Verrry Interesting but Weird

[Karynanne]

The beauty of cruising is that there are a variety of different things to do. You can enjoy wine seminars, enrichment seminars, trivia games, pool activities, bingo, the casino, the spa...or do absolutely nothing but relax. It's a floating Resort.

 

We do a combination of all of the above. Plus, we travel with friends and always plan lunch or time together to visit.

[hermang]

Never been on a cruise but hubby and I both wish we were going to be in port more than we are and chose the itinerary we did because it was spending overnight in Quebec City. It makes no sense to me to spend money to go somewhere and then not see it. Maybe a compromise would be for the cruise lines to have ships that make no or almost no stops (say less than 2-3) for longer trips 7+ or having 2-3(or longer if there's a market for them) day trips that are just on water. I'm not the "pampering type" and am actually dreading that part of the whole cruise. I am quite capable of turning down my own bed and don't like the idea of strangers in my room twice a day. The only thing I really need in my room daily are clean towels and apparently the daily schedule. Cruising, for us, is simply a vacation that is different and unique and for me, doesn't require flying.

 

Maybe I'll feel differently after our cruise but doubt it. If I like the sea days that much, I'll make a comment to the cruise line to do "sea day" only cruises.

 

My original post was to address a recent phenomenon where the newer ships,

Solstice,Equinox, Oasis etc seem to be limiting port calls to 3 with more Sea Days. I was curious to see what folks thought the reason for this trend.

 

My daughter's in-laws have declined to join us on several cruises because there were a large number ( 4 or more) sea days. We are doing Solstice in Feb

2009 with 3 and an Equinox TA with 6 so it doesn't necessarily bother us.

 

In the case of Celebrity they are reasonably priced cruises for a Balcony cabin.

 

RCCL seems to be pricing the newer ships at a premium price hence we have yet to do a Freedom Class cruise and while we will probably do Oasis - I would rather see some new ports,

 

My original take was 1 - less fuel cost if you cruise at 6-8 knots between relatively close ports and 2 - More money if you are a captive audience - as in Spa treatments, bar bills abd Restaurants. Not saying it is a bad thing - just curious as to what others think the reason is

[Sky Sweet]

My original post was to address a recent phenomenon where the newer ships,

Solstice,Equinox, Oasis etc seem to be limiting port calls to 3 with more Sea Days. I was curious to see what folks thought the reason for this trend.

 

My daughter's in-laws have declined to join us on several cruises because there were a large number ( 4 or more) sea days. We are doing Solstice in Feb

2009 with 3 and an Equinox TA with 6 so it doesn't necessarily bother us.

 

In the case of Celebrity they are reasonably priced cruises for a Balcony cabin.

 

RCCL seems to be pricing the newer ships at a premium price hence we have yet to do a Freedom Class cruise and while we will probably do Oasis - I would rather see some new ports,

 

My original take was 1 - less fuel cost if you cruise at 6-8 knots between relatively close ports and 2 - More money if you are a captive audience - as in Spa treatments, bar bills abd Restaurants. Not saying it is a bad thing - just curious as to what others think the reason is

 

Hi Hermang :)

 

I agree with you that they are doing to to save money. I also agree that Celebrity has been keeping the cost of their cruises at a very reasonable level while Royal Caribbean charges a premium for its better ships.

 

In my opinion, Celebrity in recent years has changed its niche from having the best food of any mass market cruise line to being one of the best values, and this is a way to accomplish it. I personally would rather have more sea days and less ports than see them save money in ways that would compromise my overall cruise experience.

[DeepWaterMariner]

For ships on the scale of Oasis I think the idea is to make the ship the destination. I think the business model is to have a trapped audience spending money on all things Oasis. Mega casino resorts in Vegas try to do the same thing by making their properties so attractive that their customers won't leave to spend their vacation dollars at the hotel next door. Cruise lines have the advantage of not letting the gangway touch land. That approach probably works well for a significant part of the cruise market but it isn't something that attracts the customer who is itinerary focused.

[hermang]

For ships on the scale of Oasis I think the idea is to make the ship the destination. I think the business model is to have a trapped audience spending money on all things Oasis. Mega casino resorts in Vegas try to do the same thing by making their properties so attractive that their customers won't leave to spend their vacation dollars at the hotel next door. Cruise lines have the advantage of not letting the gangway touch land. That approach probably works well for a significant part of the cruise market but it isn't something that attracts the customer who is itinerary focused.

 

Thats is exactly the dialog I was hoping for. Thanks to Skysweet for your response as well.

 

Just trying to see if I am off base or not - apparently there are folks who agree.

 

Would be interesting to see a 5 night cruise to nowhere on Oasis - bet it gets filled

[FinelyCruising]

Thats is exactly the dialog I was hoping for. Thanks to Skysweet for your response as well.

 

Just trying to see if I am off base or not - apparently there are folks who agree.

 

Would be interesting to see a 5 night cruise to nowhere on Oasis - bet it gets filled

 

I'd bet the opposite. There are many who enjoy sea days as a port of call for relaxation in the midst of other activities including ports of call, visited or not.

 

I agree that the ship can be the destination on sea days, with its myriad of public spaces and venues, but the ships are not cash cows for people who do not know how to enjoy themselves via sociabilities among the other guests or solitudes that the sea is known for. Enrichment lectures are things to do just like a trivia segment opportunity. They are breaks in the day for an entertaining activity.

 

Therefore I do not agree that 5 sea days would be jackpot hit for RCCL due to casino and spa revenue. While I believe those are two examples of forms of relaxation and entertainment, there are many more to chose from that come from within or include social interaction.

 

Hopefully that is dead on in terms of the response you are looking for.

[hermang]

I'd bet the opposite. There are many who enjoy sea days as a port of call for relaxation in the midst of other activities including ports of call, visited or not.

 

I agree that the ship can be the destination on sea days, with its myriad of public spaces and venues, but the ships are not cash cows for people who do not know how to enjoy themselves via sociabilities among the other guests or solitudes that the sea is known for. Enrichment lectures are things to do just like a trivia segment opportunity. They are breaks in the day for an entertaining activity.

 

Therefore I do not agree that 5 sea days would be jackpot hit for RCCL due to casino and spa revenue. While I believe those are two examples of forms of relaxation and entertainment, there are many more to chose from that come from within or include social interaction.

 

Hopefully that is dead on in terms of the response you are looking for.

 

That is a valid answer to my question. Now I am not sure that 5 days would be the magic answer either - but it would be interesting to see how people would respond to a poll - If I only knew how to set one up.

 

Don't get me wrong - I don't mind the sea days - and in fact, we did the Solstice cruise in 2009 knowing that there were 3 sea days. The only 2 ports I really want to go back to are San Juan and St. Kitts. Not really thrilled with being in St. Maarten til 11pm so we'll do some sightseeing and shopping during the day and probably be back on board in time for dinner.

 

If anyone knows how to set up a poll - I'd like to see how many people would do a 4 or 5 day cruise on Oasis for openers or Solstice/Equinox where there were maybe 1 or no ports

[Karynanne]

That is a valid answer to my question. Now I am not sure that 5 days would be the magic answer either - but it would be interesting to see how people would respond to a poll - If I only knew how to set one up.

 

Don't get me wrong - I don't mind the sea days - and in fact, we did the Solstice cruise in 2009 knowing that there were 3 sea days. The only 2 ports I really want to go back to are San Juan and St. Kitts. Not really thrilled with being in St. Maarten til 11pm so we'll do some sightseeing and shopping during the day and probably be back on board in time for dinner.

 

If anyone knows how to set up a poll - I'd like to see how many people would do a 4 or 5 day cruise on Oasis for openers or Solstice/Equinox where there were maybe 1 or no ports

 

Well, we're one couple that enjoys sea days. We'll be on Solstice Dec.7, and plan to just enjoy the ship. It'll be a perfect time to decompress between Thanksgiving and the rest of the Holidays. We probably won't plan any excursions, but will be flow with whatever we feel like doing, on that particular day. Sometimes you just have to slow life down...

[gkm]

Well, we're one couple that enjoys sea days. We'll be on Solstice Dec.7, and plan to just enjoy the ship. It'll be a perfect time to decompress between Thanksgiving and the rest of the Holidays. We probably won't plan any excursions, but will be flow with whatever we feel like doing, on that particular day. Sometimes you just have to slow life down...

 

Sounds like a plan to me.:D :D :D

 

Garry

[emptynest1]

If you did a poll, I would vote for sea days.

My idea of a vacation destination is the balcony of my cabin in peace and quiet, mixed with good food and conversation at night, add a good spa and exercise equipment and I will be in heaven.

I guess you could say I am easily entertained.:D

[hermang]

If you did a poll, I would vote for sea days.

My idea of a vacation destination is the balcony of my cabin in peace and quiet, mixed with good food and conversation at night, add a good spa and exercise equipment and I will be in heaven.

I guess you could say I am easily entertained.:D

 

Here is the Poll question:

 

IF RCCL offered a cruise with no ports on Oasis or Celebrity did same on Solstice or Equinox - how many days would you accept were you to buy into that.

 

I have seen 2 day cruises to nowhere as a great marketing tool for first time cruisers. Seems to me 5 days would be just enought time to see everything on Oasis - maybe a 4 night on Solstice or Equinox.

[jwattle]

I think that due to absolutely loving things like our balcony together and the solarium, we'd be content for a good couple or three weeks...:o We saw the best storm at sea from our balcony on Summit (avoiding a hurricane); it was like having our own private thunder and lightning show: MAGNIFICENT~

[Schplinky]

Here is the Poll question:

 

IF RCCL offered a cruise with no ports on Oasis or Celebrity did same on Solstice or Equinox - how many days would you accept were you to buy into that.

 

I have seen 2 day cruises to nowhere as a great marketing tool for first time cruisers. Seems to me 5 days would be just enought time to see everything on Oasis - maybe a 4 night on Solstice or Equinox.

 

I'd be happy for a week, I think.

[Sky Sweet]

Here is the Poll question:

 

IF RCCL offered a cruise with no ports on Oasis or Celebrity did same on Solstice or Equinox - how many days would you accept were you to buy into that.

 

I have seen 2 day cruises to nowhere as a great marketing tool for first time cruisers. Seems to me 5 days would be just enought time to see everything on Oasis - maybe a 4 night on Solstice or Equinox.

 

Hi hermang :)

 

During the early sevenities, cruises to nowhere were very popular and usually turned out to be a floating singles party that was an alternate venue for the New York Bar scene.

 

With that in mind, I wouldn't consider a cruise with no ports unless it was a themed education at sea experience.

 

On the other hand, I would love to do a cruise that was similar to our first one during the middle seventies, which was a nine day round trip Caribbean Cruise from New York City with only two ports, St Thomas and St Maartin. Even though it had two ports, the majority of the cruise was at sea during a time when there were so many wonderful activities during the day it was hard to decide on just one during a specified time slot :)

[geoherb]

I love sea days. But then again, port days are great because the ship is a lot less crowded.

 

We're still undecided about our December cruise. There are six cruises in the running right now. It will come down to price more than anything else, but itinerary is a close second.

[emptynest1]

I'd be happy with at least one week of sea days. I don't like to go through all the effort of getting ready to cruise for a shorter time.

 

I'd really be happy with 2 weeks.

[DeepWaterMariner]

We've done as many as 6 sea days on a TA and people were beginning to look for land the last day or so. A 5 day cruise of only sea days would only work for us if the ship was of special interest. Otherwise I would like to think I was on a voyage with an exotic port to visit at the end of all that cruising.

[FinelyCruising]

Here is the Poll question:

 

IF RCCL offered a cruise with no ports on Oasis or Celebrity did same on Solstice or Equinox - how many days would you accept were you to buy into that.

 

I have seen 2 day cruises to nowhere as a great marketing tool for first time cruisers. Seems to me 5 days would be just enought time to see everything on Oasis - maybe a 4 night on Solstice or Equinox.

 

Unless it left out of my home port(s), I would not travel to go to it because there is a perfectly wonderful location in NJ on the ocean, pure luxe, where we find everything we could possibly want in terms of service, accomodations, dining and entertainment and more, and all in a few block radius for walking. We could not want for more and I would not select either ship, maybe not any cruise ship, for this kind of relaxation. :o

[hermang]

We've done as many as 6 sea days on a TA and people were beginning to look for land the last day or so. A 5 day cruise of only sea days would only work for us if the ship was of special interest. Otherwise I would like to think I was on a voyage with an exotic port to visit at the end of all that cruising.

 

I could imaging spending 5 days on Oasis exploring and having some cooking demonstrations, maybe a Wine tasting or three, Guest chefs, Maybe a Cigar Afficianado event - For the ladies a Fashion show, Spa visits with discounts,

Jewelry appreciation - NO art auctions.

 

We're doing the Equinox TA next November - let ya know then if I don't go stir crazy with six sea days in a row.

[FinelyCruising]

I

We're doing the Equinox TA next November - let ya know then if I don't go stir crazy with six sea days in a row.

 

Looks like we will be finding out together.:)

[ontdi]

We'll be there too & absolutely love all those sea days!

[Denny01]

We signed up for the Solstice TA Rome to Ft Lauderdale in Nov 09 mainly because of the Sea Days. Our first TA was Constellation San Juan to Dover. It was a good mix of Caribbean and European ports, but the best was the multiple Sea Days with lectures and relaxation, and getting to know new friends better. The Solstice has 7 Sea Days - 6 in a row. So I guess I would take a Voyage to Nowhere of at least 7 days. Even more if we could.

 

With multiple sea days, we get to concentrate on exploring the ship, enjoying the special spots such as the M-Class T-Spa, and the Cova Cafe. We could have a consistant connection with our tablemates - get to know them better and meet them at other times. We can enjoy the special lectures, wine tastings and flower arranging. We could have an evening of cardplaying followed by a morning and afternoon of cardplaying! We end up doing things we just don't have time to do at home, or even on a cruise with a lot of ports - the ports become the focus which can be neat, but with At Sea days in a row, you set a differnt tone, a different emphasis. You know you are on a beautiful cruise ship versus on a conveyance from one port to another.

 

OK, I could go on and on - I do fall in love with my own voice (or my own typing!), but the point is, multiple At Sea days allow us to enjoy the essence of a cruise.

 

Denny

[emptynest1]

We signed up for the Solstice TA Rome to Ft Lauderdale in Nov 09 mainly because of the Sea Days. Our first TA was Constellation San Juan to Dover. It was a good mix of Caribbean and European ports, but the best was the multiple Sea Days with lectures and relaxation, and getting to know new friends better. The Solstice has 7 Sea Days - 6 in a row. So I guess I would take a Voyage to Nowhere of at least 7 days. Even more if we could.

 

With multiple sea days, we get to concentrate on exploring the ship, enjoying the special spots such as the M-Class T-Spa, and the Cova Cafe. We could have a consistant connection with our tablemates - get to know them better and meet them at other times. We can enjoy the special lectures, wine tastings and flower arranging. We could have an evening of cardplaying followed by a morning and afternoon of cardplaying! We end up doing things we just don't have time to do at home, or even on a cruise with a lot of ports - the ports become the focus which can be neat, but with At Sea days in a row, you set a differnt tone, a different emphasis. You know you are on a beautiful cruise ship versus on a conveyance from one port to another.

 

OK, I could go on and on - I do fall in love with my own voice (or my own typing!), but the point is, multiple At Sea days allow us to enjoy the essence of a cruise.

 

Denny

I love the way you expressed that. I agree, there is a different tone to the ship on multiple sea days, much more relaxed. That is what I am looking for.

[hermang]

Looks like we will be finding out together.:)

 

We are flying into Rome ( as it stands now) on the 3rd of November.

Don't know when you booked but when we did - it was $1179pp for a 2C balcony cabin. We are traveling with friends who we hooked on cruising this year.

 

I lived in Italy for 8 1/2 months back in 1974 and have been back 3 times.

1984 , 1988 and last year on our Med Cruise. Our friends took their first cruise on the Radiance this February and when all was said and done - they were hooked.

 

BTW we live in CT so we are almost neighbors

[FinelyCruising]

We are flying into Rome ( as it stands now) on the 3rd of November.

Don't know when you booked but when we did - it was $1179pp for a 2C balcony cabin. We are traveling with friends who we hooked on cruising this year.

 

I lived in Italy for 8 1/2 months back in 1974 and have been back 3 times.

1984 , 1988 and last year on our Med Cruise. Our friends took their first cruise on the Radiance this February and when all was said and done - they were hooked.

 

BTW we live in CT so we are almost neighbors

 

We booked when the itineraries opened too. I am not sure when we are flying in yet, I have cruise air booked at what appears to be an amazing price, but will still wait and see when flights open up. Also not sure of the hotel and if we will take Celebrity's package. This will be our first TA and our first time to Europe, we are really looking forward to it.

 

There is a HUGE roll call for this cruise on the roll call board in the event you have not taken a look there is some really great company taking this TA.

 

So...I'll see you around, neighbor;)