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Having been a Cunard regular (mostly on QV), I've never had an envelope left by the cabin steward, so I do have to wonder if the particular steward was a new hire from one of the other lines where it is reportedly more common. I do, however, always remove the daily service charge and tip as I go to those who have given me good service.
As an American who has lived all her life with our tipping culture, I can tell you it's outrageous. We are now even asked to tip on payment terminals at self-service checkout lines, even when doing our own bagging. We are also being asked to tip when making a trip to a restaurant for take out. On the other hand, I completely feel for the overworked and underpaid staff on cruise ships and land based service industries and am happy to tip them for even the most basic of service levels. The ultimate answer, in my opinion, is for government mandates to pay a fair minimum wage, but that's unlikely for the forseeable future.
As an English man I refuse to tip unless I want to. Over here now many restaurants now add "service charge " to the bill, I have never ever paid that, I politely say please remove the charge and it is removed. Only once in a posh place was I referred to the manager who explained it was normal to pay this charge, oh no it is not I said and I have no intention of paying it please call the police if it is actually a legal charge LOL. At my age of 77 I want very much to visit the USA in 2025 so how am I ever going to do that without causing problems.
It was so good to hear Simon talk about removing gratuities. If more people did it the cruise lines would be forced to change their model and include them in the fare, like Virgin Voyages. It has got very out of hand on the American cruise lines such that it puts me off sailing with them. In the UK we now have a minimum wage that has risen so much there is no need to then automatically add gratuities, it’s insane.
It’s great to hear Simon. It’s so interesting to hear his stories and knowledge. It would be great to see the cruise lines take their gratuities off like P & O have. It’s a pity nobody can do anything to help the stalemate between P & O and Maleth and the passengers stuck in between them.
I was on Carnival this past Aug the main dining room had an up charge for steak and lamb chops!! I was shocked! Everything else was free as all ways. I don't know things had changed. Not a good feeling just tell your customers in advance. Great show.
Enjoyable chat, Simon has great knowledge, didn't agree with everything he had to say, however a great guest, well done for getting him on your channel 👍
Tui relocation cruise in 2021 from the Med to the Caribbean, the cruise industry was just starting again and we had the best time, all the passengers were so grateful to be cruising again, even though masks were mandatory onboard, and ashore.
That was a lovely period to go cruising. We cruised on Marella Explorer in September 2021, when it was sailing at 30% occupancy. One of our all-time favourite cruises we have done :)
Fantastic video guys Simon is so fair with his answers so interesting to listen to your podcast are one of the best always looking forward to the next one. Just received our first copy of your magazine and a big thank you for your Christmas card. Keep up all the good work, We are Sailing on p and o Avis in January 2 weeks in the Caribbean, this will be our third time on her I think we are the lucky ones as we’ve always enjoyed it. Wishing you a fabulous Christmas and a happy New Year Paul and Paul
Thanks for watching guys, receiving a comment like this inspires us to do more. We weren't a fan of P&O Arvia (as you probably know) but we love seeing that others have had a more positive experience. You can't go wrong with the Caribbean though - hope you have an amazing time, and thanks for subscribing :) Dan & Jay
So for me I enjoy the smaller ship as well. Cunard Queen Victoria is quite optimal and I look forward to traveling on QM2. Reducing services I feel is sad, that golden age quality is being pulled from P&O and others. If room servicing and more are going to be reduced and costings are reduced it could be tempting, however I would not want the experience to be reduced. I like no fly cruising, transatlantic is lovely with some peaceful sea days and a book.
Thanks for watching. Totally agree with you, and Queen Victoria is one of our all-time favourites. We've sailed on her 5 times, more than any other ship :)
We sailed Royal Caribbean pre and post pandemic and staff still go that extra mile. The company did try and drop the main dining room a few years ago for the Quantum Class ships and replace with “dynamic dining”. It was disaster and dropped like a stone. We still enjoy the main dining room, still “loyal to Royal” and sail with only them every year. It’s expensive but we know what we are getting. One thing about what they have changed is are the 3 or 4 day “ultimate weekend” cruises from the US on a rather expensive Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas. These are very much to sweat assets such as the ship and their resort CoCo Cay which has some crazy up-charges. It’s also supposed to breed bad behaviour in some new cruisers with reports of fights and parts of the ship smells of pot. Note you don’t get this on European cruises where people are better behaved, not pointing the finger at our American cousins.
An observation is that most cruises now sail at or near full capacity. There are no ‘good deals’ around as there used to be as companies don’t have to entice anymore. Less items on menu’s etc are probably an effect of companies accounting for every penny, and due to covid they raking in as much as possible while they can.
I did some maintenance on a couple of Malev aircraft when I worked for BA back in the 90s. The aircraft were in such a state the CAA stopped them flying for a period of time. I would be very upset if I’d booked a fly/cruise and found myself on an airline like that.
What an interesting cast this week! Apart from the Queen Anne talk (which for me is just NO - Remove her or create a reef out of her and NEVER AGAIN) I very much as Australian abhor tipping rudimentarily. Do an extra, make me feel appreciated and/or special, and watch me through money at them... TELL me to pay and I just say no! I am very fortunate to be able to afford these opinions. To the Two Sirs; Thank You for another insightful discussion. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@@sailawaymag And right back at the Two of you, to you and yours. May we all be granted good fortunes for this new year. Cannot wait to see what I get to write into you about next. As my people say (in english) "To Life!"
What is wrong with Queen Anne? Went on her in June and enjoyed it. Not quite QM2, but surely the ones that should be used for reefs are those ghastly multicoloured megaships. They are an affront to the eye before anything else... QA is no difference from some HAL ships in looks...
@ Thank you for your remarks. I absolutely agree re the floating bricks (my description of those 4000+ carriers.) Queen Anne is a step in the wrong direction for Cunard. Cunard is tradition... Not for cruise holidays. My point is that these new ships are stamped out from one original design. When I travel I require the tradition, the ambience from my youth. And individuality; not something filled with cheapened treats and up-selling. You have your opinions as do I...
Cruise lines use bunker fuel because it is cheaper than distillate fuel which is (relatively) cleaner. To meet IMO regulations, they then use exhaust gas scrubbers to spray massive volumes of sea water into the exhaust plume to capture sulfur that is "buffered" with massive quantities of sea water, dumping warm, sulfuric, heavy metal and PaH-laden water into the ocean just to save about $100/passenger/week long cruise.
Been an interesting watch and first time watcher! Also amused so much that Merella came up so early in the podcast, I just came off Explorer on Friday! Now on the topic of tipping and that automatic service charge, Being Cunard is a Carnival UK company that surprised me, Considering P&O, Marella and MSC (for UK and Europe anyway) all state tips are included in the price and my Marella cruise card states "Remember, all tips are included." If for instance these three can do it, then why acnt the others. NCL annoyed me with it popping up at the end of a booking saying "you can prepay your gratuaties" yeah thanks for the warning, that was the first time it was mentioned too. Just include it in the fare price like the formentioned ones do.
It's always interesting listening to Simon. I have completed two cruises from Southampton with P&O. They were both very enjoyable.I don't know how they do it price wise. Good point Simon about room cleaning. I dont need my bed turning down either. As I am new to cruising, I dont have all the knowledge of how things used to be.If you are a seasoned traveller, how things are now may not suit you.
Always enjoy listening to Simon always got a view. 💯 agree on tipping it’s crazy, just topping up wages the cruise companies don’t want to pay. Agree also on a gap in the market for build your own cruise would definitely be up for that, as long as the base price reflected it. Easycruise was great idea I think will return in some form.
What a fantastic conversation. I will say this: The day buffet is the only option available without a charge is the day I reconsider my love of cruising. Ultimately, I could see one or two lines attempting this, but I don't see it as sustainable for the whole industry.
Soot - Media attention! I am reaching out to highlight a serious health and safety issue my wife and I encountered during our recent Celebrity Edge Cruise, which coincided with our anniversary and my wife's birthday on October 22, 2024. Throughout the cruise, we were alarmed to find heavy, foul-smelling soot covering our balcony, chairs, and railings. The air was also filled with soot, creating a distressing situation. Our cabin steward, Christian, graciously cleaned the affected areas and informed us that he had attended to numerous other staterooms facing the same problem. This pollution posed a significant health risk, especially given our pre-existing lung and heart conditions. The lack of warning signs regarding this hazard is particularly troubling and puts the health of many passengers at risk. I even met a fellow passenger who expressed concern after noticing black soot on her dress. In light of the gravity of this situation-where my wife and I faced potentially life-threatening consequences-I must express my disappointment with the $600 credit and cabin upgrade offered as compensation. The health repercussions we suffered, including severe nausea, dizziness, and a throat infection that persisted for three weeks (as confirmed by a doctor's certificate), make this gesture seem wholly inadequate. Regrettably, we have decided not to travel on cruise ships again due to our concerns about soot issues. Given these distressing circumstances, I am formally requested a full refund for our cruise, considering the serious health risks we faced during our time on board. I believe this would be a fair and reasonable resolution. Unfortunately, denied by Operations from Celebrity Edge Cruise line. Additionally, I urge you to address this alarming health concern on your TV program to ensure the safety and well-being of future passengers. Have videos of the soot as evidence, send by request. We believe there's a cover-up, please investigate. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.
This 2019 report documents what you present is not a new issue, nor one that is confined to a single ship or line, nor one that the cruise lines don't know about. stand.earth/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2019-an-investigation-of-air-pollution-on-the-decks-of-4-cruise-ship.pdf
My opinion is if you want some of the old services (and why wouldn’t you it was a lovely thing) you have to recognise that you’ll need to pay more and move up the cruise provider ladder I.e. Explorer, Silverseas, Intercontinental
Regarding extra charges while on board, we have cruised with Marella twice, their itinerary is possibly the best offered and they are all inclusive but we don't drink alcohol or sugar filled mocktails so feel we are paying for something we don't use, same goes for the gym. Marella are not cheap so would it not be fair to lower the cruise price for those who don't participate in drinking alcohol and using the gym, this could easily be done by using the stateroom charge cards.
Cruises sold in Australia have all inclusive pricing,by consumer law,but the cruise companies still add tips and service charges,you just have remind them and remove them,and get dirty looks from the counter staff.
I think on the ship size issue it’s basically 2 x smaller ships with 3000 passengers (NCL Viva size) or build one large ship (RCCL Allure of the Seas size) which is a cheaper option to 2 smaller ships not just in build costs but pollution costs and running costs also. It should be remembered that the cruise line will be aiming for the same number of customers per year so smaller ships mean more ships and actually more pollution.
A great watch! I love the idea of the EasyCruise. A really cheap cruise getting to visit ports for a long period of time, and you just pay for any add ons you want! Count me in! 😅
We like Fred Olsen … smaller ships, good old-fashioned entertainment and friendly ‘feel’. Nothing is too much trouble. I’m not into thousands of passengers, on-board theme parks or karaoke. But each to his own
Enjoyed a thought provoking discussion but I disagree with the point that service charges are in any way stealthy. It's quite clearly explained that there will be a daily charge for many lines, in these cases this is best factored in to your decision whether that cruise offers good value or not. Where daily gratuities/service charge applies we will not generally add to that, but it's less clear what to do for the best when sailing P&O or MSC where pricing is already exceptionally competitive and one can only infer that staff wages are perhaps at min wage or slightly above but definitely not much more, and that many passengers have no intention of additionally rewarding staff service as they consider that to be included already.
For us pre-pandemic cruising felt a lot more special even on mainstream lines. I think cruising for some lines is heading to losing that feeling of the pampered part of it which in some ways is just pushing it towards an all inclusive hotel in Benidorm feeling 😞. We noticed more paid-for options particularly especially with NCL but less so on MSC which seems the wrong way around from that expected but with no actual reduction in the basic price. Basically everyone is now paying for shareholder losses during covid but getting nothing more for it.
For us pre-pandemic cruising felt a lot more special even on mainstream lines. I think cruising for some lines is heading to losing that feeling of the pampered part of it which in some ways is just pushing it towards an all inclusive hotel in Benidorm feeling 😞. We noticed more paid-for options particularly especially with NCL but less so on MSC which seems the wrong way around from that expected but with no actual reduction in the basic price. Basically everyone is now paying for shareholder losses during covid but getting nothing more for it. American tipping culture is based around the idea you get better service if the staff don’t get a decent wage unless they are good at the job much like their bonus culture.
Wonder if Simon has the same opinion about air travel and the number of planes travelling around the world, as he does with cutting cruise ships down by 90/95%?
LNG isn't the magic wand it seems... There is a thing called "methane slip" which is methane escaping the combustion process and going straight outside. Methane is some like 30x more powerful than CO2 in greenhouse effect. It's especially a problem on diesel engines converted to run LNG (as it has high knock resistance). Also depending on how it is combusted (spark or compression) it can be less thermally efficient (meaning more fuel to travel the same distance). But it doesn't leave that acrid smell, that acidic looking cloud hanging round the ships in port and doesn't leave "black snow" raining down on the back of the ship. It is essentially zero particulates.
Yep, it's definitely not a silver bullet, I wonder what the slip is like on modern ships like the excellence class (AIDA Nova, Iona, Arvia etc). The annoying thing with methane as you say is the 30x greater warming potential, albeit it doesn't hang around for more than a couple of decades but it's the next couple of decades that are crucial in environmental terms. I personally think that Lithium ferrous and sodium ion batteries could serve a dual purpose of energy storage and ballast given their weight and energy density for shorter trips. I can forsee ships that use batteries for smaller trips going between Mediterranean ports close to each other than then switch to LNG as they deplete.
What nonsense! If cruise lines start following this kind of “expert” advice, I can honestly say I know countless people-families, friends, and more-who would never bother booking a cruise again. Unlike hotels, which can offer options like breakfast-only, half-board, or full-board because guests have access to an entire town or city for dining, a ship is a completely different story. Onboard, you’re limited to the ship’s dining options. Cruise lines, please don’t pay any attention to this absurd suggestion!
How idiotic saying scrap good ships to build cleaner ships 🤦 you know building a cruise ship uses absolutely mountains of co2? More co2 and other greenhouse gases building a cruise ship than running it for 10 years.
Good point. As an ex ships officer of 10 years at sea and a chief engineer officer, a lot of garbage is posted by those with very limited knowledge. I respect Simon Calder generally though even though his ship building and marine engineering knowledge probably isn't that great.
We are booked on Queen Victoria. Pleased the hear Simon comments on gratuities. Apprehensive about the daily charge on Cunard on top of the 15% service charge on every drink etc. Find it confusing that Cunard operate an American gratuities model on what is a essentially a British style of cruise, sailing out of the UK.
America in three hours ??? Plus the compulsory 2 to 3 hours you have to arrive before your flight also weight restriction on baggage ! Come on Simon to leave from a British port is much better ...
@@sailawaymag I think it's a default on TH-cam's end that I as a German speaker receive automatic translations, although I'm perfectly fine hearing native English. It's not just your channel.
I like Simon, but his habit of almost groaning prior to answering a question is plain annoying & makes the interview less enjoyable than I was hoping for.
We are booked on Queen Victoria. Pleased the hear Simon's comments on gratuities. Apprehensive about the daily charge on Cunard when there's already a15% service charge on every drink etc. Find it confusing that Cunard operate an American gratuities model on what is a essentially a British style of cruise, sailing out of the UK. We will now definitely have the daily charge removed. As Simon said, if more do this then the message should get through.
@ what a moron. It’s idiots like you that believe all the propaganda. Obviously to many of you around that don’t spend any time questioning and researching for themselves.
@grahampilkington252 and its idiots like you that believe any conspiracy theory they’re presented with. I can tell you’re an idiot by your misspelling of ‘too’. Are you a Corbyn supporter by any chance? 🤔
Soot - Media attention! I am reaching out to highlight a serious health and safety issue my wife and I encountered during our recent Celebrity Edge Cruise, which coincided with our anniversary and my wife's birthday on October 22, 2024. Throughout the cruise, we were alarmed to find heavy, foul-smelling soot covering our balcony, chairs, and railings. The air was also filled with soot, creating a distressing situation. Our cabin steward, Christian, graciously cleaned the affected areas and informed us that he had attended to numerous other staterooms facing the same problem. This pollution posed a significant health risk, especially given our pre-existing lung and heart conditions. The lack of warning signs regarding this hazard is particularly troubling and puts the health of many passengers at risk. I even met a fellow passenger who expressed concern after noticing black soot on her dress. In light of the gravity of this situation-where my wife and I faced potentially life-threatening consequences-I must express my disappointment with the $600 credit and cabin upgrade offered as compensation. The health repercussions we suffered, including severe nausea, dizziness, and a throat infection that persisted for three weeks (as confirmed by a doctor's certificate), make this gesture seem wholly inadequate. Regrettably, we have decided not to travel on cruise ships again due to our concerns about soot issues. Given these distressing circumstances, I am formally requested a full refund for our cruise, considering the serious health risks we faced during our time on board. I believe this would be a fair and reasonable resolution. Unfortunately, denied by Operations from Celebrity Edge Cruise line. Additionally, I urge you to address this alarming health concern on your TV program to ensure the safety and well-being of future passengers. Have videos of the soot as evidence, send by request. We believe there's a cover-up, please investigate. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.
Have you heard about Sail Away? It's the cruise magazine written by cruise lovers, for cruise lovers! Subscribe today for £3.95 every two months! sailawaymagazine.com/cruise-magazine/
Having been a Cunard regular (mostly on QV), I've never had an envelope left by the cabin steward, so I do have to wonder if the particular steward was a new hire from one of the other lines where it is reportedly more common. I do, however, always remove the daily service charge and tip as I go to those who have given me good service.
As an American who has lived all her life with our tipping culture, I can tell you it's outrageous. We are now even asked to tip on payment terminals at self-service checkout lines, even when doing our own bagging. We are also being asked to tip when making a trip to a restaurant for take out. On the other hand, I completely feel for the overworked and underpaid staff on cruise ships and land based service industries and am happy to tip them for even the most basic of service levels. The ultimate answer, in my opinion, is for government mandates to pay a fair minimum wage, but that's unlikely for the forseeable future.
As an English man I refuse to tip unless I want to. Over here now many restaurants now add "service charge " to the bill, I have never ever paid that, I politely say please remove the charge and it is removed. Only once in a posh place was I referred to the manager who explained it was normal to pay this charge, oh no it is not I said and I have no intention of paying it please call the police if it is actually a legal charge LOL. At my age of 77 I want very much to visit the USA in 2025 so how am I ever going to do that without causing problems.
@@blackvulcan100Just be prepared to run!! 😂😂
It was so good to hear Simon talk about removing gratuities. If more people did it the cruise lines would be forced to change their model and include them in the fare, like Virgin Voyages. It has got very out of hand on the American cruise lines such that it puts me off sailing with them. In the UK we now have a minimum wage that has risen so much there is no need to then automatically add gratuities, it’s insane.
@@jsmith1071 most of these cruise ships employ people from all over the world and uk minimum wage doesn’t apply.
It’s great to hear Simon. It’s so interesting to hear his stories and knowledge. It would be great to see the cruise lines take their gratuities off like P & O have. It’s a pity nobody can do anything to help the stalemate between P & O and Maleth and the passengers stuck in between them.
I was on Carnival this past Aug the main dining room had an up charge for steak and lamb chops!! I was shocked! Everything else was free as all ways. I don't know things had changed. Not a good feeling just tell your customers in advance. Great show.
Enjoyable chat, Simon has great knowledge, didn't agree with everything he had to say, however a great guest, well done for getting him on your channel 👍
Tui relocation cruise in 2021 from the Med to the Caribbean, the cruise industry was just starting again and we had the best time, all the passengers were so grateful to be cruising again, even though masks were mandatory onboard, and ashore.
That was a lovely period to go cruising. We cruised on Marella Explorer in September 2021, when it was sailing at 30% occupancy. One of our all-time favourite cruises we have done :)
Fantastic video guys Simon is so fair with his answers so interesting to listen to your podcast are one of the best always looking forward to the next one. Just received our first copy of your magazine and a big thank you for your Christmas card. Keep up all the good work, We are Sailing on p and o Avis in January 2 weeks in the Caribbean, this will be our third time on her I think we are the lucky ones as we’ve always enjoyed it.
Wishing you a fabulous Christmas and a happy New Year
Paul and Paul
Thanks for watching guys, receiving a comment like this inspires us to do more. We weren't a fan of P&O Arvia (as you probably know) but we love seeing that others have had a more positive experience. You can't go wrong with the Caribbean though - hope you have an amazing time, and thanks for subscribing :) Dan & Jay
So for me I enjoy the smaller ship as well. Cunard Queen Victoria is quite optimal and I look forward to traveling on QM2. Reducing services I feel is sad, that golden age quality is being pulled from P&O and others. If room servicing and more are going to be reduced and costings are reduced it could be tempting, however I would not want the experience to be reduced. I like no fly cruising, transatlantic is lovely with some peaceful sea days and a book.
Thanks for watching. Totally agree with you, and Queen Victoria is one of our all-time favourites. We've sailed on her 5 times, more than any other ship :)
Simon Calder is the ultimate in travel knowledge hope some of the you tube cruise experts listen to his expert advise very informative
We sailed Royal Caribbean pre and post pandemic and staff still go that extra mile.
The company did try and drop the main dining room a few years ago for the Quantum Class ships and replace with “dynamic dining”. It was disaster and dropped like a stone.
We still enjoy the main dining room, still “loyal to Royal” and sail with only them every year. It’s expensive but we know what we are getting.
One thing about what they have changed is are the 3 or 4 day “ultimate weekend” cruises from the US on a rather expensive Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas. These are very much to sweat assets such as the ship and their resort CoCo Cay which has some crazy up-charges. It’s also supposed to breed bad behaviour in some new cruisers with reports of fights and parts of the ship smells of pot. Note you don’t get this on European cruises where people are better behaved, not pointing the finger at our American cousins.
An observation is that most cruises now sail at or near full capacity. There are no ‘good deals’ around as there used to be as companies don’t have to entice anymore. Less items on menu’s etc are probably an effect of companies accounting for every penny, and due to covid they raking in as much as possible while they can.
I did some maintenance on a couple of Malev aircraft when I worked for BA back in the 90s. The aircraft were in such a state the CAA stopped them flying for a period of time. I would be very upset if I’d booked a fly/cruise and found myself on an airline like that.
What an interesting cast this week! Apart from the Queen Anne talk (which for me is just NO - Remove her or create a reef out of her and NEVER AGAIN) I very much as Australian abhor tipping rudimentarily. Do an extra, make me feel appreciated and/or special, and watch me through money at them... TELL me to pay and I just say no! I am very fortunate to be able to afford these opinions. To the Two Sirs; Thank You for another insightful discussion. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks for watching as always, David. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year :)
@@sailawaymag And right back at the Two of you, to you and yours. May we all be granted good fortunes for this new year. Cannot wait to see what I get to write into you about next. As my people say (in english) "To Life!"
What is wrong with Queen Anne? Went on her in June and enjoyed it. Not quite QM2, but surely the ones that should be used for reefs are those ghastly multicoloured megaships. They are an affront to the eye before anything else... QA is no difference from some HAL ships in looks...
@ Thank you for your remarks. I absolutely agree re the floating bricks (my description of those 4000+ carriers.) Queen Anne is a step in the wrong direction for Cunard. Cunard is tradition... Not for cruise holidays. My point is that these new ships are stamped out from one original design. When I travel I require the tradition, the ambience from my youth. And individuality; not something filled with cheapened treats and up-selling. You have your opinions as do I...
The engines of liners use fuel oil. Bunker fuel has a very high sulphur content.
Cruise lines use bunker fuel because it is cheaper than distillate fuel which is (relatively) cleaner. To meet IMO regulations, they then use exhaust gas scrubbers to spray massive volumes of sea water into the exhaust plume to capture sulfur that is "buffered" with massive quantities of sea water, dumping warm, sulfuric, heavy metal and PaH-laden water into the ocean just to save about $100/passenger/week long cruise.
Been an interesting watch and first time watcher!
Also amused so much that Merella came up so early in the podcast, I just came off Explorer on Friday!
Now on the topic of tipping and that automatic service charge, Being Cunard is a Carnival UK company that surprised me, Considering P&O, Marella and MSC (for UK and Europe anyway) all state tips are included in the price and my Marella cruise card states "Remember, all tips are included." If for instance these three can do it, then why acnt the others. NCL annoyed me with it popping up at the end of a booking saying "you can prepay your gratuaties" yeah thanks for the warning, that was the first time it was mentioned too. Just include it in the fare price like the formentioned ones do.
It's always interesting listening to Simon.
I have completed two cruises from Southampton with P&O. They were both very enjoyable.I don't know how they do it price wise.
Good point Simon about room cleaning. I dont need my bed turning down either.
As I am new to cruising, I dont have all the knowledge of how things used to be.If you are a seasoned traveller, how things are now may not suit you.
Always enjoy listening to Simon always got a view.
💯 agree on tipping it’s crazy, just topping up wages the cruise companies don’t want to pay.
Agree also on a gap in the market for build your own cruise would definitely be up for that, as long as the base price reflected it.
Easycruise was great idea I think will return in some form.
What a fantastic conversation. I will say this: The day buffet is the only option available without a charge is the day I reconsider my love of cruising. Ultimately, I could see one or two lines attempting this, but I don't see it as sustainable for the whole industry.
Soot - Media attention!
I am reaching out to highlight a serious health and safety issue my wife and I encountered during our recent Celebrity Edge Cruise, which coincided with our anniversary and my wife's birthday on October 22, 2024.
Throughout the cruise, we were alarmed to find heavy, foul-smelling soot covering our balcony, chairs, and railings. The air was also filled with soot, creating a distressing situation. Our cabin steward, Christian, graciously cleaned the affected areas and informed us that he had attended to numerous other staterooms facing the same problem. This pollution posed a significant health risk, especially given our pre-existing lung and heart conditions. The lack of warning signs regarding this hazard is particularly troubling and puts the health of many passengers at risk. I even met a fellow passenger who expressed concern after noticing black soot on her dress.
In light of the gravity of this situation-where my wife and I faced potentially life-threatening consequences-I must express my disappointment with the $600 credit and cabin upgrade offered as compensation. The health repercussions we suffered, including severe nausea, dizziness, and a throat infection that persisted for three weeks (as confirmed by a doctor's certificate), make this gesture seem wholly inadequate.
Regrettably, we have decided not to travel on cruise ships again due to our concerns about soot issues.
Given these distressing circumstances, I am formally requested a full refund for our cruise, considering the serious health risks we faced during our time on board. I believe this would be a fair and reasonable resolution. Unfortunately, denied by Operations from Celebrity Edge Cruise line.
Additionally, I urge you to address this alarming health concern on your TV program to ensure the safety and well-being of future passengers.
Have videos of the soot as evidence, send by request. We believe there's a cover-up, please investigate.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.
This 2019 report documents what you present is not a new issue, nor one that is confined to a single ship or line, nor one that the cruise lines don't know about. stand.earth/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2019-an-investigation-of-air-pollution-on-the-decks-of-4-cruise-ship.pdf
My opinion is if you want some of the old services (and why wouldn’t you it was a lovely thing) you have to recognise that you’ll need to pay more and move up the cruise provider ladder I.e. Explorer, Silverseas, Intercontinental
Regarding extra charges while on board, we have cruised with Marella twice, their itinerary is possibly the best offered and they are all inclusive but we don't drink alcohol or sugar filled mocktails so feel we are paying for something we don't use, same goes for the gym. Marella are not cheap so would it not be fair to lower the cruise price for those who don't participate in drinking alcohol and using the gym, this could easily be done by using the stateroom charge cards.
Can I point out that it wasn’t easyJet that revolutionised air travel. It was Sir Freddie Laker and his Skytrain service
Cruises sold in Australia have all inclusive pricing,by consumer law,but the cruise companies still add tips and service charges,you just have remind them and remove them,and get dirty looks from the counter staff.
I think on the ship size issue it’s basically 2 x smaller ships with 3000 passengers (NCL Viva size) or build one large ship (RCCL Allure of the Seas size) which is a cheaper option to 2 smaller ships not just in build costs but pollution costs and running costs also. It should be remembered that the cruise line will be aiming for the same number of customers per year so smaller ships mean more ships and actually more pollution.
Another great watch. Very interesting to hear Simon’s thoughts
Im going Princess in January and all gratuities are included. The premium package also has many extras.
A great watch!
I love the idea of the EasyCruise. A really cheap cruise getting to visit ports for a long period of time, and you just pay for any add ons you want!
Count me in! 😅
We like Fred Olsen … smaller ships, good old-fashioned entertainment and friendly ‘feel’. Nothing is too much trouble. I’m not into thousands of passengers, on-board theme parks or karaoke. But each to his own
Enjoyed a thought provoking discussion but I disagree with the point that service charges are in any way stealthy. It's quite clearly explained that there will be a daily charge for many lines, in these cases this is best factored in to your decision whether that cruise offers good value or not. Where daily gratuities/service charge applies we will not generally add to that, but it's less clear what to do for the best when sailing P&O or MSC where pricing is already exceptionally competitive and one can only infer that staff wages are perhaps at min wage or slightly above but definitely not much more, and that many passengers have no intention of additionally rewarding staff service as they consider that to be included already.
For us pre-pandemic cruising felt a lot more special even on mainstream lines. I think cruising for some lines is heading to losing that feeling of the pampered part of it which in some ways is just pushing it towards an all inclusive hotel in Benidorm feeling 😞. We noticed more paid-for options particularly especially with NCL but less so on MSC which seems the wrong way around from that expected but with no actual reduction in the basic price. Basically everyone is now paying for shareholder losses during covid but getting nothing more for it.
You pay in your fare!
Totally agree with you!
Suggest you go with P&O and pay for your drinks. Not to change marella who have a reasonable pricing structure
Bring back "Ocean Village" ... buffet dining and a younger focus... Way ahead of it's rime.
For us pre-pandemic cruising felt a lot more special even on mainstream lines. I think cruising for some lines is heading to losing that feeling of the pampered part of it which in some ways is just pushing it towards an all inclusive hotel in Benidorm feeling 😞. We noticed more paid-for options particularly especially with NCL but less so on MSC which seems the wrong way around from that expected but with no actual reduction in the basic price. Basically everyone is now paying for shareholder losses during covid but getting nothing more for it. American tipping culture is based around the idea you get better service if the staff don’t get a decent wage unless they are good at the job much like their bonus culture.
I have no need to tip as everyone wants my autograph and thus thats my tip !
Simon Calder knows his stuff, top bloke 👍
Wonder if Simon has the same opinion about air travel and the number of planes travelling around the world, as he does with cutting cruise ships down by 90/95%?
This is a very good point. We wish we'd asked him!
Almost certainly
Cruises are vastly overpriced………..then they try to squeeze more money out of you like tips …..and extra dining charges…! 😢😢😢😢
@@pm1104 a phrase I heard long ago, you feel like you been held upside down and shook until every penny falls out . Something like that anyway 😉
Marella no longer go from the uk so no use if you don’t fly,they also only do all inclusive if you don’t drink not the best idea
Absolutely not!! They already paid for it when they booked and paid for the cruise!! They are already being nickel and dimed as it is!!!
LNG isn't the magic wand it seems... There is a thing called "methane slip" which is methane escaping the combustion process and going straight outside. Methane is some like 30x more powerful than CO2 in greenhouse effect. It's especially a problem on diesel engines converted to run LNG (as it has high knock resistance). Also depending on how it is combusted (spark or compression) it can be less thermally efficient (meaning more fuel to travel the same distance). But it doesn't leave that acrid smell, that acidic looking cloud hanging round the ships in port and doesn't leave "black snow" raining down on the back of the ship. It is essentially zero particulates.
Yep, it's definitely not a silver bullet, I wonder what the slip is like on modern ships like the excellence class (AIDA Nova, Iona, Arvia etc). The annoying thing with methane as you say is the 30x greater warming potential, albeit it doesn't hang around for more than a couple of decades but it's the next couple of decades that are crucial in environmental terms.
I personally think that Lithium ferrous and sodium ion batteries could serve a dual purpose of energy storage and ballast given their weight and energy density for shorter trips.
I can forsee ships that use batteries for smaller trips going between Mediterranean ports close to each other than then switch to LNG as they deplete.
He thinks all those operators were revolutionizing the industry. Like easy jet.
Except, they've all gone bankrupt? I really think he doesn't get it.
He obviously doesn't want to alienate himself from work with any travel company's so he politely sits on the fence he needs to grow a pair !
Why can’t you up load?
@@Thebusridesme what do you mean?
@Thebusridesme maybe as it premiers in 20 mins as to why its not playing
At last he's carried out an interview without blaming everything on Brexit.
What nonsense! If cruise lines start following this kind of “expert” advice, I can honestly say I know countless people-families, friends, and more-who would never bother booking a cruise again. Unlike hotels, which can offer options like breakfast-only, half-board, or full-board because guests have access to an entire town or city for dining, a ship is a completely different story. Onboard, you’re limited to the ship’s dining options. Cruise lines, please don’t pay any attention to this absurd suggestion!
Simon always looks so shattered ……..like he’s been up all night with no sleep .! 😂😂😂😂😂
To be fair, when we interviewed him, he’d just come back from a camping trip in Nepal 🤣
How idiotic saying scrap good ships to build cleaner ships 🤦 you know building a cruise ship uses absolutely mountains of co2? More co2 and other greenhouse gases building a cruise ship than running it for 10 years.
I'd like to see the stats on that.
Good point. As an ex ships officer of 10 years at sea and a chief engineer officer, a lot of garbage is posted by those with very limited knowledge. I respect Simon Calder generally though even though his ship building and marine engineering knowledge probably isn't that great.
tipping - time for the UK & EU to join forces to regularise this procedure ... at the moment it is a form of legalised extortion.
Totally agree! It’s pure extortion.
We are booked on Queen Victoria. Pleased the hear Simon comments on gratuities. Apprehensive about the daily charge on Cunard on top of the 15% service charge on every drink etc. Find it confusing that Cunard operate an American gratuities model on what is a essentially a British style of cruise, sailing out of the UK.
P&O , interesting .
Lets scrap 95% of cruise ships next year and send 30 million people to fly around the world to holiday destinations for environmental reasons.
Why is intro so long
Cheap for its own sake is not good! Take a ferry instead.
Thanks for watching!
I can think of nothing worse.
America in three hours ??? Plus the compulsory 2 to 3 hours you have to arrive before your flight also weight restriction on baggage ! Come on Simon to leave from a British port is much better ...
these audio AI transcriptions are killing me
We’ll be sure to sit down with a glass of wine and have a look
@@sailawaymag I think it's a default on TH-cam's end that I as a German speaker receive automatic translations, although I'm perfectly fine hearing native English. It's not just your channel.
That's YYY We Go TUI
You did not step off the ship at Cherbourg, Titanic reference, they had tenders, traffic, Nomadic etc right up to Queen Mary days.
I like Simon, but his habit of almost groaning prior to answering a question is plain annoying & makes the interview less enjoyable than I was hoping for.
Hmmm so you had serious pre existing health issues yet still went on a cruise best of luck arguing your case with this cut throat US company.
We are booked on Queen Victoria. Pleased the hear Simon's comments on gratuities. Apprehensive about the daily charge on Cunard when there's already a15% service charge on every drink etc. Find it confusing that Cunard operate an American gratuities model on what is a essentially a British style of cruise, sailing out of the UK. We will now definitely have the daily charge removed. As Simon said, if more do this then the message should get through.
It is not Putin vile war. Stupid comment amongst a good show.
Who’s is it then? 🤣
@ Because you need to ask shows your ignorance.
Do some research on the New World Order and NATO.
@grahampilkington252 I know enough. You’re a disgrace!
@ what a moron. It’s idiots like you that believe all the propaganda.
Obviously to many of you around that don’t spend any time questioning and researching for themselves.
@grahampilkington252 and its idiots like you that believe any conspiracy theory they’re presented with. I can tell you’re an idiot by your misspelling of ‘too’. Are you a Corbyn supporter by any chance? 🤔
Simon you wouldn't be a Labour supporter by any chance !! Reckon you are ....
I think there’s a good chance of it. We, are most certainly are not!
Soot - Media attention!
I am reaching out to highlight a serious health and safety issue my wife and I encountered during our recent Celebrity Edge Cruise, which coincided with our anniversary and my wife's birthday on October 22, 2024.
Throughout the cruise, we were alarmed to find heavy, foul-smelling soot covering our balcony, chairs, and railings. The air was also filled with soot, creating a distressing situation. Our cabin steward, Christian, graciously cleaned the affected areas and informed us that he had attended to numerous other staterooms facing the same problem. This pollution posed a significant health risk, especially given our pre-existing lung and heart conditions. The lack of warning signs regarding this hazard is particularly troubling and puts the health of many passengers at risk. I even met a fellow passenger who expressed concern after noticing black soot on her dress.
In light of the gravity of this situation-where my wife and I faced potentially life-threatening consequences-I must express my disappointment with the $600 credit and cabin upgrade offered as compensation. The health repercussions we suffered, including severe nausea, dizziness, and a throat infection that persisted for three weeks (as confirmed by a doctor's certificate), make this gesture seem wholly inadequate.
Regrettably, we have decided not to travel on cruise ships again due to our concerns about soot issues.
Given these distressing circumstances, I am formally requested a full refund for our cruise, considering the serious health risks we faced during our time on board. I believe this would be a fair and reasonable resolution. Unfortunately, denied by Operations from Celebrity Edge Cruise line.
Additionally, I urge you to address this alarming health concern on your TV program to ensure the safety and well-being of future passengers.
Have videos of the soot as evidence, send by request. We believe there's a cover-up, please investigate.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.