2009 CruiseCrazies ® Group Cruise

deb1220 · May 10, 2009

We're not giving up on cruising either....just taking a little break (after my cruise :tongue: ) for financial reasons. We enjoy land vacations and camping so we're not going to do without. I still think you get alot of bang for your buck on a cruise. What kills us is the airfare. I wish the cruise ships would sail out of Lake Huron :wink2: :wacko:

rogue · May 10, 2009

I guess that the closest thing that we've found to cruising, is Vegas, but I don't want to go there every year. We've done all-inclusives, and they are a poor substitute for cruising. The food is no better. The drinks are "free" (yeah, right), but the next time they actually put some alcohol in them may be a first. If you don't drink, and you're not a beach person, then what do you have. If I'm going to do the beach, I'd rather go to the Jersey shore.

JoeyandDavid · May 10, 2009

A bad day of cruising is still better than the best day at work!

I'm retired!

OK, so what would you do for a vacation if you give up cruising?

after i finished crying.........

cruisetarp · May 10, 2009

Cruising is definately not what it was 10 years ago and each cruise seems to see more cut-backs in services and food but so far it still beats any other vacation we have been on and I think the prices would have to go sky high and service much worse before we stopped cruising.

elfed · May 10, 2009

A loaded question that if ever I read one!! Probably we would choose a bed and breakfast type holiday in one of the many places we haven't seen in Canada to start with. Or a farm holiday. We both like animals. I read with interest some of the opinions of All Inclusives. They make sense in one way. However, any holiday is what you make it-including cruising. I feel very strongly that we will see vast changes in the cruising industry over the next 5 years. Some for the better most for the worst from a passenger point of view. Royal Caribbean will be the major culprit. They are saturating the seas and islands with their mega and ultra mega ships. Not to mention their nickel and diming. What is it? $14.95 for a steak in their main dining rooms! No chocolates at night and room service charges after a certain time of night. I fear this is only the start of things to come from ALL cruise lines.

Regards,

James.

cruisetarp · May 10, 2009

I do agree with you James that RC seems to be leading the pact with downgrades and extra charges. Taking benefits away from their royal customers was the last straw that has pushed many "loyal to royal" cruisers to try other lines and since these will be new lines for most of us the downgrades will be less obvious. I have seen the trend over the years and the changes were very small at first but now seem to be escalating. I really think it is a case of seeing how much they can cut back before people really start yelling and get them where it hurts the most - the pocket.

sailingrose · May 10, 2009

I agree about changing cruise lines Marylou. I saw the handwriting on the wall a couple of years ago with RCI and that's why we started to cruise on Princess again. RCI is shooting themself with Oasis.........Freedom was too big to start with for me and Oasis........Nuts! JMHO Who said bigger is better????

cruisetarp · May 10, 2009

I agree with you completely Rose - I think they went way over their heads with Freedom class and as for Oasis - they can keep it. Way way way too big for me and if I want to visit Central Park it is only 1 1/2 hours away from us.

Are you happy with Princess? I am currently waiting for the fall 2010 itinerary to come out to see if I can B2B with a 5 day Radiance cruise I want to take out of Tampa (and only because I still have 1 future cruise deposit to use)

JoeyandDavid · May 10, 2009

Who said bigger is better????

the cruise line that orders it! :thumbdown:

elfed · May 10, 2009

MaryLou,

Donna and I came off the Emerald Princess in March after a 10 day cruise to the Caribbean. I think after we returned I posted a brief thought or two about it. We didn't have too many complaints really. Watered down drinks and their cost plus the lounge entertainment was rather ordinary were a couple of things. Also dining room service was very slow at times. The ship seemed to shut down for the night before midnight!! But service was O.K. and the ship was spotless except the 9 hole mini golf course which was tattered and beat up. I think at the time I mentioned that the level of quality had deteriorated from our 1st Princess cruise which we took 2and a half years ago.

Regards,

James.