LeeAnne:

Look over on CC and you will find most of the info you seek. Just let me say this, Radisson represented to me that the $15 per day pp figure was Radisson's LOST REVENUE from going "open bar". Not their "cost" which would have been much lower.

My email exchange with Radisson happened at a time only about 2 1/2 years ago (how quickly things change in the cruise industry)when Radisson ships were mostly sailing about 1/2 full. My idea of "open bar" was not entirely about you and me, but was also about offering management advice to a company that was clearly headed for "belly up." I liked their cruises so as a retired manager/attorney (must have been good, as I could retire early), I gave my advice. I pointed out that they were giving me a Coke for free in the lounges now, and it would cost them maybe a dime to put some rum in it. So now they are "all inclusive" and what a draw that would be. Well, Radisson quickly brought the subject around to "lost bar revenue" (which rather bothered me, as it showed that Radisson regarded the bar as a "profit center" ala mass market lines), which he stated as $15 per day pp. Well, if that is how he figured it, that is how I presented it to all of you on the boards. Now one of the things that hasn't been very hard hit by the underreported inflation is the prices cruise lines pay for liquor! And if you compare Radisson's '07 prices with their '06 prices, you will see FAR more than $15 per day pp. Much more of an increase than can be attributed to cost inflation.

And, indeed, the difference between the '04 fares and the '06 fares is also greater than cost inflation.

So, I conclude that I was basically used. If you were in my shoes, you would say the same. Here in Oklahoma, we don't use people that way.

Thanks,
Richard