Why so expensive??

[hondorner]

I tried to post some pictures of the boat, but could not.

The easiest way to post pictures is to first put them somewhere on the web, One of the easiest, with free space up to (I think) 2 gigabytes, is Drop Shots -- http://dropshots.com -- once it's installed, you just drag your pictures to their drop box, and they will automatically be transferred to the web.

 

Next, go to your account at whichever photo sharing site you choose, right click on the photo you want to post, and click "Save image location". This will put the URL of the photo onto your clipboard.

 

Then, click the little icon above the message box that looks like a mountain with the sun over it -- this is the "insert image" link. It will pop up a window that says, "Please enter the URL of your image". All you have to do is press the CTRL key and the letter "v" at the same time to paste the URL from your clipboard to the popup window. Your photo will appear in the message!

 

Really simple, but they key is to get it up on the web, first. You can also use this method to copy almost any photo on the web -- just right click it, copy the image location, and paste it in the "insert image" box. Some photos are blocked from being copied.

[ormophi]

I'm sorry to say that I can't agree with any of the things being propounded by the critics who write about riverboat cruising. Big ship, big crew, big expense. Little ship, little crew, little expense. Yes, the per person costs may be less and that's why the ocean cruise line gurus built 6,000 passenger monsters. They call it economy of size and for the giant ships averaging 15 knots it may make sense. But, the proof is in the pudding..... How are the owners and managers and operators of the cruise lines doing financially? Is Viking River Cruises filling their ships? What is their actual per day food cost per ship? Are the passengers drinking more alcohol? What is the per person cost of the shore excursion? The profit margin is huge and they're loving every minute of it. Thus the construction of two ocean going vessels with astronomical cruise rates.

 

The American river cruises have been around for quite a long time. Very small ships. Very small margins and large prices. The newer ones are taking their guidance from the tremendous success of the larger European lines. "If they pay more, they'll think they're getting a better, more exclusive product".... nonsense.... What is it that makes a cruise worth $500 - $1,000 per day? Are the staterooms more luxurious? HOW? - Are the bed linens of extra ordinary quality and does one sleep better on them? Is everything on board included in the price? Are there extras? WHY? At $1,000 per day you should have prime, fresh, unfrozen beef, pork, lamb and fish. Do you? What are the entertainment costs of these smaller ships? Does it compare to the costs incurred by the giants?

 

This is all a big scam and the glory seeking, social climbers are making millions for these river cruise companies.

 

Let's call a joke a joke.

[hondorner]

I'm sorry to say that I can't agree with any of the things being propounded by the critics who write about riverboat cruising. Big ship, big crew, big expense. Little ship, little crew, little expense. Yes, the per person costs may be less and that's why the ocean cruise line gurus built 6,000 passenger monsters. They call it economy of size and for the giant ships averaging 15 knots it may make sense. But, the proof is in the pudding..... How are the owners and managers and operators of the cruise lines doing financially? Is Viking River Cruises filling their ships? What is their actual per day food cost per ship? Are the passengers drinking more alcohol? What is the per person cost of the shore excursion? The profit margin is huge and they're loving every minute of it. Thus the construction of two ocean going vessels with astronomical cruise rates.

 

The American river cruises have been around for quite a long time. Very small ships. Very small margins and large prices. The newer ones are taking their guidance from the tremendous success of the larger European lines. "If they pay more, they'll think they're getting a better, more exclusive product".... nonsense.... What is it that makes a cruise worth $500 - $1,000 per day? Are the staterooms more luxurious? HOW? - Are the bed linens of extra ordinary quality and does one sleep better on them? Is everything on board included in the price? Are there extras? WHY? At $1,000 per day you should have prime, fresh, unfrozen beef, pork, lamb and fish. Do you? What are the entertainment costs of these smaller ships? Does it compare to the costs incurred by the giants?

 

This is all a big scam and the glory seeking, social climbers are making millions for these river cruise companies.

 

Let's call a joke a joke.

Apparently you're not aware of the costs of building and maintaining an American flagged ship using Americans as crew, as required by maritime law.

 

However, you are entitled to your opinion, right or wrong.

[Calliope]

I'm sorry to say that I can't agree with any of the things being propounded by the critics who write about riverboat cruising. Big ship, big crew, big expense. Little ship, little crew, little expense. Yes, the per person costs may be less and that's why the ocean cruise line gurus built 6,000 passenger monsters. They call it economy of size and for the giant ships averaging 15 knots it may make sense. But, the proof is in the pudding..... How are the owners and managers and operators of the cruise lines doing financially? Is Viking River Cruises filling their ships? What is their actual per day food cost per ship? Are the passengers drinking more alcohol? What is the per person cost of the shore excursion? The profit margin is huge and they're loving every minute of it. Thus the construction of two ocean going vessels with astronomical cruise rates.

 

The American river cruises have been around for quite a long time. Very small ships. Very small margins and large prices. The newer ones are taking their guidance from the tremendous success of the larger European lines. "If they pay more, they'll think they're getting a better, more exclusive product".... nonsense.... What is it that makes a cruise worth $500 - $1,000 per day? Are the staterooms more luxurious? HOW? - Are the bed linens of extra ordinary quality and does one sleep better on them? Is everything on board included in the price? Are there extras? WHY? At $1,000 per day you should have prime, fresh, unfrozen beef, pork, lamb and fish. Do you? What are the entertainment costs of these smaller ships? Does it compare to the costs incurred by the giants?

 

This is all a big scam and the glory seeking, social climbers are making millions for these river cruise companies.

 

Let's call a joke a joke.

 

Clearly then, this rambling is a joke!