Grow up people. Cruise lines have to make a buck or they go under. Cruising is still and excellent value. If you are worried about the nickels and dimes, stay at home.

Someone has apparently went through a lot of old threads and brought them current.<BR>Oh, well-may as well have my say.<BR>Rick is exactly right.Cruise companies have to make money to stay in business and keep the fares low enough so we all can cruise.<BR>I can't believe how some people want to get a cruise for a few dollars and then expect everything to be furnished for them.<BR>If people don't want to pay for soft drinks, then by all means don't buy them.If you think a shore tour is too much, then don't take it.<BR>Cruise lines can easily end the griping about "nickel and diming" by simply raising the cost of cruising by several hundred dollars per person and saying "everythings included"--- but is it cheaper? No--you are paying up front--that's all. If people don't want to buy something, then don't buy it--saves money and griping.<BR>I had a friend who ran a small store.He had a large jar of peppermint sticks on the counter marked "2 for .89Cents"--<BR>said in two weeks he only sold a couple.<BR>He took them down for a couple of weeks, put them back at .99Cents with a sign "buy one--get one free". Sold them all in a few days. Human nature--thought they were getting something for nothing.

ng said:<BR>"Someone has apparently went through a lot of old threads and brought them current."<BR><BR>Do you mean, somebody has apparently GOME through...?" (jerk)<BR>

GOME?

Bob from PA:<BR><BR>Sounds like you were on one of the Radisson ships. <BR><BR>The bottomline here is that you are going to get what you pay for. It's that simple.

I'll have to agree with Linda, I do think Bob was talking about a Radisson cruise.<BR><BR>Having just returned from one of their cruises myself, I have to say it was one of the most exciting and best experiences of my life. <BR><BR>Everything is included in the price, you get 2 bottles of your choice in your in-suite bar, a refrigerator filled with soft drinks,beer, and bottled water. We sailed on the Seven Seas Mariner, and all the rooms are actually suites, and every one of them has a balcony. <BR><BR>All the wine with dinner you may want. Four restaurants to choose from, all of them serving wonderful food.<BR><BR>And yes, everything else Bob mentioned was included, too. The service was outstanding, the staff very helpful and knowledgeable, and everything was provided with a smile on their face.<BR><BR>Radisson threw in a $200 shipboard credit, which we spent on photos and in the spa and boutique. Our bill at the end of 7 nights was $20.<BR><BR>Yes, we did pay quite a bit more than some up front, but it was definitely well worth it. Can't imagine doing it any other way in the future.<BR><BR>Benita<BR><BR>

But the point is, it wasn't free. You did pay for it, only you paid up front.<BR>What you paid for your cruise would probably buy you two cruises on Royal Caribbean or Carnival.

Cheap cruise! Get inside cabin(the $799 one, don't drink any thing but free stuff ,coffee ,tea,juice,etc. No hair salon,no spa treatments ,no PAY to eat restaurant,no shore excursions,no casino, & No tips! Total cost $799 + Air !!!! <BR>BILL

As a response to "money", yes, I do agree with you, and Bob in his earlier posting; we did pay for it all up front, there is no free ride. And yes, for that amount of money, we probably could have taken two cruises on Carnival instead of one on Radisson.<BR><BR>The difference is in the quality of the cruise, the ship, food, and the service. On Radisson we never thought twice about having another glass of wine with dinner or an extra soft drink at the pool. We had room service when we felt like it and there was no counting out tips at the end of the cruise, and moaning and groaning about it, because the tips were already paid for. Everything on the ship was elegant and high-class, including the other passengers.<BR><BR>I much prefer it the Radisson way, and perhaps I did get spoiled on this cruise and may have to wait a couple extra months to take another one, but I still feel it is well worth it.<BR><BR>Benita