Is there still good value in a cruise?

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“You can have your consumers fooled once, but they would not come on board again – Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales for Royal Caribbean.

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Photo: nonstopcruises.com

Over the last couple of years there has been a lot of talk in regards to if cruises are a good value when compared to vacations on land. The reason for the concern is a rise in optional upgrades and service fees for things like entertainment and specialty restaurants.

But does a vacation really get added up by $10 here, and $20 that there is no more financial sense being made?

Stewart Chiron an industry analyst and the chief executive of cruiseguy.com states that consumers are provided with the absolute best value for their hard – earned vacation euros, pounds, or dollars by cruising. He stated that there was still a lot of ways to derive enjoyment without the need to spend additional money above the fare of the cruise.

He does agree that there are even a lot of other options if you are willing to pay.

While an all-inclusive vacation is the perception by many of a cruise, there are usually fees for everything from spa treatments, Internet access, and (on a lot of lines) both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Recently, specialty restaurants have been the culprit which is the biggest for expenses which are additional. For instance, a $39 per person service charge for Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian the star of the Food Network is charged by Norwegian Cruise Line. For its whimsical Wonderland eatery on the Quantum of the Seas a fee of $45 per person is charged by Royal Caribbean, while a fee of $75 per person charged by Disney for Remy on its Dream and Fantasy have equally raised some concerned eyebrows.   

Some lines comprising of Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines have started tests on fees for room service on meals that are higher end, and Royal Caribbean launched just recently a series of items for room service which attract charges also.

Executives of cruise lines are confident that these alternatives have not changed the fact that there is value in cruising.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Photo: cruisecritic.com

Royal Caribbean’s senior vice president of sales Vicki Freed stated that when anyone looked at all that is included in a cruise – your hotel, entertainment that is outstanding, and a cuisine that is wonderful – and they looked at the price that is paid on a basis of per day, they could not find on land a deal that was better.

And she balks at the notion that lines have started to have their customers “nickel and dime” or – worse – have the value of the quality in the dining rooms lowered in order to serve as an encouragement for guests to have meals at the specialty restaurants which charge fees.

Freed explained that your consumers can be fooled once, but that they were never going to come on board again. They were not going to be fooled if they did not see smoked salmon or shrimp. These days, they were savvy, and they were smart. The power of social media was possessed by consumers.  

The fine dining options were cited by her of the restaurants which are complimentary on the lines latest launch the Quantum of the Seas, until the debut later this month of the Anthem of the Seas, on which is served chateaubriand, filets, and lobster.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ director of product development Greg Poplewko stated that a focus on a smaller number of ingredients that were of a higher quality in venues for dining that do not possess additional charges were being made by his line.

Carnival Cruise Lines

He stated that the question was how they could be responsible fiscally. As a result, more limited menus at spots that were complimentary was what was to be seen like Blue Iguana Cantina, and Guy’s Burger Joint.

Chiron stated that apart from food, the expectation was that cruisers today should make additional payments for shore excursions, casinos, spa treatments, and the pricier they were going to be depending on how much more luxurious they were.

Shore excursions which were elaborate and expensive were being offered by lines – from tours that were private to activities like helicopter rides and flightseeing – which for the budget-conscious traveler can feel out of reach.

But additional fees exist for things that are more mundane. For example Internet access generally comes with a fee, although the trend is that as there is improvement in the technology those rates are going to actually reduce.

Additional, even though accessibility to the cruise ships’ gyms is included, classes for fitness – from boot camp to pilates, yoga, and spinning – are often extra.

Gayle Brammer of Fort Lauderdale a cruise line customer explained that she had to buy sailings back to back on a cruise through Asia and could not believe that she was charges an additional $11 for a class in yoga. And that was after the amount of money that she had spent on the cruise.

CruiseCritic.com’s editor in chief Carolyn Spencer Brown does not blink at these additional charges which are expected.

Brown stated that every time she stayed in a hotel, even the fabulous ones, she was reminded of the value that was represented by cruises. Obviously, the more inclusive of the cruise’s nature, in which three square meals, twice-daily cabin service, kids clubs, entertainment, and then some, are a portion of the fare that is paid by you, as is from port to port transportation.

However, there is no denial that some passengers balk when new options are seen by them. A rule of thumb which is good is to not forget that anything that has alcohol included (like rum tastings or wine pairing classes) or food (like classes for decoration of cupcakes) normally has an extra fee attached.

The recommendation she makes is that cruisers who might have the feeling of confusion perform their research prior to when they sail on what in not and is included so that they do not get surprised when they get onboard. Brown makes a reference to an online tool for help in order to assist consumers sort through the policies and rates.

She stated that Independent Traveler which is their sister site has a travel budget calculator which was nifty and assists travelers in factoring a trips extra costs.

Still, a lot of the activities on offer during a day at the sea – from entertainment to tours, book signings, and lectures – are complimentary. This comprises of shows on stages, music venues, movies, and comedy acts, in addition to On Demand entertainment in cabins which were technology-based.

Explaining further, Brown stated that in no other part of travel did one see such a great bundling of a trip’s aspects. Obviously, shore excursions, cocktails, gambling sprees, spa treatments, and alternative restaurants can be paid for out of pocket, but it was your choice entirely.

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After quite a lot of work and time, the book which I have been working on is now ready. I am pleased to say that The Top 50 Travel Destinations for 2015 is now available for your reading pleasure. The Top 50 Travel Destinations for 2015 is going to be your tour and travel guide for this year 2015. I have taken the time to highlight those places which I am sure you would be glad to see this year as you spend those splendid moments with your family, and loved ones.

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