The cost of cruising

[OceanAngel]

Jane Archer looks at the hidden costs of cruising - where "everything included" may not mean what you expect.<]

I was on Ocean Village Two last week, indulging in some of the free champagne they and other cruise lines hand out just before the art auction starts – presumably to get you in the right frame of mind to spend a fortune (it didn’t work, incidentally, as nothing was selling) – when I met Ron and his wife.

Paying for drinks every day means cruising has become one big retail experience

They had cruised once before, on a four-night break in the Caribbean, and were having a good time on our Mediterranean itinerary but were not happy at the things they had to pay for that had been included last time.

“The grandchildren got free ice cream. Here you have to pay for it,†was the main gripe.

I don’t know how many times over the past 12 months I have heard Americans moan that the cruise lines are out to “nickel and dime†you.

I know what they mean. Cruise lines tell us everything is included in the price of a holiday at sea. What they should really say is that when you book a cruise, food served in the main dining room and self-service buffet is included, as is entertainment. But that’s it.

If you want a drink, you not only pay for it, but on many lines a tip is added to the cost, even if you have walked up to the bar to get it.

If you go to the spa, even just to use the sauna or steam room, there’s often a charge. And don’t forget the gratuities at the end of the cruise, which add an average of $10 (£5) a day to the bill.

OK, so these “extras†are expected among seasoned cruisers – although I have met people who are tempted to cruise because they really think “everything included†means everything is included, and are shocked that they will have to pay for a drink.

But it is all the other extra costs – like Ron’s ice cream – that are becoming irritating.

Most cruise ships these days have speciality restaurants, which are invariably good but charge a supplement. Am I alone in thinking the quality of the food in the main restaurants has fallen, making us all decamp to the paid-for ones? I suspect not.

Royal Caribbean International, which gets full marks for not charging for on-board activities, has Ben & Jerry’s ice cream parlours that charge for a decent ice cream. On other ships, if you want a nice cup of coffee, it costs. Ocean Village Two charges for its cookies at Charlies.

And on Silversea, where drink is included in the cost of the cruise, wine is not only an extra in the speciality restaurant, but you can’t have the perfectly drinkable plonk that’s free elsewhere. This is gourmet food, they say, so you pay gourmet prices.

So how does this fit with the idea that “everything is included†?

It’s not actually the money that’s at issue for me, although it all adds up. A couple of beers, a glass of wine and a bottle of water a day will run up an average bill of £9 a day, or £63 for a seven-night cruise.

Add a meal in the speciality restaurant, a treatment in the spa and gratuities, and you’ve run up at least another £140 for the week. Not a huge amount of money, I know, but most people aren’t this abstemious on holiday. Most passengers can expect to spend at least double these amounts – more if they have a bottle of wine now and then, a shore excursion or two, and want to use the internet every couple of days.

What I don’t like is the way cruising has become one big retail experience. I know cruise lines need to make a profit, especially as the actual cost of cruising has fallen in recent years – they have to make up the shortfall somehow. But it would be helpful if they were more upfront about what you pay for and how much things are on board before you book. I have struggled to find out prices and know I am not alone.

Are cruise lines being economical with the truth when it comes to cost?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jht...-cruise-119.xml

[OceanAngel]

If you go to the spa, even just to use the sauna or steam room, there’s often a charge.

If your cruising with Carnival there is no charge for the sauna, steam room, of hot tub. :)

[Brady121291]

My 3 kids always get the soda card as its so convenient, and me and my wife don't drink much alcohol on board, we may have some wine at dinner and a few beers on the beach but other than that its fine, whenever I need a drink i'll use one of the kids soda cards, and im off

[elfed]

FINALLY! Someone has put into print what I have maintained for months. We are being nickel and dimed to death on cruises these days but not a lot of people seem to care. That is until they get the credit card bill at the end of the month! If it wasn't for the fact that I love ships and travelling by sea, I would opt for an all inclusive holiday any time. The advice I would offer to new, potential cruisers is that they read the fine print in the brochures VERY carefully or quiz their travel agent about the extras.

Regards,

James.

P.S. For those of you against All Inclusives-MOST activities are included-again read the fine print.I know things such as Resort photos, top of the line wines and spirits and shore excursions are not included. Obviously the higher priced resort the more all inclusives.

[JohnG]

I have often provided a side by side comparison for customers of the price of 7 days at an all inclusive with airfare to get there, and the price of a cruise. On any mass market line, the cruise wins even after factoring in alcohol, etc.

[elfed]

Aw, C'mon John- there is no comparison at all. We are taking an all inclusive in November which includes all activities on land and sea along with a choice of 5 restaurants No extra fees .Ground transportation to and from the resort from the airport is included and all tipping.The only big difference is the fact of not travelling to other islands. When was the last time you took a cruise John? I don't mean to be disrespectful but I'm afraid you're wrong here. I am talking of cruising on today's ships-not 5 or 10 years ago when the nickel and diming was virtually non existant.(I also book the air fares seperately from the AI or cruise fare.)

Examples:

CRUISES-included:

All meals except speciality restaurants

Ice Cream

Pizza Bars

Entertainment in Main theatre and bars

Cabin Service twice a day

Fun Activities

Some Fitness Classes

Use of Fitness equipment

Room service

Travelling to different islands

CRUISES-excluded

Soft drinks and bottled water

Alcoholic drinks including wine

Tipping

Some aerobics classes

Massages

Use of certain spa whirlpools without taking a spa treatment

Wine tasting.

All Inclusive Resorts (4 to 5 star ratings)

All of the CRUISES included with the exception of the island travel

All the CRUISES excluded items are included in AI's

Extra costs include shore excursions and shopping and a few spa treatments but that's about it.

Also rooms are larger with great views of botanical gardens or the beach and ocean.

Anyway John we are all different and have various viewpoints. But because of my love of the sea and ships I will continue to cruise but not as often as I once did.

Regards,

James.

[txSherry]

James,

do you have any recommended AI resorts? :-)

Also, and this is pertinent for my family; driving the three of us to a cruise port is cheaper than 3 airfares to anywhere. Just a point to add on-topic to the conversation :-) I would go out on a limb and say the larger the family, the more savings there are in cruising (from a close port) than flying anywhere.

But, hey, I'm game to look into it! Point me the way to some AI resorts you've been to and can recommend.

--Sherry

[elfed]

Hi Sherry,

As it is late here I'll answer your request tomorrow- Sunday.

Regards,

James.

[JohnG]

Elfed,

In case you haven't noted in my postings, below the sailing ship picture, I've been on 31 cruises, 11 in the last 30 months. So I am current.

And when you include the airfare to fly to the AI (Mexican Riviera, Caribbean island, etc) to the cost of the AI, and compare it to airfare to a US port and cruise, throw in a couple hundred for alcohol and wine on the cruise (we don't drink soda), the cruise can usually beat the AI.

And I do this for a living, so I know of what I speak. If the AI were less expensive, I'd promote it more. When a customer asks, I do a price quote comparison, and it usually favors the cruise on mass market lines like Carnival, RCCL, or NCL (on whose new ships there are up to 12 restaurants and never more than 4 have a surcharge).

But that's okay, we can agree to disagree.

[elfed]

Hello Sherry,

Some AI include Breezes, Couples and Sandals. All offer great prices and locations.

Regards, James.