Would you pay Extra for Northstar/iFly ?

Cruising has always been such a great deal because most everything is included in ticket price. Now, there are package plans for specialty restaurants and cocktail packages.

The latest wrinkle they want to start charging for the bells and whistles too, which is part of the appeal of RCCL. We are loyal to Royal but, some of the magic fairy dust is chipping away with these up charges like wow bands, Ifly and Northstar.

Jonathan

Well said. If I start feeling that I'm being charged twice for the same thing I get annoyed. I'm fine either way but not both. If I want the bells and whistles I'll pay more for the ship. We're going on Allure soon and paying more than we usually do for a 7 day cruise on an "ordinary" ship. I got a perfectly positioned balcony so I'm satisfied. Generally, though, I prefer the "a la cart" approach as long as the base price is right.

So far, Allure is my favorite ship. It's truly a unique ship and a destination unto itself.

You're going to have a great time.

That said, if they start to charge for activities like ice skating, rock climbing, flow rider, shows, etc, I wouldn't go on any of their fleet, unless they drop their base cabin price.

NO!

What happened to "All-Inclusive"?

That is - WAS one of the things that got us hooked on cruising....But now, slowly but surely, they are starting to sneak in additional charges here and there....

Before you know it, there will only be "Complimentary" things offered such as bad coffee, etc...you have to pay for everything else, the same as staying at a Disney resort...etc...

Cruise lines need to get the message they are headed in the wrong direction....

Plus, did you see the high $$ to book a cruise on one of these ships?

For what we pay for a GS on any other class ship, could not get us much on the Anthem...

I do not like the actual development by RCCL - they're raising cruise fares to a level comparable with HAL, Princess, Celebrity (especially for cruises on Oasis- and Quantum-Class ships), and conversely lowering quality and included services as well as charging for more attractions and activities.

But paying extra for the North Star and iFly, I just find brash, since you already pay more for the cruises on the newer RCCL ships.

And than there are minor declines such as removing Sushi from Windjammer (charging for it at Izumi) or serving bread by "personal service" instead of bread basket at the table, etc., which put me off to book RCCL again - nearly every step implemented by RCCL is to the disadvantage of the client.

No thank you. :mad:

I wouldn't go on either for free if the lines were too long, so definite no for paying for it.

Just clearing this up for people who may not be following the other thread about this:

 

The charge is currently only on Quantum of the Seas. Not Anthem. Personally, it strikes me as a change for the Chinese cruise market.

When RCI introduced the charge for Johnny Rocket's it was only on Mariner and Navigator. We all know how that story ends. If they are charging on Quantum and people are paying the charge will spread to Anthem.

I would not pay extra for any of this carnival like stuff. And I do not mean Carnival as in the cruise line.

RCCL has a long history of test marketing a new revenue source or a cost savings on a ship and if it generates enough profit, it is implemented fleet wide.

Considering the basic cruise prices in recent years, personally, we are very reluctant to pay for "extras."

serving bread by "personal service" instead of bread basket at the table, etc., which put me off to book RCCL again - nearly every step implemented by RCCL is to the disadvantage of the client.

No thank you. :mad:

I don't understand the bread comment? You aren't charged for the assistant waitress giving you bread and if you want more than 1 piece you ask.

Is it the fact you don't want to tip a second person? Then don't. We tip everyone, but that's a personal choice and by no means required.

I voted no.. but please check the updated RCCL website under Quantum, then Anthem.

It will be charged in Quantum only if it is sailing from Shanghai beginning Dec 30.

Anthem will remain free.

My guess as for Ovation, if it sails from Tianjin, it will be charged, but if it sails from Australia or anywhere else, there will be no charge.

I'm already familiar with the culture of the Chinese as I have already sailed several cruises from either Shanghai or Tianjin so when this news came out, I know that they will only charge for the chinese market..

For us having western culture, most of us will not pay.. but the Chinese will. I've taken Quantum and the Chinese take mostly short cruises, short cruises mean lesser time slots. With the Chinese don't line up very well (lining up is not customary in China), very assertive/aggressive as most of them grew up in poverty and are accustomed in fighting for scarce resources... yes there are fights, with several cutting in line, and it was chaos lining up for those 2 attractions (also bumper cars as well!!!) in a Quantum chinese sailing.

RCCL has already tested offering it first for free in the Chinese market... but it doesn't work well given their culture.. so the only recourse is to really charge for it.

So don't worry, it won't apply for non china sailings.

I don't understand the bread comment? You aren't charged for the assistant waitress giving you bread and if you want more than 1 piece you ask.

 

Is it the fact you don't want to tip a second person? Then don't. We tip everyone, but that's a personal choice and by no means required.

I don't particularly like having to ask for another role and it has nothing to do with not tipping anyone. The less I have to ask for and can just take care of myself the better. I guess that is one reason I like the Windjammer. I don't like having to ask to ask people to do things for me and much prefer doing what I can for myself. I am especially not fond of being waited on.

I voted no.. but please check the updated RCCL website under Quantum, then Anthem.

 

It will be charged in Quantum only if it is sailing from Shanghai beginning Dec 30.

 

Anthem will remain free.

 

My guess as for Ovation, if it sails from Tianjin, it will be charged, but if it sails from Australia or anywhere else, there will be no charge.

 

I'm already familiar with the culture of the Chinese as I have already sailed several cruises from either Shanghai or Tianjin so when this news came out, I know that they will only charge for the chinese market..

 

For us having western culture, most of us will not pay.. but the Chinese will. I've taken Quantum and the Chinese take mostly short cruises, short cruises mean lesser time slots. With the Chinese don't line up very well (lining up is not customary in China), very assertive/aggressive as most of them grew up in poverty and are accustomed in fighting for scarce resources... yes there are fights, with several cutting in line, and it was chaos lining up for those 2 attractions (also bumper cars as well!!!) in a Quantum chinese sailing.

 

RCCL has already tested offering it first for free in the Chinese market... but it doesn't work well given their culture.. so the only recourse is to really charge for it.

 

So don't worry, it won't apply for non china sailings.

Thank you.

I agree with everything you said. It's what I've been saying (thinking...) all along.

When I booked my Anthem cruise (a year ago) I honestly had no idea if these items would be free or have a charge. I actually expected that they would both come at a price! So when I discovered a few days ago I could go on North Star for free I jumped for joy and happily made a reservation.

I guess I am a "half full" type of person. I celebrate the things I like and let go of the rest.

I don't particularly like having to ask for another role and it has nothing to do with not tipping anyone. The less I have to ask for and can just take care of myself the better. I guess that is one reason I like the Windjammer. I don't like having to ask to ask people to do things for me and much prefer doing what I can for myself. I am especially not fond of being waited on.

Bread baskets on the table disappeared when "family style" salad bowls were removed from the table. Perfectly fine to have them if you are only seated with your family-yuck if seated with others.:eek:

When RCI introduced the charge for Johnny Rocket's it was only on Mariner and Navigator. We all know how that story ends. If they are charging on Quantum and people are paying the charge will spread to Anthem.

 

I would not pay extra for any of this carnival like stuff. And I do not mean Carnival as in the cruise line.

But...I do not think a China cruise can be directly related to a typical US cruise. It's a whole different animal over there. I personally do not believe an uncharge in China is an indication that there will be an uncharge in the US.

When RCI introduced the charge for Johnny Rocket's it was only on Mariner and Navigator. We all know how that story ends. If they are charging on Quantum and people are paying the charge will spread to Anthem.

Yup!! I'm not buying for one minute that this is directed at the 'Chinese market' as some are labeling it.

With that said, and even if you want to believe this will only be for the one ship what stops them from charging something extra for the 'Caribbean market' in the future......:confused:

Like I said on another thread. What about the slides on Harmony??? Could you imagine!!! :eek:

I don't particularly like having to ask for another role and it has nothing to do with not tipping anyone. The less I have to ask for and can just take care of myself the better. I guess that is one reason I like the Windjammer. I don't like having to ask to ask people to do things for me and much prefer doing what I can for myself. I am especially not fond of being waited on.

There was a bread basket on the table on the Navigator earlier this month. I was shocked! ;)

Yup!! I'm not buying for one minute that this is directed at the 'Chinese market' as some are labeling it.

With that said, and even if you want to believe this will only be for the one ship what stops them from charging something extra for the 'Caribbean market' in the future......:confused:

Like I said on another thread. What about the slides on Harmony??? Could you imagine!!! :eek:

Personally, I think everyone is getting a little too worried about something that hasn't even happened. Are these upcharges on Quantum an indication of what is to come on Anthem? Not necessarily. Could they be? Sure. Why don't we all wait and see what happens with Anthem before "canceling my cruise" or "switching cruise lines".

Although you might not believe that these charges are directed at the Chinese market, it does make sense. The Chinese culture is very different. I don't think anyone can accurately predict the future of a ship in the US, based on changes that were made to a ship in China.

Mariner of the Seas has had her Champagne Bar replaced with retail, and the 2nd floor of her nightclub replaced with a VIP casino. Is that an indication that the same thing will happen to the rest of the ships in the fleet? Most definitely not.

I think we all need to wait and see.

Personally, I think everyone is getting a little too worried about something that hasn't even happened. Are these upcharges on Quantum an indication of what is to come on Anthem? Not necessarily. Could they be? Sure. Why don't we all wait and see what happens with Anthem before "canceling my cruise" or "switching cruise lines".

 

For me, the new upcharges would not make me cancel or change cruise lines. Have not booked either yet so it does not directly impact me....yet!!!

Just like to get a read on what could be and where the line may be heading. I've seen Royal more then once hint to changes that are coming and many choose not to believe!! When they happen, Oh Boy the outrage.:eek: Time heals all wounds though. LOL;)

Charge for slides on Harmony- won't book and know where my money will go for sure!!:)

For me, the new upcharges would not make me cancel or change cruise lines. Have not booked either yet so it does not directly impact me....yet!!!

 

Just like to get a read on what could be and where the line may be heading. I've seen Royal more then once hint to changes that are coming and many choose not to believe!! When they happen, Oh Boy the outrage.:eek: Time heals all wounds though. LOL;)

 

Charge for slides on Harmony- won't book and know where my money will go for sure!!:)

I'm not choosing to not to believe, its just my opinion that this is exclusive to China.

And, oh no. A price tag for waterslides would really annoy me.

And IMO, this seems to elude to it being restricted to China: "*Kindly be advised that beginning on Dec 30th, 2015, fees will apply for North Star and Ripcord by iFly on all Quantum of the Seas sailings in Shanghai, China." Alright, I'll stop trying to prove my point. ;)

I'm not choosing to not to believe, its just my opinion that this is exclusive to China.

 

And, oh no. A price tag for waterslides would really annoy me.

 

And IMO, this seems to elude to it being restricted to China: "*Kindly be advised that beginning on Dec 30th, 2015, fees will apply for North Star and Ripcord by iFly on all Quantum of the Seas sailings in Shanghai, China." Alright, I'll stop trying to prove my point. ;)

As Debde said, RCI has funny ways of implementing and testing upcharges. We will just have to see how it plays out.

As Debde said, RCI has funny ways of implementing and testing upcharges. We will just have to see how it plays out.

Exactly.

I'm just saying that just because it's on Quantum does not mean its definitely going to be on Anthem

I just think it's ridiculous to be honest.

The justification for the high base price on Quantum is all of the new features.

I'm okay with that. But then If you're going to charge for those features separately, then don't charge inflated cabin prices.

Pick a lane...

This is just another example of RCs nickel and diming mentality.

I honestly don't mind the a la carte approach if that's the way to go. But then by base fare should be MUCH lower.

Exactly. You're already paying more because it's Quantum. NO WAY would I pay more for the on board activities, and it makes me less likely to book that ship in the first place. We are taking a China land trip in a few years (because we adopted our daughter from there), and as part of the trip are/were planning to take the Quantum cruise to Japan/Korea. But we will consider other cruise options if everything on board costs extra AFTER we've already paid air fare to Asia and Quantum cruise fare for 4 people.

Personally, I think everyone is getting a little too worried about something that hasn't even happened. Are these upcharges on Quantum an indication of what is to come on Anthem? Not necessarily. Could they be? Sure. Why don't we all wait and see what happens with Anthem before "canceling my cruise" or "switching cruise lines".

 

 

 

Although you might not believe that these charges are directed at the Chinese market, it does make sense. The Chinese culture is very different. I don't think anyone can accurately predict the future of a ship in the US, based on changes that were made to a ship in China.

 

 

 

Mariner of the Seas has had her Champagne Bar replaced with retail, and the 2nd floor of her nightclub replaced with a VIP casino. Is that an indication that the same thing will happen to the rest of the ships in the fleet? Most definitely not.

 

 

 

I think we all need to wait and see.

If we wait to make our opinion known until after it's implemented fleet wide, it will be too late. The point of making our displeasure known now is to make it clear that we will not participate. Maybe they'll listen if enough people speak up. I wish they had talked to their customers before the designed whole ships for dynamic dining.

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No

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I would pay a nominal fee if we were able to easily book our times / dates. Free is better, of course...

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