Why the hatred for "O"

[idiebabe]

 

I think Rick Steve's would have been a better fit for HAL He is already known for seeking value-based travel opportunities, global exploration and has a popular book devoted solely to cruise ship travel.

 

I agree that Rick Steves would be a better fit. Besides his books he also has wonderful Youtube videos on so many of the Ports we visit on HAL’s Itineraries. He gives a lot of good tips and recommends, too!

[Jade13]

- what is the connection between billionaire Oprah Winfrey who is best known for private jet travel and sumptuous homes scattered around the world

 

.

 

 

 

No she is not

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Jade13]

I really don't understand the hatred and it is hatred. You can sense the anger in their posts. Disturbing behavior, that's for sure.

 

 

 

Agree

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[ChinaShrek]

Remind me how that is supposed to market a travel industry cruise line? Only 17% of the top 1% US wealth is inherited. The rest are all rags to riches stories. Is she now selling on-board business courses?

 

What is it about the daytime TV crowd that makes them potential cruisers on HAL ships - someone in HAL management obviously must know this is a great untapped economic force. I don't watch daytime TV so I don't know what other cruise lines already buy advertising on these shows.

 

I think Rick Steve's would have been a better fit for HAL He is already known for seeking value-based travel opportunities, global exploration and has a popular book devoted solely to cruise ship travel.

 

Oprah will do a much better job attracting people of color to HAL that Rick Steves.

[Cruise Junky]

Rick Steve’s has done his last few cruise shows from Celebrity. He’s not available.

And if people don’t like O’s politics, I guarantee you they won’t like Ricks.

[SetAnOpenCourse]

Oprah will do a much better job attracting people of color to HAL that Rick Steves.

 

Why?

[bennybear]

I agree that Rick Steves would be a better fit. Besides his books he also has wonderful Youtube videos on so many of the Ports we visit on HAL’s Itineraries. He gives a lot of good tips and recommends, too!

 

He cruised last year on Celebrity and appeared to love it and was filming. There was a thread about it.

 

 

Personally I enjoy his books but find so many of his recommendations are inundated to the point of no longer being enjoyable.

[Bruinboy]

And the reason she would ener this alliance with HAL? I doubrt any of ust hink she neeeds money from us cruisers........ ;) How many billions are enough billions? I have yet to figure out what HAL gets out of this, let alone Mam, "O"

 

 

 

I hope “Mam” is a misspelling. If not, highly inflammatory if short for “Mammy.” I trust it is not. We are all, hopefully, better than that.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[ChinaShrek]

Why?

 

Rick Steves is the epitome of crusty old white man. That is the clientele he will attract. I also believe that people of color like to see that one of their own is happy with a product before sampling. It is the bandwagon effect. If I am white and see someone who is ls white enjoying a product then I am more like to be interested. People of color want the same thing, The new HAL wants a true representation of the world on their cruise ships.

[cbr663]

I'm not saying anything new to add to what others have already said, but I would like to contribute my two cents, anyway ;). I don't understand the "O" vitriol, either. To me, it's like the casino, the Elemis spa, the Park West art auctions, the America's Test Kitchen, the celebrity chef culinary council, the James Suckling wine curation, the Rijksmuseum art displays, the BB King club, or any other activity/offering on a HAL ship. If I'm interested, I'll participate, if not, it does not affect me at all. Nobody is forcing me into any activity that I don't want to be involved in. The arrangement with Oprah will last exactly as long as it is profitable for both parties, HAL and Oprah, Inc.

 

 

Well said. The Oprah brand is yet another of the many other brands on a HAL ship. And as for the celebrity angle, there are numerous celebrity chefs associated with HAL yet you do not read any outrage on these celebrities. So I don't buy the celebrity status that is so offensive that some posters would like us to believe.

[AmazedByCruising]

If you didn't like Oprah themes on the cruise you were in no way affected other than the free book they put on your bed which you could throw out.

 

Except that a major reason for me to chose a cruise is the fellow guests who I'd be interacting with for 7 or 14 days.

 

I can fully understand people who say that a large religious group on their ship influenced their experience. I wouldn't book a cruise if most people came for Oprah themes. That's like joining a chess club when you want to play soccer.

[SetAnOpenCourse]

I'm sure that my own political views are not at all aligned with Oprah's, for what that's worth. But I don't mind that there are Oprah-inspired activities on board for those who might be interested in her programs. I just don't care enough, I guess. Laissez-faire, and all that. Of course, we haven't had television reception at home for about 28 years (voluntarily), so that may account for my indifference, lol.:D

 

Awesome! I use a regular antenna. I won't pay for 200 junk channels to have the few that I'd enjoy.

[SetAnOpenCourse]

Rick Steves is the epitome of crusty old white man. That is the clientele he will attract. I also believe that people of color like to see that one of their own is happy with a product before sampling. It is the bandwagon effect. If I am white and see someone who is ls white enjoying a product then I am more like to be interested. People of color want the same thing, The new HAL wants a true representation of the world on their cruise ships.

 

I see. We'll, I'm not like that.

[ithaca gal]

Rick Steves is the epitome of crusty old white man. That is the clientele he will attract. I also believe that people of color like to see that one of their own is happy with a product before sampling. It is the bandwagon effect. If I am white and see someone who is ls white enjoying a product then I am more like to be interested. People of color want the same thing, The new HAL wants a true representation of the world on their cruise ships.

 

I believe HAL only cares about one color and that is the color of

Money (whatever color that

might be in any guest’s country).

 

I think they attempted to engage a celebrity who would transcend color and attract passengers of all backgrounds. I don’t think they did enough research, however, and didn’t realize that not all people are enamored with Oprah, her magazine, her lifestyle, etc.

 

Some people are quick to brand Oprah non-fans as racist. Let’s not go there.

[igraf]

"One of their own"????? I am sure that you meant fellow human being.

 

Have you ever watched Rick Steves' TV shows? The guy has bent over backwards to promote harmony between different peoples.

 

igraf

 

 

 

Rick Steves is the epitome of crusty old white man. That is the clientele he will attract. I also believe that people of color like to see that one of their own is happy with a product before sampling. It is the bandwagon effect. If I am white and see someone who is ls white enjoying a product then I am more like to be interested. People of color want the same thing, The new HAL wants a true representation of the world on their cruise ships.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Park Wests, Elemis, ATK, Rijksmuseum are not personalities that come with built-in political baggage. Nor can one avoid the Oprah saturation that has now been built into the ship's infrastructure. It will also take money to remove the permanent branding that is now part of the ship decor, as well as trip over the yoga mats rolled out at the Lido for the morning Oprah meditation events poolside.

 

(bold is mine)

 

Apparently I can avoid it. I didn't see anything Oprah that was "built into the ship's infrastructure" when I was on the K'dam this winter. Or the Amsterdam last fall. And what part of the ship decor is Oprah's branding? Is there a room with wallpaper that has her face as the design?????????

 

Until someone reports otherwise, I don't expect Oprah's reading room to be a permanently labeled space. It will probably just be a meeting in one of the lounges. Easy to just walk on by.

[qsuzi]

According to HAL's own report, there is no connection between the library changes (which started with the launch of the Koningsdam, let us remember....) and the O book club.

 

Personally I don't look at this as a "celebrity" versus a "non-celebrity" issue, but rather how much of an impact it is likely to have on my onboard enjoyment.

 

I'd imagine for many folks (myself included) the so-called "art auctions" aboard ship are more of an irritant than any book club could possibly be. In fact, given the number of complaints over the years, the Hal Cats were probably more of an assault on the senses. :')

 

As to the few cruises that are actually Oprah-themed, they would be equivalent in my eyes to any large group sailing -- not very desireable probably, but easily avoided.

 

But frankly all the snark about it here is getting really old.... HAL will either deem it a good deal and continue or deem it a bad deal and stop.

 

Well said. Thank you.

[sevenseasnomad]

I don't think the issue is Oprah herself. From what I have gathered it is the "celebrity" fascination.

 

Many of us don't want to add to that. Simple.

 

On some ships shops are limited and I DO resent a shop that is all about 'O" and not HAL.

 

But that's just me. For the record, I admire her and her success. I am just not going to book a cruise because she or any other celebrity is on board ;)

 

Totally agree!

[KroozNut]

I think Oprah is best known for her weekday talk show. She's demonstrated that you can come from nothing and build a successful business empire and brand.

 

Roz

 

Okay... so what does that have to do with this discussion exactly?

[KroozNut]

I use a regular antenna. I won't pay for 200 junk channels to have the few that I'd enjoy.

Curious... do you still have a rotary telephone? :confused:

[KroozNut]

Some people are quick to brand Oprah non-fans as racist. Let’s not go there.

 

You brought it up, so saying 'let's not go there' is a tad disingenuous, wouldn't you say?

[Keith1010]

It's always nice to have choices so themed cruises provide greater ones.

 

Keith

[hunt182644]

For some people to be able to tell their friends they sailed with O, makes them feel special. I recall a night many years ago after a concert in our hometown we dined with the group Sly and the Family Stone. Yes our young daughter noticed them about four tables away, so yes we dined with them same difference.:D

[ithaca gal]

You brought it up, so saying 'let's not go there' is a tad disingenuous, wouldn't you say?

 

No. Others were hinting at it. I was just calling them out.

[cruisemom42]

Okay... so what does that have to do with this discussion exactly?

 

The poster you quote was refuting the comment made previously (which she quoted in her post) that asserts: Oprah Winfrey ... is best known for private jet travel and sumptuous homes scattered around the world.