Cruiseline Chiefs Comments

[Brian Raine]

Watched a TV programme last night about the new EASYCRUISE ship. This is a new concept, like low cost airlines.You get a bed,no food, and is designed for the younger crowd, limited itinararies, get yourself to the port.One of the participents was the CEO (?) of Silversea. She was discussing generalities in the cruise industry, then made the definative statement,

"When you get the heads of cruise lines together the first point of discussion is "How can we squeeze the pasengers for more money". "

As a cruiser of many years and various companies I just thought "this is it" it sums up all of the "claptrap" about rationalisation-improvements being made for the benefit of the passengers-we need to keep costs down as it is a competative market- balloney.

Anyone who has been on a cruiseship priced tour will know, they operate on the "fear " factor, miss the ship at your peril. Come with us, at inflated cost, and we will get you back safely. Last year in Juneau our vessel waited for 2 hours for late returning tours. We had been in town and ensured we were back on board on schedule.However due to the greed of Princess, sending out large numbers of busses that were never going to return on schedule, meant we had to hang around in port.This in turn put our arrival in Seattle behind schedule and caused untold problems when we dismbarked and went to Seatac.

Again "Out of the mouths of Babes and fools........" comes the truth.