Cunard drinks are such a rip off..

[candle in the wind]

Not really.

 

The prices on Cunard are very high. The prices on Celebrity are obscene. Just because Celebrity prices are, quite frankly, laughable (almost 10 quid for a bottle of London Pride - I mean, come on), does not make the Cunard prices acceptable.

 

Celebrity offer drinks packages which are reasonable, they includes alcohol, bottled water, speciality coffees, and a Premier package that offers an upgrade in alcohol etc. We have always had these included as complimentary "Perks" at the Verandah level. [balcony on Cunard].

[English Voyager]

Actually I'm from the UK and I think Cunard prices are reasonable, particularly when one considers the location, atmosphere and, oh yes, we are on holiday.

 

As I have often said, the moment one starts worrying about price, that's the moment your personal enjoyment barometer goes into free fall.

 

You have cruised on the Europa 2, and, therefore, know that comparatively Cunard's prices are far from reasonable.

[LB_NJ]

Traveled on QM2 in July and thought the cocktails were prepare properly and priced comparable to a nice restaurant in the states.

[tommy k]

I just got back from a concert at Carnegie Hall NYC and a single shot of Jack Daniels on the rocks was $16- a double $ 32 + tip. I am ok with QM2’s pour and prices.

[Bell Boy]

Regardless of each persons perception of 'value', unfortunately fewer and fewer people are frequenting the bars in the evenings. During our most recent TA, the bars were empty by midnight and even the casino was finished up by 1.30. Such a shame on a TA (especially west-bound); 10 years ago it was a very different

 

 

story.

 

 

That is because folks are enjoying them selves in the G32. Impossible to get a seat in there, standing room only on my recent Transatlantic crossing.

[Bell Boy]

Traveled on QM2 in July and thought the cocktails were prepare properly and priced comparable to a nice restaurant in the states.

 

 

They certainly are compared to P&O's, which are often ready mixed and from a carton.

[English Voyager]

Does nobody remember the days when alcoholic drinks on a cruise ship were cheap because they were 'duty free'?

[Wiltonian]

Does nobody remember the days when alcoholic drinks on a cruise ship were cheap because they were 'duty free'?

 

Precisely. Most cruise line drinks prices are a rip-off because of that factor. Not only do U.K. pubs have to pay excise duty; they also have to pay 20% VAT. Comparisons with the Carnegie Hall are only valid because both there and on ships do they have a captive audience to be exploited.

 

Many cruisers afford their holidays by not spending £6/pint of beer for the rest of the year. As for the Celebrity comparison, its prices are indeed worse, but most cruisers have a drinks package included in the cruise price, so it’s irrelevant for the vast majority.

 

Stuart

[Adammara]

With the news that

Speedway Stout Hawaiian Special Edition is selling for £22.50 a bottle in the UK, Cunard prices look cheap!

[majortom10]

I just got back from a concert at Carnegie Hall NYC and a single shot of Jack Daniels on the rocks was $16- a double $ 32 + tip. I am ok with QM2’s pour and prices.

 

That also proves the point that alcoholic drinks in the US are very expensive compared to most places in the UK and that is why UK cruisers are saying Cunard's drink prices are a rip off.

[babs135]

With the news that

Speedway Stout Hawaiian Special Edition is selling for £22.50 a bottle in the UK, Cunard prices look cheap!

 

Even if I could afford to buy it, I'm not sure I'd want to drink it. What if I didn't like it? :')

[Solent Richard]

If as everyone who says that drinks on Cunard are not a rip off, they might not be compared to US as drinks prices are in general dearer than the UK or drinking in a upmarket hotel in London then why are most of the bars relatively empty at night except for prior to dinner. Surprisingly many cruisers on Cunard from the UK and from north of the country would find the drinks prices either a rip off or expensive at least.

 

But lets be perfectly frank here Major, Cunard's venues aren't exactly modelled on Workingmen's Clubs.

[picsa]

The better halves favourite, $8.95 for a margarita or $10 with service charge looks the same as any Decent hotel in UK. Wine and beer are hotel prices. Dearer than Weatherspoons but it is QV/QE/QM2

 

The ambience on QV/QE/QM2 might be nicer than Wetherspoons, but Wetherspoons do know how to keep their beer unlike QV/QE/QM2.

 

Bottled bitter beer on QV/QE/QM2 is awful as they chill it to death.

[Solent Richard]

You have cruised on the Europa 2, and, therefore, know that comparatively Cunard's prices are far from reasonable.

 

On the contrary, there is a definitive reason for the level of drink prices on Europa 2.

 

It is their policy to 'make a nominal charge' in order to negate irresponsible drinking.

 

It's a good purposeful policy particularly when other cruise lines charging those rates are 'all inclusive'.

[English Voyager]

On the contrary, there is a definitive reason for the level of drink prices on Europa 2.

 

It is their policy to 'make a nominal charge' in order to negate irresponsible drinking.

 

It's a good purposeful policy particularly when other cruise lines charging those rates are 'all inclusive'.

 

Is Grill Class 'all inclusive'?

[ExArkie]

Is Grill Class 'all inclusive'?

 

Not as a general practice, but throughout this year Cunard has been running promotions in the US that include gratuities and drinks (up to $12) for Grills bookings. So, for some people some of the time, it could be.

 

Isn't a lot of this discussion due to the foreign exchange rate? Currently, the pound is near a 10-year low in terms of the exchange rate to the US dollar.

 

Three or so years ago, the rate was around US$1.75 to the pound, while now it is around $1.25 (I haven't checked the rates for exact numbers). Even if Cunard had not raised the drinks prices since 2014, the difference in exchange rates means that, for UK customers, there has been about a 30% price increase because the on-board charges are in dollars.

[Windsurfboy]

Margarita at JO's fifteen cornwall £10, $8.95 on Cunard is a bargain.

[david,Mississauga]

Does nobody remember the days when alcoholic drinks on a cruise ship were cheap because they were 'duty free'?

 

I was hoping someone would point this out. Do cruise lines still not get their alcohol duty free? If this is no longer the case I have not heard that. If the lines are getting it duty free as usual, then price comparisons with hotels, whether in the UK or the US or Canada, prove that the lines are making a huge profit. I won't use the term "rip off" because alcohol is not a mandatory purchase.

 

 

Cruise lines indeed gave passengers a break on the cost of drinks and wine because they got it duty free. I recall a few prices from our earlier voyages in the 1970s converted to Canadian currency (with the current equivalent value from the Bank of Canada site): a G&T on Cunard - 30 cents (now equal to $1.70); G&T on P&O - .25 ($1.42) a bottle of house wine on Union-Castle - $2.00 ($11.33).

 

Our credit cards charge us Canadian $1.33 for each US $, so as with the British we find the prices are steep. It is a blessing that both my wife and I have to limit alcohol due to medication. Some of our friends can't have any alcohol. I have been tempted to join them in solidarity - but on reflection I would rather not go to that extreme;).

[Host Hattie]

I was hoping someone would point this out. Do cruise lines still not get their alcohol duty free? If this is no longer the case I have not heard that. If the lines are getting it duty free as usual, then price comparisons with hotels, whether in the UK or the US or Canada, prove that the lines are making a huge profit. I won't use the term "rip off" because alcohol is not a mandatory purchase.

 

 

Cruise lines indeed gave passengers a break on the cost of drinks and wine because they got it duty free. I recall a few prices from our earlier voyages in the 1970s converted to Canadian currency (with the current equivalent value from the Bank of Canada site): a G&T on Cunard - 30 cents (now equal to $1.70); G&T on P&O - .25 ($1.42) a bottle of house wine on Union-Castle - $2.00 ($11.33).

 

Our credit cards charge us Canadian $1.33 for each US $, so as with the British we find the prices are steep. It is a blessing that both my wife and I have to limit alcohol due to medication. Some of our friends can't have any alcohol. I have been tempted to join them in solidarity - but on reflection I would rather not go to that extreme;).

And what were the equivalent fares at the time ?

[laktex]

Regardless of each persons perception of 'value', unfortunately fewer and fewer people are frequenting the bars in the evenings. During our most recent TA, the bars were empty by midnight and even the casino was finished up by 1.30. Such a shame on a TA (especially west-bound); 10 years ago it was a very different story.

 

Is that totally the price or the changing demographics of those sailing.

[laktex]

Is Grill Class 'all inclusive'?

 

No it is not all inclusive. Queens Grill offers a couple of bottles of spirits or wine plus the minibar included into the price for consumption in ones suite. Princess Grill nothing.

[Happy Cruisers 67]

And what were the equivalent fares at the time ?

When we started cruising in 1992 on QE2 the cost for an inside cabin Southampton to Southampton was approx £100 per person per night. Using government inflation factors, this would now be £191 per night. A cruise on QE about the same time this year is approx £100 per person per night for an inside cabin. For both cruises you would still have to pay for drinks and tips. Port shuttles were included in 1992. Even taking into account economies of scale, cruising provides a luxury holiday at a good price, however the cruise company has a bottom line and is responsible to its shareholders.

As can be seen from the above per night costs, Cunard have to make up the revenue somewhere. The drinks may not give the same value for money as they did 26 years ago but you have the option how you spend on board and cruising is still excellent value for money as compared to a land based holiday of the same quality.

[carlmm]

Here is an example of actual prices Cunard used to charge compared to today prices (QE 2 in 2005 to the QV winelist currently published) and my comments.

 

 

Château Giscours $ 55 , now $ 220,

Did the retail price quadrupel? No way! Maybe it is today 50 or 60 % more but not 300% more. I like this wine and bought it on board but not anymore.

In the past I thought Cunard offered a very good value. Wine prices were fair.

They are not anymore today, IMHO.

[majortom10]

When we started cruising in 1992 on QE2 the cost for an inside cabin Southampton to Southampton was approx £100 per person per night. Using government inflation factors, this would now be £191 per night. A cruise on QE about the same time this year is approx £100 per person per night for an inside cabin. For both cruises you would still have to pay for drinks and tips. Port shuttles were included in 1992. Even taking into account economies of scale, cruising provides a luxury holiday at a good price, however the cruise company has a bottom line and is responsible to its shareholders.

As can be seen from the above per night costs, Cunard have to make up the revenue somewhere. The drinks may not give the same value for money as they did 26 years ago but you have the option how you spend on board and cruising is still excellent value for money as compared to a land based holiday of the same quality.

 

What you get onboard these days is of a lot lower standard to justify the low cruise fares. The midnight buffet used to be a more lavish affair than the snacks available now and in general the food served throughout the ship was of a higher standard.

[mat5664]

Not sailed with Cunard yet (going in December on QE) but I've looked at the prices and compared both with other cruises I've been on and with decent hotels, the prices are not too bad at all.

 

I think the point is if you want cheaper drinks prices, go on a cheaper cruise line.