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Seems to me that all the lines and vessels in which I had high hopes to sail on have dashed those hopes to pieces through the insane and ridiculous decisions they have made in vessel design, decor, service.....you name it. From the postings I've read regarding QM2, some of the enhancements being made to the more "classic" HAL ships, the obscenely ridiculous Oasis of the Seas....I mean, enough is enough already. It is now clear to me that unless I spend $3000+/person for 7 days aboard one of Oceania's ships, or Azamara, or any of the other lines with which I can't afford to book passage, I'm going to receive an experience that will be far from relaxing, far from enjoyable, and far below anything I have experienced before on the lines with which I've cruised before that have now implemented all these changes. Most of these changes I consider both an insult to good taste and common sense. I'm done with the cattle-cars, but I just can't pay the price of admission to the real deal.
Sorry to say.....I may never set foot on board ship again. What an awful day it is for me to come to this realization. I'd like to hang around here still, but I'm afraid I'll have no vested interest anymore.
quote:Originally posted by BigUFan:[...[] It is now clear to me that unless I spend $3000+/person for 7 days [...]
Maybe you consider that as far below what you experienced before, but there are still some more affordable 'small' SHIPS around - e.g.:
Oceanic
Thomson Cruises
Louis Cruises
Monarch Classic Cruises
Yes, they are not geared towards the U.S. market but you will survive aboard and some prices are so low that it would still be well below the 3000 $ you mentioned including flights from the U.S..
I just sailed the Galaxy in Europe. We chose that ship partially because we could get a direct flight to Rome and back from Philly and enjoyed time on our own there at both ends of the trip.
Ernst just laid out a great portfolio of smaller affordable ships.
I would add MSC here too, espeicially the Opera and Lirica. My brother and his wife are soon to take their second cruise on the Opera. MSC is a European format cruise unlike RCL, Princess, and Carnival. It can take an adjustment, but their pricing is good. The Costa Romantica has not yet been Carnivalized.
On affordability I suggest 'shoulder season' cruises when kids are in school. Another favorite of mine is the repositioning cruise. They are often less expensive. If your sea legs can handle a November Atlantic they are a bargain.
I agree that the Oasis is an overkill in size.
Solstice is an intriguing possibility. Very different type of vessel, notwithstanding its size. I can tip my hat to Celebrity for being fairly innovative with this class, although I still wonder what they're thinking with the blown-glass expo. Whatever. And some have said elsewhere that her open deck space, or relative lack thereof, could be an issue.
As for the Sun Princess class, it's not really about the ship, because that is a nice class. The problem here is, based on my last Princess cruise, Princess has a few QC problems to address, and until they do, I'm history. They're not really monumental problems, but they're enough to make a noticeable negative impact.
Honestly, I've also withheld certain economic details, as they're a little too personal.
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