Room service charge coming???????

[Tarpeian Rock]

I am going to assume that Princess "STOPPED" the charge because of all the negative flack they are receiving about it. Let's see if they put out a statement like HA did for the wine policy change. Maybe they will reevaluate the policy.

 

 

Given that such an outcry was so predictable, it's hard to understand what Princess thought they were accomplishing by such a trial. Unlike the HAL wine policy "experiement," I would guess that far more pax use room service during a cruise than bring large amounts of wine on board, and thus the negative reaction among Princess pax would be much broader-based.

[ICUQT]

Given that such an outcry was so predictable, it's hard to understand what Princess thought they were accomplishing by such a trial. Unlike the HAL wine policy "experiement," I would guess that far more pax use room service during a cruise than bring large amounts of wine on board, and thus the negative reaction among Princess pax would be much broader-based.

 

I agree that the room service charge would have a broader base. But I am of the opinion that regardless of the flack and negative push back Princess and for the matter any other cruise line in the end will find some way around it and do it anyways.

[kazu]

Please note a couple of items. First of all we are scheduled on a Princess cruise, and are paying over 400 usd a day for a inside cabin. We don't feel that that is overly cheap. Second Princess has for now STOPPED the room service charge. Third we are changing our future cruises with HAL and Princess to other cruise lines not carnival corp. ships. We will miss the perks with both lines, but feel it is a time to move on.

 

It is good to hear that they stopped it. Introducing this on an inaugural cruise without notice was a huge error IMO.

 

Sorry to hear you are leaving CCL ships but there are still lots of choices out there. Smooth seas and thanks for the update:D

[sail7seas]

I agree that the room service charge would have a broader base. But I am of the opinion that regardless of the flack and negative push back Princess and for the matter any other cruise line in the end will find some way around it and do it anyways.

 

 

I agree.

 

[solocanadian]

yes they changed the rules on wine but didn't lower the bottle price when you buy it onboard. They haven't offered the military/vet obcs that p, cunard and carnival offer. they haven't staffed the ship with eastern european dining and cabin attendants who act like they are doing you a favor by doing their job. Thank heaven. Imho eastern Europeans should not be allowed to serve in these two services. Can't beat the Indonesians for their gracious service.

[solocanadian]

Still worth it to me. I cannot see it any differently than say, ordering a Pizza to be delivered from a local Pizza Joint. They charge set fee for the pizza, taxes and a Delivery charge, which also does not go to the driver. So for me is no different. I pick up the phone, order and a few minutes later food is at my fingertips with tip in drivers hands.

 

I realize I am in the minority no matter what. But in an open forum I am stating my thoughts on whether I would support this as an additional charge. Answer is yes:)

 

Joanie

 

As a solo cruiser I would not support this even though I enjoy room service breakfast and tip the steward delivering it. It is a delivery charge I disagree with. If that happens on HAL no more Room Service Breakfast for me. Will have to settle for the lousy service in the MDR. They sure got screwed up my past 2 cruises on the Oosterdam. Finally gave up and started having room service with the correct items being delivered. The dining room could not seem to get it right and were not the least bit interested in serving more than one cup of coffee:(:(:(

Edited May 26, 2014 by solocanadian

[localady]

Unfortunately, I suspect that this is pretty much a "done deal" in the future. HAL has been keeping track of our room service usage for years, I have seen it on some of the printouts of our charges with a "zero" next to them. It's another revenue stream too tempting not to tap. :D

 

We will complain and push back, but in the end, the majority of us will accept the charge, still enjoy our breakfast on the balcony or late night snacks. Many of us will also continue to tip because I can't imagine not tipping after all of these years......;)

Edited May 26, 2014 by localady

[nana51]

This is very true. But when I take my mercedes in there are no extra charges. I drop it off (or they pick it up); I get a new mercedes to drive however long it takes my car to be serviced and my car comes back squeaky clean. The service department has even changed it so I don't have to go to the cashier to pay. If I happen to go inside there are 50 different kinds of coffee, soft drinks and snacks so I won't starve those 5 minutes I wait on a loaner. But pay up front? Boy do I ever. But to me it is well worth it. I'm trying to make this relate to cruising--mass market vs. luxury I suppose.

 

My husband is a retired Mercedes repair mechanic. He owned his own business. He never charged to get a customer, would lend his own personal car and was at least half the cost of the dealers. Trust me, the dealer is charging you for all those nice little extras. It isn't itemized, but the cost of repairs are so over what should pay and what you will pay at an independent service that you are paying one way or another. If HAL wants to do that they raise the price of the cruises and give great service. You won't see it itemized, but it is there.

[dobiemom]

Maybe (like hotels) the cruise lines need to start supplying small coffee pots in the cabins. For us that would eliminate the need for room service. If we didn't need to fly we actually could bring our own. All we use room service for is coffee in the morning!

I've only sailed NCL once (so far) but I believe they provide a small (4-cup?) coffee pot in all cabins, and I think an espresso machine in the suites.

 

Correction: Maybe only certain ships and cabins? Looking at the NCL forum, it looks like only balconies and above have coffee pots? I was on the NCL Star in an OV and we had coffee pot.

Edited May 27, 2014 by dobiemom
Correction?

[sammygoose]

My husband is a retired Mercedes repair mechanic. He owned his own business. He never charged to get a customer, would lend his own personal car and was at least half the cost of the dealers. Trust me, the dealer is charging you for all those nice little extras. It isn't itemized, but the cost of repairs are so over what should pay and what you will pay at an independent service that you are paying one way or another. If HAL wants to do that they raise the price of the cruises and give great service. You won't see it itemized, but it is there.

 

Yes Parrotfeather and Nana51 you are both correct. The issue boils down to what you pay for a cruise and what HAL deems an upcharge. It speaks directly to the identity and culture/ niche that HAL is trying to establish or maintain.

At what point do they lose that with a multitude of upcharges?

 

There has to be a sweet spot.

Rock bottom pricing and layers of upcharges swings the pendulum towards NCL and Carnival.

Rock bottom pricing without recouping costs equals a defunct HAL.

 

Do I need or want a crew member to escort me to my cabin? No.

Am I ok with a corkage fee for wine brought on? Yes.

Would I pay more for increased dining room staff? Yes.

Am I ok with a room service delivery charge? No.

 

HAL's cabin pricing needs to be more inline with the image they are selling.

Would a 10% increase in fares make up the difference? I guess only the bean counters know but IMHO fares need to mirror their mission statement- their niche.

[POA1]

This is a fascinating topic. Quite a lot of hand wringing for something that is happening on a different cruise line.

 

I, for one, am worried about where we are going to park our flying cars at the cruise terminal.

 

 

Pardon the interruption. Please resume your normally scheduled anguish. :) :eek:

[Wakepatrol]

Let's see...Bringing a 4 cup coffee maker aboard

 

Why stop there? I like a bagel in the morning. I guess I'll bring my toaster as well.

 

 

The more I read the more I see K.O.A

[sapete]

OMG! The. Sky. IS. FALLING!

[IRL_Joanie]

OMG! The. Sky. IS. FALLING!

 

 

Joanie

[Bill B]

I my opinion, yes - a room service charge is inevitable.

 

Princess realized they made a mistake on the Regal... not with the $3 room service charge, but by implementing it without notice after advertising room service was "complementary" (duh!). They say "We acknowledge we need to provide our guests prior notification of any such changes to our onboard experience, and we promise to do this in the future." I figure this means there's 99% chance the charge will be reinstated after prior notification... and if Princess does it, HAL will do it (eventually).

[GeriatricNurse]

Unfortunately, I suspect that this is pretty much a "done deal" in the future. HAL has been keeping track of our room service usage for years, I have seen it on some of the printouts of our charges with a "zero" next to them. It's another revenue stream too tempting not to tap. :D

 

We will complain and push back, but in the end, the majority of us will accept the charge, still enjoy our breakfast on the balcony or late night snacks. Many of us will also continue to tip because I can't imagine not tipping after all of these years......;)[/COLOR]

 

But you are already obligated to tip with the included Hotel Service Charge! ;)

[runnergirl71]

But you are already obligated to tip with the included Hotel Service Charge! ;)

 

I think the poster you were responding to meant tipping room service.

 

However, you hit the nail on the head with why there will be confusion and the room service stewards are those who will suffer with lack of tips. By calling standard tips "hotel service charge", HAL has set people up to make the connection that "tips" = "service charge".

[sunsetbeachgal]

Huge PR mistake by Princess...many of us, myself included, flooded their Facebook page with comments (CC is great, but doesn't reach anyone other than fellow posters!!) and this just shows you the power of social media.

 

But as others said, I wouldn't trust it not to rear it's ugly head sometime again..

Edited May 28, 2014 by sunsetbeachgal

[bvocruise]

This is my first time reading this thread. Has there been any updates on it?

[BruceMuzz]

I've only sailed NCL once (so far) but I believe they provide a small (4-cup?) coffee pot in all cabins, and I think an espresso machine in the suites.

 

Correction: Maybe only certain ships and cabins? Looking at the NCL forum, it looks like only balconies and above have coffee pots? I was on the NCL Star in an OV and we had coffee pot.

 

NCL - and a few other cruise lines - have constructed some of their ships (and sections of some of their ships) with passenger cabin electrical systems that can accommodate the higher wattage and amperage needed for machines like water boilers and coffee machines.

 

Most cruise line passenger cabins are not designed to safely accommodate these machines. Overloading the electrical systems causes blackouts under the best of conditions and fires under less than ideal conditions. That explains why many cruise lines forbid - and confiscate - heat producing electrical devices you might like to bring onboard.

[mamaofami]

I love waking up to Room Service breakfast and really hope this doesn't happen.

Edited August 25, 2014 by mamaofami

[Linda&Vern]

NCL - and a few other cruise lines - have constructed some of their ships (and sections of some of their ships) with passenger cabin electrical systems that can accommodate the higher wattage and amperage needed for machines like water boilers and coffee machines.

 

Most cruise line passenger cabins are not designed to safely accommodate these machines. Overloading the electrical systems causes blackouts under the best of conditions and fires under less than ideal conditions. That explains why many cruise lines forbid - and confiscate - heat producing electrical devices you might like to bring onboard.

 

Thank you so much for posting this explanation. It makes sense now that HAL does not allow the "appliances" that some other ships do. It's not just HAL being difficult with their guests - there is always a reason. I hope those who say "it's my vacation and I bring my electric hot water maker anyway" will read and understand this.

[cubfan63]

The room service charge that was introduced on the Regal Princess was stopped being charged on the same cruise it was introduced, several months ago.

[Watson's aunt]

Hi

 

I am not happy with this. I found when they put specility restrauants on ships the mdr food went down. Now they want to charge for room service. As long as people pay these Cruise kines will continue to charge for these. What next $5.00 for a movie,or show.

 

well I hope then they give double points to solo's like some of the other cruise lines. And don't charge them as much

 

Mary

[sppunk]

Hi

 

I am not happy with this. I found when they put specility restrauants on ships the mdr food went down. Now they want to charge for room service. As long as people pay these Cruise kines will continue to charge for these. What next $5.00 for a movie' date='or show.

 

well I hope then they give double points to solo's like some of the other cruise lines. And don't charge them as much

 

Mary[/quote']

Um, there's nothing to be upset about - nothing has changed/happened/no hints of this.