What does it mean to you?

[Sky Sweet]

There has been much discussion on the boards about premium vs mainstream cruise lines? Aside from the aribitrary classification that makes Celebrity a step above mainstream cruise lines, but not a luxury cruise line, what attributes do you consider to be relevant in making the distinction between a mainstream and premium cruise line?

[Sky Sweet]

This is a partial list of what I feel should be considered when making the distinction between a premium and mainstream cruise line.

 

*Superior cabins that are spacious, as well as tastefully decorated

 

*Superior passenger to space ratio

 

*Superior passenger to crew ratio

 

*Impeccable condition

 

*Superior cuisine

 

*More sophisticated entertainment and activities

 

*More options for shore excursions with a guide in a van, as opposed to a bus

[ddonalds]

The other thing I've seen is (and I agree with everything in the above post), that although the price tends to be more expensive, there are more things included in the price. One of the things that makes me crazy is the "nickel and diming" that goes on with most cruise ships. But, I really, really like the better crew/passenger ratio. The service is spectacular...... :D

[Shipyard Cruiser]

There has been much discussion on the boards about premium vs mainstream cruise lines? Aside from the aribitrary classification that makes Celebrity a step above mainstream cruise lines, but not a luxury cruise line, what attributes do you consider to be relevant in making the distinction between a mainstream and premium cruise line?

 

Premium means an older crowd with more money.

[Drew B]

I think the Premium vs. Mass-Market distinction is actually pretty arbitrary and silly. The prices are generally quite similar among X, HAL, Princess, Carnival, NCL, and RCCL. Disney is more expensive, but that is due, I believe, to the fact that they have to charge more to make up for lost revenue in the casino and decreased revenue from alcohol. Aside from price, different lines excel in different areas, and it's not like any one is ahead across the board. For example, X is considered premium and Carnival is considered mass-market and the distinction really has meaning, then why was the bedding so much better on my last Carnival cruise than on my last X cruise?

 

Oceania, from what I've read, may be the one true "Premium" line bridging the gap (in terms of quality and cost) between the luxury lines and the mainstream lines. However, I don't think the term premium is required if it really only applies to one cruise line...

[d&a Delaware]

I would agree with Sky Sweet's list and ddonald's emphasis on the crew/passenger ratio. To that I would only add that the "service" attitude of the crew is a very big part of the "premium" cruise experience for me.

 

David

[psychboss]

QUALITY of Food

QUALITY of Service

QUALITY of The ships and everything on it. More space in the aisleways so that you can walk past people without someone having to step aside.

Seems to me that more of fellow passengers are able to read and follow the rules. NOT all ......wish it was.

[psychboss]

Premium means an older crowd with more money.

 

 

I don't really think that is true, I continually find our fellow passengers younger and younger. And I don't know that they have more money, they may just be willing to save up for something better. I have friends that I know are willing to cruise less ofter as long as they can cruise Celebrity.

[geoherb]

There's an article here that includes Celebrity, HAL, and Princess as the "premium" cruise lines and Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean as the "mass market" ones.

 

To me, I don't see much difference between the top three. I'd gladly book another cruise on any of them if the particulars worked for us. I'm not likely to book another Carnival or NCL cruise. Royal Caribbean might be in our future, but only a Radiance-class ship. I don't want one of their behemoths.

[DeepWaterMariner]

From my experience the true premium lines, like Seabourn, have a level of service that cannot be matched by mass market lines including Celebrity. They also have a level of food quality that matches the best restaurants ashore which again is something the mass market can't match because of the sheer number of passengers to be fed and the per person amount spent on food. The all inclusive aspect is important, but not as important as the terrific service and outstanding food. Also, the high space ratio per passenger means no chair hog issues among other benefits.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

QUALITY of Food

QUALITY of Service

QUALITY of The ships and everything on it. More space in the aisleways so that you can walk past people without someone having to step aside.

Seems to me that more of fellow passengers are able to read and follow the rules. NOT all ......wish it was.

 

One thing hard core Cruise Critic folks love is their rules:)

 

Same over here as the RCI boards:D

[Donnaluv2cruise]

To me it makes the difference with the little things...

 

Like laying in the sun, hot, and here comes the waiters with a tray of fresh sorbet...

 

Walking onto the ship and being handed a glass of champagne...

 

Not having to keep track of my towel, and being able to walk up to a fresh pile of towels by the pool and exchanging my wet one...

[Lois R]

I don't really think that is true, I continually find our fellow passengers younger and younger. And I don't know that they have more money, they may just be willing to save up for something better. I have friends that I know are willing to cruise less ofter as long as they can cruise Celebrity.

 

Hi,:) I agree with some of your comment....if I might add something else?

That maybe folks aren't willing to save but they might...(operative word,

might)...live above their means?

Just throwing it out there....I still read where people are living

way above their means, so maybe they choose their vacation

and don't concern themselves with the cost? So maybe they

don't have more money....but they just "Charge It".

And I suppose that can be a passenger in any age bracket.

 

I was thinking of trying Oceania but after seeing their prices

I cannot do it....guess I am one of those who tries to live

within my means;)

And as most folks on here know, I am very happy with

Celebrity...whatever type of line it is classified under.

[DeepWaterMariner]

I would suggest that the reason we see a good mix of age groups on Celebrity is because it is a mainstream cruise line. A premium line really does have a higher average age.

[ocngypz]

Longer itineraries

 

Port intensive itineraries

 

No children

 

High levels of service

 

No gold by the inch, stupid pool games, or hawking of any other merchandise including "fashion shows" etc.

 

No charge for specialty restaurant dining

 

Upgraded wine lists

[BrendaJ]

How fortunate that I came across this thread.

I have been trying to explain to my better half, why a particular unique cruise on Regent (a luxury line previously known as Radisson) is a very good deal. He can't see beyond the total cost, but when I break it down to price per day, the price for the itinerary I'm interested in (a 19 day Auckland to L.A. via the South Pacific), it’s actually cheaper than some mass market cruises per day. And when you factor in that all drinks, gratuities and specialty restaurants are included, which to me, is worth at least $50 a day per person, then the price is on par with the Celebrity itinerary we just booked (Northern Europe).

We are very happy with what Celebrity offers, so I have been trying to explain to him what the differences might be on a luxury cruise that would make Regent worth the extra money. Although he can see my logic when I explain that passenger to staff ratio, and space to passenger ratio is better, he can’t understand how the service could be so much better than Celebrity’s or how the food could be so much better (we’re really not very hard to please).

I guess it was difficult for me to define how a luxury cruise would be quantifiably more enjoyable than Celebrity, other than the above-noted inclusions. The size and appointments in the cabin have little meaning to him, as long as there is a balcony. He may have understood my meaning more when I told him to consider the difference between his Carnival and his Celebrity experiences. From just reading a brochure, it would be very hard to distinguish concrete differences between most of the mass market lines, I think. Most include the same basics, and charge extra for the same things.

For me, the nickel and diming is what drives me crazy on the non-luxury lines. Although I would likely not have so many drinks or special coffees or alternative meals on a luxury line to make it worth the difference in price, it would certainly be nice to not have to reach for my card each time I felt the desire for a soda or bottled water, and I would really be interested in experiencing it just once, to see the difference. Personally, Celebrity could make me the happiest passenger on earth if they would just offer Elite passengers free internet and free Cova coffees, and maybe a few free drinks here and there.

We’ve booked Azamara for next February, and I am very interested in seeing if there are quantifiable differences between Azamara and Celebrity. We booked it for the smaller ship and interesting itinerary, and the price was not unreasonable when we booked; however, it has gone up so much that I would never have booked it now, unless there was concrete proof that this will indeed be a very different experience than Celebrity's offerings. The standard cabins are actually a bit smaller than the Millie-class cabins, and other than one free night at an alternative restaurant, I don’t believe there are any inclusions that Celebrity doesn’t offer. I have no doubt we’ll have a marvelous time because we always do, and we’re traveling with two couples we really enjoy, but you can bet I’ll be comparing every detail of Azamara with Celebrity to determine if the price difference is warranted.

I believe there is a huge gap between mass market and luxury, and if there is a "premium" category, I think the lines are pretty blurred with mass market. I think Celebrity could have distinguished themselves better with Azamara if they had made it more inclusive like the Expeditions. Time will tell if they can justify Azamara's price points.

[DeepWaterMariner]

Brenadaj, I think you are pretty much on target with your assessment of mass market, the mythical premium, and luxury cruise lines. I don't think you can justify the luxury line cost based on a comparison with a mainstream cruise line. At least I can't with the cabin categories that I book. Besides the more all inclusive nature of luxury cruising, the higher price pays for a greater level of service, a greater amount on food quality, and the costs that aren't offset by the economies of scale that benefit the mass market lines. Our experience on a luxury line is limited to one cruise on the Seabourn Sun (now HAL's Prisendam). It was regarded as Seabourn Lite because the line felt they couldn't provide the same "yachts of Seasbourn" quality on the larger Sun. From our viewpoint, Seabourn Lite or full strength, it was head and shoulders beyond any of the lines we had cruised on, including Celebrity. Some examples: at embarkation we were escorted to our cabin by a Swedish stewardess who cheerfully chatted with us in better English than our own. One day we had Champagne and caviar by the pool (no charge). Our waiter was French as was the Maitre'd. My wife was on a low sodium diet so the Maitre'd brought the menu for the next day to our table so she could make her selections for special preparation without salt. That isn't exceptional, we've done that on many mainstream lines. One evening we dinned in the alternative Italian restaurant (no charge) and the Maitre'd from the main dinning room appeared at our table with the menus for my wife's inspection. That was exceptional...it floored me. All this wonderful service was rendered in perfect English, good humor, and without one bit of stuffiness. The meals were terrific with lots of wonderful surprises. Many tables were hosted by officers and by entertainers. Having complimentary wine with lunch and dinner probably helped our appreciation of the product.

[psychboss]

One thing hard core Cruise Critic folks love is their rules:)

 

Same over here as the RCI boards:D

 

 

Having spent 22 years in the Navy you should understand rules. Did you go to the USNA?

[Shipyard Cruiser]

Having spent 22 years in the Navy you should understand rules. Did you go to the USNA?

 

And that's why I don't make a big deal out of them.

 

Well dressed snobs don't really impress me.

 

Sorry.

 

No.