Poll: What would you pay extra for?

[cruiz cat]

Only a couple of cruise lines provide a bathrobe to use while onboard. It would be so great to have one less item to pack.

[marci22]

I would pay for a pool chair because it is so tedious dealing with chair-savers. They wouldn't save so many if they had to actually pay for them. I think this one is a really good idea!

[luvscruising2007]

I am none of the above also. And I won't pay extra for room service after midnight. And I won't pay $14.95 for a steak in the MDR. There are so many options I don't need to.

[CaptData]

A gty h/c van for a tour. I'm h/c and finding tours is hard.

[Mauretania2 fan]

Yes, "None of the Above" is the correct answer.

 

If cruise lines move to start nickel-and-diming their guests, they will destroy the experience and drive them away to competitors or even to other types of vacations.

 

The lines have been building up a very loyal group of customers based on an exceptional experience and they would be foolish to destroy it.

[tomprice]

1. Unlimited bar card.

2. Priority initial embark

3. Any alternate activity conducted during muster drill

4. Self-laundries (way too few ships have them)

5. A chair but only if the deck area allows C/O...

[grandmato4]

I would pay extra for a whiner free cruise- like if you whine about something you get fined and that money is spread back as a rebate to the rest of the cruisemate's!!! I get so sick of whiner's like the elevators are to slow, take the stair's people!!!!!! My GOD you are on vacation relax.

Then in tender line complaining its taking so long---dang I bet your friends scooping snow would just love to be standing here with you.

 

Rico

 

Best idea of this thread!!!!:D Never figured out how people can be on vacation and always be in such a hurry!!:confused:

[CSIMelissa]

None of the above!

 

There's nothing more than I hate than being nickled and dimed while on vacation.

[thecruiserman]

I would pay extra for an announcement-free cruise. I would pay extra for a cruise director that didn't insult my intelligence. I would pay extra when art auction items don’t block passageways. I would pay extra for a smoke-free piano bar. I would pay extra for buffet food that is hot in temperature. On second thought, cruise lines should provide the above for everyone, without extra charges.

[WendyCruiser]

Is rccl already charging this room service fee on all ships? We are going in less than 2 months and that is ridiculous! Raise the price of the cruise - not this! I get irritated that my dh has to pay for his ice cream! I understand charging for the alcohol of which i consume a lot but i think the cokes should even be included. This might be our last cruise if this starts happening! One of the luxorys of cruising is the added extras that are complimentary that you don't get anywhere else. That is what makes it worth it! I'll be darned if i am going to rent a chair at the beach and then come back for the last hour and rent a chair from the ship!

[rcclbostoncruiser]

I disagree with extra charges for the items listed. The cruise vacation is supposed to be all you can eat and if they start charging for items as extra meals and special desserts, then it is not all you can eat. I have paid extra to eat in the specialty resturants, and the food is definately worth the money. However, I have always had a great meal in the dining room on all the Royal Caribbean cruises that i have been on so at least with the specialty resturants, you have the choice as to whether or not you wish to spend the extra money. I agree with the other posters who stated that we do not want to be nickled and dimed by the cruise lines.

[redjellybean]

I disagree with extra charges for the items listed. The cruise vacation is supposed to be all you can eat and if they start charging for items as extra meals and special desserts, then it is not all you can eat. I have paid extra to eat in the specialty resturants, and the food is definately worth the money. However, I have always had a great meal in the dining room on all the Royal Caribbean cruises that i have been on so at least with the specialty resturants, you have the choice as to whether or not you wish to spend the extra money. I agree with the other posters who stated that we do not want to be nickled and dimed by the cruise lines.

 

agreed - extra food should not be charged

[redjellybean]

None Of The Above. But hey, if the cruise line is gonna charge us for stuff, how about we get a rebate for things we don't like and don't use.;)

 

For me the list of rebates is:

1. the spa - I can get massages and pedicures cheaper at home with no sales talk! and from someone who knows my preferences

2. the casino - too cheap to gamble

3. the art auctions - do people really buy this stuff?

4. the shops - ditto! We need more sundries and basic stuff that we forgot to pack

5. Kid programs - I don't have kids, but on second thought, the programs should keep kids out of our hair

6. Photographs that are discarded. Photograhers can be so annoying, and then the photos are so expensive we don't buy them.

 

I would and do pay extra for reasonably priced bottles of liquor to drink in the cabin. Princess and HAL are reasonable.

 

I also don't mind paying for laundry service, nor do I mind paying a higher price for a balcony cabin.

 

Cruising remains a good value, if one is a canny spender.

 

 

good answer

[Alyce35]

None of the above.

[smoosh21]

I would pay extra for an announcement-free cruise. I would pay extra for a cruise director that didn't insult my intelligence. quote]

 

 

I like that one. I would probably pay to get rid of some of those cruise directors.

[redjellybean]

Hey lets have a contest to find the biggest whiner

Love you Rico

 

 

I LOVE it!!!!

it'll be a scavenger hunt.

Maybe we can give out fake tickets to people we think will win.

we will have them show up to a free champagne brunch on the bridge the last day at sea. Say 11AM. Then we can meet at the pursers desk to see who is te biggest whiner!:D

[Carol4158]

I'd happily pay a corkage fee to bring my own wine on board....and a fee to take a bottle from the store back to my cabin. But hey, didn't we have that option at one time and it was taken away from us?

 

Perhaps this was RCCL trying to save us money because now some folks get it all for free by smuggling!

[redjellybean]

Would you pay for a sun tan lotion appacation?? First one is free-- a no lines tan?!?!?

Love u Rico

 

does the grand have the "special-adults only" sun deck?

maybe they have a card for the applications, buy 9 get one free:p

[DaisyRose]

I think that if cruise lines started charging extra for the things listed by the OP, I might stop crusing. I've never been able to take advantage of a "great price" on a cruise, and I think that what we pay for the cruise is enough. It also annoys me when people with lots of money can "buy their way" ahead of me, such as priority disembarkation or tendering, reserved show seats or poolside lounges, etc. I believe those things should be first come first served, and everyone should get their chance in their fair turn.

[Mother of Pearl]

I tend to agree with this. If they start charging for each service, the appeal of being all inclusive would probably encourage us to consider other options.

[piercetc4]

it was mentioned on another thread that its possible rci is charging the room service fee between midnight and 5 am because of all the food waste going on during that time frame........ trays put out in the halls barely touched or because ppl order then fall asleep and wont answer the door when the food comes, or kids ordering late and not tipping etc............

for those saying they may switch to all inclusive resort - have you priced how much those are? i checked on sandals last yr and it was double what we pay to do a 7 night cruise in a balcony cabin- costs may be diff at other resorts- and air to those resorts is more for us anyways than to just catch a flt to mco or hou - so that part should be factored in as well

 

for those who want all nonsmoking- celebrity wont allow it in the cabins or on the balconys- not sure about the rest of the ship-

[Casino Player]

Cruising may be an affordable vacation, especially with this year's current crop of deals, but the lines are starting to add fees for formerly free amenities. Case in point -- Royal Caribbean recently announced a new $3.95 surcharge on all late-night room service orders, when in-room dining at any hour on that line used to be free of charge.

 

With new fees popping up everywhere, we wonder just what cruise travelers are willing to pay for...and what's not worth even a couple of bucks. Please vote in our poll and let us know which of these currently free privileges you'd pay for should the cruise lines start charging for the services. Be sure to post your opinions, too!

 

With all the nickle and diming that has already been eliminated my wife and I wouldn't go on a cruise if you had to start paying a surcharge for everything. I could go to some of my favorite Hotels in Atlantic City and stay for a lot less as long as I give them a certain amount of action in the Casino each day.

[truwoman]

I am also of the "none of the above" mind.

 

Room service? I can walk to the "trough" as I need the exercise anyway.

 

Specialty restaurants? Tried it once, not any better than the main dining room.

 

Chairs all day by the pool? Never use one.

 

Never use the casino, as a matter of fact, I make every effort to NEVER even walk through as it stinks from smoke!

 

What about internet access? Way too high a charge, especially for low quality dial-up speed service. I finally leave my laptop at home.

 

Paying extra for an oceanview is worth it. Paying for a balcony may not be, but I do like it. I have a limit though.

 

The front room in the theatre almost drew me in, but nah....

 

Table for 2? I would like to talk with the other pax.

 

Maybe a window seat at dinner.....

 

Toiletries? No, I like mine better.

 

Get rid of the "art auctions" I heard that Park what-ever is in court accused of fraudulent dealings.

 

Almost did a little fitness counselling on the last cruise, but decided to keep my dollars in my own little town where I would see him week after week. Ditto the spa....Way too pricey.

 

I am glad that the price of liquor is extra, since I don't drink any.

 

Photos: I used to buy every one that was taken....5 x 7's at $6. I don't want 8 x 10,s or larger. How many cruise photos can be displayed in one's living room? Last cruise, I finally said "no" to pictures.

 

Reading all the above.....honest, I do have some vices....and I have a great time on the cruise. I like meeting other people, especially the crew, from other cultures and finding out all about them, their views and their countries! The best part of travel!!

[LProcter]

We wouldn't pay extra for any of the services listed.

 

If they keep this up cruise lines are going to lose customers. We all pay good money for our cruises and if we have to pay extra to get off the ship first in ports, get a seat by the pool, decent seats at the show - then we'll be treated like second class guests - and that's not the reason we cruise!

 

If you want a good seat by the pool or at the show - get there early like the rest of us!

[bubbie617]

I'm sorry if I'm repeating what anyone else has written but after reading more than half of this thread, I had to stop to make a statement.

There are NO necessities on a cruise that they charge for now. Photos? Specialty restaurants? Excursions? Alcoholic drinks? Sodas? These are EXTRAS that we could all do without if we so choose.

Photos? Take your own camera and ask another passenger to take your picture!

Specialty restaurants? Yes, I like them and always go there at least one night (depending on the length of the cruise), but I would manage quite nicely if I didn't go and only used the dining room, the buffet or room service for dinner.

Excursions? Make plans on your own and control your costs that way.

Alcoholic drinks? I know many people enjoy a drink or two daily when on vacation, but if you can't do without that drink, you have a bigger problem than nickels and dimes!

Sodas? There are plenty of other things to drink for which there is no extra charge. There is always iced tea available, but I don't drink it because I avoid caffeine. I've never had a problem when asking for lemon wedges to add to my water (free) and a packet or two of artificial sweetener and I have a great drink to enjoy.

The things they charge extra for are LUXURIES. Internet? I wish I could keep my husband off of it! Laundry? Hand wash or bring enough that you can wait until you get home to do the laundry. Spa services? They're nice, but you can have a wonderful vacation without them. Etc., etc., etc.

Your NECESSITIES are included - your cabin, your meals, your entertainment. Anything you pay extra for is a luxury. If you want to indulge yourself, have a ball. I do, and I do not complain about the costs.

Sometimes I feel like I have to ask if you want cheese with that whine!!