The square peg & the round hole

[gizmo]

Your post just reminded me of something else.

 

You used to be able to purchase booze duty free on the ship with an additional pertange added to drink it in your cabin. Hal also stopped this. This also attributes to smuggling.

 

There is no doubt in my mind that Hal made money on this or they would not have done it all these years. Now they charge outrageous prices to order from ship services.

[Oceanwench]

DH had a long discussion with a hotel manager last year aboard one of the Vista ships.

DH, being a CPA and very interested in $$ matters, asked the hotel manager what the biggest money-maker is for HAL.

 

The hotel manager said the excursion are "by far" the biggest money makers for the line, far outranking alcohol sales and the casino.

[ryansmemom]

Gizmo,

 

I think that people cited the fact that economics is a factor for both HAL and passengers because it seems that some people were saying that it was "wrong"for HAL to base their decision on economics. Or that this somehow justified their decision to break the rule. After all, HAL was just being greedy, so this less than noble reason for the rule justfied breaking it. It may have made breaking it an imperative in the name of justice.

 

It's another situation that is exacerbated by the limitations of text only communication. People wanted to point out that the economic benifit works both ways and that HAL is not a big bad monster for wanting to make a profit. People who own stock in the company would no doubt agree.

 

I for one also wanted to point out that there are other factors in any decision made by any of us. We all make complex decisions in our lives. If we were to make our decisions based purely on the economics of any situation we would derail our lives pretty quickly. The same principle applies to major corporations. Just look around the country. You can see the remains of companies that have tried it.

 

HAL has to take the safety and health of it's passenger into account when making decisions. Yes, in the long run, it would cost them money not to. It would cost far more than the profit from their bars to endager the lives of their passengers in any way. This is not just about profit from the sale of alcohol. It is a factor, but not the entire story.

 

Just like dress codes and all of the other issues we bandy about. It's about keeping the majority of their customers happy and giving them a priduct they will buy. Let's face it, the people who like elegant, upscale, quiet cruises will not like free for all alcohol lubricated pool games and jeans and base ball caps in the dining room and visa versa. That's why there are different cruise lines out there. The industry is in flux. There is no right or wrong, good or bad. There is just different tastes and likes and dislikes. We would all be better off if we could just keep the judgement out of this.

 

Sorry Gizmo, I did not mean to direct all of this to you. I was just answering your question and started rambling. I hope you don't mind if I just share this with everyone else. It's really only the first paragrah that is for you in answer to your question.:) Although, it's OK if you want to share in the rest of it, too.

 

My friends, I'm feeling a bit goofy this afternoon. I hope you don't mind.:)

 

Linda

 

Linda

[fridayeyes]

Re: Economics - I'm one of the ones who wishes HAL would charge MORE and go back to higher quality, more staffing and more 'all-inclusiveness'. And I'm not even thinking booze here, though house wine with dinner would be nice. I'm thinking sodas (though I don't drink them), cappuccinos after dinner, etc.

 

Cheers,

 

Friday

[Copper10-8]

Re: Economics - I'm one of the ones who wishes HAL would charge MORE and go back to higher quality, more staffing and more 'all-inclusiveness'. And I'm not even thinking booze here, though house wine with dinner would be nice. I'm thinking sodas (though I don't drink them), cappuccinos after dinner, etc.

 

Cheers,

 

Friday

 

Just an FYI; you can still order cappucino's, espresso's, etc. with HAL after dinner at your table at no charge :)

[gizmo]

I don't know if anyone said it was "wrong" for Hal to base it on economics but it is an interesting statement.

 

My take on this is they did this for $$$ and economics. That is it and nothing more, but I never thought of it as wrong. CCL owns the cruise line and they can do what they want. This doesn't mean I have to like it or wish they didn't do it and I am even a stock holder!

 

For years and years there was no problem. Now it's for saftey reasons? I don't think so but many people do.

 

Everyone has their theories. I don't know who remembers the threads (they are long gone) and I am not going into details but there was also the Bubba and Zuiderdam theory. :rolleyes:

 

 

I realize everyone has their own opinions and this subject will be beat to death over and over again just like dress code. Maybe someone should start a poll and list all the theories. Wouldn't that be fun ? :D

 

Ryansmom, I didn't take offense or think anything was amied at me. You got on a roll. ;)

[fridayeyes]

John - Thank you. I will have to watch what they do when I'm on the Veendam in May. I seem to recall having to sign for one on my last cruise, but perhaps I misremember. I'd still like to see more staffing, though. On my first Ryndam cruise, there were two cocktail servers in the Crow's Nest, plus the bartender. On my most recent cruises, there were no cocktail servers much/most of the time and occasionally, no bartender.

 

Cheers,

 

Friday

[Copper10-8]

John - Thank you. I will have to watch what they do when I'm on the Veendam in May. I seem to recall having to sign for one on my last cruise, but perhaps I misremember. I'd still like to see more staffing, though. On my first Ryndam cruise, there were two cocktail servers in the Crow's Nest, plus the bartender. On my most recent cruises, there were no cocktail servers much/most of the time and occasionally, no bartender.

 

Cheers,

 

Friday

 

No prob Friday - we had four barwaiters and at least two bartenders in the Crow's Nest on Oosterdam last week. Have a great cruise on the Veendam in 3 months:)

[fridayeyes]

Wow, maybe I was just unlucky then. I sat for well over an hour once reading a book up there and was never approached for a drink. I looked several times for a server/bartender, since I was quite willing to get up to order but never saw one. I wonder if it was shift change/staff meeting or somesuch.

 

Cheers,

 

Friday

[herb]

I sat for well over an hour once reading a book up there and was never approached for a drink.

 

 

Same situation... 2 different cruisers... 2 different outcomes

 

1. .......and that's why I most definitely prefer this cruiseline over that cruiseline. I just hate it when I keep getting bothered whether I want a drink or not. Can't they see that I'm reading?

 

2. .......and that's why I wouldn't sail with that cruiseline again even if I was given a free cruise. I paid alot for this cruise and they acted as if I didn't even exist. HRMPF!

 

No matter what the cruiseline does it'll never satisfy everyone.

[fridayeyes]

LOL, I'll take a book in the Crow's Nest with no drink over a day on land anyday. :) Though those happy hour munchies they serve are yummy too. I have a thing for BBCs. They are my drink of choice while reading my book and watchign the water go by.

 

Cheers,

 

Friday

[NoNoNanette]

What's in a BBC, Friday?

[fridayeyes]

Bailey's, Banana and Coconut! It's a frothy/creamy frozen drink. Definitely foo-foo. Pineapple spear on the glass. The really good ones have a thick, rich taste, and a much darker color than a pina colada. The not-so good ones look and taste like a pina colada with a dash of Bailey's.

 

Cheers,

 

Friday

[NoNoNanette]

That sounds AB FAB! :D

[Thunderbolt]

I don't know if anyone said it was "wrong" for Hal to base it on economics but it is an interesting statement.

 

My take on this is they did this for $$$ and economics. That is it and nothing more, but I never thought of it as wrong. CCL owns the cruise line and they can do what they want. This doesn't mean I have to like it or wish they didn't do it and I am even a stock holder!

 

I am sorry if I am mistaking Gizmo.

 

 

I may have wrongly got the feeling that a few posters were thinking economics was a bad thing for the line to worry about but saying it was ok for the smuggler. This did not sound right to me. Like a double standard.

 

 

I also do not like the rule but sneaking spirits to save money does not save me enough money to make it worth it. Their the ones with the x-ray machines and I’m the one trying to relax.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I am sorry if I am mistaking Gizmo.

 

I may have wrongly got the feeling that a few posters were thinking economics was a bad thing for the line to worry about but saying it was ok for the smuggler. This did not sound right to me. Like a double standard.

 

I also do not like the rule but sneaking spirits to save money does not save me enough money to make it worth it. Their the ones with the x-ray machines and I’m the one trying to relax.

 

Terry, I think you put that very well. And your point about the small amount saved is excellent. It's the old "penny wise pound foolish". People don't hesitate to spend literally thousands of dollars in a week, but get upset over the extra dollars it costs to purchase the alcohol through HAL.

 

In the end I doubt it's really about the money saved ... I think it's about "beating the system". A lot of people just love to do that;) .

[herb]

 

sneaking spirits to save money does not save me enough money to make it worth it

 

We did the 'sneaking spirits' thing once! We went with 2 other couples on a Bermuda cruise and one couple brought along a bottle of Grey Goose, so that we could have drinks in the cabin. Well, since none of us book suites, we ended up standing around the cabin or sitting at the edge of the bed with drinks in hand. We did that ONE night only. From then on, we ended up going to a bar or a lounge for drinks. It was much more comfortable, and the surroundings lent itself more to enjoying the drinks. The mostly unused bottle of Grey Goose sat around and ended up being taken home again.

[gizmo]

Agree, many times it is about beating the system. This is the case for many but not everyone. I am not even going to try and guess the percentage that does it for this reason as opposed to other reasons.

 

Look at the of number people who are looking for a hotel that has free shuttle service. Same thing. They pay $$$ for a cruise, but don't want to shell out $ for cab fare.

 

Let's look at it another way. A person pays $$$ for a cruise. They think the cost is in line for what they get. They want a bottle of booze in their cabin. They feel the cost is not in line and may feel they are getting ripped off.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Gizmo, I'd never argue that with you. You're absolutely right. In fact the only reason I know the saying "Penny wise ..." is because I'm one of those:D !!! I'll spend a fortune in one place, and pinch a penny somewhere else.

 

So I meant "some" people. Also, I think a lot of people who post about "smuggling" and "sneaking" here on the board do it just for the sake of argument and to "stir the pot", but don't actually do it when the chips are down.

 

A ton of you will come down on me for for saying that, but I'll bet I'm right;) .

[Thunderbolt]

When I wake up on a Monday morning and stroll the deck of a cruise ship while the rest of the world is in traffic getting to work...I feel like I beat the system.:cool: ..at least for that week.;)

[jhannah]

How true, Terry. How true!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Terry, I'm with you again on that!!!! You can't beat the system any better:D .