Not yo mama's cruise?

[ME Guide]

Ruh roh….think we are going to change our cruise. Happy that we recently booked another cruise so... Started a roll call on Cruise Critic for an Equinox Ultimate Caribbean Cruise for March 27 to April 6, 2015 and nobody has joined. I thought it odd that the roll call remained at (0) hits. Hmmmm????:confused:

 

Decided to google the cruise date and found that it is a THEME cruise. :eek:Entertainment and Travel Alternative Motorcycle Cruise! EEK! Spaces for them and their bikes are sold out. WOW! We have nothing against motorcycle groups but…well might be a different cruise experience? Not sure if we would fit in or feel comfortable with this "theme cruise" group? Wonder how many are going?

 

We are two retired school teachers (elite level)and think we may feel a bit uncomfortable on this cruise. Guess we are going to call Captains Club or our TA for suggestions on a different cruise. Sad…we had one of the larger aft cabins…oh well. We will work on that today and try to get more information.

[wallie5446]

The people that sail this type of cruise are very well heeled and the value of the 'bikes' they travel with are upwards of $20, 30, even $50,000! CEO's of major US company's.

[ME Guide]

oh I'm sure! I have a bit of hesitation after watching some of the youtube video's from these biker cruises. Again, have nothing against bikers. Do you have experience being on one of these biker theme cruises?

[wallie5446]

Friends have sailed, they will bellie up and pay way more to cruise than we will:eek:. I guess there could be a group of bikers that haven't showered in a week spend $5-10 grand for a week vacation to get to ride their baby on a tropical island with a 6 pack of bud strapped to the back, but I kinda doubt it:D

[ME Guide]

Just found more information and the group has about 90 folks and 35 bikes for ETA. Well, that's making me feel a bit better. I thought the group might be much larger and that we would be in the minority.

 

Think we will be all set.

[2OldTravelers]

We are two retired school teachers (elite level)and think we may feel a bit uncomfortable on this cruise.

 

Since you are elite level, there is no way you could have fun with this group of bikers. Select or Classic maybe, but definitely not as Elite levels. :rolleyes:

[Karen@Steve]

Most of these folks are doctors, lawyers and high rollers. The bikes are expensive and are treated like gold. DH has a motorcycle and would love to do a cruise with it (me, not so much! :rolleyes:) Imagine the cost of just getting the bikes to the ship! I doubt anyone is going to take a cruise with only what's in their saddlebags.

 

That being said, I can understand not wanting to go with a large group. The people may be terrific but large groups tend to move in emasse around the ship so some venues become very crowded just by the nature of meet ups and large get togethers. Since this is only about 95 people I wouldn't sweat it in the least.

 

Only you can decide if you would feel out of place but it might be because these people have money to burn!

[ME Guide]

Thanks Karen. Yes, it was more the size of the group rather than the theme. We might have felt the same on any theme cruise. Our concern was definitely the size of the group that might be on the ship.

 

and Mr. Snark2OldTravelers, I only mentioned our status to show that we have sailed several X cruises, nothing more. WE do not judge people. (as Perry often says)

 

We enjoy life, enjoy people, and enjoy cruising. Most of all, we enjoy retirement.

[starlake]

I believe we have been on two cruises with people from this group. They are lovely people. It is so much fun to watch them leave the ship on their bikes at ports.

Their port days are usually scheduled, so they know what and where they are going at every port

[emcee207]

Thanks Karen. Yes, it was more the size of the group rather than the theme. We might have felt the same on any theme cruise. Our concern was definitely the size of the group that might be on the ship.

 

and Mr. Snark2OldTravelers, I only mentioned our status to show that we have sailed several X cruises, nothing more. WE do not judge people. (as Perry often says)

 

We enjoy life, enjoy people, and enjoy cruising. Most of all, we enjoy retirement.

 

Good for you, nice comeback for an unwaranted post!

[ME Guide]

Thank you EMCEE and Patti. I'm sure we will have a wonderful time.

 

Today it is -5 here in southern Maine and a blizzard is headed up the coast. The good news is that we will be spared the brunt of the snow but the bad news is that temperatures will be terribly cold.

 

Have a wonderful day and enjoy the sunshine. We'll be dreaming of cruising!

[CathyCruises]

Since you are elite level, there is no way you could have fun with this group of bikers. Select or Classic maybe, but definitely not as Elite levels. :rolleyes:

 

I notice that you only have 17 posts on Cruise Critic, and welcome to the boards. It is unfortunate that Celebrity has chosen the word "Elite" to denote its frequent cruiser level. The word itself has a connotation of 'snobbery', and there have been many posts like yours on many threads from people who choose to believe that a poster has a very high opinion of himself.

 

I believe that the OP in this case, like so many others, was merely indicating their cruise history with Celebrity and not making a comment on their social status. Hopefully in the future you will take this into consideration when reading and commenting.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

I wrote a lengthy comment and then noticed that you are talking about over a year from now! I would cancel this cruise if you have any problems with a theme cruise and I personally would. I don't want to be on a ship with a large group that may take over the venues. That's nothing against bikers- I'd feel the same way if it was a National Assoc. of Realtors cruise or a AARP cruise. If I knew up front, I'd switch weeks.

 

The cruise is over a year away so it isn't shocking that there isn't a lot of interest on the roll call.

Edited January 21, 2014 by rebeccalouiseagain

[Karen@Steve]

I notice that you only have 17 posts on Cruise Critic, and welcome to the boards. It is unfortunate that Celebrity has chosen the word "Elite" to denote its frequent cruiser level. The word itself has a connotation of 'snobbery', and there have been many posts like yours on many threads from people who choose to believe that a poster has a very high opinion of himself.

 

I believe that the OP in this case, like so many others, was merely indicating their cruise history with Celebrity and not making a comment on their social status. Hopefully in the future you will take this into consideration when reading and commenting.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

 

It's already snowing here and will be 8 degrees tonight with a chill factor of -5. We're supposed to get 8-12 inches. I wouldn't mind taking a cruise with just about anybody at this point (okay, maybe not the American Girls!).

[CathyCruises]

It's already snowing here and will be 8 degrees tonight with a chill factor of -5. We're supposed to get 8-12 inches. I wouldn't mind taking a cruise with just about anybody at this point (okay, maybe not the American Girls!).

 

That DID sound like a nightmare cruise! Imagine parents letting their kids take up the seats in the buffet at mealtime with each doll being in their own chair!!!

 

We tried to take a large table, either way in front or in back, at the buffet in mid-afternoon (2:30 ish) to play Mexican Train (dominos) and got shooed off--can't believe they'd let those tables be occupied by dolls!!

[ME Guide]

CathyCruises and Karen + Steve...

Oh gosh the weather is looking bleak here with some areas getting 12+. We are enjoying sunshine but the cold is keeping us in for sure! Must be why we enjoy "thinking about cruising" if not "ON a cruise"!

 

Thank you everyone for "conversation" here on CC. I've met wonderful people and learned so much from CC. Stay warm everyone!

[CathyCruises]

TOTALLY off topic, but here in California we have not had winter at all. It rained on November 20th--that's it. Our daytime highs have been in the 70's in January. We are experiencing a very scary drought. Some people are enjoying the warm weather, but I miss what passes for our winter. I was just looking at my sweaters yesterday and reflecting that I hadn't had the chance to wear any of them this year.

 

I have lived in extreme winter conditions in Idaho and I can completely sympathize with you--it would be so lovely if we could even things out!

[tunaman2011]

Greetings

 

Our last two cruises on Equinox had the bikers on board. Have you looked at what they charge to take a bike along? These aren't your "Hell's Angles" types. Saw more gold Rolexes on the bikers than ever seen in the general population. They were all very nice and were not a rowdy group. Would not hesitate to sail along side them again.

 

Good Sailing

Tom

[H2OH!]

I understand your hesitation about the size of any group as that can be a issue regardless of who they are.

 

We just cruised the Equinox with this "group" onboard and were lucky enough to meet two of the ETA team members and hang with them at the Elite lounge and Martini Bar. This group rocks. a few facts about them:

 

1) there is limited space on each ship for the bikes. depends on cruise ship but most likely no more than 30 or so bikes per cruise. Our cruise had 26 bikes. size of ETA will be limited.

2) as other posters said, they have a set itinerary at each port arranged by ETA staff. It is fun watching them load and unload the bikes at each port.

3) at each port they often have a local escort for the islands.

4) they have a few special dinners etc onboard.

5) the staff of ETA are awesome as well as the ETA riders. (rick et al were great!!). they are professional operation.

6) Several riders and ETA staff are frequent cruisers so they are diamond on Royal or Elite with Celebrity.

 

Amy

Edited January 21, 2014 by H2OH!

[ME Guide]

Thank you so much for all of the great suggestions.

 

DH just got off the phone with Captains Club hostess and 78 are registered for this particular cruise. By no means is this a chartered large group of people.

 

We have decided to stay with our plans and look forward to sailing on the Equinox. I am sure there will be many great people on board!

 

For those of you who are watching the east coast blizzard, send us WARM thoughts! YIKES!

[H2OH!]

happy sailing

Edited January 21, 2014 by H2OH!

[cruisegirl1]

A small group should have no effect. An important question to ask is if the group bookings have closed or if there is potential for more participants. The nature of the group is often NOT the issue, but rather the number of participants.

 

Groups travel on most cruises. Any group that is about 10% or less of the totally passenger count, is really not even noticeable.

 

I know the OP mentioned their Captains; Club status but honestly not sure how one’s Captain’s Club status is applicable to the situation.

enjoy

M

[zoncom]

My cousin belonged to one of these yuppie cycle groups. They rent semis to carry their pretty Harleys to beautiful spots in US and ride around. Its early, this is a Caribbean, not WC. They will be partying on ship, maybe noisy cycles. I would change to either Silhoutte or Reflections for a beautiful cruise.

[cruisegirl1]

My cousin belonged to one of these yuppie cycle groups. They rent semis to carry their pretty Harleys to beautiful spots in US and ride around. Its early, this is a Caribbean, not WC. They will be partying on ship, maybe noisy cycles. I would change to either Silhoutte or Reflections for a beautiful cruise.

 

Noisy cycles? Where, racing around the jogging track?

M

[H2OH!]

My cousin belonged to one of these yuppie cycle groups. They rent semis to carry their pretty Harleys to beautiful spots in US and ride around. Its early, this is a Caribbean, not WC. They will be partying on ship, maybe noisy cycles. I would change to either Silhoutte or Reflections for a beautiful cruise.

 

 

I have to say that you are 100% wrong. just off Equinox with ETA.

 

We were all partying with some of ETA but also with new friends we met via cc and at captains club. If my "partying" offended anyone..oops...I had a blast and intend to do so on our next cruise:D Our group decided we are "modern luxury"...so get use to use bringing life to the ship :D

 

In terms of noise, you have to be kidding, right? they arent riding the bikes around this ship for goodness sake. When they leave or enter port there is 5-10 minutes of a low rumble in the distance...but only heard if you are on the balcony. watching them come and go was fabulous.

 

i really wish when folks on CC give an opinion it is based on FACT and EXPERIENCE... :rolleyes: