A theme for every ship

[TLCOhio]

Novel idea but if the objective is to fill ships, it strikes me that "theme-ing" would do just the opposite since themed ships would by definition be exclusionary. If the last several years are any indication, it appears X is trying to broaden its appeal to a wider demographic rather than limit it by marketing to specific demos.

 

Great, wise point reflected above. If a cruise would be "billed" or advertised as a "bridge" cruise that would attract some folks, but might also scare away certain audiences. Just as with large groups being on a cruise, some will worry that "those people" will "take over" the cruise ship and lessen their freedom to enjoy "their" cruise experience. Good word was cited in noting the worry and/or image of a cruise being too "exclusionary".

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 67,621 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[Bridge Maven]

Novel idea but if the objective is to fill ships, it strikes me that "theme-ing" would do just the opposite since themed ships would by definition be exclusionary. If the last several years are any indication, it appears X is trying to broaden its appeal to a wider demographic rather than limit it by marketing to specific demos.

 

lyolqn - I agree that Celebrity's current marketing strategy is to appeal to a greater share of the market, but by doing so they are competing with almost every other mass market cruise line, so they now have to compete on price to fill their ships. Their ships may be full by the time they sail, but they usually wind up offering some last minute bargain basement prices to accomplish this.

 

Granted, if Celebrity had some ships with a unique theme they wouldn't appeal to as many people but they would have less competition because they would be offering something that is not available on other cruise lines.

 

Maybe someone who loves going to upscale land based resort spas, which are a lot more expensive than a Celebrity cruise, would like the idea of having the same experience at sea.

 

Most of the travel oriented themed cruises that are currently available through small cruise lines are very very expensive, so this type of cruise might appeal to someone looking for a more affordable version of it.

 

As far as bridge cruises, there are many people who go to land based bridge vacations. that might like trying one at sea.

 

So, I agree with everyone who thinks that this idea wouldn't work if they were limiting their potential passenger base to existing Celebrity cruisers, but I was thinking of a potential passenger base of everyone interested in whatever theme a ship had, whether the other option was a land based vacation/event, passengers from other cruise lines, or a specialized cruise from a small cruise company. I, for one, would jump at the opportunity for most of the themed cruises I suggested.

 

In any event, it is a moot point because I am sure that Celebrity has no interest in doing anything like this and feels that its current marketing strategy of trying to be all things to all people works. Even if Celebrity's current cruise rates are some of the lowest available, it appears they make up the difference from specialty restaurants, casino/ bar charges, activities which charge a fee, etc.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Perhaps it is because I have lived on the west coast for almost 60 years that drove me to make those comments. They are all 'in my backyard', so to speak. I have visited most of the places you mentioned several times, usually for several days at a time. I must be too familiar with them, not finding them exotic enough, unlike places I have never been to. But after re-reading my post, I agree with you that it was ill advised. The 'grass is greener on the other side' syndrome, I suspect.

 

I live just 45 minutes from San Francisco, and it is indeed a wonderful city. Been there so many times that I take it for granted. I wish I could visit it through the eyes of someone who has never been there. And entering the bay, passing under the Golden Gate bridge on a cruise ship must be the thrill of a lifetime.

 

Catalina Island is where I earned my scuba diving certification almost 40 years ago. I have a fond memory from that weekend of a harbor seal pausing in front of me, his face just inches from my mask, staring at me for what seemed like minutes before darting away like a torpedo. And the harbor at Avalon is where my buddy and I stopped and relaxed for several days during our two month sailing trip down the coast from Morro Bay to Baja Mexico and back in the 70s - my first introduction to 'cruising', although certainly not as luxurious as on a Celebrity ship. :)

 

Seattle is a beautiful city, in many ways very similar to San Francisco. I always enjoy visiting my relatives who live near there (and as of this morning a brand new baby in the family will motivate us to visit again in the near future!). ;)

 

Vancouver somehow feels very cosmopolitan to me, with a nice blend of city life and outdoor activities just minutes away. We spent a week there enjoying the winter Olympics in 2010, and although very crowded, it was fun nonetheless.

 

Victoria is my favorite of the places you mentioned. Quaint and sophisticated at the same time. We have a favorite hotel there that overlooks the inner harbor and the Fairmont Empress Hotel. We enjoy watching the float planes from our room as they come in for a landing, passing right in front of us just before touching down on the water. And Butchart Gardens is not to be missed, regardless of the season.

 

You have made me remember those experiences and have reminded me that there IS much to see here on the left coast. Thank you for making me rethink my opinions about cruising the west coast. ;)

 

Glad I could bring back some wonderful memories for you!

 

With the exception of Catalina Island, I too have been to all of those places, most of them several times. Still can't get enough of them! Lucky you to be that close to San Francisco!

 

P.S. Would you share the name of your great hotel in Victoria? Land visits there are more fun than port calls. Thanks!

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Hi Linda,

 

I'm sure they are beautiful ports, but the California Coastal and Mexican Riviera itineraries have proven to be money losers over recent years. Cruise lines are lessening their West coast deployments for a reason. The profit margins are not there. Until passengers show they are willing to pay higher prices for these itineraries, I wouldn't expect to see much of a capacity increase.

 

Hi Andy!

 

I really wasn't including Mexican ports in my desire for west coast cruises. Once was more than enough for me (they were included in our Panama Canal cruise). But there are so many fabulous ports along the west coast of the US and Canada. I think Celebrity could profit if they designed the cruises properly.

[boogs]

Glad I could bring back some wonderful memories for you!

 

Thanks! I hope I wasn't rambling on too much! :)

 

P.S. Would you share the name of your great hotel in Victoria? Land visits there are more fun than port calls. Thanks!

 

Certainly. It's the Delta Victoria Ocean Point Resort and Spa. http://www.deltahotels.com/en/hotels/british-columbia/delta-victoria-ocean-pointe-resort/

 

If you get a room on the higher floors, the seaplanes fly lower than your vantage point and you are looking down on them as they come in for a water landing (if you've never flown in this type of plane, it's quite the experience!) The seaplanes land on a designated "runway" lane in the harbor that is tower controlled, much like your typical commercial airport. The controllers, positioned in the tallest control tower in the world on top of the Granville Square building, have the unusual task of watching for watercraft crossing the "runway".

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Thanks! I hope I wasn't rambling on too much! :)

 

 

 

Certainly. It's the Delta Victoria Ocean Point Resort and Spa. http://www.deltahotels.com/en/hotels/british-columbia/delta-victoria-ocean-pointe-resort/

 

If you get a room on the higher floors, the seaplanes fly lower than your vantage point and you are looking down on them as they come in for a water landing (if you've never flown in this type of plane, it's quite the experience!) The seaplanes land on a designated "runway" lane in the harbor that is tower controlled, much like your typical commercial airport. The controllers, positioned in the tallest control tower in the world on top of the Granville Square building, have the unusual task of watching for watercraft crossing the "runway".

 

Thanks!

 

I think its even more fun to be on one of those little green boats in the harbor with the seaplanes taking off and landing close to you. :D

[Sloop-JohnB]

I would love to see Celebrity expand to new Caribbean ports. I think the M-Class ships, now amongst the smaller of mass market cruise ships, could make it to untouched ports instead if the sane itineraries every year. I have a hunch that an S-Class ship may take over the route out of San Juan and would love to see the Summit take on a more Exotic Route from San Juan.

 

TO EITHNE MAY,

 

NOW we are talking !!

 

This would be an exciting use of the smaller Celebrity ships for sure... put a bigger S-Class Ship on the "regular" Summit Winter Runs... and give the Summit a more diverse Itinerary.

 

And lets start it in 2013 or 2014 after the last of the S-Class Ships have been launched (Reflection) and all the M-Class Ships have been refurbished.

 

I am soooo there... Just tell me where to sign...

 

Cheers!

[EithneMay]

TO EITHNE MAY,

 

NOW we are talking !!

 

This would be an exciting use of the smaller Celebrity ships for sure... put a bigger S-Class Ship on the "regular" Summit Winter Runs... and give the Summit a more diverse Itinerary.

 

And lets start it in 2013 or 2014 after the last of the S-Class Ships have been launched (Reflection) and all the M-Class Ships have been refurbished.

 

I am soooo there... Just tell me where to sign...

 

Cheers!

 

That is very much my hope for the future of the Caribbean ports. Desperately need new ports to visit. I think we have hit everyone offered in the past 7 years!

[Bridge Maven]

There are a number of posts on this thread which have nothing to do with my original post, but they provide a perfect example of why it is not always bad to "hijack" a thread.

 

Yet, all too often, I have seen an original poster complain that their thread has been "hijacked" in similar situations.

[Bridge Maven]

There are a number of posts on this thread which have nothing to do with my original post, but they provide a perfect example of why it is not always bad to "hijack" a thread.

 

Yet, all too often, I have seen an original poster complain that their thread has been "hijacked" in similar situations.

 

Just to clarify my previous post quoted above - My point is that this thread demonstrates that even though many posters get very upset when a thread they started gets "hijacked", this thread illustrates the positives of "hijacking a thread".

[Lady Jane]

That is very much my hope for the future of the Caribbean ports. Desperately need new ports to visit. I think we have hit everyone offered in the past 7 years!

 

Amen to that! Would love to see some other Caribbean ports!

 

Jane