Cruise Passenger readers always have plenty to say about what’s going on in the Australian cruise community, and in the broader cruise community. In Your Say, Cruise Passenger looks at the issues our readers are writing to us about on our blogs, posts and newsletters.
This week brought news that Princess raised its Princess Plus package by about 20 per cent and its Princess Premier package by about 30 per cent.
For Princess cruisers, the range of benefits were cut, and they’ll now be receiving less benefits for more money if they do opt for their Princess packages on future cruises. Full information on the changes can be found here.
The package changes certainly divided our community. Princess packages have been regarded as great value for some time. Have the new benefits changed all that?
Some Cruise Passenger readers stood up for Princess. Ken Anderson noted that Princess is “still better value than other lines”.
Matt Butterfield made the point that a Princess cruise is still coming out cheaper than many other types of holidays: “Yet it’s disappointing, but not a deal breaker to cruise Princess. Try staying on the Gold Coast for a family for 5 nights with food, drinks and so on. A cruise is still the best value holiday.”
But cruiser Warren Goodall says this move could spell the end of cruises with Princess for him and his wife.
“Disappointing changes. My wife and I are elite passengers and occasional drinkers, (usually zero alcohol beer through the day and the odd whisky at night. The old price was about right but the new prices, and the caveats recently placed on the ordering system, now make this a less than friendly package. It seems Princess is moving away from being a comfortable and pleasant cruise experience.
“Time to look at Viking cruises – smaller ships, no casino, no art auctions, tours included for every port, complimentary drinks at lunch and dinner.”
Another Cruise Passenger reader Peter Hill feels similarly, recently having made the change away from Princess.
“Surprise, Surprise, Surprise Princess continuing to nickel and dime. They treat their customers purely as consumers. “After over 25 Princess cruises we voted with our feet and money and went to another line, glad we did. Princess management needs to change. Yes they are increasing profits but at some stage their current philosophy will come back to bite them.”
Cruiser Gary Bryant piled on the sentiment: “Princess is getting as bad as the airlines with all the nickel and dime of their clientele.”
Linda Thom said more types of drinks will be counted towards the 15-drink limit for the plus beverage package, not just alcoholic drinks.
“Not happy about the tea and coffee being counted as one of your drinks. The price of coffee and tea is a big difference than the price of a cocktail. You could have 2 coffees for the price of a cocktail.”
Outside of the Cruise Passenger ecosystem, there’s been plenty more said about these packages.
One cruiser commented on the post of a popular cruise blogger: “My last couple of cruises were spoilt by the overwhelming feeling of being little more than a captive marketing opportunity. I’m currently looking at other ways to holiday. These penny pinching changes just add to the feeling of being gouged at every opportunity.”
Other cruisers mentioned they aren’t so sure if they’ll be continuing with the package.
“I always bought the Plus for the Coffee, and Water. The alcohol was just a bonus. I am going to have to start doing that math at this point. It almost forces you into buying the Premium Package now.”
Changes to Carnival’s loyalty program
Comments are still rolling in around loyalty programs. One of our readers said he would be looking at alternatives after Princess stopped homeporting in Melbourne.
“I am in Elite group on Princess and gained it after only 13 cruises. However, I am not too worried about any changes as I will no longer be sailing with them until they change their attitude to Melbourne Australia!
“Just because the Government increased the port charges, Princess stopped home porting in Melbourne, despite the fact it is us, the passengers, who finally pay the port charges by a surcharge on fares. All we can get now is Disney, and who wants to sail with a load of kids?” Michael Lucas.
Royal Caribbean’s year-round cruising
In the last few years, we have speculated about Royal Caribbean’s potential for year-round cruising. But with the announcement of their new private island Lelepa in Vanuatu, it seems like it may be closer to fruition than speculation.
One of our regular readers MH has made a good point about Royal Caribbean’s potential plans.
“RCL, like most companies, will very rarely deny anything in the future, as they have nothing to gain, but a possibility to lose if plans change. So their response is in line with that, rather than suggesting anything positive.
That said, given the cost and it being unused, it would make commercial sense to operate it year round. Doing it only part time makes it like ski slopes – much more expensive, meaning less commercially desirable – and there’s no need to ‘leave money on the table.” MH
Are cruise line bans becoming more intrusive?
Cruise line bans are increasing, with Carnival Cruise Lines accused of banning hip hop music. Are cruise lines’ rules over the top, of necessary as cruising becomes more popular and ship sizes grow? Our cruisers don’t think so.
“As an elite passenger with Princess our last cruise on the “Coral” came a close second to our world cruise on the “Oriana”. The reason being the “Coral” is a smaller ship and the majority of passengers were elderly. Courtesy at the lifts etc needed to be seen to be believed. No one pushing you out of the way to gain access to areas, no one running around corridors at all hours. Crews cannot enforce rules that have already been set down so how are they going to enforce new ones..I fear cruising will never be the same as it has been in the past.” Elaine Armstrong.
“Rules are fine, unless they’re deliberately aimed at making you pay the cruise lines inflated onboard prices. Preventing someone taking a couple of packets of potato crisps onboard, then offering them in the shop for 4 times the price is blatant gouging.” Ken Roberts
Please keep those comments coming
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