Outrage Onboard at the Burger Bar

So this week 2 Major cruise lines seem to have upset their loyal customers by what many are calling more penny pinching! long gone it seems are the days of paying your cruise fare and not having to worry about anything other than your drinks and excursions!

The 2  major cruise lines have  announced in the same week that areas where feed had been complimentary  will now cost an unexpected fee.

I have to say i am very surprised Celebrity Cruises are now going to be charging  for the originally free burger venue located at Celebrity Equinox’s Mast Grill. Many passengers like the convenience of not having to get dressed whilst around the pool and venturing into the main buffet restaurant and like to be sat outside for lunch or a snack.

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  ships’ Oceanview Cafe buffet.

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.

Also  NCL  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 angry cruisers have not shared 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…

What do you think! are cruise lines losing their way and more importantly the loyal customers as several reviews seems to say?