my Sept and December cruises AND not being able to purchase the alcohol package for just me.  My husband does not drink.   So, I will forgo the package and bring wine onboard.

37 minutes ago, Wineduck said:

On the Solstice in September the filet was no longer available.

That was a big disappointment for me since I normally order it every other night.

Hmmmm.....I was able to order it a couple of times on my Solstice September 24 cruise.

15 hours ago, airhose said:

So now it looks like special coffees and teas, and Coca-Cola products, are not included in the Classic.  Are we back to hauling Coke on board?  At least we get the coffees and teas due to loyalty status (I hope!).  

Order a rum and coke... without the rum.  😂

1 hour ago, rmalbers said:

Be sure and price out the Viking expedition ships also if you're researching this.  I think this is only their second year so they don't get the press but they are really nice ships.  They do have a ice 'rating' and aren't a drive by.

Thanks for the info.   I will look into Viking expedition ships too.

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Yes. 

 

Cruise Details - 16-Day Antarctica & Cape Horn - Princess Cruises

 

Updated the link as the original one didn't work.

 

Also, those aft-facing VS cabins book fast. That category had been sold out for a few months until one just became available, which allowed us to refare to the cheaper rate it is now being advertised for.

 

Thanks.  I will look into it.  🙂

2 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Understand. If possible, could you possibly provide a link to a quality expedition cruise that would be cheaper per day than either a Princess or Celebrity "drive by" cruise. I would definitely be interested in seeing that as the ones we've looked at are around $1,000+ a day that includes a balcony. FWIW we're in a Princess Vista Suite with all included (gratuities, drinks and unlimited internet) for $544 pp/day, not counting all of the OBC we get from Princess as well as from our TA.

$544 per day, per person? 

Great thread.  I was just looking at Antarctic cruises for Dec 2023 or January 2024.    Has any one done one on Azamara?   

46 minutes ago, TopoChico said:

As is with the entire thread, you entirely miss the point on every single comment made here. 
 

Instead of posting links no one will click on, and making comments solely to flame, why don’t you tell us all about your experiences. The cruises you’ve taken recently, details about your dining experiences, cabins you’ve stayed in, what you enjoy about cruising.  Because it seems to me, you don’t cruise at all and probably have never eaten in a 3* Michelin chef’s restaurant. 

Read the link.  It is a scathing condemnation of cruise ship's profit and failure to pay any real tax to the US yet uses their services at an astronomical cost to taxpayers.   

I am surprised Stringbean10 posted is as a defense to cruiseline's profit.   

50 minutes ago, stringbean10 said:

Link to the article.

 

https://thehustle.co/the-economics-of-cruise-ships/

Did you even read the article you posted?   Interesting that you missed the most important parts of the article.

That means that at full capacity, a single ship like Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas might make $9.8m in revenue ($1.7m of which is profit) during one 7-day excursion. That’s $239k in profit per day at sea.

As 50% of this money comes from American travelers, one might expect the cruise industry to be a substantial contributor to the US tax system.

But there’s a catch: These companies aren’t technically American. And they harbor what one legal expert calls a “dirty little secret.”

Headquartered in Miami, yet....

According to annual report filings, the major cruise lines pay an average tax rate of 0.8% — for below the 21% US corporate tax rate.

Under an obscure, 99-year-old section of the US tax code, cruise companies are able to register their ships with countries that have more lenient laws than the US — an act called flying a “flag of convenience” — and avoid paying into the US tax system.

It’s a tax loophole big enough to drive a cruise ship through.

While cruise ships avoid paying US taxes, they simultaneously benefit from the services of taxpayer-funded federal agencies.

Professor Klein, who has testified before Congress on matters of cruise ship safety, says that in the past 25 years:

• 361 passengers have fallen overboard on cruise ships (14 per year)
• 353 gastrointestinal/norovirus outbreaks have broken out on cruise ships
• 500+ environmental violations have been charged to cruise ships

In many of these cases, US agencies have to intervene — and taxpayers, not cruise companies, usually eat the cost.

They show that a single cruise ship passenger rescue effort can cost the US Coast Guard and the US Navy from $500k to $1m+. One 2009 search for a woman who fell overboard off the coast of Florida set the Coast Guard back $813,807.

MORE:

They might also promise a boost to the economies they frequent. But Klein says they work out deals with local vendors where they take up to 70% of the onshore revenue — and studies have shown that local populations in foreign ports don’t get much out of such partnerships.

The standard contract for a crew member like a cleaner or dishwasher requires a mandatory 308 hours per month — 11 hours a day, 7 days a week, for as long as 8-10 months, with no days off — for the equivalent of $400-700 per month, or $1.62 to $2.27 per hour.

There is also a Blue Chip Club discount for those booked through BCC.

1 minute ago, stringbean10 said:

 

 

On average, a passenger will spend $1,060 ($151/day) on a ticket and $650 ($92/day) on onboard purchases. After subtracting overhead costs, a ship will make out with roughly $291 in net profit per passenger, per cruise.

That is not how profit is calculated.   LOL

4 minutes ago, stringbean10 said:

So people here are complaining about their own personal food costs (not to mention fuel costs) rising dramatically over the last several months but are unable to connect the dots.   Simply amazing. 

 

Also - 

 

Cruise ship fares tend to be a loss leader - especially at the lower categories.  They want you on the boat to spend your money.  Everyone seems to very impressed with themselves for spending  $3000.  Repeatedly calling X's offices - complaining and 'really showing them.'  How embarrassing.

To be fair...Celebrity cruise fares are up substantially.    The increase in cruise fare should account for the increase in food costs.

17 minutes ago, CruiseCrew123 said:

Except that people currently on board say the classic packages doesn’t include this 

Some passengers are probably sailing with grandfathered classic packages that include the classic non-alcohol package.  Specialty coffee is included as is classic canned water, juices (not fresh), and soda.  It does not include Fresh juice, premium water, fresh juice, red bull, vitamin water, etc.  

The new Zero Proof package is the old Premium non-alcohol package.

2 minutes ago, natshala said:

The “average fare per night” takes all room types into account—suites through insides. The average is far more than $200/night. 

They probably meant $200/night per person.   

Just now, weregoingcruising said:

Our local supermarket is advertising up to 60 month financing for egg purchase's.

Have you seen current interest rates?  Double ouch!

Yes.   As long as you order drinks that are included in your package.  If not, you will get an upcharge plus tip on the differential.

19 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

When they get rid of the omelette stations in buffet for breakfast, don't say it wasn't expected.  After all, they are just cutting "waste". No one will starve. Right? You can order an omelette on room service or go to the MDR. No impact to me....says, I. hmmm.

Have you seen the price of eggs?   That very well may be the next target.  😉

6 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

 

Like many "old wives tales" something gets posted and repeated incessantly for years by people who can't think out the logical answer for themselves, but like a soundbite answer whether it is correct or not.  

 

No business I've ever seen, been a part of, or managed a budget for ever issued such fast and startling overhauls. It seldom would ever work. You must set a goal for X% reduction that is achievable and sustainable. You make small changes in one or only a few areas, then go back and measure the change. If you just cut 66% of something you can say "See, we are under budget" in the very short term, but if you kill the business who cares what you saved 3 months before? 

 

This is not about efficiency of fine tailoring the product to the client expectations, while also trying not to be wasteful. This is intentionally hollowing out the product offering in an attempt to justify killing it off altogether. 

 

When they get rid of the omelette stations in buffet for breakfast, don't say it wasn't expected.  After all, they are just cutting "waste". No one will starve. Right? You can order an omelette on room service or go to the MDR. No impact to me....says, I. hmmm.

Exactly.  During severe and tough times, a company must be nimble and balance short term and long term goals.   If they are not careful, they kill the golden goose that lays the eggs.

There were many tech and telecom companies who failed to respond properly during the dot-com bust out.  Layoffs were so deep that some companies were unable to recover when the economy recovered.    They lacked the product pipeline and the skill set to be competitive, to their own demise.   

6 minutes ago, Ocdublin said:

Please update us on Cafe el Baccio and Oceanview cafe for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea if there are any changes.  Several of us would like to know if we can still get our americano, pastries and scones.  This might be the deal breaker!

They have scones?  😁