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Growth of Cruise Industry
Anyone else turned off by the growth of the cruise industry? I was
quite excited by the newbuilds and growth of the industry in the mid to late 1990s, but I'm not into most of the newbuilds, since around the turn of the century. I'm not into the figures about the growing industry, the oversaturation of ships at ports, the tacky tourist feel that's becoming part of Alaska's ports. I feel that a once special vacation has turned not only ordinary, but a bit tacky. I'm not trying to be contrarian, I just believe that often too much of a good thing is not a good thing. "No one goes there anymore, it's too crowded." ---Yogi Berra Ben S. |
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Growth of Cruise Industry
Benjamin Smith wrote:
Anyone else turned off by the growth of the cruise industry? I was quite excited by the newbuilds and growth of the industry in the mid to late 1990s, but I'm not into most of the newbuilds, since around the turn of the century. I'm not into the figures about the growing industry, the oversaturation of ships at ports, the tacky tourist feel that's becoming part of Alaska's ports. I feel that a once special vacation has turned not only ordinary, but a bit tacky. I'm not trying to be contrarian, I just believe that often too much of a good thing is not a good thing. What turns me off is not the growth, per se, but the "sameness" of the experience from line to line and ship to ship. Howie |
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Growth of Cruise Industry
Hi Ben,
Cruises aren't the only industry suffering from 'Too Much'. Lots of exclusive resorts have gone the same way. Restaurants, too. Once a good thing becomes affordable for many, the industry will cater to the many. It's inevitable. You need not feel like a snob. Your taste just doesn't match up with the masses. I also think society as a whole has changed a great deal. I am 76 and have seen manners change drastically since I was a youngster. Casual is the word of the day. In dress, speech and manners. I don't know how old you are, but probably old enough to rmember a more polite society. I enjoy the good changes and ignore those I don't like as much as possible. ~~DORIS~~ call me Pollyanna |
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Growth of Cruise Industry
Benjamin. Alot of truth to what you say.
I think Celebrity's Xpeditions is a way to counter what you say some. New and interesting ports and a growing problem as so many of us have been there and done that. A bright spot is Carnival going to Progreso, Mx affording an opportunity to visit Merida which is so different and refreshing than the overtouristed islands. Faster proplusion is another aid in visiting new ports. |
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Growth of Cruise Industry
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Growth of Cruise Industry
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#7
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Growth of Cruise Industry
"Benjamin Smith" wrote in message
om... Anyone else turned off by the growth of the cruise industry? I was quite excited by the newbuilds and growth of the industry in the mid to late 1990s, but I'm not into most of the newbuilds, since around the turn of the century. I'm not into the figures about the growing industry, the oversaturation of ships at ports, the tacky tourist feel that's becoming part of Alaska's ports. I feel that a once special vacation has turned not only ordinary, but a bit tacky. In many ways, the "evolution" of the cruise industry isn't really far off what's happened to North American and even world industry in general. Scale of economics has had companies expanding through purchases, mergers, takeovers etc. in an attempt to have the cost and expertise of their corporate infrastructure spread over larger income streams. As we've seen the last few years, as the practice has gained momentum, sometimes this works, other times it fails miserably. But it is presently the "in vogue" business plan. I do think the cruise industry is in relatively good shape, partially because of this business plan. Now, it seems to me, there really is a ship out there for everyone. Families are flocking to RCI's Voyager Class ships for the rock climbing walls and ice skating rinks. NCL's new direction and new ships are putting them back in the mainstream cruise race. Princess, with it's latest Diamond and Sapphire ships is drawing closer to the NCL model with smaller dining rooms, but greater choices with various themes. The Luxury lines (SilverSeas, Seabourn, Radisson Seven Seas, Cyrstal) are bringing their price levels down in an attempt to attract those (possibly like you) who are no longer happy on the mass market lines, and who are willing to go up to a new price point to find the cruise experience they're looking for. Take the value of the $ you were paying for a cruise in the late 80s and early 90s, convert it to today's dollar; add in the $ value of the cost of gratuities, alcohol etc which are included in the luxury line cost... add perhaps $300 - 500 /person... and you can sail on one of the luxury lines, from 150 - 700 passengers, top quality food & service, and ports many of the large ships can't visit. If you don't like what's happened to the cruise lines you used to enjoy, that's understandable... but maybe that simply means it's time to try some lines you may not have considered sailing before. Regards, Kuki Features Editor http://cruisemates.com Internet Cruise Magazine Fun and Friendship= http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/CMcruise |
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Growth of Cruise Industry
Kuki,
I think you are right on the mark with this assessment. The major cruise lines are all competing at a lower cost level (with more push for on-board revenue). However, SilverSeas, Seabourn, Radisson Seven Seas, Cyrstal are all available at about the same real cost as my first Princess cruise in the 1980's. Stephen "kuki" wrote in message news:2fmEc.943148$oR5.231751@pd7tw3no... The Luxury lines (SilverSeas, Seabourn, Radisson Seven Seas, Cyrstal) are bringing their price levels down in an attempt to attract those (possibly like you) who are no longer happy on the mass market lines, and who are willing to go up to a new price point to find the cruise experience they're looking for. Take the value of the $ you were paying for a cruise in the late 80s and early 90s, convert it to today's dollar; add in the $ value of the cost of gratuities, alcohol etc which are included in the luxury line cost... add perhaps $300 - 500 /person... and you can sail on one of the luxury lines, from 150 - 700 passengers, top quality food & service, and ports many of the large ships can't visit. Regards, Kuki Features Editor http://cruisemates.com Internet Cruise Magazine Fun and Friendship= http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/CMcruise |
#9
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Growth of Cruise Industry
DORIS:
We are also 76 going on 77,and you are so right,things really have changed,in cruising not for the better,and the younger generation has no respect for themselves,or their elders,not all but a larger % of them. Surfer e2468 |
#10
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Growth of Cruise Industry
Have tried them all,except the very,very expensive ones,and they are all
alike catering to the younger generation with the credit cards |
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