Maybe the many complaints are due to the fact that ships sometimes have refits a long time after they are due. Passengers probably expect higher standards than they might in a land based hotel, too.

I was onboard ‘Explorer of the Seas’ pre-refit and my cabin carpet was filthy (some brown and yellow stains) and the bed had a dip where you could see the outline of every past passenger – yuk.

The great Ocean Liners of old generally did not even have carpet in corridors, public rooms or cabins.

[ 02-08-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
The great Ocean Liners of old generally did not even have carpet in corridors, public rooms or cabins.

[ 02-08-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rex:
Didn't the RMS Titanic have a carpeted 1st class dining room??

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
Rugs when used were made of long lasting and easier to clean wool compared to the inexpensive synthetics used today.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Magic Pipe:

You would probably be surprised at how much shipboard carpet costs compared to the carpeting found in buildings ashore.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by 6263866:
...on mass-market lines the wear is more apparent than on premuim lines.

---

I've read threads (on another board) where Galaxy & Mercury have been condemned because of their 'sub-standard condition'. 'Not fit for for use'; 'rust-bucket'; 'old & worn-out'; were among the comments made. I was on Galaxy last June and she did look a bit worn in one or two places, but everything was clean, everything worked (that I could see) and the service, etc, was wonderful. We had a great time.

More recently I've read threads complaining bitterly because the pool deck on Galaxy was partly out of use for a few days on a recent cruise because it was being repaired. The suggestion was that a dry-dock should have been arranged to to do these 'essential repairs'!

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tom Burke:
No, I think the root cause of the complaints is that most passengers aren't used to being on ships that aren't brand spanking new.

---

Good point Tom, especially in terms of American ships.

However here in the UK there is a large following for the ships of Olsen, Saga, Thomson and smaller lines like 'Classic International' and 'Travelscope' who all operate older ships.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tom Burke:

No, I think the root cause of the complaints is that most passengers aren't used to being on ships that aren't brand spanking new.

---

I think you hit the nail on the head. There have been so many new ships introduced in the past 10 years that new ships have become the norm rather than the exception. Cruise lines face various obstacles when trying to promote the older ships as the same brand experience as the new ones. Royal Caribbean is probably the best when it comes to revitalizing older ships, but even so many passengers still prefer brand new hardware.

I overheard more than one passenger on CENTURY state that although they felt the ship was beautiful, the still preferred the larger "new" ships. Personally, the CENTURY felt brand new to me and her size was just about perfect.

I have noticed that a lot of ships are using wood laminates (are they the same thing as veneer?), which, while lighter and cheaper, is more prone to wear and tear.

Why does shipboard carpet cost more?

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rex:
Someone mentioned here that inferior materials are being used nowadays, like synthetic carpeting?

I have noticed that a lot of ships are using wood laminates (are they the same thing as veneer?), which, while lighter and cheaper, is more prone to wear and tear.

Why does shipboard carpet cost more?

How much wood on the QM2 is real and how much of it is fake? I've read where some say the Brittania Restaurant is starting to look beat up - can anyone confirm or deny this???

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rex:
Why does shipboard carpet cost more?

---

I’m no carpet expert, but cruise ships and other busy public buildings need very hard wearing/stain proof carpets. How long would the carpets in your home last if 3000 feet walked on them almost every day of the year? They are bound to cost a lot more than domestic carpets.

The patterns are often specifically designed for the particular cruise line or ever a particular ship. The QM2 has some rather unique almost ‘leopard print’ looking carpets in various colours on the various colour coded landings. NCL's carpets onboard their newbuilds are simply mind blowing! (I think Pam has some nice carpet images).

Imagine the astronomical replacement cost of all the carpets on a mega ship. After all there will be 14 or so decks, some massive public rooms and at least a 1000 cabins. That’s a lot of square footage. It must cost millions of dollars?

quote:

---

Originally posted by nathan:

QM2 is in great shape. I didn't really see any wear and tear in January. The only thing I noticed was the railings on our balcony were in bad need of some attention. Other than that, carpets, furniture and faux wood looked brand new.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by viking109:
Up close QM2's hull has more ripples or sunken plates than the 40 year old QE2. Apparently computer aided design allows for thinner plates.

---

I read that QM2 had plates as thick as QE2. When she was being built, that was one of the reasons she cost more to build are her 1" thick 'North Atlantic' plates as opposed to the 1/2" used on a cruise ship. Could be the added curves on QE2s hulls help conceal any ripples or 'sunken' plates.