Why Cruise Lines Keep Chasing First-Timers: They Don't Know What They're Missing
If you're new to cruising, check what's included in your base fare before booking — shows, extra entrees, room service and specialty dining may now carry upcharges that veteran cruisers remember getting free. If you're considering a luxury option like the Four Seasons yacht (from $28,000/week), budget an extra $250 per person, per day for food and drinks, as Four Seasons reportedly recommends. Watch for short 3-4 day sailings marketed to newcomers, and compare lines if you want something closer to all-inclusive.
The economics here are straightforward: cruise lines have been unbundling the base fare for years, and first-timers are the ideal audience for that because they have no "back in the day" to compare against — a 20-year veteran on a recent sailing could rattle off everything that used to be free, but the newbies just didn't know to expect it. That gap shows up on earnings calls, where record profits get paired with talk of boosting onboard spend through specialty dining and spa upcharges. The irony Afar flagged is delicious: even a $28,000-a-week Four Seasons yacht nickel-and-dimes you an extra $250 a day for food and drinks. My read is short 3-4 day sailings exist to hook newcomers before they learn what they're missing. In their shoes, I'd ask upfront exactly what's included before I book anything.