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Anyone else want to see, send me your email address. The image is adult content, but not so bad or offensive - just a slice of life out here in the East. And then perhaps, you may understand why telling me to "Get a life" may sound somehow odd.
At the end of the day, ask yourself the same question when flying - back in economy with most airlines we are getting decent food, choice of entertainment, friendly service and comfortable enough seats. In business class they get folding beds, slightly better food, and nowadays the same service (when most of the seats on the aircrft are business class, the crew are stretched to do everything for EVERYONE!). And up in first class are those in very comfortable seats and fresh food and, what, six more movie channels? But at what price? On a New York London flight, lets say an economy return ticket is £500, a business is £2000, and a First class is £4000. If you have that money to waste fire ahead, if u don't want to though, just get more for your money!!!
Paddy.
A cruise ship is limited in the way of space. If you take away passenger access to passenger areas of the ship, why book the ship? That is my point.
The one thing that irritates me more is someone who misunderstands the point and initiates name calling!
Thanks Nathan and Paddy for understanding what I'm trying to say. The concept has obviously been made into a more complex issue than I originally expected.
It's much livlier in Mauretania - there's always someone with a birthday, or some couple with an anniversary. In the Queen's Grill, most of the diners are dead in their soup. Man, you couldn't pay me to eat in the Grill.
quote:Originally posted by PC:It's much livlier in Mauretania - there's always someone with a birthday, or some couple with an anniversary. In the Queen's Grill, most of the diners are dead in their soup. Man, you couldn't pay me to eat in the Grill.
On the Queen Mary 1, In her day many first class passengers would go to the 2nd class lounge.[leather walls, quite opulent depite moniker]since it was more lively.
I SEE NO REASON WHY SOMEONE WITH A GRADE 'Z' CABIN ON THE QE2 PAY A SUPPLEMENT AND WEAR THE MONKEY SUIT REQUIRED TO EAT IN THE PRINCESS GRILL IF THEY WANT.
Let people book the cabins they want, and pay extra if they want a special lounge, priority tendering, or embark-debarkation
Class=not your money or learned behavior by reading Emily Post, but how you treat other people.
"Class=not your money or learned behavior by reading Emily Post, but how you treat other people."
1. "First" used to mean that you had better accomodations, food, lounges and similar than "Second."
2. It also meant that you had exclusive use of same. I can recall on "Le France" when the deck steward - and yes we had such so that we did not have to 'claim and maintain' "free" deck chairs - told me the following. "On this ship when you and your lovely wife are "en smoking" (eg evening clothes) you will be happy. On "QE2" you may sit in the lounge with [and he made an expressive face] a "hippie en t-shirt" sitting with you" He went on to say that QE2 did not keep the inflitration from second class from 1st class facilities.
Snobbish - yes; accurate - also yes.
Reason for tale, if you pay good money for exclusivity you should get same. We did, and we were glad we did.
[This message has been edited by Cambodge (edited 04-19-2001).]
I'm talking about the original question in this thread which is "What do you think about the Class system". The QE2 has a Class system, and I guess Gerry is curious to know what we think, because he's working on the QM2 project. I came up with the idea of a completely separate "Ultra-First Class", that has it's own separate lounges and dining rooms and bars, etc.
Haveawonderfulcruize!
Peter
quote:Originally posted by bubbles:[QB].....I do not like a class system on ships, or anywhere else. I have no problem with people paying for superior accommodation, if available and that being linked to certain restaurant....This is one of those choices we are free to make... /QB]
As I said in a previous posting, class not only gives you access to specific venues, but also keeps out the jeans and dirty t-shirt folks who "demand" the rights of access, but are not willing to accomodate by dressing accordingly. Upscale resturants have, and enforce, dress codes, but by what I have seen recently (and the views expressed here) ships do not. Class allocation is one way to save us from the slobs!!
And, CTRail may remember the glorious days of long-distance train travelin North America. "Going Pullman" meant an exclusive lounge, usually an exclusive dining car, and positioning of your sleeper or parlor car in the train so you could walk to the waiting room without walking by multi-unit hot and thundering diesels (and in the good old days an even hotter steam locomotives!) plus the lengths of multiple baggage and express cars!
Exclusive privileges? Maybe!
[ 04-28-2001: Message edited by: Cambodge ]
Landlockedcruiseships.
A CRUISE ship is a different story - all passengers should have access to all amenities. So-called 'perks' afforded to suite or balcony cabin cruisers are quite minimal. On most CRUISE ships, regardless of category chosen, you have access to the entire ship - it's your choice to dress up or eat at the Lido - and if you're feeling 'flush' you can (for a small extra charge on some Lines) eat in the AlternateDining Room - think about it - the suite and balcony pax paid more than you chose to -the Butler (whom most of us wouldn't know how to handle), an in-suite bar, a bathrobe and a few other bits and pieces - are they really so very important? THERE WILL ALWAYS BE CLASS DISTINCTION. Like Barryboat said, in part, it's totally unrealistic to expect that all people should live in a utopia where no one has any more wealth than the next person. It's just not going to happen - and nor should it! I agree too with his statement QUOTE people who complain about the "Class" system are simply jealous and don't seem to want to accept that there are others out there who simply have more money than most of us. I'm comfortable with my "Class". I'm secure with my economic level...I'd certainly like to have more money END QUOTE - with all of that I agree - I too would enjoy having more money, but at this stage in life, short of winning a lottery, it's unlikely that I'll get it. I feel that many of Barryboat's comments have been distorted and misunderstood. Much of what he has said makes good sense to me. - one more point - 'Class distinction' is not limited to the UK - the difference is - the UK admits to it - North Americans don't.
I like your analogy BUT if you were a member of the Country Club wouldn't you expect to use the facilities there?
I agree too with his statement QUOTE people who complain about the "Class" system are simply jealous and don't seem to want to accept that there are others out there who simply have more money than most of us.
I don't feel that 'green' (sorry for the pun!) but neither do I want to be told Sorry Ma'm you can't go past that gate to the nicer area of the ship/liner as you are steerage! Stay below.
As I said I don't have a problem with people paying for superior accommodation or something more in the food line but when it comes to lounge bars etc being segregated I am not keen at all. Part of the excitement of cruising is exploring the ship and seeing all that it has to offer. There are always selected functions on board e.g. club members are invited to separate receptions but the lounges are then open to everyone without restriction at any other time. On board you would be a paying passenger, albeit paying different rates. These artificial demarkations really should be a thing of the past. If you wish to sail on a 6* or a 3* vessel whether cruise ship or liner (still not sure of the distinction) once you have paid your fare you should be entitled to use all public facilities on that vessel and there should not be no-go areas where you have to use a separate staircase or be rejected by someone at entry. Lets face it a bottom grade cabin on Crystal is much higher than a bottom grade cabin on Princess so the premium is there already.
Doesn't the "class" segregation occur on a ship when one chooses what category of cabin to book on a ship (either one chooses to pay a premium for a better cabin with more perks--i.e., window, balcony, butler/concierge, robe, stocked fridge, etc. or chooses not to)? Or once a pax is onboard, that pax might choose to pay extra to use a certain spa, or for special treatments in the spa, or for a special restaurant to dine in for the evening? Isn't this a type of segregation by money, or by "class," if one chooses to define class as a dichotomy between those with or without money?
Someone questioned whether, if one were a member of a country club, wouldn't one expect to use the facilities there? Actually, there are country clubs where people with "full" memberships have access to all the clubs' facilities, including golf course, pool, dining room, etc, and those without full memberships may be limited in their access to the greens, or to the pool, etc.
I think that class distinctions purchased on a cruise ship are fine, as long as one knows what one is getting (or not getting for their money.) That way a person can be a fully informed customer, and choose to buy or not.
This way there is no need for the different economic groups to overlap...what is all the fuss about? Jesus Christ....(do you think he'd sail with Celebrity or HAL or Carnival?)
quote:Originally posted by Rex:Maybe I am wrong, but I think that's why there are different cruise lines to appeal to different tastes and budgets. If you want impeccable service and five-star cuisine and decor, that is what Seabourn, Silversea and Crystal are for...right? If you wanna wear jeans to dinner and eat hot dogs in "colorful" surroundings, isn't that what Carnival and Airtours (?) are for? RCI, NCL, P&O, HAL and others probably fall somewhere in between.This way there is no need for the different economic groups to overlap...what is all the fuss about? Jesus Christ....(do you think he'd sail with Celebrity or HAL or Carnival?)
AMEN TO THAT!
The 'class' system is alive and well in all countries - some admit to it - others are in denial!
I think Jesus would be comfortable on a Carnival Cruise, a Celebrity Cruise, a Holland America cruise, and even a Seabourn cruise. He loves people...doesn't matter what economic level people are in. Jesus would calm the sea for those on a Carnival Cruise and even for those on the QE2 or on a Windjammer cruise. His agenda is simple...bring as many people with him into His Kingdom as he can. Problem is... many won't make it into His kingdom, because they choose NOT to follow Him.
I'm Not ashamed to say that I know for sure (without any doubt) that I will live in eternity with Jesus when I die. How many out there on TravelPage can say the same? Seriously...I'm not trying to be condescending or smart or anything....I know there are other believers out there....can I see a show of hands?
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