CNBC: Big Money on the High Seas

[kooljamming]

Quite informative

[cruisinalong001]

So far I like it. Much more objective than the teases. Love the pics.

[Cruise Junky]

I agree, good show....and wasn't it knocking RCL more for dumping at sea? ;)

[vickie_bernie]

Didn't mean to imply that..

 

Actually I may get flamed for saying it ::I dare ya'll:: :p but I like NCL... not nearly as much as Princess but more than RCI.. their rates to Europe are awesome and on that cruise, it's the destination not the ship for us.

 

I have heard good things about NCL and some bad things. I prefer Princess but I've heard good and bad about them too. I'll take crusing on ANY cruise line over staying at home any day.

[macusr]

Usually we're skeptical of most of the cruising specials - the "tips" are so laughably basic. But this one had a different perspective and we learned some interesting stats. Only 30% of cruisers pre-book excursions for example.

[BigSky2000]

I have to admit I was skeptical as well after watching the teasers. However, I just finished watching the special and enjoyed viewing a typical journey from the business perspective.

 

It amazes me that the cruise lines can consistently create a memorable experience that appeals to such a wide demographic. For me, it's the people and crew that I meet along the way that make a voyage special.

 

That said, crusing is still a business and the companies need to recoup the massive capital investments (that we all enjoy on any new or re-furbished ships) in one form or another.

 

The beauty is...after you buy your ticket....it's up to you what form that is. My contibution to Princess' bottom line next month will be via the Sanctuary, Bingo, probably a massage or two, and lots of fruity drinks. It will be worth every penny and at least I know that going in...or shall I say.... going on-board :cool:

[caribill]

I agree, good show....and wasn't it knocking RCL more for dumping at sea?

 

 

They said all the cruise lines have been guilty in the past, including NCL. They just had footage on RCCL.

[VegasGreen]

I just thought the staff in t-shirts all the time was the most shocking revelation. :)

[caribill]

Only 30% of cruisers pre-book excursions for example.

 

 

At least that is the NCL statistic. When seeing how many excursions are fully booked when first boarding a Princess ship, I suspect that it is a higher percentage on Princess.

[caribill]

For those who missed this show on CNBC, it will be broadcast again:

 

Sunday, March 29, at 10 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Monday, April 6, at 1 AM EDT

[vickie_bernie]

I really enjoyed the show and made me realize that Princess has just as many items that they sell too. It was interesting to think of it as a business and their bottom line and their quotas to make.

 

I have to agree with the percentage of excursions booked ahead of time. We just sailed on two fourteen day cruises on both many excursions were not sold out and many were cancelled. but what really shocked me is the statistic that 75% of cruisers buy one of their excursions. I guess because we usually do independent excursions.

 

I loved the hammocks on deck. The style of ship is very different from Princess. I think I will look at NCL for a cruise to try it out.

[kooljamming]

I really enjoyed the show and made me realize that Princess has just as many items that they sell too. It was interesting to think of it as a business and their bottom line and their quotas to make.

 

I have to agree with the percentage of excursions booked ahead of time. We just sailed on two fourteen day cruises on both many excursions were not sold out and many were cancelled. but what really shocked me is the statistic that 75% of cruisers buy one of their excursions. I guess because we usually do independent excursions.

 

I loved the hammocks on deck. The style of ship is very different from Princess. I think I will look at NCL for a cruise to try it out.

 

With only 17 percent of Americans cruising (usually older) there is a huge market to capture, especially middle class and families with kids.

[KLLund]

For those who missed this show on CNBC, it will be broadcast again:

 

Sunday, March 29, at 10 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Monday, April 6, at 1 AM EDT

 

Thank you very much .. I didn't see this thread or any advertising for this and am glad to know when it will be re-run .. tivo already set.

[BigGuy25]

I watched the show last night and enjoyed it. Peter Greenberg is an experienced travel journalist. Of course, experienced cruisers could nit-pick a comment here or there ... but overall I thought it was a good perspective from of the cruise industry from both the passenger and company point of view. What amused me was the number of people on this thread trashing the show before they had ever seen it!

[lauren0309]

I just booked the Pearl for Alaska next year just before watching the show. It will be my first time on an NCL ship!

[Grannycb]

Try searching on the title of the show at http://www.searchme.com

 

If found a slide show and video clip that were very interesting. These sites satisfied my need to see what the program was about. BTW, searchme.com is a nice tool when looking for video on the web.

[chamima]

I really enjoyed the show and made me realize that Princess has just as many items that they sell too. It was interesting to think of it as a business and their bottom line and their quotas to make.

 

I have to agree with the percentage of excursions booked ahead of time. We just sailed on two fourteen day cruises on both many excursions were not sold out and many were cancelled. but what really shocked me is the statistic that 75% of cruisers buy one of their excursions. I guess because we usually do independent excursions.

 

I loved the hammocks on deck. The style of ship is very different from Princess. I think I will look at NCL for a cruise to try it out.

 

Vickie

We noticed that hammock also! :D Great minds think alike!;)

[Woodmnky]

DH, who usually could care less about cruise talk, loved the show for the business aspect. I thought that it provided a good look at the seldom seen aspects of cruising and I really enjoyed it.

As commented before, I loved the hammocks they look like a lot of fun.

Not so fond of the tuxedo t-shirts that were worn by the staff in the dining room.

The ship was beautiful.

[mafig]

DH, who usually could care less about cruise talk, loved the show for the business aspect. I thought that it provided a good look at the seldom seen aspects of cruising and I really enjoyed it.

As commented before, I loved the hammocks they look like a lot of fun.

Not so fond of the tuxedo t-shirts that were worn by the staff in the dining room.

The ship was beautiful.

 

 

Just fyi. The tuxedo t-shirts are only worn once to promote their Monte Carlo night in the casino. not every night.

[Sauvignon]

I agree. I saw the same thing and his view so far seems highly distorted if not factually incorrect indicating that such things as the rock wall are paid extras. He has his own agenda in mind I think, sensationalizing everything remotely negative. How many people choose a $300 botox treatment.?..I go for the port day specials myself. I was looking forward to the show. Now I think I'll set the dVR so I can skim through it if I want.

 

Sounds a bit like some of the posts of most of the threads.:eek:

 

...or should that be most of the posts of some of the threads

[Lynda90]

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the show. Could have watched it go on for another hour. Thanks for the heads up. I never would have even noticed it. :p

[sp2]

I enjoyed the show too. But I thought they would talk more about the safety at sea issue (the recent news of sexual assaults etc) more than they did. From the promos I thought they were going to sensationalize that aspect more than they actually did. Which is good since like another poster said, it was a business show not a travel show.

 

I am a former NCL fan who has been converted to Princess, and the show reminded me of why that is - the upcharge for the specialty restaurants is outrageous but that seems to be the true focus of Freestyle now, to make money on what was previously included (i.e the food). It was great to see footage of the Norway though; it was a great ship in its day and there'll never be another like her.

 

I also was reminded of another reason we no longer cruise NCL (the constant announcements of bingo and art auctions, inch of gold etc - SPEND SPEND SPEND). Guess thats what its all about nowadays. I know this is not unique to NCL, but we cruised Celebrity for the first time in December and it was such a relief not to hear all those announcements.

 

I personally find Princess and Celebrity seem to be less in your face with the nickel and diming than NCL; maybe thats why they were not featured in this particular show? However it was nice to see all those ships lined up........I need another cruise...............

[vickie_bernie]

I noticed the t-shirts too; however when they were in the dining room I saw a waiter in a nice dress shirt and tie so I don't think they wear the t-shirt in the dining room - or at least not all the time.

[WeBeGone]

Just fyi. The tuxedo t-shirts are only worn once to promote their Monte Carlo night in the casino. not every night.

 

 

That's correct, but I thought it was very tacky. Very tacky ! :mad:

[prg2101]

I noticed the t-shirts too; however when they were in the dining room I saw a waiter in a nice dress shirt and tie so I don't think they wear the t-shirt in the dining room - or at least not all the time.

 

 

The T-shirts are worn by the pool waiters and bartenders to promote the Monta Carlo night and the White Hot night, only on those evenings and never by the room stewards or dining room waiters....:rolleyes: