What the heck! Charging for coffee??

[sunline2000]

Cool Cruiser great point about hotels and coffee. An for the other poster on being nckel/dimed:cool:

[palolake]

One of my favorite things to do is get a cup of tea at the Patisserie and then sit there at one of the tables. I love to just look out at the sea and think about how great it is to be on a cruise. Why should I have to pay

$1 for the exact same cup of tea that I could get free by going up to the Horizon court? I know that I'm cheap and I just won't do it.

[spongerob]

If $1 is so nominal, why are they doing it? If I were a stockholder, I would be more concerned about the (negative) symbolic/PR value of doing so, than the possible additional revenue. (Have you looked at CCL P&L statement? They don't need it!! Would make an insurance, tobacco, or pharmaceutical co blush). Just a stupid move based upon what they'll get out of it.

If you were a stockholder, you might have been looking for the nearest window ledge yesterday. CCL (parent corporation that owns Princess) took a beating yesterday based on lower than expected earnings for 2006. And that's coming off a stock that has shown weakness prior to yesterday's hammering.

 

I'll have to disagree with my co-cheerleader BDJAM in stating that cruising is definitely not a $100/day experience. Coffee is not going to be a deal-breaker for me - but if someone wants to try and tell me that I can't have a cup of coffee in the casino without paying for it, I'm going to start demanding comps.

[TinaLee]

If you were a stockholder, you might have been looking for the nearest window ledge yesterday. CCL (parent corporation that owns Princess) took a beating yesterday based on lower than expected earnings for 2006. And that's coming off a stock that has shown weakness prior to yesterday's hammering.

 

I'll have to disagree with my co-cheerleader BDJAM in stating that cruising is definitely not a $100/day experience. Coffee is not going to be a deal-breaker for me - but if someone wants to try and tell me that I can't have a cup of coffee in the casino without paying for it, I'm going to start demanding comps.

Sorry Rob, but that's exactly what they're going to tell you. And for the poster who asked if we addressed this in our final comments onboard, yes we did. And I even spoke to the bartender in the Lobby Bar about the new charges. He told me that he often has to pour out existing coffee when someone comes up and is actually willing to pay for fresh-brewed because it is no longer fresh... so where is the savings for the corporation there? He said a lot of people are upset by this and giving him a hard time about it - as if he has any control over it. Too bad folks can't lay the blame where it belongs and leave the poor messenger alone.

[Millygirl]

I am in complete agreement with the nickel and diming view. I leave on Thursday and fully intend to lnclude a strongly worded response to this nonsense.

 

I think Princess could make a welcomed public relations move by reversing a decision that would cot them very little.

 

I AGREE AS WELL!!!! The nickel and diming is just a low blow! On the average, Princess is more expensive than Carnival and RCCL. And now they want to charge for coffee made from grounds :confused:!!! And, I believe someone wrote that they paid for coffee in the casino and TEA! TEA??? I'm almost irritated enough to cancel, but I wouldn't want to loose more money to them. And truly, this won't RUIN my trip, it will just aggravate me. Their ships are beautiful, their service attentive, but I'll deal with the glitz of Carnival any day and at least not feel like I've been raked over the coals.

[annmarz]

How can Princess make money like this if they dump out pots of the brewed coffee frequently when passengers justifiably request a fresh pot since they now have to pay for it? You can bet I am going to ask for a fresh pot each time now!

 

Also, please someone clarify: Are they also charging for tea?

 

Does the $1.00 charge include refills? For how long? All day? Am I allowed to bring my own travel mug and have it filled?

 

Has anyone addressed/explored the issue of WHY Princess uses the liquid concentrate in the buffet? While it may be palatable and acceptable to many, a huge number of passengers, including me, find it akin to motor oil. Enough feel this way that it is a recurring issue. I heard that it may be an environmental issue - coffee grounds cannot be disposed of in the ocean. Is Princess trying to be environmentally safe here? How do other cruise lines manage to have such competitive prices yet serve good coffee? What do they do with the coffee grounds?

[mringenoldus]

This was someone's bad idea...We can hope that Princess figures it out fast and revises it.

 

But it won't be fast enough for me - we leave tomorrow! YIPPEEE!

[stoneharborlady]

I have to agree with you Murphey. We are getting dinner included in our cruise costs, we should not have to pay a dollar for a cup of decent coffee. I also agree with another poster, about allowing passengers to bring coffee makers onboard since the Star fire. I am one who did bring a coffee maker on my cruise, but I would happily forgo it in the interest of safety. But gee, give me a cup of coffee a day (not sludge) included in my cruise cost. Karen

 

 

 

Bdjam: I beg to differ with you. I don't pay less than $100 a day....I think it is the principle of the thing. You know what, I don't even drink that much coffee, but I think it is the nickle and diming that irritates me.

 

I do not want to have to pack a coffee maker and coffee with me.

 

If Princess wants to be a "classy" line, then I think they should be "classy" For goodness sakes, it's coffee!! We have used the excuse of "cruising is far less expensive than it was years ago" to death. I think that a line should be drawn somewhere, and I think this is a good start.

 

My question to you all just off a ship....did you comment on this??

[lansingisland]

I would gladly pay 2 dollars for "real" coffee when I get up early...I find the Princess coffee undrinkable. BUT when we were on the Diamond the patisserie didn't open til 7 or 7:30 and I wanted my fix at 6!

[momofmeg]

It seems that some ships have been charging a dollar for regular coffee at the Patisserie. I understand some additional charges are expected - but this seems a bit cheap for Princess standards.

 

I don't hold out much hope for a successful campaign against this change since we have all been complaining about the "coffee syrup" coffee for years and nothing has happened. But I figured it can't hurt either!

 

I've avoided carrying a little coffee maker all this time - this just kind of annoys me. Anyone else??

 

well nothing surprises me. The little mexican restuarant we go to has gone up to $3 for a glass of ice tea-now this is just a simple "family" restuarant-not an upscale restuarant. I find that ridiculous!

[momofmeg]

I have to agree with you Murphey. We are getting dinner included in our cruise costs, we should not have to pay a dollar for a cup of decent coffee. I also agree with another poster, about allowing passengers to bring coffee makers onboard since the Star fire. I am one who did bring a coffee maker on my cruise, but I would happily forgo it in the interest of safety. But gee, give me a cup of coffee a day (not sludge) included in my cruise cost. Karen

 

Karen, Folgers does great coffee bags (like tea bags)-try them next cruise.

 

Hubby and I love good coffee-we like the Starbucks stuff for our morning coffee at home-so we buy the $8 bags of coffee instead of the $3 ones all the time. I think that is the differance in the princess coffees-Starbucks quality compared to Folgers.

 

Now I do not mind the Folgers so much-as long as the coffee is strong-I hate WEAK cheap coffee-so just get the Folgers coffee bags and use 2 of them!

[momofmeg]

I think when that happens,it will be time for me to quit cruising!

 

Laura

 

the alternative is to go with an upscale line where you are not "nickled and dimed" to death. Personally I would rather pay extra for the extras I want-for ex. I do not drink wine-I do not like it-so I see no need to pay $3000 a person for a cruise just because I get free wine and I don't have to tip. I also drink hardly any carbonated beverages-so I could care less if they are "free" or not.

 

 

 

But that is just me. We all make our own decisions.

[calikak]

Has anyone addressed/explored the issue of WHY Princess uses the liquid concentrate in the buffet? While it may be palatable and acceptable to many, a huge number of passengers, including me, find it akin to motor oil. Enough feel this way that it is a recurring issue. I heard that it may be an environmental issue - coffee grounds cannot be disposed of in the ocean. Is Princess trying to be environmentally safe here? How do other cruise lines manage to have such competitive prices yet serve good coffee? What do they do with the coffee grounds?

 

There are different companies that make concentrates for coffee, so perhaps the other cruise lines that have better buffet coffee are using a different brand? I don't know, just guessing. I have noticed a difference between the buffet coffee on the Sun & Dawn, and the buffet coffee on the rest of the fleet. On the Golden last year, the buffet coffee was thick, closer to the consistency of 2% milk than to coffee, and very bitter. On the Sun & Dawn, the buffet coffee was not thick and bitter--it seemed to be just like the coffee in the dining rooms and similar to brewed coffee you get on land. It made me wonder if the different ships were using different brands of concentrate? Maybe because the Dawn/Sun are older and of a different design, they have a different system for coffee-making in the buffet than the Grand-class ships? If so, I think they should switch to whatever they're using on the Sun & Dawn.

[bdjam]

I'll have to disagree with my co-cheerleader BDJAM in stating that cruising is definitely not a $100/day experience.

I agree that cruising is not a $100 a day proposition for most of us. There are people who – given the right circumstances – can and do sail for $100 a day, and a good percentage of the passengers on Regal Princess were sailing for just that – there was a regional special run for the sailing.

Regarding Tea - please note it is premium boxed tea that is for sale for $1. There are still an assortment of tea bags available in the buffet for free.

Maybe just getting off the ship yesterday puts me in a different frame of mind, but I hardly see what the big deal is in all of this. I noticed a definite lack of cash tipping while on board - maybe people are taking their revenge on having to pay a buck for a cup of coffee by reducing their tips? :rolleyes:

 

But if it is a big deal, complain. Complain loudly. But all of the engergy that has created two pages of posts here should be pointed toward Princess.

[ldoc31]

Dear Princess

The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup.

Good to the last drop Maxwell House.

[stoneharborlady]

Wow, thats a great idea!! Thanks for sharing this. Dont believe I have ever seen them, but then again, I have not looked. I will now. Thanks again, Karen

 

 

 

 

Karen, Folgers does great coffee bags (like tea bags)-try them next cruise.

 

Hubby and I love good coffee-we like the Starbucks stuff for our morning coffee at home-so we buy the $8 bags of coffee instead of the $3 ones all the time. I think that is the differance in the princess coffees-Starbucks quality compared to Folgers.

 

Now I do not mind the Folgers so much-as long as the coffee is strong-I hate WEAK cheap coffee-so just get the Folgers coffee bags and use 2 of them!

[Ula]

I have had to think about this since it was first posted, I discovered I liked going down to the lobby in the early morning for coffee and just watching the crew do their early morning thing, it is so very quiet.

It is kind of the principle that coffee is included in the fare but evidently now limited to certain areas that gets to me. I do not drink the stuff all day, just mornings, but I just figure I will get a big insulated mug to bring with me and fill it up in the Horizon court and take it to the lobby.

[ldoc31]

I have had to think about this since it was first posted, I discovered I liked going down to the lobby in the early morning for coffee and just watching the crew do their early morning thing, it is so very quiet.

It is kind of the principle that coffee is included in the fare but evidently now limited to certain areas that gets to me. I do not drink the stuff all day, just mornings, but I just figure I will get a big insulated mug to bring with me and fill it up in the Horizon court and take it to the lobby.

 

Doesn't it sound stupid to have to run up to the Horizon Ct. then down to the lobby with your cup of coffee. I enjoy the atrium seating and don't think I should have to bring my coffee from the buffet down there. Of course some will say just pay the dollar, but I really think this is a tacky thing for a cruise line to skimp on.

[tequilasunrise]

There are different companies that make concentrates for coffee, so perhaps the other cruise lines that have better buffet coffee are using a different brand? I don't know, just guessing. I have noticed a difference between the buffet coffee on the Sun & Dawn, and the buffet coffee on the rest of the fleet. On the Golden last year, the buffet coffee was thick, closer to the consistency of 2% milk than to coffee, and very bitter. On the Sun & Dawn, the buffet coffee was not thick and bitter--it seemed to be just like the coffee in the dining rooms and similar to brewed coffee you get on land. It made me wonder if the different ships were using different brands of concentrate? Maybe because the Dawn/Sun are older and of a different design, they have a different system for coffee-making in the buffet than the Grand-class ships? If so, I think they should switch to whatever they're using on the Sun & Dawn.

 

I agree completely with your observation. I noted that the coffee on the Dawn was better than any other Princess ship I've been on. Granted, none of the buffet coffees were good enough to pay for imho, but it was much better.

 

Oh, and on the Dawn I loved the coffee refill area near the outside grill. Great, wish they'd put that on all their ships!

[wasup254]

We were on the Grand about a month ago and I asked for a regualr coffee in the Vista lounge, as it is always freezing in there and the waiter said it would be a dollar, I said forget it, got up, went to the Horizon court and got my own.

[Cruisin' Chick]

My hubby is the coffee drinker in the family and he brings the Folgers' single serving bags and a small coffeemaker onboard.

[madelinerose]

I've looked at all the posts and didn't see room service coffee mentioned.

 

Is there now a charge for room service coffee?

[Toto2Kansas]

THIS THREAD IS ONLY ABOUT BREWED COFFEE AT THE LOBBY BAR!

Sorry to yell, but it has been clarified over and over in this thread that it does not include coffee from outside this area, including room service delivery.

[madelinerose]

OK, sorry, I missed that. There's a lot of chatter to read through on this thread. Thank you.;)

 

 

 

THIS THREAD IS ONLY ABOUT BREWED COFFEE AT THE LOBBY BAR!Sorry to yell, but it has been clarified over and over in this thread that it does not include coffee from outside this area, including room service delivery.

[Toto2Kansas]

And sorry for yelling! :o