Sorry all:

It looks like I jumped the gun a bit with my angst about Radisson fares. I think I know why the '07 fares looked so high to me. My last "non-Paul Gauguin" Radisson cruise was actually in '04. Though we did go on the PG in '05, we have not booked anything on Radisson for '06. So when I saw the '07 fares, my immideate point of reference was the '04 Voyager cruise and the '05 Paul Gauguin cruise. Clearly not a fair "apples to apples" comparisson and view of the matter! Principally, my mind immediately turned to our most recent cruise on the Paul Gauguin -- compared to which "sticker shock" at the '07 fares on the other ships is understandable. But again, not a fair comparisson. Two years difference. And, for reasons unknown, the PG has carried a lower per diem than Radisson's other ships for the past few years.

And to all in Radisson's management, I appologize for my comments. Actually, it appears that the actual "apples to apples" '06 to '07 fare increases ARE just about the right amount to account for the lost revenues from open bar, the "roll in" of the fuel surcharge, and reasonable inflation. I hope management will understand that much of my angst was due to the fact that the '07 fares (however justified) are very near to my maximum price point. In other words, I am on the verge of being priced out of the Radisson market. And I wouldn't care if I didn't truly like cruising on this line.

Thanks,
Richard

Richard: That was a sincere "mea culpa" and I'm happy you'll continue with Radisson as you do seem to enjoy the line. And thanks for all your hard work, in the past, about AI!! I'll have to go take a look at how some other boards respond to your latest comment - Joanna

Richard, it takes a really big man to admit when he was wrong. I am impressed with your candor. I too hope you can continue on RSSC.

I know all about sticker shock, not with cruising, but with lots of other things in life...like gas prices, and I know how hard it becomes to try and balance everything.

Hey Richard, I am really glad that this turned out to the case, because I compared our MC-Dover "WAVE" cruise in June, and it was $420 per person more for almost an identical cruise in 2007, same airfare deals. So very relieved that this is the norm, hope it holds up in 2008, since I am unlikely to go anywhere in 2007.

We are booked on the MC to Dover itinerary for 2007. This cruise has a Society savings of 10%, as well as free air or $1,000 air credit per person. After all this as well as $400 Gold Points redemption, onboard booking credit, etc., the price came out to a little over $3500 PP for us. Great deal for a 10 night cruise!

Richard,

Thanks for being sincere in your feelings and expressing them - that can be a hard to do - it takes a big person to do that.

What we found is that when things get too expensive for our budgets, we still might do them, just a bit less frequently or we find we are willing to compromise elsewhere to do what appeals more to us.

We decided this year to give up saving as much as we'd like so we can go where we want. Life is short. Next year, we've cut back a bit (we have 4 cruises booked right now over 21 months), but, that can change too.

Kathy:

And I must admit that we cruised so much in '02, '03,' and '04 that we are running out of places we want to go that are best accessble via cruise ship. This is why we booked another comparable line for '06. Radisson just didn't have an itinerary that appealed that we hadn't done before. We are probably down to one cruise (or other major trip) per year now, due to the costs. But at least we can usually do that!

Again, sorry for my mistake earlier on this board. Looks like the representations made to me by Radisson management were, in fact, just about as true as they can get.

Thanks,
Richard

Ngaire - my comments about Radisson were based on how they market in the UK; and i think that this exposes the big difference between the USA cruise market and the UK market. In the UK, once you have booked, that is it - there is no alteration to the price you pay. There is no retrospective reduction of a booked fare to match offers currently in the market. And that is how the cruiselines work, not the travel agents.

The UK market and therefore consumer perception is dominated by P&O. They set their brochure prices and then discount from those prices. The level of discount can literally change from hour to hour depending on how a cabin grade is selling. And whilst it is true that the best discounts are gained on early booking, the key marketing message of all the cruiselines is the amount of the discount. It is even the case that the 2nd or 3rd editions of some cruise brochures will have higher "brochure" fares, so that although the percentage discounts look the same, the absolute price paid has increased. In the UK, Radisson have no choice but to play this game - as this is how the consumer expects cruises to be marketed! Crazy i know.

So my apologies if you think i have maligned Radisson - that was not my intention. I am one of those who is in favour of all inclusive, as my bar bill normally runs at $100 per day. I hasten to add that that is for both Gus and myself.............but even so you can tell we know how to enjoy ourselves!

Already posted this on the other board, but since Richard did the same here:
Richard, I never felt that you owed an apology to anyone. You were only expressing your opinion based on what you perceived as the facts and never have you "flamed" anyone. Oh boy, have I disagreed with you from time to time! When we plan our own cruises, if we are smart (as everyone on here is) we "sharpen our pencils" so to speak and get down to what it is going to cost US for a particular cruise. So you certainly do not have any "responsibility" for this as we go about that task.

For singles, it may be one hugely different price between lines (thus the importance of looking at single supps if booking)

You and I have had our share of disagreements and agreements on the boards over several years. There is always one thing that is constant in your posts, and that is never having an agenda for one cruise line or another. You are just a passenger like me. You are also graced with humility, a quality that is totally lacking today for many people who are in conflict! Worry not, your advice and experience on this board will far outlive a couple of days of "sticker shock" that you had not experienced on a regular RSSC for a couple of years!

Richard, you are "a Scholar and a Gentleman." I've always appreciated your posts and insight, regardless of whether I agree or not. Nothing you say is mean-spirited. Many times, you attempt to offer constructive criticism. Then, we the readers, take from it what we will. I have a lot of respect for someone who rethinks issues and offers apologies.

I hope you continue to offer your thoughts, impressions, suggestions, evaluations and opinions for many years to come! And, I hope you continue to enjoy cruising, regardless of which cruiseline you choose to sail with!

Olivia and Denise - perfectly said!

I am new to this board and just wanted to add that we just booked a 2007 Caribbean cruise on the Mariner yesterday. We have just come off a mass market cruise ship and after that experience
we did not care what we had to pay on Radisson so long as we were not going to get nickled and dimed 24 hours a day. When I read that Radisson was going all inclusive we did not hesitate and booked.
The fact that they were all inclusive is why we decided on Radisson

Welcome Billp1! Which cruise did you book?

Bill,

Welcome to LCT. You will love RSSC after having been Mass Marketed. No comparison. How can you not like being spoiled?

Welcome!! You will be very very happy with your choice. There is alot of information here, lots of people with many many days on Radisson and specifically the ship you are taking. Ask away, and enjoy the anticipation of a fabulous trip!

bill, welcome aboard lct! I'd suggest you start a new thread if you want to have more answers to your questions! This thread has been going on for awhile and may have worn itself out, so to speak. Your thoughts may be better addressed by more posters with a new one! I feel confident you will love getting away from the nickel-diming, I have heard that tale so many times!

Hi billp1 we will sail on the Mariner for our first time in late June...doing Alaska. I think you chose the right ship to sail on.

Welcome to LCT!

Surprised by so many greetings.Thanks.

We are booked on the Mariner on March 13 2007 which is a ten night Eastern Caribbean cruise out of Ft Lauderdale.

We are booked this fall on a the Crown Princess with family and friends.New ship leaving from New York which is convient for us.

We usually cruise two to three times a year but the next one will probably the last one on a mass market cruise line. Too many corners being cut in food and drink quality in my opinion.

We will probably book a fall 2007 Radissson cruise while we are on the Mariner based on my wife and I enjoying our first RSSC cruise.

Billp1: You will love Radisson and the all inclusive will be soooo nice - enjoy this board - Joanna

Welcome to LCT, Billp1. You will find your cruising experience on Radisson to far surpass the mass market lines. All-inclusive, better crew-to-passenger ratio, great, roomy suites and fellow-LCTer's to sail with often times. You will be pampered from the moment you embark.

Enjoy your RSSC cruise and your, hopefully, frequent visits to LCT!

Welcome Billp1:

I was the one who initiated his thread with incorrect information, for which I have appologized. After your Radisson cruise, you will never again return to the mass market lines. We cruised them 5 to 10 years ago. They weren't all that bad then. Now, I would rather stay home. And if cost is the ony factor, staying home is free! You are going on a cruise where I predict you will have no lines or crowds, no "state fair" atmosphere of always trying to sell you something, and great service, food , and fellow guests. Your suite will be luxurious and well attended, and spacious. You will enjoy better food than many of us can get in our part of the country, regardless of price. Since you have mass market line experience, I think you will be happy with both the price and the content of the excursions offered. And you will find that the "port talks" are NOT just one running "infomercial" for the ship's excursions and merchants with which the ship has "a deal". Rather, they will be about the culture, history, and sites at the port, regardless of whether the ship has an excursion to those sites or not. You can go to the excursion desk, and get advise on things to see that ARE NOT part of a ship excursion.

A Radisson cruise is both classy and casual. Who would not like that?

Thanks,
Richard

Richard! I'm so happy to see you feeling so positive! I really hope you and I are on the same Radisson cruise someday. I know you feel passionately about your cruise experiences -- as well you should. We work hard to earn these experiences, and we want them to be all that we anticipate and hope for. I always hit it off with other people who have the same passions I do, so I have no doubt if we ever encounter each other on a cruise, we'd have a great time comparing notes and travel passions.

Billp1, welcome to LCT! As a person who took the "step up" from mass market to Radisson last year, I look forward to hearing your perceptions. I remember being so wowed by the differences that I experienced, and look forward to hearing yours!

Bill, Welcome to LCT. You will be thrilled on your Radisson cruise in March 2007. The experience far surpasses the mass market lines (we only did one MM prior to RSSC). So, you are in for a real treat. Enjoy this board and the information!
Cheers, Pam