tfred

it isn't a defense, it is X reacting to resort pricing in the non-cruise market. If various land based resorts can get that kind of pricing then certainly X will react to that. There are no shortage of land resorts that get those kind of rates. You can get some lower priced, second tier hotels in resort areas but the total package isn't there Even in the latest X TV commercials they refer to themselves as a "resort" and not (necessarily) a cruise line

in general, 1/3 of the pax never get off the ship in any port. In Bahamas it is higher, which is really pissing off Bahamian port officials many people cruise because it is a floating resort that happens to stop along the way The itinerary is becoming secondary to the ship experience. Cruise lines want this as they can sail almost anywhere that can accommodate a big ship and not have to reinvent the trip every year

the prices are what they are because of the cut taken by the cruise line from the onboard concessionaire. At on time the cruise line cut was 75% of the sale, So with a $20 picture, $15 went to the cruise line and only $5 went to the photo company Photo used to be a big moneymaker, now, not so much. The trend is digital files, not hard copy prints. That is true in any photography these days Hard copy is basically gone.

they can both be ridiculous, but it does show what X is looking at for competition pricing. It isn't only HAL or Princess. It also isn't the inside cabin crowd looking for their free Elite drinks either. X believes they can lure/poach the land resort crowd that is looking for a quality product at sea aka "floating resort." That quality doesn't mean prime rib or a lobster tail every night - no one at a land based resort cares about that - they just want a good variety of food People stay at Marriott Marco Island (et al) since it is a quality product (I've stayed there), absolutely no surprises and any legitimate guest issues are quickly resolved.

JW Marriott Marco Island Florida at the beginning of March is $1200/night for a standard room - $8000 for the week That price doesnt include food, booze or shows. It will sell out Still think the X price is ridiculous ?

plenty of hot food there.

sorry - not X that runs it. They use an outside vendor to run it and give X a major cut of the gross

no one is going to work 18 hour days and eat reheated food. They have a separate crew mess and it is its own cost center

dont count on the app being correct for your particular cruise. It may or may not be the right menu. There are also 4 different MDRs on Beyond so look at all of them.

the CAD exchange rate isn't helping you vs USD X charges what they think enough people will pay

same experience. difference will be the the cruise is more port intensive so more pax will get off the ship, unlike US ports. Expect that portion to be more crowded.

you forgot OVC dinner and Room Service. On and On and On....

We were on Apex in January ex FLL and it was perfect. We also were on Apex in the Baltic last July. Couldn't see any difference between the two cruises Ignore most of what you see in the cutback posts. Most of that seems to be why they can't get prime rib every night or a lavish buffet in the OVC at night for a very limited amount of pax. I really couldn't find anything when I was out and about the ship that was an issue

we have been on Apex Suites twice in the past year and loved it for all the reasons above Where is the Europe cruise going to ?

WX =weather issue. MX = Mechanical issues Used on airline travel

go with whatever group or time that you get to the pier. They give times just to space it out so crowds are less Hope there are no MX or WX issues with that flight ...

there is another thread about Covid - is it an issue. It would appear that most hospitality businesses are "over" Covid and are trying to minimize the issue if you are on board and get it. Is that right? Probably not, but they aren't going to move against prevailing public opinion and that includes collecting data

what is you reason for asking? Arriving that day?

yes

If nothing else they are an easy way to get to the next level of you only need a few points. Not going to make a steady diet of them but you are short then they are ok.

once you select non guarantee with booze, tips and wifi it is about $3k for two pax. One can certainly go bare bones but many wouldn't choose that

the non suite pax is still important but there are certainly going to be some changes - you may call them cutbacks . Suite pax pay for privacy and space - that can be in a resort hotel or flying first/business class. They also pay for service and generally that means labor is higher but so is revenue and profit for X. You cant go to a resort hotel these days that doesn't have a set aside are/pool/lounge for higher paying guests. Look at some frequent flyer boards discussing lounge access or even bathroom access on board a plane. previously X (and others) ran a ship like a Holiday Inn - everything was open to everybody. Now it's a beach resort that has different areas for different guests . If that mean the front of the ship if off limits then so be it. Not many people would be disappointed if they can only see the ocean on 3 sides while on board.

We have sailed O and liked it for your same reasons pro and con It is not a medium cost line by any stretch as it can approach X suite prices It is still a good value but at higher costs

I saw an interview with a Marriott executive a few years ago. His statement was that hotels don't do last minute room discounts since that "trains" customers to wait for the good deal. Airlines also rarely upgrade or discount internationally for the same reasons if you have good product why give it away

there is no money at or near the bottom in pricing - or whatever it used to be . X thinks that their product is heading in the right direction and will tweak it along the way. It will become too expensive for some people and they will go someplace else If X is selling out Retreat then that is good for them. Retreat is a high margin customer who isn't commenting on steak and lobster every night. X knows the demographics of who does what in the ship and who spends money. Hanging out in the room watching movies, doesn't buy liquor, internet or spa services is not someone they are looking to retain - they can go to HAL They want to keep the high spenders from switching to Oceania, Seabourne or Silversea and think that a ship within a ship on a big ship experience (suite) can keep them on X. I actually think the food on X in the MDRs is pretty good. Interesting variety, not the run of the mill chicken parmigiana OV for dinner was always low attendance and it is hard to add value to that with onboard service as the MDR can. It is what it is - end of a long day in port and we just want to eat something decent