Your cost of "non-included" dining is going up...

[kywildcatfanone]

15 hours ago, memoak said:

perceived value

Can apply to a lot of things on a cruise ship

[HaveDogWillTravel]

17 hours ago, memoak said:

I still want to know if I will pay 18% of perceived value on included or gifted speciality restaurant dinners 

I have the premier package. I ate at sterling steakhouse and was not charged the 18%. 
 

A little off topic. But relevant in terms of new extra fees for dining. I sometimes sail in full suites. I asked my lovely room service person Dianna who always answers the `phone if a full suite passengers wants to order off the MDR menu as this is an included perk but they do not have any package, would they be charged $5?  At first she said yes, then she said Well but they are entitled to MDR.  Then she said they could order on the ap but wait MDR isn’t on the ap. Then she said I’ll get back to you. 
 

At least on this ship the answer is yes, anyone without a package will pay $5 for calling room service. Even those in a full suite using the only method available to order an included perk of MDR in room dining.  
 

On a Royal Class ship I’ve used the concierge to arrange an in room MDR dinner, but the other classes of ships still, to my knowledge, do not have a suite concierge. They’ve been talking about it and I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.  
 

I sail in the Sky Suite this coming April and I won’t get a package as it has its own nespresso machine, two full bottles of booze, sodas, waters & beers both in the room and the concierge lounge and free wine and cocktails the concierge lounge. Plus I get my elite bar setup.    Why on earth would I get a package?  
 

 

[CruizinSusan70]

On 12/3/2023 at 7:19 PM, Potstech said:

As long as passengers keep paying all these add on fees and price increases the powers that be will keep coming up with new ones. Keep supporting them as they take more and more of your money. 

Take the blinders off.  All of the various mainstream lines are increasing prices and coming up with new ways to increase the bottom line.  

We just got off of an 18 day B2B on the Celebrity Beyond.  Their steakhouse is 65 pp plus 20% gratuity, so it's 156 for two.  The Crown Grill is 92 for two after the 18% added in.  That's a big difference.  

 

The new Star of the Seas has just opened for bookings.  A basic inside cabin for two with port charges and gratuities is 4K for 7 days.

[memoak]

2 hours ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

I have the premier package. I ate at sterling steakhouse and was not charged the 18%. 
 

A little off topic. But relevant in terms of new extra fees for dining. I sometimes sail in full suites. I asked my lovely room service person Dianna who always answers the `phone if a full suite passengers wants to order off the MDR menu as this is an included perk but they do not have any package, would they be charged $5?  At first she said yes, then she said Well but they are entitled to MDR.  Then she said they could order on the ap but wait MDR isn’t on the ap. Then she said I’ll get back to you. 
 

At least on this ship the answer is yes, anyone without a package will pay $5 for calling room service. Even those in a full suite using the only method available to order an included perk of MDR in room dining.  
 

On a Royal Class ship I’ve used the concierge to arrange an in room MDR dinner, but the other classes of ships still, to my knowledge, do not have a suite concierge. They’ve been talking about it and I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.  
 

I sail in the Sky Suite this coming April and I won’t get a package as it has its own nespresso machine, two full bottles of booze, sodas, waters & beers both in the room and the concierge lounge and free wine and cocktails the concierge lounge. Plus I get my elite bar setup.    Why on earth would I get a package?  
 

 

We would because we like to hang out in bars and clubs. Ordering drinks at meals as well. It is kind of hard to walk around the ship carrying a bottle of bourbon. 

 

[CruizinSusan70]

21 hours ago, Al1952 said:

Yep same for me, 39 x2 plus 18% for the sterling steak house, great meal still worth it

Cheaper than Celebrity, Royal, Carnival and MSC.

[Potstech]

1 hour ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

Take the blinders off.  All of the various mainstream lines are increasing prices and coming up with new ways to increase the bottom line.  

We just got off of an 18 day B2B on the Celebrity Beyond.  Their steakhouse is 65 pp plus 20% gratuity, so it's 156 for two.  The Crown Grill is 92 for two after the 18% added in.  That's a big difference.  

 

The new Star of the Seas has just opened for bookings.  A basic inside cabin for two with port charges and gratuities is 4K for 7 days.

No blinders on at all. Totally aware what cruise lines are doing to their passengers. My question is "Why do passengers continue to pay these increases?"  Many have expressed they do not like them BUT they pay them anyway.  We cruise several times a year, have a great time and refuse to pay for packages or extra meals or service.  Could we afford them. Yes no problem. Do we need them to enjoy a cruise? No no no.  Want to see further increases and expensive packages?  Keep buying them.  We will not.

Keep enjoying your more expensive cruises.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

23 hours ago, XBGuy said:

I am a pretty liberal tipper, and I don't see that behavior changing in the future. 

 

 

[kywildcatfanone]

1 hour ago, Potstech said:

No blinders on at all. Totally aware what cruise lines are doing to their passengers. My question is "Why do passengers continue to pay these increases?"  Many have expressed they do not like them BUT they pay them anyway.  We cruise several times a year, have a great time and refuse to pay for packages or extra meals or service.  Could we afford them. Yes no problem. Do we need them to enjoy a cruise? No no no.  Want to see further increases and expensive packages?  Keep buying them.  We will not.

Keep enjoying your more expensive cruises.

I'm in your situation.  I don't pay it, but I look at it this way.  I want people to book suites,  buy packages,  etc.  It's where the profit lies for the cruise line, and at least somewhat allows those of us who choose to cruise more frugally to do so and not take the brunt of outright cruise fate increases.

Obviously there is a lot of profit in it,  and why the cruise lines push them so hard, and as some point out here they are happy with their perceived value they provide.

 

With that said, I certainly see the cruise lines trying to move to make every customer a higher revenue based customer while lowering their costs.

 

On Sky now, and you can tell lots of cutbacks in food quality, service staff and routine maintenance of things like coffee machines and ice makers.  They even ran out of iced tea with 2 days left on our cruise.

 

[startedwithamouse]

1 hour ago, Potstech said:

No blinders on at all. Totally aware what cruise lines are doing to their passengers. My question is "Why do passengers continue to pay these increases?"  Many have expressed they do not like them BUT they pay them anyway.  We cruise several times a year, have a great time and refuse to pay for packages or extra meals or service.  Could we afford them. Yes no problem. Do we need them to enjoy a cruise? No no no.  Want to see further increases and expensive packages?  Keep buying them.  We will not.

Keep enjoying your more expensive cruises.

Tell me, what in today's world has the price decreased?

[d9704011]

8 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

Tell me, what in today's world has the price decreased?

What sort of time frame are you looking at?  Price of gas is generally lower than it was two years ago.  At my local grocery store, the price of bananas hasn't changed in at least three years; a real price drop when factoring in inflation.

[Potstech]

30 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

Tell me, what in today's world has the price decreased?

Tell me, what have consumers done to cause prices to decrease?  Not a whole lot as they blindly accept the increases. I choose to support the increases as little as I can. The decision is up to the individual but corporate is winninghands down.

[JimmyVWine]

1 hour ago, Potstech said:

My question is "Why do passengers continue to pay these increases?"  Many have expressed they do not like them BUT they pay them anyway.

Every week or so there are between 40,000 and 50,000 people cruising on Princess ships.  Over the course of a year, that is around 1.5 million unique people who board the ships after accounting for longer cruises and repeat guests. There is simply no way to get 1.5 million people to act in concert and join some sort of "I'll show them" boycott.  Princess only needs a small fraction of those people to pay the fee to get 100% of its expected and desired revenue increase.  Quite simply, Princess does not care if 90% of the guests refuse to pay as long as the other 10% do.  And there is a flaw in your logic when you use the word "continue".  That implies that all of the guests have a history with Princess when in fact all of the Blue Medallions you see on board do not.  And it also implies that the guests have a choice available to them that affords them a lower cost option among competitor mass market lines. I am not aware of what that option is.    

[memoak]

23 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

Every week or so there are between 40,000 and 50,000 people cruising on Princess ships.  Over the course of a year, that is around 1.5 million unique people who board the ships after accounting for longer cruises and repeat guests. There is simply no way to get 1.5 million people to act in concert and join some sort of "I'll show them" boycott.  Princess only needs a small fraction of those people to pay the fee to get 100% of its expected and desired revenue increase.  Quite simply, Princess does not care if 90% of the guests refuse to pay as long as the other 10% do.  And there is a flaw in your logic when you use the word "continue".  That implies that all of the guests have a history with Princess when in fact all of the Blue Medallions you see on board do not.  And it also implies that the guests have a choice available to them that affords them a lower cost option among competitor mass market lines. I am not aware of what that option is.    

No other cruise line gives me the deals I can get from Princess. With casino deals and drink packages after 45+ cruises. No other line gives me what I want. I tried NCL and thought it was the smallest balcony in the history of cruising. I am able to take 10 day cruises in a full suite with a plus package for $3,000 per person. Pretty darn good deal

[Potstech]

5 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

Every week or so there are between 40,000 and 50,000 people cruising on Princess ships.  Over the course of a year, that is around 1.5 million unique people who board the ships after accounting for longer cruises and repeat guests. There is simply no way to get 1.5 million people to act in concert and join some sort of "I'll show them" boycott.  Princess only needs a small fraction of those people to pay the fee to get 100% of its expected and desired revenue increase.  Quite simply, Princess does not care if 90% of the guests refuse to pay as long as the other 10% do.  And there is a flaw in your logic when you use the word "continue".  That implies that all of the guests have a history with Princess when in fact all of the Blue Medallions you see on board do not.  And it also implies that the guests have a choice available to them that affords them a lower cost option among competitor mass market lines. I am not aware of what that option is.    

Nowhere did I even mention the word Boycott" let alone call for an "I'll show them one." All I am stating is why do people continue to support the increase to their financial detriment? By your own statement they only need 10% to participate while the other 90% are pure profit. Yet many, like yourself, do CONTINUE to support the increases.  It does not imply anything like you state. There are no facts in evidence that I do.  

 

Guests do have a choice as I prove it eveytime I take a cruise without paying for any of the packages or add on extra charges on the trips I take. All they have to do, like I do, is not pay for them and enjoy their cruise otherwise.

[HaveDogWillTravel]

9 hours ago, memoak said:

We would because we like to hang out in bars and clubs. Ordering drinks at meals as well. It is kind of hard to walk around the ship carrying a bottle of bourbon. 

 

Yes then it would totally make sense. For the sky suite sailing though it’ll be a bit different for us. We’ve got more than a dozen friends we will be sharing that space with. Afternoon teas, cocktail parties, movie night where we get to pick the MUTS movie, MDR dinners on the balcony, cases of special wines brought onboard to celebrate…..totally don’t see spending time in the bars on that sailing anyway. 
 

[MacMadame]

27 minutes ago, Potstech said:

Guests do have a choice as I prove it eveytime I take a cruise without paying for any of the packages or add on extra charges on the trips I take. All they have to do, like I do, is not pay for them and enjoy their cruise otherwise.

Maybe people are different than you and have a different idea of what these things are worth and what makes for a good cruise. Different strokes and all.

[Its the journey]

7 hours ago, MacMadame said:

Maybe people are different than you and have a different idea of what these things are worth and what makes for a good cruise. Different strokes and all.

Exactly.  I want, value and use what is offered by the packages.  And since my favorite martini is 19 dollars plus tip without the package, I feel it is money well spent.  Yes, I could go without amenities.  But I like to spoil myself on vacation.  And I love Princess, so I am happy to see them make a profit off me.  I'm also happy to give a bit extra to those who make my vacation more comfortable.  To each their own.

Edited December 8, 2023 by Its the journey

[MissP22]

29 minutes ago, Its the journey said:

Exactly.  I want, value and use what is offered by the packages.  And since my favorite martini is 19 dollars plus tip without the package, I feel it is money well spent.  Yes, I could go without amenities.  But I like to spoil myself on vacation.  And I love Princess, so I am happy to see them make a profit off me.  I'm also happy to give a bit extra to those who make my vacation more comfortable.  To each their own.

Your attitude is typical amongst the cruisers new to Princess and other cruise lines and Princess well knows it. They spend money on every think that flashed before their eyes, no matter what the cost.

I suppose we should be grateful that your spending habits are keeping Princess in the black. 

[Cruise Raider]

1 hour ago, MissP22 said:

Your attitude is typical amongst the cruisers new to Princess and other cruise lines and Princess well knows it. They spend money on every think that flashed before their eyes, no matter what the cost.

I suppose we should be grateful that your spending habits are keeping Princess in the black. 

That doesn’t only apply to new cruisers.  We have over 60 cruises with Princess alone and think the premier package is well worth it for how we wish to cruise, especially on ships that have a few casual dining spots.  It actually saves us money when we get the wines we like, eat where and when we like, get photos, are able to try our luck with Princess prizes, etc.  

The addition of casual dining really tipped the scales for us in deciding between plus and premier.  

[Musky Ike]

13 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

That doesn’t only apply to new cruisers.  We have over 60 cruises with Princess alone and think the premier package is well worth it for how we wish to cruise, especially on ships that have a few casual dining spots.  It actually saves us money when we get the wines we like, eat where and when we like, get photos, are able to try our luck with Princess prizes, etc.  

The addition of casual dining really tipped the scales for us in deciding between plus and premier.  

Going on a cruise in the past and not worrying about every penny was tough for me. The older I get, the more the "can't take it with you" mentality is starting to sink in, but not too hard. I still like to find the deals. Everything in balance.

Edited December 8, 2023 by Musky Ike

[MissP22]

1 hour ago, Musky Ike said:

Going on a cruise in the past and not worrying about every penny was tough for me. The older I get, the more the "can't take it with you" mentality is starting to sink in, but not too hard. I still like to find the deals. Everything in balance.

As long as you're happy parting with your hard earned dollars Princess will be happy to accommodate you.

We find that there's still enough free things available on Princess to satisfy our style, not feeling denied if we don't spring for the once included casual dining, specialty restaurants or overpriced drinks.

[Guest Snaxmuppet]

17 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

As long as you're happy parting with your hard earned dollars Princess will be happy to accommodate you.

We find that there's still enough free things available on Princess to satisfy our style, not feeling denied if we don't spring for the once included casual dining, specialty restaurants or overpriced drinks.

Well, I would question whether the drinks are overpriced.

 

Take a typical cocktail... on Princess say, margarita at $12...

 

Looking at financebuzz.com the average cost for a margarita in New Jersey is $12.20... Arizona £11.95... California $11.85.

 

I realise that these are to top prices in the USA but when you consider that you are on a ship, with loads of crew, and it is still cheaper than the most you would pay in the USA then I don't consider that overpriced.

 

It is easy to knock Princess pricing... until you actually research it and then balance it up against where you are and what you are getting for your money... then it is less clear-cut  🙂 

 

 

Edited December 8, 2023 by Snaxmuppet

[Musky Ike]

19 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

As long as you're happy parting with your hard earned dollars Princess will be happy to accommodate you.

We find that there's still enough free things available on Princess to satisfy our style, not feeling denied if we don't spring for the once included casual dining, specialty restaurants or overpriced drinks.

Me either, but I do now spring for plus even though I don't make full use of it. The point is being able to splurge a bit and enjoy using what you saved for all your life. Spending habits at home and on cruise are two different things. I'm there to experience things I don't do at home. It is hard to change habits from a saver to a spender, but either in the extreme is not good IMHO.

[Cruise Raider]

9 minutes ago, Snaxmuppet said:

Yes. You might pay a similar price at any quality hotel.

 

You cannot simply compare local prices against a quality hotel or a cruise ship. Remember, this is equivalent to a quality hotel... not your local supermarket!

Spot on! 
If some prefer to compare prices, they can always buy their own wine and pay for the corkage.   


 

[Potstech]

Ever notice that in every one of the threads having to do with increased prices and packages that the discussion always comes down to drinks and whether they are cost effective? Might start out different but it will always come down to drink price and how many a person has. Not just talking about alcohol but drinks in general.