I Don't want Shrek

[lovemylab]

Are you sure? Maybe it is just me but it seems that you haven't had anything good to say about RCI in awhile.

 

I also wonder if she realizes that RCCL and Celebrity are owned by the same company. Therefore, had she cancelled and rebooked with Celebrity her $$ vote would have been going back to them anyways....

[BroncosFan2010]

I also wonder if she realizes that RCCL and Celebrity are owned by the same company. Therefore, had she cancelled and rebooked with Celebrity her $$ vote would have been going back to them anyways....

Yes, I do realize the irony of that.... (do you really think everyone who posts on here are idiots?)

I am guessing that RCCL is betting that all of the business they WOULD loose because of the push to market towards families will most likely go to Celebrity...But at least my money vote would be showing what type of vacation I prefer and am willing to spend money on.

 

 

I have a idea... all those who Love the idea of the Dreamworks contract, start a thread about how great it will be! And I promise I won't post any of my negativity other there! ;-)

[QTBabyNurse]

I hate the idea of "characters" on ships. I think it cheapens the whole cruising experience for me. If that is the type of cruise I wished to take, there is always the Disney line. I feel that if RCI wants to do this for the kids, the "characters" need to stay within the confines of the various kids programs/activities and not hanging out all over the ship. Just my 2 cents....

[grand isle joe]

Not Really!!!!

 

Making this into a "youth vs. old" thread doesn't help, because it really is not about age. It is about likes and dislikes of individuals, young, middle, older.

 

No! It's about something for eveyone.

[lovemylab]

Yes, I do realize the irony of that.... (do you really think everyone who posts on here are idiots?)

I am guessing that RCCL is guessing that all of the business the WOULD loose because of the push to market towards families will most likely go to Celebrity...But at least my money vote would be showing what type of vacation I prefer and am willing to spend money on.

 

First, I never called anyone an idiot. I just fail to see how you are making a vote $$ when you are still booking a cruise with the same company.

 

Actually, I'd be willing to bet they are going to gain business as a result of this. I am not a fan of characters as I also prefer an adult vacation. However, if I had kids and was debating between cruising on Disney or an RCCL ship with Shrek...I'd be choosing RCCL because it is cheaper AND my kids could still get the characters. And those passengers that don't want characters will instead book Voyager and Radiance class ships...or perhaps, even switch to Celebrity ;) So for RCI, it's a win-win.

 

You have mentioned in multiple threads how you prefer the Serenade because it has less children. You've also mentioned numerous times how your favorite thing about the Adventure is that it keeps people away from the Serenade for sailings out of San Juan. Well guess what....when these characters climb onboard Oasis and Freedom class ships...that is going to result in even LESS famillies cruising on the Radiance and Voyager class ships (which I am excited about as I love those classes). Seeing as how these characters are going to be on ships that you have said you have no interest in sailing on, I just don't understand why you care so much.

[bluegirlum]

Well, I really was interested in sailing on the Oasis or Allure, but now I won't. I completely understand that these ships are being marketed to families, but this is too much for me, so I guess if I want to sail RCCL, I will have to settle for the smaller ships until they go this direction and if they do, then that will be the end of RCCL for me.

 

So you're going to avoid ships that you've never been on because you think that perhaps this could be an annoyance for you. Do you realize how big Oasis is? I was on Oasis a few weeks ago, and I can assure you there are plenty of places to hide from Shrek and kids. If you just enjoy smaller ships, or have a fear of crowds, then great. But I am still trying to comprehend how people who have never even been on this ship can complain about something they haven't even experienced!

[SliderNc]

As a stockholder, I'm glad they've partnered with someone to enhance their family image a bit more and hopefully bring in more revenue for their larger ships to make them profitable and pay back the billions of loans they have out on them. Great move and I'm hoping it plays out well for them.

 

As a cruiser, it really doesn't bother me that much. I don't have kids and my fiance and I enjoy our quiet time on our balcony or in the hot tubs late at night.

 

In order for any business to survive or keep their shareholders happy, they need to do what is best for their business, not what 1% of 1% of cruisers on a message board think. :) If they listened to us and our opinions all of the time, they wouldn't be sailing these ships.

[J & G]

Today is your lucky day, as a courtesy I am going to inform you (and others with your like interests) about Celebrity and Holland America, these two lines will be ideal for what you are looking for. Please proceed to the forums associated with these web sites in order to lower your blood pressure.

 

 

Where did this come from? My one and only comment on this topic was really pretty innocuous....and I don't really find any courtesy in your response.

 

I am well aware of HAL and =X= as we are booked with both of them....and have two more cruises booked with RCI. I am also well aware of the forums for HAL and Celebrity, thank you. I don't need anyone to admonish me as to which forums I should frequent. These are, after all, "discussion" forums.....

 

I have cruised with you before, I believe. Your tone here seems to be a whole new thing....so again, where is this coming from?

[MrsPete]

I don't cruise to be entertained by juvenile themes I need some sea spray and great service, five meals a day and good ports of call. Disney fills the family niche but RCL now wants to compete with Disney? I enjoy seeing families on board but what happened to family time instead of "entertain me every minute". I remember what happened in Las Vegas when they tried to go over board with family themes and see where it got them, back to the old "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas". I like RCl enough to have over 24 cruises with them but I'm thinking it's not as a good a match as it used to be. Princess will get a closer look and Celebrity for my cruising dollar after I sail my next 2 bookings with RCL.

Flame away, I'm still allowed my opinion.:D

Your best option, then, is to vote with your dollars and choose a different line. I like RC and am booked with them for this summer, but I am not loyal to them alone. In fact, like you, I'm seriously looking at Princess for our next cruise. They offer a couple things that I think we'd enjoy.

 

On the other hand, having sailed Disney, I can assure you that the characters on their ships are not "in your face". They come by here and there, and if you want to go over to greet them, you can. If that doesn't suit you, you can easily just stay on the other side of the room. Will RC be the same? I"d guess so.

[04cruises]

We did a CCL cruise last year and had only a few kids.I think it's ironic that RCCL has become the ''cruise with strollers'' line and CCL is becoming more friendly to those without children.It's just wierd.

[Flipflopsnfrozendrinks]

I may be the minority here, but as a mom who cruises with 2 kids, I am less than not interested in cruising with characters. Often my friends ask me why I don't do Disney cruises, I always tell them that I hear Disney has a great product, great food, service etc. and their private island has yet to be beat. But, if I want to see a giant mouse, or princess,or what not, I can go to them, I know where they are. I don't want to be bothered by them on my cruise.

RCCL has made my choosing the next cruise much easier as I don't want characters. I love RCCL, and their kids program, so we will probably go with them still, just not on a character ship. We travel to see new places, enjoy the atmosphere of the ship, escape our regular lives for a little while, not to add more commercialism to them. We own many Dreamworks movies, I can probably recite most word for word. Bringing them into my vacation as well is not my idea of escape. It is disappointing that we won't be on the new, big ships, but I guess that is the trade off we are willing to make.

 

Thats my 2 cents worth, not meant to offend anyone else, just my feelings on the topic.

Kim

[funat55]

Having just been on the Oasis, let me tell you all something. The ship is so awesome and so full of energy, the addition of Shrek will make no difference whatsoever in the overall experience. He will fit in perfectly in the Boardwalk neighborhood that already has a carousel and family oriented atmosphere.

 

Folks, if you decide not to cruise Oasis class because Shrek is on board, you are doing yourself a severe injustice. It will be your loss.

 

Besides, there have been people on every one of my cruises that I would have glady traded for Shrek.

 

I agree with your comments. Also, as far as the Disney ships go, we will get the best of both worlds on the Oasis because RCCL has casinos and Disney doesn't.

[rolloman]

Where did this come from? My one and only comment on this topic was really pretty innocuous....and I don't really find any courtesy in your response.

 

I am well aware of HAL and =X= as we are booked with both of them....and have two more cruises booked with RCI. I am also well aware of the forums for HAL and Celebrity, thank you. I don't need anyone to admonish me as to which forums I should frequent. These are, after all, "discussion" forums.....

 

I have cruised with you before, I believe. Your tone here seems to be a whole new thing....so again, where is this coming from?

 

I used your comment to speak to the few who have taken this thread over because of a minor addition to RCCL strategy, sorry if I offended. I personally think the declarations of several here of never stepping on an RCCL ship again are basically ridiculous and in the end will have no merit.

[SailyaCruise]

The worst thing I've discovered in this thread is that the chocolates for the pillows are gone? Armagaeddon!!

 

Second, I'm against the Shrek thing so I'll just make myself scarce. I can't wait to sail the Allure -- in 2011. Long wait!

 

Third, the remarks in this thread have had me in stitches. Honestly I think some of you could do standup on the ships.

 

:D:D:D:D

[J & G]

I used your comment to speak to the few who have taken this thread over because of a minor addition to RCCL strategy, sorry if I offended. I personally think the declarations of several here of never stepping on an RCCL ship again are basically ridiculous and in the end will have no merit.

 

Thanks for the explanation! I agree that one should never say "never"......did I just say 'never' ? ;)

[hubofhockey]

My guess is that if you want to avoid the Dreamworks characters that you won't have too much of a problem with that. It could be that this is something geared to the thousands of kids on the megaships. But I am not surprised by the rush to judgment and can understand why this would upset many.

[Swath]

if the rc could make a mint of cash building a 225k ton ship for "old-time" cruisers, then they would of built the "old-folks-home of the seas."

 

what exactly do you expect them to do, build a massive ship that doesn't appeal to all ages?

 

Let's build a ship for just people who want a cruise for peace and quite .

 

225k tons of space for "the world's largest bingo hall at sea!" ...25 times the pool loungers surrounding 25 pools that aren't needed ... So that that all passengers may have a poolside seat (great view of vacant pools). A windjammer that takes up an entire deck ... And my time dining for everyone at chops - which now takes up 2 decks (no extra charge-heck, rc will pay u to dine there ... R u happy yet?)

 

no? .....r e a l l y? No, really! ....ok

 

did i meantion we have 50 elevators, 2 separate casino's (loosest slots in the world - just a side note) 1 casino is smoke free and has free champaigne for all gamblers ... In the other you can smoke until bob marley rises from the dead ... Here all beers are only a nickle (roll back price to 1963 ... Just for our "target guests!"

 

but what about those annoying people with kids/or children themselves (you know ... The part of society that makes up 90% of all people that we're trying so very very hard ... Not to entice to cruise with us ....

 

We sadly (due to the civil rights ... Sorry, i know ... You were against them back in the day ... You knew it would eventually lead to the shriekization of your vacation experience.)

 

we sadly have to inform you that rc must allow families to cruise on this ship. But don't despare ... They will be bannished (mostly-ah ah, those pesky civil rights again ...) to our new attraction floors where we have built a mini lake for which all families are to sleep in tents, roast marshmellows over our fake fires while singing cumbia (decks 3-4 ... You'll never have to go down there yourself unless you want to).

 

No more waterslides and arcades (though you adults have your pools and slot machines/computers/gadgets and bingo machines)

 

quite family time will be strictly enforced.

 

We've heard you ... We read these boards like scripture ... And when we do something to make more money and you whine about it ... It really hurts our feelings ... Almost to the point that we don't want that new dirty money we were after ... Almost!

 

With love, your master ... Royal c e o!

LOL

 

Bravo

[Swath]

I'm discouraged by the idea of "shrekasizing" a ship, but even more discouraged by the thought of those huge honkin' television screens being put out over the pool on a ship as lovely as the Liberty of the Seas.

Ship entertainment should be "live" in my opinion. That makes it more special rather than just more of what one can do at home. I have this image in my mind of hypnotized cruise passengers with jaws dropped just staring at a television screen instead of their surroundings, or intermingling with other passengers, or reading a nice book.

 

OY VEY :rolleyes:

 

Then YOU should Avoid Princess

They Have Movies Under The Stars [M.U.T.S.]

Its shown on BIG Outdoor Screen

[Happy ks]

I wasn't knocking Disney. I was commenting on one aspect that I observed. I am glad that Disney is a good fit for you. I don't agree with your comments about the Voyager class ships. I see the royal Promenade differetly that you.

 

Its all good.

 

Yes, but what you observed on the pool deck was not representative of the entire cruise, and that is my point. It would be like seeing a drunken party on a RCI ship at sailaway and thinking the whole ship was a drunken party with dancing all over the ship. That party is only in one place and pretty much only one time...same with what you observed with the Disney characters at their sailaway.

 

I've only been on the one Disney cruise, but have a totally different attitude about it than other people do, especially the ones who haven't been on one. It's also very appropriate for people with no kids.

 

I actually prefer a smaller ship, like Radiance class and still miss Monarch on the west coast. I like being on the ocean and the Voyager class was just to internalized for us.

[DocJohnB]

You seem to be fighting this one pretty hard there shipmate. I notice your next 3 sailings are on X. Not sure of your motivations to go after this simple addition by RCCl.

 

To set the record straight, I dont belong to any "group" as I sail them all. I am an advocate of forward thinking and innovation. Obviously the addition of a character series for the younger sailors has been a huge success for NCL and Disney, so it seems like RCCL has gone with the if you cant beat them join them way of thinking and I have no problem with that.

 

 

Just for the record, shipmate, I also don't belong to any group. My line of preference is indeed Celebrity, however like you I have cruised most of the mass market lines including our latest on RCI's Explorer OTS. That really has no relevance to the discussion, however.

 

Now if you can explain to me how "RCI's joining them if you can't beat them" philosophy is forward thinking and innovative, I would appreciate it. I find that to be a bit oxymoronic.

[Alrana Eris]

I have no clue why almost everyone is getting their bent out of shape over something that hasn't happened yet.. Its debuting on the Allure first then the Freedom Liberty & Oasis. RCL like every other business is like it or not its bottom line ,all about making money and finding ways to fill every cabin on every ship.

Cruising is not for newly wed,nearly dead and over fed anymore. Like any business need to come up with new and fresh ideas for the repeat customers and keep up with the competition.

If you say well "I'm not going to book RCL because of Shrek" fine your choice- free will- book somewhere else, but you know there will be 5 others who will jump at the chance to book their cruise because of Shrek.

 

For me I book a cruise for the itinerary not so much whether Shrek will be on the ship or not. I think it will be kind of cool to hang out with Donkey.-for me it will be a bonus, won't bother me one bit.

 

 

Alrana

[DocJohnB]

Making this into a "youth vs. old" thread doesn't help, because it really is not about age. It is about likes and dislikes of individuals, young, middle, older.

 

No! It's about something for eveyone.

 

Nice to know we agree on that issue Joe. :rolleyes:

[DocJohnB]

I hope you realize you are the only one fighting with everyone on this thread. (not really) Why not just ignore posts you don't agree with? :confused:

 

Now what would be the fun in ignoring those I disagree with . . none. :D:D

 

Look folks, my angst is not so much the fact that they are putting the characters on the ships. (In fact from a business standpoint it is an excellent idea) It is the fact that they are putting them on all of their 2 newest class of ships (sailing the Caribbean). Those who do not like the idea will now be cut off from sailing on theses newest innovations in cruising.

[dfishner]

Have you even bothered to look at the deck plans of those two ships or ar you just posting misinformation? The ships can only hold so many guests. The Oasis and Allure actually have a small amount of cabins that can hold three and four people compared to the number of overall cabins. Families will have to book two cabins. This will not mean more people on board. LMAO at some of the drama on this board. :rolleyes:

 

Gordon, I am right with you about this, it makes it seem like it is the end of the world. Heck when I was at disney world a couple of years ago I don't remember seeing any characters at all.

 

RCL has been marketing to families for years and this is another step into that direction. I do not have kids but I still will enjoy my cruises with RCL, and if I do not want to see any characters I know how to avoid them you just walk the other way. Dreamworks is here to stay no complaining on here will change that. So you can decide not to cruise RCL, going on a RCL ship that does not have them or go on another cruise line. This is really much to do about nothing.

[Col1874]

I don't cruise to be entertained by juvenile themes I need some sea spray and great service, five meals a day and good ports of call. Disney fills the family niche but RCL now wants to compete with Disney? I enjoy seeing families on board but what happened to family time instead of "entertain me every minute". I remember what happened in Las Vegas when they tried to go over board with family themes and see where it got them, back to the old "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas". I like RCl enough to have over 24 cruises with them but I'm thinking it's not as a good a match as it used to be. Princess will get a closer look and Celebrity for my cruising dollar after I sail my next 2 bookings with RCL.

Flame away, I'm still allowed my opinion.:D

 

Perhaps you should take a look at the post about "Cruise Snobs"

 

CRUISING IS FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST GRUMPY OLD PEOPLE!