What would you like to see improved?

[sherri3802au]

I've just been watching videos from an email advertisement sent to me, about a new ship (Royal Princess).

It all looked very impressive, I must say, but while I was watching, there were a few questions going through my head and I wonder what other people think about cruising generally? What things would you like to see improved or changed?

Here are a couple on my list.

1) I'd like lifts, a lot more of them, or else some travelators. Stairs are well and good and I use them, but sometimes it would be nice to have a viable alternative to walking up 8 flights of stairs. No cruise company seems to talk about this feature much, yet given the age of a lot of cruisers, it could make a favourable impression if a cruise company could claim the ease of movement award.

2) I am sick to death of cruise lines making a huge feature of all the new little eateries-bakeries, sushi bars, you name it, without clearly outlining if the place is an extra charge or is included in the cost. If it is an extra cost then as far as I am concerned, it is just taking away from public space on the ship. All those extra places are not features for a cruise company to brag about, they are shops. It's a worrying trend because to me, one of the big advantages in cruising is that it includes meals. Ships seem to be trying hard to move away from that and get us all used to paying extra. I don't like it. One or two extra places, maybe. But pizza places, bakeries-like to see it included in the cost.

 

They're my suggestions, what would other people like to see?

[Debsta]

Can you imagine the zimmer frames going down the travelators :eek: Even if they're told not to use them. I daresay ships don't have them due to safety issues.

 

Personally, I like the addition of the specialty food shops/eateries...it gives me a choice. I don't have to use them and they are on these larger ships so there is still plenty of public space.

 

I'm just happy to be on a ship :D

[rugbypopsie]

I've just been watching videos from an email advertisement sent to me, about a new ship (Royal Princess).

It all looked very impressive, I must say, but while I was watching, there were a few questions going through my head and I wonder what other people think about cruising generally? What things would you like to see improved or changed?

Here are a couple on my list.

1) I'd like lifts, a lot more of them, or else some travelators. Stairs are well and good and I use them, but sometimes it would be nice to have a viable alternative to walking up 8 flights of stairs. No cruise company seems to talk about this feature much, yet given the age of a lot of cruisers, it could make a favourable impression if a cruise company could claim the ease of movement award.

2) I am sick to death of cruise lines making a huge feature of all the new little eateries-bakeries, sushi bars, you name it, without clearly outlining if the place is an extra charge or is included in the cost. If it is an extra cost then as far as I am concerned, it is just taking away from public space on the ship. All those extra places are not features for a cruise company to brag about, they are shops. It's a worrying trend because to me, one of the big advantages in cruising is that it includes meals. Ships seem to be trying hard to move away from that and get us all used to paying extra. I don't like it. One or two extra places, maybe. But pizza places, bakeries-like to see it included in the cost.

 

They're my suggestions, what would other people like to see?

 

The problem with more lifts would be that in the event of a loss of power the lifts are useless...therefore they need the wide staircases to be able to move large numbers of passengers quickly and safely.

 

I'd like to see more Australian talent on some of the ships sailing in our areas...obviously we have the talent and frankly some of the entertainers from overseas are pretty ordinary to say the least.

 

Fairer bingo...there is a huge disparity between the size of the prize pool and not just dependent on the number of passengers playing.

 

Get rid of art auctions altogether....horrible. Get rid of the restrictions on Aussies and Kiwis booking online on some cruise lines...its a global market we should be able to book whatever we want wherever we want...give Aussie agents the same booking terms as the US ones and we will give them the business...its our money.

 

Sue

[Sutho]

Better space ratios. The larger Princess ships like Caribbean, Crown, Emerald and Ruby have too many passengers on a small framed ship designed for 2,600 passengers. They need to stop cramming passengers into small boxes.

 

The new Royal Princess looks alright. Too little information is coming out about it over a long period of time and I think the novelty of the new ship will wear off on people the more they keep hearing about it and the less they know about it. This is the ship that is going to make or break Princess cruises future. If they get it right then they keep passengers, if they get it wrong then they keep losing passengers to competing lines.

[spiritreturn]

Quote Can you imagine the zimmer frames going down the travelators Even if they're told not to use them. I daresay ships don't have them due to safety issues.[/color][/color]

 

Dont mock Debsta, one of these days you too may need some assistance with walking, I do but it still doesnt make me want to stay home instead of travelling and having fun

[rugbypopsie]

New deck games...Debsta and I in zimmerframes over 50 metres...just no hurdles

please....shes younger and fitter than me I want a head start.

 

Sue

[The Fox]

Quote Can you imagine the zimmer frames going down the travelators Even if they're told not to use them. I daresay ships don't have them due to safety issues.[/color][/color]

 

Dont mock Debsta, one of these days you too may need some assistance with walking, I do but it still doesnt make me want to stay home instead of travelling and having fun

 

 

well said....i agree

[Rasa SayangII]

Quote Can you imagine the zimmer frames going down the travelators Even if they're told not to use them. I daresay ships don't have them due to safety issues.[/color][/color]

 

Dont mock Debsta, one of these days you too may need some assistance with walking, I do but it still doesnt make me want to stay home instead of travelling and having fun

 

I don't for one minute believe Deb's post was in any way mocking.

 

Some light hearted "black" humour maybe, but thats just the Aussie way of making ourselves aware of the fact that it could be any one of us, and for many people with disabilities a bit of this "black" humour goes a long way towards acceptance of their situation.

 

I am in a situation where I use walking aids and am to some extent dependent on supplementary oxygen, but in no way am I offended when people take the mickey out of those facts - its all about attitude.:)

 

Anyone gives me a hard time I belt 'em with my stick :p:p;)

 

Good to see you do not let disability interfere with your travel. :D

[circuitrider]

1) I'd like lifts, a lot more of them, or else some travelators. Stairs are well and good and I use them, but sometimes it would be nice to have a viable alternative to walking up 8 flights of stairs. No cruise company seems to talk about this feature much, yet given the age of a lot of cruisers, it could make a favourable impression if a cruise company could claim the ease of movement award.

 

We rarely have to wait a long time to use an elevator. One of the ways to do this is to find out which elevators will be the most packed, and avoid them (so if I'm on deck 4 aft and are heading to the MDR on deck 6 fwd, I'll take the first set of elevators up and then walk across to deck 6, instead of walking across deck 4 and taking the elevators that everyone else are using to get to the MDR). And more elevators may be nice, but they can't reduce the stairways they have. We've been on a ship in rough seas when the elevators were turned off...anyone who couldn't take the stairs (i.e. in a mobility scooter) had to be carried up/down. Luckily with the rough seas most people were already in their cabin.

 

2) I am sick to death of cruise lines making a huge feature of all the new little eateries-bakeries, sushi bars, you name it, without clearly outlining if the place is an extra charge or is included in the cost. If it is an extra cost then as far as I am concerned, it is just taking away from public space on the ship. All those extra places are not features for a cruise company to brag about, they are shops. It's a worrying trend because to me, one of the big advantages in cruising is that it includes meals. Ships seem to be trying hard to move away from that and get us all used to paying extra. I don't like it. One or two extra places, maybe. But pizza places, bakeries-like to see it included in the cost.

 

Lots of people love to shop, and lots of people love to have the option to pay more for a better dining experience. But I agree, it would be nice for them to tell you upfront. I knew the cupcake place on Freedom of the Seas charged, but I wasn't sure about the cafe just across the promenade (turned out it was free). I was pretty sure the pizzeria was free (it was), but there's some other places I wasn't sure of. It's just a bit of a hassle to go somewhere and feel cheap because the first question you ask is "Do I have to pay for this?"

 

They're my suggestions, what would other people like to see?

 

As for what I'd like to see, I dunno. I'd say I don't like the huge ships, but Freedom of the Seas was nice (and I haven't been on Oasis or Allure yet), and it was considered way too huge at one point.

 

I'd like some more included restaurants (maybe some of the pay restaurants could have a similarly themed menu for free for lunch; i.e. maybe the steakhouse won't have filet mignon, but you can still get a New York strip there for lunchtime).

 

Ooh, maybe a play place for the kids to play at while you eat in one of the restaurants (like a lot of the bistros here). I know I know, you can take the kids to the buffet or drop them in the kids' club, but sometimes you want a "nice" meal when your youngest daughter refuses to go alone to the kids club.

 

But really, we're pretty satisfied with the cruise experience as it is.

[cassamanda]

Aussies are coffee lovers. Pleeeaase can we have proper Italian espresso coffee made by a well trained Barista. Not Starbucks or Seattles finest - sorry American friends but it really does taste like dishwater:eek:

[jota]

Room service specialty coffee would make my mornings onboard

[Kinkacruiser]

No criticisms at this stage re the Royal Princess (goodness knows if we'll ever get to cruise on her :rolleyes:). I like the gym set up and the walking/jogging track overlooking the basketball court.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Aussies are coffee lovers. Pleeeaase can we have proper Italian espresso coffee made by a well trained Barista. Not Starbucks or Seattles finest - sorry American friends but it really does taste like dishwater:eek:

 

Not a truer word said!

[MMDown Under]

Electric jugs, with tea and coffee, in cabins. Water needs to be boiling for a good cup of tea!

[Sutho]

At the moment the new Royal Princess is looking all right to me and seems to be ticking all the right boxes when it comes to space and public rooms. It is a shame it does not look like it will have the sliding roof over one of its pools. I believe P&O are getting a similar version in 2015. I have just been on their Grand Event so may as well save up for a maiden cruise now.

[didiaust]

The games onboard are tragic no they are DEAD & BURRIED. Same same as 30 years ago.

 

Go to the marriage game and hear the same responses and questions. You can only make the same jokes a few times. The only thing that keeps this alive is the NEW cruisers who haven't heard it all before.

 

Go to a trivia and some staff are too lazy to present entertaining and enjoyable questions - they just read a few from a book.

 

BINGO is highway robbery and I'm sure many of us would love an hour or 2 of down to earth bingo fun for smaller rewards. 5 games - 3 of them line games is pathetic.

 

I think the casinos don't take enough opportunity to assist people on the tables. Have more host & hostess moving around explaining the games. And when the tables are empty as they often are - run more lessons. I speak to many people who are not game to try the tables because they are not confident .

 

I think there should be more hands on demonstrations or sessions. I would love a cup cake session and a garnish session

 

Had my rant- Have a good weekend everyone

 

Di

[room010]

Aussies are coffee lovers. Pleeeaase can we have proper Italian espresso coffee made by a well trained Barista. Not Starbucks or Seattles finest - sorry American friends but it really does taste like dishwater:eek:

 

Vouch!

[circuitrider]

Aussies are coffee lovers. Pleeeaase can we have proper Italian espresso coffee made by a well trained Barista. Not Starbucks or Seattles finest - sorry American friends but it really does taste like dishwater:eek:

 

If it helps, Americans are saying the same thing about Australian coffee, and asking where in Melbourne (or whatever city they're in) they can get a cup of "real" coffee. :)

 

Me, I'm not a real coffee connoisseur. Just put some cream/milk and some sugar in it, and I'll drink it.

 

Now, this stuff you call lemonade....

[room010]

They could always try Starbucks, no wait, they all closed down because nobody would drink the "product".

[Kiwi Kruzer]

The biggest thing I would like to see improved with cruising, is a much fairer system of setting cruise prices.

We are constantly being told to book early and take advantage of early saving fares....

 

WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH.

 

It seems the later you leave your booking the cheaper the cruise becomes. Nothing spoils a holiday more than finding out your dining companions or folk in the next door cabin , paid way less than you.

I realise their can be a premium for booking ahead so you can plan everything and that in booking ahead you can ,most times, specify the cabin you want,...

but there has got to be a better way than the shambles they have now.

 

The other thing that we have to put up with, from our "Down Under" agents , is non refundable deposits.:eek:

 

 

[The_Big_M]

Now, this stuff you call lemonade....

 

Yeah, what's up with that? Soda, with sugar. I grew up with it and wondered why it's called lemonade. And then I tasted the proper stuff!

[ceejay3377]

I think the casinos don't take enough opportunity to assist people on the tables. Have more host & hostess moving around explaining the games. And when the tables are empty as they often are - run more lessons. I speak to many people who are not game to try the tables because they are not confident .

 

I think there should be more hands on demonstrations or sessions. I would love a cup cake session and a garnish session

 

Completely agree re the casinos. In all my cruises I have walked through the casino area, interested in the games, but felt that it was no place for a beginner. But I still have my $ in my pocket, so I guess I win that one :)

 

For hands on demos and workshops, try HAL. They have a dedicated culinary centre with demos and cooking classes running almost every day. Great fun and you get to taste the samples from the demos, or get a complete meal, with wine pairings, if you take the cooking classes

 

Cheers,

[ceejay3377]

I just wanted to add ... the cruise lines I have been on (HAL, P&O, Star, Princess) seem to employ the most sour, unfriendly people in the casino. Even when the place is empty and they should be aiming to gain custom, they stand at their tables with a mean glare and chook-bum-mouth.

[BruceMuzz]

I've just been watching videos from an email advertisement sent to me, about a new ship (Royal Princess).

It all looked very impressive, I must say, but while I was watching, there were a few questions going through my head and I wonder what other people think about cruising generally? What things would you like to see improved or changed?

Here are a couple on my list.

1) I'd like lifts, a lot more of them, or else some travelators. Stairs are well and good and I use them, but sometimes it would be nice to have a viable alternative to walking up 8 flights of stairs. No cruise company seems to talk about this feature much, yet given the age of a lot of cruisers, it could make a favourable impression if a cruise company could claim the ease of movement award.

2) I am sick to death of cruise lines making a huge feature of all the new little eateries-bakeries, sushi bars, you name it, without clearly outlining if the place is an extra charge or is included in the cost. If it is an extra cost then as far as I am concerned, it is just taking away from public space on the ship. All those extra places are not features for a cruise company to brag about, they are shops. It's a worrying trend because to me, one of the big advantages in cruising is that it includes meals. Ships seem to be trying hard to move away from that and get us all used to paying extra. I don't like it. One or two extra places, maybe. But pizza places, bakeries-like to see it included in the cost.

 

They're my suggestions, what would other people like to see?

 

Cruise lines listen very carefully to their customers.

When a great percentage of cruise customers asks for something, they usually get it.

One of the most popular requests is alternative dining options.

That's why EVERY cruise line is adding more venues, and looking for even more new dining options.

NOBODY - and I mean nobody - ever asks for more elevators.

 

Bear in mind that the current cruise line business model is designed on offering the lowest possible cruise price to fill ships - but not at a profit.

Then the cruise lines make a profit only by selling you extra things once you are onboard.

 

For those passengers who do not like or utilize this business model:

 

1. It has proven to be the most successful business scheme we have tried in the past 50 years.

2. It will not change anytime soon.

3. We don't make any profit when you sail on our ships. We really do not want or need you.

[MMDown Under]

The biggest thing I would like to see improved with cruising, is a much fairer system of setting cruise prices.

We are constantly being told to book early and take advantage of early saving fares....

 

WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH.

 

It seems the later you leave your booking the cheaper the cruise becomes. Nothing spoils a holiday more than finding out your dining companions or folk in the next door cabin , paid way less than you.

I realise their can be a premium for booking ahead so you can plan everything and that in booking ahead you can ,most times, specify the cabin you want,...

but there has got to be a better way than the shambles they have now.

 

The other thing that we have to put up with, from our "Down Under" agents , is non refundable deposits.:eek:

 

 

 

Agree, David.

 

It is a wonder that any Australians book cruises early, with later price reductions and our large non refundable deposits.