Richard,

Excellent points. I think it's a good thing that there are cruising options for people on a budget who are looking for ways to count their pennies, and the mass-market lines offer those opportunities. Hey, my first cruise was on an RCI ship, with all four of us in an inside cabin! Having never cruised before, we were quite happy just to be out there, and didn't mind too much the cramped quarters. (Although you couldn't pay me to do it now...especially since my kids are now so BIG!)

But I have to agree with you that a cruise line such as Crystal that markets itself as a 6-star luxury line should eliminate all vestiges of the nickel-&-dime mentality. Presumably, those who are choosing the 6-star lines are not looking to count pennies, but rather to have the best possible luxury-cruise experience at a good value. Evidently the other 6-star lines have determined that the luxury cruise experience entails price inclusion as one of the significant benefits. If Crystal is not going to provide that, then it seems to me they sort of fall into a different class altogether -- something in between the "premium mass market" and "luxury" designations. And their prices should be lower to reflect that, right? Maybe they are -- I haven't delved too deeply into their pricing. Anyway, just more ruminations!

I too am waiting to hear from Ngaire if she finds that Crystal has anything over RSSC that would negate the lack of inclusive pricing.