Giving cruise lines the business - Letters - Letter to the Editor

Cruise Travel, March-April, 2003 by Erwin Protter

Regarding all the cruisers that are upset about being "nickeled & dimed," such as paying $1.50 for a soda. How did you enjoy the lobster tails? How many did you have? How were the steaks you ordered? What was the weight of your tray at the breakfast or lunch buffet? Did you enjoy the entertainment? $4.50 for a bar drink? In most major hotels today that charge is $7.50!

Cruising is by far the best value for your money. How some people can not see that and only focus on the negative is beyond me. To those cruisers that look at yesteryear and decry it was never like this before, I ask how many businesses do you know of that have not raised their prices or tried to increase revenue? I can assure you they are not here today.

The mini-bar, photos, shore excursions, soda, bingo, and the casino (at least in my case) are revenue-producing products that you do not have to participate in. Iced tea, coffee, and lemonade are free at all times, at all meals.

Please, someone explain to us why the cruise lines are not entitled to offer items that are optional and allow them the opportunity of increased revenue. Hello, hasn't anybody out there been in business before?

Erwin Protter, Forest Hills, NY