General Immersion Thread (merged)

[Mindy97]

I took a Mediterranean Cruise out of Genoa on Costa a few years ago. I knew what I to expect when I booked, and deliberately booked it, so my circumstance was different than all of yours. However, you might find how it all ran to be of interest.

The ship held about 1600 people. There were 42 "English speaking" passengers on board. That is, people who spoke English as their first language. We found many who spoke some English and were more than happy to sit and chat with us to practice their skills (we also speak, though not totally fluently, Italian, Spanish, and a bit of French). In addition, our room steward and waiter were bilingual and spoke English. Our daily "Patters" were in English and we got an English news sheet every day. The ship's announcements were made in five languages (Italian, German, Spanish, French, and English).

We took part in many on board activities, and the cruise staff always asked at the beginning of the activity what languages everybody spoke. Many times we were the only English speaking ones, but it didn't matter. We played trivia (they translated and our partners were somewhat bilingual). Our excursions were coded with our language, and we always had a guide who spoke English. If there were twelve of us or more, we had our own tour. Otherwise we were combined with another tour, either with a bilingual guide or two guides, one for us and one for the other people on the bus (we were on a bus in Marsellies with four other people. They spoke French, and we had two guides, theirs and ours. We got to see more than usual since we didn't have to wait for everybody to get back on the bus).

The food? There was a lot of Italian emphasis, but there wasn't any food I really wasn't familiar with. Also, the waiter coded our food orders for the fact that we were American, so we would get food cooked as we liked...Americans like smaller, thicker steaks, Europeans like larger thinner ones. Americans like half cooked "crunchy" vegetables while most Europeans like them well cooked and soft, etc. It all worked out quite well.

We had a grand time. If you are open to new experiences it shouldn't be a problem. I've always believed that no matter what happened on a vacation it would be "an experience," and it always has been. This cruise was definitely one I'll cherish.

M.

[Aprille]

[quote name='Davey Interweb']Do you really think the topic required another thread?[/QUOTE]My thoughts exactly! There are already 9, count them 9, threads on immersion cruises on Page 1 alone.

I'm sorry for the folks who feel they are being railroaded. Truly I am! But this is bordering on hysteria.

I'm not usually a fan of thread merging but I'm ready in this case. Let the merging begin!

[vator90]

If they persists with "imersion', I will "imerse another cruise line with my hard earned vacation dollars.

[jallison8378]

[quote name='Oville']I can certainly understand your anxieties, but how does immersion KILL VARIETY? Doesn't it add more?[/quote]

:confused:

How does saturating a ship in one particular culture ADD variety (definition: "a number of different types of things") ?

Other threads have detailed how much different these immersion cruises are from regular cruises. The food, music, and entertainment are tailored around the majority "culture" of passengers. Surely some of this food and entertainment REPLACES others. Thus, less variety.

[twoatsea]

Mindy that is a remarkable experience. I cannot imagine RCCL going to all of that extra expense - 2 guides for 6 people - awesome! Printing docs in so many languages. So much attention to individual food orders :rolleyes: Many times it's lucky to get what we want the way we want, even without special slicing of a steak! I've heard very little positive about Costa cruises, but your report sounds great! Thanks for sharing.

[thesawch]

Nothing wrong with learning and sampling other cultures.I think it would be great.

[kingsgirl]

A load of crap is what I think it is. I'd be fighting for my money back and giving RCI a piece of my mind.

[linkerbink]

It would depend on whether or not I was FULLY informed prior to booking. If I had been, what you see is what you get.

 

2P.P1

 

The "fully informed prior to booking" thing seems to be twhat sparked this whole controversy. I think it's a nice option, as there are many who might be interested in such a cruise (as I might, depending on where it goes). But if someone is going to invest several thousand dollars on a vacation, he/she should be able to know what to expect. Switching the entire aspect of the cruise after people have booked expecting something else is BAD BUSINESS!!!

[kingsgirl]

If they persists with "imersion', I will "imerse another cruise line with my hard earned vacation dollars.

 

I am thinking the same thing. I'm glad I didn't get any Next Cruise options as I was going to get one for an upcoming european sailing. I'm glad I decided against getting it as it would have been useless.

[kingsgirl]

The "fully informed prior to booking" thing seems to be twhat sparked this whole controversy. I think it's a nice option, as there are many who might be interested in such a cruise (as I might, depending on where it goes). But if someone is going to invest several thousand dollars on a vacation, he/she should be able to know what to expect. Switching the entire aspect of the cruise after people have booked expecting something else is BAD BUSINESS!!!

 

Yeah being informed would be good. Considering another thread on this said that ALL sailings from foreign ports would be affected, not just select sailings. What a bunch of bull!

[dirtgirl]

I think anyone who sails out of a Canadian or US port is safe from the Immersion cruise (unless it is San Juan).

[The Viking]

I see no problems with such kind of cruises as it could add value to it.

 

When we cruise, we visit many countries with various languages, food, culture etc. which we leave as soon as we board the ship,- and we are back home in "good old USA" (In case of RCCL).

 

I had a weird feeling one evening in St. Maartin I think. We were bunkering but it went late because of mechanical problems with the pumps. We had our meal, watched the ice show and were still in St. Maartin, yet mentally so far away while on board the Mariner.

 

I can understand that RCCL wants "local" pasengers, and being from Scandinavia, I know tons of people who want the food they are used to, as well as the beeer and snaps they are used to just like many Americans. With the exchange rate it may not take much more than this to attract more locals for a cruise.

 

If we have the choice of regular cruise and an immersion cruise with the same itinerary and price, we will pick the immersion.

[kingsgirl]

I think anyone who sails out of a Canadian or US port is safe from the Immersion cruise (unless it is San Juan).

 

Yep I think so too. It's just disappointing. You get used to a line and you want to keep sailing with them because you know what you can expect. Especially (for me) if I'm going somewhere new I like to have that familiarity, that home feeling that I can return to after being in port. The possibility that there are no regular american sailings is bothersome :(

 

I understand completely why RCI is doing it though. The US isn't their main market anymore.

[kingsgirl]

Is cancelling really worth $2500? I have a feeling it wont be as bad as you think. Be open to the immersion cruise, something different is okay!!

 

Welcome the change with open arms, if you odn't like it you don't have to go on an immersion cruise ever again, maybe you'll find you like it.

 

I agree, be open. But I agree, it SUCKS! He shouldn't have to choose losing $2500 and going on a cruise he didn't sign up for. Imagine thinking you can do everything on the ship and then realizing none of it is going to be in your language.

[kingsgirl]

Just had to say that I thought it was funny these threads finally are merging, LOL. This topic has more threads than any I've ever seen on here at the same time!

[curley23]

Yep I think so too. It's just disappointing. You get used to a line and you want to keep sailing with them because you know what you can expect. Especially (for me) if I'm going somewhere new I like to have that familiarity, that home feeling that I can return to after being in port. The possibility that there are no regular american sailings is bothersome :(

 

I understand completely why RCI is doing it though. The US isn't their main market anymore.

 

Isn't the name of the company Royal Caribbean International. It's too bad so many people are so closed minded about it. How would you know if you would like it or not, unless you try it. When RCI started moving ships all around the world to go out of different ports, did people think that the majority of the pax would still be Americans?? There are millions of people in Asia, Europe , etc, that RCI is also trying to market to.

[barante]

Wake up, America. The immersion concept -- whatever it ends up meaning -- is the latest manifestation of changing world. A world in which the U.S. market will be shrinking as fewer and fewer people have any real pension benefits. Because of the vagaries of the job market, fewer and fewer people also will have the flexibility of vacations that are planned long in advance. Add to that the fact that while many other currencies are thriving, the dollar is hardly worth anything.

I doubt that anyone would have considered the immersion concept if the U.S. passenger market was strong and could filled all the ships deployed in far corners of the world. Since the American market no longer can fill them, they are selling them increasingly to other nationalities and, understandably, want to cater to that customer base's preferences.

Having said that I think all this controversy is a tempest in a tea pot. America's cultural penetration in all areas of life are such that an American on those cruises will be able to get pretty much everything that is available now. You want a hambuger? Join the line at the pool. You want your favorite meat or fish dish. Order it from the menu. You will be able to get it because this is what all the different dining concepts at various shipboard dining rooms is all about.

Entertainment? It will continue to be mostly American-style, if not American.

Casino? With the Chinese, it will never be the same again. Packed 24 hours a day.

I would bet that the biggest difference is not going to be in food or entertainment but in hearing announcements in languages other than English. Another big difference will be that almost exclusively American behavior patterns -- good and bad --will be suplemented by patterns -- good and bad --molded by other cultures. This will no doubt redefine certain onboard phenomena, such as hogging for poolside loungers or show seats.

None of this bothers me. If I like an itinerary, length and price, I will take it.

So would I go to Scandinavia on an immersion cruise? You bet, give me gravad lax and Swedish meat balls any day. Would I go to Asia? We've been there and my wife is not eager to revisit, but if we did, it would be nice to get some first-quality Asian food. Other than sushi, and without an extra fee. (We here on HAL's Noordam. While it offered Asian lunch entrees every day, which I ate hoping to limit my weight gain, I thought they lacked authenticity. But what do I know.)

Let me go back to economics. American cruisers, so far, have enjoyed an incredible deal. The standard on many European cruises is that your price includes only the cruise, accommodation, breakfast and dinner. Everything else is extra. So by offering the around-the-clock pampering of an American cruise experience, cruise lines can charge Europeans quite a bit more. (Europeans are paying through the nose compared to Americans).

Will Americans eventually also be charged more? You bet. Everything is going up. But the cruise lines have to navigate through some treacherous waters here because they cannot start immediately hiking cruise prices here dramatically. That would only kill the already shrinking U.S. market.

Just my two cents, copeks, öre -- or whatever.

[kingsgirl]

[/b]

 

Isn't the name of the company Royal Caribbean International. It's too bad so many people are so closed minded about it. How would you know if you would like it or not, unless you try it. When RCI started moving ships all around the world to go out of different ports, did people think that the majority of the pax would still be Americans?? There are millions of people in Asia, Europe , etc, that RCI is also trying to market to.

 

I don't think it's necessarily that people are close minded, but rather they found a product they like and would prefer to still have that product the same.

[kingsgirl]

Wake up, America. The immersion concept -- whatever it ends up meaning -- is the latest manifestation of changing world. A world in which the U.S. market will be shrinking as fewer and fewer people have any real pension benefits. Because of the vagaries of the job market, fewer and fewer people also will have the flexibility of vacations that are planned long in advance. Add to that the fact that while many other currencies are thriving, the dollar is hardly worth anything.

I doubt that anyone would have considered the immersion concept if the U.S. passenger market was strong and could filled all the ships deployed in far corners of the world. Since the American market no longer can fill them, they are selling them increasingly to other nationalities and, understandably, want to cater to that customer base's preferences.

Having said that I think all this controversy is a tempest in a tea pot. America's cultural penetration in all areas of life are such that an American on those cruises will be able to get pretty much everything that is available now. You want a hambuger? Join the line at the pool. You want your favorite meat or fish dish. Order it from the menu. You will be able to get it because this is what all the different dining concepts at various shipboard dining rooms is all about.

Entertainment? It will continue to be mostly American-style, if not American.

Casino? With the Chinese, it will never be the same again. Packed 24 hours a day.

I would bet that the biggest difference is not going to be in food or entertainment but in hearing announcements in languages other than English. Another big difference will be that almost exclusively American behavior patterns -- good and bad --will be suplemented by patterns -- good and bad --molded by other cultures. This will no doubt redefine certain onboard phenomena, such as hogging for poolside loungers or show seats.

None of this bothers me. If I like an itinerary, length and price, I will take it.

So would I go to Scandinavia on an immersion cruise? You bet, give me gravad lax and Swedish meat balls any day. Would I go to Asia? We've been there and my wife is not eager to revisit, but if we did, it would be nice to get some first-quality Asian food. Other than sushi, and without an extra fee. (We here on HAL's Noordam. While it offered Asian lunch entrees every day, which I ate hoping to limit my weight gain, I thought they lacked authenticity. But what do I know.)

Let me go back to economics. American cruisers, so far, have enjoyed an incredible deal. The standard on many European cruises is that your price includes only the cruise, accommodation, breakfast and dinner. Everything else is extra. So by offering the around-the-clock pampering of an American cruise experience, cruise lines can charge Europeans quite a bit more. (Europeans are paying through the nose compared to Americans).

Will Americans eventually also be charged more? You bet. Everything is going up. But the cruise lines have to navigate through some treacherous waters here because they cannot start immediately hiking cruise prices here dramatically. That would only kill the already shrinking U.S. market.

Just my two cents, copeks, öre -- or whatever.

 

Are you off your horse now? Until RCI tells us what exactly an immersion cruise entails, all of this is heresay. Stop acting like you know everything about it.

 

Edit: Sorry that was rude what I wrote. Why am I even angry? LOL...sorry. I apologize! I guess I'm just disappointed by all of this. :( :(

[sandytoes03]

What!

 

Have we Americans lost our taste for adventure and exploration?

 

Why would anyone object to a so-called "immersion" experience. We share this world with many cultures.....

 

Experienced cruisers know that you can get just about anything you want from the dining room. If you prefer more western meals' date=' let them know ahead of time and confirm it with the Maitre'd when you board.

 

I'm sure announcements will be made in the "immersion" language and English.

 

I don't get this aversion some of us have to other peoples cultures.....[/quote']

 

How can you "let them know ahead of time" if they speak Chinese?? How can you enjoy shows/entertainment if it's in Chinese? If these folks wanted a full immersion in Chinese they would've booked a land trip, not a cruise on RCCL.

[cruisenfever]

[/b]

 

Isn't the name of the company Royal Caribbean International. It's too bad so many people are so closed minded about it. How would you know if you would like it or not, unless you try it. When RCI started moving ships all around the world to go out of different ports, did people think that the majority of the pax would still be Americans?? There are millions of people in Asia, Europe , etc, that RCI is also trying to market to.

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.

[skandls]

If english speaking tours are not offered from RCI - some TAs or tour operators have a great opportunity to offer english tours in foreign ports. We have been to major cities in Europe where inexpensive 'walking' tours are offered in different languages.

 

We are now a global economy and the value of the dollar is sinking fast. Since the US now has such a hugh deficit and still growing - we can't expect to continue to be the giant world power.

 

Since RCI is not really a US company - they will do business that makes them money. And more people in other countries have the ability to travel and cruise. If a cruise leaving from South America has 80% spanish speakers I would expect the cruise to cater to them.

 

The problem is that the 'immersion' thing should be phased in and announced before people book a 'regular' cruise.

[karen&roy]

Personally I think I would like an immersion cruise. It would be like visiting another country. I always wondered what happened to the good old steel drum caribbean music the ships used to have years ago when visiting the caribbean. I miss that. I'm all for it on certain itinerarys...let's open our minds and experience things ;) Just my 2 cents

[Jfultz81]

Wait, I'm confused... I thought the immersion thing was to cater everything to the majority of the passengers in the port of departure --- so they're saying the majority of the passengers leaving Los Angeles to tour Mexican ports are Latin American?

 

She's actually talking about her cruise on the Vision from the Dominican Republic. I haven't heard anything about the MR cruises being "immersed".

[jbond]

Specifically, "who" called you? Your travel agent or someone from RCI?

On our Santos-Lisbon cruise nobody called us. If that cruise didn't qualify for a total immersion cruise, I'd really like to know what the ground rules are.