Are you more loyal because of CruiseCritic?? [Archive]

airlink diva

February 3rd, 2009, 01:49 AM

kelmac

February 3rd, 2009, 07:01 AM

rochelle_s

February 3rd, 2009, 07:21 AM

I loved cruising before I found out about this site. Cruisecritic has made me a more knowledgable cruiser as I have read and learned a wealth of information that I just never could have found in a brochure. I don't think being a member of cruisecritic has made me more loyal to one particular cruiseline or another, but it has helped me to learn more about the brands out there and to find the one(s) that fit my needs, budget and taste. Like a good pair of jeans....you have to try on a few until you find the perfect fit.

I really enjoy the different discussions on here, even those full of such controversy. I can just imagine what non cruisers would think about some of the questions asked on here and the length of discussion that some topics take. (I often scratch my head myself!) Some might even die of laughter and think we are all nuts. Persoanlly I like the community of like minded (cruise-loving) folks, no matter what there opinion is.

Rochelle

Sleepladypalmdesert

February 3rd, 2009, 07:32 AM

I did not find Cruise Critic until just prior to my first cruise. What did I learn from Cruise Critic? To check out the ThermoSpa, bringing as much wine on board as we wish, about a thing called the Norovirus and why those guys stand out as we board with the hand sanitizer, renting cars in Hilo, best place to park my car in San Diego, best time for me to board, getting room service, how much I should plan for extra tipping.....gosh, it just goes on and on. I have learned so much prior to cruising that I am a much more enlightened consumer. I have grown to enjoy logging on and seeing what is being said. I enjoy reading the "live from" threads. I appreciate all of the tips and suggestions from you expert cruisers.

Seago2

February 3rd, 2009, 07:37 AM

Interesting question! CC has indeed made me more loyal to HAL. This board is less snarky than others I frequently visit and I have developed friendships with other HAL people. It's just head and shoulders above all of the other boards (OK, I think I am about to get my post removed). That's another thing: posts get wiped away if they are nasty, whereas on some other boards personal attacks are either allowed or unnoticed. I like the Cunard board as well, but traffic there is much lighter and after a while... OK, we're talking about two ships over there.

However, if you look at my signature you'll see that I have taken two cruises since my one HAL cruise and am leaving on another NCL cruise next week! When it comes right down to it, price and port of departure are critical. I sailed the Spirit twice because it left out of NYC. That's the whole reason I even went on the Noordam to begin with. Now we're sailing on the Majesty only because I love the older, smaller ships, I have a friend who raves about the Maj, and she's about to leave the fleet. Believe me, we are looking for a HAL cruise right now and I hope we find one. Hopefully a repo next fall.

HAL is wonderful. I love HAL. I loved our Roll Call group- again, far better on HAL. I wish like heck I could have been on the Voyage of the Good Nuts! But there is no getting around the fact that we have eight children between the two of us, four of whom are in college and two of whom are TEN! We went on MSC Lirica for TEN DAYS, saw amazing ports- including Cartagena, which we loved- had an excellent time, and the TOTAL was $1400 bucks for an OV. So it gets to the point where it's insane to cruise to begin with at this point in our lives, incredibly hard to justify, plus the kids really, really want to cruise and the only way I can afford it with them is on NCL and without airfare, so.........

Yes I am loyal to HAL in large part because of CC. I show it by booking NCL :eek:. Does that answer your question?

jhannah

February 3rd, 2009, 08:02 AM

This is a great question, Tamara. I had to think about it a minute ... but yes, I believe CC has assisted my HAL focus.

While I am attracted to Holland America ships for all the reasons we each know, a good portion of it is because of friendships fostered here. I likely wouldn't have gone on the Eurodam prelude and inaugural cruises were it not for the anticipation of getting to meet or renew acquaintences with fellow posters. Something got me past choking on the high cost of those sailings, transportation over there and back, and attending the naming ceremony ... and it was the people I'd be cruising with for a couple of weeks.

I am not an exclusive HAL cruiser. I also cruise with Princess to "Escape Completely." :) I have participated in roll calls on Princess sailings, but they're different -- just like the mood/tone of the board is different. Not bad, just different.

eh2zed

February 3rd, 2009, 08:22 AM

Very good question. In addition to what other posters have said, I believe that generally us humans have a need to belong to something(s). Its great for the socialization part of our psyche. Some belong to clubs of different sorts, teams, and yes being a regular CC poster has that same sense of belonging to something. It then stands to reason that those that "belong" become more loyal and passionate about this forum.

sapper1

February 3rd, 2009, 09:27 AM

This board has certainly given me insights into aspects of cruising that have been very helpful to me both in planning cruises and understanding a lot about cruise etiquette. So many situations have been explained and disected in detail here on this board------things that would never have occured to me had I not read them here. This board has made me a better prepared cruiser, and I hope, more understanding of everyday situations aboard ship.
Now if someone only has some suggestions as to what I can do about the one thing that seems to bother so many younger cruisers with regard to their shipmates. I am getting older.:eek::eek: People think I will ruin their cruise because of it. What's a girl to do??:confused:

bigwally

February 3rd, 2009, 09:32 AM

Loyal to CC, and more loyal to cruising as a vacation choice, but no loyalty to a particular cruise line. I'll sail whomever gives me the perfect itinerary at a price I'm willing to pay.

crusinbanjo

February 3rd, 2009, 09:38 AM

Loyal to CC, and more loyal to cruising as a vacation choice, but no loyalty to a particular cruise line. I'll sail whomever gives me the perfect itinerary at a price I'm willing to pay.

Same here. While I enjoy this board, I frequent some of the other boards about cruise lines that I have, or might want, to cruise with. The boards are a wealth of info and I use them to help me decide on my next trip and on which cruise line.

For me it is about the Itinerary first, and the cruise line second. The Info available on the boards is what makes them so fun and valuable

jhannah

February 3rd, 2009, 09:45 AM

I am getting older.:eek::eek: People think I will ruin their cruise because of it. What's a girl to do??:confused:
Ignore them! If older people have "ruined" cruises for people, it isn't because they're older. It's because of their long-held personalities that have most likely aggrivated others for years!

sapper1

February 3rd, 2009, 09:52 AM

Ignore them! If older people have "ruined" cruises for people, it isn't because they're older. It's because of their long-held personalities that have most likely aggrivated others for years!
You may be on to something!!! One of the biggest surprises for me upon getting older is that I am still the same person I was in my 20's------just a little wiser, I hope.

Was you new picture taken since your accident? If so, you are looking great. Good to see you back and posting. Did you get the card I sent you in rehab? I hope so.

timothy998

February 3rd, 2009, 10:12 AM

We're on our first cruise next month (boy it's nice to say that) and one thing I get from the boards, as has been mentioned, is a wealth of information and helpfulness. That said, as a frequent business traveler, I know which hotels have what kind of service, and what I'm willing to pay for, and what I'm not willing to pay for. That said, the service provider is the one that will garner or lose my loyalty. I know I'm not going to get the level of service at a Fairfield Inn as I do at a JW Marriott, but I know the rooms will be clean at both properties.

RevNeal

February 3rd, 2009, 10:37 AM

Someone asked me a very valid question. Did cruisecritic make me more loyal (a.k.a cheerleader) for my favorite cruiselines? If I would never came across this website, would I have as much devotion on Holland America?
It did get me thinking. While I loved cruising prior to finding cruisecritic, I feel that the site did make me a more devoted cruiser and to my cruiseline.
Anyone else????

VERY interesting question; I'm not sure of my answer. I've been cruising Holland America since 1994. I have a family history -- grandfather and parents -- with the Line. I didn't join CC until 2000. I was a HAL loyalist before 2000. Hence, CC didn't make me loyal. It MAY have contributed to me remaining loyal through some of the changes ... particularly those since 2001. I'm not sure. I KNOW it probably pushed me to cruising on the Vistas, whereas my inclination would have otherwise been to stick with the S and Rs.

So ... did CC contribute to making me "more" loyal to the Line? Yes. However, I was already loyal before I began here, hence CC's influence can only said to be supplementary in that regard.

It absolutely helps me to get through the months between cruises, I have learned a great deal from many posters on these boards about cruising, and I have made many wonderful friends on these boards with whom I have cruised many times and with whom I will cruise again.

jhannah

February 3rd, 2009, 11:04 AM

Was you new picture taken since your accident? ... Did you get the card I sent you in rehab? I hope so.
Yes and yes. Thank you very much.

LauraS

February 3rd, 2009, 11:20 AM

Just when I think to myself "will I find anything new on the boards today", here we are! This really is a GREAT question and I'm subscribing so I don't miss a thing.

Thanks!

Laura

tomc

February 3rd, 2009, 11:26 AM

More loyal? Not a bit; I'm there already.

Learning more about the line? Definitely.

Feeling like part of the club? Oh, yes.

hammybee

February 3rd, 2009, 11:37 AM

I am more loyal to the HAL forum than I am to any cruise line. I like the people and the pace.

I choose HAL over another, given similar intinerary/cabin availability/timing.
I do enjoy sailing all other cruise lines and discovering/appreciating the differences.

newmexicoNita

February 3rd, 2009, 11:41 AM

I was at work yesterday talking about cruising and this website. I always tell anyone who's thinking about or booked a cruise to head over here.
Someone asked me a very valid question. Did cruisecritic make me more loyal (a.k.a cheerleader) for my favorite cruiselines? If I would never came across this website, would I have as much devotion on Holland America?
It did get me thinking. While I loved cruising prior to finding cruisecritic, I feel that the site did make me a more devoted cruiser and to my cruiseline.
Anyone else????

I never thought about it, but probably there is some truth to this. We have more chances to voice our views, both negative and positive. Yes, CC has made me more loyal to cruising and probably to my favorite line. Although some discussions bet a little to personal I think we learn from each other and yes, make friends. I have friends I met on CC, prior to sailing many years ago that are still friends and it is because of Cruise Critic plus roll call.

Nita

sail7seas

February 3rd, 2009, 11:59 AM

Great question and something I never thought about before.

I am very loyal to HAL and after having sailed enough times on enough other lines, I know I only (now) wish to sail HAL.

I also am very loyal to CC. Having read enough other boards and seen some come and go and that while I still read and post a little on other cruise BB's, CruiseCritic is the Board I feel a sense of community with. CC is the one I come to first thing and last thing of each day on the computer. :)

So, I'm very loyal to HAL and very loyal to CC and I imagine there has to be a link between the two.

But, I would still be loyal to each without the other if there were circumstances that made such a situation happen.

mrblack

February 3rd, 2009, 12:36 PM

More loyal? Not a bit; I'm there already.

Learning more about the line? Definitely.

Feeling like part of the club? Oh, yes.

I agree with all of this. That said at this time in my life because of work committments I'm greatly influenced by time schedules for cruises so i cruise what fits best and for what price. I do love the HAL CC board and it is the only board i read other than 'lose before you cruise'

Sapper1 ignore all those younger cruisers who object to age. i find it is like someone else said 'they have propbably aggravated others with their personalities forever' i was once on a cruise and had lunch with a table where one person dominated the discussion with her talk about the benefits of gated communities and the one she lived in---she was youngish--55-56. As we left my friend and i both agreed we were fortunate not to be at her dinner seating for 10 nights. I would rather cruise with someone 85 who can discuss and have opinions on a variety of topics than someone young who has a closed mind. Mel

geoherb

February 3rd, 2009, 01:04 PM

I'm not very loyal. I look at HAL, Princess and Celebrity. Our last cruise was on Celebrity, the one before that was on Princess, and our next one is on HAL. I know there will be things I miss whenever I'm sailing on one of them rather than another. Price and itinerary are the biggest factors when we book a cruise. We'll have a good vacation no matter which cruise line we sail on.

Chrislynn55

February 3rd, 2009, 01:22 PM

I had a lot of cruises under my belt before I came across Cruise Critic but I am amazed at the wealth of information I have found on the boards, even with my fairly extensive cruising experience. CC hasn't made me loyal to any one cruise line....I find that I mostly hang out on the board of whichever line my upcoming cruise is on (and on my roll call). So, having never been on a HAL ship I find that the HAL board is the one I'm spending time on now before our Veendam cruise in March. Of course, there are also things I've read about on the boards that detract a little from my excitement about my cruise....ie. Norovirus and air conditioning issues on the Veendam. Still, I keep coming back for more!

Kathy

bigwally

February 3rd, 2009, 01:26 PM

Price and itinerary are the biggest factors when we book a cruise. We'll have a good vacation no matter which cruise line we sail on.

I agree.

I've just gone back through my planning for our Baltic. I started out with 10 ships from 7 lines, on 69 different sailings. From there I narrowed it from 4 ships, 3 lines, 13 sailings, to the one we chose. It was chosen based on (in order of importance):

1) Itinerary
2) Price and perception of how well a line would "fit" with our needs
3) Passenger capacity of the vessel
4) Sailing date

meterman2

February 3rd, 2009, 02:14 PM

Hmm,

I think CC has helped me to me more knowledgeable about cruising, ports, excursions and my cruiseline of choice, Holland America. IMO, Loyalty is much too strong a word to connect to my choice of cruiselines.

I don't have a favorite airline, car model, hotel chain. I think I've stuck with HAL moreso because I'm naturally resistant to "change". I have favorite restaurants, but if I received bad service a couple of times or poor quality, I probably wouldn't ever return. I think the same holds true with my view towards HAL. Unless they price themselves out of my budget or have a severe drop in service, I'll probably stick with them. Because of my resistant to change, I need good reason to move on, but I wouldn't call it loyalty.

Loyalty is reserved for friends, family, country, etc., not for a segment of the "hospitality industry". JMHO.

Pettifogger

February 3rd, 2009, 02:37 PM

I pretty much limit my cruises and my cruise research to HAL and the CC respectively, but I wouldn't call it exactly "loyalty" to either of them. In both cases it's admiration for the way they do business. If either of them suddenly or gradually changed their way of doing business to that of producers of inferior products, I'd start looking for alternatives. My "loyalty" would be limited to giving them the benefit of the doubt as long as possible in recognition of the fact that I have benefited so much from their services.

LAFFNVEGAS

February 3rd, 2009, 02:56 PM

I agree this is an excellent question and one that I have never seen asked.

To answer you question for me a HUGH YES!!!

I found CC after our first cruise on RCCL in 2002 and was researching to do a 2nd cruise when we chose the Zuiderdam for Spring 2003. In all honesty had I not found Cruise Critic forum and both Tom and I got hooked on posting (Tom lurking and reading) and getting to know so many people I seriously doubt we would be as devoted to HAL or cruising in general.

Cruise Critic has basically kept the fire burning. I feel as much a loyality to HAL as I do to the HAL CC board. I guess that is why I do the "Where's the Fleet' and all the Web Cam Waves. I enjoy the enthusiasm it brings to other posters here.

I have found it hard to not bring up CC when I have been going to job interviews :D In interviews they always ask about your personal life and what do you like to do when not working. It is rather hard to explain that you are hooked on a Cruise Chat Forum:o especailly when you do not want them to know that you could be using work time to be posting on a chat board ;) So I am very careful in what I have been saying.

But YES without a doubt I give Cruise Critic a lot of credit for us being so dedicated to HAL and cruising.

DFD1

February 3rd, 2009, 03:09 PM

We don't cruise with HAL exclusively. Usually take a cruise on another carrier once a year or so. When we do it is likely because of price or itinerary.

We always seem to come back to HAL, not because of Cruise Critic, but because we feel they do a better job of providing the cruise we want, with a great staff and crew, on a ship we like at a price we're happy to pay.

As for cruise critic and this particular message board, I keep coming back here because of the tone set here and the civility of the participants (at least, usually).

I also find the Cunard board interesting because of the high opinion the experienced Cunard cruisers generally have of themselves. I find their attitudes of superiority fun to watch and read. They take their high-flown positions with just enough humor as to keep it interesting. Perhaps it's a British thing, but whatever, most of the time it is entertaining.

cruisinjudy

February 3rd, 2009, 03:23 PM

I started cruising in 1986. I was first on the old AOL Cruise Boards sometime in the nineties. Gave up my AOL and went without until I discovered Cruise critic here in 2001. We took our first HAL cruise in 2002. I think it was because it went out of San Diego. Since then we have gone back and forth between HAL and Celebrity.

I like the HAL boards better, but I know more cruisers on Celebrity. That is where I am more likely to find someone I have sailed with before. I don't know why that is. Maybe we just happened to have chosen cruises without many CCers or without many return cruisers.

So I don't think I am more loyal to one line because of CC, but I do look for people I have met before on other cruises.

Charliesmom

February 3rd, 2009, 04:12 PM

I don't think that Cruise Critic necessarily makes me more loyal to one line or another. In fact, I first learned about Cruise Critic through Celebrity Cruises when I booked a cruise with them. That was our first and last Celebrity cruise. It's not that it was a bad cruise. At the time, I just liked Princess better. And then I ran into a fantastic bargain for a HAL cruise. The great service on that cruise made me more loyal. Also that fantastic bargain introduced me to suites and of course, now I am hooked.

What has tied me to HAL more than anything else is a combination of the size of the ships, the service and the fact that my DH LOVES to sit on his aft balcony and watch the wake of the ship.

I really do enjoy getting to know folks before the cruise. I have made many wonderful friends on cruises. I hope to continue doing so.

pipedreams62

February 3rd, 2009, 04:12 PM

Has A great gang of people.

http://www.picking.com/og-77.jpg

hammybee

February 3rd, 2009, 04:33 PM

I was first on the old AOL Cruise Boards sometime in the nineties.

Me too. It was all about RCL, for the most part, back then. AOL had, at the time, some wild message baords and chat rooms.

mountainmare

February 3rd, 2009, 04:38 PM

Actually cruise critic has made me more willing to try different lines--and avoid lines that I don't think would suit me.
Case in point is last Feb we cruised Costa to Egypt. HAL is our favorite line--have tried the some others, but there is the tradition on HAL ships that I always miss.
We would never have tried Costa if it was not for cruise critic. On every board there are always lively compare this cruise line to that discussions where you can ask specific questions and get varied opinions. Bottom line, Costa was the only line going where we wanted to go when we wanted to go--we went with eyes wide open and had a fabulous time.
Now I am loyal to the HAL board and always check in even when we don't have a HAL cruise booked. Now I am counting the days (31) until we board the lovely Oosterdam.

Sundagger

February 3rd, 2009, 06:02 PM

I took my first cruise in 2000, on Carnival, to the S. Caribbean. I discovered that I really like cruising, but I was looking for a different atmosphere than on Carnival. I began looking through the various cruising boards online and gradually settled on CruiseCritic as the most active and well-rounded.

I used the boards to determine the cruiseline that I wanted next and chose HAL for its more sedate atmosphere and slightly more upscale ships.

What I know now from reading a variety of boards on CruiseCritic is that I want to continue with HAL (as long as it meets certain criteria) because what people rave about on other lines' boards is unappetizing to me. I like formal nights, I like attentive dining service, good food, reasonable single supplements.

If HAL changes to the point of cruisers saying "You're gonna have a BLAST on HAL", I'll change cruiselines.:D

wander

February 3rd, 2009, 06:59 PM

CC has not influenced my "loyalty" to a cruise line, BUT it does help sustain me between cruises. It provides an almost daily "near cruise fix". It also makes for a happy husband as I fill my cruise conversation needs online. He likes cruising but is not that much of a talker.

kryos

February 3rd, 2009, 09:20 PM

While I loved cruising prior to finding cruisecritic, I feel that the site did make me a more devoted cruiser and to my cruiseline.
Anyone else????
Honestly, I don't think CC has anything to do with my loyalty to HAL or to any other cruise line for that matter. I've sailed Princess, Celebrity, Carnival and Cunard while a member of Cruise Critic, and I don't think CC made me any more or less loyal to them either.

I base my loyalty to a cruise line on the experience I have onboard. While I've always had good onboard experiences on every single one of my cruises, HAL just seems to give me more of what I am looking for, and that's why I keep coming back to HAL and not those other lines. I think it's that way for each one of us, to be honest. Some people swear by RCI ... while I probably would never sail one of their ships. It's not that I think RCI is a bad cruise line ... far from it ... it's just that the big ship experience doesn't ring my bells. For others, it's a whole different story.

For now my loyalty is with HAL. If and when I ever find another cruise line that meets my needs more than HAL, then my loyalty will probably switch to them. It's just a matter of value for my money ... and a cruise line meeting my needs and thus giving me the best value. CC, at least for me, has very little to do with it.

Blue skies ...

--rita

Seago2

February 3rd, 2009, 09:25 PM

Oh well! So much for my post about looking for a HAL repo next fall! Found an excellent cruise on the Dream. Still love HAL, tho!

TCF

February 4th, 2009, 12:57 AM

Cruise Critic has not made me a more "loyal" cruiser, but it has made me a "better" cruiser.

I learn something new and/or interesting almost every time I log on here. Sometimes it is about the possibilities of cruise lines other than HAL....sometimes it is about opportunities for exciting excursions...all the time it is "meeting" and enjoying good conversation and debate with like minded people.

We have cruised NCL, Carnival, Princess and HAL. My very first cruise was in 1980 on the Statendam....an no it is not the Statendam of today. We seem to keep coming back to HAL, but that loyalty is based on price, itinerary, quality and crews.

Face it...we are tribal mammals... we like being with others who think and act the way we do....cruising is the nation....HAL, or whichever line, is just the tribe!

And no, I will not paint my face for formal nights!

RetiredMustang

February 4th, 2009, 09:38 AM

My reaction is much like others -- this is something to ponder. In my case, I took my first HAL cruise in 1996, and joined CC in 2007; at that time, I and my wife had taken 10 cruises, seven of them with HAL and one each with NCL, Costa and Cunard. So, we were pretty much HAL pals before I found CC.

We also look at itinerary and price, but have found that HAL goes pretty much where and when we want to go; when they don't, like a short transatlantic from Southampton to NYC in the spring/summer, we find a line that does (Cunard in that case). And, while some lines may be a bit cheaper than HAL on a comparable sailing, we find that we generally are willing to pay the little bit extra for HAL.

Why? The smaller ships, the larger staterooms, the classy traditonal decor, the relaxed atmosphere, and, clearly topping them all, the incredible service. We had taken a short 3-day NCL cruise in 1995 to see if we would like cruising, and did. We then found a jewel of a TA who took the time to ask questions about our preferences and lifestyles and recommended HAL as a line she thought we would like for our second cruise. She was right! We booked on Noordam III, and fell in love with that classy ship and with the HAL experience. We are now bronze medallion mariners, and working as quickly as we can toward silver.

I truly enjoy CC, and have visited the other lines' boards to see if we would like those lines. I think, if HAL was not doing an itinerary at the time we wanted, we would be happy with Celebrity, Princess, or RCCL of the lines we have not sailed, and we could have a good time on pretty much any line. I enjoy getting the great info and feeback about ships and ports, and enjoy reading the threads -- as RevNeal said, it helps pass the time between cruises!

But, my DW is not a member of CC, and does not read the threads, although she is interested in some of the things I tell her I learned. But, she is definitely of the position that if HAL is going where and when we want, then we are going with HAL. Hard to argue with that position (and after 35 years of marriage, I've acquired enough wisdom not to try -- especially since I pretty much share the opinion. :D)

Fascinating thread. Thanks to the OP for being so clever with a topic!

Dave

aliaschief

February 4th, 2009, 11:50 AM

Are we loyal to Holland America? After just booking what will be our fifth Holland America Cruise in two years! Are we loyal? Maybe----but definitely addicted:eek:!

What goes up must come down?......Taking the MS Maasdam repositioning cruise in May from FL to Montreal:D! Yesterday booked the Oct repositioning of the MS Maasdam returning to FL from Montreal.:rolleyes: Kind of a back to back with a long lay over in between:)!

A very blessed couple.

ViolaSwamp

February 4th, 2009, 12:26 PM

I'm not a HAL loyalist, but this board greatly prepared me with what to expect when we boarded the Maasdam last month. I really like it here and yes I check in most every day. :p

I have booked another HAL cruise but that was based on itinerary and timing - in addition to the fact that I enjoyed my prior HAL cruise. BUT if another cruiseline's October 2010 schedule shows a more desirable cruise for us out of NYC, we may opt to move our booking accordingly. I doubt it though - particularly with the recent drop in 3rd/4th passenger price to $199/pp! :)

HeatherInFlorida

February 4th, 2009, 04:31 PM

I agree this is an excellent question and In 2007 I partially addressed it in a poll without specifying CC being the reason for the loyalty. The thread was met with mixed reviews. Most people found it really interesting, others questioned my reason for posing the question.

CC definitely creates a loyalty to a particular forum, but I'm not sure it creates a loyalty to that cruise line over the long term because once you board that ship your own personal experience takes over and you form your own opinion.

Over the course of time you meet so many people here, come to enjoy certain ones and look forward to meeting them on a cruise. In a very short time period, many HAL CC'ers have met here and then on cruises and become friends. Just a few years ago few of us had ever met yet now dozens join together as a group and plan a cruise. That gives high marks to Cruise Critic in my opinion.

As long as we had cruised (going back to the early 80's) I had wanted to cruise HAL. When I first found CC I was about to cruise on HAL's Maasdam for the very first time. I received so much valuable information here on this forum that I couldn't find anywhere else.

But over the years my once strong loyalty to HAL has changed. Part of the reason for that is a sense that HAL isn't what it once was (for me) and part of the reason is CC.

By reading so much here about HAL, every tiny fault and every big one, every rave and every pan, the picking apart of every tradition that has disappeared or every change that appears, I found that cruising seemed to lose a lot of its magic. For me, and of course I speak only for myself, I was better off when I boarded my ship, eyes glazed over with awe and excitement, and knowing a whole lot less about what goes on behind the scenes. It became (in my case) just a little too much information and for that reason we will go on our next cruise on a cruise line we've never cruised on without once visiting that cruise line's forum. And we'll see if it makes a difference.

iancal

February 4th, 2009, 08:53 PM

Absolutely not. We are not married to any cruise line. There are a number of good ones out there, including HAL. Our selection is based on our percieved value of a particular itinerary. Cruise critic serves, at times, to influence these perceptions. Ultimately, do we care if we are on a Hal cruise or a Princess cruise...no, we care that we are having a good time and that the weather is as anticipated. The label on the jar does not matter to us-only the contents.

Pettifogger

February 5th, 2009, 12:07 AM

HeatherinFlorida: I agree to a large extent with what you said, although I might not be able to word it as well. I would just say that knowing about and anticipating variances from the ideal makes me more likely to notice them and maybe resent them. But most of the time on a cruise I'm in a little capsule with just my wife and the waiter or the cabin steward and I've found them on HAL to be of a more dependable high quality than on other cruise lines I've tried (which were limited to mass market and premium lines, no luxury ones.) They weren't necessarily better; just more dependably good. My occupation did not allow me to be careless or indifferent and, perhaps as a result, I'm probably less tolerant of carelessness or indifference than I should be when I encounter it on cruises.

MrsMuir

February 5th, 2009, 12:09 AM

Hmmmm. I have to echo what Wander (my long-lost twin?) said. I love having a place to talk about ships and cruising with like-minded, intelligent and classy people. I think that CC's HAL board may have burnished my love for HAL because of the unforgettable characters that frequent these pages, and most of them seem to appreciate HAL's tradition and style to other lines. Even without the CC board, though, I'd be a HAL-first cruiser because of the value and service we've received on our five cruises. If my Princess-Platinum sister invited us on one of "her" ships, however, I'd be ready in five minutes.

Overall, this board fills a need to share a love of ships and the sea that my Daddy instilled in me and that now lives on through me. I'm so glad to have found all of you!

Linda

world~citizen

February 5th, 2009, 01:32 PM

CowPrincess

February 5th, 2009, 01:37 PM

No, I don't think I'm more loyal because of Cruise Critic. I'm more informed, though. It amazes me the VAST amount of information the posters here can (and do) provide!

Seago2

February 5th, 2009, 02:54 PM

The short answer is no.

But we all love rambling long answers. At least I do ;).

airlink diva

February 6th, 2009, 04:06 PM

I'm just getting a chance to really get online for longer than 10 or 20 minutes (very busy at work and glad of it!!). The answers on this mainly reflect my thoughts on cruising,Holland America and the website.
I guess like so many,this website has made me a better cruiser. If I compare myself on my cruise in October 2008 to my cruise in September 2001, I see totally different person and wish I knew about this website then. On my first cruise, I had no idea that you could really had some imput on where to pick a cabin,or there was a choice of dining time. I took the shopping guides on the ship word as gospel on where to shop and only booked tours with the cruiseline. I didn't know about other cruiselines at all (I never heard of HAL at the time) and only knew about two cruiselines (Carnival from Kathy Lee's commericals and Princess from the "Love Boat" ). When I got online and came across this website, I was curious about islands,other cruiselines and what's offered on the various ships. I found close a perfect fit with Holland America and between the sailings and learning about the line from other long timers, I grew to love sailing on Holland America and feel like I'm returning to a old friend on each sailing.
Happy sailing!!

Bramcruiser

February 6th, 2009, 04:40 PM

I think Heather said it best.

Short answer is no! I like a line for what it offers me.

The boards are a nice resource but too fraught with personal opinions to make it the holy grail of cruising. I made lots of great friends over the years from the boards and my trips but my loyalty to a line is not depedendent on any message board.

David

nitnyleo

February 6th, 2009, 05:56 PM

I didn't find CC until shortly before my 2nd cruise. The posts provided great info on the line, ship and ports. What a great resource!

It was before my 3rd cruise, when I got scared. After reading the posts, it became apparent that I made a big mistake; I didn't match the line's demographics. The diehards on the threads made it clear that, unless I was willing to submit to their standards of excellence, that I would be shunned and would not enjoy myself. Lo and behold, I had a thoroughly enjoyable cruise on a great ship on a great line.

So, a couple of three cruises later, I'm looking forward to taking my first HAL cruise. That is why I have started to hang out on your board (I really, really, really want to sail Prinsendam's circumnavigation of South America or Amsterdam's South Pacific.)

So, no, CC has not increased my loyalty to any one line. I book according to itninerary and length of cruise. I have learned how to take the "absolutely positives" and "absolutely negatives" and translate them into a realistic outlook.

(Some of the arguments on CC about which line/ship is best remind me of the Chevy-Ford arguments from high school - LOL)

PS: I do enjoy visiting one line's board ... I love reading the negative reviews that the line is still earning (disearning?).

the_dylaness

February 6th, 2009, 08:09 PM

I am pretty loyal to CC... I don't post on any other cruise boards and I've gotten lots of good information (and laughs!) here.

I've only sailed 4 lines (soon to be 5) and although I never see myself being a devotee of a single line a la S7S (to some extent itinerary, and to a large extent timing will determine which line I am sailing) I know I'll have my favorites. I don't anticipate another RCCL or Carnival cruise (never say never)... I'd sail Princess or HAL again (but on a smaller Princess ship) and I'm looking forward to my Celebrity cruise. I hope to try Azamara, Regent, Crystal or similar lines soon.

I think CC makes me more loyal to cruising as a vacation but not any particular line.

sizzle_sisters

February 8th, 2009, 11:36 AM

^^ :D:cool::D

Seago2

February 8th, 2009, 11:43 AM

cmdchiefthom

February 8th, 2009, 05:54 PM

I feel I'm more informed by coming to the Cruise Critic site, but I really don't think it makes me more loyal to one line or another. Having experienced several lines, I find my opinions are more balanced, one line versus another, based on those experiences. To me it seems line a no brainer. If I'm here on the HAL forum, I talk about my experiences aboard HAL. The same is true on the NCL forum, or the Princess board. I can absolutley say that what I read on the boards, doesn't sway me in the least on booking any particular line, or another. ;)