Cruise Trends 2015-More Surcharges in the Restaurants

Once upon a time, there were main dining rooms, where everyone could enjoy a sit down dinner with no additional fees. Then along came specialty restaurants with a nominal cover charge. They were followed by restaurants with charges akin to a fancy dinner out at a land-based restaurant. (Think Remy on Disney Cruise Line, with a per-person fee of $75.) Now, the latest trend is surcharges on top of cover charges. Holland America Line's Pinnacle Grill was an early adaptor with its supplement for caviar. In Chops Grille on Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has begun to levy an additional fee on dry-aged steaks ($18 or $19 extra, depending on the cut) and Maine lobster ($21). In Le Bistro on Norwegian Cruise Line's ships, there is a $10 per-person up charge on the Cote de Boeuf for two, the Fruits de Mer and the lobster tail. The cruise lines say it's all about choice; we say it's yet another way of gouging more money out of the passenger. However, we all agree these surcharges are more likely to proliferate than to go away.

I like to use "fairly inclusive" when describing big boat cruises. 

There are some all inclusive packages but extra fees are involved. 

Bon Voyage!