Just Back - Zenith Thanksgiving 4 Day Sailing - Save your money for longer cruises!

[SS Cruise Lady]

In my opinion, there are three basic reasons why people take short four or five night cruises. One is price, because not only is someone paying for less days, these cruises often have a per diem rate that is much lower than on longer cruises, as well. This type of cruiser is usually more concerned with price than overall cruise experience and the cruise lines know they can get away with cutting a few corners on them to offset their unusually low prices.

 

Second is time, because there are many people who have very demanding careers that make it difficult for them to get away for a longer cruise, as well as those who are trying to organize a mini family reunion and need to consider the tme restraints of other family members. This type of cruiser would like to enjoy the same amenities as if they were on a longer cruise and is willing to pay a higher per diem rate to get it. Unfortunately, there aren't many short cruises that actually deliver this type of product.

 

Third is someone who has never cruised before and wants to try a short cruise to see if they will like it. This may be a person that is use to staying at upscale hotels, etc, who will be turned off by his/her experience on a short cruise. Sadly, that person may decide that cruising is not for them even though they might have felt very differently if they took a longer cruise.

 

With this in mind, I think Celebrity should offer some quality short cruises with a higher per diem rate as an option for people in the second and third categories, and leave the bargain basement priced cruises to other cruise lines. This way there would be more consistency in the product within Celebrity's fleet and a person trying a short cruise will get a true taste of what a longer Celebrity Cruise is like. There is an old saying that a business is only as good as their weakest link, and I think Celebrity needs to weed out the weak links in their product line to maintain their image.

 

This illustrates why I think Celebrity needs to decide whether they want to appeal to all segments of the crusing market and possibly suffer the consequences of the Peter Principle, or focus on their target market and the quality they expect.

[SS Cruise Lady]

I agree with you. That was certainly not a bargain basement price and for what you paid you should have experienced much better service than you did.

[micheleg]

Just an update on the Cuban migrant situation. 9 of the 10 Cubans that the Zenith rescued at sea have been repatriated as of yesterday back to Cuba, the Miami Herald reported this morning. The tenth Cuban remains on the Coast Guard cutter and they have not released any information regarding who this person is or why they are still detained.

 

Michele

[Ships R Great]

Can anyone tell me is Sasky is still in the Martini Bar? He had late shift.

[constantcruiser]

We were on the same Thanksgiving cruise...and with the holiday premium added to the basic fare, the price per day was higher than we paid for a 10-night sailing in September. The length of the cruise should be no excuse for the level of service. If anything, I think cruiselines should enhance service and amenities on shorter cruises for the very reason that there will be a large number first-time cruisers on board. That may be their only opportunity to "hook" them. If I receive poor service the first time I visit a resort, I'm not likely to come back again when I can stay longer!

 

While we were pleased with the food and dining room service and enjoyed the shows, our cabin would have been an embarrassment to Motel 6! Mold in the shower, chips in the sink, holes in the bedspreads, rust on the window frame, and lipstick stains on the pillowcases. We asked for a mattress topper, and the steward brought the padded cover off a deck lounge chair! Funny thing--it was more comfortable than the bed.

 

Celebrity would do well to take a lesson from its sister line, Royal Caribbean, in ways to treat frequent passengers. Our loyalty as diamond/elite members seems far more valued by RCI-- we appreciate the daily complimentary cocktails and hors doeuvres in the Concierge Lounge on RCI far more than a free alpha capsule in a Celebrity spa!

[genmasjoy]

Hi Michele, Remember me from the Infinity Panama Canal Cruise? Congratulations on your engagement! We are going on the Millenium Venice to Barcelona in October 2006, it's going to be a great itinerary. I agree with you that a 5 day cruise is too short to have a true Celebrity experience. We went on a 4 night cruise on Disney Wonder for Thanksgiving, and had a great time, but I still missed the Celebrity touches that weren't there (example - no glass of champagne and personal escort to the cabin at embarkation - got hustled up to the deck buffet and told the cabins wouldn't be open till 1:30).

[micheleg]

Hi Michele, Remember me from the Infinity Panama Canal Cruise? Congratulations on your engagement! We are going on the Millenium Venice to Barcelona in October 2006, it's going to be a great itinerary. I agree with you that a 5 day cruise is too short to have a true Celebrity experience. We went on a 4 night cruise on Disney Wonder for Thanksgiving, and had a great time, but I still missed the Celebrity touches that weren't there (example - no glass of champagne and personal escort to the cabin at embarkation - got hustled up to the deck buffet and told the cabins wouldn't be open till 1:30).

 

Hi Joy!

 

Of course we remember you. I'm trying to forget that this Zenith cruise even happened. Tammy and Don went on this cruise as well. They were not impressed either.

 

Glad you had fun on your Disney cruise and thanks on your best wishes. We're really looking forward to our Wedding/Honeymoon Transatlantic on the new NCL Jewel. We were hoping for a Celebrity transatlantic in April, but the itineraries just didn't do anything for us and we really wanted to experience something a little different. Tammy and Don booked an October 2006 Transatlantic on the Constellation. Freestyle dining will certainly be culture shock for us for us, but we were really worn down by having to be in the dining room at a certain time after the 7th day during the last Infinity cruise. We're booked in a Suite, so my assumptions are that at least the service levels will be there since we'll be on the VIP list (at least I assume we will be). Should be quite an interesting experience though.

 

Keep in touch!

 

Michele