Click on the link for renderings.
http://tinyurl.com/4gqr3

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Originally posted by eroller:
NCL has released some interior artist renderings of NORWEGIAN JEWEL. Looks interesting. For me personally the decor is a little too Asian for my liking. A little too ornate and over the top, like an Atlantic City casino hotel. I'm sure many will love it, it's just not for me.

Click on the link for renderings.
http://tinyurl.com/4gqr3

Ernie

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quote:

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Originally posted by CGT:

Other than the Asian restaurant, what is so asian about the decor (not that I like it)?

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I should clarify my statement. The decor is not Asian in that it looks like something you think of being traditional Japanese or Chinese. It's Asian in that the style is generally what appeals to many segments of Asian population. Bright and bold colors, shiny surfaces, lot's of red and green, extensive use of patterns. Having been to several cities in Asia, the decor reminds of some mass-market type hotels and casinos I have been to .... maybe even a few hotels in Hawaii that cater to the Japanese, and even some casino junket ships.

This is the same feeling I got when I sailed on NORWEGIAN STAR. It was different in that I felt the entire ship was designed for Asians, which it pretty much originally was. Even some of the seats seemed smaller and lower to the ground. The colors were very bold, there were a lot of patterns, and many shiny surfaces of gold or silver.

There is nothing wrong with the decor. It's actually very distinctive. It's just not my personal style. I prefer the decor of QM2 and Celebrity ships. They are vastly different with mostly neutral colors, extensive use of wood veneers, and splashes of color here and there. Another new favorite is CRYSTAL SERENITY which has interiors that look very much like QM2's. Not surprising considering many of the same design teams were used.

Ernie

[ 09-25-2004: Message edited by: eroller ]

I'm glad NCL is producing innovative ships with bold interiors. Just because the renderings are not to my liking doesn't mean I won't want to sail on JEWEL someday. Besides, many times the finished product is quite different than the renderings. I'm not a huge fan of NCL but they do seem to be getting better and better with each new ship.

I wish them the best.

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Originally posted by the guy that posted that webpage:
Norwegian Jewel will have 10 penthouse suites, a new concept for NCL. These will share a private courtyard with a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and small gym. The ship will also feature the popular garden villas.

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Does this make anyone else uncomfortable? Is this the beginning of a return to multi-class ships? When I pay several thousand dollars for a week on a ship, I don't want to feel like I'm working out in a second-rate gym or swimming in a second-rate pool.

[ 09-25-2004: Message edited by: Jekyll ]

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Originally posted by Jekyll:
Another Cruise Addict, do you feel the same way when you stay at an hotel w/ a concierge floor? If not - then why would you feel the same way on a ship that has, essentially, the same concept. Keep in mind that a number of ships today have amenities for those in the higher priced cabins - this is certainly nothing new - and a concept that is making a comeback after the 70's/ 80's/ early 90's tried to make everything "one class". The old saying "you get what you pay for" holds true in the cruise industry - except - I believe you get "more than you pay for".

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Originally posted by CGT:
Doesn't make me feel uncomfortable at all. I don't have that kind of emotional hang up.

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If I want a first class experience and can afford it, I will take Seaborne, Oceania, and Silverseas to Bora Bora, Tahiti, the Lofoten islands and such.
It is great to sit in Armani Casual talking industry trends with corporate CEO's and business owners.
However they would not be much fun on the dance floor.

Why do I want a NCL garden villa to visit St. Thomas and other boring Carribean tourist traps?

26g's for a week, better off on a true luxury line with interesting ports.

If I want to gamble and sing kareoke under glowing neon while wearing a tank top, there is Carnival, and NCL. However the decibel level would get to me after a while.

Cunard's class system has made the service of the Mauretania/Britannia levels less than acceptable.

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Originally posted by desirod7:

If I want a first class experience and can afford it, I will take Seaborne, Oceania, and Silverseas to Bora Bora, Tahiti, the Lofoten islands and such.
It is great to sit in Armani Casual talking industry trends with corporate CEO's and business owners.
However they would not be much fun on the dance floor.

Why do I want a NCL garden villa to visit St. Thomas and other boring Carribean tourist traps?

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David,
I agree completely. If I'm in the market for a suite, I'm not going to do it on a mass-market ship. I'll go in a standard suite on a line like Silversea, Seabourn, or RSSC. The entire ship is geared toward the luxury market and you are not sharing public spaces with 2000+ other passengers.

It really doesn't bother me that suite passengers on mass-market ships receive special perks. I can understand why mass-market lines do this, as the passengers that book these suites probably think it's a great perk. It makes them feel special and that is what it's all about. They would probably never even consider a line like Silversea even though the price would probably be about the same. Being on a luxury line like Silversea may make the average cruiser who books a suite on a mass-market line uncomfortable. Booking the top suite on a mass-market line is no problem though.

Even though these perks don't bother me, I don't think it's necessary for individual ships to be segmented into different classes. The cruise industry is already segmented, with lines that cater exclusively to luxury, ultra-premium, premium, mass-market or contemporary, and budget markets. There are even several niche players that cater to seniors, gays, lesbians, etc. There is really no need to divide ships up into further classes.

Back in the days of transatlantic travel, when taking a crossing was a necessity and not a vacation, there was certainly a need for different classes. Back then there were no cruise lines that catered to different market segments. The steamship companies catered to rich and poor alike, all on the same ship.

Times have changed.

Ernie

[ 09-25-2004: Message edited by: eroller ]

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Originally posted by desirod7:
[QB].

Cunard's class system has made the service of the Mauretania/Britannia levels less than acceptable.

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Originally posted by eroller:

If I'm in the market for a suite, I'm not going to do it on a mass-market ship.

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Would you book Queens Grill on QM2? How about one of the Duplex Apartments?

Just asking.

The problem with SilverSea or Seabourne for me is that the ships are too small. I'd (personally, if I could afford it) rather book Queens Grill accomodations on QM2 than sail SilverSea or Seabourne. Those lines would bore me to tears.

[ 09-25-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

Share with us your experience when you sail Cunard

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Originally posted by CGT:

I think passengers who sailed Third Class on the QM and QE and then ate in Britannia or Mauretania on QM2 or QE2 would beg to differ.

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quote:

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Ernie wrote:

It really doesn't bother me that suite passengers on mass-market ships receive special perks. I can understand why mass-market lines do this, as the passengers that book these suites probably think it's a great perk. It makes them feel special and that is what it's all about. They would probably never even consider a line like Silversea even though the price would probably be about the same. Being on a luxury line like Silversea may make the average cruiser who books a suite on a mass-market line uncomfortable. Booking the top suite on a mass-market line is no problem though.

Even though these perks don't bother me, I don't think it's necessary for individual ships to be segmented into different classes. The cruise industry is already segmented, with lines that cater exclusively to luxury, ultra-premium, premium, mass-market or contemporary, and budget markets. There are even several niche players that cater to seniors, gays, lesbians, etc. There is really no need to divide ships up into further classes.

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That is the way it should be.

[ 09-25-2004: Message edited by: desirod7 ]

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Originally posted by desirod7:
CGT,

Share with us your experience when you sail Cunard

That is the way it should be.

[ 09-25-2004: Message edited by: desirod7 ]

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Do you not think that passengers of the day who sailed Third Class on QM and QE wouldn not find Britannia and Mauretania on QM2 and QE2 far superior. Espeically on QM2. Third Class today on QM2 and QE2 is still like First Class compared to Third Class on the orignial QM and QE. That's all I'm saying.

[ 09-25-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

I do agree there. The lowest grade cabin on the QM2 would be Caronia grade on the QE2.

Passengers of the 1950's would not dream of the entertainment and amenities today's most basic cruise experience provides.

When I study the deck plans of pre Boeing 707 liners: the 3rd class has 6 berth closets with the toilet down the hall and you made an appointment for a bath. The deck space one was allowed was a sliver of promenade at the stern and 2 small spaces, one at the stern, other the bow.

I recall sailing Olympia 6 months before her 1970 refit. I was a kid, but 4 of us where in a 10 x 10 cabin on B deck with exposed plumbing, the bath down the hall and bare light bulbs. I do recall hearing in my upper bunk, the wake along the side of the ship.

I am beating a dead horse, but Cunard has improved by shuffling some key managers since last July when I sailed.

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Originally posted by CGT:

Do you not think that passengers of the day who sailed Third Class on QM and QE wouldn not find Britannia and Mauretania on QM2 and QE2 far superior. Espeically on QM2. Third Class today on QM2 and QE2 is still like First Class compared to Third Class on the orignial QM and QE. That's all I'm saying.

[ 09-25-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

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quote:

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Originally posted by CGT:

Would you book Queens Grill on QM2? How about one of the Duplex Apartments?

Just asking.

The problem with SilverSea or Seabourne for me is that the ships are too small. I'd (personally, if I could afford it) rather book Queens Grill accomodations on QM2 than sail SilverSea or Seabourne. Those lines would bore me to tears.

[ 09-25-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

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QM2 and QE2 are not considered mass-market ships .... so they don't count!! Actually, Cunard does market QM2 as a "luxury" ship, right down to the lowest grade inside cabin. I don't necessarily agree with that, but that's just me. I probably would never book Queen's Grill or Princess Grill on QM2 because I feel it's grossly overpriced for the product. Especially Princess Grill as those Junior Suites are not much bigger, they are decorated the same as a standard cabin, and are directly above the lifeboats. Some of the higher grade suites are undesirable as well. Those that are very forward or very aft have a giant wall with a black stripe running down it completely blocking the view to one direction. Poor planning. Now if I had unlimited funds it would be a different story, and I would consider one of the forward facing suites. I have no desire to sail on the duplexes which overlook the pool. I did get to tour one though, quite nice!

I was never bored on Silversea, not even once. The cruises on these smaller, luxury ships are very port intensive. I think we had only one sea day out of 12. The ports are fantastic and off the beaten path. Much to discover and little time to worry about getting bored. On the ship, I did everything I did on QM2. Work out, swim, drink at the bar, socialized, watch a show, gamble a little, take in the spa, see a movie, eat very well, etc. SILVER CLOUD and the rest of the Silversea fleet have everything the big guys have, just on a smaller and more intimate scale. Ok, they don't have the outdoor movie screen, planetarium, ice skating, or rock climbing ... but who really cares anyway? I thought you hated those gimmicks to begin with?

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Originally posted by eroller:

I think we had only one sea day out of 12.......I thought you hated those gimmicks to begin with?

Ernie

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Now see 1 sea day out of 12 is just HORRIBLE to me. Oh my God no, I need more sea days in between port days. I'd never do an itinerary like that! Too exhausting!

And yes, I DO hate rock climbing walls and ice skating rinks, and I DO hate the outdoor movie screen on CARIBBEAN PRINCESS. You won't catch me on RCI or the CARIBBEAN PRINCESS, you know that! I know they are adding them to the other Princess "Grand Class" ships, but then in that case I'd just ignore them and stay away from that area when the screen is in use. The Planetarium on QM2 *is* a gimmick BUT at least it's a subtle one housed within a proper Cinema, so QM2 get's away with it.

P.S. Just noticed today that the ARMONIA has a rock wall. NOOOOOOOOO!!!! GOD WHY? WHY? WHY? UGH!!!!

[ 09-25-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

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Originally posted by CGT:

Now see 1 sea day out of 12 is just HORRIBLE to me. Oh my God no, I need more sea days in between port days. I'd never do an itinerary like that! Too exhausting!

[ 09-25-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

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I can't figure you out! First you are too bored on Silversea, and now you are too exhausted.

BTW, they do have itineraries that are less port intensive. You always have the option of not getting off in a port as well. I do it all the time, especially in the Caribbean which I've been to a zillion times. My favorite time on the ship is when everyone else has scurried off to their excursions. Of course on Silversea it doesn't matter, since the ship is never, ever crowded to begin with and finding a wonderful chair by the pool at anytime of the day is never a problem. As much as I love QM2, there were times the ship felt crowded. In the King's Court, the lobby area, and by the pool where I could rarely get a chair where I wanted. Those are traits of a mass-market cruise.

I think QM2 works better as a transatlantic liner over a cruise ship. My cruise was to the Caribbean, and as nice as the QM2 decks are, they are not as good for sunbathing and swimming as ships purpose built for this market. Why Cunard is turning QM2 into a 7-day Caribbean cruise ship next year is beyond me. I think it's a terrible waste of resources and this amazing ship.

quote:

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Originally posted by CGT:
P.S. Just noticed today that the ARMONIA has a rock wall. NOOOOOOOOO!!!! GOD WHY? WHY? WHY? UGH!!!!

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quote:

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Originally posted by eroller:

I can't figure you out! First you are too bored on Silversea, and now you are too exhausted.

BTW, they do have itineraries that are less port intensive. You always have the option of not getting off in a port as well. I do it all the time, especially in the Caribbean which I've been to a zillion times. My favorite time on the ship is when everyone else has scurried off to their excursions. Of course on Silversea it doesn't matter, since the ship is never, ever crowded to begin with and finding a wonderful chair by the pool at anytime of the day is never a problem. As much as I love QM2, there were times the ship felt crowded. In the King's Court, the lobby area, and by the pool where I could rarely get a chair where I wanted. Those are traits of a mass-market cruise.

I think QM2 works better as a transatlantic liner over a cruise ship. My cruise was to the Caribbean, and as nice as the QM2 decks are, they are not as good for sunbathing and swimming as ships purpose built for this market. Why Cunard is turning QM2 into a 7-day Caribbean cruise ship next year is beyond me. I think it's a terrible waste of resources and this amazing ship.

Ernie

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Originally posted by PamM:

It was 'inherited' from Festival, but during our cruise it was roped off and not used at all. The area directly in front of it was sun deck space with loungers. I did not witness anyone whining about not being able to use, so don't know if it just wasn't in use as there were no suitably qualified staff to man it, or whether it will be removed [hopefully].

Pam

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