Hawaiidan Posted July 18, 2019 #51 Share Posted July 18, 2019 On 7/16/2019 at 4:36 PM, cowmilker said: And that is exactly what we do. We book inside guarantee cabins. If we want a glass of wine, we buy it. Occasionally, we purchase a wine package. We've once (on a TA) booked the spa for that portion of the cruise. If I want a cocktail, I buy it. We've never eaten in a specialty restaurant and unless it's free, we never will. It's not about discipline. It's about the fact that neither of us need all those extra things, and we can cruise way more often and for way longer if we don't buy everything in sight and if we keep the dollar/per/day figure down. We're perfectly happy in an inside cabin. We've been upgraded twice to OV cabins and they're nice but neither of us is willing to pay any sort of big bucks for that, and certainly not for a balcony. We tend to DIY when it comes to ports, and have only ever taken one ship's tour, ever. We do private tours if it's warranted, but look for a way to DIY first. I suspect we're not alone. You have a very well thought out plan.... opting for more experiences rather than more stuff. While not alone ( the insides book up first I just booked for an october 2020 cruise 15 months out because there were only 3 inside cabins left) , Your in the minority. The cruise line business plan is to get a passenger to spend at least 50% of their fare on nickel and dime add ons. Fancy cabins, Special meals, Pictures, bingo, shore ex, special food, special treatment.. You also have been wise enough to realize that a cabin is really nothing more than a closet a bed, a bathroom. You really do not need more.... you can want more but the reality is its all want not need. The ship should offer far more outside the cabin and will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awhcruiser Posted July 18, 2019 #52 Share Posted July 18, 2019 On 7/14/2019 at 10:58 PM, harryw said: Is the price differential that great? (Oceania never charges for diet cokes.) Did you call HAL to find out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiidan Posted July 18, 2019 #53 Share Posted July 18, 2019 (edited) On 7/16/2019 at 3:33 PM, GUT2407 said: Just looking at a cruise on Regent, includes just about everything, but talk about expensive up front cost. About $700 a day. But includes shore excursions, drinks, greats, specialty restaurants and flights Aus to LA. The air rt to Australia is in Business not coach. Oceania its prem economy air.. and runs about 450 a day.. I am on a 15 day med cruise and its 213 pp a day $426.Day 280 ft veranda cabin 30% larger than a HAL . ....... but its not about sodas for people it is more about being on a nice ship with 600-1100 passengers NOT with 2000 to 3000 times that. AND having 6 different dining venues French, Continental, Steak, Italian, Grill,Wine dinners. all at no cost and casual dress. For seafood and lobster lovers... its served every day in every venue.... even the pool grill ! ............ No one needs that but being able to enhance your experience this way to some is worth it. So would you choose to pay 25-50% more to have an experience with 100 t 200% less people, larger cabins and unbelievable cuisine of every type available to you...casual dress, and no nickel dime sales pressure...... Its a choice Nothing wrong with HAL... but there are options that may offer a higher personal value experience I sail both based on my desires. Edited July 18, 2019 by Hawaiidan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryw Posted July 18, 2019 Author #54 Share Posted July 18, 2019 37 minutes ago, awhcruiser said: Did you call HAL to find out? No. I enjoyed the HAL cruise we just finished on 7/7 too much to quibble. I only seek sanctuary on CC for that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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