Cruise Talk: One Mans Meat is Another Man’s Poison

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Author

Topic: One Mans Meat is Another Man’s Poison

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-24-2007 07:21 AM

It never fails to amazes me how different passengers can have very different opinions about the same ship. In this case the itineraries are very different, but the year and the ship are the same.

The Good

The Bad

[ 01-24-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 01-24-2007 08:15 AM

I have always felt the Cunard queens.....Mary and
Elizabeth....are always best on crossings. It is hard to understand the shortcomings sighted here on the cruise. However, as you say, "One man's meat is another man's poison." I don't understand the problem with the A/C.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

VDK
First Class Passenger
Member # 3460

posted 01-24-2007 11:43 AM

Interesting. I found QM2 to be a real joy. The ship was large, the public rooms were very nicely appointed - not over done and the general atmosphere was very comfortable. The ship was 100 people shy of a full load but it never felt crowded and there were never any line ups. Drink prices were far cheaper than most shore establishments both in the US and Canada and the AC was just fine. The crew could not do enough for you leaving little to desire. Its true that while onboard ship you are not bombarded with hourly announcements of events and activities but thats what makes this ship a bit more special. As the Capt states from the onset you are on board a liner and as such (QM2) does not represent a typical cruise ship. She is a small link to the yester-year of sea travel and they (Cunard) try hard to maintain what is left of that on this ship. I appreciated that and I recommend this ship to anyone who likes crusing in an environment of understated class and elegance.

Posts: 325 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

nathan
First Class Passenger
Member # 720

posted 01-24-2007 01:01 PM

I was on QM2 immediately after the New Years cruise, and there was a problem with the air conditioning in the Royal Court Theatre. Other than that, the guy's an idiot.

Posts: 534 | From: Knoxville, Tennessee | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-24-2007 03:47 PM

The guys entitled to his own opinion even if he is very wrong.

However, I can't agree with "lousy public rooms" and "poor cabins".

The 'Britannia' dining room and 'Queen’s room’ are two of the most attractive rooms afloat, they don’t come much better. As for the cabins, even the cheapest inside grade is industry standard (possibly a bit bigger) and very comfortable.

[ 01-24-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

bearbuns
First Class Passenger
Member # 6418

posted 01-24-2007 07:18 PM

quote:
Other than that, the guy's an idiot.[/QB]

I couldn't have said it better!! I was on just prior to this person...I doubt we were on the same ship!! Refined elegance, unobtrusive but excellent service, food was excellent and I have never felt as pampered. My very high expectations for this ship were greatly exceeded in all aspects. I'm grateful that none of the fine people we met were anything like this individual.

Cheers, Penny

Posts: 82 | From: South Carolina | Registered: Apr 2006 | IP: Logged

Magic Pipe
First Class Passenger
Member # 6994

posted 01-24-2007 07:52 PM

How dare Cunard send their ship to the poverty striken islands of Barbados and St. Kitts.

Posts: 213 | From: NYC | Registered: Jul 2006 | IP: Logged

Cunard Fan
First Class Passenger
Member # 7530

posted 01-25-2007 12:02 AM

quote:
Originally posted by nathan:
Other than that, the guy's an idiot.

Now, now. We must pity this poor fool for being less enlightened.

Posts: 2327 | From: Pasadena just north of Queen Mary | Registered: Sep 2006 | IP: Logged

Maasdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 3858

posted 01-25-2007 05:01 AM

Maybe we are stupid

and react on this verry short verry negativ review. Maybe it was just written to do so. Some take there satisfaction in doing so. And i geth this feeling hé dith.

Greetings Ben.

Posts: 4695 | From: Rotterdam home of the tss. Rotterdam. | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-25-2007 06:03 AM

Even those ship that have come to be regarded as 'classics' attracted very varied opinions. History sometimes leads us to belive that every passenger had a wonderful time on board, but that is of course never the case.

The final cruises on this ship were sold at very low fares, sometimes with alchoholic drinks included.

Review One

Review Two

Both reviews are March 2003, Eastern Caribbean.

[ 01-25-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Brian_O
First Class Passenger
Member # 3910

posted 01-25-2007 11:49 AM

Geez, Malcolm. You aren't very perceptive.

The review with the high rating was from a newbie who had only cruised once before. The novelty of being on a ship had not worn off so he was easily impressed.

The bad review was from a well-travelled veteran with 4 previous cruises under his belt. Obviously his review is more reliable.

Brian

[ 01-25-2007: Message edited by: Brian_O ]

Posts: 2698 | From: Pointe-Claire, QC Canada | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 01-25-2007 01:25 PM

So reliable it appears he was unaware it was Spring Break.. one of the first things even some 'newbies' check for when booking any holiday, if they don't want that type of thing. I am not sure by the first comment as to whether he thinks 21 year olds should not be considered adult enough to go away on a cruise? perhaps he should find a line which does not accept 21 yr olds.. Saga?
He chose the wrong week, any cruise would no doubt have got the same review.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-25-2007 02:47 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Brian_O:
Geez, Malcolm. You aren't very perceptive.
The review with the high rating was from a newbie who had only cruised once before. The novelty of being on a ship had not worn off so he was easily impressed.

A good observation Brian which may well be true, but that theory doe not explain this review of a SS Norway cruise, two months after the 'bad' SS Norway review.

See Here

[ 01-25-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

mrblanche
First Class Passenger
Member # 714

posted 01-25-2007 04:39 PM

We were aboard the Norway about 3 weeks before the boiler explosion, and I had a great time. There WAS a problem with some parents letting their kids run wild (I almost told one parent that if he ever considered taking his 14-yr-old son on another cruise, he should have him neutered and kept on a leash), but the ship was very nice. And I've done something like 19 cruises, so I should be jaded.

Was it a perfect cruise? No. Was it a very pleasant experience? You bet. But you DID need to consider that it was not one of the floating box hotels that most ships have become.

Posts: 308 | From: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

VDK
First Class Passenger
Member # 3460

posted 01-25-2007 05:50 PM

I don't necessary agree with Brian. From a strictly comparative aspect there may be some validity to his comment. However, I don't need to be kicked in the head 4 times to know that I won't like it or that it will hurt. Same with experiencing a ship for the first time. I would suggest that most people can appreciate a good thing when they see it. It sounds to me like this guy is a "hard to please type" and that unless it fits his pre determined concept of what he liked he wasn't going to enjoy it.

Posts: 325 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Brian_O
First Class Passenger
Member # 3910

posted 01-26-2007 12:04 AM

quote:
Originally posted by VDK:
I don't necessary agree with Brian.

Neither do I.

Brian

Posts: 2698 | From: Pointe-Claire, QC Canada | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-26-2007 05:06 AM

quote:
Originally posted by VDK:
[QB] I would suggest that most people can appreciate a good thing when they see it. QB]

It is very possible to be under-whelmed by your first cruise, I was. It should have been the best of experiences for me, as it was with Celebrity to Alaska. Now although I did enjoy aspects of it, I do not think that I was fully accustomed to ship board life. For example I got bored on the sea days for example, but now I’ve learnt to relax and enjoy them. I also had too high expectation of Alaska. I was expecting to see a wilderness, but the main ports were more like ‘Broadway’ as 3-4 mega-ships arrived each morning.

Now I really enjoyed my second cruise although aspects of it, in terms of quality of food, service and accommodation were not as good. However I loved the overall experience. Go figure!

It’s all so very subjective.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

VDK
First Class Passenger
Member # 3460

posted 01-26-2007 12:05 PM

Indeed it is very subjective, which is why I guess we have such a range on types of cruises and ships - thankfully.

Posts: 325 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

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