$3 charge for some desserts at Horizon Court on Regal

[waltd]

I don't like it but why should Princess be any different then any of the other cruise lines that already charge for extras? If the desserts are premium quality I think I would buy one now and then.

[Lucky TGO]

If this is true. There should be a sign. There is charge for this item. Especially if it's next to all the free items.

Tony

[long cruiser]

Can you pay for the chocolate at the I.C at the international cafe?

long cruiser

[floridalover5623]

Me too. In most ports we eat off the ship and I don't balk at paying for that so $3 for something that is a bit out of the ordinary and is something I want is OK with me.

 

That's off the ship and expected.

On the ship we've already paid to just about everything & this to me comes as an insult. That said I'm sure they'll be loads of takers but I certainly won't be one of them.

 

btw- check the gelato section on the Regal & Royal during closing time when their closing to see just how much of it is dumped at the end of the shift. Most of it goes in the garbage (no they don't save it for the crew) & I suspect it'll be the same for these new pricey desserts.

[pris993]

Hi, we are currently on board the Regal and were surprised that they are now charging for some of the desserts there. Specifically,they are some

Of the chocolate ones that looked like some sort of mousse. There was no signage stating that there would be an upcharge, either. My husband asked for one and was told, that will be $3, sir. We asked how long this has been going on and we were told, "About a month."

Not sure if this is old news or not, and sorry if I'm reposting what is already known.

 

I bet the lose money on this scheme.. their desserts not that good to begin with, when we are in European ports we buy desserts off the ship and generally pass on all Princess desserts except ice cream.

[flamomo]

I would think these extra charges help cover Princess' costs for the association with and use of the name of Norman Love.

 

I'm not at all enthused about this celebrity concept, since Princess has always had a nice array of desserts without any celeb connection. What would be disappointing would be if the usual free dessert offerings were to decline in quality and numbers of vhoices, with the goal of pushing passengers toward the ones that come with an upcharge.

[cubfan63]

On the Regal, the special $3 Norman Love desserts are in the tower case right next to the coffee order counter, so the bartender would ring up the charge. They have them out after 11 am.

 

At breakfast, they have muesli and parfaits displayed in this case.

 

There are still 3 full cases with food for no charge. So, there are still plenty of options.

 

Years ago, they used to have some other items (including candied apples) for a charge at the International Cafe and some ships (Emerald, Ruby, and Crown) already have a case with Gelato for a charge.

[keithm]

Hi, we are currently on board the Regal and were surprised that they are now charging for some of the desserts there. Specifically,they are some

Of the chocolate ones that looked like some sort of mousse. There was no signage stating that there would be an upcharge, either. My husband asked for one and was told, that will be $3, sir. We asked how long this has been going on and we were told, "About a month."

Not sure if this is old news or not, and sorry if I'm reposting what is already known.

Probably Norman Love desserts. They were good, but nothing to go wild over! When you're married to a CIA pastry chef, trust me it get's hard to top. We found the overall desserts on the Regal to really pale in comparison to those of Cunard/Celebrity.

[keithm]

I've been going back and forth on this sort of thing (increased nickel and diming). I'm ok with this one, because Princess is offering something new and presumably better than what they have had before. Same with the specialty restaurants (as long as the prices are kept within reason -- I'm looking at you, Celebrity!). What's really galling is when the same things that used to be free suddenly carry a charge (I'm looking at you, NCL!). Celebrity has also gone in a different direction with their main restaurants (upscale restaurants for certain classes of cabins only and folks in regular cabins can't even get in by paying a charge) -- in theory this is ok, but it comes after a long slide in the quality of food and service in the MDR so you feel like you are forced to upgrade to these cabins.

Really can't agree with you here! We found the food in the MDR on the Eclipse to be leaps & bounds over the Regal. The Regal had good overall food(rather poor desserts, however)The Crown Grill/Sabatini's were good, but again paled to Murano on the Eclipse. Yes the price is a lot higher, but we felt it was worth it. You also easily got 15-35% discounts quite often. No Dover Sole/Table side Flambé/really high end steaks on the Regal. Being in the food industry(catering company)I know quality. Regal used nothing higher than "select" grade for any of their steaks & it shows! Eclipse had "choice" grade steaks(which obviously cost more)and again it shows. Unfortunately, the "Nickel & Diming" is what they do to keep fares in check. If you & others would like to see drastically higher prices that's up to you. As for me, I'll pay a little more here & there & keep the fares reasonable.

[floridalover5623]

I would think these extra charges help cover Princess' costs for the association with and use of the name of Norman Love.

 

 

Just like the Curtis Stone SHARE restaurant.

I'm still wondering how long that one will last.

[Geoffa30]

I always find it strange when people complain about a $3 charge for a dessert but constantly hand out tips like it is going out of fashion. Not sure what the difference is. You've already paid for gratuities and yet are happy to pay out more tips but then moan you've already paid for food in the cruise fare so why should then pay out more for things. Weird.

[Cruisingisthebestfun]

We were on 10 days Baja peninsula & Sea of Cortez on Ruby March 14-24.

 

Yes, there was beautiful Norman love chocolate desserts for $3 each at the international cafe. Well, 2 days later they were serving the same desserts at tea time. It must have been the same ones from international cafe. It was stale.

[pablo222]

Bit by bit Princess is finding that passengers are willing to pay extra for what used to be included. Since about 50% of passengers on Princess ships are first time Princess passengers, they do not know what used to be and accept what is now as normal.

 

Many posters here brag about getting the lowest fare,

getting OBC for stock and military; spend nothing on board,

and expect to cash out the OBC in the casino and take money

home.

 

Princess is a business. I hardly blame them for trying to make

money.

 

If no one buys the deserts, they will stop offering them.

If there are too many for-fee options, and not enough

included in the cruise fare, people will stop choosing

princess.

 

Let people vote with their wallets.

 

BTW, I don't really like Norman Love chocolates. I guess I

have childish tastes, and it's not sweet enough for me.

[TracieABD]

I think that it follows a simple, personal economic principle:

If it has value to you, you will pay for it. If it does not hold value for you, you will pass on it.

 

I had a friend comment on paying for a tea-flight on the Grand Princess in their special tea room. It was a $3 upcharge. I liked that I could choose three premium teas and drink them in a very peaceful area-- they also offered lovely cakes. My friend reminded me there was free tea in the buffet. The point was lost on her, because premium tea held no value.

 

I am with Woobster- If it looks good, I will probably buy it. And I will never regret it- whether I enjoy it or not.

 

Ironically, noone complains about the upcharges at Ocean's Terrace or the Royal Tea...

Edited April 12, 2016 by TracieABD

[Coveguy4]

I once did a cruise where I refused all desserts, and only used the stairs so I wouldn't gain any weight. It's been over 10 years ago, and I'm still mad at myself for doing it. If a dessert looks good to me and its a $3.00 charge, I will not deprive myself EVER again.

[shredie]

[quote name='Geoffa30']I always find it strange when people complain about a $3 charge for a dessert but constantly hand out tips like it is going out of fashion. Not sure what the difference is. You've already paid for gratuities and yet are happy to pay out more tips but then moan you've already paid for food in the cruise fare so why should then pay out more for things. Weird.[/QUOTE]

It's possible that the people complaining about the upcharges are not the same people handing out tips.

[keithm]

[quote name='Geoffa30']I always find it strange when people complain about a $3 charge for a dessert but constantly hand out tips like it is going out of fashion. Not sure what the difference is. You've already paid for gratuities and yet are happy to pay out more tips but then moan you've already paid for food in the cruise fare so why should then pay out more for things. Weird.[/QUOTE]
Oh Please!! The tip thing is over with. Stop beating a dead horse!

[cruisequeen4ever]

Meh, not a big chocolate fan so wouldn't spend the money on them.


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[Lucky TGO]

With all the cutbacks and nickel and dimeing. The carnival corporation is taking Princess Cruises down faster then the captain of the Costa Concordia :eek:
Tony

[CI66774]

I guess the bottom line is if you want it - buy it - if you don't - don't. Princess is a business. It's attempting to garner more revenue. If it works, good for them and the shareholders. If not, they'll go back to square one and try something else. I don't begrudge the company at all. No one is forcing me to fork over the dough!:)

[BillNY]

[quote name='Geoffa30']I always find it strange when people complain about a $3 charge for a dessert but constantly hand out tips like it is going out of fashion. Not sure what the difference is. You've already paid for gratuities and yet are happy to pay out more tips but then moan you've already paid for food in the cruise fare so why should then pay out more for things. Weird.[/QUOTE]

I think the difference in people's minds is that the extra tip goes directly to a deserving crew member, while the charge for the food goes to corporate coffers.

[Kenosha Cruiser]

I like Norman Love deserts, I may spend $3.00 occasionally for one and enjoy it. But on the other hand, I love Princess desserts and will take advantage of good and free on a more regular basis.

[4cats4me]

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[geoherb]

[quote name='Host Jazzbeau']I've been going back and forth on this sort of thing (increased nickel and diming). I'm ok with this one, because Princess is offering something new and presumably better than what they have had before. Same with the specialty restaurants (as long as the prices are kept within reason -- I'm looking at you, Celebrity!). What's really galling is when the same things that used to be free suddenly carry a charge....[/QUOTE]That's how I feel about cappuccino at mealtime in the main dining rooms. I remember when they started charging for them in 2003. By the time we started sailing on Princess in 2001, they were already charging for soft drinks. But I remember we used to get them without having to pay extra in the dining room on Royal Caribbean in the early 1990s.

[4cats4me]

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