gospelle Posted March 29, 2013 #1 Share Posted March 29, 2013 I love Celebrity's grass, Carnival's comedy clubs, Royal Caribbean's buffet, and I got thinking, if I could take all my favorite things from each line I've been on and make a single ship with all those things, that would be great. Sadly it is just a thought experiment, but here's my ideal cruise line/ship from lines I've experienced and a few features I haven't but know about: Boarding: Welcome champagne - Celebrity Escort to room - Princess Room available at boarding - Princess Food: Full menu room service - Royal Caribbean (suite) As many lobsters as I want - Royal Caribbean Windjammer buffet - Royal Caribbean 24hr soft serve ice cream - Carnival No dancing waiters! - Celebrity Chocolate melting cake - Carnival Asian specialty restaurant - Celebrity (equinox) Pizza - Princess Help yourself gummy bears and m&m's - Celebrity Drinks: Wine tasting machines - Celebrity Mango Tangos - Royal Caribbean Surcharge to bring booze to cabin from duty-free - (Royal Caribbean before they changed the rules) Caffeine Free Coke (with sugar) - Carnival Starbucks - Royal Caribbean (Allure) Cabin: Coffee Maker - NCL Deck 4 Cove Balconies - Carnival Public Spaces: Lawn club - Celebrity Surfing Machines - Royal Caribbean Rock Climbing Walls - Royal Caribbean Water Slides - Carnival Dungeon disco - Royal Caribbean (Adventure Class) Smoke Free Casino - Princess (some days) Coin Free slot machines - (Various newer ships) Solarium - Celebrity Hot Tubs Open 24hrs - (sadly no ship I know of despite their advertising) Thermal Suites - Royal Caribbean (Radiance Class) Entertainment: Blue Man Group - NCL Cirque style production shows - Celebrity (equinox) Comedy Clubs - Carnival Hot Glass Show - Celebrity Movies Under the Stars - Princess Alternate movie venues - Princess Piano Bar - Carnival Self Levelling Pool Tables - Royal Caribbean (Radiance Class) Ship Design: Open Stern/Pool/hot tub area - Princess (Grand Class) Retractable Roofs - (Various) Cantilevered Hot Tubs - Royal Caribbean I may edit this as I think of stuff, but that would be a great ship. What is your perfect combination? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorisis Posted March 29, 2013 #2 Share Posted March 29, 2013 That is some list!!! ~Doris~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susie8862 Posted March 29, 2013 #3 Share Posted March 29, 2013 You have way too much time on your hands. Lol...Just kidding...GREAT list.:o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare printingchick Posted March 29, 2013 #4 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Love your list!! I prefer the Vortex nightclub on Radiance Class ships (amazing views) to the Dungeon version on Voyager Class. But you're right that, despite the Schooner Bar reputation, Carnival has the better piano bar. I'd add: Self-service irons (Carnival) Sea-Day Lunch Buffet (Celebrity) Quest Game (Royal - but I prefer it on the smaller ships, in the lounge, rather than in Studio B, where it becomes more a spectator event.) 70s Party (Royal) Outdoor buffet seating (various) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare electro Posted March 29, 2013 #5 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Dining room open for lunch on embarkation day NCL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted March 29, 2013 #6 Share Posted March 29, 2013 The problem is that everyone's vision of perfect is not the same. I don't want champagne glass when I board. It's cheap stuff I'll only spill while trying to juggle my travel pocketbook and carryon. Empty, wasted calories and a nuisance I don't want. I also have no interest in an escort to our cabin. We always use bellhops in hotels because they have the luggage. On ships, the luggage is being delivered for us. My idea of perfect ship is likely very different than Joe, Sally, Harry, Susan et al We all want something different. IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marco Posted March 29, 2013 #7 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Good list. Under "Entertainment" I would add Ice Skating Shows - RCI and for retractable roofs I change "various" to HAL, as it's pretty consistent fleet wide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimnbigd Posted March 29, 2013 #8 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Under "entertainment", I'd add: 11-piece big band orchestra currently on Oasis and Allure. And, I prefer the Schooner piano bar to Carnival's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryann ns Posted March 29, 2013 #9 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Incredible staff including friendly captain and officers - Azamara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare printingchick Posted March 29, 2013 #10 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Under "entertainment", I'd add: 11-piece big band orchestra currently on Oasis and Allure. And, I prefer the Schooner piano bar to Carnival's. I've found the Schooner Bar entertainer to be hit and miss. Matt Yee...BIG HIT. Most others on my cruises, not so much. Also, I like the revolving bar that wraps the piano on Carnival. Not so good for non-smokers (which I am one), but better for sing-along and people tended to come sit in the same places so you got to know people. Ron Pass is INCREDIBLE!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jocap Posted March 30, 2013 #11 Share Posted March 30, 2013 From the lines we've used, my ship would have: Free shuttles (P&O) free laundrettes (P&O and Thomson), no tipping (Thomson), excellent lectures (Princess, P&O, T), great activities (P&O, T), brilliant itineraries (Louis), Freestyle dining and multiple restaurants(NCL), kettle and teatray in each cabin(P&O, Thomson on some ships)and chartered flights enabling you to stay on board for the last day(P&O, T) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted March 30, 2013 #12 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Holland America -- Beds; wine policy Princess -- Pasta; souffles; late night comedy; freshwater pools Voyages to Antiquity -- Itineraries; staff Swan Hellenic -- Lecturers; library; service Oceania -- Food Celebrity, RCCL -- Past passenger benefits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gospelle Posted March 30, 2013 Author #13 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Love your list!! I prefer the Vortex nightclub on Radiance Class ships (amazing views) to the Dungeon version on Voyager Class. But you're right that, despite the Schooner Bar reputation, Carnival has the better piano bar. I'd add: Self-service irons (Carnival) Sea-Day Lunch Buffet (Celebrity) Quest Game (Royal - but I prefer it on the smaller ships, in the lounge, rather than in Studio B, where it becomes more a spectator event.) 70s Party (Royal) Outdoor buffet seating (various) Oh yes, Quest. I will add that to my list for sure. Our first Quest was with our table mates, 2 young couples from California and the two girls were gorgeous twins. One of the most fun nights we ever had! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gospelle Posted March 30, 2013 Author #14 Share Posted March 30, 2013 The problem is that everyone's vision of perfect is not the same. I don't want champagne glass when I board. It's cheap stuff I'll only spill while trying to juggle my travel pocketbook and carryon. Empty, wasted calories and a nuisance I don't want. I also have no interest in an escort to our cabin. We always use bellhops in hotels because they have the luggage. On ships, the luggage is being delivered for us. My idea of perfect ship is likely very different than Joe, Sally, Harry, Susan et al We all want something different. IMO yes. I get that. which is why I asked what YOUR perfect combination was. Play the game right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gospelle Posted March 30, 2013 Author #15 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Good list. Under "Entertainment" I would add Ice Skating Shows - RCI and for retractable roofs I change "various" to HAL, as it's pretty consistent fleet wide. I liked the first one I saw on Adventure, but HATED the one on Navigator. The ice is so bad it's a wonder those performers aren't in body casts. If they had someone who knew what they were doing and took proper care of the ice surface it would be better. I've been thinking about going on HAL. what other nice stuff do they have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gospelle Posted March 30, 2013 Author #16 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Incredible staff including friendly captain and officers - Azamara I'd love to try Azamara. We've been looking at the Galapagos for a while. it's definitely on our bucket list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gospelle Posted March 30, 2013 Author #17 Share Posted March 30, 2013 From the lines we've used, my ship would have:Free shuttles (P&O) free laundrettes (P&O and Thomson), no tipping (Thomson), excellent lectures (Princess, P&O, T), great activities (P&O, T), brilliant itineraries (Louis), Freestyle dining and multiple restaurants(NCL), kettle and teatray in each cabin(P&O, Thomson on some ships)and chartered flights enabling you to stay on board for the last day(P&O, T) nice list. I like educational lectures and haven't had those much on our ships so far. I hope to do National Geographic Explorer in Antarctica one day. that would be enrichment! Louis? that's a new one for me. I'll have to look them up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gospelle Posted March 30, 2013 Author #18 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Oh, and I just thought of another one to add to my list. Being able to purchase a Late Departure "excursion" - Royal Caribbean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gospelle Posted March 30, 2013 Author #19 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Holland America -- Beds; wine policy Princess -- Pasta; souffles; late night comedy; freshwater pools Voyages to Antiquity -- Itineraries; staff Swan Hellenic -- Lecturers; library; service Oceania -- Food Celebrity, RCCL -- Past passenger benefits Curious, what is HAL's wine policy? Funny you should say that about Princess. Neither of my 2 Princess cruises had a single comedian! Voyages to Antiquty?, swan Hellenic?? wow, 2 more lines I have to look up. I agree about RCCL/X benefits. we just made diamond on RCCL and am looking forward to our Elite benefits on X next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted March 30, 2013 #20 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Curious, what is HAL's wine policy? Funny you should say that about Princess. Neither of my 2 Princess cruises had a single comedian! Voyages to Antiquty?, swan Hellenic?? wow, 2 more lines I have to look up. I agree about RCCL/X benefits. we just made diamond on RCCL and am looking forward to our Elite benefits on X next year. HAL does not limit the amount of wine you can carry on (no corkage if consumed in your cabin). Voyages to Antiquity and Swan Hellenic are small British cruise lines with specialized itineraries and great educational lecturers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gospelle Posted March 31, 2013 Author #21 Share Posted March 31, 2013 HAL does not limit the amount of wine you can carry on (no corkage if consumed in your cabin). Voyages to Antiquity and Swan Hellenic are small British cruise lines with specialized itineraries and great educational lecturers. You're right. That sounds good. I'm adding that to my ideal cruise line too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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