Cruise line special last nigh re :: the Norwegian Pearl: very informative
 

There was a one hour special on CNCBC about the cruise industry that really waked us up to some facts. One is that they are really hurting right now, especially when they have all the expense and are not booked to full capacity. Second is how much the Cruise line takes in (and counts on when estimating profit or loss) in the form of drinks, art work, shops, casino, special restaurants, shore escursions, kick backs of many kinds, and how some of them are about to go 'under'...A great time to take a cruise if you like the big ships.

Anyway, did anyone see it?

I've seen the Peter Greenberg special if that's the one you're talking about. But this is kind of old news, and the show itself is kind of old. But it's right-on about the economics of the middle-of-the-road cruise industry. They definitely make their profits on the on-ship sales, not off the cabin, which is basically to cover their costs right now.

But you'll also find the prices of cruises are starting to go up, and I think the days of the $699 cruise on a nice big ship are on the way out. (Have you seen the prices they're currently getting for RCI's Oasis of the Seas?)

But undoubtedly, cruising is a really good value right now and will be for the next few months I think.

We just returned last night from our first cruise - to the Caribbean on the Caribbean Princess. We got an amazing deal. I don't see how they could possibly do this trip for what we paid. If you ever wanted to try cruising, now is certainly the time to do it!

Yes, I saw it, and in January we "helped" Norwegian a little ;) They stopped greeting people with free champagne on arrival, but when you pay, they serve with chocolate-dipped strawberries!

Our next cruise will be with RCCL in Europe, and it looks all window and balcony cabins are reserved.

The biiggest money maker on a crusie ship is Casinos, photoes, drinks and shore excursions. typical casino will take in minimum 20% of the slots and money on the table, some even hgher. They typically mark up 20% to 25% on shore excursions comapre to what you can book on your own direct.
As to photoes and videos, you can do the math, it's at least 6 figures, on a typical 7 day cruise. They take pictures when you come on board, get off ship at the ports, dining room, formals, champaign fountains, ... every chance they get. With the cost of digital media (no developing cost) and with prints at the cost of less than 10 cents a picture, even with the cost of all the throw aways, it is pure 6 figure profit.