Cruise fees go overboard. Here's what to watch for, from automatic gratuities to service fees

[MULTIZ321]

Cruise fees go overboard. Here's what to watch for, from automatic gratuities to service fees.


https://www.usatoday.com/story/trav...gratuities-and-other-hidden-costs/2376412001/


Richard

 

[Passepartout]

With the overabundance of cruise ships, there is too much competition for passengers. Many (most?) of those are shopping for cruises on consolidators' web sites. There is very little profit to the cruise lines in this environment. Remember the similarity to the airline industry of the last 15-20 years? So expect to be paying for what has been included in cruise fare. Already the 'premium' restaurants are charging exorbitant additional prices- and remember you're already paying for meals in the main dining room. Drinks costing far more than booze ashore- and an additional 18% on top of it. Expect to see charges for 'premium' seating in the show rooms, charges for 'kids clubs', admission charges to lectures, pay-to-play bingo games, etc. etc. etc.

You may get on the ship for a bargain price, but don't expect to get off it for free.

Jim

 

[SmithOp]

Thats the rub, once they get you onboard you and your wallet are a captive audience.


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[T_R_Oglodyte]

Thats the rub, once they get you onboard you and your wallet are a captive audience.


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Very similar to the Vidanta resorts in that regard.

 

[pedro47]

IMO, a lot of seniors cruising passengers are now booking inside cabins on a higher deck / mid ship to save some dollars to enjoy those extras (speciality restaurants and excursions).

 

[clifffaith]

We have very frugal German friends who fell in love with cruising on the Queen Mary II. They've sailed on the ship something like 18 times. They traveled home on it this year after flying over and spending several weeks in CA, NV, UT, AZ, and are already booked for next year. They fly to NYC on April 20 and get on the ship April 25. Sometimes it only goes as far as South Hampton, other times Hamburg. They get the cheapest room and spend all day and into the evening up on deck doing things. Their idea of dress up is long pants with their T shirts, so we were amused to see they each had a big suitcase that just stayed in the car that had evening wear and cruise clothes. I am positive that they do not spend any extra money onboard.

 

[Gypsy65]

We cruise 1-2X a year and we always decline auto tipping
We tip each area or service accordingly and separately

We usually do get the booze package as well. My wife might break even but I can most definitely get my monies worth on top shelf drinks. Even on land in town where we live drinks are $7-10 each. It’s our entertainment

We will sometimes get a 2-3 meal dinner package at the paid for restaurants but not always. Depends on which ones are on that particular cruise

Even with all the added things we do we still see value in a weeks worth of shows, meals and lodging

 

[LannyPC]

I wonder if it's just a matter of time before the cruise lines start charging for luggage like airlines do.

 

[Gypsy65]

I wonder if it's just a matter of time before the cruise lines start charging for luggage like airlines do.

That’s when you need to decide
Pay for luggage or take the clothing optional cruise

 

[LannyPC]

...the clothing optional cruise

I wonder what that would be like for an Alaska cruise.