Did P&O Order the Wrong Ships?

[terrierjohn]

3 minutes ago, Britboys said:

I guess it may also depend on the number of non-British pax onboard. We British often seem keener on lying out in the sun than some other nations, especially perhaps Americans.

We have only sailed from Southampton on RCI, and the last time during school holidays there were 95% Brits on board 

[Yorkypete]

45 minutes ago, Britboys said:

I guess it may also depend on the number of non-British pax onboard. We British often seem keener on lying out in the sun than some other nations, especially perhaps Americans.

That could be mainly because on P&O ships there is b'all else to do! I for one do not lay out in the sun having had the dreaded skin cancer twice with minor ops to remove small growths. Told emphatically that lying in the sun is bad for you.

[Britboys]

35 minutes ago, Yorkypete said:

That could be mainly because on P&O ships there is b'all else to do! I for one do not lay out in the sun having had the dreaded skin cancer twice with minor ops to remove small growths. Told emphatically that lying in the sun is bad for you.

Well, it does depend what interests/attracts you but I am sure the likes of RCI have many more and varied diversions aboard their ships. Also depends what is happening aboard P&O ships these days. My last proper cruise with them was in 2017 but I'll find out soon how things are now...

[Megabear2]

I regularly sail RCI out of Fort Lauderdale, particularly on the mega ships (Allure and Oasis before she relocated) I would say that the upper deck space is vast on the "balconies". What is not so large is the areas around the pools, particularly in the shaded areas.  Apart from these two ships I've only sailed RCIs smaller ships where I did find it harder to find seating areas outside.  The latter of course do not have anywhere near the amount of ice rinks, water slides etc.  My experience on Allure is that the "thrill" rides (the zip line across the ship and ifly for instance) are popular with American families.  However I get the impression on longer cruises such as the transatlantic voyages that the novelty wears off because they are very much unused after a few days.

 

The ships sailing from the UK in recent years have mainly been Independence and Anthem, although Quantum served for a while before transferring to the Far East. RCI know their markets - Quantum underwent a massive overhaul to install a mega casino to meet the Far East gambling obsession.  Those sailing from the UK are being treated to ships designed more for "cold" weather cruises, those sailing the Caribbean get the older ships which mainly don't have ice rinks etc.

 

Anyone sailing on RCI out of the UK gets very little idea of the rest of the fleet as a result.  The famous rockwalls were a novelty for a time. Marella kept them on the ships they purchased, the golf courses the same.  The "fairgrounds" were a novelty introduced on Anthem and Quantum, the Central Park on the Oasis ships just another novelty in the same way.  The exhibition pools on the rear of the mega ships are mainly a waste of space as they aren't useable by the public.  The list of "novelties goes on and water slides are just part of this pattern.  The MSC megaships introduced the dark water flumes, a sort of Wet and Wild at sea, RCI decided they needed them too hence the ugly contraption on Wonder of the Seas. 

 

P&O know their market very well.  Families out of term time and a cross section of mainly over 40s and retirees at other times.  The UK schools are locked in far more than US schools to the dates children are out of school and for all the desire to be a family ship if most of your passengers are not sailing with children for a large part of the year they need to walk a fine line on what will actually be used all year.  No point spending money installing expensive slides, rides etc plus the staff to man them if 75% of the time your passengers aren't going to want to use them.  

 

It needs to be remembered that the American ships depart from Europe come the Autumn. They do it for a variety of reasons but mainly because their ships are designed to work for quick 5-7 day itineraries sailing from the US.  All RCI is looking for is a lot of people spending a lot of regular money in quick succession.  With their limited annual holiday allowance and lots of long holiday weekends their ships are serving that purpose.  Any occasional offering of a newer ship is a breadcrumb to the UK market to try to tempt travellers into the new megaships.

 

The ships we get in Southampton from RCI are actually "old hat" to the Americans with their party ship requirements. As anyone who has sailed out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale knows there's absolutely no comparison with the vibe onboard!

[Yorkypete]

32 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

I regularly sail RCI out of Fort Lauderdale, particularly on the mega ships (Allure and Oasis before she relocated) I would say that the upper deck space is vast on the "balconies". What is not so large is the areas around the pools, particularly in the shaded areas.  Apart from these two ships I've only sailed RCIs smaller ships where I did find it harder to find seating areas outside.  The latter of course do not have anywhere near the amount of ice rinks, water slides etc.  My experience on Allure is that the "thrill" rides (the zip line across the ship and ifly for instance) are popular with American families.  However I get the impression on longer cruises such as the transatlantic voyages that the novelty wears off because they are very much unused after a few days.

 

The ships sailing from the UK in recent years have mainly been Independence and Anthem, although Quantum served for a while before transferring to the Far East. RCI know their markets - Quantum underwent a massive overhaul to install a mega casino to meet the Far East gambling obsession.  Those sailing from the UK are being treated to ships designed more for "cold" weather cruises, those sailing the Caribbean get the older ships which mainly don't have ice rinks etc.

 

Anyone sailing on RCI out of the UK gets very little idea of the rest of the fleet as a result.  The famous rockwalls were a novelty for a time. Marella kept them on the ships they purchased, the golf courses the same.  The "fairgrounds" were a novelty introduced on Anthem and Quantum, the Central Park on the Oasis ships just another novelty in the same way.  The exhibition pools on the rear of the mega ships are mainly a waste of space as they aren't useable by the public.  The list of "novelties goes on and water slides are just part of this pattern.  The MSC megaships introduced the dark water flumes, a sort of Wet and Wild at sea, RCI decided they needed them too hence the ugly contraption on Wonder of the Seas. 

 

P&O know their market very well.  Families out of term time and a cross section of mainly over 40s and retirees at other times.  The UK schools are locked in far more than US schools to the dates children are out of school and for all the desire to be a family ship if most of your passengers are not sailing with children for a large part of the year they need to walk a fine line on what will actually be used all year.  No point spending money installing expensive slides, rides etc plus the staff to man them if 75% of the time your passengers aren't going to want to use them.  

 

It needs to be remembered that the American ships depart from Europe come the Autumn. They do it for a variety of reasons but mainly because their ships are designed to work for quick 5-7 day itineraries sailing from the US.  All RCI is looking for is a lot of people spending a lot of regular money in quick succession.  With their limited annual holiday allowance and lots of long holiday weekends their ships are serving that purpose.  Any occasional offering of a newer ship is a breadcrumb to the UK market to try to tempt travellers into the new megaships.

 

The ships we get in Southampton from RCI are actually "old hat" to the Americans with their party ship requirements. As anyone who has sailed out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale knows there's absolutely no comparison with the vibe onboard!

Well put , but there is still b'all to do on P&O especially on sea days. An observation I made is that the Brits seem to like either sunbathing or the bar. Many a time people are drinking at breakfast time and it seems that alchohol  plays a massive part in a cruise. As a very light drinker (too much when I played rugby!) and one who actually avoids just sitting in the  sun as I like to be doing things even in my seventies, I find the P&O a little boring. The entertainment is diabolical and the facilities are non-existence. I often wonder why people pay so much for a cruise when they can sunbathe on a river bank and visit the pub after!.

[Bazrat]

3 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

Well it must be all the other types of entertainment then that ensures there is always plenty of sun loungers available. Maybe before she is finished P&O could fit a couple of flumes to Arvia, then we can see if my theory is correct.

So your saying that there is plenty of sun loungers all around the ship to cater for the masses including under the flumes must be quiet there.

[Bazrat]

4 minutes ago, Yorkypete said:

Well put , but there is still b'all to do on P&O especially on sea days. An observation I made is that the Brits seem to like either sunbathing or the bar. Many a time people are drinking at breakfast time and it seems that alchohol  plays a massive part in a cruise. As a very light drinker (too much when I played rugby!) and one who actually avoids just sitting in the  sun as I like to be doing things even in my seventies, I find the P&O a little boring. The entertainment is diabolical and the facilities are non-existence. I often wonder why people pay so much for a cruise when they can sunbathe on a river bank and visit the pub after!.

The drinking we never really come across but agree about the sunbathing must be to do with the British climate, as for the entertainment we can take it or leave it we don’t need to be entertained constantly must be our years of touring that we can enjoy the quiet.

[Britboys]

8 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

The drinking we never really come across but agree about the sunbathing must be to do with the British climate, as for the entertainment we can take it or leave it we don’t need to be entertained constantly must be our years of touring that we can enjoy the quiet.

I've not noticed big drinking either - maybe it is more prevalent on the big ships and/ or shorter cruises? I've generally found the entertainment adequate to good for my tastes but like everything else, it doesn't seem as good or as comprehensive in more recent years.

Edited August 15, 2022 by Britboys

[Megabear2]

30 minutes ago, Yorkypete said:

Well put , but there is still b'all to do on P&O especially on sea days. An observation I made is that the Brits seem to like either sunbathing or the bar. Many a time people are drinking at breakfast time and it seems that alchohol  plays a massive part in a cruise. As a very light drinker (too much when I played rugby!) and one who actually avoids just sitting in the  sun as I like to be doing things even in my seventies, I find the P&O a little boring. The entertainment is diabolical and the facilities are non-existence. I often wonder why people pay so much for a cruise when they can sunbathe on a river bank and visit the pub after!.

Whether we like it or not the drinking is a very large part of British culture.  Recently there have been a large number of articles about how young people are moving away from this and the rise of non alcoholic drinks as a result.

 

The drinking is not a cruising problem it's a lifestyle problem.  During the pandemic often the PM talked about how he understood people wanting to go to the pub.  He had his finger very much on the pulse of Britain there!

 

As to whether it's right or wrong is another matter.  However I know you are a supporter of RCI but have you cruised out of the USA on their or for that matter any other line?  Americans hit the alcohol from the minute they get onboard, many drinking beer like a kid drinks cola.  It's a mainstay of their holiday.

 

I believe you are planning on leaving P&O so that's for you to decide.  The b'all that you mention can be said about most cruises though unless you are going to be leaping around all day ice skating or whatever.  However if that's your reason for choosing RCI good luck to you.  Sea days on P&O offer something for everyone in my experience.  For instance if the run a quiz they run it somewhere where everyone who wants to participate can at least get in the venue. On Allure the bar and public areas are too small to even do that on occasion.

 

I'm unsure where you pick up your ships but if it's mainly Southampton it really isn't comparable.

 

Would you for instance be happy with one of the ships built with a huge casino for the gambling community or would you think it wrong that they gamble a lot?  Sailing out of US on RCI and Celebrity are large numbers who don't actually pay for their cruises!  They are the heavy gamblers who are allowed to offset the cost of their cruises against their gambling.  Whilst judging sun loving drinkers from the UK how do you feel about these guys?

 

My point is we all want different things from our holidays. If we don't like what we have bought we can't demand everyone else changes because we didn't like it.

 

[BouncingWheel]

1 hour ago, Britboys said:

I've not noticed big drinking either - maybe it is more prevalent on the big ships and/ or shorter cruises? I've generally found the entertainment adequate to good for my tastes but like everything else, it doesn't seem as good or as comprehensive in more recent years.

I have only noticed the big drinking on Princess or RCI (British Cruises) but that is probably because of the drinks packages and Brits love to get their money's worth. P&O drinks packages do not tend to be that good value for money so, other than the 3-4 day booze cruises, don't lend themselves to a drink fest. 

P&O do have a lot of daytime activities but they are more sedate such as quizzes, dancing, lectures, ship games/tournaments so a definite difference to RCI but that is the beauty of cruising at the moment - something for everyone. 

[Bill Y]

2 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

I regularly sail RCI out of Fort Lauderdale, particularly on the mega ships (Allure and Oasis before she relocated) I would say that the upper deck space is vast on the "balconies". What is not so large is the areas around the pools, particularly in the shaded areas.  Apart from these two ships I've only sailed RCIs smaller ships where I did find it harder to find seating areas outside.  The latter of course do not have anywhere near the amount of ice rinks, water slides etc.  My experience on Allure is that the "thrill" rides (the zip line across the ship and ifly for instance) are popular with American families.  However I get the impression on longer cruises such as the transatlantic voyages that the novelty wears off because they are very much unused after a few days.

 

The ships sailing from the UK in recent years have mainly been Independence and Anthem, although Quantum served for a while before transferring to the Far East. RCI know their markets - Quantum underwent a massive overhaul to install a mega casino to meet the Far East gambling obsession.  Those sailing from the UK are being treated to ships designed more for "cold" weather cruises, those sailing the Caribbean get the older ships which mainly don't have ice rinks etc.

 

Anyone sailing on RCI out of the UK gets very little idea of the rest of the fleet as a result.  The famous rockwalls were a novelty for a time. Marella kept them on the ships they purchased, the golf courses the same.  The "fairgrounds" were a novelty introduced on Anthem and Quantum, the Central Park on the Oasis ships just another novelty in the same way.  The exhibition pools on the rear of the mega ships are mainly a waste of space as they aren't useable by the public.  The list of "novelties goes on and water slides are just part of this pattern.  The MSC megaships introduced the dark water flumes, a sort of Wet and Wild at sea, RCI decided they needed them too hence the ugly contraption on Wonder of the Seas. 

 

P&O know their market very well.  Families out of term time and a cross section of mainly over 40s and retirees at other times.  The UK schools are locked in far more than US schools to the dates children are out of school and for all the desire to be a family ship if most of your passengers are not sailing with children for a large part of the year they need to walk a fine line on what will actually be used all year.  No point spending money installing expensive slides, rides etc plus the staff to man them if 75% of the time your passengers aren't going to want to use them.  

 

It needs to be remembered that the American ships depart from Europe come the Autumn. They do it for a variety of reasons but mainly because their ships are designed to work for quick 5-7 day itineraries sailing from the US.  All RCI is looking for is a lot of people spending a lot of regular money in quick succession.  With their limited annual holiday allowance and lots of long holiday weekends their ships are serving that purpose.  Any occasional offering of a newer ship is a breadcrumb to the UK market to try to tempt travellers into the new megaships.

 

The ships we get in Southampton from RCI are actually "old hat" to the Americans with their party ship requirements. As anyone who has sailed out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale knows there's absolutely no comparison with the vibe onboard!

An excellent analysis of the mass market, the cruise lines are always coy about their strategies.

 

You always do a more in depth study than many journalists.

 

[Windsurfboy]

There are two questions

 

1)Did P&O get size right. 

 

Presumably the economies of scale are massive,  but only P&O know that, but if they fill ships expect very profitable. 

 

2) Is there too little to do on ships compared to rival lines. 

 

As megabear said above , UK cruisers very different to US cousins. Who take short mainly one week or less for holidays,  not constrained about children's school and like to spend and party on board .  Contrast UK market,  For 2/3rds of time outside school holidays mainly adult British. 

 

A ship will always be a 3rd rate theme/ water park, An expensive and small shopping mall. If you want  a casino go to Vegas.

 

So sticking to what has been tried and tested for the UK market isn't that daft. The simple design with no water slides  and climbing walls etc , maximises outside space . Brits like to sunbathe. Gives more space for more restaurants and bars more revenue, also allows for maximum number of cabins. 

 

[Snow Hill]

5 hours ago, Yorkypete said:

Well put , but there is still b'all to do on P&O especially on sea days. An observation I made is that the Brits seem to like either sunbathing or the bar. Many a time people are drinking at breakfast time and it seems that alchohol  plays a massive part in a cruise. As a very light drinker (too much when I played rugby!) and one who actually avoids just sitting in the  sun as I like to be doing things even in my seventies, I find the P&O a little boring. The entertainment is diabolical and the facilities are non-existence. I often wonder why people pay so much for a cruise when they can sunbathe on a river bank and visit the pub after!.

We try to choose cruises that have very few sea days, we bring a couple of books with us to read on sea days we find a quite place on deck or sit on balcony, if weather is bad we find somewhere inside. I see cruise ships as a means to get to places I may not see otherwise, we have found the entertainment on board akin to that performed by our local rep some good, some bad, yes we have walked out of P&O theatres a number of times mid performance. When we first started cruising the talks on sea days were good, but have progressively gone downhill over the last few years. 
 

Now we have had this enforced break from P&O Cruises, we have begun to look at other lines, our friends who went on the Scarlet Lady in the last month thoroughly enjoyed it and would go again, it’s nothing like the TV program which only saw after they went. 

[Cruisemeister2002]

On 8/12/2022 at 11:44 AM, gsmt47471015 said:

I think you hit the nail on the head there

I think some of the designers of ships these days hit their head on a nail ? Most of them are no longer beautiful sleek design ocean going liners, they are floating blocks of flats and all that's missing from some of the kitsch goings on is a compare saying " Hi Di Hi" we already have Virgin with "Sailors" and "Rock Stars" and that's only the passengers. Whilst not trying to be a spoil sport where has refinement and decorum gone. Not worried about singing " Rule Britannia" or flag waving, but I like serenity, nice food and drink, a good laugh and joke with fellow passengers whilst sometimes putting right the wrongs of the world. Good entertainment in the form of shows, singers, comedians and a sprinkling of Classical musicians. A good book and see some new and interesting places. 

[Cruisemeister2002]

7 hours ago, Yorkypete said:

Well put , but there is still b'all to do on P&O especially on sea days. An observation I made is that the Brits seem to like either sunbathing or the bar. Many a time people are drinking at breakfast time and it seems that alchohol  plays a massive part in a cruise. As a very light drinker (too much when I played rugby!) and one who actually avoids just sitting in the  sun as I like to be doing things even in my seventies, I find the P&O a little boring. The entertainment is diabolical and the facilities are non-existence. I often wonder why people pay so much for a cruise when they can sunbathe on a river bank and visit the pub after!.

I do think it depends on what you are looking for on a cruise. Neither myself or wife are big drinkers and that would mean depending on shore or sailing days we may go to a bar if there's a football match I want to see and have one possibly two pints, my wife would maybe have a pina colada or cider or G&T. If it is a sunny day we would sit on deck, but not necessarily in direct sun. Back to the cabin late afternoon, have a drink in the cabin before going to a bar for a pre dinner drink. Sometimes we have a bottle of wine or we may take our drinks from the bar to the table. That would be it in most cases unless we went to a club with fellow passengers but if we went to the theatre we probably wouldn't have any more drinks. I/we don't find P&O boring in the least. Their cruises may not appeal to the more adventurous or those looking for climbing walls, dodgems or ice rinks. But I certainly wouldn't class myself and the missus as drinkers and sunbathers, neither of which we partake in to any extent.  

[Bazrat]

1 hour ago, Snow Hill said:

We try to choose cruises that have very few sea days, we bring a couple of books with us to read on sea days we find a quite place on deck or sit on balcony, if weather is bad we find somewhere inside. I see cruise ships as a means to get to places I may not see otherwise, we have found the entertainment on board akin to that performed by our local rep some good, some bad, yes we have walked out of P&O theatres a number of times mid performance. When we first started cruising the talks on sea days were good, but have progressively gone downhill over the last few years. 
 

Now we have had this enforced break from P&O Cruises, we have begun to look at other lines, our friends who went on the Scarlet Lady in the last month thoroughly enjoyed it and would go again, it’s nothing like the TV program which only saw after they went. 

We have seen people walk out of show’s halfway through the first song, would we go on scarlet lady or any virgin ship probably but not till we lose interest in P&O.

[Windsurfboy]

28 minutes ago, Cruisemeister2002 said:

I think some of the designers of ships these days hit their head on a nail ? Most of them are no longer beautiful sleek design ocean going liners, they are floating blocks of flats and all that's missing from some of the kitsch goings on is a compare saying " Hi Di Hi" we already have Virgin with "Sailors" and "Rock Stars" and that's only the passengers. Whilst not trying to be a spoil sport where has refinement and decorum gone. Not worried about singing " Rule Britannia" or flag waving, but I like serenity, nice food and drink, a good laugh and joke with fellow passengers whilst sometimes putting right the wrongs of the world. Good entertainment in the form of shows, singers, comedians and a sprinkling of Classical musicians. A good book and see some new and interesting places. 

 

I think there are three separate points.

 

Ships have got bigger to keep costs down

 

Hence perhaps the desire for own balcony , so every new ship looks like a block of flats. Even the small (1000 passengers ) Saga ship looked like this.

 

However I completely agree that never mind the size or look of ship you don't need water slides  and kitsch,  hi de hi sailors and rock stars 

 

Just need as you say so very well  "serenity, nice food and drink, a good laugh and joke with fellow passengers whilst sometimes putting right the wrongs of the world. Good entertainment in the form of shows, singers, comedians and a sprinkling of Classical musicians. A good book and see some new and interesting places. " to make a great ship

Edited August 15, 2022 by Windsurfboy

[Cruisemeister2002]

1 minute ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

I think there are three separate points.

 

Ships have got bigger to keep costs down

 

Hence perhaps the desire for own balcony , so every new ship looks like a block of flats. Even the small (1000 passengers ) Saga ship looked like this.

 

However I completely agree that never mind the size or look of ship you don't need water slides  and kitsch,  hi de hi sailors and rock stars 

 

Just need as you say so very well  "serenity, nice food and drink, a good laugh and joke with fellow passengers whilst sometimes putting right the wrongs of the world. Good entertainment in the form of shows, singers, comedians and a sprinkling of Classical musicians. A good book and see some new and interesting places. " to make a great ship

I'm sure your right with regards to the design of ships. Maximum cabin space with balconies. They can charge more, get more passengers aboard. Still think it's a shame though that those ships sprinting across the Atlantic to secure the Blue Riband were real Liners. Sadly I was to young and I wouldn't have had the readies anyway. Que Sera. 

[Windsurfboy]

12 minutes ago, Cruisemeister2002 said:

I'm sure your right with regards to the design of ships. Maximum cabin space with balconies. They can charge more, get more passengers aboard. Still think it's a shame though that those ships sprinting across the Atlantic to secure the Blue Riband were real Liners. Sadly I was to young and I wouldn't have had the readies anyway. Que Sera. 

 

We'd  have been in steerage in those days

[Britboys]

1 hour ago, Cruisemeister2002 said:

I think some of the designers of ships these days hit their head on a nail ? Most of them are no longer beautiful sleek design ocean going liners, they are floating blocks of flats and all that's missing from some of the kitsch goings on is a compare saying " Hi Di Hi" we already have Virgin with "Sailors" and "Rock Stars" and that's only the passengers. Whilst not trying to be a spoil sport where has refinement and decorum gone. Not worried about singing " Rule Britannia" or flag waving, but I like serenity, nice food and drink, a good laugh and joke with fellow passengers whilst sometimes putting right the wrongs of the world. Good entertainment in the form of shows, singers, comedians and a sprinkling of Classical musicians. A good book and see some new and interesting places. 

The brief given by the mass-market cruise lines to the naval architects is not to build a sleek, elegant ocean liner but to build a cost-effective, efficient ship which contains maximum opportunity for additional on-board revenue.

The sort of cruise you seek is still available ex UK, possibly on Aurora & Arcadia but also with Ambassador, Fred Olsen, Saga, Oceania, Viking and very occasionally other luxury lines.

[Yorkypete]

7 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

Whether we like it or not the drinking is a very large part of British culture.  Recently there have been a large number of articles about how young people are moving away from this and the rise of non alcoholic drinks as a result.

 

The drinking is not a cruising problem it's a lifestyle problem.  During the pandemic often the PM talked about how he understood people wanting to go to the pub.  He had his finger very much on the pulse of Britain there!

 

As to whether it's right or wrong is another matter.  However I know you are a supporter of RCI but have you cruised out of the USA on their or for that matter any other line?  Americans hit the alcohol from the minute they get onboard, many drinking beer like a kid drinks cola.  It's a mainstay of their holiday.

 

I believe you are planning on leaving P&O so that's for you to decide.  The b'all that you mention can be said about most cruises though unless you are going to be leaping around all day ice skating or whatever.  However if that's your reason for choosing RCI good luck to you.  Sea days on P&O offer something for everyone in my experience.  For instance if the run a quiz they run it somewhere where everyone who wants to participate can at least get in the venue. On Allure the bar and public areas are too small to even do that on occasion.

 

I'm unsure where you pick up your ships but if it's mainly Southampton it really isn't comparable.

 

Would you for instance be happy with one of the ships built with a huge casino for the gambling community or would you think it wrong that they gamble a lot?  Sailing out of US on RCI and Celebrity are large numbers who don't actually pay for their cruises!  They are the heavy gamblers who are allowed to offset the cost of their cruises against their gambling.  Whilst judging sun loving drinkers from the UK how do you feel about these guys?

 

My point is we all want different things from our holidays. If we don't like what we have bought we can't demand everyone else changes because we didn't like it.

 

Like you, I have cruised out of Ft Lauderdale and Port Canaveral, mostly on Caribbean or trans-Atlantic cruises. On the latter there were mostly Brits from what I could see. We have had perhaps 59 holidays in the Orlando ares as we owned a property there and went at least twice a year. I know a lot of people find the entertainment on P&O ok but watching the Jersey Boys, Grease etc done by orifessional stage actors from the actual shows is vastly different to the crew based ones on P&O. I am goint to try other companies but must admit if the Indy was based in Southampton there would only be one ship for me. I do not drink much, nor sunbathe for reasons already stated but my idea of a good cruise is a quiet period but with the choice os shuffleboard , quoits etc and a good evening show  and mainly interesting ports of call. This allows me to visit interesting places in comfort.  We also holiday twice a year in Malta (at least before covid) and when it is safer there we will cut down our cruises.

 

[Megabear2]

50 minutes ago, Yorkypete said:

Like you, I have cruised out of Ft Lauderdale and Port Canaveral, mostly on Caribbean or trans-Atlantic cruises. On the latter there were mostly Brits from what I could see. We have had perhaps 59 holidays in the Orlando ares as we owned a property there and went at least twice a year. I know a lot of people find the entertainment on P&O ok but watching the Jersey Boys, Grease etc done by orifessional stage actors from the actual shows is vastly different to the crew based ones on P&O. I am goint to try other companies but must admit if the Indy was based in Southampton there would only be one ship for me. I do not drink much, nor sunbathe for reasons already stated but my idea of a good cruise is a quiet period but with the choice os shuffleboard , quoits etc and a good evening show  and mainly interesting ports of call. This allows me to visit interesting places in comfort.  We also holiday twice a year in Malta (at least before covid) and when it is safer there we will cut down our cruises.

 

Yes, the stage shows are very good.  Seen Mama Mia on Allure a few times as well as the ones you mention. However again these are only on the newer ships because the theatres are built to allow them.  As a West End theatre visitor myself it's interesting to meet the artists on board RCI. They tend to be understudies and minor cast members rather than big stars so yes they are out of the West End or off Broadway literally (for those who think all shows in Broadway theatres are "on Broadway" there are many fringe ones with lesser productions "off Broadway") but they are minor productions with small casts. More importantly if you sail a lot you may get very bored of seeing these shows over and over again particularly if you are limited to one or two ships out of Southampton.  They are very expensive to stage so are milked for a long time.  

 

Lots of people reviewing P&O say they skipped the Headliners shows because they'd seen them so many times before.  There's no difference in seeing Grease a hundred times either.  Arvia is going to have a Take That show. It hasn't even aired yet and there are people on these boards saying they won't go because they KNOW they'll hate it ...

 

Regarding the transatlantic crossings the ones heading to Southampton are sold cheaply to UK residents to take advantage of the British love of the sun!  The ships repositioning into Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Athens etc are heavily loaded with Americans either coming to "do Europe" or to sail home on.  

Edited August 15, 2022 by Megabear2

[terrierjohn]

3 hours ago, Cruisemeister2002 said:

I think some of the designers of ships these days hit their head on a nail ? Most of them are no longer beautiful sleek design ocean going liners, they are floating blocks of flats and all that's missing from some of the kitsch goings on is a compare saying " Hi Di Hi" we already have Virgin with "Sailors" and "Rock Stars" and that's only the passengers. Whilst not trying to be a spoil sport where has refinement and decorum gone. Not worried about singing " Rule Britannia" or flag waving, but I like serenity, nice food and drink, a good laugh and joke with fellow passengers whilst sometimes putting right the wrongs of the world. Good entertainment in the form of shows, singers, comedians and a sprinkling of Classical musicians. A good book and see some new and interesting places. 

What you are describing no longer exists from the mainstream cruise lines, who need blocks of flats to enable them to offer competitive prices. 

Although I do think Iona and Arvia do look very ship shape, in fact outwardly they have similar lines to the two new Saga ships.

[Yorkypete]

2 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

Yes, the stage shows are very good.  Seen Mama Mia on Allure a few times as well as the ones you mention. However again these are only on the newer ships because the theatres are built to allow them.  As a West End theatre visitor myself it's interesting to meet the artists on board RCI. They tend to be understudies and minor cast members rather than big stars so yes they are out of the West End or off Broadway literally (for those who think all shows in Broadway theatres are "on Broadway" there are many fringe ones with lesser productions "off Broadway") but they are minor productions with small casts. More importantly if you sail a lot you may get very bored of seeing these shows over and over again particularly if you are limited to one or two ships out of Southampton.  They are very expensive to stage so are milked for a long time.  

 

Lots of people reviewing P&O say they skipped the Headliners shows because they'd seen them so many times before.  There's no difference in seeing Grease a hundred times either.  Arvia is going to have a Take That show. It hasn't even aired yet and there are people on these boards saying they won't go because they KNOW they'll hate it ...

 

Regarding the transatlantic crossings the ones heading to Southampton are sold cheaply to UK residents to take advantage of the British love of the sun!  The ships repositioning into Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Athens etc are heavily loaded with Americans either coming to "do Europe" or to sail home on.  

I can understand people saying they know they will hate the 'Take That' show. I too would as I would not cross the street to listen to their music. I like variety and Barlow only knows one kind.

[Megabear2]

9 hours ago, Yorkypete said:

I can understand people saying they know they will hate the 'Take That' show. I too would as I would not cross the street to listen to their music. I like variety and Barlow only knows one kind.

Point proved then.  Millions of people over many years love Take That in all their guises - the sell out concerts and recording sales rather prove that.  As for only knowing one kind of music what exactly do you expect from him, a sudden rendition of a Led Zeppelin or a Stormzy classic?

 

As I said previously everybody has different tastes.  I'm no fan of the Proms but apart from the fact they are paid for through the BBC I don't think I have a right to call them rubbish. I have friends who love Elvis and hate The Beatles while I'm the reverse. Doesn't make any of us right or wrong.

 

Gary Barlow is a clever choice by P&O.  Inoffensive, well known and a big name who can still fill Wembley Stadium when necessary.  Might not be everyone's cup of tea but has appeal across most generations.  Before you say it, no I'm not a particular fan of his but I do admire him, the other Take That members and their old mate Robbie Williams for staying the course and more importantly taking on the recording companies to stop them ripping off artists.