Topic: Cruise bible says lines are sinners reports Travel Trade Gazzette

Weve been on many cruises and never had anything added so we must be lucky!

QUOTE:

Having been on quite a few cruises over the last 8 years I have been careful to get a copy of our tab every few days and mark off our chits so that we don't have any nasty surprises but there were always one or two that we couldn't find and presumed that we had misplaced- but reading these posts now I'm not so sure!

In February we went on Celebrity for the first time and after a few days noticed that we had been billed for two whole bottles of wine that we hadn't had whilst in the dining room we weren't in on the said nights! I only have one glass with dinner as its so expensive on US ships, and my hubby has beer or water.

I thought it was a genuine mistake until I saw these posts! Like the others said, I was given no explanation of how it happened, and not much of an apology either. I couldn't use the interactive bill checker on the tv on either of my last two cruises because it didn't work,hmmm do you think there's a reason for this?

So I will be even more careful in future-thanks to all your tips on these forums:D

It is good that we can all give each other advice, that will make our cruising experiences so much the better. I am not at all tight with money and will pay the extra for a nice cabin with balcony and a few luxuries, that to me is what cruising is all about and I think it is money well spent as I always enjoy myself so much, but I never like to think I have been mislead or even worse cheated. In October I am off on the I.O.T.S. I hope they have the same system of interactive t.v. accounts so I can keep an ever watchful eye on the amounts entered.

QUOTE:

What the blankety blank are you ********ing well talking about Malcolm?:D:D, ....Neil

I think Malcolm meant to write 'cruising'!!! :D ... Not 'cursing'!!! Am I write (sic) Malc????

QUOTE:

It seems to me that a relatively simple way to avoid most of these 'scams' is to avoid non-British lines. P&O are owned by Carnival but most things onboard are geared to the 'British way' ie. limited automated tipping, discount for all onboard purchases (inc drinks) on a rising scale as opposed to 15% surcharge 'for your convenience' and complimentary shuttle buses. Fred Olsen are similar, whilst Thomson are excellent at keeping surcharges, tips and costs under control. Cruise with the Carnival lines or Royal Caribbean and expect the worst.

Have to say this was not our experience with Oceania which is an American line. We were never pushed to buy anything. Yes the automatic gratuities were added but we felt it was fair to tip this way so everyone who served us got a share. We had lots of different waiters in the various restaurants we used and those behind the scenes got a share too. We aren't big drinkers so our drinks bill was low.

There was plenty of iced water with all the meals, our glasses were constantly refilled even in the buffet and no one ever asked us to buy bottled water. There were also free cool drinks when you were waiting for the tender!

Our final bill was low and it was accurate. Plus all the cappuchinos, smoothies and ice creams are free and no charge for the wonderful afternoon teas.

I think the key is to check out everything in advance, what's free and what's not! Then as was previously suggested check your bill daily.

QUOTE:

Wouldn't it be much better to charge 'proper' prices for the actual cruise thus negating the need for exorbitant charges for all the 'extras' which used to be 'included'?

H

Totally agree Harvey, it about time cruiselines charged a realistic cruise fare for their product (only the luxury end of the market does at the moment) and reduce the cost of the "extras" and gradual reduction in the service offered to the passengers.

QUOTE:

Totally agree Harvey, it about time cruiselines charged a realistic cruise fare for their product (only the luxury end of the market does at the moment) and reduce the cost of the "extras" and gradual reduction in the service offered to the passengers.

Yes, but when I say that Fred Olsen has no pre-paid gratuities, no service charges, no automatic tipping, and reasonable prices I'm told that they're overpriced!

QUOTE:

Yes, but when I say that Fred Olsen has no pre-paid gratuities, no service charges, no automatic tipping, and reasonable prices I'm told that they're overpriced!

And the story goes on and on and on and on, this subject is so boring now, everybody have their opinions,

RCI now have a price structure in place now that there is very different prices from where you book it now,

Also just to add what i have said before in the past that we are getting ripped off with British Sailings, A well known award winning cruise TA even said that to me just the other day..That Cruises from GB are a rip off. Maybe we should be going into that further!!

QUOTE:

Yes, but when I say that Fred Olsen has no pre-paid gratuities, no service charges, no automatic tipping, and reasonable prices I'm told that they're overpriced!

Dave
Fred may not have the above facilities in place but they still have a tipping regime in place which would be in addition to their quoted cabin prices.
Quote from their website on tipping:
"If you would like to reward staff for their service then we have guidelines for tipping, as sometimes it can be very confusing to know how much to give. ............................. guideline – £2.00 per passenger per day for your cabin stewardess and the same amount for your restaurant waiter would take care of your tips." viz. £4 per day.

H

Hi
Fred. Olsen does also add a fuel supplement to it's prices