quote:

---

On this cruise, the ship was undersold still several weeks before the sailing. So, apparently, Celebrity ran ads in the New York Times and Miami Herald offering extremely discounted fares! This attracted some of the rudest and obnoxious passengers who normally would not pay the extra $150 to be on a classy ship.

For some of us who had booked our cruise months in advance, expecting to be sharing the cruise with a more refined clientele, Celebrity's deep discounting of their cabins cheapened our cruise experience. However, I appreciate the fact that Celebrity had automatically upgraded us to compensate for the discounting. (Our cabin would have cost an additional $400.) The best thing was that Celebrity seated us at a table with six other fellow passengers who had paid the higher fares; thus, we had at our table very warm, friendly, educated and broad minded young retired couples who are now new friends (in fact we email each other regularly!).

If it weren't for them (and the group we made friends with at the martini-bar) then the cruise would have been a let down! From our past cruise experiences, table mates can make all the difference on how well you enjoy a cruise...

---

Click here for the complete review.

I think that we are on dangerous ground here suggesting that people that pay low fares will necessarily have bad manners and poor behaviour.

Although I'm sure it is possible and does happen, people booked in Penthouse suites, paying the full price, can be ignorant and act like pigs!

We are still not seeing too much in the way of 'Deep Discounts' here in the U.K.

Perhaps it is time for operators to include a "Code of expected behavour" when sending out the tickets. I know that these people are of the type that that will think it does not apply to them but something will need to done for operators to retain the good will
of the regulars. I do feel for those who have had their cruise disrupted by the loutish behavior of others,there probably isnt the avenues of escape from them as there
is on a land based holiday.

They offer 135 Ships Worldwide.

This is an Gigantic Cruise Program.

Some of the offers are very good.

In Winter Program 2001/2002 they had offered 83 Ships, with some very good Prices.

Look for this Brochure. Often they have in internet or on Request in your Private e-mail special offers out of there Programme,
at the Moment for Example for Euro 999
an 12-day Cruise including flights from Amsterdam with the "Melody" in the Caribbean.

I booked my next Cruise starting March 13 from Amsterdam with KLM to Benoa/Bali and then go on the ASTOR to Bombay for only
Euro 2194. The regular Price in Germany for the cheapest inside-guarantee Cabin is Euro 4500, including flight to Bali with Cathay Pacific and back from Dubai with Emirates to Frankfurt.

O.K.: This is 4 days more, 2 on Sea, an half in Muscat/Oman and one Night in Hotel in Dubai.

But the Price is more than double!!!

If you want, i will have an look on Special offers for an Norwegian/Spitzbergen Cruise, you are interested in an other Topic.

Last Year, there was one by AW Kreuzfahrten for only DM 1290,-- for 14 days, from Kiel to Spitzbergen with the FLAMENCO.

This is British Pound 450.

Actually, that was a quote from a reader review. I was just posting it to show a different perspective on the the current deep-discounting trend...

Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident (cruise). I experienced the same on my 12/15 Century cruise. My agent reported the same on his Golden Princess cruise the same week.

I agree if one pays for a 4 or 5* holiday and what goes with it, one doesn't expect to have it turned into a 2* resort just because there were free rooms to fill.

Likewise one shouldn't expect a 5* hotel if one has only paid for the equivalent of a 2* motel.

This is not a new phenomenon in the UK, at least.
For years different holiday companies have been selling identical 'package holidays' (hotels and flights) at different prices. It has been possible to be on the same flight and stay in the same hotel, but pay twice as much as someone else who booked with a different travel company.

Although this is hardly fair, we are well aware that it happens with all consumer goods. It's a free market (so they say) that's why we shop around!

The review opens up a whole Sociological argument about class and wealth. As I've already said, we can't generalise that people who pay full fare necessarily are more 'refined clientele' than those who book highly discounted fares. I do not agree that there are 5 star passengers and 2 star passengers, simply based on the size of the fare paid. Life is just not that simple!

It is interesting that the person writing the article suggests that "..the rudest and obnoxious passengers who normally would not pay the extra $150 to be on a classy ship". Ok lets accept that there is a divide, between those who are refined and those who are not, determined by the fare paid. However, can $150 really be all that separates the classes in the USA?

I'm well aware that a group of people could spoil another groups holiday. However, once again this need not be related to the fare paid! For example, a group of wealthy passengers might decide to have a food fight in the dinning room. For your reference, in Britain, if it was the 'Working Class' they are called thugs or vandals. If they are wealthy, it called 'high-jinx' or 'high-spirits'!

There are many factors, other than wealth, why differnt groups might have cultural clashes onboard a ship. Politics, background, and race are just a few examples.

I might cruise on the QE2 if I see a deal, as I'm unlikely to be able to afford the full fare. Will I be spoiling the holiday of those that have paid through the nose, I think not! Unless they are overcome with envy at being 'ripped-off'?

I have a simple solution: Cruise from Britain, nothing is ever 'deeply discounted'!

[ 01-08-2002: Message edited by: Malcolm ]

Enjoy it to get an better Price. I booked in the Netherlands at Cruisetravel.nl.

This is my Advantage, and the Dutch work as good as an German Agent!

KLM for Flights is equivalent to Lufthansa and it is possible to get for an very small amount the Transfer Flight from Stuttgart to Amsterdam.

So, i need not to start in Frankfurt for high Prices!

On the Ship, ASTOR, everything is equal, for those who payed full and for those who saved Money!!

Better do an Second Cruise this year for the same Money than to throw the Euros out of the Window...

CNCSERVO

[ 01-07-2002: Message edited by: cncservo ]

I wear, what i want, and this is very sloppy...

I am the Founder of an new Movement:

quote:

---

Originally posted by desirod6:

If we have learned anything from Carnival Corporation. No one cruise line can be all things to all people.
Like most things in life!

The different brands each offering a tailored experience for their following is what made them what they are.
I am seriously considering the Universe Explorer for my next cruise. From what I have read it is the Un-Carnival-Un-Regal Empress experience.
I do not need much glitz or ultra-luxry service to enjoy myself. Do not gamble and enjoy the intellectual stimulation and non-pretention of the like minded passengers she draws. Her itineraries and activities sound interesting
Go for it - sounds as if it might be a great experience

Pete Party Animal would most likely hate and be bored by the formal old money Holland America-Royal Olympia cruise format.
No doubt there is 'old money' on HAL cruises and any other line for that matter. We've sailed HAL many times and have never inherited a nickle from anyone - we're paying with what we've worked hard for.

Millicent Main Line Matron would be totally bent out of shape by having to hang out with the guzzle and puke crowd of Regal or Carnival.
Never mind Millie Main Line, most self-respecting travellers would also be put off by this type of behaviour

The old Sea-Breeze and defunct Premier, I recall from this board and sailing on her has VERY love/hate reviews.

I think it is important to read the daily activity sheets of any given ship ahead of time and carefully research to see if the ship's style matches with yours.
Excellent advice! Unfortunately many people seem to book and don't even glance at a brochure never mind doing any research.

Again some people have Anhedonia-the psychological syndrome of the inability to enjoy anything.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by PamM:
...........I agree if one pays for a 4 or 5* holiday and what goes with it, one doesn't expect to have it turned into a 2* resort just because there were free rooms to fill.

Likewise one shouldn't expect a 5* hotel if one has only paid for the equivalent of a 2* motel.

Pam

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Green:
...but short of returning to the 'olde style' of Cabin (1st),Tourist and Steerage classes, I don't see how it could be effected.

---

An emotive topic!

The QE2 of course assigns cabins grades to various dining rooms. I've not cruised on the QE2, so I've no idea if this segregation really works?