We often get very different opinions about the same ship, even the same cruise. I wonder how much difference your status, and who you are, makes to the experience provided on a mass market ship.

For example:

Does it really improve your experience if you are a member of the loyalty programme?

If you purchase top suite, do you get better food and service in the bar and the main dining room?

If you are a media type or minor celebrity like Joe Koshuta, do you get treated better?

[ 06-20-2006: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

You do not need to be Einstein to realise that the vouchers are designed to encourage you to spend money on things you did not want, yet make you think you are saving money.

Great food, great service and low prices are the most likely to win my loyalty.

[ 06-19-2006: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Instead one gets a reduction on further onboard spend and 'fanny packs' - doesn't really float my boat I'm afraid.

At least airlines give you lounge access, priority baggage, waitlisting and upgrades. And earning status with them is an awful lot cheaper than with cruise lines.

[ 06-19-2006: Message edited by: Matts ]

I actually left them in a bar onboard the ship. I was so distraught I rushed back (well 24 hours later) and asked if they had found them. Believe it or not, they phoned security and a guard delivered the actual 'lost' ones back to my cabin!

Still, imagine what would happen if they fell into the wrong hands, such as a first time passenger. They might go straight to Johnny Rockets and get a free milk shake then book a Spa session for $300 and save $30. It just does not bear thinking about.

They are so life changing, people even trade them on E-Bay

P.S. Its says on my RCI .I.D. card 'Gold Member'.

I though they were advertising the Austin Powers movie of the same name.

[ 06-19-2006: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Crown & Anchor and Captain's Club (RCI and Celebrity): Doesn't really make a lot of difference to me apart from an extra bowl of flowers, some vouchers I never use, and the occasional fluffy bathrobe -- I always chuckle when, looking up at the ship, you see people standing on their balconies in them. Or worse, when the occasional poseur walks to the pool wearing one! Main benefit is getting the brochures, newsletters and other bumph through the post before everyone else. Concierge Class on Celebrity is good for queue-jumping into the premium restaurants.

Top suite: It's a matter of perception. I've always found the cabin stewards' service is the same high standard whatever deck or cabin I'm in. If I'm in a small one, no matter how diligent the steward, I always leave them an impossible task of tidying everything away. In a good year when I can afford a bigger cabin there are more places to put things away, which means the room looks tidier. The restaurants and bars don't know what cabin you're from so it makes no difference - occasionally on smaller ships they'll notice the cabin number and say "Mmm, very nice cabin Mr Steve" but that's all.

Journalists: I'll be in trouble for revealing our secrets... ah well, here goes...

When we're on there working, we're usually in an organised press pack, a small gang of us onboard for a three or four day sector. Or - as in the Century last week - a few dozen of us, alongside a shipful of travel agents and trade.

And yes, we do get special treatment. Not necessarily posh cabins (although it's unlikely that we'll be put on Deck 2 fwd over the thrusters!) but we'll usually have a meal in each of the premium restaurants and often be given bridge and galley tours. Cabin stewards and bar staff are no different, but the restaurant staff are sometimes a little more attentive than normal -- we usually have a badged PR "minder" from the cruise line with us which is a bit of a clue. And we'll be given an escorted tour of every public space to make sure we've seen everything.

You could argue that we're not going to write a warts-and-all critical review because we've been wined, fed, bought and paid for. That's not the case, and here's why... The cruise line has no "copy approval" on what we write. If they did, or if we said "everything's fantastic" when it obviously is not, we would be exposed as frauds the next time a reader went on the ship. And there goes our reputation. I don't mean we're going to nit-pick (eg "the coffee's awful") but we won't heap undue praise either. We look at the product, the price and the target audience -- and write it up accordingly. We'll compare, say, Thomson Spirit with Legend Of The Seas and Queen Mary 2, and point out the differences -- but that doesn't mean we'll rubbish any of them without just cause.

I saw Rod Stewart and his wife boarding the QM2 followed by two bell boys (in traditional red uniforms) carrying their hand luggage and the Social Hostess in tow.

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Originally posted by sread:
You weren't wearing your thigh-hugging leopard-skin trousers, Malcolm.

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I'm pretty sure I was!

Click Here - to see Rod and his Wife (with child) August 2005.

[ 06-19-2006: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by sread:
. . . the occasional fluffy bathrobe -- I always chuckle when, looking up at the ship, you see people standing on their balconies in them.

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Straight out of the shower - and once the sun's over the yard-arm, mind you - I'm not going to waste time dressing before getting a G & T down my neck. So you can have a chuckle at me, Steve. The alternative would be no laughing matter.

But you're right about the poolside poseurs.

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Journalists: I'll be in trouble for revealing our secrets... ah well, here goes...

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Secrets? We have no secrets.

Or maybe we do. What about that night in the bar on the . . .

oops, my Powerbook just crashed.

[ 06-19-2006: Message edited by: greybeard ]

[ 06-19-2006: Message edited by: sread ]

[ 06-19-2006: Message edited by: greybeard ]

We were in 9001, it was a sea day, but the sun was shining on the wrong side of the ship and She Who Must Be Obeyed wanted to fry. She left the cabin ... a few minutes later I saw her being led along the prom deck by our white-suited butler carrying a brand new sunbed. He found her a place, fetched her a drink and stayed close all afternoon.

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Originally posted by sread:
...but the sun was shining on the wrong side of the ship and She Who Must Be Obeyed wanted to fry.

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What the Captain did not turn the ship around for her?

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Originally posted by Malcolm
What's all this code between you and Greybeard?

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Wheras I find the rebate given to loyal passengers a good reason to be a 'repeater' I am always surprised to see how important the free glass of champain is for some people giving the fact that they (per definition repeatedly) have paid much, much, much more money for the actual cruise.

But it is not always necessary to be a 'repeater' to get some extras. The best 'extra treatment' I got was actally on two ships where I have been first timer. (...beside other things they actually turned the ship 'for me' (not to get more sun tough ).....you know, anything is possible when crazy people with the same passion meet ....)

[ 06-19-2006: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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Originally posted by sread:
I was on the bridge as Capt John Brocklehurst parked Island Star at Nice with only about 20 feet at either end of the ship, and it was a highlight of the trip.

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Now that is a Privilege us mortals will probably never experience.

[ 06-20-2006: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Now that is a privilage us mortals will probably never experience.

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