Enrichment programs...

[lysolqn]

We've enjoyed many informative/entertaining lectures on X ships over the years and though we don't cruise specifically for lectures, X's programs have been a nice addition to longer cruises with lots of sea days. Some speakers that stand out are Bill Miller (oceanliner historian), several destination speakers (Alaska, Panama Canal, Baltic) and an attorney (estate planning).

 

I just read a review of a transatlantic crossing and the reviewer said lectures on that cruise were terrible. This was after hearing from a friend who recently returned from an Azamara cruise in Asia that the speakers on that cruise were awful; and, still other friends who were on two different X cruises said the enrichment program was nothing to speak of. One said the lectures were all about feeding the bottom line with acupuncture and teeth whitening charges than they were about providing guests with interesting speakers.

 

What have been your experiences and how would you rate X's enrichment program?

[Karynanne]

It depends on the cruise. Usually on TA's the lectures are really very good. One of my favorites has been David Perry. He has a large PR firm in San Francisco, but a love for Liner History. We first heard him on an eastbound TA in '06 on Constellation.

 

David was supposed to speak in the small theater, but after the crowd starting gathering, they moved him to the large theater, and it was SRO. We have gotten to know him personally, and he's a great guy, with a talent for lecturing. Check out his site: Linerlore-Love of Ocean Liners.

[ArtM]

One said the lectures were all about feeding the bottom line with acupuncture and teeth whitening charges than they were about providing guests with interesting speakers.

 

What have been your experiences and how would you rate X's enrichment program?

 

Anyone unwise enough to go to the infomercials in the AquaSpa is going to be an unhappy customer.

 

Dr. Culture who talked about the various ports on the recent Solstice crossing was outstanding; Celebrity Central (small theater) was filled to overflowing for the presentations we attended. Just wish I had realized sooner how good he was. There was at least one other non-AquaSpa enrichment speaker, various dancing classes, bridge game and lesson, and other "enrichment" type things. As usual, the appeal of these depends on an individuals interests and tastes.

 

Overall, on the crossings, we have thought that the enrichment speakers were of high quality, whether or not the specific topic was of interest to us. Obviously, a cruise with 4 or 5 sea days rather than 1 or 2 justifies the effort required to set up an enrichment program.

 

Art

[alfiemom]

They used to list the speakers for the TA's. Has anyone found where this might be now?

 

Bobbie

[CaliforniaDreamin]

The Weintraub Duo (Nancy on piano & Jason on Oboe/French Horn) performed & lectured six sessions on our recent Auckland/South Pacific/Hawaii cruise. Their programs were excellent and well received on Millennium. They have been performing on Celebrity since 2008 I believe and are scheduled for sailings in 2009. See website: www.weintraubduo.com for schedule and more on this outstanding duo.

[IPA region 30 member]

I know that I would be interested in some lectures on photography, do they do these? Planning on Solstice in Dec...

 

regards

 

Scott

[JanineM]

We did a TA on Summit a year ago and they had a water colour instructor from Berea College conducting one of the enrichment programs. It was fantastic. She had the paints, papers, ideas, experience and a lot of enthusiasm.

 

She indicated that the CD selected the enrichment programs, so perhaps some CDs are better than others in this regard? I made a point of making many comments - written and verbal - encouraging them to have this type of program again. This was the best way to pass the morning on those many sea days.

[sweetpea2009]

Is there a way to find out ahead of time what enrichment programs will be on our sailing? We're sailing the Mercury to Alaska on July 12th.