BBT

Looks like we DO agree on at least one thing--

We would rather be at sea than dealing with normal everyday routines

Dani

I would love to cruise Australia in anything...a small boat , a tub, you name it.

The cruise prices for us can be no more than Panama, etc. but the airfare is the deal breaker/maker. ( Can I swim over ? )

The problem I see with the "Cheaper prices " is the quality of the cruise.

We would rather in their rush to the bottom line that the Cruiseline not cut prices to the point of not giving their former service. Case in point is Celebrity that has cut their food presentation to the bone. It is NOT anywhere near the original food that they presented.

I do not know what amount it would take on each ticket to retain their standards but I bet it is not that much in the long run.

The cruiselines count on new passengers not knowing the difference and the long time customers just going along. So sad.

Single cabins.. when we take an annual family cruise, our adult son who is single gets a single cabin. This pretty much limits us ( in our price range ) to Princess and Holland as they will give a single price reduction. He has sailed Celebrity twice when a miracle happened and they gave a single price break.

There are many singles out there for many reasons and I wish the cruiselines would try to tap this huge market with some good prices for cabins. They might be surprised that singles would make up the lower cabin price with more spending onboard. They often have more disposable income than the families on board.

People go through all phases in their lives. So there is a type of ship for each one. Family cruises on large ships with unlimited activities. More sedate cruises with fewer bells /whistles for people who just want to enjoy the sea and far off places.

My only concern is that the latter group is going to find it harder and harder to have that classic sea cruise experience without the bowling alleys, etc.

We are on the Sapphire this April because we it is a family cruise and a young adult along wants more activities. We also believe we will enjoy Princess as we have never sailed with them.

Now if it were just the two of us we would make a beeline for the Volendam.

The worst mistake a travel agent can make is to not put their client on the right ship. They really need to clarify what type of experience the client wants. That is when you hear the unhappiness " I will never cruise again ".
They were party people on the wrong ship, or quiet people on a hyper-activity ship.

So many choices, so little money, but being retired sooooo much time !

BBT

Dani- you are so right when you mentioned the travel agent puting the guest on the right ship!! When we went on our first cruise two years ago our agent asked all those important questions and it resulted in a win-win. She gained a lifelong client and we really enjoyed our NEW vacation choice. Being a young family (not as young as I wish) new to the cruising scene she found a good match. Plenty of things for the kids to do and relaxation for us "older" folks. Never being on any other cruise line and never experiencing what "other" lines have to offer does not allow us to make a comparison. Through all that I have read and learned on this site, and the members experiences, does shed a lot of light on what we might choose in the future as our family situation matures. I think I would really enjoy the experiences on a smaller ship with higher standards personally, but for the time being I need to consider what the rest of the family wants in order for everyone to enjoy. Oh, and cost is definetly a factor at this time in life.(college tuition soon-price of sneakers for the kids etc.). Well anyway, I thought we would'nt be able to afford a cruise-or any vacation-this year because we need to put a new roof on this summer-decided yesterday that come hell or high water we ARE going on a cruise this year NO MATTER WHAT. Yes, we are hooked and our tastes will change over the years-I will be happy on almost ANY ship going ANY place as long as I am the guest. We put a hold on a cruise yesterday sailing out of N.Y.C. for September and I WILL BE ON IT.

Dani

BBT

Good for you. Another cruise. We continued to cruise during the tough times for our sanity and well being.

Mark Twain said it best :


"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed
by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you
did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the
safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover."


There is no unhappiness like the misery of sighting land (and work) again after a cheerful, careless voyage.
- Letter to Will Bowen (prior to sailing on Quaker City)

Jackie

We have sailed 2 Celebrity cruises( Infinity 2003, Galaxy 2005) and found nothing amiss with the food. In fact the L.A. travel agent who was on our table maintained that Celebrity food was the best 5* for the price.

There were certain cruise lines who she definatly would not recommend.
Experience had added to this list, as she had been on one of the 'Wind' sailing vessels the previous 2 weeks and was completly fed up with the chicken choice that was served day after day in different guises.

Dani

Jackie,

I am comparing Celebrity food of the original Chandris owner to the food of today.

When we first cruised right before RCL bought Celebrity the food was really, really very good.

Lots of sauces brought to the table for your fish, meat. Bernaise,au jus, etc.
They came around in gravy like boats offered by your server.

Salads that were very different with hearts of palm, etc. Chilled apparagus with marinated dressing.

Soups that were very, very creamy.

The Sweets were made with real whipped cream. Creme Brulee many nights and of various flavors i.e. Mango.

A cigar shaped pastry filled with flavored whipped cream. Napoleons that were filled with real whipped cream and good custard.

Many, many unusual items that I cannot give name to.

Now they seem to rely on Cheesecake of every description and I have a hunch that it is the frozen kind or partly a mix. I am not sure that the pastry chiefs are really making all the items today.

Breakfast bar used to have lots and lots of fresh fruit...mangos, many types of mellons ( Casaba, etc. ), papapas, a huge array of different fruits ...all the time.

I had a great conversation ith the Head of the dining Room on the Summit 2 years ago. He was from Turkey and had been with Celebrity many years. He and I talked a long time about the previous food.

Trust me, on the Zenith in November it was truly bad.

I would beg to differ with the Travel Agent for I feel that in the 5* range ( I am not sure that Celebrity is now more than a 4* ) Holland America is much better.

Holland has a wonderful Lido buffet. Their alternative ( no charge ) dinner at night is in the Lido and includes most of the items served in the main dining room. They have candles on tables, music and bar service.

But food is very subjective. We just mourn for the Celebrity *5 Star experience of yesteryear.

Jani

You can allready go bowling on Stena Lines ferry Stena Saga. Its just refurbished and there come bowlinghall. It must be tested when i go next time Denmark to Norway.

Some photos:

http://www.dinside.no/php/art.php?id=293645&bid=2

pobore1

Already have batting cages on P&O !!!

Liz

Love the Bowling Alley, Jani, and all the pictures. The Duty Free shop looks as big as the ones found in airports (Well, ALMOST)

pobore1

How is it that I can book hotels in the UK through an American TA,but cant book a cruise the same way!!!