New extra charges on board?

[Bob7]

I saw a comment that HAL ships are going to start charging passengers an extra fee for movies, some of the entertainment, and use of the gym! Is this true?
-Bob

[CDRMark]

No, but I heard that somewhere about Royal Carib.

Cheers
MarkB

[sail7seas]

No, it isn't true.


DH and I used the gym on Veendam...the treadmills, bikes, weights etc and we paid no fee.

There is a charge for some of the special classes such as pilates but I believe that has always been the case.

There is no charge to view movies.

[dakrewser]

I saw a comment that HAL ships are going to start charging passengers an extra fee for movies, some of the entertainment, and use of the gym! Is this true?
-Bob

Where did you see this? Certainly no one here has mentioned that....

[bookworm0911]

I saw a comment that HAL ships are going to start charging passengers an extra fee for movies, some of the entertainment, and use of the gym! Is this true?
-Bob
'Going to' is what the OP said, so this is not something anyone cruising now would have experienced, even if it was true for the future. However, there would have to be some major upgrading of entertainment (known performers) and movies (first-run in the theater) to be of the quality that anybody would think of paying extra to see. LOL. ;)

[DFD1]

I doubt that on-board movies would be much of a profit center for HAL. LOL

[Krazy Kruizers]

I can't see HAL charging to see either the movies or the nightly shows.

Then again, if they had Joel Mason doing his Elton John impersonation, people would pay to see that show.

We just got off 2 weeks on the Westerdam, all the gym equipment is free to use except the spinning bikes - after the class (fee - $11 per class) - they remove the handle bars so that the bikes can't be used in between classes. All classes like Pilates, Yoga, etc., were $11 per session.

[Cauvet]

When we were on the O last year they charged to use some of the spa facilities like the Thalassotherapy pool. I never saw anyone in it. I know Celebrity likes to nickel and dime you to death. Also, the java bar (on the Ryndam) is bigger and located more midship and they now charge you for expresso and cappaccino (as well as pastries). That used to be complimentary.

[Esme]

Cauvet - pastries were FREE on the Westerdam at the Windstar Cafe - I had read somewhere that they charged for pastries and didn't find out until near the end of the cruise that they actually were FREE. I can't see them charging on the Oosterdam and not on the Westerdam. :confused:

[sail7seas]

Cauvet - pastries were FREE on the Westerdam at the Windstar Cafe - I had read somewhere that they charged for pastries and didn't find out until near the end of the cruise that they actually were FREE. I can't see them charging on the Oosterdam and not on the Westerdam. :confused:



Cauvet said it was on Ryndam they were charging. for the coffees and Pastries.



Also, the java bar (on the Ryndam) is bigger and located more midship and they now charge you for expresso and cappaccino (as well as pastries). That used to be complimentary.

[tomc]

When I hear the toilets have doors with dime slots, then I'll worry.

[JDee]

Believe RCI & Celebrity charge for certain recent releases for in cabin movies. You may have to get advance tickets for the ice shows on certain RCi ships, but don't believe you have to pay extra, just too many pax for not enough seating all at once.... Same with Princess outdoor movies, believe you have to get tickets, but still free....

Happy cruising....

[Esme]

Cauvet said it was on Ryndam they were charging. for the coffees and Pastries.

This was not directed to you. :rolleyes: I am sure Cauvet is quite capable of answering on his own. So I made a mistake - sue me! :p

[sail7seas]

It was written for all readers to not be mistaken about the ship in question. It is my understanding that any message written on any message board is intended to be read and responded to by all who read and post on that board. This is a public board. Cauvet did not appear to be currently on line at the time I responded. Who knew when (if) he/she would return.


I'll skip the nastiness business, if you do not mind. Actually, even if you do, I'll skip it anyway.

[DFD1]

Sail, I think you handled that extremely well. My hat's off to you.

[jhannah]

I have a feeling this is an unfounded rumor like so many others. At least I certainly hope it is. I don't like the idea of charging extra for anything. Part of what makes cruising special is the inclusive (though not all-inclusive) nature of the vacation.

[gizmo]

When I hear the toilets have doors with dime slots, then I'll worry.
LOL. :D Not so sure they would be a dime, maybe in this day and age a quarter or better is more like it !

As far as rumors go, well everything seems to start as a rumor. Things change.

The Java Cafe used to be free.
Equipement in the Gym used to be free, now there are exceptions.
The alternate restaurant used to be free.

Some cruise lines have Pay Per View movies in the cabins.
X is charging for premium entertainment.

Cruise lines love to play "follow the leader". You never know what they are going to charge for next.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Oh my gosh!!!

I hope they aren't going to start charging us for our chocolates on our pillows.:eek:

[sail7seas]

KK.......


or even worse!!!

Eliminating Them!!!


( ;)I hope RuthC doesn't see this. It could be very upetting to her. :)

[MaryTiller]

One of the horrors of a two-night cruise to no where on Carnival Victory was that the in-cabin movies were pay-per-view, just like in a hotel room. I was shocked that they wanted to charge for a movie that you would see at home on HBO. I HOPE HAL doesn't take that really dumb idea from their parent company and do it also.

[bepsf]

More $$$ for entertainment???


If it's someone like Elton John, Sting, Cher, Shirley Horne, etc. - then absolutely I'd pay. But if it's the caliber of entertainment that we have currently - I'll keep spending my evenings in the Ocean Bar...

[TeresaJenkins]

More $$$ for entertainment???
If it's someone like Elton John, Sting, Cher, Shirley Horne, etc. - then absolutely I'd pay. But if it's the caliber of entertainment that we have currently - I'll keep spending my evenings in the Ocean Bar...

I'm with you.:D Well said.

[HeatherInFlorida]

More $$$ for entertainment???


If it's someone like Elton John, Sting, Cher, Shirley Horne, etc. - then absolutely I'd pay. But if it's the caliber of entertainment that we have currently - I'll keep spending my evenings in the Ocean Bar...

Hey, Brian, I may just join you! Heck ... I just may take up drinking againhttp://boards1.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif .

[shipcafe]

I saw a comment that HAL ships are going to start charging passengers an extra fee for movies, some of the entertainment, and use of the gym! Is this true?
-Bob

Where was this comment read? It might give insight into the validity of the source. Those charges, in any event, are incorrect.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Since Shipcafe brought this up, when I posted before I was going to comment about the validity of this rumor.

I really like to get a little more information than "I saw a comment...". Not putting down the OP, I promise, but "saw a comment" where? On these boards? Or on the HAL website? Makes a big difference IMHO.

[tomc]

I heard there is an in-cabin charge for adult-only movies like "Dame Edna does HAL."

Right now, they are filming "Grumpy Old Cruisers," with the cast being chosen from various message boards.

For the in-crowd, there's the comedy mixup when the CD assigns two groups to the same function room: "Any Friend of Dorothy is a Friend of Bill W."

[Bob7]

Hi HAL cruisers,
Ok Wendy and I tracked down where we saw this the other day, it's on a Google Newsgroup, Rec.Travel.Cruises .... written by "Bill" (could be Clinton?) and he says he got an ad from HAL announcing it, but it might refer to their Med cruises, here's the link to the message:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.travel.cruises?start=30

We've never been on HAL, but we do hear that you HAL types drink too much, eat too much, party too late, gamble too hard, wear loud clothes, take "questionable" photos that can't be displayed in the Photo Gallery, play rude hot tub games, and generally misbehave even more than the Carnival rowdies! Maybe HAL is trying to reign y'all in to get back some control of their ships! ... probably an uphill battle :-)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Hi HAL cruisers,
.......We've never been on HAL, but we do hear that you HAL types drink too much, eat too much, party too late, gamble too hard, wear loud clothes, take "questionable" photos that can't be displayed in the Photo Gallery, play rude hot tub games, and generally misbehave even more than the Carnival rowdies! Maybe HAL is trying to reign y'all in to get back some control of their ships! ... probably an uphill battle :-)

All true! Now THAT was obviously from a reputable source;) !!!

[bepsf]

We've never been on HAL, but we do hear that you HAL types drink too much, eat too much, party too late, gamble too hard, wear loud clothes, take "questionable" photos that can't be displayed in the Photo Gallery, play rude hot tub games, and generally misbehave even more than the Carnival rowdies! Maybe HAL is trying to reign y'all in to get back some control of their ships! ... probably an uphill battle :-)

LOL - You've obviously heard about the RSVP cruises...;)

[bepsf]

For the in-crowd, there's the comedy mixup when the CD assigns two groups to the same function room: "Any Friend of Dorothy is a Friend of Bill W."

Bill W?
I'll be his friend if he's cute...
;)

[kruzkeen]

I heard there is an in-cabin charge for adult-only movies like "Dame Edna does HAL."

Right now, they are filming "Grumpy Old Cruisers," with the cast being chosen from various message boards.

For the in-crowd, there's the comedy mixup when the CD assigns two groups to the same function room: "Any Friend of Dorothy is a Friend of Bill W."
Hey Man Mr TomC:

You are totally out of control. Don't ever change.

[tomc]

Bill W? I'll be his friend if he's cute... He looks cute after you've been drinking. You'll need an RSVP from a Pied Piper to see Dorothy (I'm not her friend, so I don't care).

[DavidNDC]

I've heard a rumor that the cruise lines are soon going to begin charging for ocean views and ocean air. :)

[AirGorilla]

Hi HAL cruisers,
Ok Wendy and I tracked down where we saw this the other day, it's on a Google Newsgroup, Rec.Travel.Cruises .... written by "Bill" (could be Clinton?) and he says he got an ad from HAL announcing it, but it might refer to their Med cruises, here's the link to the message:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.travel.cruises?start=30

We've never been on HAL, but we do hear that you HAL types drink too much, eat too much, party too late, gamble too hard, wear loud clothes, take "questionable" photos that can't be displayed in the Photo Gallery, play rude hot tub games, and generally misbehave even more than the Carnival rowdies! Maybe HAL is trying to reign y'all in to get back some control of their ships! ... probably an uphill battle :-)

Probably only for those in the S suites who have been on 50+ HAL cruises!!!

[Ziggy7]

I thought friends of Bill W was AA and friends of Dorothy were for Gays ???? am I wrong ????

[Johanna7]

Well, Princess charges for supplies in their craft classes. HAL does not and they give out lovely kits too. I just hope no one at HAL reads this.

Princess charges for their ice cream too. It is near the pool. Well, not in the dining room for desert but at their Ice Cream stand.

They sure are the leaders in the extra charges department.

RCCL and X do not charge for their craft supplies but theirs are nowhere as nice as HAL.

[Orcrone]

I don't think there are very many sacred cows. It's only been about 15 years since my first cruise. Back then soda was included in the basic cruise fare. Midnight buffets were lavish spreads with ice sculptures. Today the quality, and especially the presentation is not the same. Most ships have specialty restaurants that you can pay extra to enjoy. As was mentioned, some lines charge for ice cream and specialty coffees.

Due to the increased demand for cruises the prices seem to be higher than they've been since 9/11. If that trend does not continue the cruise lines may have no choice but to compete on price and start making up revenue by cutting their service and/or product, or charging for almost anything that's currently included in the fare.

Do you want to see a movie or show - that's extra. How about attending one of our culinary arts courses - nominal fee. Children for club HAL - what's a little extra to make sure the children are entertained? Second lobster tail - well food's not free.

I'm not saying that it's all going to happen (heaven forbid, no unlimited food):eek:, but these are options open to the cruiselines.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I thought friends of Bill W was AA and friends of Dorothy were for Gays ???? am I wrong ????

No, Debbie, you are not wrong. That's exactly what both are. Some people are just having fun here and some simply don't know. It's hard to tell which:D