Conde Nast Traveler Article--Constellation

[kitty9]

In the newest edition of Conde Nast Traveler, their cruise "specialist" has an article on the hidden costs of a cruise and how people need to be aware of how false the prices of a cruise turn out to be. Personally, I found the article, while mostly true at face value, to be misleading. Never in the article did she write that the extra charges are voluntary such as soda cards, coffee in the Cova, and shore excursions. But two things bothered me. She wrote that their one visit to the alternate restaurant cost them $220 for two people, including wine and tip. I want to write and tell her that the actual cost should have been only $60, as the charge for the regular menu is only $30 pp. She and her husband must have bought a real expensive bottle of wine or that they must have given a really high extra tip for the dinner to cost $220.

 

The other thing that bothered me was her account of the shilling that she felt went on during her cruise. While I know there is some selling going on, I never experienced, in all my X cruises, the things she said happened to her on a daily basis. She said they were innundated with "mail" with offers, come ons for merchandise, wine tastings and invitations to the spa. On my recent Infinity cruise, we even remarked that we didn't get near as much "mail" on our door for these happenings. But she made it sound as if the slot on their door was stuffed full every day. And then, her experience in the spa. She went for some kind of spa service and because of the selling of the therapist, she felt compelled to buy something---body lotion. She claimed when she tried to return the unopened package, they wouldn't let her unless she made another appointment for the spa. Now, I go to the spa regularly, and I've returned products that I purchased in the spa because they weren't the right formula, and they've never required me to book another appointment to return the item.

 

If you have a chance to read this article, I would love to hear your perspectives.

[evoni]

I can easily see spending $220 at the specialty restaurant if one orders a more expensive bottle of wine and then of course there's the tip for that wine, in addition to the $60.00 for the 2 dinners. Last summer on the Connie we also had a lot of mail with the offers she described, especially on the ship days. My husband did a massage and while I warned him about the hard sell on products he did come back with a product which a year later he has yet to use, <sigh>. I love cruising with Celebrity ships but can understand how writing the article from her experience on the cruise those statements could very well be completely accurate (in her case, other's might have a different experience).

[BILLP1]

A bottle of White, a bottle of Red a few after dinner drinks

with Expresso a tip for the waiters. $220 no problem....

[warmwinds]

I think what she said was accurate, but it is up to YOU whether you buy into any of it. Isn't your mailbox at home full of junk every day? Do you stress and read everything, or do you just throw it away? When the stuff is pushed under the door, just throw it away...but I have to say I've gotten some nice costume jewelry on their "sales", but no one made me do it...

 

I get massages, but I don't buy their products...just say NO!

 

You can order whatever bottle of wine you want - it's not the cruise line's fault if you choose a $200 bottle!

 

I did notice on our last cruise that they did "hawk" more stuff more often...but I can ignore them. It's up to YOU to either be a victim or not.

[gillianrose]

I get massages, but I don't buy their products...just say NO!

 

You can order whatever bottle of wine you want - it's not the cruise line's fault if you choose a $200 bottle!

 

I did notice on our last cruise that they did "hawk" more stuff more often...but I can ignore them. It's up to YOU to either be a victim or not.

 

I am a very assertive person and can and do say "no," but cruises are marketed as stressfree and for the most part, inclusive. It is not pleasant when someone spends any time whatsoever trying to sell me something on MY dime (i.e. in a massage treatment room, etc.). Even a minute of that is TOO MUCH.

 

Wines are overpriced on cruises. Celebrity's corkage fee (at $25 now I'm told) is probably the highest of any cruise line. It's ridiculous. One glass of a French Sancerre cost over $9 on Celebrity four years ago. Who knows what it is now.

 

Coffee cards, etc. Absurd. Charge more up front if need be, but provide me with some high quality specialty coffees in the dining room no extra charge, please (this is to all lines that stopped doing that).

 

I haven't read the article yet, but I'll probably agree with much of it. I find all these "revenue enhancements" onboard to take away a great deal of the enjoyment of cruising as we used to know it. Many activities that used to take place onboard (extensive couples dance lessons, entireley free fitness classes, etc.) are being severely restricted in order to redirect the cruising public to pay EXTRA for what was once included.

[rebeccalouise]

First of all I'd like to point out that the only reason people like me (non excursion, light drinker, non gamblers) can cruise at the prevailing rates is because the mass market cruise lines are floating casinos. Basically, the ship has a captive audience.

Look at the cheap prices for the Transatlantic cruises on all the lines. These cruises have six sea days. That means that the spa, the casino, the shops, the bars are open non-stop for at least six days. The cruise line gets more revenue.

 

Then look at a New England cruise- these are twice as much as Caribbean cruises. That's because they are too close to land and the casinos are shut. Same with the European cruises- these are port intensive and the casino, shops and spas are doing gangbuster business. So they make it up in higher cruise fares.

 

Disney is a case in point. There is no casino on Disney. The cruise experience IMO doesn't warrant the price. But the cruise line has to make up for the lost casino revenue.

 

Just be happy there are gamblers on board. My sister and her husband earmark $ 3000 for gambling. They also drink like fish and do excursions.

I spend an average of $ 50 per person a day (including gratuity).

[flagger]

Isn't there a wine paring menu that is $90 per person or something like that?

[esther e]

You can always stretch the truth and say "gee, thanks, but when I was on the ship 3 months ago I bought this product and still have plenty." I like that better than "No."

[mii]

I got off of the Infinity in May and virtually everyday there was spa, art auctions(too many) mail stuffed in our mailbox. Some days more than others but it really was unbelievable how much "mail" was delivered. Of course we simply threw it away but sometimes it can be a bother.

 

Marilyn

[sasset]

I think what she said was accurate, but it is up to YOU whether you buy into any of it. Isn't your mailbox at home full of junk every day? Do you stress and read everything, or do you just throw it away? When the stuff is pushed under the door, just throw it away...but I have to say I've gotten some nice costume jewelry on their "sales", but no one made me do it...

 

I am fairly young and in relatively good physical condition, but I hate having to bend and pick stuff off of the floor from under the door just to toss it...I imagine that it might be even more annoying for the elderly or less flexible. It's just like door-door advertisers at home leaving business cards, leaflets, etc. on your door, usually wedged between the knob and the jamb. Open the door and all that junk paper falls on the step to be picked up stuff just to throw it away.

 

Also, to Flagger. I think that the wine pairings dinner was $75 per person last November on the Millenium. It may be $90 by now. We had before and after dinner drinks and were close to $200.

 

Regards

[voyager70]

First of all I'd like to point out that the only reason people like me (non excursion, light drinker, non gamblers) can cruise at the prevailing rates is because the mass market cruise lines are floating casinos. Basically, the ship has a captive audience.

Look at the cheap prices for the Transatlantic cruises on all the lines. These cruises have six sea days. That means that the spa, the casino, the shops, the bars are open non-stop for at least six days. The cruise line gets more revenue.

 

Then look at a New England cruise- these are twice as much as Caribbean cruises. That's because they are too close to land and the casinos are shut. Same with the European cruises- these are port intensive and the casino, shops and spas are doing gangbuster business. So they make it up in higher cruise fares.

 

Disney is a case in point. There is no casino on Disney. The cruise experience IMO doesn't warrant the price. But the cruise line has to make up for the lost casino revenue.

 

Just be happy there are gamblers on board. My sister and her husband earmark $ 3000 for gambling. They also drink like fish and do excursions.

I spend an average of $ 50 per person a day (including gratuity).

 

Excellent observations. I've always wondered why TA sailings are so cheap compared to European/Med cruises. This makes a lot of sense. Back when I used to use a TA I remember her telling me that the bars, shops & casinos are where most of the profit on ships is made.

[lysolqn]

In the newest edition of Conde Nast Traveler, their cruise "specialist" has an article on the hidden costs of a cruise and how people need to be aware of how false the prices of a cruise turn out to be.

 

I disagree with the author's basic premise that there are "hidden" costs to cruising. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth! It's quite possible to take a cruise and with the exception of tips (and even tips are discretionary), never spend a penny from the time you set foot on the ship at the beginning of your cruise until the time you step off at the end. While many may wish to spend $$$ on a cruise, no one I know of has ever been forced to do so against his/her will.

Do the cruise lines want passengers to enrich their profit centers and "hawk" their wares to get passengers to do just that? You bet they do, but the ultimate decision regarding whether or not to run up a tab for those supposedly hidden/false charges rests with the individual passenger. As for those who choose to spend $$$ while at sea, charges for drinks/wine, spa treatments, specialty restaurants, art auctions, the internet, photos, shore excursions, the casino, bingo and other onboard purchases are clearly posted for all to see. Passengers may choose to ignore the obvious but the cruise lines aren't "hiding" a thing!

[Blazerboy]

I'm perfectly comfortable in any life situation stopping the "shilling" of merchandise...and because I'm comfortable politely saying "no", it doesn't phase me in the least.:)

 

I remember when I was young, and the salesfolks at stores like Shreve and Co, or Neiman Marcus intimidated me....I had the mistaken notion that if I bought something, they'd treat me better, or at least not look down their noses at me (a 20-something year old in jeans....) Boy, if I had all the money I wasted trying to impress sales folks with the fact that I COULD, TOO afford to shop in their stores, I'd have enough in my cruise budget for YEARS of happy cruising.:rolleyes:

 

I think sometimes it's the same on ships for people....but one of the advantages of growing older is that I'm so comfortable with saying no, that I wouldn't even remember if they tried those tactics....

 

I always hope that no one feels intimidated into buying things they don't want.:)

 

Andrew

[evoni]

Well, they certainly aren't hidden once you get on the ship, but for first time cruisers it's likely a lot of them don't expect the charge for soft drinks, aerobic classes, and might perhaps feel there should be a bit more free activities that don't involve shopping, bingo, art auctions, computer lessons, etc...Also, I think many would take a exception to the idea that tips are discretionary except for perhaps the amount one decides to tip or the fact that it is still possible to stiff those who have been serving you. Though even first time cruisers shouldn't be surprised that one is expected to tip for service.

[jdymiller]

When I go for a treatment--upfront I tell them that if they try to sell me something, their tip will suffer. One of the massage therapists told me she was being fired because she didn't sell enough stuff--she wasn't comfortable doing it. Obviously this is a Steiner policy.

[lysolqn]

...for first time cruisers it's likely a lot of them don't expect the charge for soft drinks, aerobic classes...

 

There isn't a cruise line brochure or website out there that doesn't include a section that specifically addresses what is and what is not included in the cruise fare.

 

...but for first time cruisers it's likely a lot of them...might perhaps feel there should be a bit more free activities that don't involve shopping, bingo, art auctions, computer lessons, etc.

.

 

It's the revenue generated by all those pay-as-you-go onboard activities that have brought cruise fares down to a point that makes cruising affordable for infinitely more first time cruisers than ever before. Eliminate that revenue and cruise fares will rise significantly. Then all of those supposedly hidden charges will be a non-issue for first time cruisers who feel there should be more free activities - they won't be cruising at all!

 

IMHO, the Conde Nast article would be a lot more credible if instead of referring to "hidden" charges, it simply referred to optional extra charges. Besides, one can enjoy a perfectly wonderful cruise without shopping, playing bingo, taking comuter lessons, making purchases at art auctions, taking aerobic classes, etc.

[shipshape sam]

I like the mail or flyers on Celbrity and any other cruise line. If I am interested, I partake, if not, the flyer is in the trash.

 

Look at it as opportunities. I have never been forced to attend. I have never bought art nor wine on ship.

 

Could it become too commercial vs the low key/upscale vacation? The answer is yes and I guess that is a personal barameter. Maybe, you could opt out of the mailings/flyers.

 

I guess I would not let a flyer ruin my vacation or even my perception of a great vacation.:)

[hcat]

I'll need to read the article but on our most recent Century cruise last April the sellathon never ended! We did the specialty restaurant Muranos with only one glass of wine but our friends went for the wine pairing & also got a special bottle of wine--they had sticker shock but no remorse! said it was great! Novices shold be made aware of what is extra is they choose--but it is getting harder to escape the sales pitches all over the ship...sunshine & fun are still free!

[biker1972]

Wendy Perrin's report was aimed at a different audience than the typical cruise critic member who has some experience with the come-ons of waiters and spa operators. That she noted the Constellation being a 2,449 -passenger ship gave me pause. She was doing an article about a family of four so things like child-care at lunchtime while the parents were off ship were involved ($120). Most of the add-ons were things that the guest can control but would also pay for if at an up-scale resort or hotel. ( Who in their right mind even opens the minibar in a hotel?) Her last to entries in the article were the important ones: draw up a budget and know yourself (are you and impulse shopper).

[dbh62ark]

I read the article before commenting and have to say that I agree with much of what was written. We disembarked the Millennium a couple of weeks ago. Although we didn’t have printed materials on our door every night, there were several flyers inserted into our daily activity program that we threw away daily. Not a big deal, but most of the “activities” on the ship were nothing more than sales pitches. As other board members have noted, you can always say no, but who wants that kind of experience on vacation? Not me! And some of the charges such as the $20 per person per day shuttle to St. Mark’s Square in Venice were offensive because they were so high. Celebrity took advantage of the passengers at every turn. As I said on another post, that’s fine and made me more determined not to spend $$ on the ship. But there are other cruise lines out there that have class and aren't offensive in their practices in this area. We cruise on a number of lines and have seen similar practices on Princess, Holland, etc. but not to the extent that we experienced on our recent Celebrity cruise. Of course this will fall on deaf ears because Celebrity has demonstrated a long pattern of failing to be responsive to their guests, unlike Oceania which is a WONDERFUL cruise line that does not have this type of nonsense, but it is costing Celebrity now and will continue to cost them in the future. I would sail Celebrity again for the right itinerary but would choose several cruise lines over Celebrity if the itineraries were identical or similar, and this is one of the reasons.

 

I disagree with the author's basic premise that there are "hidden" costs to cruising. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth!

There was a lovely Irish couple at our dinner table who would disagree with you. This was their first cruise, and they advised us that they went to two “classes” that provided no information whatsoever but simply an hour of sales opportunities. I think they would consider their wasted time on vacation to be a cost, and they were decidedly unimpressed with Celebrity in this area.

 

Donna

[warmwinds]

I think the current practice of the papers under the door, although some find it intrusive, is far less intrusive than if they constantly blared their sales and auctions over the PA system. That would be my last Celebrity cruise.

[dbh62ark]

I think the current practice of the papers under the door, although some find it intrusive, is far less intrusive than if they constantly blared their sales and auctions over the PA system.

Yes, I do agree with that.

 

Donna

[Blazerboy]

One thing I DON'T like is all the wasted paper to print the glossy ads (and, yes, I infinitely prefer the paper "announcement" versus the loudspeaker kind!) We've often left all the paper in a neat pile, and asked the room attendant to either reuse or recycle them. Many notices and cards are identical from cruise to cruise (or even, it appears sometimes, from day to day!:eek: ) and we hope they at least get re-used.

 

But it might be helpful to start letting both land and ship staff know that you don't approve of all this wasted paper....step by step, you know. While the cruise line wants all of the extra income, they ARE being more sensitive to issues of ecology, as they have come under fire about waste, etc. recently.

 

Andrew

[forensic]

Isn't there a wine paring menu that is $90 per person or something like that?

 

Yes, there is a wine pairing menu - I do not remember the price but it is expensive.

[forensic]

I disagree with the author's basic premise that there are "hidden" costs to cruising. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth! It's quite possible to take a cruise and with the exception of tips (and even tips are discretionary), never spend a penny from the time you set foot on the ship at the beginning of your cruise until the time you step off at the end. While many may wish to spend $$$ on a cruise, no one I know of has ever been forced to do so against his/her will.

Do the cruise lines want passengers to enrich their profit centers and "hawk" their wares to get passengers to do just that? You bet they do, but the ultimate decision regarding whether or not to run up a tab for those supposedly hidden/false charges rests with the individual passenger. As for those who choose to spend $$$ while at sea, charges for drinks/wine, spa treatments, specialty restaurants, art auctions, the internet, photos, shore excursions, the casino, bingo and other onboard purchases are clearly posted for all to see. Passengers may choose to ignore the obvious but the cruise lines aren't "hiding" a thing!

 

 

You are 100% CORRECT!

When DH and I went on our first cruise we wanted to go on the Summit, so we planned and saved our money. But, we did not have a lot of spending money. We had enough for the tips and some for extra tips, because we heard the service was so good. The cruise was right after Christmas and we had received a $100 OBC as a Christmas gift and a free formal portrait in a beautiful frame from our TA as a gift. I had given my DH the "speciality dining room gift certificate" for a Christmas gift also.

 

We are not souvenir buyers anyway, so we did not need money ashore and many people told us we could do a lot of things ashore without paying for shore excursions.

 

So off we went. We flew to FLL, took a cab to the port, which cost less than the transfer, had the time of our lives on the cruise. Seven days of heaven! The food was divine, the service was great! Everything was better than we hoped it would be. We got our free photo, spent our OBC for wine with dinner and a martini one night. Had dinner in the specialty restaurant - which was fabulous! Other than what is listed above we spent an additional $70 in tips and on liquor. Now we do spend more when we cruise, but now we have more. But you don't have to, if we had not had the $100 OBC gift we would have had less wine with dinner. We did not 'have' to go to the specialty restaurant, but I am glad we did. BUT if we had not had the extra money, the food in the dining room is so good we would have been fine without it.

 

SO, I agree that her article is very misleading - the cruise line does not make you spend money - the opportunities are there IF you choose to. BUT IT IS A PERSON'S CHOICE.