I was packing up my cruise related souvenirs today, and I realized one thing. Cruising is not as glamorous as it used to be. Now, I’m going back 25 years or so. We would save for an entire year so we could enjoy “the best week of our lives”. We were amazed by the food. Awed by the service. Took tours of the different islands. Our reminders consisted of enameled pins, t shirts, photos, the usual stuff. We would be rewarded for returning to the same line with a pin, a bag, something. To this date, my favorite souvenir is a custom bobble head of me and my wife on a see-saw we ordered on an NCL voyage. We’ve redone our vows, sat for a private photo session, and had dinner with the Captain.
These days ( CoVid not withstanding ), cruise ships are crowded. Serve pedestrian food, rewards seem to have hone the way of the midnight or chocolate buffet. Incentives to book with one line are practically non existent. I can pay to get on a cruise ship by simply pulling out my credit card, knowing I can pay it off by the next bill.
They have made cruising very affordable, and though I’ve met some very nice people, I have also come across many people who are rude, abusive to the staff, and have an exaggerated sense of entitlement.
Chogs still exist.
I guess the luster has worn off, or maybe I’m jaded, but I miss the smaller ships. These mega ships, meh. I’m not impressed.
just my mind wandering I guess
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No longer the glamorous vacation
98 Answers
I share the observations. Its going to get tighter on the larger lines with larger fleets to have to "feed" to make the bottom line. They're mainstream marketed vacation companies - elegance is still retained on the high end lines if you wish/can pay the premium.
We only started cruising in 2012, so there is not much that has changed for us.
The most memorable changes(not all losses) in the last 10 years on Royal Caribbean are:
- No more free room service (2015ish)
- Alcohol Drink Packages (2013 ish)
- No Cigar smoking in the Casino (2014ish)
- Limited food in the Suite Arrival Lounge (Temporary - COVID, iirc)
Agreed that the glamour may have faded a bit but there is still much to be said for the cruise. It may be a bit more relaxed and laid back, less formal but it is still a great thing to do. In my opinion at least.
OGW i agree I wasn't able to enjoy the golden days of cruising 9we just started in 2019) But i love it none the less I think you need to choose the cruise line that suits your needs and wants. As for me sun, cocktails, and time away from work. I love the cruise life
Agreed that the glamour may have faded a bit but there is still much to be said for the cruise. It may be a bit more relaxed and laid back, less formal but it is still a great thing to do. In my opinion at least.
ABLEMAN...I don't know whats going on....this is 2x this am I gotten a notification of you posting...here and that other thread about "cuts"...the snippets that I got of both of em were interesting...but NEITHER got posted in here...I think you gotta wait before leaving a new post and moving on...count up to 10 slowly...its voodoo I know, but it seems to work for me...most of the time. I lost one this am meself....
I agree completely. The glamour has gone, but I don't see anything that can fill that void. 
Agreed, but the cruiselines claim they ARE filling it...with passengers who never experienced what once was., and so don't miss what they never had.....I have said any number of times that the folks who will have a hard time adjusting to our brave new increasingly unfulfilling world are folks who lived the dream just a few years ago...seems like forever doesn't it?
I agree completely. The glamour has gone, but I don't see anything that can fill that void.
Not a bad wander.........