More than 10 million people take cruises each year. The cruise industry has been struck by lots of unfortunate press in the last several years. There are lots of other secrets the cruise industry doesn’t want you to know about. Here are some guarded secrets of the cruise industry
1. Last minute deals aren’t the best
We’ve been told in recent years, if you are flexible on destination you could score a good deal. Maybe not on cruises. Cruise lines use a yield-management software to track inventory, and when demand goes up or cabins are more scarce price goes up.
2. Feeling Queasy? It might be more than just seasickness
Because of the close quarters of cruise lines, they are much more prone to have outbreaks and viruses. On Royal Caribbean Cruises over 100 passengers aboard its Vision of the Seas came down with norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug characterized by diarrhea and vomiting.
3. We Gouge You with Booze Costs
While most cruise lines allow unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages, alcohol is a different story. Smaller cruise lines do allow virturally an open bar. But the large lines like Carnival’s all you can drink program is over $40 per day. Quite ridiculous.
4. We Nickel and Dime You for EVERYTHING
Think airlines with their baggage fees and other crazy add-on charges that were once free are the only ones sticking it to us? Think again. Cruise lines are a culprit too. Internet is very costly aboard cruise lines. Unlimited fountain drink refills are $4.50 per day on Royal Caribbean. It may not seem like a lot but it adds up quickly. This coupled with the extra tips for which every employee on board seems to have their hand out, will leave you with a bit of shock when the cruise is over.
5. We are Unfair to Our Staff and the Environment
Just because a ship picked you up from an American port doesn’t mean that ship is registered in the US. What the means, is that they don’t have to adhere to American labor laws. While most the crew you encounter are from developed countries, the ones you don’t see like cooks, cleaners etc come from countries like Central America or the Asia and are work 10 or more hours a day for as little as $1,000 per month.
Think that’s bad? Did you know that ships pollute the waters at a highly tremendous rate? While they take measures to ensure that they have a waste treatment system, but it isn’t always as effective as it should be, which spreads disease.
Article source: MarketWatch.com
