What else are they cutting out!?

[cruisefrost]

After 25 cruises (20 on RCL) I have come to the conclusion that a cruise vacation is not that great of a value. I'm sure that many will disagree with me and are willing to pay any price and that is fine as I understand that as we had many enjoyable cruises. To pay for a cruise now is just to be on the ship then comes the higher prices for all the things that were always a part of the cruise in the past. Being just plain working folk we do not have that much cash to burn. I guess we live in a different time now and 35 to 40 dollars per person is an exceptable price to pay for one meal. Take that times 7 for a week cruise and that amounts to 470 to 560 dollars per couple for what was all inclusive. For those of you that have the cash to do this more power to you and many happy cruises. I look for more value for my buck than that.

[travelin_nat]

After 25 cruises (20 on RCL) I have come to the conclusion that a cruise vacation is not that great of a value. I'm sure that many will disagree with me and are willing to pay any price and that is fine as I understand that as we had many enjoyable cruises. To pay for a cruise now is just to be on the ship then comes the higher prices for all the things that were always a part of the cruise in the past. Being just plain working folk we do not have that much cash to burn. I guess we live in a different time now and 35 to 40 dollars per person is an exceptable price to pay for one meal. Take that times 7 for a week cruise and that amounts to 470 to 560 dollars per couple for what was all inclusive. For those of you that have the cash to do this more power to you and many happy cruises. I look for more value for my buck than that.

 

I can't see spending money on specialty dining every day. In fact we rarely do it. I enjoy the food in the MDR. It's no five-star restaurant, but we get to eat things we don't normally prepare at home. I think they should have more drink options available, but that's just me.

[the wandering two]

Just off Brilliance transatlantic, our first Royal cruise since 2010 and noticed a few changes,

mostly in the buffet. No smoked salmon, herrings, eggs benedict or grapefruit at breakfast & very repetitive lunch choice. I expect repeat items especially on a two week cruise but the same two choices of pizza (cheese or pepperoni) as an example got a bit weary.

Thankfully the MDR was excellent, although we noticed Royal doing the exact same that NCL get flamed for, ie no lobster(couldn't care less anyway) & upcharge items on the MDR menu from Chops.

All in still a great cruise mainly because we booked 18 months ago at a great price, but would let my wallet make the final decision on any future bookings.

 

Mark & Heather

 

ps as a consolation they did offer a "giant prawn"!

[gaylemh]

When are they cancelling the tribute bands on the Anthem? How did you guys hear about that?

 

I just got off the ship on Saturday. There hasn't been a tribute band for the last few sailings. I believe the last sailing that had a tribute band (DSB) was the one I was on in September. I spoke to Dru and he confirmed that all tribute bands in the Music Hall have been cancelled until at least the end of the year. He is hoping they will be able to bring them back in the furture.:rolleyes:

 

There could possibly be a Tribute Band as a Headliner doing one show like on the other ships, but not a Music Hall act where they perform 90 minute concerts thoughout the cruise.

[land lover]

Is it true the are cutting fresh water out also? I heard that in 2017 they will stop offering free water with meals (you can buy bottled water) then I heard from a reliable source on the internet that they will eliminate salt water in the pools in 2018. Get this.... toilet water is gone in 2019. Holy crap... whoops I meant holy cow what's next? Fresh air in the casino?

 

 

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No wonder they stopped sailing out of CA we have laws that any hot meal ordered must have free H20 available.....

 

Thanks for my laugh this morning.....

[Biker19]

After 25 cruises (20 on RCL) I have come to the conclusion that a cruise vacation is not that great of a value.

 

Compared to what? If you book at a reasonable rate/cabin, limit the onboard purchases/excursion costs and do a bit of math, you'll see that cruising is still a good value. Compared to a staycation it's not, but to just about any comparable land vacation it is.

[ColoradoGurl]

Compared to what? If you book at a reasonable rate/cabin, limit the onboard purchases/excursion costs and do a bit of math, you'll see that cruising is still a good value. Compared to a staycation it's not, but to just about any comparable land vacation it is.

 

 

I agree, I take lots of land vacations at all-inclusives and always pay about twice as much as a cruise.

 

 

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[George C]

I agree, I take lots of land vacations at all-inclusives and always pay about twice as much as a cruise.

 

 

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I think the A/I are about the same, I do pay more for a Sandals but drinks are included , tip are included, large choice of restaurants without extra cost, when you add them up its pretty even. Size of the rooms are about size of a GS, but entertainment has been better on cruise but if they keep cutting back we will do more Sandals, they also have a program that after 7 vacations ( I might be off by 1) 8th is free. Now my NYC vacations are way more expensive that either.

Edited November 3, 2016 by George C

[alfaeric]

I'm very disappointed about the tribute bands being cancelled. That was one of the things I loved about Anthem, along with Dynamic Dining. I complained to Dru and Chris the Activities Director when I was on the ship last week, and followed it up with an email to the head of Guest Relations when I got home.

 

I'm hoping that this is a temporary cutback and they will return next year.

 

Tribute bands are awesome if you like the band. A waste of time and space if you don't like them. And a major annoyance if you hate the band.

 

It's a big risk to take to hope that most passengers like the band.

 

Just want to point that out.

[Aboat1]

It sounds like now is a good time for you say enough and stop cruising from the sounds of your post. I love a good meal but that is only a small part of the cruise. You will not go hungry and you make it sound like it is horrible that the cruise lines are making cuts because they have to worry about the bottom line. I guess you do not understand simple economics. Prices go up every year on raw product, cost to maintain ships, payroll and etc. They have kept cruising prices so the mass can afford to go on a cruise and have a nice vacation. If everyone would just kick back a little and relax they might really enjoy themselves. Imagine that!

 

I think you miss the point I was trying to make. I will not stop cruising but I WILL stop going to specialty restaurants. I understand economics. I grocery shop every week.

 

They raised the prices in Specialty dining AND cut menu items quality . One or the other may be acceptable, but not both at the same time. I would have hope that if they needed to increase the cost of specialty dining they would have kept the quality up. They chose not to, so I choose not to spend my money there.

 

I have not been on a cruise I did not enjoy, nor have I been on a cruise I could not afford to pay cash for. I never said eating was why we cruise. I have been lucky enough to see a good portion of the world. That is because I run the family budget every day and have for 40+ years. Granted I don't have a PHD in Economics.

[mcatmcat]

French toast during breakfast ( Independence of the seas).

 

 

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[land lover]

I'm glad they have cut out the fuel surcharges which some of us had to pay for a few months, just 10 years ago....

 

I did get a few refunded.....but what a fiasco that was.....new cruisers today don't know how good they have it:):rolleyes::p

[mcatmcat]

⬆️don't worry no it's added to the cruise fare lol

 

 

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[goodml]

I'm glad they have cut out the fuel surcharges which some of us had to pay for a few months, just 10 years ago....

 

I did get a few refunded.....but what a fiasco that was.....new cruisers today don't know how good they have it:):rolleyes::p

 

Was that 10 years ago already?!? Wow hard to believe.