There are certain trends Earl and I have noticed in our fifteen years on board cruise ships. (We haven’t spent fifteen years continuously, you understand; only a couple weeks each year. But it’s enough to notice changes.)
You can have a wonderful time on a cruise for the base price, which includes lodging, all you can eat in various venues, swimming, and stops at ports of call. There’s also all kinds of entertainment from variety shows, singers, magicians, and comics to cooking demonstrations, napkin folding lessons, and puzzles of the day. However, if you want a cocktail, it’s extra. And if you want to take a special excursion any place you dock, that too is extra. It’s always been that way.
About three or four years ago, however, we noticed a lot more add-ons and a lot more salesmanship by the ship’s crew. Now when you board you’re invited to buy a coffee card or a cola card. For a flat price, you get a certain number of specialty coffees or cola throughout your cruise. Several years ago, the ships didn’t even serve lattes and cappuccinos.
There are also several restaurants that serve elaborate meals for an upcharge. And a sushi bar and a wine tasting bar, each for an additional fee. The high tea that used to be part of the basic package has now gone uptown as well. The spa services were always extra, but I noticed on this trip there was an accent on selling product along with one’s pedicure.
I understand costs have risen since 2001. I also see the argument that people should pay for a special service that not everyone wants, rather than rolling it into the base price for all to share. So with this point of view in mind, I’m recommending the next item for purchase outside the base price: smoothies. They are nowhere to be found on this voyage.
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