I've been on over 60 cruises. I started cruising in the early 1980's and I've seen many changes in these years. Cruising was expensive in the 80's and 90's but with more cruise lines entering the seas, prices dropped and it became a cost effective holiday. You get your hotel, meals, entertainment and see many different ports. You pay in full 90 or 120 days before you leave. I like that.
My first cruise was on NCL Norway that was a French ocean liner, and then NCL purchased it. She was a beauty in her time. I remember an import beer was US$0.50! Much below the local bar prices and a deal.
Through the years, the cruise lines increased bar prices and even though they don't pay local taxes, their drinks are the same or more than most local bars. It's a cash cow for them. Other activities that help the cruise lines with their cash flow are bingo and the casino!
Cruise lines have started charging for extra dinners. If you don't like your entree, no problem, they will bring you another dinner for free. It's to stop the gluttons who order two or three meals and only eat portions of each. Food waste is disgusting and they want to stop it. Now on most cruise lines, if you want a good steak or lobster you pay extra at dinner in the main dining room. You do get steak and lobster as a dinner on formal nights, but if someone wants lobster every night of the cruise, you pay for the other nights.
I saw this online, and it's a disturbing greeting to see when you enter your cabin on embarkation day:
I've never received a welcome letter like this on Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean or Celebrity cruises. These policies are covered in the "terms and conditions" that everyone agrees to when checking in. I'm sure few people read it, but it's common sense to most.
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