Man Overboard

[LukeJ]

And I guess it doesn't help with the cruise drink packages that are on offer, and to make it financially worthwhile, there is a lot of binging involved. And for me, it doesn't take much to get me to struggle for a few days with the hangover.

[Cruising Caribbean]

@LukeJ Now that I'm reading all of these comments, it seems like cruise lines almost have a hidden agenda. Alcohol consumption is promoted onboard all cruises. Cruise lines want guests to consume alcohol and buy the drink packages. Most guests don't consume enough to get their money's worth out of the drink packages. On top of that, guests are way more relaxed with their spending habits after a few drinks. Guests want to be on the ship longer to get their money's worth out of the drink packages they spent so much on. Drinks and casino play are huge money generators and go hand in hand. It's all about getting the most out of each guest. Soda barely costs the cruise lines any money. Even if guests are purchasing alcohol-free packages, the cruise lines are making a large profit margin from those purchases. 

[LukeJ]

From a business point of view, and at the end of the day, every cruise line is a business to them, they are going out to make as much money as they possibly can from every single one of us. It's a cutthroat industry in that, it may be sugar coated to sound like they are doing it for guests to enjoy, but the financial aspect is ruthlessly exposed. If they don't make the money from the drink package, then take your pick to where they will get that difference from. Either way, these companies will get their money one way or another .

[Cruising Caribbean]

@LukeJ It almost hurts to read your comment because I can't the industry is seen in this way. I'm almost in denial about the cruise industry being "cutthroat." It feels like yesterday the cruise industry was so different, caring for guests and beyond intentional. I feel so deeply for the industry and seeing this solely financially driven pivot is so disappointing. The cruise industry wasn't always like this! When cruise lines were thoughtful of guests' concerns and feedback, those were the days of cruising, the glory days. Since I remember those times, I try to focus on those memories instead of getting frustrated with the very noticeable changes from customer service to all of the extra fees/charges. I think so fondly of the cruise industry to this day, but sometimes it's hard to ignore the signs and the feelings of just being a number in the crowd. 

[PaulB]

It's very easy to over drink without realising when your enjoying yourself or in good company. It's always as you get up to leave when you realise that you may have had enough to drink 

[Seaawgs]

Beverage packages and drinking in general are offered due to popularity. If I've been to St. Maarten 20 times, what can the cruise line do to make it 21? Spending 3+ sea days out of 7 sipping iced tea and punch won't cut it. I alone determine my fate when I choose a level drinking beyond what's wise. 

[3Sisters]

@Seaawgs I agree that drinking alcohol onboard a cruise ship is very popular. It's almost the assumed cruise culture and a norm for the industry. I typically consume more onboard a cruise than any other typical vacation. I guess it's just so readily available everywhere you turn! The amount of bars on the nest ships just blows me away. Alcohol does have many harmful properties when abused above legal limits. I do enjoy a good detox every now and again, but I'm generally not a heavy drinker to begin with. I prefer to be in control and self-aware at all times. 

[LukeJ]

@Cruising Caribbean I'm with you on this, gone are the days when it seemed to be the niche of different clients. Since it's got even popular, it pains to say that the needs and service have dropped, like most companies in the world now, majority have let standards drop, and its now what's to be expected.

[Cruising Caribbean]

@LukeJ I knew I wasn't the only one! It felt so much more personalized and specialized, cruising back in the day. The best way I can describe it is that the care and quality of service are mundane! It doesn't feel unique or intentional anymore. It did in decades past. The people that cruise nowadays don't seem very interested in the quality either. Maybe it's just that the newbies have nothing to compare it to. I will never give up on cruising, but I reminisce on those good old days. The extra costs and fees don't help the situation either. Maybe I'm maturing and growing to become more interested in a higher-end cruise line. It may be time for me to level up! 

[LukeJ]

It was as if only the elite would go cruising, the upper circles compared to the working class. When I grew up, in the UK, I never went on vacation abroad as we could never afford it, only local places to get away from things. If anyone ever went on a cruise, it was a big deal, and they were looked at by the community as if they were doing very well in life. Funny how things are perceived by society. 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@LukeJ I have realized that change too! Thanks for sharing your personal experience. Cruising is more accessible to the general public now, and the variety of itineraries and prices makes the cruising experience attainable for many. I think what the general public has to realize is that since there is such a scale of cruising options from lower-priced to higher-priced experiences the quality is also scaleable. You can't expect high quality from a more reasonably priced experience. If you have high expectations, you should book with a higher-tier line that specializes in making its cruise experiences above and beyond. Many of those higher-end cruises have a steep price range, but the intimacy and care you can get from these cruise lines, like Silversea Cruises is unmatched. Those luxury cruising experiences are still perceived as a big deal! I have yet to cruise on a luxury line, but I would love to have the opportunity someday. 

[LukeJ]

It's good that the standard has changed in a sense because even though it was always the people that did well in life got to spend time on a cruise, while us working class looked on, envious, it does mean that standards have dropped. The only way that you could get that standard back is to up those price to ridiculous amounts that only had the upper classes again. And why should that ever be allowed to happen 

[Cruising Caribbean]

@LukeJ I like that perspective. Working-class people should have the attainable opportunity to cruise. What I don't understand is why working-class people (like me), have 5-star expectations. You can't expect 5-star service if you aren't paying those prices. The prices of an all-inclusive cruise are reasonable nowadays for everything you get (room, board, entertainment, excellent service, constant activities/endless amenities). If you want to drink top shelf and eat endless lobster every evening, you have to pay extra for those luxuries. I have a hard time upstanding why your average-paying cruiser (like myself) gets so hung up about the little things, like subpar scrambled eggs at the buffet. Let's all agree that middle-class cruising isn't perfect but it's still an awesome vacation experience for the price. Just find what you like, and stick to that. I don't like it when guests are just on the hunt for something negative. Focus on the good stuff friends!

[LukeJ]

@Cruising Caribbean absolutely spot on. We should all know that the world doesn't do us any favours. If we want something nice, then we pay for that. If we pay little, then unfortunately we do get the basics of it. If you have no problems with the basic, then great. As you mentioned the buffet, with scrambled eggs, it's just the way it goes when it comes to feeding crowds of people. At some point that was probably good scrambled eggs, but over time, it obviously goes. If you want fresh, super scrambled eggs, then as you guess, pay more for a more personal touch.

[Cruising Caribbean]

@LukeJ It's nice to hear you agree. I wish that I could tell everyone that your traditional cruise experience is perfect, but it's not and nothing is. Things happen and ships aren't invincible! If there are things you just can't stand about a certain cruise aspect, you can almost always pay more to get an enhanced experience. If you want priority embarkation, you can pay for that. If you want upscale dining onboard, you can pay for that. If you wan't VIP stateroom service, you can pay for that. If you aren't willing to pay for that, then don't complain about the basic (but still great) cruise experience. I have yet to find a need for any extra services because the basic cruise experience checks all the boxes for me. One day I may go all out, but I'm afraid if I spend so much on an epic cruise experience, I will never be able to go back to basic cruising. For now, I'm sticking to the basics. My kids don't know any better and think unlimited fries and pizza is the best thing on this planet. Basically, they think it's out of the world amazing when you throw in endless ice cream.

[LukeJ]

Just need to manage your expectations really. In your mind you must realise if you pay basic then you will receive basic service. The only sad thing about is, is sometimes you can't pay top price, and will never receive what the privilege passengers can get, however as long as you're open minded and with friends and family, then that's better than anything money can buy . 

[Cruising Caribbean]

@LukeJ I agree! If you have the right mindset, your cruise will most likely be a success. I can't pay the top prices but I'm not sad about it. It's the fact of life. I'm thankful I still get to travel and cruise about once a year. That's a privilege many people never get! People can feel so entitled! Those that nitpick every little detail down to a person giving them a bizarre face just drive me insane. I do love me a good balanced cruise review! It's priceless when you get a very level cruise review that makes you really grasp what the itinerary was like. 

[LukeJ]

I'm happy to go with the flow when on vacation, open minded to most things and think positive, and let everyone else be miserable if they wish.

[3Sisters]

@LukeJ Go with flow is the way to be on vacation! There are all types of vacationers. I have been on vacations with the hyper planners. Those friends are oftentimes great, but sometimes it can feel more stressful than fun when we are 24/7 sticking to a schedule. I like the idea of relaxing on vacation with nowhere to be. Cruise sea days are great for a plan-free day. My life is hyper scheduled all the time, on vacation I'm looking for the complete opposite of my everyday. 

[LukeJ]

Ha ha oh yes I have to admit I gave a wry smile when I read your comment on the hyper planners. I've been there myself, and some are just totally overwhelming and try to plan every single thing of the vacation. I'm all for doing things as a group, but honestly it spoils things when it's all planned for you. I like to see where the wind blows, and go wherever we feel at the time. 

[Cruising Caribbean]

@LukeJ I'm fine with planning some things, but I don't want to feel tied to a strict schedule on vacation. It defeats the purpose. Yes, I want the most out of my cruise vacation, but I don't want a no-downtime experience. I completely agree about relaxing on vacation. A little bit of chill, do-nothing is good for the soul. It can be really nice to just get off the ship and explore wherever feels right. It can be hard to get a group to agree, which is when those excursions really come in handy. Do you typically pre plan an excursion for every port of call? 

[LukeJ]

We do plan a couple of excursions I admit, but when you are on a cruise for a week or more, it's good to have something to aim for in that time, however, to plan everything within every hour of the vacation is not my idea of fun. As I mentioned, I do like to go with the flow majority of the time, but if there is a couple of excursions planned, then I'm for that too.

[PaulB]

I like to go with the flow when I'm on vacation. I don't tend to want to organise or plan anything. If we go offshore and we see an excursion that we are interested in, then we will do it there and then. If it's the other side of the country, it will not be done. I hate travelling the best of times, so if I have to travel an extra 2/3 hours to do an excursion, then it simply won't be entertained.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@LukeJ For me the ship in itself can be enough! There is plenty to do onboard, and if I make it off the ship, that's great too. I have been cruising for the experience lately, but cruising for the destinations can be fun too. If I was able to do more cruises per year, I would entertain the option of traveling for the destination, but the price and convenience of just cruising to anywhere has been meeting my needs for relaxation. I have cruised with hyper planners and it can be loads of fun! These cruises are typically for other's celebrations such as weddings or bachelorette/birthday parties. When I plan my own getaway, I'm more flexible to just be and go wherever the wind takes me.

[LukeJ]

Some people do go away for the experience that's true, and even though the ship may dock, doesn't necessarily mean that you have to get off. As you say, there is plenty of things to do onboard, and many have seen the locations stopped at many times before.