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Even cheaper than 3rd-world staff paid below minimum wage

voyageur9

By voyageur9,
in Holland America Line

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sherryf

sherryf

Posted
Posted

Wow! I can't believe the negativity about this!

 

They aren't replacing your waiter or room steward. These robots are supposed to be fun! As the press release says, they will "provide help and entertainment". I imagine they will be great for things like showing someone where the bathroom is, or telling you what time the show starts.

 

"The first batch of Peppers will join the crew and start helping on board of AIDAprima and Costa Diadema in spring 2016, guiding guests when they embark and while onboard. They will also be on hand to provide recommendations and tips on restaurants, events and excursions. Of course, all while speaking impeccable German, Italian and English."

 

If you don't want help from a robot, don't ask it. Go find a real person or stand in line at the passenger services desk. Personally, I can't wait to see these on board and get a chance to try one out.

 

Just remember, Pepper can read human emotion, so he will know that you hate him. Poor Pepper. :(

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lettienets

lettienets

Posted
Posted
Cuts down on the extra tipping I suppose.

 

Other than that, what will the robot do for me? Can he open my door and put the door stop in place when I return to the cabin? Then the reverse when I leave?

Can he fetch a lounge pad and a couple of blankets when I'm sitting on the promenade? Oh, and a towel for my back?

Will he carry my plates of food in the Lido?

Will he make me laugh? And engage with me?

 

Didn't think so. :rolleyes:

The auto wine dispensers in the library on new Carnival ships still add 15% service when you put your key card in and select your choice of wine.

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RuthC

RuthC

Posted
Posted
The auto wine dispensers in the library on new Carnival ships still add 15% service when you put your key card in and select your choice of wine.

That's just robbery. That is, unless you get the service charge back since you served yourself.

Somehow I doubt that happens. :rolleyes:

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Tom O. Great Review Rare

Tom O.

Posted
Posted
Wow! I can't believe the negativity about this!

 

They aren't replacing your waiter or room steward. These robots are supposed to be fun! As the press release says, they will "provide help and entertainment". I imagine they will be great for things like showing someone where the bathroom is, or telling you what time the show starts.

 

"The first batch of Peppers will join the crew and start helping on board of AIDAprima and Costa Diadema in spring 2016, guiding guests when they embark and while onboard. They will also be on hand to provide recommendations and tips on restaurants, events and excursions. Of course, all while speaking impeccable German, Italian and English."

 

If you don't want help from a robot, don't ask it. Go find a real person or stand in line at the passenger services desk. Personally, I can't wait to see these on board and get a chance to try one out.

 

Just remember, Pepper can read human emotion, so he will know that you hate him. Poor Pepper. :(

 

All kidding aside, this technology has no place on a cruise ship. Cruising has more to do with the past, not the future. When I cruise, I don't even bring a computer of any kind. I don't like bringing my cell phone either, but concern for family safety forces me to do so. But I usually don't use my phone even once.

Yes, nothing is forcing me to use the robot, but I would find even the sight of it offensive. I would be thinking, "what is this preposterously useless high tech gadget doing on my reminiscent form of elegant transportation?"

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dakrewser

dakrewser

Posted
Posted
All kidding aside, this technology has no place on a cruise ship. Cruising has more to do with the past, not the future. When I cruise, I don't even bring a computer of any kind. I don't like bringing my cell phone either, but concern for family safety forces me to do so. But I usually don't use my phone even once.

Yes, nothing is forcing me to use the robot, but I would find even the sight of it offensive. I would be thinking, "what is this preposterously useless high tech gadget doing on my reminiscent form of elegant transportation?"

 

Couldn't disagree more. To us, cruising isn't about nostalgia. It's an all-inclusive resort that happens to change location each night. It's a way to visit multiple destinations and only unpack once. If Pepper will help me find my way around the ship more easily, then bring it on.

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Lizzie68

Lizzie68

Posted
Posted
Couldn't disagree more. To us, cruising isn't about nostalgia. It's an all-inclusive resort that happens to change location each night. It's a way to visit multiple destinations and only unpack once. If Pepper will help me find my way around the ship more easily, then bring it on.

 

That sums it up for me too. I would have no problem with a Pepper roaming the ship, it might add some novelty. But as I said before - HAL has enough problems with technology, so we don't have to be concerned about this for a very long time. But even if it happened no way would it stop me cruising.

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Tom O. Great Review Rare

Tom O.

Posted
Posted
Couldn't disagree more. To us, cruising isn't about nostalgia. It's an all-inclusive resort that happens to change location each night. It's a way to visit multiple destinations and only unpack once. If Pepper will help me find my way around the ship more easily, then bring it on.

 

It just goes to show you that we each have our own reasons for cruising and our own unique tastes. This is why we have so many different cruise lines, each one trying to appeal to clientele with a different taste.

I often don't even get off the ship when it is in port. For me the ship is the vacation.

If I just want to visit someplace, I will fly.

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cruz chic

cruz chic

Posted
Posted
Couldn't disagree more. To us, cruising isn't about nostalgia. It's an all-inclusive resort that happens to change location each night. It's a way to visit multiple destinations and only unpack once. If Pepper will help me find my way around the ship more easily, then bring it on.

 

I have to agree with you. It a way to get from a to b. I haven't got any major concerns about robots but I don't ask a lot of extra things from the staff. Maybe they'd be more efficient in getting issues resolved when they happen.

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cruz chic

cruz chic

Posted
Posted
It just goes to show you that we each have our own reasons for cruising and our own unique tastes. This is why we have so many different cruise lines, each one trying to appeal to clientele with a different taste.

I often don't even get off the ship when it is in port. For me the ship is the vacation.

If I just want to visit someplace, I will fly.

 

It would be difficult to fly to 5 different ports in 7 days the way flying is now.

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POA1 "Live from...." Rare

POA1

Posted
Posted

 

"The first batch of Peppers will join the crew and start helping on board of AIDAprima and Costa Diadema in spring 2016, guiding guests when they embark and while onboard. They will also be on hand to provide recommendations and tips on restaurants, events and excursions. Of course, all while speaking impeccable German, Italian and English."

 

Eventually, there will be cutbacks and you'll have people complaining, and remembering "the good old days when a real robot would escort you to your stateroom. :D

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dakrewser

dakrewser

Posted
Posted
It will be a sad day for me, when I consider a cruise line nothing more than a ferry service.

 

 

Not a ferry service - you can't bring your car - but a mode of transportation. And just air transport can encompass both economy on Spirit to 1st Class on Emirates (and everything in between) so too do cruise lines offer differences in accommodation and amenities.

 

A cruise ship is my preferred mode of transportation. After all, "getting there is half the fun!" :)

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