I Don't want Shrek

[Jumbiecruiser]

This would be my worst nightmare! I have grandkids and I love them dearly.... my own. Not everyone else's. :eek:

 

This is one pool on Disney. Does not mean that they will be in your face.

[Paul65]

This would be my worst nightmare! I have grandkids and I love them dearly.... my own. Not everyone else's. :eek:

 

Yes, but for a silver lining, imagine how many nice, uncrowded places there must be to enjoy sailaway in other parts of the ship, with all those people packed in there watching Donald and Mickey . . .

[marci22]

After reading this entire thread (Whew!!!!) I get the feeling that there is a certain age group that does not like the changes that Royal Caribbean is making. For that group, I highly suggest Holland America. It seems that most of you will fit that age group quite nicely. You can even trade grand and great grand children stories with each other while those on Royal Caribbean enjoy ships that are built for the young and young at heart.;)

 

I'm sorry but it doesn't make someone evil because they don't want to be on a ship full of young children. Disney markets a certain way for people who like those things, and Royal is doing it for some of their ships. Everyone does not have to like it.

[msubobcats]

Hey...that's OK by me. I have NO desire to see cartoon characters on board, but maybe the families with kids will now be more likely to book on those 4 ships and leave the others for us "old folks".

 

My thoughts exactly. Now I know which ships to avoid.

[twoputt.plusone]

You folks are aware this isn't a feetwide RCI thing, right? You folks are aware this is only on the larger ships that are already geared toward numerous activities, right? I have to ask, because some of these comments seem to indicate people think all RCI's ships are being painted green, or something.

 

RCI's past practice has been to release new innovations on a few ships first then before you know it....it IS fleetwide. This is only the tip of the iceburg IMO. The old RCI as we knew it no longer exists. By the look of it, they are prepared to go head to head with the lucrative Disney market.

[Jumbiecruiser]

I'm sorry but it doesn't make someone evil because they don't want to be on a ship full of young children. Disney markets a certain way for people who like those things, and Royal is doing it for some of their ships. Everyone does not have to like it.

 

Then don't cruise those ships. Man, there are some people on this board who just do not get it. The world does NOT revolve around just you. Again, Holland America.

[hubofhockey]

I'm sorry but it doesn't make someone evil because they don't want to be on a ship full of young children. Disney markets a certain way for people who like those things, and Royal is doing it for some of their ships. Everyone does not have to like it.

 

It doesn't make anyone evil. But is it realistic to take a cruise on Carnival or Royal Caribbean and not expect kids. Each parent company has other lines geared less to kids (Princess, HAL, and Celebrity). Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Disney are all going after families. I don't know why any of this is a great surprise. We took our kids on a Princess cruise. It wasn't a mistake. But, unless the itinerary is the most important thing (Mediterranean or similar cruise), we'll go Royal Caribbean through their teen years. I don't think Shrek is going to impact my vacation in any significant way.

[marci22]

Then don't cruise those ships. Man, there are some people on this board who just do not get it. The world does NOT revolve around just you. Again, Holland America.

 

I was commenting on your rude post, I was not commenting on what ships I would or would not go on. Read before you post.

[Jumbiecruiser]

RCI's past practice has been to release new innovations on a few ships first then before you know it....it IS fleetwide. This is only the tip of the iceburg IMO. The old RCI as we knew it no longer exists. By the look of it, they are prepared to go head to head with the lucrative Disney market.

 

Someone finally gets it. They are now for the young and young at heart. It's a great world ain't it?:D

[Jumbiecruiser]

I was commenting on your rude post, I was not commenting on what ships I would or would not go on. Read before you post.

 

My post wasn't rude. It was to the point and honest. Sorry that it offended you but it must have hit home.:rolleyes:

[marci22]

It doesn't make anyone evil. But is it realistic to take a cruise on Carnival or Royal Caribbean and not expect kids. Each parent company has other lines geared less to kids (Princess, HAL, and Celebrity). Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Disney are all going after families. I don't know why any of this is a great surprise. We took our kids on a Princess cruise. It wasn't a mistake. But, unless the itinerary is the most important thing (Mediterranean or similar cruise), we'll go Royal Caribbean through their teen years. I don't think Shrek is going to impact my vacation in any significant way.

 

I have children, and I do expect families. My comments about Shrekking is that it seems as though they are going after a certain segment with this new theming, one that I personally am not interested in. Again, I realize it is not all ships.

 

I don't know why the Shrekkers are so critical of the non-Shrekkers (not directed at you btw). The non-Shrekkers are only stating an opinion and it seems to inspire all sorts of rude comments.

[Aquahound]

And to all of you who don't think you'll like the Shrek parades, have you actually seen the parades they put on now? Can you honestly tell me you like those things? I was embarrassed for those poor people who looked bored out of their skulls. ANYTHING has to be better than that.

 

Exactly. RCI has had parades ever since the first Voyager ship was launched 11 years ago. Personally, I'd rather see figures like Shrek and Donkey rather than those freaky characters with the large drink-cup heads. What the heck is this thing?

 

[Bakincakes]

I find it interesting that some of the same people who were annoyed when told to sail lines that allow alcohol to be brought onboard (smugglers) are now telling others to sail on lines that don't cater to families.:p

 

I don't mind if RCI wants young families to sail on their ships. The ships are certainly big enough for all to enjoy.

 

What I don't want is characters meandering through the MDR when I am trying to have a civilized dinner with my group. I'm not sailing Disney so I don't expect that kind of atmosphere to be foisted on me and my party.

 

If they want to host character dinners for families they can do so and keep that kind of activity isolated away from those who want a different atmosphere while they are dining.

 

RCI is changing..for the worse. Their food is going downhill fast..their service isn't far behind and many long time RCI cruisers are looking at alternatives despite spending alot of time and money to move up the benefit ladder. That is sad. And it says alot about the pax they are trying to attract. Evidently they can get away with substandard food and service with their new clientele. That is fine with me. I'll spend the extra $$ when I sail RCI and eat in the specialty restaurants and leave the MDR to the masses that have no idea of what they are missing and think the standards are just fine.:rolleyes:

 

When we sail with families we'll go RCI. When we are sailing alone we'll continue to patronize X or Princess or Holland.

[bluegirlum]

Exactly. RCI has had parades ever since the first Voyager ship was launched 11 years ago. Personally, I'd rather see figures like Shrek and Donkey rather than those freaky characters with the large drink-cup heads. What the heck is this thing?

 

 

I know!!! I think they could parade just about anything down the Royal Promenade and people would be out there with their video cameras making sure they get every second of it. I believe it's supposed to be modeled after a Caribbean parade, but seriously? If you're not already boycotting because of those ridiculous things, how can you think Shrek is going to be worse?

[twoputt.plusone]

The woman in the purple top in the bottom picture has the right idea--I would definitely need a drink to get through that! :D

 

Exactly. My husband and I took each of our grandkids on a vacation without their parents. We had a wonderful time and made memories to last a lifetime. In hindsight.... what was I thinking? They almost killed me. :eek::D:D

 

What I find annoying are those who have made this thread into a young vs older battle. Being over 50 does not mean that I'm half dead. Far from it. And those who chose not to sail a family oriented line are not necessarily older. All this means is that a preferred cruiseline may not meet your needs indefinately. Every once in a while, you need to re-evaluate your own needs.

[Cruzaholic41]

This would be my worst nightmare! I have grandkids and I love them dearly.... my own. Not everyone else's. :eek:

 

I agree, however, I have to say those pictures posted by crusinmama06 are an extreme. When I cruised Disney, it was during a school month and it wasn't nearly that chaotic on deck.

 

I don't know if people realize this, but the comparison to Disney is a compliment, not an insult. Anyone who has cruised Disney knows they are an excellent cruise line. Even on their ships, which are not even comparable to RCI in size, the droves of characters are easy to avoid.

[Yooper80]

I'm too lazy to see if this has already been said....

 

 

Carnival's for the party crowd

 

Disney's for the young kids

 

Royal Caribbean wants them all

 

This is why they are able to pull off 21 ships cruise after cruise. If you don't like it, it's as simple as this: DON'T CRUISE WITH THEM! Adam Goldstein won't miss you. Your complaint letter to him will be returned with the same canned response for the other 700 he received already today. If you want your own little cruise paradise, HAL or Celebrity would love you have you. If you can't afford to cruise with them, maybe you save up and go less often. Only one cruise a year??? The horror! :D Seriously, there are families lined up ready to take your empty cabins. RCI will survive without you.

[hubofhockey]

When we sail with families we'll go RCI. When we are sailing alone we'll continue to patronize X or Princess or Holland.

 

That's what we do and when our kids were younger, Carnival was great too. I haven't been on X or Celebrity and we like Princess when it's just the adults. There are kids on Princess ships. But the line manages to hide them well. :D

 

Oh, another, "Carnival is for the party crowd" post. Wake up. This is 2010. Carnival is mainly about families and kids with the exception of the 3 and 4 day Bahamas cruises.

[Toddcan]

Really curious... Will the Dreamworks presence be THAT noticable onboard? Meaning, if someone is truely turned off by Shrek and Friends, will this ruin their cruise? I don't gamble or drink, but the bars and casino onboard don't ruin my cruise. I just don't use them.

 

Now, if the Shrek factor is high, and this is all around us, then I can see people taking issue with it.

[marci22]

 

Seriously, there are families lined up ready to take your empty cabins. RCI will survive without you.

 

I think he does care what I think or he wouldn't keep sending me surveys.

 

If they are lined up, why do they keep discounting prices on summer and holiday cruises?

 

They're just throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks.

[Paul65]

I haven't been on X or Celebrity

 

They are good lines. I recommend you give both a try. :D

[Puffinater]

Adding something for the kids on a limited number of ships is ok with me. We take the grandkids once a year and my guess is we will now concentrate on the ships with Dreamworks on them.

Without the kids I am sure it will be easy enough to avoid.

[Bakincakes]

Really curious... Will the Dreamworks presence be THAT noticable onboard? Meaning, if someone is truely turned off by Shrek and Friends, will this ruin their cruise? I don't gamble or drink, but the bars and casino onboard don't ruin my cruise. I just don't use them.

 

Now, if the Shrek factor is high, and this is all around us, then I can see people taking issue with it.

 

 

Way back when....we cruised the Big Red Boat...Disney had a partnership with them...characters on board..all over the place!!:eek:

 

Granted..those ships were smaller, we sailed on the Oceanic...but during dinner the music would blare and the characters would parade through the dining room...they were at the pool...they were at the private island..(Gilligan and crew)....we knew what we were getting into..we knew Disney was part of the deal...so...that was that.

 

If RCI is now going to become the Dreamworks cruiseline you can probably expect some of the same. At least RCI should outline just how visible those characters will be. Let us know what they have planned so we can make the decision whether we want to cruise with Dreamworks characters who will be all over the place. Let us know if there will be parades through the dining room so that the kiddies can get all wound up and be out of control through dinner hour. Let us know if they will be out by the pool or if they will be confined to Adventure Ocean.

 

If they are going to incorporate this kind of activity they need to be honest about just what that means so that pax who want a more sedate cruise can have it and not be part of a Dreamworks circus atmosphere.

 

I do doubt that RCI will be honest...and some unsuspecting pax will land in Dreamland...

[Bakincakes]

I think he does care what I think or he wouldn't keep sending me surveys.

 

If they are lined up, why do they keep discounting prices on summer and holiday cruises?

 

They're just throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks.

 

Ya hit the nail on the head.:)

[LuckiStac13*Majesty*]

I find it interesting that some of the same people who were annoyed when told to sail lines that allow alcohol to be brought onboard (smugglers) are now telling others to sail on lines that don't cater to families.:p

 

I don't mind if RCI wants young families to sail on their ships. The ships are certainly big enough for all to enjoy.

 

What I don't want is characters meandering through the MDR when I am trying to have a civilized dinner with my group. I'm not sailing Disney so I don't expect that kind of atmosphere to be foisted on me and my party.

 

If they want to host character dinners for families they can do so and keep that kind of activity isolated away from those who want a different atmosphere while they are dining.

 

RCI is changing..for the worse. Their food is going downhill fast..their service isn't far behind and many long time RCI cruisers are looking at alternatives despite spending alot of time and money to move up the benefit ladder. That is sad. And it says alot about the pax they are trying to attract. Evidently they can get away with substandard food and service with their new clientele. That is fine with me. I'll spend the extra $$ when I sail RCI and eat in the specialty restaurants and leave the MDR to the masses that have no idea of what they are missing and think the standards are just fine.:rolleyes:

 

When we sail with families we'll go RCI. When we are sailing alone we'll continue to patronize X or Princess or Holland.

 

Great post, thank you! Totally agree.