Interesting cruise article in WSJ

[knitlady037]

I found this article very interesting.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704608504576208662079704894.html?m od=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

I too saw this article this AM in the print edition.I guess NCL and RCCL are proving that passengers are willing to pay the extra funds for privacy and perks.

[Harry1954]

It was a great article and shows that folks are willing to pay for extras .. there are two interesting side notes though:

a) HAL has already done this quite successfully with its Neptune Lounge and Concierge service for those in penthouse/deluxe suites.

b) Crystal seems to be going the wrong way .. they just announced that they will have all inclusive for the ship .. kinda like Regents who seems to be really hurting these days. The heavy drinkers will love it ... but with their high cost, they seem to be shooting themselves in the foot.

harry

[Grandma Gilly]

A very interesting article. I am booked on a med cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam and booked a retreat cabana on the same day I booked the cruise. For me it was a must.

[jtl513]

I notice there's no mention of HAL's Neptune Lounges, or Retreat/Cabanas on Signature ships.

[Halfmoonfan]

I notice there's no mention of HAL's Neptune Lounges, or Retreat/Cabanas on Signature ships.

Nor was there any mention of the Grill Rooms on Cunard, which I think is the best suite perk there is. There have been other threads on this board from folks who really like HAL but when they see other line’s suite product, it is hard to compare to HAL. HAL does try to make the suite experance special, with the check in process and the Neptune (if they offered wine/ cocktails in the Neptune I may use it more than twice a trip), which are both fine, but I doubt HAL will ever try to compete with NCL in the suite business. Nor do I think they have too, as many folks make HAL their first pick.

It is a little like comparing a discounted first class airline fare to a full fare economy one. For close to what you would pay for a top line HAL suite you could get an entry fare on say Seabourn or Silversea.

[CtheW0rld]

good article, thanks for posting.

i'm glad there are people willing to spen a lot extra so they can feel 'special'. it keeps the prices lower for us commoners.

[crusinbanjo]

OK, I admit it, I am one of those people who book small ships rather than the big boys because I just hate crowds and lines. I know it costs more, but i don't care. I will cruise less often and spend the money to get premium service any day. Intesting article, but if any cruise line thinks they can entice me onto a mega ship with first class service, they should think again. I like small ships for all the reasons that they exist. when the small ships are gone, I will be as well.