Do You Prefer Ads, or a Subscription Service?

[jhannah]

A number of folks are expressing displeasure at the large advertisement at the top of each page. The fact is, advertising is the way that Cruise Critic can provide us this forum at no charge. The other option would be to offer this service to us, ad free, on a subscription basis. Which would you prefer?

[sail7seas]

I don't mind the ads and I must have missed where a number of people expressed their displeasure about them. I didn't see a thread like that. I understand nothing is free in life.....it's a small inconvenience to have some ads here and there IMO

[Esme]

I don't mind the ads but the one that has been appearing lately for Transderm Scop is too large and it is annoying. :(

[e_brick]

Maybe Host Walt or Host Doug will read this thread and tell us how advertisers are picked (solicited?) and ad space provided.
Travel Patch(tm) folks must have done their homework because this is the ideal position for an ad-it can't be avoided and is the first item seen.
Other advertisers will probably see this and pay more to get their ad on top of this, until we have to scroll to the next page before seeing messages!
-Bruce

[HeatherInFlorida]

Yes, the Transderm Scop ad is really annoying and I would make a point of never buying this particular patch for that reason. But I don't mind the ads in general at all. I don't mind them in magazines either and I pay for those:D ! So you won't hear a complaint from me (even about this ridiculous blue thing staring me in the face right now;) .

[jhannah]

... I must have missed where a number of people expressed their displeasure about them. I didn't see a thread like that."Okay, I'm feeling a little silly" is the title of the post on this board. It's also on some other areas of Cruise Critic as well (with different titles.)

[iamirish]

$$$ is what makes the world go around. I would rather have a few ads than pay a fee.

Tom

[Sierrachik]

As I replied in the "Silly" thread, I had no idea there were ads on this bbs. I have ad blocking/popup killer software. I think I would rather pay if the cost were reasonable.

[RevNeal]

I don't mind the ads, just so long as their don't blink or flash or take up too much space or take too long to download. Normally I'm online via broadband, but sometimes I have to use dial-up (when I'm away from the office or the house).

[sail7seas]

"Okay, I'm feeling a little silly" is the title of the post on this board. It's also on some other areas of Cruise Critic as well (with different titles.)

Thanks, Jim. I had not opened this thread when I wrote the previous message. :) The title didn't seem to indicate just what the thread was about (and I didn't read the thumbnail that appears when you put cursor on it) so I opened it after some of the more obvious ones.

[ekerr19]

Normally, I don't even notice the ads, but the "Transderm Scop" is annoying me!

It is sooooo pathetic, not spelled properly (IMO) what's a Scop? And I'm sick of looking at the ear! It is too big also. :)

[RevNeal]

It is sooooo pathetic, not spelled properly (IMO) what's a Scop?

It's spelled perfectly. "Transderm SCoP" is the brand name for the delivery system and the drug, "scopolamine," which it delivers.

For someone that depends upon scopolamine to keep from being seasick, the Transderm SCoP system is a blessing. I now prefer Scopace, which is taken orally not via transdermally.

[ekerr19]

It's spelled perfectly. "Transderm SCoP" is the brand name for the delivery system and the drug, "scopolamine," which it delivers.

For someone that depends upon scopolamine to keep from being seasick, the Transderm SCoP system is a blessing. I now prefer Scopace, which is taken orally not via transdermally.
revneal-

Thanks. It still looks funny to me. Thankfully, I am not in the camp that requires medication for seasickness - though I know many do - I'm sure having such medicine available is a blessing. :)

[MISSYLOU]

Apparently I have something blocking the ads because I don't see them either.:)

[Claire O'Brien]

It is kinda a large obtrusive advert but doesn't bother me - some way has to be found to pay the expenses - fortunately I have never had to use seasickness tablets but wasn't scopolamine the "truth drug" favoured by organisations trying to get a prisoner to talk?

This might be quite interesting in a cruise setting if everyone started telling the truth to their fellow passengers. We had tablemates recently who were pretty convincing about their occupation - we found out later that they had been telling us complete rubbish. Wasn't any harm done but we were surprised.

[trubey]

The ad mentions ". . . Scopalomine and Belladonna alkaloids . . ."

Ambrose Bierce defines Belladonna as, "In Italian, a beautiful woman. In English, a deadly poison."

Lane

[Krazy Kruizers]

I have never minded the ads UNTIL the transderm scop appeared. Maybe because it just jumps out at you when you log on - don't remember any of the other ads doing that.

[jhannah]

The other ads have been much smaller, and generally down the right side of the window. They're probably getting "big bucks" for this placement.

[elmorejj]

I don`t care for these large ads and would be willing to pay a reasonable amount for subscription. Maybe it would also clear off some of the idiots who decide to post once or twice and disapear.......JMO....jean :cool:

[SharonN]

I'm not seeing it either. Thank goodness for good Pop-up blockers!

[jazzsea]

All of the sales and marketing classes that we take to keep ourselves and our agency legal with CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) say that we should never, ever say "seasickness". We should refer to the experience as "Motion Discomfort". I would think that the cruise line executives would want this particular ad to go away. Nothing like reminding people that there might be a downside to cruising.

I can't imagine wanting to use the patch after reading the fine print. Dry mouth, drowsiness and blurred vision? Don't use alcohol ..... or do things requiring alertness when using this product.

I've tried the patch and cannot use it as I had all of the side effects plus it raised my blood pressure. I'm happy with my Meclizine for which I have a perscription even though I know I can get it free from the ships infirmary or front desk.

[Codfish]

I have never minded the ads UNTIL the transderm scop appeared. Maybe because it just jumps out at you when you log on - don't remember any of the other ads doing that.


This ad is a little big, but for a site that relies on advertising, Cruise Critic does a great job keeping the most annoying ads off. I can come here and not have to deal with 3 or 4 popups and blinking and flashing banner ads. If you can't stand any advertisments, I suggest you invest in good popup/banner ad blocker

[Roadwork]

Someone has to pay to keep this site going. The advertisements don't annoy me at all.

[sail7seas]

Try Taigan.......way superior!!! No side effects so far as we have ever experienced. Works almost immediately. Available as capsule or as suppository in the event swallowing and keeping it down is a problem for someone.

[sail7seas]

jazzsea.........All of the sales and marketing classes that we take to keep ourselves and our agency legal with CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) say that we should never, ever say "seasickness". We should refer to the experience as "Motion Discomfort". I would think that the cruise line executives would want this particular ad to go away. Nothing like reminding people that there might be a downside to cruising


:) Hmmmm......Truth in Advertising???? :)

[RuthC]

I find the new ad at the top far too big, but if looking at it is the price I have to pay to participate in CC then so be it.
I would not want to pay to subscribe at all.

[Cruiseoften]

I don't like pop-ups/ads but the "Transderm Scop" thing is, to me, less annoying than were the long lists of cruises taken, flapping flags; jumping whatsits; logos of various shapes and sizes; etc. etc. etc.

:eek:

[Sierrachik]

I don't like pop-ups/ads but the "Transderm Scop" thing is, to me, less annoying than were the long lists of cruises taken, flapping flags; jumping whatsits; logos of various shapes and sizes; etc. etc. etc.

:eek:Go to your user control panel and set it so signatures don't show. I did that a while ago, I find it easier and faster to navigate that way. I do not mind the avatars and didn't set those not to display.

[Aussie Gal]

I also find the ad at the top far too big, but on the downside, I would not pay to belong, especially as the subscription would be in US dollars which is not good for us Aussies with the exchange rate.

The ad is wasted on us anyway as we do not need any sort of tablet or patch when cruising. We are the lucky ones that never get seasick and we have certainly sailed in some huge seas!!

Jennie

[CDRMark]

Do I prefer...?
My DW often complains that I sometimes answer multiple choice questions 'yes-or-no'.
She is correct.
You only really get to gripe when you're paying, anyway.
Cheers
MarkB

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

With the high cost of hosting any forum, offer those that want to pay a small subscription the option of not viewing the ads. This works well for other ezines, forums, even Opera (browser is free with ads).

George

[digby]

I would not pay to use CC. There are too many other web sites with good info which are free.