Snobs and whatnot....

[meaty_petey]

I've seen folks ripped to shreds on most of the boards for criticising something that disappointed them. They are told that their expectations were too high, that all lines do whatever the offending practise was or that they are trouble-makers.

.

 

Funny you should mention that as I just recently compiled this little Top 10 list based on my experience on the Carnival board:

 

Top 10 Reasons That Negative Reviews are Invalidated

-OP is too angry

-OP is too picky

-OP is too snobby

-OP is too subjective

-OP is too vague

-OP had too high expectations

-OP was expecting the worst

-OP has too few previous posts

-OP does not suggest solutions to problems

-someone else on the same cruise did not have the same problem(s)

-and my all time favourite: OP should have just ignored the problem(s)

 

Top 10 Reasons That POSITIVE Reviews are Invalidated:

(none)

:D

[C 2 C]

For the X_SNOBS or BODS:

 

This test is for you:

 

http://www.queendom.com/tests/minitests/fx/snob.html

[2ladies]

Took the snob test and passed with flying colours - not a snob!! Took the liar test and failed!!!!!! Ha ha.

 

Just don't talk to me if you are not carrying a genuine Gucci bag!!!

 

Actually, at the risk of boring you all, I will recount one of my favourite cruise stories - and its true!!! I still laugh at the biggest put-down I have ever received!!

 

A 'lady' was travelling with friends who were invited to the Captains Table. She told us that she wasn't and I opened my mouth and said we had been invited also. She then said "I have been watching the type of person invited to his table and would have had to decline anyway, as I have no wish to mix with those types". Ouch!!!!

[nedleycan]

This thread is great! I think we are BODS. We have done 2 Disney Cruises (with kids) and 2 Windstar Cruises (without kids). We have hesitated going on another cruise line, as the most important things to us are:

- Excellent food

- Good wine (although we still haven't found that on a cruise)

- Classy people (no loud drunks or people who don't dress as requested)

- Excellent service

 

It looks like Celebrity may be for us. We are going to cruise in November and just deciding between Celebrity and RCCL (mainly for the kids - 9 and 7).

 

Sounds like we will be happier with Celebrity. Quality of food and service is very important to us... does that make us snobs? No, we just look forward to our annual Caribbean vacation and don't want it ruined by poor quality, both of passengers and staff.

[Drew B]

I'm flummoxed by this whole rivalry. I don't understand why anybody would feel THREATENED just because somebody else prefers a different cruise line. I don't understand why speaking ill of the other line or its enthusiasts enhances one's own cruising experience. I just don't get it!

 

I've only every cruised Carnival (and really liked it), and now I'm very much looking forward to my next cruise on Celebrity. I don't feel a need to choose one over the other, and I hope to sail both lines again in the future (perhaps I'll feel differently after the Celebrity cruise...).

[surfklutz]

Funny you should mention that as I just recently compiled this little Top 10 list based on my experience on the Carnival board:

 

Top 10 Reasons That Negative Reviews are Invalidated

-OP is too angry

-OP is too picky

-OP is too snobby

-OP is too subjective

-OP is too vague

-OP had too high expectations

-OP was expecting the worst

-OP has too few previous posts

-OP does not suggest solutions to problems

-someone else on the same cruise did not have the same problem(s)

-and my all time favourite: OP should have just ignored the problem(s)

 

Top 10 Reasons That POSITIVE Reviews are Invalidated:

(none)

:D

 

I think you hit it right on the nail. They would be in heaven with just a big ole Carnival lovefest. I think everyone should just lower their expectations and standards, and fiercely ignore that there are other cruise lines out there. No one should expect correct information, or small extra touches. Heaven forbid if you should get great service - better figure out how to 1) not tip for it, or 2) tip so everyone on the ship can see how generous you are. We should applaud Carnival's attempts to increase their profit margins - like making those who book a Carnival shore excursions should get priority treatment in all regards. Those who don't get shoved to the side until they are good and ready to deal with you. But speaking of profit margins - everyone should figure out a fail proof way of sneaking sodas and booze onboard so we don't have to pay Carnival for theirs. And then let's all sit back at the pool deck, hog a couple chairs and discuss how much we paid for our cruise!

[Schplinky]

Funny you should mention that as I just recently compiled this little Top 10 list based on my experience on the Carnival board:

 

Top 10 Reasons That Negative Reviews are Invalidated

-OP is too angry

-OP is too picky

-OP is too snobby

-OP is too subjective

-OP is too vague

-OP had too high expectations

-OP was expecting the worst

-OP has too few previous posts

-OP does not suggest solutions to problems

-someone else on the same cruise did not have the same problem(s)

-and my all time favourite: OP should have just ignored the problem(s)

 

Top 10 Reasons That POSITIVE Reviews are Invalidated:

(none)

:D

 

Two questions then:

 

All of your "OP is too... " statements end in qualitative descriptors. Who gets to decide if the OP is expecting too much, is too vague or too subjective (although it might be worth pointing out that all reviews are subjective since there are no prescribed guidelines or qualifications and they are made from an individual's point of view).

 

If only positive reviews are welcomed, doesn't that make a message board more of a fan club than a review web-site?

 

Oh, one more question based on your statements here: if you really feel this way, why would you post such negative and qualitative comments on the Carnival site? I don't think you're living by your own guidelines.

[Naismith]

Now I understand why I generally feel so much more at home with Cunard or Crystal passengers (and why I was so baffled with people who would pay thousands of dollars for a vacation only to spend so much of their time “ignoring” its inherent drawbacks).

 

I found this a fascinating post, but just want to address this one issue.

 

I would never pay thousands of dollars for a Carnival vacation. I only do short (3-5 night) cruises and never pay more than a few hundred dollars, usually booking last-minute when we need a break. Since we don't drink or gamble, we often have only gratuities on our shipboard card.

 

I never thought I would cruise Carnival, either, but a few years ago they started using a port that is less than two hours drive away. This means I can do a 4-day cruise over a weekend and only take one day of leave from work, which is quite comfortable and doable for a getaway.

 

The low cost and ease of travel make it much easier to ignore the bits we don't like. Besides, as parents and grandparents, we are practiced at ignoring the unpleasant parts of life:)

 

If I am going to spend thousands of dollars on a vacation, I wouldn't even consider Carnival. But that doesn't stop me from cruising Carnival.

[VonS]

Having been a long time reader of postings on most of the various lines, here is how I would rank the various lines.

 

Cunard and HAL - Old money

Celebrity - New money

CCL - Very little money but trying to play with the big dogs

 

Well, well...aren't YOU superior? I find this whole thread to be totally disgusting! By the way, my money was made by me, through my hard work and ingenuity. I spend it as I see fit--thoughtfully and generously!

[elsje]

I'm flummoxed by this whole rivalry. I don't understand why anybody would feel THREATENED just because somebody else prefers a different cruise line. I don't understand why speaking ill of the other line or its enthusiasts enhances one's own cruising experience. I just don't get it!

 

I've only every cruised Carnival (and really liked it), and now I'm very much looking forward to my next cruise on Celebrity. I don't feel a need to choose one over the other, and I hope to sail both lines again in the future (perhaps I'll feel differently after the Celebrity cruise...).

 

Well said..Amen!

Els:o

[BarbaraM]

This thread is great! I think we are BODS. We have done 2 Disney Cruises (with kids) and 2 Windstar Cruises (without kids). We have hesitated going on another cruise line, as the most important things to us are:

- Excellent food

- Good wine (although we still haven't found that on a cruise)

- Classy people (no loud drunks or people who don't dress as requested)

- Excellent service

 

It looks like Celebrity may be for us. We are going to cruise in November and just deciding between Celebrity and RCCL (mainly for the kids - 9 and 7).

 

Sounds like we will be happier with Celebrity. Quality of food and service is very important to us... does that make us snobs? No, we just look forward to our annual Caribbean vacation and don't want it ruined by poor quality, both of passengers and staff.

 

I hate to burst your bubble -- but anyone who has the $$ can take a cruise -- Celebrity pricing isn't that much higher than any other cruise line, and there is no "entrance" requirements that "poor" quality people are excluded. Did you mean "poor" as in net worth?? If that is the case, it doesn't translate into someone having manners or not. I often see that the obnoxious guests often appear as if they have ample funds. If you mean people with no class -- well, there are those in even the high income bracket,

 

You can put a tux on a pig, but then .. he would still be a pig.

[Longboysfan]

Why don't you call yourselves, Boring, Old, Dull Snobs.....BODS????

 

On the 8 or so Celebrity Cruises we have taken, we have seen ALL kinds. The good thing about such a large venue is that you can always find some people with interests similar to yours.

 

 

I wonder where I fall - show up on this list.

 

And not for something completely Different!!! ;)

[Demented_Avenger]

I think this thread makes for great reading!

I believe that any cruise that you can have fun (however you define it) and see wonderful sights on is worth it.

I am 47 and we didn't start cruising until we were into our 40's because we couldn't afford it. But that said, I think that people just cruise their preference, no matter what cruise line it is. What is wrong with that?

I certainly am not rich, but I like to wear a tux on formal night, have a couple of dry gin martini's and see a good show. I like to meet people at our table during dinner and enjoy their company, no matter what their views are. You can learn something from everyone!

After four Princess cruises and a Carnival cruise, we are going on a 14 day Celebrity cruise on the Summit. Maybe we just want to pretend to be rich for awhile... LOL

Yes, there were drunk partying people on the one Carnival cruise we went on. I bet they had a good time! Good for them!

 

I will never forget an older couple we saw on the Tahitian Princess. That ship is relatively small and we saw people over and over again. This couple had to be in their 80's. We never saw anyone (family) to help them get around, but they were always together and always smiling. Even while we tendering in rough water, they always seemed to be having a good time. I looked at my wife and told her that I hope that will be us in the future.

 

For us, we spend our hard earned money on cruises and we think it is what you make of it. It would be hard for us NOT to have a good time on a cruise.

 

I believe it was President Kennedy that said

"If you are not having fun, you're not doing it right"

 

Keep smiling and enjoy today.. Tomorrow may never come.

Dennis

[2ladies]

I am English - we have a class system - sort of!!

 

What is the U.S. class system? You don't have an aristocracy - or are Bushes, Kennedys, Rockefellers etc. your system? They don't bear titles etc. like in the U.K., and how 'old' can 'old' money be here? In the U.S. something built 35 years ago is old - in UK we have buildings 500 years old!!!

 

I would point out that Hyacinth is the 'ultimate' snob, but doesn't have money like her sister, who has a big house with room for a pony!!! One of the funniest things about the prog. is that she is just a suburban housewife whose husband works for the local council. And her other sister is the total antithesis of the 'rich' sister!!!

 

We find snobs just too funny for words. Totally out of place in the world in which we now live. We were on a Radisson with some loud, brash, tattoed passengers!! But they were fun and didn't go to bed at 9.30pm like most of the other pax, who were appalled these people were on the ship!!! If you have the money you can go on any ship no matter your class.

 

Just enjoy yourself - be loud, be brash, be quiet, read a book, doesn't matter, 'cos its unlikely you will ever see any of your fellow passengers again!!!

 

MY objection is to the "reading" snobs. If they are reading they 'hush' people around them who are socialising in the pool area - this is rude!! If you want quiet, go to the library or to a promenade deck etc. Or of course, book a private balcony!!!

[Danno]

I go to the library...I love to read there.

[babylene]

Roz...which sister is rich? I remember only Daisy and Rose.

 

Tom...I don't want to give you a swelled head or make you blush...but you are "High on my list"!!! You are a very generous guy with a great big heart! Those characteristics receive very high marks on my scoresheet!!!!!

[Schplinky]

I go to the library...I love to read there.

 

The card or games room on Constellationw as also always vacant.

[WeBeCruisin']

Couldn't agree more, the reference to Carnival and the folks who sail that line having very little money is about as snobbish as it gets, besides, very possibly untrue.

 

 

Phil

 

I think Phil, as always, makes a very good point.

 

It also seems that the majority of the people who bash Carnival have never actually sailed on Carnival and are merely perpetuating a bias which suits their agenda of feeling superior.

 

I have never sailed on Carnival. I have sailed on Celebrity three times and it is my favorite, closely followed by Royal Carribean's Radiance class ships.

 

However, I am very involved with another great cruise site where many of the members are staunch Carnival supporters and these people are very intelligent and sophisticated and I value their opinions a lot when I plan my Vacation Travel.

 

I also have a very good friend at my tennis club who is extremely conservative and neither he nor his wife drinks, curses, smokes, or gambles, and they love Carnival and say it's their favorite over HAL, Princess, and RCCL.

 

I think a lot of people developed their prejudice against Carnival because at one point Carnival was one of the few cruise ships offering three-day and shorter cruises, and this appealed very much to the Spring Break crowd because of the relatively-inexpensive cost of the cruises and the opportunity to drink and party hearty.

 

I will continue to withhold judgment on Carnival and may even go on the Saints and Sinners group cruise in October so that I can finally have my own opinion, rather than parroting someone else's bias.

 

Allen

[WeBeCruisin']

MY objection is to the "reading" snobs. If they are reading they 'hush' people around them who are socialising in the pool area - this is rude!! If you want quiet, go to the library or to a promenade deck etc. Or of course, book a private balcony!!!

 

Pun intended?

[meaty_petey]

Two questions then:

 

All of your "OP is too... " statements end in qualitative descriptors. Who gets to decide if the OP is expecting too much, is too vague or too subjective (although it might be worth pointing out that all reviews are subjective since there are no prescribed guidelines or qualifications and they are made from an individual's point of view).

 

If only positive reviews are welcomed, doesn't that make a message board more of a fan club than a review web-site?

 

Oh, one more question based on your statements here: if you really feel this way, why would you post such negative and qualitative comments on the Carnival site? I don't think you're living by your own guidelines.

 

I think you misunderstood my post. These are not reasons that I dismiss negative reviews, they are reasons that other people frequently dismiss negative reviews.

[WeBeCruisin']

I prefer Celebrity (at this point), but not because Celebrity makes me feel like I'm wealthy or superior. If you have self-respect, you are going to feel great about yourself in any situation.

 

I prefer Celebrity for the things they offer that I haven't found on other cruise lines. Things such as the fabulous Martini Bar on the M-class ships (although RCCL's Schooner Bars are also very nice), the martini tastings on the first night, the Sushi Bar, the Thalassotherapy pools (free on M-class), the layout of the ships, the lower passenger-to crew ratio and passenger-to-tonnage ratio compared to many of the other ships, the complimentary sorbet in the public areas in the afternoon, the complimentary gourmet bites in the public areas at midnight, the cold towels awaiting on the dock after a hot day in port, the amazing Specialty restaurants on the M-class ships, the creative and often quirky artwork and sculptures on the ships, the outstanding pool bands, the consistently good service and dining room food, the far fewer public announcements, and the passengers who make possibly a more conscious effort to honor the cruise line's requests and its dress code.

 

Since I pay the same or less for my Celebrity cruises as I do for those on other lines (except SeaDream, of course) I don't see any of these things I prefer as being snobbish or showing that I have money (which I don't... I'm retired and on social security :cool: ) but they are all Celebrity offerings which make me enjoy my cruise more, and isn't that what we're all looking for, regardless of our social background or, in my case, lack of it? :eek:

 

Allen

[2ladies]

Arlene - its "my sister Violet"!!!!! Her husband Bruce is always up to something like dressing up in her clothes etc. Or being weird!!

 

How could you possibly forget!! And when you answer the phone in future, remember to say "the lady of the house speaking!"""

[2ladies]

WeBe - no pun intended - but I like it!!!!!

[bilgeboyPa]

Please pass the Grey Poupon.....:D

 

Jeff

[bilgeboyPa]

Arlene - its "my sister Violet"!!!!! Her husband Bruce is always up to something like dressing up in her clothes etc. Or being weird!!

 

How could you possibly forget!! And when you answer the phone in future, remember to say "the lady of the house speaking!"""

Poor Richard!!!:D He always had to go to her Intimate Candlelight Suppers..;)