What is the Appeal of these mega cruises?

[Newbian]

I wouldn't mind trying out ones that travel in the warmer areas.

I do not understand the ones that go to places like alaska though but then again I get enough cold weather to not want to experiance more.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I wouldn't mind trying out ones that travel in the warmer areas.

I do not understand the ones that go to places like alaska though but then again I get enough cold weather to not want to experiance more.

Alaska isn't that cold in the summer, and it's got some pretty spectacular scenery.

 

[Wreckem]

I wouldn't mind trying out ones that travel in the warmer areas.

I do not understand the ones that go to places like alaska though but then again I get enough cold weather to not want to experiance more.

Alaska cruise season is early May to the beginning of September. Early in the season it is still pretty cool but later in the season its warm and well muggy to say the least. The rest of the year those ships are down under in Australia, re-positioned to Asia or doing California/Vancouver to Hawaii 14/15 day cruises.

The draw of Alaska cruising is the glaciers, wildlife, and parks. Plus some people like a break from the hot summer weather. Just like people like a break from the winter cold when they do Caribbean cruises.

I personally will not do any Caribbean cruises from June-August. Not because of hurricane season, but because its hot and the sun is just brutal on your skin even when regularly applying sunblock.

 

[Newbian]

Alaska isn't that cold in the summer, and it's got some pretty spectacular scenery.

I am sure it's not that bad but then again it's not something I would care for as I wouldn't consider it hot as when I think of cruises I think of going to warm / hot areas.

Plus it's really not foreign enough for if you are going to travel on a boat like that what's the point of just sailing to another state short of maybe hawaii and even then I would rather go to another country.

 

[Midwayman]

Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean are all comparable mass market lines. That said Royal Caribbean does lead this group by a fairly large margin.

Princess, HAL, and Celebrity are upscale mass market. Celebrity narrowly edges out Princess. HAL is far to geriatric.

Disney, well its Disney which means the most expensive out of the six I've mentioned. They are upscale and kid friendly. The best line for families with children. Sadly no casinos.

Then you have the luxury lines like Almazara, Cunard, Reagent, Silversea and Seabourne. These tend to be all inclusive of everything including alcohol and some excursions built into the fare price.

Well, that's just general class. I was thinking more along the lines of the type of activities on board, etc. The amount of announcements over loudspeakers during the day. If they have some sort of open seating in the main dining room or if its all reserved with 2 seatings, etc. Some have dress codes at night while others are more casual, etc, etc.

Most of the luxury lines throw in airfare as well and most of them are entirely veranda cabins as well. It pays to compare apples to apples when you get into that segment before you let sticker shock drive you away.

Curious though- in what way does RC lead the mass market segment? It was my understanding that carnival was the largest line by a large margin.

 

[Newbian]

I personally will not do any Caribbean cruises from June-August. Not because of hurricane season, but because its hot and the sun is just brutal on your skin even when regularly applying sunblock.

Truth there as I would prefer to go during the middle of winter to escape it for a bit.

Plus going to florida during one summer for a wedding was more then enough in my lifetime with how hot it gets compared to family vacations when I was younger during the fall / winter times.

 

[Midwayman]

I am sure it's not that bad but then again it's not something I would care for as I wouldn't consider it hot as when I think of cruises I think of going to warm / hot areas.

Plus it's really not foreign enough for if you are going to travel on a boat like that what's the point of just sailing to another state short of maybe hawaii and even then I would rather go to another country.

The inside passage is simply really pretty and not something you'd see simply flying to Alaska. In general the whole tone of the trip is a lot different on a ship up there than flying up and driving. I would say its a way to see Alaska without really having to experience Alaska. That's good or bad depending on your perspective. Next time I go up there I want to do it on land though.

 

[Wreckem]

Well, that's just general class. I was thinking more along the lines of the type of activities on board, etc. The amount of announcements over loudspeakers during the day. If they have some sort of open seating in the main dining room or if its all reserved with 2 seatings, etc. Some have dress codes at night while others are more casual, etc, etc.

Most of the luxury lines throw in airfare as well and most of them are entirely veranda cabins as well. It pays to compare apples to apples when you get into that segment before you let sticker shock drive you away.

Curious though- in what way does RC lead the mass market segment? It was my understanding that carnival was the largest line by a large margin.

Royal Caribbean leads the way in the quality of experience by a large margin(service, food, entertainment are all superior on Royal). Quality of experience is only metric that should matter for consumers. Everything else is for investors to worry about. Royal Caribbean simply offers a better cruising product when compared to Carnival or Norweign. They also have a superior fleet of cruise ships. Its not just amenities but also ship layout. I've been on larger Royal ships that had less lines than the Carnival ship I was on last year.

Put it this way, RCI's refurbished Voyager class ships are superior to ANY ship in Carnivals fleet, even their latest ones. Then on top of that RCI has 3 Freedom Class, 2 Oasis Class(3 in a year or two), and 1 Quantum Class(2nd launching next year, 3rd in 2016/17).

I've sailed on both. Carnival is good and if they had the itinerary I wanted I wouldn't hesitate to book with them again. That said RCI has a better experience by a pretty significant margin.

 

[Murloc]

they have no appeal to me but they're popular because it's a cheap way to travel.
If you're on a budget but want to go to a exotic location it's either a cruise or stay local. Like GCC cruises, they're probably cheaper than the hotels.

 

[mmntech]

your sample size is insufficient to make any sort of inference.

Yet I also know three people as well who worked on cruise ships... :hmm:
I get a wealth of information from those peeps.

 

[Engineer]

After 2 cruises, its nothing but good experience. Food is awesome and you are treated like a king, not to mention all the fun things you can do ON the ship. You have to love traveling and visiting new places to enjoy the land. You can avoid the tourist traps by researching the area beforehand. You have to experience it to believe it

I've been on 3 and agree. Up for #4 later this year and possibly more, especially at more random times, when the kids get older and move out! 😛

 

[OCGuy]

Only 3 takers on my Manga Cruises parody before the lock-down?

:'(

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Most mass market cruise lines are offering "unlimited" alcohol packages starting at $280(domesticbeer and wine) and going up to $455(premium beers, premium spirits, and premium wines) + gratuity.

"Unlimited" = up to 15 alcoholic beverages a day. One must consume at least 8 drinks every day to make any of these package worthwhile. Everything above that is basically "free".

Shiet 15 drinks a day while on vacation and they typically poor light? That's easy.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I've never been on one. I don't care to go on one. I've heard great things though...

There has been enough negative P.R. lately, you should be able to score some cheap tickets. 😛

 

[HeXen]

Their for the working class. Affordable for the average joe and yet profitable for the tourist trappers. Rich people don't go on these kinds of cruises less they're weird. Poor people don't go unless they robbed a family that was on their way to one.

It's not my thing but everyone I know personally that went on one had a real good time. I'm not a people person so likely I would have to go with another group of friends as apposed to just me and the wife cause then I wouldn't want to do anything within the crowds.

I'd rather go on a love boat so I can pron some strange.

 

[feralkid]

Lots of hot girls on vacation looking for some action.

You haven't the faintest clue.

 

[Newbian]

You haven't the faintest clue.

It helps if you don't sign up for the gay cruise like you did last time. 😉

 

[sao123]

Royal Caribbean leads the way in the quality of experience by a large margin(service, food, entertainment are all superior on Royal). Quality of experience is only metric that should matter for consumers. Everything else is for investors to worry about. Royal Caribbean simply offers a better cruising product when compared to Carnival or Norweign. They also have a superior fleet of cruise ships. Its not just amenities but also ship layout. I've been on larger Royal ships that had less lines than the Carnival ship I was on last year.

Put it this way, RCI's refurbished Voyager class ships are superior to ANY ship in Carnivals fleet, even their latest ones. Then on top of that RCI has 3 Freedom Class, 2 Oasis Class(3 in a year or two), and 1 Quantum Class(2nd launching next year, 3rd in 2016/17).

I've sailed on both. Carnival is good and if they had the itinerary I wanted I wouldn't hesitate to book with them again. That said RCI has a better experience by a pretty significant margin.

Would never go on a RC or Carnival cruise...
However Norwegans cruises border on the older crowds, having much less children on board than the other two. I did enjoy my norwegan cruise in the balcony suite, with private restaurant, and would do it again.

 

[evident]

Umm for what cruise?

You can do 15 day cruises from San Fran(or LA) to Hawaii for like $1200/per person. Flights from most of the US to Hawaii start at $1000 per ticket.

Generally cruises are start out between $75-100 a day per person for the fare. More for better rooms. Double the price on Xmas and New Year cruises.

If you live close to a cruise port and have a flexible schedule you can snag even cheaper last minute cruises.

The only negative issue I have ever had cruising were not related to cruising but the weather. Galveston is notoriously foggy in Jan/Feb. My honeymoon cruise was delayed by 6 hours because of dense fog.

I dont understand... what's the appeal of going on a cruise to hawaii? How does it work, does the cruise just drop you off to the biggest tourist traps on the islands for a day? Waikiki, Lahaina, Kihei, nawiliwili, kona all within the span of 15 days? i think that's a rush and awful waste of an opportunity to see the true beauty of hawaii 😕 😕

I know some middle aged or older co-workers who do it all the time, but it definitely does not appeal to me at all.


btw, are there cruises with single hot chicks? I know there are some aimed towards spring breakers, but arent most cruises filled with families, older couples?

 

[Wreckem]

Shiet 15 drinks a day while on vacation and they typically poor light? That's easy.

In my experience they pour normal to heavy. Bartenders are more or less paid by tips. They want you to keep coming back to them.

 

[raasco]

I've never seen the appeal to cruises, but I reluctantly have one booked in March with my GF and a couple of friends. I do have the unlimited drink package and also like to gamble. Things could get ugly.

 

[feralkid]

It helps if you don't sign up for the gay cruise like you did last time. 😉

You were so persuasive; how could I say no?



P.S. when are you coming by to pick up your leather clown suit?