I personally could do without....

[jt1120]

[quote name='Onessa']GOFs!

(grumpy old farts! -- and before anyone gets uptight about the "O", realize that "old" is in the mind of the GOF, I know 12YO who are GOFs!)[/quote]

"You can't help getting older, you just don't have to BE old."

- [I]George Burns[/I]

[Texed]

[quote name='usha'][B][I][SIZE=7][COLOR=magenta]Texed, LOL!!!!!:D [/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][/B][/quote]

[B][COLOR=darkred]Hey, no laughing, this is a serious thread. :cool: [/COLOR][/B]

[lysolqn]

X is our favorite cruise line but I guess there's always room for improvement, so here goes...

I could well do without the inserts in the Daily hawking jewelry, watches, spa treatments, Tanzanite, amber, gold-by-the-inch, tee shirts, one-day-only sales and everything else they're not too subtle about trying to unload on passengers. Haven't paid attention to one of those since the first one on our first cruise more years ago than I care to count; they go straight into the circular (ahem, eliptical on X) file.

I could also do without the baked Alaska parade, Auld Lang Syne and petit fours which long ago eclipsed the regular dessert menu which I much prefer but never seem to be offered on the last formal night.

Finally, if I never see another episode of Beverly Hillbillies, Bonanza, Red Skelton, Lucy, or Burns and Allen (clearly old enough for Noah to have viewed them while on the ark!), I'd be quite content.

[kb4683]

[quote name='lysolqn']
I could also do without the baked Alaska parade, Auld Lang Syne and petit fours which long ago eclipsed the regular dessert menu which I much prefer but never seem to be offered on the last formal night.[/QUOTE]


Ditto -- however, I asked for the regular dessert offerings on our last cruise (Century TA December, 07)and was happily shown the tray and made my selection before he disappeared for "the parade".

[sea-cruise]

[QUOTE][quote name='Ma Bell'][B][COLOR=teal]I could do without grumpy passengers.[/COLOR][/B][/quote][/QUOTE]
[B][COLOR=darkorchid][/COLOR][/B]
[B][COLOR=#9932cc]Me too! [/COLOR][/B]
[B][COLOR=#9932cc] [/COLOR][/B]
[B][COLOR=#9932cc]Other things I could do without:[/COLOR][/B]
[B][COLOR=#9932cc]Art auctions [/COLOR][/B]
[B][COLOR=#9932cc]Slot machines that refuse to pay me (haha)[/COLOR][/B]
[B][COLOR=darkorchid]Overpriced spa services[/COLOR][/B]
[B][COLOR=#9932cc][/COLOR][/B]

[Karynanne]

This may seem like a small thing but, this is something the cruiseline should think about.

 

Right before the parade of baked alaska...the Cruise Director always asks everyone to "wave their napkins". If the cruiseline is concerned with the spreading of norovirus, and any other type of viruses...then why would we wave a used napkin (that could possibly spread germs) around and around, over our heads. I just don't do this anymore.

[drfun48]

This may seem like a small thing but, this is something the cruiseline should think about.

 

Right before the parade of baked alaska...the Cruise Director always asks everyone to "wave their napkins". If the cruiseline is concerned with the spreading of norovirus, and any other type of viruses...then why would we wave a used napkin (that could possibly spread germs) around and around, over our heads. I just don't do this anymore.

Someone ill from the noro virus would probably be in their cabin and not likely to be waving their napkins on the next to last evening of the cruise.

Also because the incubation time is an average of about 36 hours for this virus-those infected in this manner would then be on their way home,so the diabolical cruise director and his ship would be safe.

[LouisV]

ok here is my 2 cents worth...last time I heard 99% of the things people could do without did not have a mandatory attendance attached to them so why worry. You can't keep everyone happy...just do your own thing.

 

The only thing that really irks me are the chair hogs!!!!!!!!!!

[Sky Sweet]

I agree with those who have posted that most of the things that some people do not enjoy do not have mandatory attendance.

 

However, the idea I had in mind when I started this thread is how one would like to see the cruise line's relatively limited financial and personnel resources used on a cruise.

 

Yet, I also realize that while I would prefer to have those resources used to provide more live music for dancing and a bridge program than on production shows, not everyone feels that way and the cruise lines have marketing experts to advise them about what most passengers want.

[LouisV]

I agree with those who have posted that most of the things that some people do not enjoy do not have mandatory attendance.

 

However, the idea I had in mind when I started this thread is how one would like to see the cruise line's relatively limited financial and personnel resources used on a cruise.

 

Yet, I also realize that while I would prefer to have those resources used to provide more live music for dancing and a bridge program than on production shows, not everyone feels that way and the cruise lines have marketing experts to advise them about what most passengers want.

 

This thread is getting far too serious for me...I'm outta here!

[giblert]

Sky Sweet: I agree they should bring back bridge directors. DW and I started learning 4 months ago and were disappointed when we sailed on Millie 01-06-08 and discovered there was no bridge director on board. They listed unsupervised bridge play every day, but we are too new to bridge and didn't participate. How about dumping art auctions in favor of bridge?

 

My opinion as a beginner bridge player....

 

On the last Celebrity cruise I was on, the bridge group were exceedingly hard-core. I wandered by on day one (maybe 5 mins after the starting time) and they were doing a power point presentation on something highly complicated. Never was there a call in the daily timetable to encourage beginner bridge. One of our tablemates was amongst the hard-core bridge players, and he agreed, that there was no encouragement of beginners.

 

On the flip side, on an RCL cruise we were on, without a bridge director, I learned more about bridge from a fellow passenger who was patient and took the time to explain things. So for me,having a bridge director onboard discouraged joining in to play bridge.

[Ma Bell]

Yes, I would agree. The bridge directors are not there to teach beginning bridge. They are there to improve the game of people who are already fairly good players. Bridge is not a game that is learned overnight and in the beginning I realized that I wouldn't be comfortable until I had a good knowledge of what was gong on.

I wouldn't call the people "hard-core" but if they are experienced players it's really not enjoyable for them to play with beginners. There are plenty of players onboard who would enjoy playing party bridge and helping new players so it really is better to do the unsupervised play until you master the game a little better.

[rick47]

The passenger whose mind-set is that they have paid for this cruise and treat the crew & staff like slaves. The cruise line should have a special room for all these "special" obnoxious, loud, complaining royalty. Have a special meet & greet for these people, special life boat, special dining facilities and a special guest speaker that will get the point accross about how lucky they are and how hard the crew works. Won't do any good but I'll feel better.

[cruiselover68]

I agree on getting rid the hard sell in the spa. What a terrible way to end a fantastic massage - getting the hard sell to buy a bunch of overpriced junk from someone who just did a fantastic massage for you. Makes me feel bad saying no, but I do, and is a real turn off to the whole concept of wanting a relaxing massage on a cruise.

 

 

Larry, I have to disagree with you, products in the Spa are not "a bunch of overpriced junk" you call it. I used them for 5 years now and they are great and very high quality. And by the way I never ever had a hard sell in the Spa when I had my treatments, I was just buying products that I like by myself.

[Literary Lynne]

I could do without:

 

Smoking in cabins

Art auctions

Magicians and comedians (although I appreciate that some like them)

Ships' photographer

The casino

 

I couldn't do without (and wouldn't sail on a ship without one)

Spa

Spa pool

 

I would love:

A better library

More talks/seminars about writers and artists connected with places that she ship visits. Sometimes there are great talks about composers associated with various ports of call, but I wish they would extend that.

 

Lynne

[giblert]

Yes, I would agree. The bridge directors are not there to teach beginning bridge. They are there to improve the game of people who are already fairly good players. Bridge is not a game that is learned overnight and in the beginning I realized that I wouldn't be comfortable until I had a good knowledge of what was gong on.

 

They're there to FACILITATE all levels of bridge...

[hajekfam]

I could also do without the baked Alaska parade, Auld Lang Syne and petit fours which long ago eclipsed the regular dessert menu which I much prefer but never seem to be offered on the last formal night.

I have never had a problem getting a regular dessert on the last formal night. Of course, I let my waiter know early in the cruise that I am lactose intolerant and can't have ice cream so he makes sure that I have a regular dessert that night as well as the nights with cherries jubilee and bananas foster.

Celebrity has always had the petit four tray on the last formal night - you even get one in the specialty restaurant. It doesn't replace dessert, it is in addition to it.

[Sky Sweet]

My opinion as a beginner bridge player....

 

On the last Celebrity cruise I was on, the bridge group were exceedingly hard-core. I wandered by on day one (maybe 5 mins after the starting time) and they were doing a power point presentation on something highly complicated. Never was there a call in the daily timetable to encourage beginner bridge. One of our tablemates was amongst the hard-core bridge players, and he agreed, that there was no encouragement of beginners.

 

On the flip side, on an RCL cruise we were on, without a bridge director, I learned more about bridge from a fellow passenger who was patient and took the time to explain things. So for me,having a bridge director onboard discouraged joining in to play bridge.

 

Hi Giblert :)

 

We have been on a number of Celebrity Cruises that had a bridge program. On some of them, the instructors came with very specific basic lessons that were helpful for bridge players at any level, while other bridge instructors tried to get a feeling for the overall level of the group and tailored their lessons accordingly. We have even been on some cruises where the instructor asked the group what they would like him/her to focus on. In other words, it was the individual bridge instructor, as well as the group of passengers in the room, more than the program itself that mattered.

 

I agree with you that one of the best things a beginning bridge player can do is play with more experienced players that are willing to take the time to explain things. Since we had so many wonderful friends who were willing to do that with me when I first learned how to play bridge over 30 years ago, I often do that with new bridge players today.

 

Interestingly enough, my husband and I taught some friends how to play bridge two years ago and they have subsequently become better bridge players than many of our friends who have been playing for over thirty years. Even though we initially did it as a favor to them, it has turned out to be really nice for us, as well :)

[Ma Bell]

As I said before, it's always instructive to attend the lessons in the morning regardless of your level. If you attend the lessons you will know when you are ready for the structured afternoon play.

Usually you will find a more experienced group that plays duplicate and another group that forms to play rubber bridge. Both are great fun.:)