Is Celebrity sarting Immersion cruises?

[cruisePRN]

RCL has implemented these immersion cruises that start abroad. They will cater to a foreign passenger in food and language and customs and entertainment. Those of us who only speak English will be left out in cold. It's all over the RCL boards, what do you think about "Immersion" I'm not happy with it.:eek:

[Addict]

RCL is not exclusively for Americans!!! Nor any other cruise line for that matter.:mad:

[mmp13]

Actually, it doesn't really matter if one likes the idea or not. One can always choose not to go on an immersion cruise! Life is full of choices. Immersion cruising is just one more choice! I don't see how it's any different than any other theme cruise.

[Host Anne]

Royal Caribbean, like all cruiselines, is in business to make money. If there is a need to serve a specific market, I say go after it. Why shouldn't they provide ships to serve specific markets in native languages, food and culture. It's a big world out there. I'm all for them spreading their wings. I think a cruise like this would be a good opportunity for me to learn a lot more about different cultures and people. I see it as a good thing. Armed with my "phrase" book in a given language, I could get by and I find when I try to converse (even a little) in someone else's language, they are very happy to help me out. What a great way to expand our world. Just my opinion.

[s73645]

That sounds like a blast! A cruise where I could practice another language all day long...cool. sign me up.

[Leela]

Yeah, exactly -- I'm going to go look for a Spanish-language one!

[hylasgirl]

Actually, it doesn't really matter if one likes the idea or not. One can always choose not to go on an immersion cruise! Life is full of choices. Immersion cruising is just one more choice! I don't see how it's any different than any other theme cruise.

 

Actually, this is not the case... and one of the reason why so many of us are upset over it. There are many people out there that have lots of money out there that they will lose if they decide against what RCCL has just imposed on them. If they had immersion cruises that you could "sign" up for before you decided to book, then great... that would be everyone's option and they would have the information provided before they desided to sign on for something of that style. BUT, that is NOT what has been happening.

[MoreCruisesNow]

Actually, nothing about the sailing you're booked on has changed except that RCI is telling you about it now.

 

I'll never forget a Celebrity sailing we were on which was loaded with Chinese guests. In fact, beginning the second day out, Celebrity started serving Congee for breakfast because of the demand.

 

I started eating it instead of my normal oatmeal and was so pleasantly surprised.

 

So, go...enjoy the Congee (or whatever) and realize that the rest of the world finds us generally VERY provincial (I wonder why).

[kitty9]

This is not surprising due to the weakness of the US dollar and the strength of the Euro. Face it, our economy stinks and the money is in Russia, China and other non-US countries. You're going to see more and more non-US passengers on all cruise ships.

[SF]

I agree with the above poster if Celebrity or RCCL posts that certain cruises are "immersion" cruises ahead of time when itineraries first come out that wouldn't be a problem. People can decide at that point if they wish to experience one but it's changing it after cruisers have already left deposits with air, hotels, cruise insurance, etc.... We are now canceling our Independence cruise because I just found out it's an "immersion" one. Not because it will be British influenced (had no problem on Sea Princess and they cater to the British also) but because the currency I was told will now be in Euros instead of US. With the exchange rate so weak the cost of the cruise adds up real fast. I know, I just exchanged US currency for Euros for our upcoming cruise and I'd hate to think what the exchange rate will be next year. Was told the casino, on board account, gratuities, ship tours, etc... will now be in Euros and we'd prefer to stay with US currency and keep the cost down a little. Decided to go back to Princess.

[Napi's Mom]

This is not surprising due to the weakness of the US dollar and the strength of the Euro. Face it, our economy stinks and the money is in Russia, China and other non-US countries. You're going to see more and more non-US passengers on all cruise ships.

Just noticed that you're from Arizona, Wisconsin...I havn't heard of an Arizona in Wi., so I assume you're a snowbird???

Think it would be a great fun, if the people are friendly. One of the things we like about cruising is meeting people from different countries, from both the passengers and crew. Another reason we liked open dining is we met more people from all over. you chat more at dinner than meeting on deck. AND I'd love to have the food from all over. One great disappointment we've always had is that, because American passengers are frequently fussy about not eating "forign foods" that no matter where we are, little food that is native to the area we're cruising in is served! They serve the same menu..usually European, or Steaks in the specialty venue. NO Paella, Gyros, etc etc. We even had american fruit, unripe and tasteless on the Tahitian Islands where they grow the best fruit:(

[cruisePRN]

For me it's about the people or the food, I enjoy the different cultures. It's about language and currancy and entertainment. I will not tip in Euros and loose both a transaction fee and take a beating on the exchange rate.

[hajekfam]

Celebrity started last year with adding a flavor of Europe to their European cruises. I don't know if this took off and if it is still going on. It sounds better than an immersion cruise where your shipboard account would be in Euros as reported above.

I do know that if there is a large contingent of Europeans or others onboard any Celebrity cruise, they will do the few announcements they have in both English and the other language.

This was the press release that came out:

 

NOUVEAU AT CELEBRITY CRUISES: EUROPE COMES ONBOARD

Expanded activities program to enhance Mediterranean and Baltic sailings

 

 

Miami - (April 09, 2007 ) - Guests on Celebrity Cruises’ Mediterranean and Baltic voyages soon will have the opportunity to delight in the rich cultures of Europe without even disembarking the ship. In June, the top-rated line will introduce “Passaporto di Europa,” its newly expanded, Europe-themed onboard activities program.

 

Designed to enhance guests’ experience on sea days – days spent traveling from one port to another – and in the evenings throughout the cruise, Passaporto di Europa will offer numerous entertainment-, shopping- and dining-related activities based solely on several cultural activities of Europe.

 

 

 

Highlights of the Passaporto di Europa program on Mediterranean sailings include the following activities:

 

In France: Pasta meets panache in a friendly cook-off between onboard culinary staff proudly representing Italy and France, where guests take sides and cheer on their hosts; a wine and cheese fair gives guests a taste of two of France’s most popular exports.

In Italy: “Carnevale di Venezia” replicates the famous St. Mark’s Square event when the ship’s pool deck is transformed into a real “piazza,” complete with music, food, a mask-making festival for guests, a gondola race, and the traditional “flight of the dove.”

In Spain: A culinary demonstration featuring Paella and Sangría-making lessons, samples and take-home recipes in a “taste of Spain”.

In Greece: “Dining under the Santorini Stars” offers a candlelight, taverna-style dining experience with Greek food and authentic entertainment; followed by “Opa!,” an on-deck festival featuring music, food, dancing, bedsheets-as-tunics, photographs with Celebrity’s own Zeus and Athena, and a “Venus and Apollo of the Voyage” competition.

A Mediterranean street fair offers guests the chance to purchase Mediterranean crafts and gifts, Lladró figurines and Italian glass onboard while enjoying gourmet foods, music and a distinctly Mediterranean ambience.

 

On Baltic sailings, highlights include:

 

In Germany: “Oktoberfest German Biergarten” offers local German beers for sale, complemented by German foods, a sausage-eating contest and a performance by an authentic German oompah band.

In Scandinavia: During “Cosmetics in the Cold,” the AquaSpa staff offer guests tips for keeping their nails and hair healthy and their make-up fresh in cold-weather climates.

In Russia: Onboard shops are stocked with Russian wares such as Russian diamonds, amber, lacquer boxes and Fabergé eggs during “Russian Bazaar.”

In the British Isles: Guests can take a step back in time at the “’60s British Invasion Party,” experience antique and authentic English pub games of the past and present and discover Irish whiskey during “Irish Pub Night and Sing-Along,” learn the Queen’s English, and participate in a British royalty trivia competition.

• “Europe through the Silver Screen” presents a cruise-long film festival of European cinema, featuring classic and modern films which depict the region, its history, and glimpses of its landscape.

 

Guests sailing on Celebrity Century, Celebrity Galaxy, Celebrity Constellation and Celebrity Millennium will receive a passport-style souvenir booklet that they can bring to each activity, where ship staff will stamp it. At the end of the sailing, guests will present their passports to receive various program-specific prizes based on the number of stamps collected.

[hcat]

The social events & good will ambassadors & lectures are fine & I look forward to that as well. It was great having cutural classes, hula lessons, a loxcal childrens hula dance group & a Hawaii Ambassador on our Summit cruise to Hawaii. Also nice on our Medit cruise to have Flamenco Dancers come on board etc.

 

But if you read the Royal Board, what Royal did to folks who had already booked was change the whole plan because of the demographics of who booked the cruise...& many will lose quite a bit of money when they cancel,

 

If one wants a foreign langauge/immersion cruise they can book with a foreign cruise line & have a great experience if that is what they are looking for.. When those folks booked their cruises they were relying on it being how is always is 7 what was advertised to them & felt comfortable going to an exotic locale with their usual cruise line....I would be really annoyed to have it changed so late in the game...!

 

Guess we are all on notice to carefully check our departure ports & guess what language we will have to order our meals in or find another cruise line!!!

[chrismch]

Last Aug we cruised the Baltics with Celebrity with their "passporto" program. What we experienced was more regionalized shopping including Russian chocolate bars and the buffet offering more local cuisine which we greatly appreciated. Also we had a wonderful lecturer who did talks prior to each port about the upcoming city. It was not an immersion cruise and our fare was in US$. However, the announcements were made in at least 3 or 4 languages.

[hcat]

If anyone is following the posts on the Royal carib board about the immersion cruises they will understand my concern,,,

 

We want to do our own airfare but...before we book our own non refundable airfare to Rome, I think we should ask to get something in writing that our cruise from Rome will be billed in US Dollars & our on board expenditures will be Us dollars as well... & that we will have an English speaking cruise for entertainment, excursions & guides...

 

Otherwise maybe best to book air through them(ugh!) & if it turns to an immersion cruise down the line we can fight with them to cancel it all! Our cruise is in the far future but makes me nervous with what Royal carib has done!! What is everyone else thinking?

[johnjen]

I think it's a wonderful idea! Immersion is how I learned to understand Dutch....I lived in Belgium, in the French Waloon part, but my ex-wife spoke Flemish and we visited her family in the north practically every weekend.

 

Put us on an immersion cruise anyday. Wow, Italian, imagine that....we'd be talking with our hands at the end of the cruise!

[ikelmay]

Welcome to the real world........... cruise lines are commercial enterprises and have belatedly realised that the cruise markets ripe for expansion are outside continental USA. With the dollar weak for the foreseeable future, you can expect this trend to not only continue, but to accelerate.

 

Personally, I had the greatest time recently when our San Juan destined cruise featured announcements in spanish, meals which included a twist to the regular fare, and wonderful impromptu entertainment from Puerto Rican passengers.

[kitty9]

While I realize that cruise lines have no choice, with the present economy, but to court non-US cruisers, many on the RCI board have some valid concerns. One, when they call RCI to ask what changes they can expect on the cruise they booked a long time ago, no one can give them a straight answer. Two, they have been told that most of their regular menu items will no longer be available, such as burgers, pizza and such. When you're cruising in summer, with your kids, whether you agree or not, you expect the food to be things that your kids will eat---and don't tell me that the kids and teens should just go with the flow and eat whatever is there---have you ever tried to get a teen to try anything new? It's a losing battle. To close dining venues like Johnny Rockets and their alternate restaurants (like many passengers have been told by RCI), is not fair to families who booked those cruises expecting a certain product. In all fairness, RCI should have made the decision to change the focus of their cruises long before passengers booked, and then informed everyone what they will experience before they plunked down their cash. Sounds to me like RCI didn't want to tell anyone about this "venture" so they wouldn't lose bookings from Americans.

[hcat]

They really have ruined many families summer plans by doing so at this late date.....Hope Celeb will give us a heads up if they go the same route..

[cruisePRN]

For me it's about the people or the food, I enjoy the different cultures. It's about language and currancy and entertainment. I will not tip in Euros and loose both a transaction fee and take a beating on the exchange rate.

I meant to say for me it's NOT about the people or food.

I'm intimadated not knowing the language, that's why I cruise instead of doing land vacations.

[cruisePRN]

In all fairness, RCI should have made the decision to change the focus of their cruises long before passengers booked, and then informed everyone what they will experience before they plunked down their cash. Sounds to me like RCI didn't want to tell anyone about this "venture" so they wouldn't lose bookings from Americans.

 

When you have keep things a secret like RCL did until it was too late to cancel they realised their cruisers wouldn't like it. That tells me they knew they would not be well received with their changing into Immersion cruises. It may backfire on them and send many of their cheerleaders over to another cruise line.

[pris993]

I agree with the above poster if Celebrity or RCCL posts that certain cruises are "immersion" cruises ahead of time when itineraries first come out that wouldn't be a problem. People can decide at that point if they wish to experience one but it's changing it after cruisers have already left deposits with air, hotels, cruise insurance, etc.... We are now canceling our Independence cruise because I just found out it's an "immersion" one. Not because it will be British influenced (had no problem on Sea Princess and they cater to the British also) but because the currency I was told will now be in Euros instead of US. With the exchange rate so weak the cost of the cruise adds up real fast. I know, I just exchanged US currency for Euros for our upcoming cruise and I'd hate to think what the exchange rate will be next year. Was told the casino, on board account, gratuities, ship tours, etc... will now be in Euros and we'd prefer to stay with US currency and keep the cost down a little. Decided to go back to Princess.

 

I agree with you 100% -- this would feel like a bait and switch deal to me. I hope someone takes the cruise line to court. I too would cancel if I booked a deposit with dollars and then learned the cruise line was switching to euros on board. We were thinking about booking a RCCL cruise in the future - I will be very careful in doing so. We are booked on the Equinox on a MED and TA - back to back in 2009 will be watching what happens here.

 

Years ago we booked a cruise on NCL, this goes back now 20 years. At the time we did not realize it was going to be a theme cruise, all the entertainment on board was country western, not our favorite. We learned our lesson to check for theme cruises as a result. This feels the same way, I would want to know in advance. :confused:

[runnerandme]

They have really given me a headache . They just do not know how hard and expensive this immersion mess will be for us. oh well that is how the cookie, oh I mean churros crumble..

 

I hope now that I have found a Celebrity replacement it stays as is.

 

Connie

[cruisePRN]

I found out my cruise on Azamara is an immersion cruise and the language will be chinese. I'm torn as to whether or not to cancel.