Two major cruise lines have just announced in the same week that previous and popular onboard eateries will now cost an unexpected fee.
Celebrity Cruises has now introduced a fee for the originally free burger venue located at Celebrity Equinox’s Mast Grill.
The new fee menu was apparently launched on the second day of a cruise that began from Miami, Florida on July 16th; the free burger menu is still available at the Celebrity cruise ships’ Oceanview Cafe buffet, but cruisers suspect this to only last a matter of time.
Prices for guests start from $4.95 for a four-ounce burger, and $9.95 for an eight-ounce burger with side extras such as fries or onion rings included in the new priced offering.
Despite the prices matching that of an average cruise ship eatery, cruisers of the line are notably disappointed as the only other Celebrity ship to have a for-fee burger menu in the fleet is Celebrity Constellation after its refurbishment last May; a new Top Deck Burger Venue was added where passengers can order gourmet burgers for a fee.
Similarly, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that they will be testing out a flat-fee surcharge at the Margaritaville restaurant onboard Norwegian Breakaway.
Norwegian representative, Vanessa Picariello, said the $14.99 per-person charge will replace the venue’s a la carte pricing, at least temporarily, while the cruise line determines if the fee is a success.
“Typically, the charge would cover three courses (appetizer, entree and dessert), but since this is a test, guests can order two apps and an entree, for example, without issue,” Picariello said.
The menu prices on Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Getaway will remain a la carte for now, but cruisers have not expressed much appreciation at this surge in onboard fees.
www.CRUISE.co.uk’s specialist cruising community have had their say with one member stating: ‘I’ve always thought that NCL are the market leaders in the ‘on-board’ surcharge, but at times their fares are very competitive. You can always avoid these surcharges, of course – they are optional.’
Another member has commented: ‘Watched Celebrity change the Bistro on 5 to Sushi on 5 and have a lot less customers as the sushi was free, but now being charged per item?’ Read more of our specialist cruising community’s opinions on the matter here…
But, what do you think to today’s news? Do you think these prices are reasonable? Or do you think what is free should stay free? What onboard eateries on your favourite ships are worth paying an extra fee for? Leave us your comments…
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