Past Ships/Lines - What does it say about you?

[blndee77]

Obviously we pick our ships and cruise lines for various reasons, but do our choices really say anything about us? Is there a connection?

What would you guess about me from my past cruise choices listed in my signature?

<for fun only, please no rude comments>

[Peggy Sue]

sorry.your past cruises aren't displayed???

[blndee77]

sorry.your past cruises aren't displayed???
Peggy Sue, you must have the view signatures feature turned off! You can change that in your user CP.

[Peggy Sue]

ahhh .. thank you. haven't really played with any of the new board features yet! live and learn!

OK, so since I now have the info, I'll play the game!

I'd say you stared out with cruise lines that offered more "fun" and budget appeal. As time passed you ventured on to new cruise experiences and more upscale lines. You enjoy cruises that offer activities and good service. Not loyal to one cruise line, as you like to experience new things.

How did I do??

I don't have my past cruises listed..not many, but here goes...


1993 - Dolphin curise line - oceanbreeze (Aruba - Southern Carb.)
(very small inside cabin)
1996 - Dolphin cruise line - Royal Majesty (Boston-Bermuda)
(outside cabin) (I think it was 96..maybe 95..but close enough!)
2000 - Disney Magic 3 day
(inside cabin)
2003 - HAL - Zuiderdam
(S Suite .. pure heaven)
2003 - Disney Wonder 4 day
(verandah)

Peggy Sue

[blndee77]

Well, the early cruises were while I was still in middle/high school and living with my parents. So I really didn't get to make a choice and was lucky to be brought along.

I think we (they) chose Carnival because it was the most well known at the time and a very safe option for first time cruisers. That was a seven day in an inside quad. Lots to do for an active family, but poor food. Had great service in the dining room. Still remember our waiter's name - Tarpan.

We then gave Commodore's Caribe a try because it was a smaller ship and we were able to get a suite (read: separate sleeping area for the parents ;) ) for the same price as an inside on Carnival. (Boy, have things changed!!!) Again a 7 day cruise. I remember that being an amazing experience and found a lot intimate spaces. I still remember the names of some of the other people we met as we had a great time and tried to keep in touch for a short while afterward.

We then tried Celebrity because of it's reputation for the high quality of the food (very important to my parents and they passed that down to me). Also, were able to do a longer itinerary to ports we hadn't seen - I think it was 10 ports in 11 days or something like that. Loved Celebrity and yes the food was much better. Loved the southern carib. itinerary, but love sea days and this cruise itself had way too many port days.

Took Sovereign of the Seas just after grad school. Was a 4 day jaunt with my mom - a last girl's bonding trip. I was living in Orlando at the time. Mom was coming in for graduation and Port Canaveral is a short drive away. Was very low on funds as I didn't have a job yet, took a step back just to be able to get away. Realized I don't like 3 or 4 day cruises. Seems cruise lines skimp on those ships/itineraries. Would go back on RCCL one day for the right ship/itinerary/price, but Sovereign didn't impress me, especially the food. A bit lacking on the service too, but not sure if it was the length again?

Now the shift in my personal life...got married. Husband never traveled much and had never cruised. Convinced him to try it and sample islands that he might like to see again. So instead of going to places I have never seen, we are starting from scratch so he can catch up. Also, was just starting out in my career and paying off college and grad school, so funds again were tight.

NCL's Norway - took this strictly because of the good price. wanted it to be a birthday present for my fiance (now husband). Dad got sick, moved up wedding, became our honeymoon. Knew what we were getting into when I signed up (you get what you pay for and you can't expect Radisson quality at bare-bones prices - I'm talking maybe $250pp for a week). Poor food quality, ship in some disrepair, poor service. Still had a great time and luckily, my husband got the cruising bug and wanted to go again. Not sure we want to try NCL again. Think we may have a go at it one day as the Norway is not typical to the rest of the fleet.

Celebrity's Horizon - again, got a great price. wanted/needed to get away. brought back a "little souvenir" from the Norway and was about 3 months pregnant. Just finished the bad morning sickness and was in the so-so morning sickness when I smell food cooking stage. Cruise was great because I didn't have to cook/smell it cooking and could pick and choose and find something that didn't upset me. Also, we wanted to get away along since we brought a group on our honeymoon (as it was supposed to just be a vacation) and we knew we wouldn't get away soon or alone ever again with a baby coming. Older ship was in good condition. great food and service, although not as high as the earlier Celebrity experience. From what I read though, all of the mainstream lines seem to be losing a little in these areas.

As far as "fun," I guess that's very subjective. I am probably the oldest 27-year-old you will meet. Used to enjoy things like the disco, but now I enjoy board games and bingo, etc. At home, I do many of the same activities as my 62-year-old MIL.

Budget is becoming less of an issue. Grad school is paying off and I have received a bunch of promotions/raises at work. In the last three years, I have almost tripled my starting salary (which wasn't too bad in the first place). We are starting to get in a position where we can continue to travel now and not wait until retirement. I can't imagine not traveling! Looking forward to our first balcany cabin on HAL's Zuiderdam this fall.

As far as line loyalty - wanted to try every one once. husband isn't against Carnival, but I don't think we'd fit in as we are not the party-type and don't like rowdy groups. We seem to fit in much better on lines like Celebrity. Am really looking forward to HAL and think we will fit in well there too. Am very interested to compare the two lines. At this point, would book on Celebrity in an instant if a good opportunity arose. Would also like to try Princess. Maybe Disney when our daughter gets old enough to enjoy it.

[blndee77]

1993 - Dolphin curise line - oceanbreeze (Aruba - Southern Carb.)
(very small inside cabin)
1996 - Dolphin cruise line - Royal Majesty (Boston-Bermuda)
(outside cabin) (I think it was 96..maybe 95..but close enough!)
2000 - Disney Magic 3 day
(inside cabin)
2003 - HAL - Zuiderdam
(S Suite .. pure heaven)
2003 - Disney Wonder 4 day
(verandah)

Peggy Sue
I don't know too much about Dolphin lines so I can't really comment there. Big jump from inside cabins to Suites/verandahs. So there has to be some life event to spark that. Also looks like you might not want to go back now that you have tried them. Two Disney cruises would point to having children/grandchildren? or really liking the Disney experience? Looks like you need one more HAL cruise and you will have three-pairs. :) Again, don't know about Dolphin lines, but Disney and HAL aren't cheap so you are willing to pay for a great experience even if you can't go all the time. Or perhaps you take land vacations in between.