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quote:Originally posted by Ernst:1. The gross tonnage used for this ratio measures the whole volume of the ship. This makes no sens, as the ratio of the volume accesible to passengers is not the same on every ship; or better: Not all the volume is used for passengers. (One could argue that a bigger pantry is better for the passengers....)2. Even if you would use the volume used for passengers, it would not contain ANY information: Passengers can not access all space used for passengers (= other cabins!) -> for a ship with the same number of passengers and the the same volume used for passengers the one with the in the average bigger cabins uses less volume for public rooms - so in reality there would be less space for each passenger. (tough he has a bigger cabin...)3. The volume is not so dominant for how you percieve the size of a ship: If you increase the width of a ship only a bit - let`s say from 28 m to 30 m you add (about) 1/16 th of the inital volume, but I doubt that one would really feel the difference.So I stay with my statement that some of these numbers are completely meaningless for a passengers. (interesting the operator and his statistics, estimation of costs etc.)Ernst
2. Even if you would use the volume used for passengers, it would not contain ANY information: Passengers can not access all space used for passengers (= other cabins!) -> for a ship with the same number of passengers and the the same volume used for passengers the one with the in the average bigger cabins uses less volume for public rooms - so in reality there would be less space for each passenger. (tough he has a bigger cabin...)
3. The volume is not so dominant for how you percieve the size of a ship: If you increase the width of a ship only a bit - let`s say from 28 m to 30 m you add (about) 1/16 th of the inital volume, but I doubt that one would really feel the difference.
So I stay with my statement that some of these numbers are completely meaningless for a passengers. (interesting the operator and his statistics, estimation of costs etc.)
Ernst
Any thoughts?
[ 06-11-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]
Perhaps a more accurate reflection of space per passenger, or space ratio, would be to use the amount of floor space (surface deck space) available to passengers. When you buy a house, comparative sizes go by square footage, an accurate measure of useful space.
Rich
quote:Originally posted by Linerrich:I agree that the meaning of Space Ratio has changed in recent years--the huge, soaring atriums, show rooms and dining rooms contain loads of "empty space", big holes in the ship, that are counted as interior space used in tonnage.Perhaps a more accurate reflection of space per passenger, or space ratio, would be to use the amount of floor space (surface deck space) available to passengers. When you buy a house, comparative sizes go by square footage, an accurate measure of useful space.Rich
Floor space is a bit better, but even there you have the same problem.
These numbers are interesting for the industry (to estimate costs etc.) but finally not for the passenger. Other examples: Number (or ratio) of balcony or outside cabins or the average cabin size: This is interesting for e.g. the travel agent or the cruise line, as balcony cabins are easier to sell or bring more money. It is maybe intersting to me to know before I book that my chances are better to get a balcony as there are more cabins of this kind on a certain ship. But finally this is not relevant to a certain passenger. I usually occupy only one cabin during a cruise - so either I have a balcony or not - and if I have booked the smallest cabin aboard I will not be more satisfied to know that most cabins are larger.
I think how a ship is designed, in terms of its passenger flow, is an important factor. Long lines at the purser desk or buffet, may be caused by inefficient design or staff inefficiencies, and not just the ships physical design.
Deck space may not be so important if 80% of the cabins have verandas, for example
quote:Originally posted by Ocean Liners:Any thoughts?
But if you don't misuse the numbers, they can be useful. They're not much good for fine comparisons between numbers that are close together, but a ship with a PSR of 80 is very likely to be a better experience than a ship with a PSR of, say, 30.
quote:Originally posted by Globaliser:...but a ship with a PSR of 80 is very likely to be a better experience than a ship with a PSR of, say, 30.
Yes.
It does not help that the PSR is based on normal occupancy. If the ship that you are cruising on sells every berth (maximum occupancy), it's going to feel a lot more crowded.
And as a rough guide, space ratios are fine particularly if you also look at the square footage of cabins. For instance, QM2 has an extremely good ratio and spacious cabins. Whereas Sovereign of the Seas has a lower ratio and smaller cabins ( thus telling you that the concentration on her is for larger public spaces and smaller accommodations).
quote:Originally posted by mec1:Berlitz quotes both double occupancy and full occupancy ratios.And as a rough guide, space ratios are fine particularly if you also look at the square footage of cabins. For instance, QM2 has an extremely good ratio and spacious cabins. Whereas Sovereign of the Seas has a lower ratio and smaller cabins ( thus telling you that the concentration on her is for larger public spaces and smaller accommodations).
[ 06-16-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]
quote:Originally posted by Ocean Liners:What Space Ratio makes a Four Star ship or a Five Star ship?
There is not a direct connection between 'star ratings' and space ratios's, although you would expect high star ships to have bigger ratio's.
Star rating in themselves are a matter of opinion.
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:There is not a direct connection between 'star ratings' and space ratios's, although you would expect high star ships to have bigger ratio's.Star rating in themselves are a matter of opinion.
Star ratings includes Ships(Hardware), Software(Decor, Service, etc), Dining and General but if you count the score independently.
Star ratings do not even share common ground, depending upon whom you talk to. Time was, that 4 stars was the top. Then that was expanded to 5 stars. I remember a few years ago when Silver Sea was touting themselves as a 6-star cruise line.
There is just no common basis for reference on this, since every guide has their own rating system.
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