Which Line is the BEST??????????

[momofmeg]

[quote name='Bruin Steve']I don't know which "Steve" it is that prefers Princess...
I've searched through THIS thread and don't see another "Steve"...

But, in my case, I am NOT a TA...
I'm just your average cruiser who has cruised on six different cruise lines...

...and I pretty much agree with Caviargal...




Actually this is a guy who blasted me on another thread hinting that I could have no opinion (this was on dress) as I had only been on cr&**py ships except for HAL Statendam. Cavier gal knows who I mean because she has been posting on that thread also. (on the fashionboard) He actually used intials for his "posting name" I found out by reading his profile his name is Steve and he is a TA. He is on the princess board alot bickering back and forth with people as to why he should be allowed to wear his $300 pair of jeans to dinner.


Consumers tend to get hooked on a particular line (or a particular restaurant chain or consumer product or whatever) and then grow very loyal and attached to it...so they tend to be more biased...
And there are so many things that each cruise line does similarly, that it is often hard to differentiate...


I agree with you wholeheartly Steve-that is the point-everyone sees things differantly. I have not cruised Celebrity yet but I do plan to and now that my daughter is older, an adult, we will the cruising the more adult lines hopefully.


If you read caviergal's posts and I mean ALL of them not just this thread or messageboard-she is one of those cruiseline loyalists you speak of-even if she is a TA-she loves RCCL-but will do Celebrity also but to her the RCCL radience class ships are the best. Whenever anyone voices an opinion that 'this ship was good or that ship was good' she will always posts well RCCL is better because she was on this or that ship(the other person said was good) and she hints that she knows best because she has cruised over 100 times and that she is a TA.

I was simply trying to let her see there are other things envolved. Like for many of us cost, whether we take our children etc. etc.-I would just like for her to post both the good and bad about this or that ship and why she disliked this or that ship and why she preferred another not just say things like she hates Carnival because people allow their babies in diapers in the pool and the ship's crew did nothing or that everyone on that line wore shorts and jeans to dinner etc.

I say this because she only had bad things to say about Glory (which I knew she would hate-I have heard too many bad things about the conquest-class ships-from objective unbiased people on this board-I will never cruise that class of ship for sure) She said the lounges were smoky. Then someone posted that Carnival's policy is smoking and non-smoking lounges so then she said well she did not really do a round of the lounges as she was working on that ship. So then which is true? are the lounges all smoky or did she not really check out the lounges because she was too busy? only one can be true.

Now I do agree with her about how people dress on Carnival and other things too-they are DEFINETLY NOT my favorite line but neither is RCCL-so far in my experience. (You know as the other Steve considers I have only been on cr&*py ships so I can have no real opinion)

Anyway Steve I really do like Caviergal. I HAVE learned alot from her. I just wish she would be a little more professionial in her posts and not show her bias. You know the old saying "you can catch more bees with honey then vinegar" if she would take her vinegar out of her posts I believe she could actually win more people over to RCCL which is what she wants.

I am sorry if offended you-I really do not want to offend anyone-even that other Steve the TA- though he did his best to offend me.

[momofmeg]

[quote name='johnql']The amount someone spends on a cruise on additional expenses runs the gamut. There have been numerous threads on this topic over the years. It's certainly possible to go on a cruise and spend a minimal amount (the recommended tipping amount plus an occasional drink). However, it's not unusual for someone to spend $500 or even $1000 extra. Here's an easy way to spend that kind of money: order a bottle of wine every night at dinner; book 4 or 5 excursions through the ship; patronize the ship's shops; gamble in the casino and play bingo; order bar drinks and soda throughout the day; dine at the surcharge restaurants; and take in a couple spa treatments.

Believe me, it's not difficult to run up a substantial bill by the end of a cruise.[/QUOTE]


You hit the mark- but lets tell her the truth-if she does ALL of the things you mentioned it will be MORE then an extra $500 or $1000. Hubby and I do not gamble. We never drink at dinner. Maybe order at the most one or 2 cokes a day, maybe one cappacino and on average I am guessing about 5 drinks per day each in the lounges. I usually buy something in the gift shops but I do not think I have ever went over $50 there. We book alot of our excursions on our own. We are still between the $500-1000 most cruises.

[momofmeg]

[quote name='momofmeg']

You know the old saying "you can catch more bees with honey then vinegar"

[/QUOTE]

I meant flies guys. I have no idea why I typed bees. But I am sure you get my point.

[michmike]

I always liked the one where the fella told the girl "Gee I like that dress!!" and she replies "You do?" and he says "Oh yes.. it would look great on my bedroom floor" *S*

But you want to know about CRUISE lines.. We've sailed on both HAL and Celebrity and you'd be hard pressed to go wrong with either. I feel the food was a little better (and more ambitious) on Celebrity, but we've come to prefer the smaller size and the more personal service of HAL (at least the S class ships). Definitely an older clientele, esp on HAL, but our table mates in their early 90s were a hoot.. Can only hope I'm still cruising and have a great sense of humor at that age... and thankfully (as long as you avoid spring break and holidays) very few urchins on either.

[Bruin Steve]

[quote name='Sun R Bunns']Free style dining: Two years ago, we sailed on NCL to Alaska. They had "free style" dining. We didn't care for it at all....[/QUOTE]
I guess there are some folks out there who like this concept...and maybe I'm just a stodgy old traditionalist, but, in my book this really takes away from the cruise experience...

It sounds good on the surface (sort of like some political rhetoric)...You can eat whenever you want, you don't have the rigidity of set dining hours where you have to pick one time or the other and one is too early and the other too late...

BUT, there is something elegant about traditional cruise dining...

First, realize EVERYONE on board can't be accommodated at 7:30 for dinner...You pretty much have to approximate two seatings in some fashion or another...

With "Freestyle Dining", you could get slow service because the kitchen is suddenly backed up at once...or you could get rushed along because they have to move you out with too many people waiting...All planning is thrown out the window and they're counting on the laws of averages--which don't necessarily work...restaurants on land work this way...which is why sometimes you get a table right away and other times you wait an hour and a half...

But there are many other benefits of traditional dining you lose as well...A regular table with waiters who get to know you quickly, learn your habits (With traditional dining, by day two, my waiter KNOWS to bring me a plain wedge of iceberg lettuce...my assistant waiter KNOWS to bring me iced tea and to refill it constantly)...

...and the evening's schedules are traditionally built around the seating times...Shows that fit into the slots left by the dinner seating time...The showroom does not get overcrowded for one show and undercrowded for another...no one has to rush their dinner because they're late for a show or other event...

The presentation of meals is more organized, there is less traffic around your table during your meal...

If I wanted to rush in and out of dinners, wait for tables, have a different waiter each night, etc., I'd probably stay home...

Give me traditional dining and traditional dining only!!!

[caviargal]

I noticed on my NCL sailings in Alaska that there people lined up when the main dining room first opened and then for about an our after that.

Freestyle is not my preference and I seldom ate in the main dining; actually just once for dinner on my last SUN cruise. Most of the time I chose an alternate venue.

I much prefer traditional dining but it is nice that there is a line that offers so many options for those that do not.

[caviargal]

[quote name='michmike']I always liked the one where the fella told the girl "Gee I like that dress!!" and she replies "You do?" and he says "Oh yes.. it would look great on my bedroom floor" *S*

QUOTE]

Actually, that how I and my girlfriends shop for lingerie!

[michmike]

caviargal - you're a lady after this 57 yr old's heart.. *S*

[johnql]

[quote name='caviargal']I much prefer traditional dining but it is nice that there is a line that offers so many options for those that do not.[/QUOTE]
Exactly! Freestyle dining is not for everyone. There is no question that traditional dining has its benefits and some cruisers will prefer those benefits. That's what makes the world go 'round. I love that all lines and ships are not identical. What fun would that be?

[caviargal]

[quote name='michmike']caviargal - you're a lady after this 57 yr old's heart.. *S*[/QUOTE]

Are you single? LOL

[mdmomof7]

Thanks for the responses once again. Looks like we'll have to lower our cabin category accordingly! ;)

We don't gamble, not my thing at all. In fact, I stayed away from cruise ships thinking they were Vegas like. Carnival never appealed to me because I was stuck on the 70s image of them. I actually think I'd like the sedateness of HAL, but still think Princess is the best deal for our tastes and budget.

I can definitely see the downside of anytime dining. I think it does make sense that this type of freestyle dining could detract from the ambience and execution of dinner in an elegant setting. I'm hoping for the best and hoping I'll like it anyway, especially since I've never experienced either style!

I will definitely have to check out the pricing of our excursions. I have definitely not gotten that far yet. I'm one who likes to just "be" in a place to soak it up when I visit. Another reason I always shied away from cruising as I thought it not enough time to do this. But having done 5 European cities in two weeks last September, I can see the beauty of a brief visit too. It whets the appetite for more and there was definitely a zest for life feeling flying charters and taking trains around Europe for two weeks. I find myself daydreaming of one place and then saying, no, no, I should really try this place again. All were wonderful in their own way. That's what I'm hoping for on this cruise too. I hope we find that we like each island for what it has to offer.

Thanks again! You guys are great! What would I do w/o this board?! Probably get some more housework done and sleep a bit more after everyone settles down for the night. LOL!!!

[kryos]

[quote name='johnql']Exactly! Freestyle dining is not for everyone. There is no question that traditional dining has its benefits and some cruisers will prefer those benefits. That's what makes the world go 'round. I love that all lines and ships are not identical. What fun would that be?[/QUOTE]
LOL ... I'm with you. Freestyle would just not suit my tastes.

It's funny ... when I saw the heading on this thread I had to laugh. What is the best line? There is no "best line" in my opinion. There is only the "best line" for you.

I've cruised HAL and Princess so far, and loved the both of them ... each for different reasons. I've also looked at RCCL, but my TA advised me that I probably wouldn't be happy there. She also told me to steer clear of Carnival and NCL as well.

It's not that she has anything against these lines. She told me they are all great products and she books plenty of her clients on them weekly. But, her opinion is that I would not be happy on them for various reasons. I am not into a big night life onboard, and tend to be quiet. I'm also not a big drinker or partyer. I usually travel solo and some of these mega liners that cater to families would make it difficult for me to meet people onboard. The dining is the primary issue on NCL, as a solo traveler can find Freestyle dining to be a bit of a challenge.

So, HAL and Princess have worked best so far for me, given my individual circumstances. I would one day like to try a luxury line and my TA tells me that I would probably love it. I would also like to try something like Windstar, with their marina off the back deck and their onboard divemasters. Windjammer probably wouldn't work for me ... just as Carnival probably wouldn't suit me.

I just thank God cruising has something for everybody, but I hardly think there is any overall "best line" that suits all.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[michmike]

caviargal - well I always try telling the ladies that I'm separated... (I'm here , she's at home.. *L*) but sadly, will be celebrating our 32nd anniversary in August. Think she got the short end of THAT deal.

Happy Sailing!!

[momofmeg]

[quote name='mdmomof7']Thanks for the responses once again. Looks like we'll have to lower our cabin category accordingly! ;)

We don't gamble, not my thing at all. In fact, I stayed away from cruise ships thinking they were Vegas like. Carnival never appealed to me because I was stuck on the 70s image of them. I actually think I'd like the sedateness of HAL, but still think Princess is the best deal for our tastes and budget.

I can definitely see the downside of anytime dining. I think it does make sense that this type of freestyle dining could detract from the ambience and execution of dinner in an elegant setting. I'm hoping for the best and hoping I'll like it anyway, especially since I've never experienced either style!

I will definitely have to check out the pricing of our excursions. I have definitely not gotten that far yet. I'm one who likes to just "be" in a place to soak it up when I visit. Another reason I always shied away from cruising as I thought it not enough time to do this. But having done 5 European cities in two weeks last September, I can see the beauty of a brief visit too. It whets the appetite for more and there was definitely a zest for life feeling flying charters and taking trains around Europe for two weeks. I find myself daydreaming of one place and then saying, no, no, I should really try this place again. All were wonderful in their own way. That's what I'm hoping for on this cruise too. I hope we find that we like each island for what it has to offer.

Thanks again! You guys are great! What would I do w/o this board?! Probably get some more housework done and sleep a bit more after everyone settles down for the night. LOL!!![/QUOTE]

You will have a good time and especially as this is an anniversary celebration book the the nicest cruise you can afford. You know too about the extra expenses-you can set yourself a budget each day and then don't go over that.

If you don't have to go and have your hair and nails done, massages and drink tons of alochol or must have that $90 bottle of wine at dinner-you will find you can afford more then you think.

Drinks run around $8 including the 15% tip but they do have drinks of the day for less-often around $3. Beer ofcourse is less also. You can buy a soda card for around $45 and if you are one that drinks 7or 8 colas a day it would be worth it. Also you may not WANT to do an excursion in every port-usually taxis to a nice beach are affordable.

If it was me and it was my anniversary I would go for the balcony and skip the excursions. After all you and hubby want some alone time. One thing too the cruiseship shops sell alcohol tax free. Now normally you don't get this until the last night of the cruise but some cruiselines allow you to pay a "usage fee" and take it to your cabin for use. I read a post of a person who did this and said this amounted to the price with tax. So you could do that for you and hubby to have private drinks on the balcony.

Also you can bring wine on board and the waiters will serve it at dinner to you for a "corkage fee" of around $10 which if you are into wine you come out ahead. I am not myself but I have read posts that their $40 bottle of wine costs them $90 on the ship-so they just brought it from home and saved a little that way.

Another thing I wanted to mention is the fact you have picked August to cruise. Now I know that is your anniversary but beware-the ships will be packed with children. If you waited a month you would get a better price plus much less kids on board. I know some are afraid to cruise in Sept. because of hurricanes but as we have seen from last year August is not much better.

We are planning a european cruise for our 25th which is actually in Jan. of 08 but since the cruises are more spring into fall for europe we have decided to take a reposioning cruise either in the fall of 2007 or the spring of 2008. That is unless we do what hubby wants and cruise Hawaii but I plan to "win" on this one. I told him we could do that for our 30th.