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
If I may play Devil's Advocate here, are most people interested in glamour anymore, especially when they're on vacation? I think most would prefer relaxing and getting away from the grind. The cruise lines have to cater to what the majority are willing to pay for. Also, if you're flying to the port, taking formal wear, especially for the women, can be a pain. There are still luxury cruise lines for those interested in glamour, but I would think they're in the minority.
I agree completely. The glamour has gone, but I don't see anything that can fill that void. 
There has been some changes good and bad.
No MDR Table clothes... bad
FTTF ... bad
FTTF GONE!!! GREAT
No turn down service... bad
Limited late Room Service...bad (I'm a Vegetarian so it now doesn't matter to me)
The new muster station drill...good
Tell me about it. Here's a quick story (sorry, this is going to be off this threads topic) I dated a girl way back when we were in high school in the 1970's. She left for a semester of foreign exchange study in Europe, and I promised to wait for her. However, I ended up dating her best friend while she was gone, and naturally that got back to her. She promptly dumped me upon her return, and even though we had the same circle of friends and had seen each on brief occasions, she wouldn't speak to me for close to 20 years.
Jokes on her though. We reconnected in the late 90's and recently celebrated 23 years of marriage.
I do love a Happy Ending!
Tell me about it. Here's a quick story (sorry, this is going to be off this threads topic) I dated a girl way back when we were in high school in the 1970's. She left for a semester of foreign exchange study in Europe, and I promised to wait for her. However, I ended up dating her best friend while she was gone, and naturally that got back to her. She promptly dumped me upon her return, and even though we had the same circle of friends and had seen each on brief occasions, she wouldn't speak to me for close to 20 years.
Jokes on her though. We reconnected in the late 90's and recently celebrated 23 years of marriage.
Perfect story!!!
Tell me about it. Here's a quick story (sorry, this is going to be off this threads topic) I dated a girl way back when we were in high school in the 1970's. She left for a semester of foreign exchange study in Europe, and I promised to wait for her. However, I ended up dating her best friend while she was gone, and naturally that got back to her. She promptly dumped me upon her return, and even though we had the same circle of friends and had seen each on brief occasions, she wouldn't speak to me for close to 20 years.
Jokes on her though. We reconnected in the late 90's and recently celebrated 23 years of marriage.
I don't know, just speculating. And more than likely I'm wrong.
On the other hand, my posts could be monitored by one of my old girlfriends from way back who figured out who I am in RL. You know the old saying "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned".
Geeeeez, now I'll probably get in trouble for this "sexist" post.
I'M JUST KIDDING!.................REALLY, I AM.
A true statement! We can be a vindictive lot!!!!!
This is hard to believe. I've contacted them myself over an assortment of glitches...and they're very responsive and pleasant. unfortunately some somehow couldn't be fixed and I decided they weren't worth beating on...like the fact that I don't/can't get notified when someone actually posts to a roster I signed up for. Nevertheless... you aren't at a loss for words...hit "contact" and explain it....see what happens...there was nothing in the first few lines of what you were trying to post that was even slightly objectionable.
I don't know, just speculating. And more than likely I'm wrong.
On the other hand, my posts could be monitored by one of my old girlfriends from way back who figured out who I am in RL. You know the old saying "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned".
Geeeeez, now I'll probably get in trouble for this "sexist" post.
I'M JUST KIDDING!.................REALLY, I AM.
No Yank........................I think something else is going on. I not only wait like you said, but I actually had to log out for a few minutes, and when I came back both posts were still up. I then had to log out a second time, and when I came back about 30 minutes later they were both gone.
I'm beginning to think the monitor has it out for me. Kind of strange because neither posts were vulgar or provocative. Just my usual screwball stuff.
I hope you get to read this post before he/she takes it down.
Sometimes all it takes is someone hitting the "mark inappropriate" button (by accident or on purpose). The computer will delete it. So contacting the "poers that be" is definately worthwhile.
No Yank........................I think something else is going on. I not only wait like you said, but I actually had to log out for a few minutes, and when I came back both posts were still up. I then had to log out a second time, and when I came back about 30 minutes later they were both gone.
I'm beginning to think the monitor has it out for me. Kind of strange because neither posts were vulgar or provocative. Just my usual screwball stuff.
I hope you get to read this post before he/she takes it down.
This is hard to believe. I've contacted them myself over an assortment of glitches...and they're very responsive and pleasant. unfortunately some somehow couldn't be fixed and I decided they weren't worth beating on...like the fact that I don't/can't get notified when someone actually posts to a roster I signed up for. Nevertheless... you aren't at a loss for words...hit "contact" and explain it....see what happens...there was nothing in the first few lines of what you were trying to post that was even slightly objectionable.
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....
No Yank........................I think something else is going on. I not only wait like you said, but I actually had to log out for a few minutes, and when I came back both posts were still up. I then had to log out a second time, and when I came back about 30 minutes later they were both gone.
I'm beginning to think the monitor has it out for me. Kind of strange because neither posts were vulgar or provocative. Just my usual screwball stuff.
I hope you get to read this post before he/she takes it down.