Cruise Talk: Cruise Line Bias

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Author

Topic: Cruise Line Bias

Commodore
First Class Passenger
Member # 1575

posted 08-26-2002 02:52 PM

Well lately since I've been back, and also in the past there have been remarks and comments that weren't well thought out, most likely from people that have never been on the cruise line they're giving a bad name.First it was Carnival, what's the matter can't stand neon lights and bright colors?? Lately, it's NCL, targeted for stretching their ships and using foe palm trees near the pool.Half the time it's in the name of Berlitz, given a more accurate title, " The Snobs Guide To Cruising, By a snob that can't go on a contempary cruise or 2.In my opinion both these lines are great, and strive for decent products.Then when further discussed the NCL Wind and Dream have more cabins than public rooms.Well,duh.That's a no brainer. When you add the numbers there is surely plenty of room for passengers to stay in, especially with the many dining times thanks to Freestyle. Let's not forget
the open deck and pools, plus the fact that usually most rooms are pretty much deserted when not hosting any highlighted activity.Well things certainly ass up there.Carnival is then criticized for poor food, whichis not true.Everyone that my family knows that went on Carnival said the food was better than that of Royal and Celebrity.So to make my long story short people love to be picky snobs and "professional critics". I am in disgust.

Posts: 1106 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

cruiseny
First Class Passenger
Member # 2928

posted 08-26-2002 03:44 PM

I do not think there is bias here at all. It is a simple fact that the passenger/space ratio on Dream and Wind was hurt when they were stretched.

I personally don't like Berlitz at all... However just because someone occasionally agrees with something said in the book, does not make them a snob.

And just because NCL uses faux palm trees by the pool doesn't make them a bad company... However I do happen to think that is very tacky. Simply personal opinion.

PamM has recently come back from an NCL cruise and was very satisified.

I can't comment on Carnival... Many ship lovers don't care for their decor... And few people have actually implied that Carnival is a bad company because their ships are so glitzy... Remember many of these same people are fans of HAL and Cunard which are owned by Carnival...

Very few people here have said that Carnival is a BAD line... If we do not like their gaudy decor, so what?

Posts: 4730 | From: New York, USA | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

AKMA
First Class Passenger
Member # 1843

posted 08-26-2002 03:55 PM

This site seems to be a HAL site. Probably because the relatively few contributours are an older lot that appreciate finer things in life.

We have sailed on Princess, Holland America and Celebrity. Each ship was different, yet had many similarities. The amenities etc. were different yet seemed the same. The entertainment was basically the same with different faces. On each ship we had great meals and some not so good but mostly very good service.

My view is that for MOST cruisers, it does not matter a whole lot what line they sail on as they are basically the same.

Posts: 18 | From: Mississauga,ON, Can. | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 08-26-2002 06:11 PM

AKMA...the three companies you mention are about on a par in the scheme of things cruising. So, yes, they are a very similar product.
However, if you spread your wings a little you can find tremendous differences in the many companies in the industry. THAT is the beauty of cruising. Some people find HAL suits their taste and style and stick with them... happy repeaters. Others like the quick 7 day breaks of something like Carnival or RCI and that is of course a much younger crowd.

As for this bb, yes it does have a certain preponderance of us older types probably because we have more time to be on here, and that too may explain about HAL. But there is a wealth of experience here of many ships and companies and places that you won't find elsewhere.

For cruises, we've sailed on 23 different ships, some several times, of 12 companies. Most of them were longer ones up to 40 days which is what we prefer, and is one reason we like Orient Line..
...peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Onno
First Class Passenger
Member # 3071

posted 08-26-2002 06:22 PM

Every one is entitled to their opinion, but if Carnival or NCL was really bad in giving a cruise product then how come they are still around?

Especially in the hard world of cruise companies. I think It’s good that each cruise company provides a different product for all different target groups and that the cruise world is still experimenting with new markets and products like P&O’s Ocean Village for example. A bit of pioneering is always good for a branch.

Best, Onno

Posts: 3583 | From: the Netherlands (Berenbotje ging uit varen...) | Registered: May 2002 | IP: Logged

Italian Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1684

posted 08-27-2002 09:34 AM

I totally agree with Cruiseny.
The Complete Guide to Cruising by Douglas Ward isn't a good book. Clearly he has a preference for some cruise lines ( Cristal, Celebrity and Seabourn ) and many bias about others ( Carnival, Costa, Rccl and Ncl ). The Fieldings' reviews were far better and well-balanced.
Carnival and Ncl with no doub offer a good cruise product, but the first one isn't simply for my tastes, particularly for the furnishings of the ships.
The Norwegian Wind and Dream were far better before to be lenghted, the Norwegian Star 2 is too glitzy: the influence of Star Cruises designers is clearly visible....

Posts: 887 | From: Orvieto (Italy) | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 08-27-2002 09:54 AM

I think all the books are biased. Everyone has different tastes.
There is more accurate information on cruise talk sites than the books.
Carnival is great for some people and the pits for others.
Same goes for Hal. It all depends on what you are looking for in a cruise vacation.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

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