All inclusive

[richleeds]

No, I just cant believe the naivety and small mindedness of some people on here.

 

By the twisted rational on here, every single new product or service that P&O has ever launched that may be seen as a benefit or perk has to be rolled out to the WHOLE of the ship in one fell swoop or some small minded cruisers will be up in arms.

 

Complete nonsense.

 

My other half is connected to the industry, we have cruised free many times, we have taken part in workshops in Southampton and Miami for cruise lines, we have trialled different initiatives, we have attended various cruise line sponsored related functions and events, we have boarded new ships before the official inaugural sailing and I can tell you many ideas are trialled onboard by passengers - some discreetly some not.

[jeanlyon]

Seems to have worked quite normally on Fred O. If you are on an All Inclusive package, then you sit on a table with other AIs. It was just on their website and you opted in or not. seems quite simple to me.

[shallwe]

My, my, my. Don't you just love this forum.

 

Somebody says something that upsets the traditionalists and all hell lets loose.

 

Nothing different some of the other forums I subscribe to, but even the football club forum I'm part of is less vitriol than this one.

 

You guys/gals really know how to make new and old members welcome................

 

.............not.

Edited August 6, 2014 by shallwe

[dgs1956]

My, my, my. Don't you just love this forum.

 

Somebody says something that upsets the traditionalists and all hell lets loose.

 

Nothing different some of the other forums I subscribe to, but even the football club forum I'm part of is less vitriol than this one.

 

You guys/gals really know how to make new and old members welcome................

 

.............not.

 

... and that I certainly wouldn't disagree with. Its pathetic and personally I'm fed up with it. You come on looking to read something about cruising and you finish up with all this nonsense.

[terrierjohn]

Why is everyone getting so upset about how P&O should conduct a trial of an AI drinks package.

It seems simple to me, they fix a price for it, they offer it once you are on board, if you want the AI you sign up and pay, if not you don't.

No one would be getting something that somebody else could not have, and we have already discussed easy ways for AI subscribers to get free drinks and not have them charged to their onboard account.

Yes, as part of the normal post cruise questionnaire, AI users would be asked for comments, but I imagine that the ease with which it operates and the revenue it generates will be of far more interest to P&O than user approval.

Most other lines already offer some sort of drinks package, P&O would not be breaking new ground.

Edited August 6, 2014 by terrierjohn

[richleeds]

My, my, my. Don't you just love this forum.

 

Somebody says something that upsets the traditionalists and all hell lets loose.

 

Nothing different some of the other forums I subscribe to, but even the football club forum I'm part of is less vitriol than this one.

 

You guys/gals really know how to make new and old members welcome................

 

.............not.

 

 

 

 

... and that I certainly wouldn't disagree with. Its pathetic and personally I'm fed up with it. You come on looking to read something about cruising and you finish up with all this nonsense.

 

I completely agree with both of you.

 

I simply commented that they would likely do a selective trial of an AI package and people who cannot comprehend this have to shoot it down in flames - its pathetic!

 

We have been involved in trails over the years, some we have signed NDA's for others not. Some would seem very insignificant others would see strategic policy change if implemented, however the point is these trials do happen.

 

However when you try and contribute to a forum something that others have no knowledge of and is an alien concept to them then they start to act like children and the best excuse they come up with for a trail of a major new initiative NOT taking place is that passengers will talk and bicker amongst themselves! It speaks volumes of the "traditionalist" posters!

Edited August 6, 2014 by richleeds
typo

[jeanlyon]

Well again, if it's done Fred's way, it is offered BEFORE you get on board. You choose it just like you choose OBC or Free Parking.

[dgs1956]

The Cruise Critic concept is that you discuss the post and don't get involved in personal attacks. If you don't like or agree with what a post says then its fair to comment but the problem is people are relentlessly arguing to try and win their point and becoming personal in the process.

[jeanlyon]

I just ignore those posts and read the ones that are actually about the subject!!

[heywood]

I just ignore those posts and read the ones that are actually about the subject!!

 

So do I!

I have seen the FO one - can't remember if we were offered as part of the booking, although it was being advertised. I also recall, that the price wasn't static - there were offers.

In this hypothetical case which is being debated/argued here, I can't see that it would be a trial where some passengers were selected once they boarded. What criteria would be used? Probably not the travellers whose bar bills usually run into hundreds of pounds ;).

 

As far as others not knowing however, I think that's a naive idea.

In normal circumstances as in FO, there would be no need to tell others because everyone would have had the same opportunity.

If, however, it was a good offer but selective, I am sure that there would be some discussion at the bar/dining table/ pool. It is inevitable.

Edited August 6, 2014 by heywood

[Somerset Cruiser]

Yeah you are right. AI would still sign for their drinks so anyone sat next to them would be non the wiser.

 

I can see that working.

[Ataraxia]

It could easily be trialled by offering it to a certain tier of peninsular membership.

[richleeds]

It could easily be trialled by offering it to a certain tier of peninsular membership.

 

 

Correct.

[terrierjohn]

It could easily be trialled by offering it to a certain tier of peninsular membership.

Why would a trial need to be specific to any group, run AI in the same way as others do, on one ship or them all, for a given period and check it's success.

Then decide whether to roll it out fully.

[davecttr]

So do I!

I have seen the FO one - can't remember if we were offered as part of the booking, although it was being advertised. I also recall, that the price wasn't static - there were offers.

In this hypothetical case which is being debated/argued here, I can't see that it would be a trial where some passengers were selected once they boarded. What criteria would be used? Probably not the travellers whose bar bills usually run into hundreds of pounds ;).

 

As far as others not knowing however, I think that's a naive idea.

In normal circumstances as in FO, there would be no need to tell others because everyone would have had the same opportunity.

If, however, it was a good offer but selective, I am sure that there would be some discussion at the bar/dining table/ pool. It is inevitable.

 

Good points. They must know the spending patterns of past cruisers although do they actually use that data?

 

You just trial it on the whole ship by leaving the info in the cabin. No need to be selective as i can guarantee that trouble would result if only the privilaged few were included.

 

I would think the cruise card would need to be marked in some way so the staff know before the drinks order is taken etc.

 

My 'other' cruise line used to have an 'AI' written on the card although apparently it is now a 'DP' as the 'all' is no longer 'all' :(

 

Another option is to offer say 24 pints for the price of 18. You pre pay and get a voucher where the pints are checked off as you consume them. This actually works well as you can have offers for beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks etc etc.

[davecttr]

I can see that working.

AI buyers do still sign for drinks but someone would certainly boast about it, especially after having a few.;)

[daiB]

AI buyers do still sign for drinks but someone would certainly boast about it, especially after having a few.;)

 

 

There is no way they would not do that. And Dave if I was AI and you were not I could not buy a pint. But you could buy me one.

 

I like the idea now. :)

 

 

 

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[richleeds]

For those of you who have seen the innards of a modern cruise ship you will know that space is at an absolute premium down below. There is no unused space. Free space costs money and just doesnt exist, everything is tightly managed and packed into every single ounce of space.

 

I remember reading in a trade travel paper that on average someone on an AI package would have on average 7 extra drinks a day. This could be premium juice at breakfast, bottled water throughout the day, sodas, speciality coffee's (though this probably wouldnt work with a Costa franchise), extra wine with the meal and theatre/casino drinks etc

 

So logistically if you just open a whole ship up to AI on a sailing you might have 1500 taking it up - remember the whole cabin has to take it, drinking 7 drinks a day x a 7 day cruise, that's around 75,000 extra drinks.

 

Where do you store all these? Something else will have to give in the stock room, what gives?

Where do you store all the extra glassware and china?

How do you service the collection and cleaning and restocking of these extra glasses? Do you think there is enough slack in the system to cover it?

How do you serve all the extra drink orders with the same number of wait and bar staff?

How do you deal with peaks like pre dinner and pre theatre AI drinkers?

Do you need a change in alcohol policy?

 

It would be an unmitigated PR disaster for P&O if they offered it and then couldn't deliver it. Imagine the disgruntled passengers getting off at Southampton with the press in attendance. "we waited 30 mins at the bar for a G&T and then they ran out of glasses". There would be uproar!

 

You can see the red top headlines now.....

Edited August 6, 2014 by richleeds
typo

[CCFC]

I would think the cruise card would need to be marked in some way so the staff know before the drinks order is taken etc.

 

My 'other' cruise line used to have an 'AI' written on the card although apparently it is now a 'DP' as the 'all' is no longer 'all' :(

 

 

Princess put a sticker on your card, you still have to sign the slip but it should say £0.00.

 

I've only done AI once on an 11 day cruise, on day 3 we ran out of Grolsch, day 6 bottles of Korbel were no more and day 8 draught lager. I asked the barman when we got topped up and he said Vigo which was a bit annoying as we got off 2 days later.

[richleeds]

Princess put a sticker on your card, you still have to sign the slip but it should say £0.00.

 

I've only done AI once on an 11 day cruise, on day 3 we ran out of Grolsch, day 6 bottles of Korbel were no more and day 8 draught lager. I asked the barman when we got topped up and he said Vigo which was a bit annoying as we got off 2 days later.

 

Exactly. Thats why you need to soft launch and trial such big changes other wise you are just p*****g in the wind!

[daiB]

Exactly. Thats why you need to soft launch and trial such big changes other wise you are just p*****g in the wind!

 

 

So all the other cruise lines who did this had this approach?

 

 

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[richleeds]

So all the other cruise lines who did this had this approach?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

 

If any cruise line brings in a MAJOR change of policy or product or service that will significantly change its product or offering or service then yes they will trial/soft launch/test/tweak/research and develop prior to its official launch.

[davecttr]

well, all those cruise lines that offer AI deals seem to manage to do so without a tanker load of booze following the ships :)

 

Lets look at the extra 75,000 drinks per week, they come in all sizes so lets say half a litre on average. For that you need about 37.5 cubic metres of storage space, i can fit about 60 cubic metres in my small lounge. That takes care of the storage issue ;)

 

The other issues are not important. What IS important is that the company will be generating extra revenue from the free booze. It is not free. My other cruise line charges about £200 per week for the drinks package and they make a profit on that. actually not many buy the package at full price as it is offered as a booking incentive. Starting as 'free' and then at increasing prices as the cruise approaches.

[richleeds]

well, all those cruise lines that offer AI deals seem to manage to do so without a tanker load of booze following the ships :)

 

Lets look at the extra 75,000 drinks per week, they come in all sizes so lets say half a litre on average. For that you need about 37.5 cubic metres of storage space, i can fit about 60 cubic metres in my small lounge. That takes care of the storage issue ;)

 

The other issues are not important. What IS important is that the company will be generating extra revenue from the free booze. It is not free. My other cruise line charges about £200 per week for the drinks package and they make a profit on that. actually not many buy the package at full price as it is offered as a booking incentive. Starting as 'free' and then at increasing prices as the cruise approaches.

 

 

Yes of course they manage it and P&O can manage it too after they know what volumes they are managing.

 

You might be able to fit liquid in volume in a small space. But think outside the box for a minute. Bottles, cartons, containers, bottles of beer, cans of beer, cans of soda do not fit in your neat ideology - they take up a lot of space.

 

All the other issues are of logistical importance.

 

Of course they will be making money from it and also hoping to encourage cruisers to P&O who like AI packages.

[daiB]

well, all those cruise lines that offer AI deals seem to manage to do so without a tanker load of booze following the ships :)

 

Lets look at the extra 75,000 drinks per week, they come in all sizes so lets say half a litre on average. For that you need about 37.5 cubic metres of storage space, i can fit about 60 cubic metres in my small lounge. That takes care of the storage issue ;)

 

The other issues are not important. What IS important is that the company will be generating extra revenue from the free booze. It is not free. My other cruise line charges about £200 per week for the drinks package and they make a profit on that. actually not many buy the package at full price as it is offered as a booking incentive. Starting as 'free' and then at increasing prices as the cruise approaches.

 

 

Dave they would only need a small tanker for me as I drink G&T. :)

 

 

 

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