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WHY the big goal to become Pinacle ?? ..

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twangster "Live from...." Rare

twangster

Posted
Posted
8 hours ago, Reijo said:

For the life of me, I don’t understand WHY internet is so expensive…and going up almost yearly.  Some ships have FREE internet.  I suppose it’s just a money maker for RCCL.  More and more people work from ships and need the coverage….I just think it should be more affordable for a product that isn’t always that fast.  Once Starlink goes on every ship, we won’t be able to afford it!

 

First of all satellite internet is very expensive but Starlink has promised they will reduce marine internet operating costs by 70% but we'll only know once they continue to build out their constellation which is in its infancy.  

 

For their own small fleet of recovery vessels SpaceX was paying $165k per month for 1/3 the ships that Royal has at half the bandwidth that Royal uses.   Based on that one could guess Royal pays just under a million a month on satellite internet.  Prior to the shutdown Bayley suggested internet costs them "millions a month" so somewhere between one million a month and Bayley's "millions" is the actual number.  

 

No company can give away a million a month and eat it as a loss.  It's going to get covered to maintain profitability and shareholder value.  The solution would be to cover internet costs through increased base cruise fares. 

 

Like any that costs extra on a ship it could be included by increasing cruise fares.  Drinks could be all inclusive (by increasing cruise fares).  Daily service charges could be included (by increasing cruise fares).  Internet could be included (by increasing cruise fares).  In fact that is exactly what Celebrity does - their "Always In" fares include drinks, internet and gratuity by charging higher cruise fares.  They even have premium versions with better drinks and more internet speeds with even higher fares.

 

What about someone who doesn't drink alcohol?  They are paying more on Celebrity so others get drinks included.  What about someone who doesn't want the internet on a cruise?   They are paying more on Celebrity so others get internet included.

 

Anytime you enter the discussion of "it should be included" you force people who have no use for it to pay more so you can get it for "free" (not free).  

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John&LaLa "Live from...." Rare

John&LaLa

Posted
Posted (edited)
17 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

First of all satellite internet is very expensive but Starlink has promised they will reduce marine internet operating costs by 70% but we'll only know once they continue to build out their constellation which is in its infancy.  

 

For their own small fleet of recovery vessels SpaceX was paying $165k per month for 1/3 the ships that Royal has at half the bandwidth that Royal uses.   Based on that one could guess Royal pays just under a million a month on satellite internet.  Prior to the shutdown Bayley suggested internet costs them "millions a month" so somewhere between one million a month and Bayley's "millions" is the actual number.  

 

No company can give away a million a month and eat it as a loss.  It's going to get covered to maintain profitability and shareholder value.  The solution would be to cover internet costs through increased base cruise fares. 

 

Like any that costs extra on a ship it could be included by increasing cruise fares.  Drinks could be all inclusive (by increasing cruise fares).  Daily service charges could be included (by increasing cruise fares).  Internet could be included (by increasing cruise fares).  In fact that is exactly what Celebrity does - their "Always In" fares include drinks, internet and gratuity by charging higher cruise fares.  They even have premium versions with better drinks and more internet speeds with even higher fares.

 

What about someone who doesn't drink alcohol?  They are paying more on Celebrity so others get drinks included.  What about someone who doesn't want the internet on a cruise?   They are paying more on Celebrity so others get internet included.

 

Anytime you enter the discussion of "it should be included" you force people who have no use for it to pay more so you can get it for "free" (not free).  

 

I think they should charge for the FlowRider 🤣

 

Stand up only, though. The boogie board occupies the kids.😉

Edited by John&LaLa
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Anton

Anton

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11 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

That was a late adjustment to try and satisfy folks. I can't recall what they rebranded it as. 

 

The challenge there was it pushed you into a set schedule of restaurants 

 

Not much dynamic about that

They trotted out Dynamic Dining Classic as a hybrid traditional seating option.  

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brillohead "Live from...." Rare

brillohead

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1 hour ago, twangster said:

Anytime you enter the discussion of "it should be included" you force people who have no use for it to pay more so you can get it for "free" (not free). 


This, this, this!

I don't want to cruise on a "drinks included" line because I don't drink booze much, so I don't get any real value out of an "included" drink package.  Same with shore excursions -- I hate ship-sponsored tours with a passion!

I have no problem paying for internet, because it is something that I want/need.  But I don't want to pay extra for things I won't use. 

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ReneeFLL "Live from...." Rare

ReneeFLL

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15 hours ago, la_croisiere_s'amuse said:

For once I'm glad to see a thread veer off topic ... when I saw the page count, I wondered how on earth people could argue for 13 pages over whether or not becoming Pinnacle is a worthwhile goal! 😉

That’s funny. Aren’t you the one that complains things are going off topic?

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Husky1987

Husky1987

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Posted
8 minutes ago, brillohead said:


This, this, this!

I don't want to cruise on a "drinks included" line because I don't drink booze much, so I don't get any real value out of an "included" drink package.  Same with shore excursions -- I hate ship-sponsored tours with a passion!

I have no problem paying for internet, because it is something that I want/need.  But I don't want to pay extra for things I won't use. 

Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

 

The whiners are going to complain either way..."Fares are too high!!!" or "They're nickel and diming us!!!"

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brillohead "Live from...." Rare

brillohead

Posted
Posted
9 minutes ago, Husky1987 said:

Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

 

The whiners are going to complain either way..."Fares are too high!!!" or "They're nickel and diming us!!!"


I never understood the nickel-and-diming complaints -- I always brag to everyone about how economical cruising is!  Food, lodging, and entertainment are all included in your fare.  You only pay extra for things if you want extra things!  

If they were charging you for hand soap and toilet paper and a napkin at dinner, then I would understand the nickel-and-dimers.  But it's very easy to get on the ship and not spend an extra dime (if you've prepaid your gratuities) and still have a very enjoyable vacation.

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island lady "Live from...." Rare

island lady

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Posted

Speaking of including things we don't need....and since this is a thread about Pinnacles....

 

Everyone that books the World Cruise gets free drinks, free laundry, free internet (naturally included in the high price we paid).  Ummm...Pinnacles already get that on any ship, any length.  😑

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little britain "Live from...." Rare

little britain

Posted
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1 hour ago, brillohead said:


I never understood the nickel-and-diming complaints -- I always brag to everyone about how economical cruising is!  Food, lodging, and entertainment are all included in your fare.  You only pay extra for things if you want extra things!  

If they were charging you for hand soap and toilet paper and a napkin at dinner, then I would understand the nickel-and-dimers.  But it's very easy to get on the ship and not spend an extra dime (if you've prepaid your gratuities) and still have a very enjoyable vacation.

My last cruise bill was $1.50….
Tips for 7n solo $101.50 - $100 shareholder obc = $1.50

 

I’m not sure if I should be ashamed or not. 

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Merion_Mom

Merion_Mom

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Posted
2 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

 

That’s funny. Aren’t you the one that complains things are going off topic?

 

 

I think that was her point!

 

 

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

 

He did qualify his statement 😉

 

 

She  🙂 

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orville99 "Live from...." Rare

orville99

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, island lady said:

Speaking of including things we don't need....and since this is a thread about Pinnacles....

 

Everyone that books the World Cruise gets free drinks, free laundry, free internet (naturally included in the high price we paid).  Ummm...Pinnacles already get that on any ship, any length.  😑

And by the time the cruise ends its fourth leg virtually every passenger on board for all four legs will be Pinnacle (or darned close).😇

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