What will RCCL charge for next?

[mac_tlc]

They should get rid of tipping and institute a daily resort fee like every hotel in Vegas does.

 

How about just adding it to the fare and be done with the nonsense. Nothing irritates me more than a hotel "resort fee", which typically include a safe (really?) and free local calls (are you kidding me?). It's only done so they can advertise a lower room rate. If it's not avoidable, it should just be in the fare.

 

mac_tlc

[Iamcruzin]

Not even 30 years ago! I was on Carnival Holiday in 2008. My first cruise. Yeah, it was an older ship that even the most loyal Carnivalists hated but the service and food was outstanding and the best of any cruise we have had yet. I contribute that to the fact that there were "only" 1400 guests onboard. There were only two set dining times. On formal night, 90% of the guests were dressed to the nines. You stuck out like a sore thumb if you werent.

 

If anyone expects to get a top quality meal and 5 star service on a 6000 passenger ship they are in for a big disappointment. Even the best cut of meat will become tough and dry after it's been plated and sitting under a heat lamp. The quality of the food in the specialty restaurants is better just by the fact that it is prepared to order like a restaurant at home. I'm thankful for those who purchase the specialty restaurant package or eat in the buffet. If everyone went to the MDR for dinner the last in line would be eating dinner the next morning at breakfast.

[Goodtime Cruizin]

Remember cruising when you paid your fare and taxes and gratuities and that was IT? Now cruise lines, especially RCCL, are charging for basically everything- better food, room service, fancy coffee, yoga classes. My question is: What will they charge for next? How far does their nickel and diming go? Here’s my guesses:

 

Theater and show tickets

All food and drink (except tap water)

Flowrider, zipline, rock climbing wall, carousel

Public bathrooms

Hot tubs

Meet ups with dreamworks characters

Kids programs

Gym usage

 

What do you think? Where’s your line in the proverbial sand?

 

 

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Pool side chairs. They'd make some bucks. Take a row or two, sell them by the hour. Bye chair hogs. Hello revenue.

 

Shows/Entertainment... very doubtful. None that we've witnessed are worth paying extra money for. Same w/ the MDR. Both are good, but not good enough to shell out money for.

[boatseller]

If find these posts lack any real perspective. I've been cruising for close to 40 years. My first cruise was on SS Norway during her first season with Norwegian Caribbean Lines.

 

There were up charges on that cruise as well, like ice cream. I remember because I had to keep constantly asking my parents for money.

 

Meaning, there were never any 'good old days' when you cruise fare covered everything. The base fare today covers almost exactly what it did in 1980. Everything RCI and the other lines are charging for today are new upcharge options.

 

I've met plenty of people on board who paid just the base fare and are perfectly OK with that. No need for specialty dining, they don't drink much if at all and go to all the shows. They expect to pay for photos and Shore Excursions and the casino...just like in 1980.

 

I don't recall the MDR meals being Michelin Star anytime, on any ship. The were good, sure, but not remarkably different than today. Actually, the best MDR dining I ever had was on Norwegian Sun this past December. So much so, I almost didn't use only 4 credits in 15 days.

 

FWIW, the dining package on my upcoming RCI cruise works out to $30/day. That is about 1 Quick Service + 1 Snack at Walt Disney World and a half to a third of Signature Dining. It's s steal and I'm buying it.

 

If someone doesn't think cruising is a good value...don't cruise. Complaining doesn't get you anything and cruising with that attitude just makes for a lousy cruise.

[Mikew0805]

Remember cruising when you paid your fare and taxes and gratuities and that was IT? Now cruise lines, especially RCCL, are charging for basically everything- better food, room service, fancy coffee, yoga classes. My question is: What will they charge for next? How far does their nickel and diming go? Here’s my guesses:

 

Theater and show tickets

All food and drink (except tap water)

Flowrider, zipline, rock climbing wall, carousel

Public bathrooms

Hot tubs

Meet ups with dreamworks characters

Kids programs

Gym usage

 

What do you think? Where’s your line in the proverbial sand?

 

 

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Clearly you have upset the cheerleaders. (Insert rolled eyes here)

 

Lol drop a quarter in a hot tub slot to activate the bubbles! That could become profitable really quick... especially when kids are onboard. (Insert another rolled eyes here)

 

 

 

 

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[yuvraj]

I have just returned from a 12 day cruise with another cruise line (P&O). I booked it because it was cheap (about half the cost of an RC cruise).

 

The savings I made, I spent on speciality dinning, retreat (exclusive area with sun loungers and VIP treatment), thermal suite, posh coffee, afternoon tea. I could choose what I spent my money on and essentially tailored my holiday to suit my tastes while still saving money.

 

I see nothing wrong with this. Not sure why people moan about having to pay extra for things and want everything included.

[deliver42]

This has nothing to do with the cheerleaders. As you can see by my signature, especially if you expand it, I've cruised with several lines, and have several more booked. The mass market approach is perfect for me.I can afford the cruise, and depending on the ship, I can spend as much or as little extra as I want. The only thing I won't do is take off the DSC.

[lbjen]

Our family prefers that they keep base fares down by charging for extras, primarily because we’re not drinkers. When we take AI resort vacations, it sucks a little to know we’re paying for drinks we’re not able to have.

[John&LaLa]

Breakfast in MDR (free)

 

Lunch in MDR (free)

 

Dinner in Giovanni's ($15 + 18%)

 

Plenty of good free food available, and nominal charge for something special

 

Plus pizza getting better

 

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[The Fun Researcher]

I think the idea of trying to come up with things that RCCL should charge for, that are currently included in the cruise fare, is just plain strange. If it's all in fun, then yeah, but why in the world would I want to pay more $$$ for things that are already included?

 

Dan

[Thetrail]

Remember cruising when you paid your fare and taxes and gratuities and that was IT? Now cruise lines, especially RCCL, are charging for basically everything- better food, room service, fancy coffee, yoga classes. My question is: What will they charge for next? How far does their nickel and diming go? Here’s my guesses:

 

Theater and show tickets

All food and drink (except tap water)

Flowrider, zipline, rock climbing wall, carousel

Public bathrooms

Hot tubs

Meet ups with dreamworks characters

Kids programs

Gym usage

 

What do you think? Where’s your line in the proverbial sand?

 

 

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Who cares! Sooo sick of the whiners and moaners such as yourself, no one is forcing you to spend extra on anything...:rolleyes:

[BamaGuy44]

Veteran cruisers always think the product is going into the toilet and long for days gone by when it was "so much better"

 

When premium restaurants started showing up with added fees people thought it was the end of cruising as we know it, the drama and threats to never cruise again were off the charts. Same thing with the Oasis class and "mega ships".

 

"OMG no way anyone will ever sail on those giant floating malls!! Royal will be out of business soon you just watch!"

 

Anyone know if they're having any trouble filling those ships? :rolleyes:

 

Cruise ships offer so much more to eat and do than they ever did "back in the day", and they're much more affordable now than back then to boot. So I'm fine having a base fare, then picking and choosing the extras I want to pay for. Call it nickel and diming if you want, but the ships offer so much more now, it's not reasonable to expect all inclusive pricing on a mass market line.

 

JMO

[traveling1969]

Remember cruising when you paid your fare and taxes and gratuities and that was IT? Now cruise lines, especially RCCL, are charging for basically everything- better food, room service, fancy coffee, yoga classes. My question is: What will they charge for next? How far does their nickel and diming go? Here’s my guesses:

 

Theater and show tickets

All food and drink (except tap water)

Flowrider, zipline, rock climbing wall, carousel

Public bathrooms

Hot tubs

Meet ups with dreamworks characters

Kids programs

Gym usage

 

What do you think? Where’s your line in the proverbial sand?

 

 

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What will they charge for next?

 

Perhaps rants on their Cruise Critic boards?

[choppe]

Going in, I like having an idea of my total vacation cost (approximately). So if the base fare is cheaper and I have to pay for the things want is of similar cost to an all inclusive deal for comparable "wants" then I have no problem with it because it's 6 of 1, half dozen of the other. I also like the fact you can prepay for almost all your "wants" and most of the time get the 10-30% discounts. It allows me to have my vacation paid for (or at least most of it) before I take it. It also helps control costs and put my money towards the things that are more valuable to me and my family - like spa treatments, better excursions.

 

We have paid for specialty dining on a few cruises but find that our local non-chain restaurants are comparable if not better and cheaper. I would rather spend my money at our local restaurants and keep them in business then pay for the specialty restaurants any day. We are still eating on the cruise ship and have enjoyed most of our meals. No different than back home.

 

I think it is the feeling of getting cheated out of something you used to get that is the irritating part. But now, I look at it as what am I willing to pay for my experience and does it fit into my budget.

[KMagz]

 

 

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[Curly-Q]

I think it's a solid question, and not necessarily directed towards RCCL only. I can see cruise lines beginning to charge for luggage....they'll start with one free and then a charge for additional pieces....then eventually move to a charge for all checked luggage.

 

Laugh it off, but there was a time you could fly to your domestic destination with 2 pieces of free checked luggage and, of course, that's history. Then those same fees were applied to international flights as well. So don't be too surprised to see this charge sometime in the future....

[mac_tlc]

 

 

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As a D+ , I expect a considerable discount from that full-retail price!!!!

 

mac_tlc

 

 

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[Ocean Boy]

I would rather have them charge for whatever they want if it keeps the fare down. Then I can decide for myself what I want to pay extra for.I don't drink specialty coffees for instance, and if it was no charge they would add it to the cruise fare, so I'd be paying for nothing. I believe the theory of charging for some of the things the OP is talking about is ridiculous.

Charging for whatever they want will not keep cruise fares down. The only thing that will keep them down is what people are willing to pay.

[Ocean Boy]

I think the trend that concerns me the most is RCI stuffing more cabins into one time public space. I can avoid charges that I don't want to pay but I can't do much to avoid more crowding aboard the ships. More people with less public space and no expansion possible of venues that exist, such as the Windjammers, does not bode well for enhancing the cruise experience.

[lovescats5]

RCCI is no different than NCL. We were looking at their large Haven room and for $25,000 you got a room with a balcony. If you were lucky you would get a couple free dinners or an OBC. For less than that we got a suite on the Oasis and Anthem along with a genie to take care of us. Before you complain about one cruise line check out what you will or will not get with the other lines.

[John&LaLa]

I think the trend that concerns me the most is RCI stuffing more cabins into one time public space. I can avoid charges that I don't want to pay but I can't do much to avoid more crowding aboard the ships. More people with less public space and no expansion possible of venues that exist, such as the Windjammers, does not bode well for enhancing the cruise experience.

No ship is more crowded than Majesty and her layout has barely changed in almost 30 years

 

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[CruisingNole]

RCCI is no different than NCL. We were looking at their large Haven room and for $25,000 you got a room with a balcony. If you were lucky you would get a couple free dinners or an OBC. For less than that we got a suite on the Oasis and Anthem along with a genie to take care of us. Before you complain about one cruise line check out what you will or will not get with the other lines.

 

Out of sheer curiosity, because I have a feeling this is a life I may never live...what kind of cruise costs $25,000 for ONE room?

[Staggssa]

I am happy to pay for more choice and options available through speciality restaurants. I would also pay for posh coffee. Wouldn't expect either to be included in the basic fare. Not sure why anyone would consider room service or yoga classes as essential requirements, I don't use either.

 

I like the food in the WJ. Mixed experience with MDR, but if I didn't like what RC offered then I would stop sailing with them. As for the chargeable extras, I am happy to pay extra for these if they appeal.

 

This right here says it all - "I don't use Yoga or Room Service, so EVERYONE should not mind paying extra." Yuvraj, let me ask you this, would be even marginally upset if, for instance, the cruise lines started providing 2, instead of 3 meals per day? I'm glad you like the food in the WJ - clearly, by reading the numerous posts on CC, not everyone thinks like you, and do you know what? It's ok!

[lovescats5]

Look at the NCL rooms the H1 and S1 I believe. They are both rooms with balconies that are over 3000sf with rooms that are about that size also. Cost does vary with time of year and ports visited.

[MandyMooToo]

This right here says it all - "I don't use Yoga or Room Service, so EVERYONE should not mind paying extra." Yuvraj, let me ask you this, would be even marginally upset if, for instance, the cruise lines started providing 2, instead of 3 meals per day? I'm glad you like the food in the WJ - clearly, by reading the numerous posts on CC, not everyone thinks like you, and do you know what? It's ok!

 

In reading what Yuvraj posted, it looks as though they are saying that paying for extras (since they are extras) is not an issue in their opinion. I do not think the example you gave about providing one less meal a day is the same thing. Cruise lines provide at least three meals a day in certain venues at no extra cost and snacks/light meals in certain venues at no extra cost. Having to pay to eat at Chops for instance, is an added extra, not a need or part of the basic cruise experience. Practicing yoga is also not a part of the basic cruise experience. When you book a stateroom/pay a fare you are paying for the basic experience and if you feel you need more then you will have to pay for those extras. It seems Yuvraj was saying that personally they do not use those features, not that no one does and not that everyone else should subsidize their extras either. If the majority of RCCL cruisers felt they had t have yoga and complained loudly enough it may then become part of the basic fare, otherwise you have to pony up for it. If you do not like what RCCL has to offer then go to another line, it is that simple usually.