Cruise Talk: Festival onboard charges!

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Topic: Festival onboard charges!

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-07-2001 04:39 PM

I read a newspaper article about Festival cruises today.

In brief as the European Vision is christened, a new Manager has been appointed with a brief to increase onboard revenue.

Festival's aim is to generate 60% of profits from onboard sales. This is set against a background of falling fares (in Europe?) and the need to recoup profits.

It said that we can expect to see more chargeable items on Festival and other cruise ships, such a bridge visits, room service and speciality dinning etc.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

lillian
First Class Passenger
Member # 669

posted 07-07-2001 05:18 PM

Festival European Vision

Does anyone know anything more about European Vision. They have an excellent itinery, and the price seems reasonable here in Canada. I think it started sailing last month.

Posts: 95 | From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Christophe D
First Class Passenger
Member # 1680

posted 07-08-2001 11:00 AM

Last month, I was on board The Azur for a cruise in mediterranea since Marseille.

At the end of the cruise I paid 132,6 Euros for the week (drink, photos , postcard)
and 110 Euros for tipping.

I think it's not expensive for my familly (2 adults and 2 childrens)

Posts: 282 | From: Dunkerque, France | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Johan C
First Class Passenger
Member # 1201

posted 07-08-2001 11:31 AM

Hello;

I can confirm what Christophe wrote: Festival isn't very expensive but they never give anyhing extra to the guests on board .
You can also not expect lobster and caviar every night for the price you pay.
I only had one cruise on the Flamenco, and we had a VERY small cabin and you can also feel the space/passenger ratio wich is not very good but again a quite good price/quality range

Posts: 256 | From: Ghent, historic city in Belgium | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Italian Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1684

posted 07-08-2001 12:06 PM

To Lilian:
Festival Cruises is a good paneuropean company. The Mistral and the European Vision are contemporary medium sizr ships: so they shouldn't be compared with the second hand fleetmates the Azur and Flamenco. The European Vision has good sized and fully appointed cabins and offers all the amenities expected on a modern cruise ship, with a particularly emphasis on the fitness facilities.The cuisine is with no doubt far better than on the others ships of the fleet, particularly at the Grill restaurant ( reserved for suite's occupants but avalaible to the other passengers at extra charge ). If you are looking for a true international cruise experience ( Festival operates in 5 different languages )this is the right company. About the prices they are very similar to those of Costa Cruises, but the latter company offers special advanced discounted rates for USA and Canadian passengers ( Costa offers also more choice in the itineraries ). For other informations check: www.festival.com . for Costa Cruises: www.costa.it

Posts: 887 | From: Orvieto (Italy) | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

lillian
First Class Passenger
Member # 669

posted 07-08-2001 06:36 PM

Thank you for all the info on Festival Cruise Line. I forgot to mention that we are looking at the Caribbean itinerary. It starts sailing around the middle of December. I noticed that the Euro is the currency for the Mediterean itinerary.

I presume it will be US dollars when it comes to the Caribbean in December.

If we like the ship we will book the Europe or Mediterean one later.

Like the price range, and itinerary.

Posts: 95 | From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 07-08-2001 07:27 PM

Lillian, a word of caution about Festival in the Caribbean. I believe that they may have a large number of passengers from France.

We and many others found the behaviour of this group to be very unacceptable to our standards. I refer to the Bolero situation this spring.

You together with many of us are probably missing a replacement for the Bolero in this market. I think Air Tours are going to cash in on this absence in the market.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Ceefa's Mate
First Class Passenger
Member # 1857

posted 07-09-2001 08:06 AM

Having been on the Mistral in May of this year, we would, without hesitation recommend both the ship & the cruise line. Expect a slightly different cruise experiance though, mainly due to the multi-national nature, but overall a very good cruise. May I suggest a look at my 'reader review' for more details.
ps Topgun....... Shame on you!!! Do not start this anti french thing again! The French were fine - so were the Spanish, Germans, Italians, Swiss, Dutch, et all.

Posts: 77 | From: Buckinghamshire, England | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 07-09-2001 12:04 PM

Ceefas mate, I call it as I see it. Theres no shame in that. I might be biased because of personal experiences, but thats a problem with most of us.
Pax Vobiscum.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Ceefa's Mate
First Class Passenger
Member # 1857

posted 07-09-2001 04:16 PM

Topgun.....
Personal experiences & the opinions derived from them are one thing, but a bit of
discretion on a forum such as this does also not go amiss! Never forget some people will
always take what you say very literally!
A.T.B.

Posts: 77 | From: Buckinghamshire, England | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

M.S.Grumple
First Class Passenger
Member # 1340

posted 07-09-2001 04:50 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Ceefa's Mate:
Topgun.....
Personal experiences & the opinions derived from them are one thing, but a bit of
discretion on a forum such as this does also not go amiss! Never forget some people will
always take what you say very literally!
A.T.B.

I'm curious - what was indiscreet about Topgun's comments?
I believe this forum is for the transmittal of information is it not?

Posts: 280 | From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

lillian
First Class Passenger
Member # 669

posted 07-09-2001 06:18 PM

Well its booked for January,2002 on European Vision. Don't like cruising in January because we may get a snow storm, and am always thinking about getting to the airport on time, but in this case had no choice as it was a 40th BD cruise for my daughter-in-law which we are taking along as well.

Appreciate all the comments.

For Topgun, I like it when people call it as they see it. I always keep their opinions in mind, but make up my own opinion.

I will post a review upon my return.

Anymore info that any one has would also be appreciated.

Posts: 95 | From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 07-09-2001 06:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by topgun:
Ceefas mate, I call it as I see it. Theres no shame in that. I might be biased because of personal experiences, but thats a problem with most of us.
Pax Vobiscum.

I'm with you topgun! We're asked for our comments and impressions - no point in writing what you think people might like to hear.

Like M.S. Grumple, I saw no indiscretion in topgun's post.

This 'politically correct' bit sometimes really rankles me.

Lillian - you got it right - read the comments and then MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION.

Happy cruisin'

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Ceefa's Mate
First Class Passenger
Member # 1857

posted 07-10-2001 02:31 AM

OK Guys!......Point conceeded
Had a bad day yesterday - ok? (isnt every Monday like that (unless your cruisn')
ps the French are still ok

Posts: 77 | From: Buckinghamshire, England | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 07-10-2001 08:41 AM

Actually Topgun is quite right. We've run into the problem several times where a minority can become a pest on a ship. Individually they're fine but not as a group.
Certain European nationalities appear to be the worst offenders, although one trip it was a bunch of Cubans.
BTW...what's the good of a BB like this if it's not for people to describe their experiences on ships. Don't let this PC nonsense get hold.
...peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

texas
Just Boarded
Member # 2218

posted 07-20-2001 06:01 PM

I WILL BE SAILING IN AUG 2001 ON THE EUR VISION--I WILL REPORT BACK

Posts: 1 | From: san antonio texas | Registered: Jul 2001 | IP: Logged

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