Worst money grab you've seen on board

[Happy ks]

That is still Disney Park-esque in terms of pricing...

 

For a bottle of 24 aspirin...that would be $6...or about 3 times what it would cost in the store (for generic brand).

 

LOLOLOLOLOL

 

Actually, if you go to the infirmary in Disneyland they will give you either Ibuprofen or Acetominephen (sp) free of charge.

[Happy ks]

I am surprised no one has mentioned photos taken by the cruise lines. I understand that they are not required purchases, but they do have a nice markup.

 

Doug

 

Again, compare to land pricing. I purchased an extra graduation photo of my daughter this year for an Aunt. The price was $42 for a 5 X 7 print.

 

Even though it's pretty bad photography, cruise lines (again all of them, not just RCI) charge roughly $20 for an 8 X 10 photo.

[wolv4life]

I don't get your logic.

 

Oil is a commodity that gets traded on a daily basis with prices going up and down.

 

Would you rather just pay $100 more per person for a cruise that may have been able to pump oil for much less during the week of your cruise? :confused:

 

First, in my opinion the fuel surcharge is disproportionately high to what the actual extra charge is to the cruise lines. $9.00 per day times 3,000 or more people? That's a lot of money.

 

Second, haven't you wondered why airlines and other major carriers don't need to charge a fuel surcharge on their tickets (which frankly is a surprise considering their penchant for extra fees and costs). Well, the reason is that they project that cost and put it into the cost of the ticket. They also enter into long term contracts at fixed prices to avoid the daily market flux that we small consumers see at the pump.

 

In my opinion, fuel surcharges are a gimmick and the cruise lines recoup more than their fair share when crude oil gets high.

[Happy ks]

As another poster said-retail price is not a fair comparison-compare it what you would pay in a land based resturant-since that is what the ship is -a resturant-and the truth is-the mark up is equal too-or less than what you would pay. and as the bottles get more expensive-the markup goes down. better yet buy frome the featured wines list -i got a bottle of sparkling lambursco on the Navigator for 23.00-same bottle retail-in a millitary class 6-which means with out some taxes-was 11.99-since mark up in a land based resturant is usually 3 times or more on lower end bottles-and slightly less on higher-that was a very good deal. Just be sure you are comparing apples to apples.

 

We have found this to be true. That $24-28 bottle of wine can be had for $4-8 in the gorcery store, yet the $20 bottle of wine (land price) will only be marked up to $45-50.

 

It all comes down to what you can drink. We'd much rather pay the $50 and have a decent bottle, rather than pay the $28 and drink (try to drink) what is undrinkable.

 

Either way, our next 2 booked cruises will be on Princess, where they allow you to bring on your own wine :)

[PattyG12]

Second, haven't you wondered why airlines and other major carriers don't need to charge a fuel surcharge on their tickets (which frankly is a surprise considering their penchant for extra fees and costs). Well, the reason is that they project that cost and put it into the cost of the ticket. They also enter into long term contracts at fixed prices to avoid the daily market flux that we small consumers see at the pump.

 

I believe the airlines started charging for bags at about the same time. It's pretty much the same as a fuel surcharge but they haven't reversed it (doubt they ever will).

[BluEyed445]

Tube of Chapstick, $8 :D Had to have it though. Lost the one I brought.

[andrzej5914]

First, in my opinion the fuel surcharge is disproportionately high to what the actual extra charge is to the cruise lines. $9.00 per day times 3,000 or more people? That's a lot of money.

 

Second, haven't you wondered why airlines and other major carriers don't need to charge a fuel surcharge on their tickets (which frankly is a surprise considering their penchant for extra fees and costs). Well, the reason is that they project that cost and put it into the cost of the ticket. They also enter into long term contracts at fixed prices to avoid the daily market flux that we small consumers see at the pump.

 

In my opinion, fuel surcharges are a gimmick and the cruise lines recoup more than their fair share when crude oil gets high.

 

Perhaps you should read this:

 

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/wireStory?id=9549783

 

;)

[akcruz]

Again, compare to land pricing. I purchased an extra graduation photo of my daughter this year for an Aunt. The price was $42 for a 5 X 7 print.

 

Even though it's pretty bad photography, cruise lines (again all of them, not just RCI) charge roughly $20 for an 8 X 10 photo.

 

I agree here, went to a ski resort last winter. They took a great pic of my son making a jump on his snowboard. By the time I walked out with the 8 x 10 print (in a frame of course) it was almost $100. I was looking for the photo deals I get on the ship.

[snorkelman]

I had to roll my eyes when I saw the "pets at sea"

 

I bought two for my kids last year and the price was about the same as what Build-a-Bear charges in my local mall.

 

Now the stuffed animals in the gift shop? Those are rip-offs.

[BillOh]

The "Your Cruise in Review" video. 95% of it is stock footage. VERY little of it includes footage taken during YOUR sailing. Also, if your only sea day is the LAST day of the cruise, none of the fun sea day events will be on the video. They finalize it before the last day of the cruise.

 

Good point, my experience is mixed. On our 7 day Freedom cruise, much of the footage was from our cruise, though a large percentage was stock footage.

 

From our Navigator 5 day cruise, I definitely felt let down as your right, it was at least 95% stock. In my opinion RCI was deliberately misleading as they were there selling the DVD (pick it up on disembarkation day) as you exited the Quest game. To me this implied that video would be on there.

[HB Cruiser]

I have not read through all the posts but have read most.

 

The one thing that bothers me about this thread (and it might have previously been stated) is what is wrong with RCCL making money. It is their right to charge whatever price they want. We as the buying public with inform them of whether the prices are too extreme or not. We continue to cruise so the price must not be too out of touch. If the on board income goes down, one thing they may look at would be pricing.

 

Lastly, if RCCL is not making a profit, we would not have RCCL to cruise with. Our money votes what is right or wrong. If you think prices are too high, don't pay them or purchase the item. I don't think RCCL is standing there with a gun forcing us to spend our money. I own a bowling center, if my prices are out of line, my customers me this by not showing up or spending money in the snack bar or pro shop.

 

Please don't take this as a personal bash against anyone, it is just a fact of life.

 

Tim

 

Tim

[C C Cruiser]

I had to roll my eyes when I saw the "pets at sea"

 

I very rarely post on the board but I had to respond to this.

A few days before we were to leave on a cruise in Jan, a good friend was diagnosed with Cancer. I saw the "Pets at Sea" and thought my friend needed company. So my DH helped me find the softest pet, we picked out the clown outfit (as my friend and I had co-hosted a clown party together), and we wished on the star that goes in the back for the friend's recovery. We didn't name the pet on the certificate as we wanted the friend to decide. When we got home, I took it to her. Tears were shed and she absolutely loved it (and loved the idea a woman and her husband 50+ would be walking around the ship with a Teddy Bear for her). She named it "Star" for her wishing star, and took it with her to the hospital for Chemo treatments. I am happy to report she is now doing very well and Cancer free.

While the bear cost more than I had originally thought about spending (which is just about everything these days), it's true worth was priceless.

Of course, the display is supposed to attract the little ones who will try to convince the parents to buy. I believe it is the parent's responsibility to teach the kids about that. That is part of life and we all face it every day no matter how old we are and where we are....I have learned I just can't go to the grocery store hungry!!!! I also undertand the topic, but for me, the "Pets at Sea" were wonderful.

[HB Cruiser]

I very rarely post on the board but I had to respond to this.

A few days before we were to leave on a cruise in Jan, a good friend was diagnosed with Cancer. I saw the "Pets at Sea" and thought my friend needed company. So my DH helped me find the softest pet, we picked out the clown outfit (as my friend and I had co-hosted a clown party together), and we wished on the star that goes in the back for the friend's recovery. We didn't name the pet on the certificate as we wanted the friend to decide. When we got home, I took it to her. Tears were shed and she absolutely loved it (and loved the idea a woman and her husband 50+ would be walking around the ship with a Teddy Bear for her). She named it "Star" for her wishing star, and took it with her to the hospital for Chemo treatments. I am happy to report she is now doing very well and Cancer free.

While the bear cost more than I had originally thought about spending (which is just about everything these days), it's true worth was priceless.

Of course, the display is supposed to attract the little ones who will try to convince the parents to buy. I believe it is the parent's responsibility to teach the kids about that. That is part of life and we all face it every day no matter how old we are and where we are....I have learned I just can't go to the grocery store hungry!!!! I also undertand the topic, but for me, the "Pets at Sea" were wonderful.

 

Thanks for sharing this story with us!

 

Tim

[flormija]

$4.99 can of Pringles

 

Now THAT is hitting the 'money grab' nail right on the head!

[rolotumasi]

The casino,just because I got the wrong number on Roulette, they took all my money, and gave me nothing back, now that is worse than socks.

 

I agree Chip: in craps if I am betting the 6 and 7 comes up I lose. I am only 1 number away!!! Is that really fair:rolleyes: John

[flormija]

I have not read through all the posts but have read most.

 

The one thing that bothers me about this thread (and it might have previously been stated) is what is wrong with RCCL making money. It is their right to charge whatever price they want. We as the buying public with inform them of whether the prices are too extreme or not. We continue to cruise so the price must not be too out of touch. If the on board income goes down, one thing they may look at would be pricing.

 

Lastly, if RCCL is not making a profit, we would not have RCCL to cruise with. Our money votes what is right or wrong. If you think prices are too high, don't pay them or purchase the item. I don't think RCCL is standing there with a gun forcing us to spend our money. I own a bowling center, if my prices are out of line, my customers me this by not showing up or spending money in the snack bar or pro shop.

 

Please don't take this as a personal bash against anyone, it is just a fact of life.

 

Tim

 

Tim

 

I have no problem with RCCL or any other cruise line making a profit. If I really want to have the item that is being offered, I will suck it up and pay the price for it. As someone else has said, it's supply and demand. My only thought, using the Pringles as an example is that you can buy them in a grocery store for around $1.75, or a convenience store for maybe $2.50 or so. But if you are someone who really likes Pringles, and are 'suffering' with a craving for them, you pay the $4.99 for your 'fix'. Isn't there also the 15% gratuity tacked on to gift shop purchases as well?

 

Again, I have no problem with making a profit, they are a business after all. It seems to me that if the grocery store is making a profit at $1.75, why do the Cruise Lines have to make it nearly 3 times more expensive than the grocery store, thereby increasing their profit margin that much more? That is the part that bothers me. Why not put it at $3.00 or $3.50? They still make a profit.

 

Just random thoughts...

[PrincesScuba]

I have no problem with RCCL or any other cruise line making a profit. If I really want to have the item that is being offered, I will suck it up and pay the price for it. As someone else has said, it's supply and demand. My only thought, using the Pringles as an example is that you can buy them in a grocery store for around $1.75, or a convenience store for maybe $2.50 or so. But if you are someone who really likes Pringles, and are 'suffering' with a craving for them, you pay the $4.99 for your 'fix'. Isn't there also the 15% gratuity tacked on to gift shop purchases as well?

 

Again, I have no problem with making a profit, they are a business after all. It seems to me that if the grocery store is making a profit at $1.75, why do the Cruise Lines have to make it nearly 3 times more expensive than the grocery store, thereby increasing their profit margin that much more? That is the part that bothers me. Why not put it at $3.00 or $3.50? They still make a profit.

 

Just random thoughts...

 

No.

[xpcdoojk]

Ahh, the infamous Pringles money grab.:D

 

Have you ever gone to the ballpark, and ordered a beer. I can go to the convenience store and buy a quart bottle of beer for $2 or I can go to the ballpark and pay $8 for a pint of beer.

 

Or a movie theatre I can buy a entire box of microwave popcorn for $1.50 or I can buy a tub at a movie for $5.

 

Do you post on the internet whinging about those things too?:D:rolleyes:

 

Bottom line is there is not a gun to your head.:eek: No one if forcing you to buy pringles and if you crave them you can still take a can or two with you in your suitcase purchased wherever you prefer. I love how you give a bit of lip service to supply and demand and immediately give proof that you don't understand a bit of economics. Which sadly is way too common.

 

 

jc

[The-Dude]

This thread is hilarious! It reminds me of the "Walmart of the Seas" thread in the CCL forum.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1177641&highlight=walmart

[Paul65]

In some ways, the convenience store and movie theater comparisons are quite apt examples to explain the high prices of things onboard a ship. A gas station/convenience store generally draws people in with their gasoline prices, which a pushed by competition from other stations, so the profit margin on the gas alone is quite small. They mark up their "convenience" items significantly to make up for the meager profit on the main product. Movie theaters are similar; they may very little on the ticket price alone, as most of that has to go back to the production company of the movie. So, they sell snacks and drinks at a high mark-up.

 

Cruise lines don't make a very high profit margin off their main product, either. They make up for it by inflated prices for onboard spending on drinks, pictures, and Pringles. :) (Plus, they also get a little profit on their main product, but mostly from those who choose premium "suites.")

[flormija]

Ahh, the infamous Pringles money grab.:D

 

Have you ever gone to the ballpark, and ordered a beer. I can go to the convenience store and buy a quart bottle of beer for $2 or I can go to the ballpark and pay $8 for a pint of beer.

 

Or a movie theatre I can buy a entire box of microwave popcorn for $1.50 or I can buy a tub at a movie for $5.

 

Do you post on the internet whinging about those things too?:D:rolleyes:

 

Bottom line is there is not a gun to your head.:eek: No one if forcing you to buy pringles and if you crave them you can still take a can or two with you in your suitcase purchased wherever you prefer. I love how you give a bit of lip service to supply and demand and immediately give proof that you don't understand a bit of economics. Which sadly is way too common.

 

 

jc

 

Never mind...

[Teeara]

I always take a mini-medicine cabinet with me with all the OTC I might need. I include everything from rolaids/tums, sinus/allergy, motion sickness, headache, anti-diarrhea and cold and flu medicine. The prices on the ship are comparable to a gift shop in a hotel!

 

Ditto here, too. It's ridiculous what they charge onboard.

[Browezilla]

Worst money grab? I'd go for the surcharge restaurants. This level of service and cuisine used to be free. Converting a free item into a charge..."money grab".

[TahoeBob]

Charging me for the cruise at all. it should be free....

[bmarchal]

I say that the greed has to be with some of the passengers, not the cruise line. While on the FOS recently, we were at the expo on the first day waiting for the drawing to begin. Just as they were about to start, a man and woman and their two kids came running up and just wrote their names on about 10 sheets apiece without even trying to fill out the answers to the questions. When I asked her if she wasn't going to play fair she gave me a very nasty answer and just stuffed the box with their entries. Guess what happened next...that one family won 7 out of the ten prizes given out that day. Each time one of their names was drawn, she would turn around and give us a nasty grin. She told me that it wasn't her falt that they kept calling their names. All I could think of is how nasty their attitude was. :mad:

 

I will say that part of the blame should go to the person doing the drawing. She should have noticed that the form was not filled out and thrown it away, and she should not call the name out a second time. Lets all play fair and play nicely.