Help. Planning upcoming cruise and don't want those announcements

[lovesublime]

We just returned from our Carnival Spirit southbound Alaska sailing and had, for the most part, a great time. We have previously cruised on RCI and NCL. If I'm not mistaken, I thought I read somewhere that X does not have those pesky announcements informing pax of whatever activites are going on and what can be viewed from the deck etc...I have to say that we were mightily disturbed by the continual loud announcments on our previous cruises. While in Alaska we returned to the ship after an exhausting day, each and every port, and so looked forward to a nap before dinner. It wasn't to be though, as the intrusive announcements came through loud and clear:( We were pretty much exhausted most of the cruise. Please tell me that X doesn't do the announcment thing. We are looking for a November (Thanksgiving) cruise to either the Mexican Riviera or Panama Canal. Can anyone recommend a suitable, announcement free cruise at that time? Thanks so much!

[Andy]

We just returned from our Carnival Spirit southbound Alaska sailing and had, for the most part, a great time. We have previously cruised on RCI and NCL. If I'm not mistaken, I thought I read somewhere that X does not have those pesky announcements informing pax of whatever activites are going on and what can be viewed from the deck etc...I have to say that we were mightily disturbed by the continual loud announcments on our previous cruises. While in Alaska we returned to the ship after an exhausting day, each and every port, and so looked forward to a nap before dinner. It wasn't to be though, as the intrusive announcements came through loud and clear:( We were pretty much exhausted most of the cruise. Please tell me that X doesn't do the announcment thing. We are looking for a November (Thanksgiving) cruise to either the Mexican Riviera or Panama Canal. Can anyone recommend a suitable, announcement free cruise at that time? Thanks so much!

 

 

Hi Lovesublime !

 

There are very few public announcements on Celebrity, and it is a real pleasure. I am pretty sure that Celebrity does not have any Mexican Riviera sailings on the schedule right now. They do have a 14 night Panama Canal Sailing on Mercury, departing on 11/21/08 from San Diego, to Ft Lauderdale. I have been on Mercury many times, and she is an excellent ship.

 

I hope I was of some assistance. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

[Gonzo70]

Both Celebrtiy and Holland America tend to have far fewer announcments. Typically there is a short annoucement by the Captain around noon on Celebrity immediately followed by the cruise director providing the highlights of the day. Otherwise announcements are generally limited to urgent information or special events rather than to announce routine activities.

[hajekfam]

Celebrity has the noontime announcement by the captain giving time, temp, water temp, speed, arrival time at next port, etc. followed by a brief announcement by the cruise director with the highlights of the day's activties.

Other than that, the only other announcements are emergency announcements or if there is something spectacular to see.

[pattyj 1204]

I don't like constant announcements either, but while we were in Alaska the captain made an annoucement that the Northern Lights were visible and I was glad he did. Didn't want to miss that sight it was awesome. Otherwise I haven't noticed any annoying announcements.

[micmacmissy]

Funny, we were on an eastern caribbean itinerary in March and I only heard two announcements all week--I didn't know they did them each day at noon! Also, inside the cabin, the announcements were not very loud--we opened our door to hear them better.

[librarycin]

Funny, we were on an eastern caribbean itinerary in March and I only heard two announcements all week--I didn't know they did them each day at noon!

 

Same thing during my first cruise last year in Alaska. I didn't even realize there were announcements at noon. I might have heard/noticed one or two...

 

Also, inside the cabin, the announcements were not very loud--we opened our door to hear them better.

To the OP, I was going to say the same. The announcements they do on X, are not piped right into your room, and you usually do have to open your door if you want to hear. Someone at the end of our cruise asked the captain at the Q&A about this - they wanted the announcements in their room! - but the reason is to not be intrusive, which I think is what most people prefer. If it were an emergency, however, the announcement would be made into all the rooms as well, for obvious reasons! :eek:

[Lsimon]

Not hearing the announcements in your room is a real plus. Although I wish they'd consistently have them clearly on one TV channel - like the bridge-cam channel - in the room so you could hear them if you wanted to. But at least you don't need to worry about being waken from your nap to be informed that bingo or an art auction is about to start.

 

In addition to the noon announcement mentioned above (heard only in public areas for the most part) are announcements in the morning on port days when the ship is cleared and occasional announcements when at port dealing with emergency drills for the crew - which are a frequent occurrence on port days when many are off the ship.

[Island Flower]

I don't like constant announcements either, but while we were in Alaska the captain made an annoucement that the Northern Lights were visible and I was glad he did. Didn't want to miss that sight it was awesome. Otherwise I haven't noticed any annoying announcements.

 

Patti --

What month were you there? I have always wanted to see them and it would be just TOO cool to see them from the ship! :rolleyes:

[pattyj 1204]

We took an end of Aug/Sept. cruise tour and I can't say enough good things about that cruise. I understand from a friend who lives in Alaska that the weather conditions have to be just right for the lights to shine that early. We also saw them in Talkeetna in the middle of the night. I heard a lot of noise and looked out the window to see what was happening and saw the lights over Mt. Mckinley, A lot of people were outside, but I was comfortable in the chair in our room.

[WNcruiser]

That is one the main reason I no longer sail on Carnival. Constant, pushy announcements for Drink specials, Bingo, Casino, Tours, Sales in the shops, Spa specials. It gets very old when trying to relax and enjoy yourself.

 

RCI is not as bad, but Celebrity is awesome. I always write in the comments how much I appreciate the lack of announcements!

[lovesublime]

Thanks for the reassurance everyone. It looks like our next cruise is on Celebrity. In addition, I also appreciate their new smoking policy which should be in effect when we sail in November.

 

I think the announcement problem on this recent cruise was due to the fact that we had an onboard naturalist the entire cruise. So, in addition to all the regular announcements-we also had all the naturalist's announcements on top of it. I did enjoy having wildlife pointed out and being informed of which channel we were sailing in, however it got to the point where I just didn't care about the pod of orcas on the starboard side anymore:eek: I just wanted to get some rest LOL!

[librarycin]

I think the announcement problem on this recent cruise was due to the fact that we had an onboard naturalist the entire cruise. So, in addition to all the regular announcements-we also had all the naturalist's announcements on top of it.

 

I'm happy not to get announcements about bingo or whatever other activity they are promoting :rolleyes:, but I would love to have announcements from a naturalist! But then, I'm a huge animal person... Wildlife is what was lacking from my second cruise (Scotland/Ireland - though we saw lots of cows and sheep!! ;)), but I was probably spoiled because my first cruise was Alaska!

 

We did have a naturalist on the Alaska cruise (and I went to all the lectures!), but since it was Celebrity, there were no announcements regarding wildlife off the side of the ship, etc... oh well, I was outside enough and as long as there were other people, if someone spotted something, it got pointed out to the rest of us! :)

[Napi's Mom]

Thanks for the reassurance everyone. It looks like our next cruise is on Celebrity. In addition, I also appreciate their new smoking policy which should be in effect when we sail in November.

 

I think the announcement problem on this recent cruise was due to the fact that we had an onboard naturalist the entire cruise. So, in addition to all the regular announcements-we also had all the naturalist's announcements on top of it. I did enjoy having wildlife pointed out and being informed of which channel we were sailing in, however it got to the point where I just didn't care about the pod of orcas on the starboard side anymore:eek: I just wanted to get some rest LOL!

On Azamara there were NO educational announcements (only the Capt. report AM on weather etc. at a nicely late hr. ie: after 10am) I really like that, BUT I missed the Dolphins, that everyone was raving about, and heard NONE of the Panama Canal discription during transit, while on my balcony...only heard on deck! Some of these things would be nice to hear. Best would be if you could "Shut off" your speaker and back on for what you'd like to hear?? Guess as it's the emergency communications link that wouldn't work:confused:

[jackdiamond]

It is very simple. Book the Celebrity M class, CC or above. I cannot speak for the Celebrity lower classes, except for Century, which we sailed once druing its infancy, or Azamar which we have not sailed. And, of course, none of us have yet sailed the Solstice class. However, I would guess from the input of other folks that the essential absence of annoying messages is fairly common to the entire Celebrity fleet. We have sailed the Radiance of the Seas four times; and, while it is a fairly nice ship, the announcements were rather a pain in the ascot. I am certain that you get my drift.

[lovesublime]

It is very simple. Book the Celebrity M class, CC or above. I cannot speak for the Celebrity lower classes, except for Century, which we sailed once druing its infancy, or Azamar which we have not sailed. And, of course, none of us have yet sailed the Solstice class. However, I would guess from the input of other folks that the essential absence of annoying messages is fairly common to the entire Celebrity fleet. We have sailed the Radiance of the Seas four times; and, while it is a fairly nice ship, the announcements were rather a pain in the ascot. I am certain that you get my drift.

 

Can I ask which ships are M class? Sorry, but I've yet to sail Celebrity so I'm not familiar.

[Lois R]

The lack of annoucements applies to all cabins....not just

CC and above...I book inside cabins so I can't speak for the

higher classes.

 

The M class ships are Millennium, Constellation, Summit

and Infinity.

[librarycin]

Best would be if you could "Shut off" your speaker and back on for what you'd like to hear?? Guess as it's the emergency communications link that wouldn't work:confused:

 

When our captain was asked about the announcements being made in rooms (this was the person who wanted the announcements!), someone asked about this as well, and I believe the obstacle is any emergency announcements, which obviously need to be heard - very bad if your speakers were turned off for that! :eek:

 

I think someone else here (and possibly someone at our Q&A - I know I've heard it elsewhere, too), also mentioned maybe broadcasting it on the tv, so you can turn it on rather than opening your door. I think that's a good idea. I still don't think bingo and such are necessary announcements, for the noon announcements, etc, on the tv might be nice...