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JUST BACK FROM CUBA ON THE VEENDAM


Chuck
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Hi Chuck:  You asked a question about the value of loyalty programs.  With the number of cruises you've taken (15) and your age you are really not going to be able to get to the higher tiers of any programs to get meaningful benefits.  I'm in my early(ish) 60's with over 30 cruises and I'm in the same boat.  I'll never be a Pinnacle (RCI), 5 star (HAL) Diamond (Cunard) or Elite (Princess), I'm not loyal to one line and usually pick my cruise based upon the itinerary.  The line with the best benefits for the very top level is Royal Caribbean in my opinion...and those people (Pins...) take their status oh so seriously.  They can cruise in the cheapest inside cabins and get to use the nearly all the suite only facilities and three free drinks a night.  All for a mere 700 points (that would be nights in a regular cabin....or double in a suite)....It's a mortality issue....I won't live long enough based upon doing 2 cruises a year, nor would I go "all in" with any cruise line.       

 

I did  Quebec City to New York last year on the Zuiderdam and absolutely loved it, it is an amazing itinerary and I love the ship.  Plan to spend a few days in Quebec City and don't miss the mansions in Newport.  We did a "navigation suite" it was definitely not a tin can.  

Edited by DougMacP
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Sorry I only skimmed through the comments but saw mention of elevators not working. We got off the ship Nov 30 and the elevators were not working....ARE THEY STILL NOT WORKING??? OMG!!!

 

Enjoyed the cruise, #25 and highlight was definitely Cuba but be warned....VERY EXPENSIVE over other ports.  

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14 minutes ago, DougMacP said:

Hi Chuck:  You asked a question about the value of loyalty programs.  With the number of cruises you've taken (15) and your age you are really not going to be able to get to the higher tiers of any programs to get meaningful benefits.  I'm in my early(ish) 60's with over 30 cruises and I'm in the same boat.  I'll never be a Pinnacle (RCI), 5 star (HAL) Diamond (Cunard) or Elite (Princess), I'm not loyal to one line and usually pick my cruise based upon the itinerary.  The line with the best benefits for the very top level is Royal Caribbean in my opinion...and those people (Pins...) take their status oh so seriously.  They can cruise in the cheapest inside cabins and get to use the nearly all the suite only facilities and three free drinks a night.  All for a mere 700 points (that would be nights in a regular cabin....or double in a suite)....It's a mortality issue....I won't live long enough based upon doing 2 cruises a year, nor would I go "all in" with any cruise line.       

 

I did  Quebec City to New York last year on the Zuiderdam and absolutely loved it, it is an amazing itinerary and I love the ship.  Plan to spend a few days in Quebec City and don't miss the mansions in Newport.  We did a "navigation suite" it was definitely not a tin can.  

Hi DougMacP;  THANK YOU A MILLION for your reply.  In Newport my wife signed us up for "The Cliff Walk & The Breakers Tour".  I almost always let her pick what she want to do as I usually don't care as long as we are having a good time.  She wants to do the Salem Witch Museum in Boston as well.  We signed up for excursions in every port.  Have NOT SIGNED up for anything yet in Quebec City and yes we are going in a day early.  What would you suggest in Quebec City???   Iam not sure I want to cancel this cruise as I got the completely FREE DRINK PACKAGE as a BONUS so there's a pretty good chance I will NOT be canceling it. 

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Some objectivity is needed here.

the OP calls a Vista Suite. Which is really a large balcony stateroom a “ Sardine Can”.

now this is just complete nonsense. It is larger than the average European Hotel room and large for a seagoing vessel.

 

the OP claims that the bathroom was “tiny” and had almost no shelves. This is also NOT correct. All HAL bathrooms are standard Cruiseship size or larger.

 

 

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Have NOT SIGNED up for anything yet in Quebec City and yes we are going in a day early.  What would you suggest in Quebec City???   Iam not sure I want to cancel this cruise as I got the completely FREE DRINK PACKAGE as a BONUS so there's a pretty good chance I will NOT be canceling it. 

 

Who doesn't love free drinks!!!  So if you are going to be there a couple of days...definitely do a tour of the Fort.....Have drinks in Fairmont Chateau Frontenac (you'll probably take the stairs to the top of the bluff...but there is also a funicular).  Have dinner in one of the sidewalk cafes......Walk (and walk and walk) and take it all in....it is amazing.  

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1 minute ago, Despegue said:

Some objectivity is needed here.

the OP calls a Vista Suite. Which is really a large balcony stateroom a “ Sardine Can”.

now this is just complete nonsense. It is larger than the average European Hotel room and large for a seagoing vessel.

 

the OP claims that the bathroom was “tiny” and had almost no shelves. This is also NOT correct. All HAL bathrooms are standard Cruiseship size or larger.

 

 

Oh Contrare contrare Despegue;   Maybe you are European and used to living in a small hut.  We are NOT.  We had exactly 225 square feet and YES by all means it felt just like being squeezed in a "SARDINE CAN" in oh so many ways.   The bathroom almost made me CLAUSTROPHOBIC.  SERIOUSLY, it was really TEENY TINY.  Two very small glass shelves on the right wall.  One lavatory and one shower overhanging the tub.  When I sat on the stool my RIGHT KNEE ACTUALLY HIT AGAINST THE TUB.  NOW Despegue you can call it what you want "but thats small" by my way of thinking.  Then we will move onto the little 23" computer sized TV that got 6 channels of which 3 were ships channels that you NEVER watch.  They got ESPN and 2 other channels.  One for the DEMOCRATS (MSNBC)  and one for the Republicans (FOX NEWS) and thats it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Pretty pathetic in all honesty.  I stubbed my toe several times in the night getting up to go to the bathroom.  The sofa was a very small well worn loveseat not really a sofa which was ok but certainly nothing special.   We are probably going on the Zuiderdam in SEPT. of this year and HAL tells me our room on this one is 294 square feet with a separate shower and 2 lavatorys plus a nice 55" TV in the room.   So with the free drink package that we are getting we'll probably go but I do have up until June 30th to make the "FINAL DECISION".  In other words I can get a FULL REFUND up until that date.   Thanks for your input but we'll just have to disagree on the sardine cans.   LOL

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1 hour ago, Mickb said:

I cannot understand why the OP should be shot down in flames for voicing his opinion. He obviously paid a great deal of money for this cruise and is disappointed. Veendam is an older ship and had problems some years ago that do not seem to have been fixed. 

I cannot understand why people who have obviously had a good experience on a ship cannot accept that just because they enjoyed it everyone else must too. 

Of our 17 cruises, we have sailed 4 times with HAL, 2 were excellent and 2 were not. When I commented on this board ( much like the OP) I was shot down by someone who had sailed on the ship in question and told me I was wrong!

Perception is reality!

Chuck - your opinion is a valid as everyone else’s!

you might like to consider Celebrity, Cunard or Oceana ( the bigger new ships).

Good luck

 

 

Ditto.  I’m actually embarrassed for a couple blind  loyalists  who felt compelled to research, then cut and paste  previous posts by the OP.  

Chuck, keep on telling it as you see it.  

 

 

 

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4 minutes ago, Chuck said:

We are probably going on the Zuiderdam in SEPT. of this year and HAL tells me our room on this one is 294 square feet with a separate shower and 2 lavatorys plus a nice 55" TV in the room.   So with the free drink package that we are getting we'll probably go but I do have up until June 30th to make the "FINAL DECISION".

 

Sounds like you have a Signature Suite booked on the Zuiderdam.  

 

That’s a horse of a different colour from a verandah.  I suggest you go to halfacts do com in advance and make sure that the room will meet your standards.  Lots of pics there from CC members who have been on the ship.

 

Any of the Vista class are the same except the Noordam.

 

For the Veendam, you probably needed a Neptune Suite if you wanted to not feel like you were in a sardine can, but that is a big price 😉 

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12 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Sounds like you have a Signature Suite booked on the Zuiderdam.  

 

That’s a horse of a different colour from a verandah.  I suggest you go to halfacts do com in advance and make sure that the room will meet your standards.  Lots of pics there from CC members who have been on the ship.

 

Any of the Vista class are the same except the Noordam.

 

For the Veendam, you probably needed a Neptune Suite if you wanted to not feel like you were in a sardine can, but that is a big price 😉 

KAZU;  I owe you a "BIG THANK YOU" my friend.  I have NEVER heard of "Halfacts.com".   I just went there and looked at the rooms on the Navagation Deck #8.  I couldn't find our particular room but I found a room literally right next door.  It looks much bigger than our room on the Veendam.  Its 294 sq. feet VS 225 sq. feet on the Veendam.  So again, I do want to say Thank You to you.    Happy Sailing to you.

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20 minutes ago, Chuck said:

KAZU;  I owe you a "BIG THANK YOU" my friend.  I have NEVER heard of "Halfacts.com".   I just went there and looked at the rooms on the Navagation Deck #8.  I couldn't find our particular room but I found a room literally right next door.  It looks much bigger than our room on the Veendam.  Its 294 sq. feet VS 225 sq. feet on the Veendam.  So again, I do want to say Thank You to you.    Happy Sailing to you.

Signature suites are much bigger than a verandah.

 

Only available on the Vista class and above (newer ships) and the Prinsendam (the oldest).  Not on the R & S class ships (of which Veendam is one).

 

The Signature Suites are pretty much identical except the HC cabins and a couple of smaller ones but if you are in and SY or SS you should be good.

 

halfacts was established by CC members here and the contributors are all CC members who have been on the ships.  I always go there when I am debating the pros and cons of different rooms if I am unfamiliar 😉 

 

Glad I could help.

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56 minutes ago, Chuck said:

.........   We are probably going on the Zuiderdam in SEPT. of this year and HAL tells me our room on this one is 294 square feet with a separate shower and 2 lavatorys plus a nice 55" TV in the room.   So with the free drink package that we are getting we'll probably go but I do have up until June 30th to make the "FINAL DECISION".  In other words I can get a FULL REFUND up until that date.   Thanks for your input but we'll just have to disagree on the sardine cans.   LOL

 

Better check out what HAL meant when you claim they told you there would be "two lavatorys" (sic) in your Zuiderdam cabin.  You get two sinks in the same bathroom room; but not two comodes.  HATE to see you DISAPPOINTED by confused SEMANTICS again. 

Edited by OlsSalt
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43 minutes ago, Chuck said:

We are NOT.  We had exactly 225 square feet and YES by all means it felt just like being squeezed in a "SARDINE CAN" in oh so many ways.   The bathroom almost made me CLAUSTROPHOBIC.  SERIOUSLY, it was really TEENY TINY. 

The Vista Suites on the Veendam (all the S- and R-class ships) are larger than the Vista Suites on the larger HAL ships. You should have booked a Neptune Suite if you wanted more room.
Clearly, if you think a Vista Suite on the Veendam is a 'sardine can', then you have never sailed in a small cabin. There are many, many smaller cabins on all lines.

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1 hour ago, sammiedawg said:

 

Ditto.  I’m actually embarrassed for a couple blind  loyalists  who felt compelled to research, then cut and paste  previous posts by the OP.  

Chuck, keep on telling it as you see it.  

 

 

 

 

Aww, don't be EMBARRASSED. The RESEARCH was very ENLIGHTENING.

 

Truth is alway encouraged. And sorting fact from opinion. that too. Everyone benefits from the free exchange. 

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17 hours ago, kazu said:

Signature suites are much bigger than a verandah.

 

Only available on the Vista class and above (newer ships) and the Prinsendam (the oldest).  Not on the R & S class ships (of which Veendam is one).

 

The Signature Suites are pretty much identical except the HC cabins and a couple of smaller ones but if you are in and SY or SS you should be good.

 

halfacts was established by CC members here and the contributors are all CC members who have been on the ships.  I always go there when I am debating the pros and cons of different rooms if I am unfamiliar 😉 

 

Glad I could help.

Hi Kazu;  Me again.  Yes, we are in a SY on the Navigation Deck #8.   I think we'll be OK.   One last thing (maybe 2) I really wish HAL would offer more channels on their TV system.  The offerings truly suck.  They really do.  And lastly its a shame that their internet service is so horrible too.   I really enjoy checking me emails ( I get well over 100 per day) and about 10 other sites daily and its almost impossible as its either down or incredibly S  L  O  W.   Yes, I typed that to make a point!!!!!    LOL

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We learned a long time ago that cruise ship nomenclature, as it pertains to cabin size, is next to useless.  You really do have to look up the specific cabin data and then adjust for balcony size where applicable.  The numbers are all over the map.  

 

So often we have seen various cruise lines call what we would refer to as a standard balcony a suite because it has an extra 10 sq. feet or so of space, two complementary bottles of water, and so called priority boarding.  We do not care about having our egos stroked.  For us, after ship and itinerary,  it is all about the ratio of  size of cabin, location, and bottom line pricing.

 

We suspect people try to relate what the cruise line may call a suite to their perception of a suite in a hotel.  No doubt cruise lines are very aware of this.  The marketing gurus spend their careers trying to determine how to increase the revenue by  offering low cost amenities or creating a sense of exclusivity.

Edited by iancal
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1 minute ago, iancal said:

We learned a long time ago that cruise ship nomenclature, as it pertains to cabin size, is next to useless.  You really do have to look up the specific cabin data and then adjust for balcony size where applicable.  The numbers are all over the map.

 

So often we have seen various cruise lines call what we would refer to as a standard balcony a suite because it has an extra 10 sq. feet or so of space, two complementary bottles of water, and so called priority boarding.

 

We suspect people try to relate what the cruise line may call a suite to their perception of a suite in a hotel.  No doubt cruise lines are very aware of this.  It is all about marketing. 

Hello icancal;   How are you???   I agree with your post 100%.  As I now reflect back on this cruise ( we were on the Veendam from the 4th to the 14th)  we did have a really nice times.  If God came down and said "Hey Chuck, I'll let you change just 2 things for your next cruise so let me know what you want???"  I would say "Hello my Dear Lord, well since you asked the 2 things would be just these two things---" A Bigger Room" and "Many more TV channels to watch".   Thats it Lord.   I know the room thing can be solved with what they call "More Money" but the TV thing can't and won't be changed as the crew members told me they don't want you in your room "watching TV" because then you are not up in the Lounge or Casino spending your hard earned dollars.  Like you said earlier its all about the "MARKETING".   LOL

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I would add three things to that list, apart from the usual.

 

Elevators that work.  All of them.

AC/HVAC that works. 

Plumbing that works.

 

We are not interested in playing cruise ship lottery with older ships that have a history of issues.  It may be that only 5 percent of the cabins have the issue but our goal is to reduce that risk by selecting ships with higher customer sat ratings and fewer reports of on going issues-some year after year after year.  It is about getting what you pay for and having the cruise line satisfy the expectations that they have set.

Edited by iancal
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18 minutes ago, Chuck said:

and "Many more TV channels to watch". 

 

I don’t think the # of TV channels change but I believe on the Vista class ships (of which Zuiderdam is one) you will find on demand movies and shows on your larger TV on board.

 

Your older ship had DVD’s you could borrow (at no cost) to watch on your TV.

Hopefully the on demand on the Zuiderdam will satiate your TV needs 😉 

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Just now, kazu said:

 

I don’t think the # of TV channels change but I believe on the Vista class ships (of which Zuiderdam is one) you will find on demand movies and shows on your larger TV on board.

 

Your older ship had DVD’s you could borrow (at no cost) to watch on your TV.

Hopefully the on demand on the Zuiderdam will satiate your TV needs 😉 

Thank You Kazu for your reply.  From what I can tell by the posts and the size of our room on the Zuiderdam I think we are going to be OK.   I have talked at great length to my wife about our upcoming cruise on the Zuiderdam to Canada (13 days) in Sept. and she still wants to go.  So I subscribe to the philosophy of "HAPPY WIFE--HAPPY LIFE".   LOL     Plus we are getting a completely free drink package of up to 15 drinks per day so I probably won't remember any dissapointments that took place.  Ha Ha LOL again.

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7 hours ago, Chuck said:

Hello icancal;   How are you???   I agree with your post 100%.  As I now reflect back on this cruise ( we were on the Veendam from the 4th to the 14th)  we did have a really nice times.  If God came down and said "Hey Chuck, I'll let you change just 2 things for your next cruise so let me know what you want???"  I would say "Hello my Dear Lord, well since you asked the 2 things would be just these two things---" A Bigger Room" and "Many more TV channels to watch".   Thats it Lord.   I know the room thing can be solved with what they call "More Money" but the TV thing can't and won't be changed as the crew members told me they don't want you in your room "watching TV" because then you are not up in the Lounge or Casino spending your hard earned dollars.  Like you said earlier its all about the "MARKETING".   LOL

 

I have noticed the TV channel issue on several cruise lines.  I think many of them are reducing channels to only a few and some are worse than HAL on their selection. So if you decide to look at another cruise line, this is something you might want to ask about on that lines board.   I hope you found the movie channel when you were on the Veendam. I watched a couple of fairly recent movies and they also re-show the movies that they play in the Wajang theater.   I liked the on demand movies when I was on the Oosterdam, too.

 

For what it's worth, I agree with you on the tv's on the Veendam.  It seems like a small update that wouldn't be relatively cost prohibitive that most people would really appreciate.

 

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While I agree with some of the OP’s points, my husband and I and friends went on this cruise an really enjoyed ourselves. Loved Havana and probably won’t go again but that’s only because there are lots more places to see,

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We thank the OP (and some others) for posting about the Veendam and Cuba.  Now, I want to speak to a delicate matter on these boards.  HAL has more then it's share of older vessels that seem to suffer from numerous maintenance "lapses."  We have been on our share of HAL vessels, love the line for its terrific itineraries, excellent crew, and fellow passengers.  But we often find ourselves "looking the other way" when it concerns "issues" on the ships such as cabin A/C that does not cool our cabin, leaks around the ship, moldy smells in some areas (likely do to leaks), MDR cuisine that has become.....let us say tired.... etc etc.  As 5 Star Mariners we understand we are supposed to overlook these kind of issues (just read posts from many cheerleaders over the years) and I guess we do overlook to some degree since we continue to book some cruises on HAL.  

 

But here is the shocker for those who do not venture out on other cruise lines on a routine basis.  We seldom see the kind of maintenance issues on other lines (although Princess does have issues with some of their older Grand Class vessels).  Why is this?   Perhaps it is the propensity of HAL to operate older vessels and defer needed (and expensive) renovations.  Of maybe its just a management attitude that says "a little rust or a few leaks are no big deal"  or "we can cut the quality of some food items...and nobody will notice,"  or "we can reduce the number of entertainers on the ship and nobody will notice," etc. etc.  We do notice!  We still remember when HAL had 7 piece bands (including a 2 piece brass section) which have since been replaced with smaller groups that try to replicate every instrument with keyboards.  We remember our beloved Rosario groups (usually quartets) since replaced by duos of varying quality.   When we were last on the Rotterdam we enjoyed the BB King group...but alas. that has now been removed from that class of ship.   And it seems like every subsequent HAL cruise finds more "dark nights" in the theater or a movie instead of live entertainment (we do not cruise to see movies).   And what happened to that wonderful Fresh Squeezed OJ in the Lido?  Or the Wagyu Beef burgers in the Pinnacle (at lunch).  And then there were the Sterling Beef steaks in the Pinnacle replaced by something that is just not quite as good (but nobody is supposed to notice).  

 

Ok folks, so flame away.  But we are concerned that this HAL cruise line that we have enjoyed for many years is now living on its past excellent reputation...and quickly falling behind many of its competitors.

 

Hank

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40 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

We thank the OP (and some others) for posting about the Veendam and Cuba.  Now, I want to speak to a delicate matter on these boards.  HAL has more then it's share of older vessels that seem to suffer from numerous maintenance "lapses."  We have been on our share of HAL vessels, love the line for its terrific itineraries, excellent crew, and fellow passengers.  But we often find ourselves "looking the other way" when it concerns "issues" on the ships such as cabin A/C that does not cool our cabin, leaks around the ship, moldy smells in some areas (likely do to leaks), MDR cuisine that has become.....let us say tired.... etc etc.  As 5 Star Mariners we understand we are supposed to overlook these kind of issues (just read posts from many cheerleaders over the years) and I guess we do overlook to some degree since we continue to book some cruises on HAL.  

 

But here is the shocker for those who do not venture out on other cruise lines on a routine basis.  We seldom see the kind of maintenance issues on other lines (although Princess does have issues with some of their older Grand Class vessels).  Why is this?   Perhaps it is the propensity of HAL to operate older vessels and defer needed (and expensive) renovations.  Of maybe its just a management attitude that says "a little rust or a few leaks are no big deal"  or "we can cut the quality of some food items...and nobody will notice,"  or "we can reduce the number of entertainers on the ship and nobody will notice," etc. etc.  We do notice!  We still remember when HAL had 7 piece bands (including a 2 piece brass section) which have since been replaced with smaller groups that try to replicate every instrument with keyboards.  We remember our beloved Rosario groups (usually quartets) since replaced by duos of varying quality.   When we were last on the Rotterdam we enjoyed the BB King group...but alas. that has now been removed from that class of ship.   And it seems like every subsequent HAL cruise finds more "dark nights" in the theater or a movie instead of live entertainment (we do not cruise to see movies).   And what happened to that wonderful Fresh Squeezed OJ in the Lido?  Or the Wagyu Beef burgers in the Pinnacle (at lunch).  And then there were the Sterling Beef steaks in the Pinnacle replaced by something that is just not quite as good (but nobody is supposed to notice).  

 

Ok folks, so flame away.  But we are concerned that this HAL cruise line that we have enjoyed for many years is now living on its past excellent reputation...and quickly falling behind many of its competitors.

 

Hank

 

Predictable comments from you. No flames, you met all prior expectations.   No, the 7 piece HAL orchestra will not be back. Thanks for your memories. And no, HAL does not even come close to sailing the ships you so negatively and routinely describe. Calling out for flaming makes one wonder what your real intent is on this HAL forum. Let it go, Hiltner. Just let it go. 

 

HAL competition is either the high-priced luxury smaller ships or the high-glitz mega ships with routine routes and high port impcat. Glad HAL continues to "fall behind the competition" and continues  to deliver so much value for the money. So far HAL's only  real competition in the small ship - interesting itinerary - low key - modest frills category is Fred Olsen Cruise line. No seven piece orchestras on those ships either.

Edited by OlsSalt
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Hlitner is spot on with those comments.

 

Clearly unbiased comments from an individual who does not limit himself to one cruise line nor does he look at any one  cruise line or ship through nostalgic eyes or rose colored glasses.  Unlike some other posters who have a different view of reality.  Just the harsh light of reality and a sense of fair comparison between ships and cruise lines.  They are, after all, only for profit corporations.

 

 

 

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