Move up or Move out?

[Dave]

I used to like NASCAR. I liked it when most of the drivers knew how to wrench on their own cars, and usually helped build them. That was when NASCAR was largely a southern thing. Then the France family (the owners of the brand) went after more money and they branched out and NASCAR is now really "national". Then the drivers who never skinned their knuckles installing a new manifold showed up in their plush motor homes. The sport changed and I didn't like it that much anymore. I hardly watch it now. They had every right to go for the big bucks and a larger fan base (women in particular). But they left the old time fans behind - the ones who brought them to the dance.

I see the same thing happening with mainstream cruise lines. Those who don't like the new "a la carte" ways will either change or move on at some point.

[drlivingston]

Great analogy, Dave. Being from the south, I can appreciate your views on non-commercial NASCAR. Sticking with the subject, am I one of the few remaining people in my age group who cruise just to cruise? I loved it when cruise ships didn't have boxing rings, flowriders, premium restaurants, ice-skating rinks, etc. etc. I can do all of those things at home within a 10-minute drive. (except for the flowrider, but I am only a few minutes from a lake where I waterski) What I can't do at home is RELAX!! That is what I feel that cruising is all about. Not the amenities offered but the opportunity to enjoy 0% responsibility for the length of the cruise. Reward programs are great (I am a diamond RCCL cruiser as well as a Carnival VIP) but I miss the days when I just felt appreciated for choosing a particular voyage.

[Dave]

Our first cruise, ironically, had an "old" NASCAR connection. 1992 and King Richard has just retired from driving. He has a fan cruise on the HAL Westerdam. Off I go.

We had a Lido and a Verandah pool. One pool was covered. Both were small. Hungry? Go to the Verandah buffet or dining room at set meal times, or one of the grill stations for a burger. Or get room service. That was it. One or two bars were open during the day at various times. A few activities to do. Most of the veteran HAL people (who must have thought we were all REALLY on the wrong line) sat around sipping drinks, talking, or just reading. No internet cafe. A band would set up on the fantail by the Lido Bar and play for a couple sets. Then they'd pack up and leave.

It was a great cruise. I was refreshed, got to spend time with the Petty family, and really felt I had been on a luxurious cruise. After the first day I didn't have to show anyone my cruise card (which was paper). Just tell them my cabin number for a drink order. Canapes served at night in the bars and lounges by wandering waiters. Very elegant and refined.

The room steward didn't inform me on day one what his work schedule was. Rough seas caused the crystal fruit bowl (all cabins had this "perk") to crash to the deck one night. A call to the purser and within 2 minutes we had three stewards with vacuum cleaners rushing into the cabin. Another one arrived with a new bowl of fruit a few moments later. Nothing was impossible. Nobody told me they weren't allowed to make "that" drink. I don't recall even seeing a bar menu. They used Waring bar blenders to make frozen drinks and not something that resembles an outboard motor full of ice.

Rambling!

[ps1]

Dave, you bring back wonderful memories of our honeymoon cruise in 1992 on the HAL Noordam! As our first cruise, we were overwhelmed by the luxury and elegance, the personalized service and the opportunity to simply relax. The amenities were by today's standards, measly - exactly as you described - but the experience set the standard for cruising we've searched for since. Hooked, we then went on a bad idea NCL one year anniversary cruise, took a break to have children and then started in with Disney, RCCL 3 times and Grand Princess. Our next is the Jewel in March.

We know we'll never match the ambiance of that first experience, but I imagine in a few years with the kids grown we'll be upgrading cruise lines to bring us back to what we first loved most about cruising. For me, thousands of co-passengers and flow riders are NOT essential features!

[penny3333]

Cruising has changed tremendously over the years. If not for loyal customers and we addicts encouraging newbies, they wouldn't have the fan base they have. All the lines need to realize that their customer base is one of their best marketing tools. The "glitz" isn't what keep people coming back, but probably does attract the newbies. Our cruise on the Royal Princess brought back great memories of what a cruise experience used to be. More intimate service, not such huge lines for everything, ease of learning the ship and getting around it, much more relaxed atmosphere, and we had plenty to do without all of the "stuff". I plan on trying Azamara, in fact, I'd like to try as many lines as I can. Princess, so far, is my favorite, but I need to compare others as well.

[Berick1234]

Amen to all of the above....

Happy CRUISING to one and all in 2009....

[spoheat]

Doesn't the first cruise usually stand out as one of or the best? Ours does. The food was unbelievable. The service unbelievable: Our dining room server had two tables, the asst. waiter four. He almost danced in attendance. The Empress had no amenities to speak of but a basketball court and pool/hot tub area, at least not that I remember. The basketball court was called the "sports deck" It was just such a venture into gracious living for workingmen like us!

It is all still fabulous, and some of the glitz is loads of fun--but for us it is about the relaxation and seeing great exotic places without the great expense of being there a week, renting a car, having to figure out where to eat, etc. It's an island sampler pack!

[Dave]

I still remember the name of our wine steward from the first cruise - Rudy from Indonesia, who was ethnic Chinese. He was quite engaging. I remember he was excited on lobster night (back then you got a nice sized lobster tail), because he had scored a couple servings and had them wrapped up and tucked in his pants pockets. He had two bottles of beer stuffed inside his uniform jacket. "Mr. Dave, after dinner is over for you, I get to say hello to my friend Mr. Lobster, along with my other friend Mr. Budweiser!". I swear that is what he told me, word for word.

The Explorer Lounge on HAL ships is my kind of place. On the old Westerdam it was wood and leather, and at the time cigars and pipes too. A classical string trio played (but not too loud), and it was just one of those places that gives someone like me a sense of well-being. On our cruise they were about to change Captains and the replacement was aboard. He was quite gregarious and was in the Explorer every night regaling anyone who wished to listen with tales of the sea, or just a joke. It was obvious he loved his job, and loved working for HAL.

[spoheat]

I know just what you mean. Our Server was Jose from Portugal, our asst was Roy, also from Portugal, and the head waiter was Alan from South Africa. Roger was our room steward from Jamaica. I can't tell you who did all these jobs for us a year ago, but I got the names from cruise #1 without even having to look in the photo album! It was magical. We sat in the carosel bar in the evenings and listened to Karoke (before it was a contest or an exercise in silliness). I swear some of those passengers sang torch songs and romantic standards that had tears coming to your eyes. It was a quieter and gentler vacation. The welcome aboard show as a Tom Jones impersonator who was good enough to make Tom Tom girls of us all. (could be why years later I couldn't summon any ill will toward a cabin steward who woke us up singing Tom Jones songs in the hallway.) What's new ***** cat . . .