Do you see changes in the cruise experience?

[sirgonealot]

I started cruising ten years ago and still love it dearly. I am not very hard to please. However, I have started to see a lot of things that are somewhat disturbing to me. My room seems to not be taken care of very well, the food seems to have become poor and bland. Service in general has not suffered. Is this a figment of my imagination?

[drfun48]

I started cruising ten years ago and still love it dearly. I am not very hard to please. However, I have started to see a lot of things that are somewhat disturbing to me. My room seems to not be taken care of very well, the food seems to have become poor and bland. Service in general has not suffered. Is this a figment of my imagination?

First,I trust ,based on the earlier statemants you meant to say service HAS suffered. But I think it may be a figment of you imagination.

You may be falling prey to "the good old days syndrome"

When we think back on the past,we often remember the best days and the present reality just can't compare.

It's also true that we become jaded and spoiled in our expectations.Some things are better,some are not,but in general the cruising experience remains a great one.

And a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.

[florisdekort]

When I was a teenager, the one thing that annoyed me most about my parents, teachers, etc. was when they would start stories about how everything used to be better 'in the old days'. As I am growing older, I notice that I am starting to do exactly the same thing.

Maybe it is the simple fact that you have been on 10+ cruises that has made you blasé? On my last cruise, I was accompanied by first timers and it was very refreshing to see how every small 'surprise' (the welcome champagne, the cold towels, the sorbets on parade and even the baked Alaska) would get them all excited.

Floris

[SheilaNC]

Good points, Floris. We do get jaded over time, taking things for granted and,sometimes, being critical of things that we would never have been concerned about in the past. I have also noticed that sometimes people almost feed on the concerns of others. For instance, I might not have noticed something of concern to someone else, but as soon as he shares it, I think that perhaps he is right.... Funny how we think. I must say that most of the time, I am so satisfied with the wonderful service, that I can easily miss any small problems.

[TEXASMUNK]

Cabin Stewards have up to 22 cabins today, versus 6 to 10 twenty years ago. Fact...not some good old days story. They have to clean and freshen all these rooms at last twice a day. Fact, not some good old days story. How well could you clean your 22 room home, twice a day and not have some decline in effectiveness?

 

Dining. Waiters used to have approx 20 persons per seating with two bus boys to assist. Today, a wiater can have 30-36 people, one bus boy. Fact, not some good old days story.

 

Prices: Down by up to 50% over the early 1970's. No, not some good old days story, fact. How good a cut of steak can you buy today if you were told your budget was half of what it was 30 years ago, and forget about adjusting for inflation, these are unadjusted dollar for dollar comparisons.

 

Beverages; Beer: 50 cents and 75 cents versus today onboard pricing.

Soft drinks free versus $1.50 and up.

 

Today, put your shoes outside your cabin door and your neighbor will steal them. 30 years ago, put them out, they are back in the morning with a high gloss...No, not in some suite, any cabin. Not a good old days story, a fact.

 

The product has changed.

[drfun48]

Sorry Jim,But I have a little problem with your facts.While the room stewards may have twice as many rooms ,they each have an assistant.

On Celebrity,I've never had a waiter with 36 passwngers to serve. Sometimes as few as ten.

As far as prices being 50% cheaper when everything else costs two or three times what it did in the seventies ...sounds great to me,and,if drink prices are higher than they were then,maybe they could use that money for buying better meat.

As far as your shoes,I don't really believe anyone else on a cruise wants them,nor do I want my running shoes polished.

Finally what about all the added features on the ships today.More and faster elevators, increased dining opions,larger ,better equiped gyms and spas,thallassotherapy pools,better casinos,shops,more varieties of entertainment,a much wider array of excursions,better heating and air conditioning.I don't remember the basketball courts on the old ships.

How about stability...those older ships rocked so much many couldn't enjoy the cruises because they were seasick.Fact!

Did you enjoy the secondhand smoke that was everywhere in the good old days---unhealthy--Fact!

Does anyone else enjoy balconies? Why in the good old days , because of the way the ship was set up, most of the cabins were inside, and those on the outside often had only portholes.

How about saftey and navigation? I feel a lot safer today than in the days of the Andrea Dorea or the Titanic---no icebergs to worry about anymore.

Every era has its plusses and minuses,but please don't take me back to the days of saturday night baths and the 5 day deoderant pad...yuk !!

[rubrrick]

The product has changes..............then vs. now.

 

I don't have the experience that many of you have on cruise ships to say that service has diminished to a great extent.

 

To the point.......on Celebrity.......when we first sailed on them 5 years ago........the butler took care of our needs...............and he did the same thing last February on the Mercury.

 

However..........I do remember at a very young age....being put to bed on a flight from Seattle to Honolulu.......in a Boeing Stratocruiser..........it had bunk beds, and before bed on a night flight......the stewardess took me to the cockpit so that I could see the stars and glowing instruments....at twenty three thousand feet!! That, by the way, was Pan American Airways.

 

Two months ago, after enjoying a transatlantic and Baltic cruise on the Jewel of the Seas.............we came back from London on Virgin Atlantic...........and the trip started out in their lounge, with everything that anyone could ask for, from haircuts to massages.......to the Internet.

My first experience on their aircraft..........had us sitting at a 45 degree angle instead of front facing ..........in our own private cocoons..........I don't know how else to describe it. The seats folded flat to a bed, that was very comfortable. Virgin Atlantic offers a stand up......sit down bar, and will mix any drink.......and serve excellent food..........and the point being that........it's not like the "old days" but damn good!!

 

Rick

[Longboysfan]

Glass half full or half empty.

 

Most things that a cruise line(s) could improve on they have.

 

Some things are not dooable in todays market.

 

Prices go up. But compared to the prices in the 70's a cruise is the best vacation value I have found.

 

Ships age.. Deal with it.

 

Yes the room steward does cover many more rooms than in the past. But now they have an assistant and work as a team.

 

I have not see any waiter taking on 36 pax in one seating.

He may be superman but the 36 would be bothe main and late seating dinner. Then he would also have access to two bus boys covering his tables.

 

I have found that if you are nice to the staff they resopnd in kind.

If you meet them half way they will go the extra step for you.

If your crazy and act like your the only person on the boat. Well you have just walked the plank on yourself.

 

Time changes our perception and the things that were important when we first cruised are or may not be what we consider important now.

[ocngypz]

Of course things have changed.

 

You can't expect ships servicing 3000+ all at the same time to operate like a ship handling 700 passengers.

 

Back in the good ol' days,most revenues were derived from voyage fares... now it's onboard "shopping".

 

Waiters on Celebrity handle 16 seats.

 

And it's 20 staterooms with one assistant.

[C 2 C]

Things have not deteriorated at all at Celebrity. Just take a look at the new, improved elite benefits.:rolleyes:

 

My cabin cleanliness varies from voyage to voyage but I seldom have complaints. A+

Excellent service in the dining room varies by the length of service of the waiter and the busboy but is overall excellent. A+

I have seen different levels of service and friendliness that differs by ship rather than by time. A+ Mercury (Feb) B Galaxy (May)

Food quality over the last year has declined Century (May 2005), Connie (Sept) Summit (Nov B2B), Mercury (Feb B2B2B), Galaxy (May B2B). Food quality is the most subjective of evaluations but the biggest change occurred in our B2B Summit last November. We found the greatest decline in the quality of meat and the change from sole to a fake replacement. My favourite cold soups really deteriorated on May's Galaxy sailing but I'm sure that was just the chef on that cruise. I still think the X cruising experience is great but that additional fuel cost has not led to increased prices but lower food quality... B+ (PS. I did not need all those calories anyways, and now I don't have to excercise as much)

[TEXASMUNK]

DrFun....no argument that the physical facilities are dramatically improved. Couldn't agree more with you!

But the work load, crew to passenger ratio, has changed..which has impacted service, etc.

 

Having "whined" about the changes, will that stop us from continuing to cruise,, especially with Celebrity? No Way!

[agabbymama]

Just my opinion, but I think the major change in cruising is the size of the ships. In the past the ships were smaller, holding 900-1200 passengers. Today most of the new ships hold 1900-3000 passengers. That's a major difference in my book, and it will affect the service given to those passengers. The number of people on any given ship will make for longer waits to do anything. 9/06 Constellation will be my first cruise with Celebrity, so don't know what I will find until I get there. I also think the demographics of who can cruise has changed. Cruises used to be terribly expensive and only the elite could cruise, whereas today, the cost is more affordable so you see more families and middle class folks that can afford to cruise. You still have the elite (that can afford the Penthouse Suite) but you also see lots of families and college kids that can afford the price now. I think you see more of mix now. Again, this is just my opinion.:D

[bububr]

Is the fact that the demographics are changing.

 

When I started cruising, I saw very few children, and everyone not only dressed for dinner, but was dressed better through out the ship. Even at the pool area men and women wore cover ups when the walked around or went back to their rooms. it not uncommon now to see a totaly wet youngster running through the corridors back to their cabin, or looking for a parent.

 

Dinner dress was a jacket and tie with the exception of formal nights which were tuxes or dinner jackets....few if no "dark" suits. and almost all the women were dressed to the nines in gowns or cocktail dresses, you rarely saw a pantsuit with a sparkley top.

 

The experience in general was very elegant, very controlled, and EXTREMELY enjoyable. There was a sense of respect and politeness. People knew what was expected of them and they acted accordingly.

 

Now, with the "I'll do what I want, It's my cruise, I paid for it crowd", the increasing number of children including infants, The lack of adhearance to the dress codes, and colleges students springbreaking more and more on ships...we have seen the decrease in service because of the more and varied demands of the public.

 

The food now has to be 'bland' to suit everyones pallette and avoid complaints that it is too spicy, too salty, too whatever.......

 

The dress codes are lax to avoid confrontation with passengers. Even thought the lines stress their rules, people still feel the need to disregard them, as they feel it is their right too.

 

Parents not only are bringing more and more children onboard, but they are not being parents and allowing them to run wild.

 

Cellphones, and walkie talkies......I won't even get started on this one...

 

Passengers consuming more alcohol, thus getting intoxicated and obnoxious mor eoften leading to accidental overboards, confrontations, and the cost of drink prices to increase as a deterrant to this problem. Of course the savvy travel that disregards the rules tends to simply pack a few bottles of choice liquor in thier bags to secretly override the system. I actually remember when they WOULD let you bring on a bottle or two at a port and there were no problems....

 

So why shouldn't the lines follow suit. Instead of a civil relaxing vacation, cruising has become getting the most BANG for your buck. Why serve quality food at a buffet when the customers are not there to enjoy it, but to simply CONSUME as much as they possibly can? There is no discression anymore, its " I paid for this cruise so I'll eat my share and get my moneys worth" .

 

If I am going to a 5 star restaurant, I dress like I am going to a 5 star restaurant. Doing so I expect excellent service and tasty food. Most of the upscale restaurants won't even let you in unless you are dressed properly. However with the " I won't dress for dinner, I should be able to wear this....or that...." well, you are going to what should amount to a five star restaurant and many are dressed like they are going to "Old Country Buffet", What this does is give the impression that as before "I am going to eat as much as possible to make up for what I paid for this cruise...." Instead of the intended atmosphere that you are they for fine dining, good company, and an elegant atmosphere.

 

The line posts its rules and regulations, and we are expected to follow them. Sorry to correct the misconception, but etiquette for a "Suggested" code is to follow it. Suggested is the polite way of asking for code adhearance without saying MANDITORY, or REQUIRED which would in effect take away from the ambience of the evening, this is afterall a vacation. Suggested, does not mean come as you are as some might think.

 

This is not grade school where we need babysitters to watch over and correct us when we go wrong...this is real life and we are supposed to be ADULTS and act appropriately , and accordingly with out having to be reminded of the rules.

 

That in a nutshell IMHO is the reason for the changes we are now seeing in the industry.

 

Sorry drfun48....I'd rather go back and have a truly enjoyable experience with smokers that know how to follow the rules and are quite elequent company, than sit in a smoke free ship with many of the cruisers and the attitudes, and defiance that I have been encountering lately.

 

Dave:eek:

[caviargal]

Dave, I think your post sums it up very well.

 

I took my first cruise in 1968 on the SS Ariadne, Eastern Steamship Lines, 200+ pax. Since then, I have been fortunate to cruise many lines, many ships.

 

IME, all lines have declined to different degrees for many of the reasons you state. I miss the more traditional aspects of cruising and X is one of the few lines that still delivers a good portion of that experience without breaking the bank.

 

When it is no longer possible to cruise with the expectation of a good dining experience, attentive service and formal nights, I will look elsewhere for a vacation, as I do more often these days.

[Sky Sweet]

This thread reminds me of Otto Bettman's book "The Good Old Days - They were Terrible". In that book he dispels a number of myths about the "good old days" which in reality were only good for a privileged few, and discusses how most people are better off today than they were in the "good old days"

 

When my parents cruised during the fifties and sixties, it was a very expensive luxury that most people never had an opportunity to experience. On the other hand, cruising today is less expensive than comparable land based vacations and affordable to most. Is is better to have a cruising product that is so expensive that only a small segment of the population can enjoy it, or one that is affordable to most, but not quite the same as it was years ago?

[kruisecat]

I know I'm sure to get flamed for this but I just cannot hold back. I'm sure that the cruise experience has changed over the years but what hasn't. I think the bigger issue on this board especially is that so many of the posters cruise A LOT. By that I mean, if you cruise 4, 5, 6 or more times a year of course you're going to notice each and every flaw. The food will seem boring because you've eaten it x number of times in a row. The whole experience for those who cruise frequently is much different than those who cruise infrequently.

 

Unfortunately for me I am in the latter category. In 5 years DH and I have been on 3 cruises. Each has seemed magical. Each has lived up to our expectations and even though the shows and food didn't change (took Century 2x's) it still felt new to us. We were so happy to be on a ship that we never even looked to see if the rugs were worn or the chairs had stains. Turn down service is a luxury we don't often get. And anytime someone else prepares my meals, serves them to me and then cleans up...well let's just say I'm beyond thrilled!!!

 

I'm not being critical of those who cruise a lot, believe me I'd LOVE to be in that category I just think it's possible because it's not a novelty those who do might be a little more critical than necessary.

 

Ok, flame away but it's just my 2cents:D

[kruisecat]

One other thing...DH & I are in our mid 30's. We do dress for dinner according to the codes, we don't bring our own alchol onboard for consumption and we do wear cover ups when going to and from the pool. We treat others with respect, thank the staff with generous tips and while we do like to get as much bang for our vacation buck we try not to do anything that infringes upon anyone else's vacation.

 

Happy cruising to all!!!

[C 2 C]

What time horizon are we discussing here?

I can only compare my own experience from my first cruise in 1989 till now. I think the change in cruising reflects the change in society. Casual Fridays became casual throughout the week. When I first started to teach, I always wore a suit, then a sports coat, then smart casual... and now I'm retired and see blue jeans.. That same attitude towards dress code is found onboard. I like the retro look of old...

 

I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there.Herb Caen

but as I project present trends into the future:

 

The future ain't what it used to be.Yogi Berra

[Sky Sweet]

I know I'm sure to get flamed for this but I just cannot hold back. I'm sure that the cruise experience has changed over the years but what hasn't. I think the bigger issue on this board especially is that so many of the posters cruise A LOT. By that I mean, if you cruise 4, 5, 6 or more times a year of course you're going to notice each and every flaw. The food will seem boring because you've eaten it x number of times in a row. The whole experience for those who cruise frequently is much different than those who cruise infrequently.

 

Unfortunately for me I am in the latter category. In 5 years DH and I have been on 3 cruises. Each has seemed magical. Each has lived up to our expectations and even though the shows and food didn't change (took Century 2x's) it still felt new to us. We were so happy to be on a ship that we never even looked to see if the rugs were worn or the chairs had stains. Turn down service is a luxury we don't often get. And anytime someone else prepares my meals, serves them to me and then cleans up...well let's just say I'm beyond thrilled!!!

 

I'm not being critical of those who cruise a lot, believe me I'd LOVE to be in that category I just think it's possible because it's not a novelty those who do might be a little more critical than necessary.

 

Ok, flame away but it's just my 2cents:D

 

Hi Kruisecat :)

 

I agree with you, and that is one of the reasons why my husband and I only take one cruise a year. There is another factor that makes cruising so special. It is the only time when we can completely relax without phones, and E-mail, but most people who cruise several times a year cannot afford to be out of touch during all their cruises. In my opinion, once you include phone calls and internet access during a cruise, it is no longer the same type of vacation.

[bububr]

I think somewhere in the middle would work out for everyone.

 

Add the issue of educating people on the various cruselines, and the experiences they offer..and I think we'd be heading in the right direction.

 

What we have for the hurdles are the " getting the biggest bang for your buck" attitude. And "ME...Me...Me...." attitude.

 

The problem with lowering expectations is that they just keep getting lower, and lower, and lower.

 

A cruise, even with a discounted fare is still an expensive vacation. While I think everyone should have this experience at leat once in their lifetimes, The limitations should be "can I afford to do this, and still maintain my life". I can't even count the number of times that I've seen people miserable because they've spent what they don't have and are now trying to deal with the consequences. Most in this country are in debt up to their ears...and guess what? they want to take a cruise and instead of that relaxing vacation its just gonna put them more in debt and stress them out.

 

MOST see the $ Cruisefare $ only.

 

What they forget is:

 

$ airfare $, $ hotel $, $ transportation $, $ additional food $, before you even embark. Add to that $ travel document expenses $, $ liquor tab $, $ excursions $, $ additional onboard purchases $, $ gambling $, $ souvenirs $, $ communication costs ( including cell charges) $, $ tips for the staff $, and other $ misc. ( suntan lotion, toiletries, laundry charges, etc $.

 

These extras can add up to hundreds and even thousands of dollars extra per person . Put that on your Credit card at 18% interest and that equals: $$$$$$$$$$

 

For most that is many payments over many years and possibly finacial hardship. But the cruise was only X dollars to begin with.

 

As I said Everyone should be able to expereince a cruise, However they should be financilly able to handle it, even in the age of affordable cruises.

 

A vacation should not cause financial hardship, if it does then you have over stepped your boundries. There are many other ways to vacation less expensively.

 

But I guess that since we have the obeisity problem and the debt problems in the US we might as well include the Lack of making appropriate decision problems to the list.

 

Dave:eek:

[kruisecat]

Hi Kruisecat :)

 

I agree with you, and that is one of the reasons why my husband and I only take one cruise a year. There is another factor that makes cruising so special. It is the only time when we can completely relax without phones, and E-mail, but most people who cruise several times a year cannot afford to be out of touch during all their cruises. In my opinion, once you allow phone calls and internet access during a cruise, it is no longer the same type of vacation.

 

I agree with you too! I run my own small business and work 7 days a week. I am attached to my cell all day long. I live for the first day of any cruise when I put a message on the phone that says, "i'll be gone and NOT answering any messages until..." Those are always the most relaxing days!

[Jimsgirl]

I also think cruising is now "difficult". Once if you contacted a cruise line they treated you with respect, now its as though you are a nuisance disturbing their coffee time.

You qualify for flights from airport of your choice, but try getting that, many times I am told "there are no flights from there" when I am staring at the schedule, and then I am asked to pay a fee for asking for "custom air" and told I am in error when I question that fee.

Reps at airports are often missing, even on so called luxury lines, I was left stranded at Gatwick by Cunard even though I had booked the air and hotel with cruise line, told "you are the only passenger we do not meet solo passengers at any time and certainly not on a Sunday!".

Similar also happened with Crystal at LA, no rep no transport. even though again I had made all the arrangements through cruise line. and no apologyfor my "discomfort"

Service on the QE2 was appalling in the dining room (yes I was in the lowest grade but I still should have had good service).The British Pub was a smoky rowdy hole akin to a "pre war dockland East End boozer in Poplar" I was told "pubs are traditionally smoky and rowdy "

 

Do I still cruise , yes I still want to go to far away places with strange sounding names, I choose longer than average cruises, and I pay many thousands of $$$$, I treat the staff with respect, I just wish the cruise lines treated me with respect also.

[CRUZBUDS]

There have been many good points on all sides. I was thinking about our past trips compared to the most recent. One area that we feel is vastly better now is the food choices. Our first trip on the old Song of Norway about 20 years ago was wonderful. If you got back from port around 2:00 or so and were hungry, most if not all food venues were closed and there was pretty much nothing before dinner. Room service I believe consisted of a ham or turkey sandwich and a salad. No cheese trays, no cookies, and certainly no hot food. We learned that in order to get a decent sandwich from room service you needed to order 2 and combine the filling into one. We've been blow away by the room service choices on Celebrity and it was really good on our last Carnival cruise about 3 years ago. We liked being able to get a fresh baked pizza on Carnival at 7:00 am when you're getting burned out on the normal breakfast items.

 

I think our cabin service is also been better then our early trips. I can't remember the last time we returned to the cabin after breakfast disappointed to find the cabin not made up yet. I seems in the old days it happened a lot. Plus we used to get walked on a lot. Maybe the two person teams are more efficent.

 

We still get just as excited as our first cruise (well.. almost). We're getting ready for our third trip in a row on the same ship with the same itinery. It's from our home town. You'd think we just mosey down the pier around three or so and just walk on. No... we'll be down there waiting doing our best to be the first on board. We don't want to miss a minute.

 

99 days from today! :)

[BaltiGator]

But I guess that since we have the obeisity problem and the debt problems in the US we might as well include the Lack of making appropriate decision problems to the list.

 

You criticize Americans (and generalize) in many of your posts. You are American, aren't you? Maybe you should consider a nice, expensive, fancy cruise full of people from somewhere else.

 

Sorry drfun48....I'd rather go back and have a truly enjoyable experience with smokers that know how to follow the rules and are quite elequent company, than sit in a smoke free ship with many of the cruisers and the attitudes, and defiance that I have been encountering lately.

 

Really? You think secondhand smoke would be more pleasant than the current situation? Then you definitely should consider a non-American cruise. Nothing like puttin' on a suave tux, looking all fancy in a room choked with smoke, and then emitting that lovely stench for the rest of the evening.

[BaltiGator]

Once upon a time cruising was for the relatively wealthy only. Middle-class families with two kids, two cars, two car payments, and a mortgage didn't sit around the family table in the 1950s or 60s thinking about a cruise as an option for a family getaway. That option didn't exist. Not only couldn't such families afford a cruise, but even if they could, there would have been next to nothing for the kids to do on board.

 

Meanwhile, the well-heeled strolled and strutted around cruise ship promenades after dinner, still in their tuxes and gowns of course, and patted themselves on the back for knowing how to dress properly for a formal occasion. So what? They wore tuxes and gowns to their OWN dinner parties in their own homes, and those of their friends. They had the money to do so. Middle-class families in the 1950s and 60s wore tuxes to weddings and evening gowns were for the rare expensive night out to celebrate an anniversary or whatever.

 

Fast-forward to today. Middle-class families suddenly have lots of cruising options, though they are generally limited to the mass-market lines. They are used to family vacations in which choices are plentiful and rules few. Some of the mass-market lines are still clinging to the old ways of cruising, including dressing up for dinner, and while that's fine, it does unfortunately generate some frank clashing of the classes. Mostly it works OK but indeed not everyone follows the dress code and life goes on anyway.

 

Meanwhile, the so-called civilized and refined people who know how to dress properly and would never dream of wearing a dark suit (gasp!) to a formal occasion still exist. They still have the money. And they still cruise. Only, most of them avoid the mass-market lines. They cruise on the luxury lines, whose prices - and this is the key point - are no different, adjusted for inflation, from what it used to cost to cruise on any such line.

 

In other words, if you really want the "old style" of cruising, with its 5-star cuisine and sumptuously appareled guests, you can certainly still have it. Of course, you have to fork over the kind of dough you've always had to fork over for that kind of cruise experience.

 

But now, us "common slobs" can cruise too. And some of us, believe it or not, actually can dress ourselves pretty decently, thank you very much, even if we don't really know what we're doing. :D Still, expecting a whole generation of middle-class Americans to go on vacation and flawlessly dress like the rich people they're not is just asking a bit too much in my opinion.

 

In other words, the world of cruising hasn't changed so much as it has expanded.

 

Is that a bad thing? I don't see how.