Amusement Park Or Cruise Ship

[scalise12]

With all these new cruise ships being built and completing for our dollar, Due you feel the cruise Industry and leaning toward a Amusement Park Atmosphere on their Ships and some what forgetting what cruising really about?

Let's hear what you Think...

[Sarge6870]

For me, I think that most of the cruise lines have began to become more "Family Friendly" as opposed to "Amusement Park" when it comes to their ships. You have to think back to when cruising began. It was mostly for the elite, adult crowd. Then, cruise lines began to see how moms and dads with kids take vacations with them but the amenities onboard were lacking when it came to kids activities. It just seems to me that the lines began to adapt to the needs of their prospective passengers and began to design their ships with a more family friendly approach. In short, the cruise lines selling method became "If you build it, they will come".

[DebbieandJerry]

I think the entire travel industry is trying to lure the family back to family-style vacation. With all of the negative publicity that cruising has been getting, I guess you have to have a marketing tool.

I am seeing the Amusement Park trend, and have been seeing this on some of the ships for quite awhile. Then there's the "SERENITY" area for adults that a lot of ships are also advertising.

I guess you have to be creative to get the average family to cruise.

[jacketwatch]

For me, I think that most of the cruise lines have began to become more "Family Friendly" as opposed to "Amusement Park" when it comes to their ships. You have to think back to when cruising began. It was mostly for the elite, adult crowd. Then, cruise lines began to see how moms and dads with kids take vacations with them but the amenities onboard were lacking when it came to kids activities. It just seems to me that the lines began to adapt to the needs of their prospective passengers and began to design their ships with a more family friendly approach. In short, the cruise lines selling method became "If you build it, they will come".

Sa

For me, I think that most of the cruise lines have began to become more "Family Friendly" as opposed to "Amusement Park" when it comes to their ships. You have to think back to when cruising began. It was mostly for the elite, adult crowd. Then, cruise lines began to see how moms and dads with kids take vacations with them but the amenities onboard were lacking when it came to kids activities. It just seems to me that the lines began to adapt to the needs of their prospective passengers and began to design their ships with a more family friendly approach. In short, the cruise lines selling method became "If you build it, they will come".

Same with Vegas. I agree.

[jacketwatch]

Scalise what is your opinion of what cruising is all about? For us it's a lot inc. the ambiance, being well treated on board, good meals, friendly if not pampering service and the chance to see many places in a short period of time.

What is your ideal model for cruising?

[Shari2]

While the "amusement park" type ships are great for families...we usually like to have a more adult type cruise...good entertainment, good service, good food, and ports...we don't need the wall climbs and mini golfs, etc. I do think it's great if that's what you want in a cruise, and if you have children along it will be great to give them more to do. We don't get to cruise too often, so we like to have a little more pampering. We usually go for the newer ships, and Celebrity is our favorite line. We have gone on Carnival the last time, and have one on Carnival booked for this Fall, but that is the choice of friends that we will meet up with. We did have a fun time on our last Carnival Liberty cruise so this time we will be on the Carnival Breeze. We did enjoy the different things to do on the "Liberty" and had fun with our friends, but didn't enjoy the kids running up and down our hallway, and up and down the elevators, etc. We LOVE kids and have grandkids of our own, but when we get the chance to cruise, we like a little more quiet and pampering, but also do like the entertainment and fun things to do for adults. So to sum it up...we like that there is a great choice in ships, and a cruise for everyone to enjoy, adults and children.

[Mach]

I've given this exact topic a lot of thought in the recent past. Of course, each of the mainstream cruise lines have become known for their focus.. RCCL is focused on things to do... bringing shore side experiences on board (Central Park, merry go 'rounds, rock climbing walls, etc); NCL is focused on the 'Freestyle' experience so much so that the newest ships don't even have main dining rooms; Carnival's emphasis has been, and remains, the experience of being at sea. That's been re-enforced by the recent announcement regarding the new Vista class ships.

Sure, Carnival has given a nod to the amusement park thing with the massive water parks, ropes courses and one or two other things but the primary thrust is the sea... the real purpose of a cruise.

I recall being on the Carnival Splendor for her inaugural sailing from the US. I was chatting with a wonderfully friendly fellow at one of the bars on the Lido Deck. This was his first cruise on a Carnival ship... had always sailed on RCCL. He commented that there was something different about Carnival but he couldn't put his finger on it. 'Focus' I offered. He looked at me quizzically. 'Carnival wants people to enjoy being at sea... their ships take you outside to enjoy the sea... enjoy that experience. RCCL brings you into the ship to enjoy the items they do so well.' I said. He smiled... nodded and said I was right.

I cruise to be at sea. Sure the ports are a big part but for me it's the allure (sorry, RCCL) of the ocean that draws me.

[DebbieandJerry]

We also love the at sea days. Very well put, Mach

[Mach]

We also love the at sea days. Very well put, Mach

Thank you for the kind words. I spent 20 years flying for the USAF and the DoD. I couldn't imagine anything more beautiful than the sky until I found the sea. It's endlessly variable, can be unforgiving and demands respect... and love.

My wife is fairly new to cruising... she's done 10... and I've had the pleasure of being her guide to the ocean. She has the same love for being at sea that I do... nothing brings us closer than the time we spend on board.

My tag line on my business cards is "I cruise, therefore I am."