Cruise Talk: Silly inovations

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Topic: Silly inovations

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 06-23-2008 11:27 AM

As bigger ships are coming online what are some of the silly inovations that you think most cruisers will never use?
Here's mine to start:
Boxing ring
Flow Rider

Frosty 4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 06-23-2008 11:54 AM

That's a tough one as people on vacation often do things they'd never do at home. Look at how many out-of-shape people you see jogging while on holiday!

I think the flow rider is an example of something you would rarely do at home but may try it while on a cruise. The boxing ring is a little odd but is a good form of exercise. Rock climbing walls were popular 5-10 years ago but like racketball courts (super popular 20-25 years ago) are no longer 'in'.

All these diversions of course bring in money and keep a few passengers occupied plus they are great marketing tools.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 06-23-2008 12:21 PM

quote:
Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:

All these diversions of course bring in money and keep a few passengers occupied plus they are great marketing tools.

Many will not take cruises on the fear of feeling trapped on a ship or being bored.

10 days crossing the Windsurf/star with no activities requires a special type of passenger.
My brother for example who crossed on the Windsurf got through a 4" pile of reading, and got other things done where at home is too many distractions.

He and that type of person is not typical.

IMO the Oasis, Voyager type of ship can keep one entertained better than most towns. I experienced Queen Mary 2 having more to do in one night than the entire town of Narberth, PA. Not everyone is into the 'high culture' format of Cunard and want to let loose, raise the libido, or as they say about Vegas "let good people be bad for a few days'

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 06-23-2008 01:14 PM

Carnival is going back to the future w/a recent press release describing the 'unique' 1/2 mile promenade on their upcoming mega ship. Their spacious promenade is perfect for strolling or simply relaxing while seated on one of the many deckchairs watching the sea go by. Sounds like QM2.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

greybeard
First Class Passenger
Member # 5284

posted 06-23-2008 01:20 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Frosty 4:
As bigger ships are coming online what are some of the silly inovations that you think most cruisers will never use?

Frosty 4

Lifeboats?

[ 06-23-2008: Message edited by: greybeard ]

Posts: 587 | From: London | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 06-23-2008 02:13 PM

I wouldn't say lifeboats. Passengers are getting more and more complacent with all of the 'distractions' being added to ships these days. When it does happen, people will panic and more will die in a panic. I've seen too many passengers on past cruises not take drills seriously. They're told not to bring drinks, they do. They're told to pay attention to direction, most don't because they're talking.

Posts: 2554 | From: Florida, USA, Where the Legend SS NORWAY sailed from. Moving back to FL next yr. | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-23-2008 05:11 PM

quote:
Originally posted by greybeard:
Lifeboats?

Yes, a ship as big as Oasis will be virtually unsinkable.

I tend to think tall atrium's are a bit of waste of space just to gain a 'wow'.

[ 06-23-2008: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Globaliser
First Class Passenger
Member # 4153

posted 06-23-2008 06:47 PM

quote:
Originally posted by DAMBROSI:
I've seen too many passengers on past cruises not take drills seriously. They're told not to bring drinks, they do. They're told to pay attention to direction, most don't because they're talking.

And the ships themselves really help: They say that all ship services will cease, but then send the photographers out to take silly photos of everyone in their lifejackets so that they can sell them afterwards.

But maybe the photographers are already written into any accident plan. They have no roles to play in an emergency because they are already allocated to the task of documenting the ship sinking/burning to the waterline/capsizing.

Posts: 1869 | From: UK | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 06-23-2008 06:53 PM

I agree, Malcolm. Those very tall atriums are a waste of good space. Also, those ice skating rinks are probably under used. I also favor all ships that have a forward facing lounge which overlooks the bow. Too many have used this space for cabins....nice for the few which have the cabins though....but a lounge is a spot one would like to stay for a while and watch the sea. How many simply stay in the cabin and watch the sea? [I'm not speaking of balconied cabins, but forward facing ones]

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 06-23-2008 06:58 PM

Lifeboats also serve as tenders on many cruise lines. I would imagine they will be used on the Genesis class ships with all the passengers going ashore and the ship too big to dock.
Frosty 4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

goodclicks
First Class Passenger
Member # 6216

posted 06-24-2008 12:02 PM

Glass blowing furnaces... I can honestly say that on my previous cruises i've never thought that i need a glass blowing furnace to improve it.

Posts: 70 | From: Scotland | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

Jack McCoy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5709

posted 06-24-2008 12:50 PM

A recent RCCL cruise on the Voyage ot S brought up a number of silly innovations:
Ice skating rinks are just silly. Being from Minnesota, the last thing I'm going to do on a Caribbean cruise is lace up some skates.
The Rollerblade track is a nice idea, but way too small.
The minigolf course was way too windy and a huge area used for a what is a rather silly sport to begin with. Complete gimmick.
But the rock climbing wall was fun, and I'd try the Flowrider next time around.
On the Zuiderdam, I noticed very, very small hot tubs. I hope its not a trend. I don't like it.

Posts: 38 | From: Minnesota | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged

mec1
First Class Passenger
Member # 4287

posted 06-24-2008 02:16 PM

Doesn't Mr McCoy's post sum up the RCI design philosophy? That some people will like some of the innovations and that they are all newsworthy. Malcolm's observation I found rather bizarre, in that most people here adore the profligate use of space on Normandie or Queen Mary but he decries it now. I LOVE the wow fatocr of Voyager and Independence of the Seas and the sense of grandeur contributed enormously to my cruises.... One of the reasons that I prefer these ships to QM2.

Posts: 1675 | From: London, England | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged

LeBarryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 5308

posted 06-24-2008 03:48 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Frosty 4:
As bigger ships are coming online what are some of the silly inovations that you think most cruisers will never use?
Here's mine to start:
Boxing ring
Flow Rider

Someone else said the Ice Rink on Voyager / Freedom-class. Actually, the Flowrider & Ice Rink get enormous-levels of use during a cruise.

Listen as I interview the Manager of Studio B on Liberty of the Seas he talks about how often the ice rink gets used (A Lot)

On this show I talk with the Deck Manager who runs the Flow Rider and he explains how much use the Flow Rider gets...not only those who actually "use" the device, but people LOVE to WATCH as others try the Flow Rider.

The boxing ring gets some use, but there is so much space on Freedom-class ships that the little boxing ring doesn't take up a significant-level of useable space. Boxing is a great cardio workout however, a great way for Royal Caribbean to offer yet another feature, many wouldn't use or see shoreside at their hometown gym.

Posts: 1955 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 06-24-2008 06:09 PM

I don't ice skate, rock climb, surf, etc., but I wouldn't call any of these innovations silly.

Some passengers do use them. Even I enjoyed the ice show on VOYAGER OF THE SEAS, and lots of passengers skated.

Nobody has mentioned the planetarium on QM2 but I enjoyed that, too.

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-24-2008 07:32 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mec1:
Malcolm's observation I found rather bizarre, in that most people here adore the profligate use of space on Normandie or Queen Mary but he decries it now.

Yes I'm a multitude of contradictions! Half of me likes the big spaces such as tall atrium's from a visual point of view, but the fact that they are a vertical space and I can't fly, I still feel they represent 'lost' space. NCL must agree as there's have shrunk.

Mec1, I once recall the the QM2 was your favourites ship?

[ 06-25-2008: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

viking109
First Class Passenger
Member # 6280

posted 06-25-2008 09:33 AM

Paying extra for nearly everything?

Posts: 499 | From: southampton | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

Cambodge
First Class Passenger
Member # 906

posted 06-25-2008 06:11 PM

Quoth Malcom:

"Yes, a ship as big as Oasis will be virtually unsinkable.

It seems to me I heard that line before.

Posts: 2149 | From: St. Michaels MD USA , the town that fooled the British! | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

KansasK
First Class Passenger
Member # 1758

posted 07-20-2008 04:38 PM

On the Freedom of the Seas, the Flowrider was enormously popular and always had a line of kids and adults waiting to try it or try it again. If everyone wanted to surf the Flowrider, hardly anyone would get a chance to try it, but it is well used by all who want to try it. It does not sit idle unless the ship is not running it at that time.

I know on the Navigator and the Adventure of the Seas, Studio B, the ice skating rink, was used for Karaoke and other gatherings in the evening when the ice skating show was not happening. It was open for ice skating during the day and I know I only tried skating only one time. I did not go to skate on my recent cruise on the Adventure.

The rock climbing wall was also popular on the above ships. My husband waited in line for a chance to climb the wall. If the cruise population is mostly people not interested, maybe the Flowrider and the Rock Climbing wall would sit idle. I was on Carbbean cruises in the spring and summer and there were kids on board and apparantly, kids of all ages on board when it came to these activities, because my husband and I are not young.

Whether you want the Flowrider, ice skating rink or a Rock Climbing wall on a cruise ship is a separate discussion from whether these activities are used.

Posts: 126 | From: Overland Park, Kansas USA | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

reeves35
First Class Passenger
Member # 6021

posted 07-20-2008 09:21 PM

I think the carousel on Oasis may rank way up there. I know RCCL are creative but seriously was there really any demand for this?...but then again what would I know? I thought scrapbooking was daft!!!

Brad

Posts: 343 | From: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: Oct 2005 | IP: Logged

Maasdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 3858

posted 07-21-2008 05:22 AM

quote:
Originally posted by reeves35:
I think the carousel on Oasis may rank way up there. I know RCCL are creative but seriously was there really any demand for this?...but then again what would I know? I thought scrapbooking was daft!!!
Brad

The carousel is not new on the old Atlantic liners i have seen small versions in the children's play area. Only the one on Oasis is life size.... After seeing the CCL/Fincantiere Pinnacle video i thought the Monorail was silly..... But rock climbing walls ice rings etc. man I'm on a cruise.....

Greetings Ben.

Posts: 4695 | From: Rotterdam home of the tss. Rotterdam. | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-21-2008 07:24 AM

quote:
Originally posted by reeves35:
I know RCCL are creative but seriously was there really any demand for this..

I bet there will be lines to ride on it!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Rex
First Class Passenger
Member # 1113

posted 07-29-2008 09:40 AM

Genesis of the Seas' interior balconies - WTF?[

[ 08-06-2008: Message edited by: Rex ]

Posts: 1413 | From: Philadelphia PA, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

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