You mean NCL isn't the only one?

[daffodiliaz]

I'm always annoyed when I read angry reviews that include the phrase "nickle and diming", like NCL is the only line that charges extra for things. A little research can prevent some of this aggravation.

 

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/the-insider/cruises/

[valleyvillage]

I hear that one phrase "cruises used to be all inclusive" a lot! But I wonder, aren't the same things that used to be included still included? Aren't most if not all of these upcharge opportunities additions, rather than suddenly charging for things that used to be included?

 

Airlines used to be all inclusive and now you pay for food, pillows, luggage, etc. I don't see the same situation in cruising.

 

Instead, the lines are finding ways to increase their revenue but if a vacationer wants to enjoy a great bargain, just take the cruise, eat in the included venues, see the included shows...simple!

 

One amenity that used to be included, access to the Spa, is now a paid feature. Can't think of others, though. There may be some!

[commission1]

This is a great great great great article, everyone should read it. This source indicates that indeed cruiselines use to get 10 percent from revenue from onboard sales, now it is over 25 percent. Cruiselines do not exist to give you a deal, you have to research and earn it. You bought the all inclusive now USE it exclusively!

 

Dont fall for cruiseline marketing scams, (oops I mean strategies) dont buy anything onboard, dont buy excursions (I only bought one excursion in egypt I think you know why I felt this was necessary) Knowledge is power, research your port including public transportation to deem whether it is safe to use.

 

 

Of all my cruises, my end bills have been tips only, except for Egypt. This is my opinion

 

If you value cruise, you could probably take two cruises a year instead of one for the same price.

[jame_g]

These posts annoy me too.

 

1. NCL is similar to the other mass market lines in what they charge extra for.

2. The cruiselines that do include sodas, or alcohol, or rarely excursions charge much more. Almost all now have surcharge dining venues and push people to buy trinkets and play bingo, even many of the more upscale lines.

3. The cruiseline websites are pretty clear about what is included and what's extra. All it takes is a little effort to research your vacation.

4. How is this any different from hotels, airlines, theaters, and other businesses? It's to be expected these days. (Not that any of us like this.)

5. The only way cruiselines can charge low fares that don't make them a profit is by having venues that will make up for it. Without these, the fares would be much higher.

 

The "a la carte" fees give people the choice as to what to spend their money on, instead of paying for amenities they won't use. And it is still possible to have an inexpensive vacation and cruise without spending money on any extras!

[ColinIllinois]

On my last two cruises I kept things simple, as the article stated, and my bill at the end of the cruise was only a bit over 300 bucks.

 

One comment on the article though. I personally find it a bit strange and unappealing to have franchise restaurants like Johnny Rockets and Starbucks on cruise ships. What's next? Subway? McDonalds?

[Sauer-kraut]

I love this final paragraph!

 

Ask yourself: Do I really need Starbucks, Johnny Rockets, or dinner theater while I’m on a ship? How much does a spa treatment or a night of slots really add to the experience of being at sea? Once you unclutter your cruise experience and focus on the truly memorable moments, such as the beautiful—and free—sunsets from the ship’s railing, the expensive options become almost unnecessary. In other words, the key to cruising the XL seas inexpensively is learning to say “no.”

 

I don't need and can do without many many extras on board, I guess I'm a cheap date. :D

[cynbar]

We have cruised on NCL, Celebrity and Princess in the last year or so, and I agree that all the lines now have many opportunities for extra spending. The big difference that I see however is that the food in the MDRs has taken a step back, to plainer offerings. You need to go to the specialty restaurants to get some of the things that were formerly offered at least once on a cruise ---- lobster (twin tails, not the small seafood melange with a piece of lobster you get now), a good steak, escargot, and so on. I actually don't mind this --- I can go to the specialties if I choose and I certainly won't go hungry without them --- but it is a change from when I first started cruising.

[sjbdtz]

 

Of all my cruises, my end bills have been tips only, except for Egypt. This is my opinion

 

If you value cruise, you could probably take two cruises a year instead of one for the same price.

 

 

If you don't value cruise, but instead just make a good living, you could take three cruises a year instead of two, and actually ENJOY them!

 

 

.

[DMH15]

This is a great great great great article, everyone should read it. This source indicates that indeed cruiselines use to get 10 percent from revenue from onboard sales, now it is over 25 percent. Cruiselines do not exist to give you a deal, you have to research and earn it. You bought the all inclusive now USE it exclusively!

 

Dont fall for cruiseline marketing scams, (oops I mean strategies) dont buy anything onboard, dont buy excursions (I only bought one excursion in egypt I think you know why I felt this was necessary) Knowledge is power, research your port including public transportation to deem whether it is safe to use.

 

 

Of all my cruises, my end bills have been tips only, except for Egypt. This is my opinion

If you value cruise, you could probably take two cruises a year instead of one for the same price.

 

I am one who enjoys a lot of the options. I work for my money and can make a qualified decision on when, how and where I want to enhance my vacation. I welcome the myriad of choices.

 

Seems like some people want to deprive themselves, even if just on principle.

[jame_g]

One comment on the article though. I personally find it a bit strange and unappealing to have franchise restaurants like Johnny Rockets and Starbucks on cruise ships. What's next? Subway? McDonalds?

 

I agree, I don't really care to see chain shops on board the ship. And I would not patronize them.

 

I do enjoy occasionally going to the additional dining venues and such, but I don't want it to be an experience that I can get back home or while traveling for work!

[iheartbda]

I hear that one phrase "cruises used to be all inclusive" a lot! But I wonder, aren't the same things that used to be included still included? Aren't most if not all of these upcharge opportunities additions, rather than suddenly charging for things that used to be included?

............................

 

Couldn't agree more.

 

I think this quote from the article pretty well sums up cruising today."The economic model has changed. Cruise ships no longer make money by carrying passengers". It used to be that only the weathier could afford to cruise and they paid dearly to do so. The cruise lines did not need money from on board sales like they do today to cover much lower fares that allow far more people to cruise.

 

Every year since we started cruising, our fares have gone down each time and I'm basing this on comparable ships and itineraries.

[klingoncruiser]

This is a great great great great article, everyone should read it. This source indicates that indeed cruiselines use to get 10 percent from revenue from onboard sales, now it is over 25 percent. Cruiselines do not exist to give you a deal, you have to research and earn it. You bought the all inclusive now USE it exclusively!

 

Dont fall for cruiseline marketing scams, (oops I mean strategies) dont buy anything onboard, dont buy excursions (I only bought one excursion in egypt I think you know why I felt this was necessary) Knowledge is power, research your port including public transportation to deem whether it is safe to use.

 

 

Of all my cruises, my end bills have been tips only, except for Egypt. This is my opinion

 

If you value cruise, you could probably take two cruises a year instead of one for the same price.

 

Crummy advice. We lost more than one ship to this kind of thinking. If they don't get enough of the "add on" money, they pull the ship from the port. Just ask the west coast and Galveston about that philosophy. It led to the removal of ships. Be careful on what you do on the ships. No, you don't have to go crazy spending money with them, but if you don't spend some, expect to travel a long way to the "nearest" port to sail.

 

Why do you think they moved so many ships to Australia, Europe and South America. These are people who are fairly new to this and still spend good money on the ship. We have all grown jaded to the tours in the Caribbean and know very well how to go around the ship for them. They notice......

 

Even Florida felt the result of this.

[mbisson]

Not too many years back, you could get a soda or lemonade with your dinner in the MDR free of charge. Now it's an upcharge

 

I hear that one phrase "cruises used to be all inclusive" a lot! But I wonder, aren't the same things that used to be included still included? Aren't most if not all of these upcharge opportunities additions, rather than suddenly charging for things that used to be included?

 

Airlines used to be all inclusive and now you pay for food, pillows, luggage, etc. I don't see the same situation in cruising.

 

Instead, the lines are finding ways to increase their revenue but if a vacationer wants to enjoy a great bargain, just take the cruise, eat in the included venues, see the included shows...simple!

 

One amenity that used to be included, access to the Spa, is now a paid feature. Can't think of others, though. There may be some!

[BIG_Steve]

I never understood what some of these folks mean by "nickel and diming." Anything NCL tried to sell me, so did Carnival. The Carnival ship didn't have upsell dining, or they would have tried to sell me that too.

 

What do folks expect? The cut rate lines hold their breath until the alcohol sales put them into the profit zone, some times the last night or day. And with so many cheap skates taking the low fees, and then walking around with bottles of booze stuffed down their shorts, and acting like the cruise line is a bad guy for selling tours, what choice so they have???

 

I would prefer if they just charged a little more to keep the crybabies out.

[iheartbda]

Crummy advice. We lost more than one ship to this kind of thinking. If they don't get enough of the "add on" money, they pull the ship from the port. Just ask the west coast and Galveston about that philosophy. It led to the removal of ships. Be careful on what you do on the ships. No, you don't have to go crazy spending money with them, but if you don't spend some, expect to travel a long way to the "nearest" port to sail.

 

Why do you think they moved so many ships to Australia, Europe and South America. These are people who are fairly new to this and still spend good money on the ship. We have all grown jaded to the tours in the Caribbean and know very well how to go around the ship for them. They notice......

 

Even Florida felt the result of this.

Some people just cannot see the big picture.;)

 

As much as people would like to think that the cruise lines are solely providing us with a vacation, they are are not doing it out of the goodness of their heart.......they are a business and must do certain things in order to continue.

[shenaniganzz]

I used the phrase just yesterday and I stand by what I said it in context of.

[sjbdtz]

I used the phrase just yesterday and I stand by what I said it in context of.

 

 

Okay, I'll bite. Which phrase did you use just yesterday?

 

Also, what was the context of that phrase?

 

 

 

 

 

.

[commission1]

Okay, I'll bite. Which phrase did you use just yesterday?

 

Also, what was the context of that phrase?

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

I wonder what it is

[shenaniganzz]

I posted my review of our recent Jewel trip and had a terrible experience with the medical clinic. It's too long to repost, but the review is still on the front page.

 

In the context of people being shocked about revenue generating "nickel and diming", I agree it is surprising that people aren't prepared for all the little charges that do add up. In fact, when we were in the clinic, one woman was arguing with the staff for almost 10 minutes about the fact that medical care isn't free. I certainly wouldn't expect free medical care anywhere outside of my home province.

[sdmike]

Personally, I try not to do things that i can do at home (often considerably cheaper). So while I like restaurants like Teppanaki, I really didn't feel a need to go do it on the ship. Same applies to things like spa treatments. Not belittling people who are into those things, but not my gig. Also, I might have a couple of drinks on the ship (I think on Epic I had a beer on the first day because it was hotter than Venus, and something at Cirque). I did enjoy, however, the $1 beers from street vendors in Cozumel.

[dijid]

I think the article brings up a lot of valid points. When I look at the NCL website, they advertise all the different dining options available. It's only upon further digging that you find out that most of them are available for "a nominal fee." Try to find out what the nominal fee is and you get to the Q&A section with answers along the lines of "because restaurant prices change, NCL does not allow anyone to post what the cost of these restaurants are." Well, "nominal charge" can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. To me, $5 is a nominal charge. *Maybe* $10.

 

And a lot more used to be included. On my first Carnival cruise over 15 years ago, there were free cocktails at the Captain's Party. Free cocktails at the Singles Reception. There were still free cocktail receptions on my RCCL honeymoon many years ago. The room service menus were more inclusive than what I see is offered now. The entertainment options may not have been as diverse, (ie no bowling or ice skating) but all the options available were free. Yes, drinks and excurions cost money, so they weren't completely all-inclusive. But, other than that, you didn't have to constantly ask how much something you wanted to do on the ship was going to cost because the answer would have been nothing.

[turning40withMickey]

I am a newbie cruiser, and I had no idea that things besides alcohol and excursions might cost extra! I have done a ton of research, and chose based on departure location and price. While I was waffling between RC and NCL, it was NOT clear to me that the things that were tempting me to Royal Caribbean were going to cost extra....the flowrider surfing, Johnny Rockets, ice skating...I didn't know those things would all cost more! If I had known, the choice would have been even easier......NCL seems pretty "inclusive" to me. No ice skating, but I would have had to pay for the kids to do that, anyway. It is really hard to discover the costs on the website, and a newbie like me just assumed those things were included. I know there are charges for some restaurants, which doesn't bother me, there is plenty of free food, too. I would have been irritated to board RC and find out that the flowriders were going to cost, and the ice skating, and Johnny Rockets....those things woulld add a huge chunk to my bill times three kids!

[newmexicoNita]

I hear that one phrase "cruises used to be all inclusive" a lot! But I wonder, aren't the same things that used to be included still included? Aren't most if not all of these upcharge opportunities additions, rather than suddenly charging for things that used to be included?

 

Airlines used to be all inclusive and now you pay for food, pillows, luggage, etc. I don't see the same situation in cruising.

 

Instead, the lines are finding ways to increase their revenue but if a vacationer wants to enjoy a great bargain, just take the cruise, eat in the included venues, see the included shows...simple!

 

One amenity that used to be included, access to the Spa, is now a paid feature. Can't think of others, though. There may be some!

 

The only difference between now and 30 years ago is the availbility of services and thus extra costs. The olden ships had no spas or very small ones, no dining choices, often just one dining room and not even true buffets and there were no wine tasting, cookiing classes, and the casinos were tiny. There charges were the same, booze, we paid for, excursions we paid for, bingo we paid for and we certianly enjoyed donating to the casios, although they were free. The photographers did not work for free, the shows were much like they are today. I just don't see what the big thing is, except for more activities that, yes, do cost. Oh, on some lines soda was included at dinner but not all lines.

 

Every cruise line we have tried in the past 5 or 6 years have pushed the souvenior merchandise by putting it in the atrium, sometimes around the pool and even in the theater. Oh Soda cards are relatively new and yes, you could bring booze on the ship, but it isn't only NCL that is cracking down on that. The reason, we have become greedy and wanted to bring our entire bar onto the ship. If more had used their heads we would not have the policies we now see.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

If you don't value cruise, but instead just make a good living, you could take three cruises a year instead of two, and actually ENJOY them!

 

 

.

 

agree, we certainly are not dripping in money, we are simi retired and live on fixed incomes so we do watch our pennies, but we also enjoy cruising. We would never go on a cruise and have no other charges than tips. If nothing else we like a drink here and there plus we enjoy buying a couple of things in the duty free shops. Not a lot, but a few plus we like to eat in Le Bistro if nothing else. For those who choose not to spend an additional dime, good for them, for us we will do the once or twice a year. Like you said, in most cases if we watch every penny and go cheap, cheap, cheap including inside cabins we can probably cruise 3 times a year.

[coffeebean]

This is a great great great great article, everyone should read it. This source indicates that indeed cruiselines use to get 10 percent from revenue from onboard sales, now it is over 25 percent. Cruiselines do not exist to give you a deal, you have to research and earn it. You bought the all inclusive now USE it exclusively!

Dont fall for cruiseline marketing scams, (oops I mean strategies) dont buy anything onboard, dont buy excursions (I only bought one excursion in egypt I think you know why I felt this was necessary) Knowledge is power, research your port including public transportation to deem whether it is safe to use.

 

 

Of all my cruises, my end bills have been tips only, except for Egypt. This is my opinion

 

If you value cruise, you could probably take two cruises a year instead of one for the same price.

Only problem is...if folks don't make any purchases on board, then the base cruise fare will increase. Having all these options to add to your cruise experience is a good thing. I have always liked NCL for having more options for dining than any other mass market cruise line. Please, please continue to nickel and dime me...I want the option to purchase or not to purchase.