Princess ending 24/7 Horizon Court availability???

[StillPooh]

Here it is, 12:30 a.m. I got up out of a sound sleep because I needed to have a snack. At least I'm at home and I can satiate my hunger pangs. But if I were currently on a Princess cruise, that would not be the case I guess.

At home, you have snacks because you went shopping.

 

If you anticipate you might wake up with the munchies (and for whatever reason don't want to use room service), plan ahead and keep something in your cabin fridge!

[azdmelani]

I don't think or see it that they would cancel their cruise specificly because they don't/won't have food at 3:00am, but rather Princess has always seperated itself from other lines by advertisting 24 hour dinning, and many have come to expect that as part of their Princess experience, now by eliminating it Princess has thrown themself back into the mix for their cruise dollar with other cruiselines. I think it's more "they taken something away" from what we expect type reaction, then just that there's no food at 3:00am.

 

 

And to be truthful, I kinda feel that way too, like Princess has cheapened my cruise experience.

Srpilo

 

I should start by saying that I am upset about the closure of HC (or Cafe Caribe) and the IC. It was a shock to board the Golden two weeks ago and see that nothing was open late. I made sure to leave a comment regarding this on my post cruise survey.

 

However, I think Princess still offers 24/7 dining options- it just comes straight to your room from the hours of 12-5AM. Princess, unlike other cruise lines, is not charging for it. While this may be inconvenient for some, we used it for late night dining two or three times during our cruise.

[pablo222]

To those who are so adamant that some of us don't need to eat between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., how would you feel if they closed all eating venues between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m.? Would you still have the same reaction?

 

Of course not. If I read in the paper that some road is going

to be closed from 2:00am to 06:00am, it's not going to affect

nearly as many people as a closing during rush hour.

 

There is a cost of having the horizon court open from midnight

to 5:00am. If few people are utilizing it, than closing it is a good

way to cut costs.

 

I'm much more annoyed by the MDR closing for lunch on port days.

...especially when there is code red!!!

[4cats4me]

I don't think or see it that they would cancel their cruise specificly because they don't/won't have food at 3:00am, but rather Princess has always seperated itself from other lines by advertisting 24 hour dinning, and many have come to expect that as part of their Princess experience, now by eliminating it Princess has thrown themself back into the mix for their cruise dollar with other cruiselines. I think it's more "they taken something away" from what we expect type reaction, then just that there's no food at 3:00am.

 

 

And to be truthful, I kinda feel that way too, like Princess has cheapened my cruise experience.

Srpilo

 

Thank you, Srpilo. You are better at articulating my feelings that I am:D

We have cruised Princess every year since 2003, with some years going on 3 cruises, and with each successive cruise we notice little things we don't like with each successive cruise. DH and I realize there is no perfect cruise. But Pescado said it best, we all cruise for different reasons.

DH and I are nightowls. We want some grub when we leave the late show, the disco or the casino.

[4cats4me]

At home, you have snacks because you went shopping.

 

If you anticipate you might wake up with the munchies (and for whatever reason don't want to use room service), plan ahead and keep something in your cabin fridge!

 

At home I have snacks because I have a huge refrigerator with many choices of food, and a microwave to heat up my food. In the cabin I don't have a microwave. ;):)

[4cats4me]

To each their own, but to cancel a cruise to Hawaii because your only option is room service from 12-5 seems to be a bit overboard. You can certainly take a sandwich/dessert from the IC before it closesand throw in your fridge . Who is to say that there will be convenience stores open during those hours on a land tour of Hawaii?

 

It's not this one thing that would drive us away from cruising, it's the totality of things over the last few years, but this might be the final straw.

Regarding stores in Hawaii for food, we go to the islands all the time and are very familiar there. It's almost like a second home, so yes, I have personal knowledge that Safeway is open 24/7 as well as many of the other grocery stores. We always have access to a microwave/fridge, all the comforts of home in a condo. We can have two weeks in the islands for well less than this upcoming cruise is costing us. When we booked this it sounded like a great idea, combining two of our favorite things, cruising

AND Hawaii -- not so sure anymore.

[4cats4me]

Of course not. If I read in the paper that some road is going

to be closed from 2:00am to 06:00am, it's not going to affect

nearly as many people as a closing during rush hour.

 

There is a cost of having the horizon court open from midnight

to 5:00am. If few people are utilizing it, than closing it is a good

way to cut costs.

 

I'm much more annoyed by the MDR closing for lunch on port days.

...especially when there is code red!!!

 

And if Corporate makes a decision to close HC for 5 hours due to cost cutting measures, doesn't Corporate run the risk of losing long-time cruisers as well? And if so, where is the savings? Corporate has already run off the smokers, but now they're going to run off the Eaters.:eek:

[Chelsea1]

Maybe Princess could keep Horizon Court open between 12.00AM and 5.00AM and add a charge for room service between these times?

[StillPooh]

At home I have snacks because I have a huge refrigerator with many choices of food, and a microwave to heat up my food. In the cabin I don't have a microwave. ;):)

If you're starving, anything should do. A sandwich is as good as a steak.

 

There's always room service. If your spouse is a tyrant, sit out in the hall to wait, then carry it up on deck.

[Loonbeam]

I've said this before, while long time cruisers have value to Princess in a marketing capacity as known easy sales, they are also among the least profitable per cruise overall generally speaking.

 

In reality, Princess would not care overmuch if every elite cruiser stopped cruising in 2011. They could still fill the same cabins almost as easily and first time cruisers tend to spend more on shore excursions via the ship, more in the boutiques and are less likely to know about things like price drops and drink specials.. They also have to pay for their internet and laundry in most cases. These can then be the foundation for new frequent cruisers with lower expectations and higher margins.

 

In short, whether something in pleasing to long term cruisers (or almost any type of customer loyalty category in an occasional use business) is usually very low on the totem pole. The exceptions are the truly frequent cruisers (3-4 per year) who make up in volume what they give up in margin.

 

 

 

And if Corporate makes a decision to close HC for 5 hours due to cost cutting measures, doesn't Corporate run the risk of losing long-time cruisers as well? And if so, where is the savings? Corporate has already run off the smokers, but now they're going to run off the Eaters.:eek:

[4cats4me]

If you're starving, anything should do. A sandwich is as good as a steak.

 

There's always room service. If your spouse is a tyrant, sit out in the hall to wait, then carry it up on deck.

 

 

Just because someone wants a snack doesn't mean they're "starving." Just because you're content with a sandwich doesn't make it so for others.

What about vegetarians? What about Vegans? What about people who can't eat certain foods due to religious reasons? Princess's room service menu is

very, very limited. There's a big difference in my mind popping into the HC to grab a QUICK BITE versus having to go through the formalities of room service and having to wait.

And now that nothing will be available between the hours of 12 and 5:00 then you can bet the wait for room service will be even longer than it was before.

 

I liked the convenience of the HC. And a sandwich and a steak are two different things. Neither is what I call a light snack.

[4cats4me]

Maybe Princess could keep Horizon Court open between 12.00AM and 5.00AM and add a charge for room service between these times?

 

They already charge for the Pizza through room service.

 

How about this? Maybe Princess could just raise the passenger fares by so much per head and we can all retain the same epicurian benefits that we've been enjoying thus far.

[Griller]

If you're starving, anything should do. A sandwich is as good as a steak.

 

There's always room service. If your spouse is a tyrant, sit out in the hall to wait, then carry it up on deck.

 

That is not only a ridiculous statement but also quite offensive in several ways.

 

If you can't say something nice then please don't say anything at all.

[PescadoAmarillo]

I've said this before, while long time cruisers have value to Princess in a marketing capacity as known easy sales, they are also among the least profitable per cruise overall generally speaking.

 

In reality, Princess would not care overmuch if every elite cruiser stopped cruising in 2011. They could still fill the same cabins almost as easily and first time cruisers tend to spend more on shore excursions via the ship, more in the boutiques and are less likely to know about things like price drops and drink specials.. They also have to pay for their internet and laundry in most cases. These can then be the foundation for new frequent cruisers with lower expectations and higher margins.

You have said that before, and I remember responding that those were the truest, most unbiased words ever posted on this forum.

 

In short, whether something in pleasing to long term cruisers (or almost any type of customer loyalty category in an occasional use business) is usually very low on the totem pole. The exceptions are the truly frequent cruisers (3-4 per year) who make up in volume what they give up in margin.

I'm not certain about this. I think the profit on the increased volume is probably pretty low. They're not losing money, or they would certainly un-invite us. I'm just not certain they're making a lot of money. 4 or more cruises per year x not much profit is still not much profit.

 

But, as always, I enjoy and respect your insights!

[Iamcruzin]

For those of you who wake up out of a deep sleep to go to HC, I am just wondering what you find up there that is eatable during the wee hours of the morning. I usually take a walk through at around 1:00am not because I am hungry but just because I am passing by. Sometimes I go there to check on my kids and remind them that it’s time to come back to the room. The only things that I have seen are water logged hot dogs, hockey puck hamburgers, dry petrified French fries and wilted salads. The only evidence of cookies is the crumbs left behind. I guess if you’re starving this may be a feast but not worth the extra calories if you just want to say you ate something.

[Iamcruzin]

How about this? Maybe Princess could just raise the passenger fares by so much per head and we can all retain the same epicurian benefits that we've been enjoying thus far.

This won't work in the economy we are in now. Ships won't book and they would just have to drop the price anyway. With ships being built larger and larger there is also more supply than demand.

[StillPooh]

That is not only a ridiculous statement but also quite offensive in several ways.

 

If you can't say something nice then please don't say anything at all.

[stoneharborlady]

For those of you who wake up out of a deep sleep to go to HC, I am just wondering what you find up there that is eatable during the wee hours of the morning. I usually take a walk through at around 1:00am not because I am hungry but just because I am passing by. Sometimes I go there to check on my kids and remind them that it’s time to come back to the room. The only things that I have seen are water logged hot dogs, hockey puck hamburgers, dry petrified French fries and wilted salads. The only evidence of cookies is the crumbs left behind. I guess if you’re starving this may be a feast but not worth the extra calories if you just want to say you ate something.

 

Im not awake at that time, but I did wonder what was normally available then at the Cafe Caribe or HC.

[IECalCruiser]

For those of you who wake up out of a deep sleep to go to HC, I am just wondering what you find up there that is eatable during the wee hours of the morning. I usually take a walk through at around 1:00am not because I am hungry but just because I am passing by. Sometimes I go there to check on my kids and remind them that it’s time to come back to the room. The only things that I have seen are water logged hot dogs, hockey puck hamburgers, dry petrified French fries and wilted salads. The only evidence of cookies is the crumbs left behind. I guess if you’re starving this may be a feast but not worth the extra calories if you just want to say you ate something.

I have to agree with Iamcruzin that the food they described is what I have found in the HC during the few time I have visited during the overnight "Bistro" hours. If the IC was open until 2:00 or 3:00 on the ships that have one I think it would be a much better option. I would think the staffing of the IC would be smaller than the HC. Just MHO.

[Iamcruzin]

I just informed my 16yr old son about the change in hours for HC. His reply was,":eek: That's going to be a problem I need my roll at 3:00am".

[Rassa]

For those of you who wake up out of a deep sleep to go to HC, I am just wondering what you find up there that is eatable during the wee hours of the morning. I usually take a walk through at around 1:00am not because I am hungry but just because I am passing by. Sometimes I go there to check on my kids and remind them that it’s time to come back to the room. The only things that I have seen are water logged hot dogs, hockey puck hamburgers, dry petrified French fries and wilted salads. The only evidence of cookies is the crumbs left behind. I guess if you’re starving this may be a feast but not worth the extra calories if you just want to say you ate something.

 

I agree. I usually try to get a decent cookie after watching MUTTS at night and the good stuff is gone. I don't like the leftovers or the popcorn. I am grateful that the food is not tempting at that time because I also like to watch my weight and walk off the ship weighing the same as I got on - and that is hard. So, I guess it does not bother me if there is no 24/7 food - but to each to his own.

Rosie

[Loonbeam]

The very low sales costs for the truly frequent cruisers combined with the fact they still spend something on board seems to balance out.

 

If you cruise (lets say 30 days per year at $20 per day profit on cabin fare alone (I'm being deliberately low.) that's still an easy $600 that they don't have to really do anything to get, plus you will still be tipping, etc. But for seven days per year, that is only $140 which barely offsets the minimum marketing and processing costs. And you'll probably buy at least some drinks. The marketing costs spread over that many days makes the margin a little higher. You're still not a big money maker but more attractive than the <1 cruise per year elite...

 

 

 

You have said that before, and I remember responding that those were the truest, most unbiased words ever posted on this forum.

 

 

I'm not certain about this. I think the profit on the increased volume is probably pretty low. They're not losing money, or they would certainly un-invite us. I'm just not certain they're making a lot of money. 4 or more cruises per year x not much profit is still not much profit.

 

But, as always, I enjoy and respect your insights!

[StillPooh]

I just informed my 16yr old son about the change in hours for HC. His reply was,":eek: That's going to be a problem I need my roll at 3:00am".

Well, if he doesn't mind not being able to microwave it, he can bring one back to the cabin before midnight and save it for later! :D

[1 HappyCruiser]

If you're starving, anything should do. A sandwich is as good as a steak.

 

There's always room service. If your spouse is a tyrant, sit out in the hall to wait, then carry it up on deck.

 

I haven't seen to many starving people on a cruise ship lately, but if they're really hungry at 2 AM they should have stockpiled some food from the buffet for the emergency. ;)

[4cats4me]

For those of you who wake up out of a deep sleep to go to HC, I am just wondering what you find up there that is eatable during the wee hours of the morning. I usually take a walk through at around 1:00am not because I am hungry but just because I am passing by. Sometimes I go there to check on my kids and remind them that it’s time to come back to the room. The only things that I have seen are water logged hot dogs, hockey puck hamburgers, dry petrified French fries and wilted salads. The only evidence of cookies is the crumbs left behind. I guess if you’re starving this may be a feast but not worth the extra calories if you just want to say you ate something.

 

We've always found lots of edible things up there, but of course we usually go on the Sapphire Princess, too. There are plenty of apples, oranges, plums, grapes, chopped-up mixed fruit, cole slaws, a fresh salad bar with all the fixins', lots of whole grain rolls, bread rolls, some lunch meats, cookies, desserts, cheese platters, and around midnight they do dump a bunch of burgers/hot dogs into the mix. They have pastas, sandwiches, tortilla chips, salsas, taquitos, tortillas, and I've even seen a carving station during light-snack hours. On the Golden we did not see a carving station at light-snack hours, but all the aforementioned items as well as mashed potatoes and meats with gravy AND the same Greek salad that was available at the IC was also in the HC for light-snack.

 

I guess it depends what ship you're on.

 

I've noticed you usally go on the Caribbean Princess by your signature, so maybe on the Caribbean Princess the food is not as sufficiently stocked, and I'm wondering, since you've mentioned the wilted salads, are you talking about Caribe Cafe at the back of the ship or the Horizon Court buffet? I noticed on the Emerald, which is a sister ship to the Caribbean P, that all 10 days of our cruise, only the Caribe Cafe was open after hours, and I do remember that the Caribe Cafe didn't have NEARLY as much to choose from as the Horizon Court does on the Sapphire, Golden and Grand. That is one of the things that we liked the least about the Emerald, is the Caribe Cafe's very limited selections.

 

We have never seen a wilted salad of any kind on the Sapphire or the Golden or the Star or the Grand.

 

But I can assure you that there is always plenty of fresh salad offerings, not pre-made, available at the off-hours on every ship we've been on EXCEPT for the Emerald. The HC is so much better for late-night snacking than the Caribe Cafe.