Cover Charges??? - Page 4 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

CruiseArizona · 07-03-2008, 04:05 PM

Maybe I'm silly, because I do worry about what other lines are doing.... because often one line will lead the way and others will follow...Look at all the things that have happened in the last couple of year:

Freestyle Dining, Any Time Dining, As You Like It Dining, Personal Choice Dining

Dress Codes: Most lines that every had "Informal" or "Simi Formal" have dropped it by now.

Many lines are now all casual.

Several lines are now allowing shorts in the main dining room.

All lines levied a fuel surpluss with-in day of each-other.

Ships are getting bigger and bigger and bigger... today's medium ships are yeasterday's mega ships.

So, I worry, despite reassurances from others, that the traditional experience that I love will dissappear.

I know I wining, but this is a huge worry for me.

snoodel · 07-07-2008, 11:59 AM

Unless a good band is playing at a bar, I dont go to cover charge bars on shore.
I cant see paying someone $$$ just to go spend more money once inside.
Whats next,, At the door fee's for disembarktion at the ports.. Or a 25$ fee to use the gangway to get back on the ship? How about Bathroom fee's..
It has been said before,, cruise lines are nickeling and diming their customers to death.. But have you seen a empty ship? How about one just even 1/2 full? Nope.. Full to capacity..
It's like calling Metallica (metal band) sell outs for chaning their music.. Yes, they are sellouts,, They sell out every show in every city wherever they go..
Ok,, Apples to Oranges.. I know

Ok,, I like Harley's.. Been riding them off and On for over 20yrs..
You may ride a Honda,, Good on ya,, I like my Harley, You like your Honda,,
We still ride,, Just different brands,,
Same with Cruising, as I see it..

Cruise Planner · 07-07-2008, 12:42 PM

Hey, Dave:

I see you were in the Navy - I was in 1968-74 and spent '70-'71 in Vietnam on PBR's! And I see you're a Harley rider - I have a Yamaha V-Star 1100. Hopefully, we'll get the chance to cruise together sometime...

As to the others, I hear what everyone is saying and I don't think they're 'bashing' NCL or even Costa. I felt most were basically complaining about all the changes on ships that seem to be leaning towards someway of getting more money out of passengers. Charging for a nightclub, charging for a sanctuary, etc, etc. And yes, what one cruise line institutes that seems to work, others are sure to follow, such as freestyle dining, rock climbing walls, large outdoor screens, etc, etc. It's the old 'one-upmanship' they've adopted to see who can provide the best experience for their clientele. And if they can get away with charging a fee for it, then it makes it even better for them.

As I always say, the one good thing about cruising is that there is something for everyone and what one person likes, another will dislike. Plus, my philosophy in life is, "You'll always find what you're looking for, so why not look for the best in everything." In other words, if you want to find negative, you will find it, and if you want to find positive, you'll find that, too. So it really depends on what you're looking for and how well you handle the little problems that always crop up.

We've been on 31 cruises on pretty much all the major cruise lines and I can honestly say we've never had a bad cruise. Yes, some were better than others, but even the not-so-good ones were still very nice. But then again, we let the small stuff roll off our backs.

Opinions are like bellybuttons, everyone has one. So take what others say about any cruise line with a grain of salt and make your own opinions.

But with that said, I do agree with others about the fact it seems like airlines and cruise lines are adding as many extra fees as they can get away with. I think everyone would be alot happier if they just told you what something is going to cost, period! Don't tell people that the rate is one thing, but then there's a charge for this, another charge for that, and don't forget the extra charge for something else. All cruise lines and agents advertise a price for a cruise, but then clarify that the price does not include taxes, fuel supplement, and gratuities. So, that $350 cruise actually costs $600! And that price still does not include sodas, alcohol, specialty restaurants, etc, etc, etc.

Guess it's only human nature that we get to a point where we say, "Enough is enough!"

Bottom line is that it's all about the money. Cruise lines are going to go with what the majority of their passengers want, whether it be anytime dining, casual dress, etc. And if they can figure out a way to charge more for it, they'll give that a try, too.

Just the nature of the beast.

Pete

snoodel · 07-07-2008, 01:09 PM

Pete,
First off,, Welcome home brother.. And Thank You..
My Uncle was a River Boat Gunner from (I believe) 70-73 over in Veitnam.
So My respects to you sir.
Would enjoy either throwing a couple back with ya, or even chewing up some twisties..

And I agree, it is the Almighty $$$ that is driving alot of changes. Not only in the transpertation industry, but throughout everything we enjoy doing. Even though, I believe the cruise line's do fall more under the Entertainment Sector.. Just MHO..
Lets face it,, if the railways were doing the same as Cruise lines,, would some of us not be doing that?

Dave

Cruise Planner · 07-08-2008, 12:13 PM

Thanks, Dave.

I was actually assigned to a South Vietnamese unit as a part of the Naval Advisory Group - 5 Vietnamese and one American on each boat patrolling the rivers and canals on the Cambodian border in the Mekong. Dangerous duty and didn't have fellow Americans to watch your back.

Anyway, it's too bad that the airline and cruise industries are playing these games - I firmly believe that the traveling public is really started to get pi$$ed off about all these 'fees' being added on.

What people don't realize is that the cruise lines are doing it the way they are to avoid advertising a higher price and avoid paying additional commission.

We had a very long discussion about all this on this thread; http://www.cruiselinefans.com/ask-tr...deception.html (Fuel Supplement? Deception!!)

Bottom line is that by added these as 'fees', they avoid having to increase the cost they advertise, which has a direct impact on the commission they pay agents. And this is why they don't just increase the cost of a cruise.

As I said, I think the traveling public would appreciate being told the total cost and not having all these fees added on top of the net cost.

Pete