kirtihk

8 hours ago, Snaxmuppet said:

There are but I am not convinced that any of them are much better in this regard.

Exactly.  They are ALL alike in such a matter (from Carnaval to Celebrity to Azamara to Regent), ALL.

On 3/15/2024 at 8:44 PM, CU64 said:

The original poster must have had travel experience with 70 cruises, which is why I would ask a simple question: Why? Why did you need to go now…knowing any inaugural cruise problems…and supply issues for anything, especially since Covid. Then to add 3 cruises. What were you thinking? And to use EZ Air in this era of flight problems. Now you want Princess to take care of your lost money? I am in disbelief.

If this matter is true, all inauguration cruises shall sail without paying passengers for first 2-4 months to justify your input.  From the other hand, based on this reading, it appears cruise lines sell inauguration cruise by targeting first-time cruisers.  Otherwise, they assume all mature cruisers are fullish by nature.

4 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

In orchards of dawn, where sun-kissed branches sway, Apples blush crimson, their secrets tucked away. They whisper tales of crisp mornings and dew-kissed skin, Of orchard dances, where the wind joins in.

Oranges, bold and vivacious, burst forth with zest, Their laughter echoing through citrus-scented quests. They roll down hills, chasing sunbeams with glee, A vibrant tango of sweetness and mystery.

Asparagus, the quiet poet of the soil, Emerges from earth, its green tendrils uncoil. It weaves verses of spring, of renewal and grace, A verdant ode to life’s tender embrace.

Now, behold the Cadillac Escalade, regal and grand, Its chrome curves cutting through landscapes like a command. Leather-clad seats cradle dreams of open roads, As the engine hums stories only nightfall knows.

Yet not far behind, the Kia Sportage humbly strides, A nimble companion on life’s winding rides. Compact and spirited, it navigates with ease, Through city streets and forest glades, under moonlit trees.

And there, on the horizon, a tranquil reverie, A river cruise unfolds—a voyage to set hearts free. The water’s gentle lullaby cradles weary souls, As landscapes unfurl, painting tales on ancient scrolls.

So let us raise our glasses, a toast to this blend, Of fruits, cars, and rivers—their harmonies transcend. For life’s symphony plays on, a sweet, savory tune, Where apples meet Cadillacs, and asparagus meets the moon.

That’s a some piece of poetry!

21 minutes ago, jelayne said:

That to me is comparing apples to green beans.  Been on both river and ocean and the similarities are they both travel on water and make multiple stops.

That’s a tough one…  Nevertheless, I prefer a nifty noble asparagus.

17 hours ago, Liao said:

apples and oranges

“In the end, they are all fruit”.

20 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

I have an AMA Waterways river cruise coming up.  Afterwards I will do a comparison with Celebrity.

We have the Seabourn Pursuit in 4 weeks, Tahiti to Solomon Islands (been on Venture exactly 1 year ago - March 17, 2023 Brazil coast and Amazon river).  The Seabourn is definitely better than Celebrity, but Celebrity is actually very good, too (we had 11 Celebrity cruises, and the next one is in March 2025, Millennium from Singapore to Tokyo).  Seabourn is simply a 2-level up.

On 3/16/2024 at 1:51 PM, jelayne said:

You asked a good question.  Why do you continue to sail Celebrity?

What are options?  All cruise lines do the same approach.Running like a herd to the next one, and again, and again, and again?

1 hour ago, paulh84 said:

 

If so what does this mean? https://seadream.com/voyages/special-offers

It actually means the "normal" 50% (or more) reduced priced vs a full brochure price (like you may locate at almost all cruise lines' web sites).  The cruise lines never sell for that full price, but the "reduced price" appears so appealing prior to potential more discounted prices after the first sale date!

What's funny, I'm receiving promotion emails from Seadream every other day (typically, stating $500 additional price reduction for certain itineraries); however, in reality, an actual price stays the same when I check it out (a typical 7-day Caribbean is $3,999 regardless of what an email states about the $500 discount).

On 3/13/2024 at 10:29 AM, zitsky said:

Are there cruise lines that sell the same cruise at the same price without it going up or down?

Seadream

3 hours ago, UKstages said:

we live in different times

As opposed to certain individuals living at the same time over and over and over ...

On 3/10/2024 at 12:41 PM, cruiseaholic78 said:

I have been told never to add your address to your luggage label as it is possible that thieves will also know that your house is empty!

They will make it empty!

On 3/6/2024 at 7:43 AM, Desperate to Sail said:

I'm wondering what happens if the weather is bad on the day of the planned photo shoot?

It's so obvious! - Then disembarkation will take place the next day (or 2) until weather cooperates.

4 minutes ago, the penguins said:

I wasn't I was simply illustrating how X adapts to different markets.

In the UK and Europe anything that has to be paid i.e. port fees, taxes etc must be included in the basic price.

In the US/Canada it shows these costs as an extra.

In Australia and New Zealand it chooses to add the tips as well. 

All X's major competitors adopts the almost identical charging patterns.

According to post # 125, the UK and Europe don't do it right (a lack of basic skills).

16 minutes ago, RichYak said:

So advertise the highest possible price on the top line? You clearly didn't take Marketing 101.

It appears, you prefer targeting unwise individuals with misleading the lowest number?

Also, according to your statement, Regent, Silversea, some other cruise lines, and almost the entire Europe (in their pricing) "clearly didn't take Marketing 101".

PS. "Luckily", at least, having master's degree in mathematics (and physics) helps me (a little) to calculate all these on-going nonsense pricing values - ha-ha!  Then add prices for excursions, spa treatment, Thermal Suite fee, specialty restaurants.  Did I forget anything else?  It's fun!

PS2.  I know, it's not arguable.  Everyone prefers different aspects in our life.

25 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Many people didn’t show up the last night for the envelopes line..yes plural.

 

Staff pooled the tips for different areas back in the day too..it is not rocket science..people have been trying to find a way out of it for years..apparently they are still alive and well based on this thread. 

which (again) brings a clear solution for a cruise lines - make a one (total) amount (not a cruise fair, port charges, taxes, gratuities, drink package, refundable deposit fee ...).  And then (similar to Regent or Oceania) display items (with prices) that might be credited (for example, if you don't want a drink package, it would a discount from that total cruise price).  So, you see an all-inclusive price and make your decision whether you want it or not.  At the same time if all cruise lines do it this way, one can make a true comparison between multiple cruise lines (or even within the same cruise line between different ships, sail dates, and so on) prorated per day (that's what I always try to accomplish, anyhow, but first, I have to add those numbers, for Celebrity, for example, and then divide by a number of sailing days and then compare with Regent price also divided by their itinerary's number of sailing days).  I just looked at 10-day March 2026 Celebrity Ascent Caribbean, Retreat Magic Carpet Sky Suite, and as you know, I had to add all those number (refundable deposit fee, drink package/wi-fi, tax) and came up with $620 pp per day.  For a similar price, it's so much better to get Regent's (or Seabourn or Silversea) even the least expensive cabin type (I saw one number (price) and divided by 10 - that's it).

3 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

There are lots of things in life that are not fair. 

 

Cruise lines are will known for not being fair. Some time people have been known to take advantage and will if they are too nice.  We have people posting threads on Cruise Critic how to use kids meals to avoid paying for specialty restaurants. If you need fair don't book a cruise. They are hard **** They have lots of scammy practices like art auctions etc. 

 

Honest I think all this points chasing is a lot of effort for little return. I will take them if they give them for sure but it is a marketing program. The cruise line is not awarding them out of fairness.. 

Yes, I know - life is not fair.

On 3/1/2024 at 4:15 PM, prmssk said:

And?

 

The compensation model with gratuities established by the cruise line fairly closely matches tipping expectations in the United States.  When I travel, I try to learn the tipping culture of where I visit (in this case the cruise ship) to match expectations in that place. 
 

If cruise lines ever change their compensation structure to more closely match different tipping standards such as those of parts of Europe where there isn’t much of a tipping culture, I will adjust what I do when I cruise. 

People around the globe are simply annoyed by not transparency.  They prefer to pay what they actually see in one number.  To me it's similar in a way to our tax (out of control) system with thousands of pages to read and hundreds of forms and schedules.  I have no idea how might like it whatsoever.

On 2/29/2024 at 8:47 PM, cruisestitch said:

I just don’t see how it is possible to tip only the people that you deal with directly. Say you go to the oceanview for breakfast.  Someone makes an omelette for you. Someone toasts your English muffin. Someone clears the table.  How do you tip them?  Say you go to Mast Grill for lunch.  How do you tip that staff?  Say you plan to tip your dining room waiter in person.  But he falls ill and someone substitutes for him for three nights.  Then your waiter returns and you never see his substitute again.  What do you do then?

What did we do 15 years ago about your statement?  Nothing.

4 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

The points are for going on the cruise. They are not for purchasing a cruise. They make that clear. If I buy two cabins in addition to my own, two for family member  I don't get points for the other cabins. But hey if you want to argue with the cruise line, and beg the cruise line for points go for it. Good luck! 

It should be no difference.

Someone (people in those 2 cabins) will get points.

It's not about begging, it's about fairness (as stated in the topic of this thread).

22 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

I am not trying to be insensitive to the OP's feelings. But I think a point that may be being confused here is the thought that because the cruise line retained the OP's original dollars, the OP deserved the points that would have been earned had she taken the cruise. IMO, the two are mutually exclusive. Why? 

 

The first is a business transaction that would provide for a cruise that in this case, thanks to insurance, will ultimately result in no money lost by the OP keeping her whole and with no damages. 

 

The second is a perk associated with physically taking a cruise. The second has nothing to do with the first.  However, as discussed, points would not be awarded as the OP was not physically on the cruise. 

 

And even if an argument could be made that the money retained by the cruise line is a valid reason for points to be awarded, this very argument would be negated as, since the OP will ultimately be reimbursed that money, no money actually will be paid by her. She ultimately will have paid nothing and did not take a cruise. No money spent, no cruise, no points. It makes the whole debate moot IMO. 

 

Most importantly and IMO to the real point, I hope the OP recovers quickly and completely. Medical issues are always unpleasant and our health is of primary importance.  I am glad you will eventually recover your money as it seems as though you already have new and better plans in place.

 

Best to you moving forward.

What about when there is no insurance bought for a cancelled cruise?  If I reach out to a cruise line and have proof of not having insurance and not getting money back anyhow, would they give me points?  Of course, not.  Therefore, your statement is not sustainable.

23 hours ago, calicakes said:

No, I'm not ok.  I'm sitting on my ass all damn day, unable to go to the gym, unable to drive, unable to take my own dogs for a walk.  Excuse me if I think its UNFAIR that the cruise line gets to keep 10k and not give me the points.  I don't really care what other loyalty programs do.  I received a 7500.00 credit on American air for my flight.  I didn't lose any other money on any other reservations except 217.00 on airbnb.  So, my concern is not what other loyalty programs do or do not offer.  

 

I'm really not the first person to come to CC and proclaim something unfair.  Can't we just leave it at that.  Why do I have to be called "entitled".  Its a JOKE at this point. 

I agree.  "Entitled" (in these days' critique) is someone claiming not reasonable (or not deserved) item.  Your situation is different.

23 hours ago, calicakes said:

Maybe if they would have given me the points, I'd stay loyal. 

Not only they might sell your cabin to get double payment, but even if not, they save on food (I assume they cook for a know number of passengers, not for ghosts, too), fresh water, accessories, and alike.

On 3/6/2024 at 12:59 PM, leaveitallbehind said:

From a business standpoint IMO it makes a lot of sense.  They may have gotten the money, but the insurance company will reimburse the OP.  So he is not harmed and has no loss. Why should they not keep the money?  Or by refunding it, potentially take a loss through no fault of their own? If they did they potentially would be the ones taking a loss for the OP's issue.

 

The cruise company is entitled to the money as they may not be able on short notice to rebook the stateroom. Why should they absorb all the risk? That is the purpose of the insurance as all parties involved remain whole.  It's also a matter of very typical terms and conditions, which is why insurance is always recommended.

 

As to the CC points, if you are not on board the ship you never took the cruise so the points are not issued.  The business side is of this is irrelevant, in particular as neither party is financially harmed and both remain whole.  Again, terms and conditions, which IMO make sense regarding the points.

In a perfect world, if the cruise line is able to sell a cancelled cabin, they would reach out to a person who cancelled and reimburse the full amount minus a potential difference in price if a new sold price is less that from the cancelled booking.  The insurance shouldn't matter (again, in the perfect world), because 1. it's an opposite: the insurance will only reimburse if a cruise line will not (there should be a proof of not reimbursement from a cruise line sent to the insurance company), and 2. a person might not have an insurance.

11 minutes ago, Pcardad said:

Perhaps self-employed and working remotely now to make 5x as much and have 10x more life experiences.

Perhaps, 5-10% of them, but what about the rest?  Those were rhetorical questions, anyway.

1 hour ago, Dolebludger said:

Sounds to me that Regent’s head office is under staffed. This is a problem with businesses of all kinds. There is a shortage of willing, qualified workers in all areas.

Where are all those "willing, qualified workers"?