General Immersion Thread (merged)

[curley23]

You really have to sail on a ship where English speaking pax are in the minority to understand why people are a little upset.

 

Where ships are sailing out of especially Brazilian and Asian ports...................you make up of pax will be mostly of those living in that particular region.

 

Its unfortunate that our culture is so immersed in ourselves. When we are the majority on a ship, there is ususally at least one other language used for announcements, even 2 in some cases, if there are a number of pax from that country or culture. Would English not be spoken at all?? Kind of hard to believe here, especially if there are a number of American pax on the ship. A lot of the workers I have talked with on the ships can also speak several languages. Also on another note, I have been to China, Korea, and Viet Nam several times in the last few years, and it actually amazed me as to the numbers of their people who actually spoke English.

I would go in a heartbeat.

[uksimonusa]

mmmm, interesting. We were on the 27th April ' 07 sailing , first 7 nighter after the Transatlantic. We were in the nightclub on the last night and gave one of the waiters a tip ( written on the receipt ) . DH checks the seapass account before going to bed and the tip showed as a seperate amount to the drinks price. Not that that has any bearing on the increase in drinks prices I just never knew the tips showed seperately on the seapass, just wanted to share !!:D

I am off to bed :) .

 

Any Additional tip that you write on the receipt, always shows as a seperate charge. The drink charge, be it with or without the 15% shown, is posted as soon as the drink order is rung up. Any additional tip is entered by the server when they collect the receipt from you.

[kingsgirl]

Its unfortunate that our culture is so immersed in ourselves. When we are the majority on a ship, there is ususally at least one other language used for announcements, even 2 in some cases, if there are a number of pax from that country or culture. Would English not be spoken at all?? Kind of hard to believe here, especially if there are a number of American pax on the ship. A lot of the workers I have talked with on the ships can also speak several languages. Also on another note, I have been to China, Korea, and Viet Nam several times in the last few years, and it actually amazed me as to the numbers of their people who actually spoke English.

I would go in a heartbeat.

 

Sure, there could be staff who speak english, a whole lot of them if not all, but what about the entertainment? Imagine if it all was in a language unknown to you. I doubt they would do "extra" shows for the non-natives onboard.

[MtnBikerFallDown]

I grew up in Australia and the saying I heard was ' I hope your chooks (chickens) turn into emu's (ostrich like bird) and kick your dunny(outside toilet) down!:eek:

 

I think I like that even better! Of course, knowing me, that may have been what she actually said!!! Now I have to wait until it is a decent hour over there and call her and ask!

[MtnBikerFallDown]

Well you must know the Ulsterscots and the hillbillies then

 

Yup! We have some of the only Highland Games that are attended by people in kilts and John Deere t-shirts:D! You've never heard Gaelic until you've heard it spoken with a drawl!

[sewer]

:eek: get ready to eat, kidney, brain......for breakfast typical british is fry toast (grease), fry eggs tomatoes, and beans...sorry for you. have a good time....

[curley23]

Sure, there could be staff who speak english, a whole lot of them if not all, but what about the entertainment? Imagine if it all was in a language unknown to you. I doubt they would do "extra" shows for the non-natives onboard.

 

Maybe one would get a chance to see a different RCI show. That would be a nice change. Otherwise the broadway show tunes will be in a different language, as will the movie tunes, most magician's don't need to speak, or dancer's either,etc. Really wouldn't bother me. I've seen shows in different parts of the world, and they can be very entertaining, whether you understand the language or not. As I said before, just unfortunate there are so many closed minds. Yes some may not like it, just like some don't like things on the American cruises now. how will one know, unless they try. this is certainly not something I would take someones opinion on, but that is just me.

[windjamming]

Have we talked about Marmite, or soldiers for breakkie?

[curley23]

You really have to sail on a ship where English speaking pax are in the minority to understand why people are a little upset.

 

Where ships are sailing out of especially Brazilian and Asian ports...................you make up of pax will be mostly of those living in that particular region.

 

Sorry to say, if someone travels half way around the world to a place, or places where english is not the main language, then is upset by it, should they be going in the first place?? What is there to be upset about??

[kingsgirl]

Maybe one would get a chance to see a different RCI show. That would be a nice change. Otherwise the broadway show tunes will be in a different language, as will the movie tunes, most magician's don't need to speak, or dancer's either,etc. Really wouldn't bother me. I've seen shows in different parts of the world, and they can be very entertaining, whether you understand the language or not. As I said before, just unfortunate there are so many closed minds. Yes some may not like it, just like some don't like things on the American cruises now. how will one know, unless they try. this is certainly not something I would take someones opinion on, but that is just me.

 

Maybe I wasn't clear from where I was coming from. I'm thinking of the people who are showing up and not knowing this is how the cruise is going to be.

[mechcc]

This is so much fun that it makes me want to book an immursion cruise!

 

Do have to add that I have had the good fortune to visit England twice in my lifetime and it is a favorite place. Thank you Brits for the laughs.

[ILoveScotland]

Okay, I saw the topic for this thread and have read/scanned most of the posts so I think I have an idea, but can someone tell me what an immersion cruise is?

 

It sounds like something I'd love.

[jbond]

get ready to eat, kidney, brain......for breakfast typical british is fry toast (grease), fry eggs tomatoes, and beans...sorry for you. have a good time....

That's so sad. I was born in England and during WWII we ate what was available. I guess I just got used to eatng sheeps brain, it was a delicasy, I still like and enjoy paté de frois and caviar. As for kidney, I'll never understand the American distaste for it. If you have never had a stew with kidney, I think you have missed one of the great treats of all time. Next time in England try a kidney omlette for breakfast. I lived in England for over thirty years and I have been fortunate enough to have lived in the US for over forty years. Believe me, I really enjoy the steaks that we have and the killer baby back ribs that I love to BBQ, but I miss the rabbit, the hot pot, the ribs and cabbage and most of all, my English breakfast. What the poster called fry toast, we call fried bread, my kids call it cholesterol by the slab, but still going strong at over 70+ and still hoping that one day Trader Joes will discover black puddings.

Go Man United European Champions again.

[cruisenfever]

Sorry to say, if someone travels half way around the world to a place, or places where english is not the main language, then is upset by it, should they be going in the first place?? What is there to be upset about??

Usually when doing land tours opposed to a cruise and traveling to a different country you are well aware of the fact before you leave that there will be few Americans and that English will not be the primary language.

[curley23]

Maybe I wasn't clear from where I was coming from. I'm thinking of the people who are showing up and not knowing this is how the cruise is going to be.

 

Well then shame on me then for thinking people would realize that leaving from China, Europe, S. America or SE Asia, most pax would not be Americans, without having to be told.

[kingsgirl]

Well then shame on me then for thinking people would tend to think that leaving from China, Europe, S. America or SE Asia, most pax would not be Americans.

 

I'm not saying that anyonw would think that there would be mostly Americans, I'm just saying, that until the immersion revelation, if you were a north american and you booked an Asian cruise, it wasn't even on the radar that you might not be able to enjoy yourself in the same manner that you would on a Caribbean cruise because English was no longer considered the main language onboard.

 

I'm not saying it's right or its wrong, I'm just saying that it sucks for people who have no idea that their (until now) wholly americanized version of cruising anywhere in the world is no longer available through RCI.

[barante]

It's all economics. As long as Americans filled the ships, the format could be all-American. Now that this is no longer the case, the rules of competition among these global megacorporations have changed. They are now competing for the loyalties of other nationalities.

This is a change we all have to get accustomed to, or limit ourselves to such "Amurrican" destinations as the Caribbean.

I don't claim to understand much of this. But just look at the deployment patterns of the leading cruise lines. More and more of the capacity is being deployed seasonally in Europe and then repositioned to the Caribbean.

I don't know why anyone would use the word "immersion," either because it is a misnomer. That in language training means that someone is thrown into a totally foreign language situation where you learn by coping. We are not talking about anything that extreme here.

On the eight cruises we have taken so far, there is nothing particularly illuminating about most announcements, whether they are in English or whatever. Except the captain's noontime (or whatever) update, it's mostly about some sale or newlywed game. That is gibberish in any language.

As to the menu, we never could get to the tapas place on the Norwegian Dawn, because we were not prepared to make reservations the first thing in the morning. So lots of people liked that "foreign" food.

People will adapt. Just consider the incredible acceptance of "world music" -- particularly Latin -- by Americans who just five years ago would have rejected that genre.

[Suzanne74]

Its unfortunate that our culture is so immersed in ourselves. When we are the majority on a ship, there is ususally at least one other language used for announcements, even 2 in some cases, if there are a number of pax from that country or culture. Would English not be spoken at all?? Kind of hard to believe here, especially if there are a number of American pax on the ship. A lot of the workers I have talked with on the ships can also speak several languages. Also on another note, I have been to China, Korea, and Viet Nam several times in the last few years, and it actually amazed me as to the numbers of their people who actually spoke English.

I would go in a heartbeat.

 

I don't think we are so immersed into ourselves. People planned an american cruise to international countries. They did this to visit various countries but still have an american cruise ship to return back to. Now they are told that is not the case. As far as English being spoken, on every RCCL ship I have been on, the only thing spoken in other languages are announcements. So even if that is the case for the immersion cruise, theater shows, pool side games, bingo, excursions, activities, kids club, etc.... would all be in chinese. Unless you know the language, please tell me how this is fun?

 

Would you go pay to go to the movie theater to watch a chinese movie with no subtitles? Imagine 7 days of that. :eek: Foreigners that go on RCCL cruise ships know before purchasing the cruise it is an american cruise. Most speak English, at least a little which is why they sign up to go. If they didn't, they would go on their own local cruise ships. These cruises were changed on many people who already brought airfare thinking they had an american focused cruise. I don't think it is right.

[SF]

Just found out our Independence cruise for next June 2009 is an "immersion" cruise. I have no problem that they will now cater more to the "British" as RCCL stated. I truly enjoyed sailing on Sea Princess from Southampton which also seemed to cater to the British influence and passengers. We enjoyed our cruise and met many nice people and the food was fine. If all it was on Independence was the food, entertainment, etc... that would be ok with us but that isn't the case.The reason we are canceling is that I just found out that the currency on board will now be in Euros and not US currency as in the past. With our weak dollar I was looking for a cruise where on board charges like tours, gratuities, casino, etc... are in our currency as they have always been on RCCL ships. We planned on booking our tours on the ship this time and with other charges like tips, etc....the exchange rate can add up fast. We just exchanged US currency into Euros for our upcoming cruise and I'd hate to think what the exchange rate will be next year.

 

Personally (my opinion) I think RCCL is making a mistake. We are diamond members and will now be going back to Princess. I don't like the thought of booking, making hotel reservations, airfare, etc.... and then being called by RCCL to tell me my cruise is now an "immersion" one and I'm out all deposits and insurance. If they are upfront and post which ones are "immersion" then it is up to the individual at time of booking but to change cruises to "immersion" cruises down the road once people have started making plans is wrong.

[Davey Interweb]

I don't think we are so immersed into ourselves. People planned an american cruise to international countries. They did this to visit various countries but still have an american cruise ship to return back to.

 

I think you're being a hair contradictory in the first statement. A Royal Caribbean ship is not an American ship. It's not even an American cruise line.

[dathy]

the problem, again, is that this concept is BRAND NEW to rccl ships.

 

for those of us who booked and paid and bought airline tixs and paid for nonrefundable tours for ships that we thought would be what we were told, i.e., exactly like a ship leaving the states, but only with a different demographic, this (what i refer to as an experimental concept) has left us with little options: (a) take the cruise and be a royal guinea pig, so to speak; or (b) don't take the cruise and eat the airline fees and whatever else is noncancellable.

 

and then there's the little matter of timing. these cruises, at least mine, is for 14 days. that's a long time to spend on a ship being immersed, rccl style - whatever that means.

 

you see, i was promised one thing and now will be getting something else. if i wanted an immersion cruise i would have booked one. i didn't, so i didn't.

 

we are probably going to end up eating our fees. i am sure there are many people out there who would disagree.

 

but it's our family vacation, our family time and most importantly our family's hard-earned money. we make the decision where we go and what we do. shame on you rccl for deciding for our family what type of vacation we should be taking.

[celle]

Absolutely agree with you 100%.

We also choose RCCL because we don't want a "British" cruise with 95% British cruisers. That's why our Med cruise this summer is Brilliance out of Barcelona rather than Independance out of Southampton. And that decision was made well before all this "immersion" stuff started.

If we want a holiday tailored to the British market, there are plenty of choices out there. Leave our RCCL cruises as they are!

 

Our Med cruise out of Barcelona on Brilliance had about 75% Spanish passengers. Announcements were made in English and Spanish.

 

On our 3-day cruise on the Yangtze River (a Chinese vessel), passengers were a real mixture. Announcements were made in about 6 languages including Chinese, English, French and German. At mealtimes, the European passengers were grouped together and their tables were set European fashion, with knife, fork and spoon. If we wanted chopsticks, we had to ask.

 

I would expect RCCL to cater to its European passengers in Asia by doing something similar to that, and to make announcements in several languages, including English.

 

Many Asians are keen to practice the English they are learning, and I would not anticipate any difficulty in making my needs known.

 

Also, it's not so far for us people from "downunder" to travel to Asia as we have to go to cruise out of the US.

 

I'd be happy to do an Asian immersion cruise.

[dathy]

dear sf:

 

thanks for your info re the ship using euros. and just when i thought my mouth couldn't drop any lower :eek:

 

that's it for us. now here's even a bigger problem. relationships are built on trust. we entered into a business relationship with royal to provide us with the cruise that they promised us. they damaged, and note i only say "damaged" that trust by calling us this past saturday to tell us that our cruise had been changed to a british immersion.

 

but now with your information about the change to euros on your sailing. our trust is now broken. what if they decide to do that on my sailing? we can no longer trust rccl and will now definitely cancel.

 

thanks again for your information.

[OPSoccermom]

To me, an immersion cruise would be a huge plus! If itinerary, ship, and price was equal to a non-immersion cruise, I'd definitely pick the immersion one.

 

I love land vacations because you get to really experience the culture of a new place. To be able to visit many places easily (the highlight of cruising for me) AND to be able to be immersed in the culture (the highlight of a land vacation for me) would be the best of both worlds.

Understand your point, but then would it not make sense for the 14 day "Italian Med" cruises out of Southampton to be "Italian immersion", not "British Immersion"?

 

Yes, we're departing out of Southampton, but this is, afterall, a Med cruise, not a British Isles cruise. Other than the Southampton departure and a short stop in Gibralter, this cruise stops at no other UK ports.

 

Nothing against our friends across the pond, but I'd be all over an italian immersion cruise. Our family is already booked to spend time in the UK before and after our June 14 cruise. We were planning to get our "British immersion" through our time spent in the country, not while on the Indy.

[SF]

dathy:

 

Glad to help out. Just thought I should pass on what a RCCL representative told me because it's not just the "British" influence (food, entertainment etc...)which everyone seems to be commenting on. We wouldn't mind if it was only that (enjoyed all our cruises with our British cruisemates) as I was really looking forward to sailing on Independence but when we now have to pay a lot extra to exchange money when we didn't prior we decided it's time to switch. It's bad enough having to add in the fuel surcharges now with the taxes and port charges but to add to that money exchange for on board expenses..... don't think so. We will still sail with RCCL but probably for Caribbean which I don't think will be "immersion cruises".

 

From the reviews and comments I've seen on several boards most have been negative in regards to this new concept. Even from our British friends who stated they liked the "American" influence on board RCCL ships in the past.