Price increase- Which do you prefer?

[Ethel5]

It is refreshing to see logic used to support a position -- on either side. Those who resort to ad hominem arguments add nothing to the discussion.

 

JMO, of course

 

 

But you were the one who pointed out that you're paying 4-6 times the price of the lower cabins and yet we all eat in the same venues. (gasp!) Again, several have suggested that if you feel that you're not getting the value of having a suite, then don't do it. BTW, nobody attacked "the person," just pointing out the error of your argument. Don't scare us with "ad hominem" fancy words-after all, we book lower cabins.:rolleyes:

[Astro Flyer]

Neither!

 

Wherever we eat onboard it cost them money so there's no reason to charge for a "complementary" dining venue like Alfredo's Pizzeria nor to deliver "complementary" room service.

 

Their rationale for implementing these charges is contradictory: to "decrease" crowds at Alfredo's & a fee for room service which will "increase" crowds at other dining venues.

 

In over a quarter of a century sailing with Princess I don't recall any instances of where something that was complementary now has a fee.

 

Prices will increase as their costs increase & we all understand the effect of "supply and demand" on pricing. I prefer the current Princess system by not having it all-inclusive & for those who want soda, alcoholic drinks or shore excursions to pay for them. I understand the need for a fee for specialty restaurants however they were never complementary and later added a fee. :(

 

These are merely my opinions & certainly not intended as a definitive answer to this question. ;)

Edited May 26, 2014 by Astro Flyer

[crackupforlaughs]

They aren't charging for the pizza on Lido. The discussion was about Alfredos restaurant.

 

 

I know that. I'm telling them not to even consider charging for Lido pizza or lower the quality to save $$. And, on topic: I would not pay $10 (our case -- $40 for 4 people) for pizza at Alfredos. We'd stick with the Lido pizza and hope they don't consider starting to charge per slice there. I'd rather have consistently good food on the whole ship for everyone.

[greenie082756]

Definition of AD HOMINEM

 

 

1

 

: appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect

 

 

2

 

: marked by or being an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made

 

Oh, I just learned something. Thank you.

In other words, don't get personal about the topic.

[Sunviking]

I realize that this will not be a popular response to the original question, but I personally think that both the base fare should be increased by a small percentage and that, with proper notification so people can budget accordingly, fees for certain options should be charged. We have thought for the last couple of years that the Princess product has declined in quality, especially food. Given that the cost of fuel and food has gone up a lot (more than the CPI which doesn't include those items would indicate), prices have been stable and if one monitors sales and shops, there are some real bargains available for cruises. Not long ago I found a brochure in a drawer from 1988. The cost of a 7 day Caribbean cruise back then on the Sovereign of the Seas (RCL's new ship that year) was actually more for a similar category cabin than a 7 day cruise this year. That was in actual dollars, not adjusted for inflation. We all know from our daily lives that costs have increased and if a cruise line is to provide a quality experience, their prices have to go up as well.

 

Okay, that's just MHO.

[waltd]

Now that the Alfredo's and room service charges have been halted, would you prefer to see them reinstated with notice or a cabin price increase with notice?

 

Raise the base price across the board, keep room service as is and if need be add a surcharge to Alfredo's. For all I know Princess has been increasing the prices of cruises all along. That's never going to change. Anyone that thinks other wise might have to start looking for another form of vacation.

[downsmead]

I have long felt that gratuities should be included in the cruise fare. No option to remove.

 

Going back to one of the first posts on this thread. I for one, would like to see the gratuities included in the cruise fare and therefore paid well in advance of the cruise. The amount we spend on board would then be down only to what 'extras' we choose ie those items which we can either opt in or out of having. Gratuities, although in theory optional, are a spend which most people see as part of the cruise cost and as such, I would prefer not to be included in my on board portfolio, but as part of my final payment. I appreciate that this 'ups' the cost of the cruise upfront, but it is a charge the vast majority of people pay anyway. The downside to this is for people that accrue a fair amount of on board credit, which they would not be able to offset against their gratuities.

[Bucky3]

Now that the Alfredo's and room service charges have been halted, would you prefer to see them reinstated with notice or a cabin price increase with notice?

 

Response to the original poster's question (quoted above): Not that I would like to see these charges reinstated, but if corporate does this, then yes, passengers should definitely be advised ahead of time.

 

If a slight increase in cabin price for everyone would solve the problem, we would prefer to see an increase in cabin price rather than extra prices for various services - even though we rarely use room service. Whatever Princess has to do to stay in business AND keep their loyal clientele, and attract like minded passengers will work for us!

[dorisis]

We much prefer Princess raising the price of the cruise across the board for all categories of cabins. Those in the lower priced cabins already reap the same benefit as those who pay more for higher priced cabins.

 

A full suite generally cost 4 to 6 times cost of an inside cabin, yet Princess basically provides exactly the same benefits. A mini-suite generally runs about 3 times the cost of an inside cabin.

 

Currently the those who fill the higher cost cabins subsidize the services and venues of those who choose inside and obstructed view cabins.

 

Sure we get breakfast at Sabatinis and an extra mini-bar set up in a full suite, but little else that those in the inside cabins do not get. Elites get the same benefits whether in the least costly or most costly cabin.

 

It may not be a popular solution, but it would be a lot more democratic (small d) to share the costs across the board.

 

Just our opinion

 

 

 

This is pretty much the way I feel. i am uncomfortable with the "tipping society" we live in. i would rather see employees paid a decent livable wage and pay a higher fare.

 

The more equitable pricing on cabins does make a lot of sense.

[karl_nj]

Neither.

 

 

 

From other posts, no other major cruises lines have a fee for Room Service, although Cunard apparently charges for late night deliveries. The Princess Room Service menu is mediocre at best. How can they think it is worth a $3 delivery charge??

 

 

 

I'm not sure where this rumor of Cunard charging for room service came from, but I don't believe that is the case: https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/fleet/room_service

 

I think some other cruise lines may charge for late night room service, however.

[shredie]

Now that the Alfredo's and room service charges have been halted, would you prefer to see them reinstated with notice or a cabin price increase with notice?

 

These are not mutually exclusive choices. Princess could very well do both, with or without notice. They have just demonstrated the contempt they can show to their customers, and if they reinstated the charges and raised the cabin price mid-cruise, I would no longer be surprised. (They do, after all, have their Passenger Contract, which numerous cheerleaders have pointed out allows them to do as they please.) I do not want the charges reinstated, with or without notice, and I do not want the cabin price increased, with or without notice. If they are desperate to increase revenue, they can add something entirely new to pay for. (And I'm sure someone at Princess will figure out what that might be.)

[Cruisin' Chick]

Please no increase in the cruise fare!!!! If people use room service or want to eat at Alfredo's let them make that choice knowing there is a fee. I rarely use room service and not big on pizza, so why should I pay more..JMO!!

 

I haven't used room service on any Princess cruise and probably wouldn't unless I have a sudden mobility problem and am hungry, but without someone who can make a run to the Horizon for me. We haven't been on a ship with Alfredo's and can't speak whether we would want to try it for a price (especially not interested in paying just for pizza and wine as I'm more of a pasta fan).

 

I would suggest that if Princess wanted to start charging fees for these, maybe they should have decided this and announce this way before taking bookings for the Regal. Now they have loyal passengers who are ticked off.

 

We much prefer Princess raising the price of the cruise across the board for all categories of cabins. Those in the lower priced cabins already reap the same benefit as those who pay more for higher priced cabins.

 

A full suite generally cost 4 to 6 times cost of an inside cabin, yet Princess basically provides exactly the same benefits. A mini-suite generally runs about 3 times the cost of an inside cabin.

 

Currently the those who fill the higher cost cabins subsidize the services and venues of those who choose inside and obstructed view cabins.

 

Sure we get breakfast at Sabatinis and an extra mini-bar set up in a full suite, but little else that those in the inside cabins do not get. Elites get the same benefits whether in the least costly or most costly cabin.

 

It may not be a popular solution, but it would be a lot more democratic (small d) to share the costs across the board.

 

Just our opinion

 

I disagree (and in an all so un-ad hominem way, IMO). We have always booked insides or OV's. Smaller space than other categories. No balcony. No extra furniture. No elite amenities (we were gifted with complimentary elite bathroom amenities so I can see the difference), but can't see paying for a higher category for the two or three of us when insides are fine for us. Those in suites and minisuites do have much more space, right? If anyone feels they are subsidizing other passengers because there's a major difference in cost, well what about those dropping a lot of money in the casino? Paying for specialty restaurants? Buying photographs from the ship's photography center? Buying overpriced aspirin in the ship's store. These different sources of secondary on board revenue are different ways that some passengers are subsidizing other passengers. I don't see a reason to increase inside cabins just to make up sort of rate disparity for those who are willing to pay for suites.

[sashas_mom]

Hi All

 

Hotel charge built into fare

Can be shown the way taxes and port fees are.

 

If Princess needs more income then raise the fare.

 

Offer an all inclusive price for those that want it. Giving so much drink. A number Spa treatments etc.

 

Or make one ship all inclusive and see what happens.

 

Yours Shogun

 

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Forums mobile app

 

Hi Shogun,

 

With all due respect, What you are suggesting sounds very expensive to me, especially when you mention spa treatments" etc. We wouldn't be able to cruise, something we both love doing, and exclusively with Princess. I'd rather pay for a spa treatment separately, if I can afford it.

 

Please don't suggest they raise their fares, not everyone who loves cruising on Princess would be able to continue to cruise. We can chose if we want something extra or not.

 

As for the recent charge debacle, I think it was,ridiculous and just wrong to spring it on the passengers of Regal unannounced, but that has been resolved for the moment.

 

I always tip for room service.

[likeadisguise]

I really do believe it's a capacity/staffing issue more than a revenue grab.

 

Room service, in particular, is very staff-intensive, especially with the largest ships. One person posted an example where they were potentially using room service up to six times in a single day. If they feel people are abusing the service to the point where they're unable to keep up with demand, then the service fee probably made sense to them to try and cut down on the smaller orders.

 

Yes, it increases crowds at the buffet, but all that means staffing wise is that they are cooking more food and cleaning more tables during a shift.

 

Alfredo's is a similar problem--getting so crowded that people complained they couldn't get in or the employee wait was excessive. The $10 cover was probably seen as a way to reduce demand.

[Mom33]

These are not mutually exclusive choices. Princess could very well do both, with or without notice. They have just demonstrated the contempt they can show to their customers, and if they reinstated the charges and raised the cabin price mid-cruise, I would no longer be surprised. (They do, after all, have their Passenger Contract, which numerous cheerleaders have pointed out allows them to do as they please.) I do not want the charges reinstated, with or without notice, and I do not want the cabin price increased, with or without notice. If they are desperate to increase revenue, they can add something entirely new to pay for. (And I'm sure someone at Princess will figure out what that might be.)

 

Princess has apologized for not giving notice and indicated they would in the future on Facebook. :)

[Shogun]

Hi there

 

A few dollars a day increase times 3500 passengers times say a 10 day cruise and we are talking and income could be up by $100,000 that gives a large pool to cover costs. For the benefit of all.

 

Yours Shogun

 

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Forums mobile app

[Mom33]

Hi there

 

A few dollars a day increase times 3500 passengers times say a 10 day cruise and we are talking and income could be up by $100,000 that gives a large pool to cover costs. For the benefit of all.

 

Yours Shogun

 

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Forums mobile app

 

That sounds reasonable.:)

[lovevacadays]

Neither! I wouldn't expect to pay a higher price for my cabin so that people could not pay for room service. I don't use room service that often so it wouldn't make sense to me to pay more for a cabin. And, I don't think Princess should charge for room service, period.

[Astro Flyer]

Alfredo's is a similar problem--getting so crowded that people complained they couldn't get in or the employee wait was excessive. The $10 cover was probably seen as a way to reduce demand.

I can only base my opinions of the Alfredo's crowds from my 18 day cruise on the Royal which included 10 sea days. The only times I saw it crowded was when it opened for lunch or when people were returning from a day in port. Obviously I didn't sit in front of Alfredo's all day long to monitor the crowds but that was my experience. ;)

 

That's why I disagree with their rationale for implementing this new fee and believe that it's about forcing us to buy a drink & not to control overcrowding.

Edited May 26, 2014 by Astro Flyer

[shredie]

I really do believe it's a capacity/staffing issue more than a revenue grab.

.

Really?

Princess has apologized for not giving notice and indicated they would in the future on Facebook. :)

 

I am not ready to kiss and make up. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

[4cats4me]

I really do believe it's a capacity/staffing issue more than a revenue grab.

 

Room service, in particular, is very staff-intensive, especially with the largest ships. One person posted an example where they were potentially using room service up to six times in a single day. If they feel people are abusing the service to the point where they're unable to keep up with demand, then the service fee probably made sense to them to try and cut down on the smaller orders.

 

Yes, it increases crowds at the buffet, but all that means staffing wise is that they are cooking more food and cleaning more tables during a shift.

 

Alfredo's is a similar problem--getting so crowded that people complained they couldn't get in or the employee wait was excessive. The $10 cover was probably seen as a way to reduce demand.

 

And the person who used room service up to 6 times did so at the suggestion of their dining steward to have their dinner delivered to them in courses while they dined in their full suite. It was not the passenger's idea, to begin with, but the Steward's suggestion:rolleyes:

Edited May 26, 2014 by 4cats4me

[DaisyRose]

I know many of you feel that prices have come down or remained the same, but I sure don't find that on the sailings I have looked at. I personally feel prices have been creeping up over the past few years. I understand that's necessary as costs for fuel, food, crew also creep up. However, the last couple cruises I searched for, I booked another similar line (Celebrity) because their price was at least $500 per person less than a very similar cruise on Princess. Does anyone follow Princess (Carnival Corp) financials? Maybe I'm misinformed, but I was under the impression that their profits were up. So in my opinion, these added fees are not necessary to cover their increasing costs, but rather to increase their profits. I don't think an increase in fares or fees are necessary for them to continue operating at a reasonable profit.

[Pam in CA]

Neither! I wouldn't expect to pay a higher price for my cabin so that people could not pay for room service. I don't use room service that often so it wouldn't make sense to me to pay more for a cabin. And, I don't think Princess should charge for room service, period.

I agree. I use room service only when I have a very early tour and will be off the ship all day. If I'm meeting a tour at 7am, for instance, going up to the buffet means having to get up a lot earlier. When you have 3-4 all day tours in a row, that extra half hour is more meaningful. :) Other than these times, I don't use room service and don't want to pay more for a cruise so that others can use it 3x a day, or more.

[sonnenschein]

I realize that this will not be a popular response to the original question, but I personally think that both the base fare should be increased by a small percentage and that, with proper notification so people can budget accordingly, fees for certain options should be charged. We have thought for the last couple of years that the Princess product has declined in quality, especially food. Given that the cost of fuel and food has gone up a lot (more than the CPI which doesn't include those items would indicate), prices have been stable and if one monitors sales and shops, there are some real bargains available for cruises. Not long ago I found a brochure in a drawer from 1988. The cost of a 7 day Caribbean cruise back then on the Sovereign of the Seas (RCL's new ship that year) was actually more for a similar category cabin than a 7 day cruise this year. That was in actual dollars, not adjusted for inflation. We all know from our daily lives that costs have increased and if a cruise line is to provide a quality experience, their prices have to go up as well.

 

Okay, that's just MHO.

 

If there are bargains available you won't find them on the West Coast leaving from San Francisco to Hawaii. We are not able to fly to distant ports anymore for health reasons which means leaving from S.F. or staying home. Several posters wrote that the cruise prices have stayed "steady" I disagree strongly,case in point: last November on the Grand we paid 1200.00 LESS than our upcoming cruise on the Star April 2015, same cabin same Hawaiian cruise. I am booked but unless the price comes down I be forced to cancel. So don't tell me prices have gone up just by a small percentage..maybe in the Caribbean which is overrun with ships, but not on the West Coast. We get the older ships and the higher prices :confused: there is no way Princess is going broke,it's a matter of needing more money to pay for the 2 new ships, and the Concordia accident which belonged to the Carnival Corp.:eek:

[caribill]

Now that the Alfredo's and room service charges have been halted, would you prefer to see them reinstated with notice or a cabin price increase with notice?

 

Neither:

There are many things on a cruise ships that are included in the cost of a cruise that all passengers do not utilize. If there is a charge for each use of room service, the following should also have separate pricing because many do not use the feature or service:

 

o Skywalkers disco

o Exercise machines in the gym

o Swimming pools

o Hot tubs (I bet less than 5% of passengers use these)

o Dancing with live bands

o Eating in the main dining rooms

o Trivia contests

o Attending production shows

o Champagne fountain

o Soft-serve ice cream on the Lido deck

o Use the telephone in the cabin for any reason

o Ballroom dance lessons

o Enrichment lectures

o MUTS

o The TV in the cabin

etc.

 

Not every passenger does everything that is included in the base pricing.