Travel Channel Samantha Brown Brilliance Tour

[Grego]

Ditto to the ship not being covered enough. However, did you hear her comment at the end...wonder where my next cruise will take me?

 

The ports were nice but they just about needed 1/2 hour for each one!! I think on the ship....not so much exercise!!! stuff!!! More social stuff!!

 

 

 

Lou

After reading most of the posts to this thread, I must urge everyone to consider that this was only an hour show (less the commercial time) and there is only so much that can be done in that short period.

 

Secondly, it was intended to be done through the eyes of a "first time cruiser" and for those watching that might be considering their first cruise. In reality, the show was evenly balanced between ports, excursions, ship and the before and after.

 

Covering a 12 day voyage is difficult to edit with all the stuff they shot originally and fit it into a 40+ minute production. Yes, I would like to have seen more of the ship although they covered the most important areas of interest. I would have liked to have seen more of the ports visited because we are on the same ship and itinerary next June.

 

What they did do is give us a "Sam's" viewpoint of the whole experience which was enough to hold us until the real event happens.

 

I'm sure whatever RCI spent to have this done will come back to them tenfold. It was well done, entertaining and informative and I hope that she does another cruise soon.

 

Greg

[Erie Dave]

The very next show last night was the Radiance to Alaska. A lot more time on the ship, and they are the same ship. I think it was better to spend more time on the ports---most of us have been to the Caribbean islands multiple times, the Med offers ports that are very different from what is experienced here. Thought the show was good, but as some of you have stated, it needed to be longer.

[Tatka]

For people who were disappointed about now showing ship enough....

 

We sailed in Med on Splendour last May... and believe me Med cruise is not your typical Caribbean cruise.:D It's so port intensive and "tiring" most of you won't even think about shows. It's all about ports. There is so much to see!!!

If you watch regular Samantha's shows you'll notice how she likes to describe every detail (every lamp and door ;) ), but with amount of info about Med cities/towns she needed 3 hours show.

 

I was honestly surprised she had time to do rock climbing wall and spa. I was also kind of surprized she didn't go to Monaco/Monte Carlo while in Nice.

[elaineb]

OMG - Watching this absolute torture for me! My DH & I are celebrating our 30th next year and definitely want to see some of Italy. We priced both this cruise and a land tour. Dollar for dollar to get there & the land tour vs cruise is about the same. But I think the cost of the excursions from the cruise would well send us over our budget! Yet this ship looks so amazing.........Time to check my Powerball ticket.:p

[nrunnion]

Twelve friends of mine and myself are going on this cruise on September 21, 2005. We can't wait and seeing the show last night made us even more anxious. It is hard to imagine oneself looking at the same things she saw. What an experience - once in a lifetime. I thought it was a good overview for an hour show.

 

NR

[IKE]

I was on the Brillance a year ago last March and did a 10 day Caribbean Itinerary. She is a beautiful ship. I feel they didnot cover the ship itself well. It is one of My Favorite Ships out of 44 cruises. I am considering doing this Med Cruise in 2005. I also loved the blue bag.

[JackieB]

I taped the show last night so that I can put the tape under the Christmas tree for my wife this year. I have booked this trip in June for our 30th anniversary. I know we will love it!

 

Here are my 2 cents: I agree the show did not have enough time for all of us voracious viewers, but when has Sam ever done even more than a 1/2 hour show? They doubled it! Cruising is one element that the Samantha Brown shows have missed. I can picture them doing several more cruises the same way.

 

Those who are interested in the Brilliance-Med itinerary, watch out for the airfare. From Buffalo, airfare to Barcelona is about $1000 pp with little discounting. I hope it's better from your home airports.

[nrunnion]

That is what it is from Charlotte, NC too.

[Florida_cruisers]

I taped the show last night so that I can put the tape under the Christmas tree for my wife this year. I have booked this trip in June for our 30th anniversary. I know we will love it!QUOTE]

 

Which cruise? what date?

There is one that goes to Greece and the one that goes to Venice.

We are on the Venice one on the 17th.

there is a thread on the Meet and Mingle list, look for it!!

[CGTNORMANDIE]

I thought that the show was spot on for a first time cruiser. First timers are not interested in the ship...they want to see all the ports and go on excursions. Samantha did a good job of introducing the cruise concept to a new segment of the market...upscale 30 and 40 somethings. The show was really designed to hit the viewer with all the fabulous ports and then subtlely show some of the glamour points of the ship. They pointed out that 60% of the cruisers are repeaters. RCI and the other lines are seriously trying to lure the new customers onboard...Did you notice the concerns with seasickness and overeating??? All the usual objections by the first time cruisers were overcome by Samantha. She has traveled the world many times but had never cruised...I think that the Travel Channel will be going in a new direction...to sea!!!

 

ROSS

[carolcreek]

I, too, watched the Samantha Brown show last night and did enjoy it. However, it served to reinforce my belief, based upon an admittedly limited cruise experience of 10 days on the Brilliance in the Caribbean last January and 10 days on HAL in the Baltics this past August, that you need to pay greater attention to ship amenities in a location such as the Caribbean (or possibly a trans-Atlantic) where the ship is one of the primary attractions than you do in a port-intensive location (such as the Mediterranean or the Baltics) where, frankly, the cities/locations are so awesome and many that you are often too beat at the end of each day to take much advantage of the ship's amenities. It also reinforced my belief (sorry, RCL fans) that Italy, is far too rich a destination to be seen in a series of one-day stops from a cruise ship. By the way, food and service on our HAL trip of last August far surpassed that we experienced on the Brilliance in January. Of course, we paid considerably more for the Baltic trip than we did for the trip on the Brilliance. Anyway, just my thoughts.

[SamIAm21]

All I know is that I had the goofiest smile on my face throughout the whole hour (less commercials). I really heartily enjoyed the whole program. It has been a very long time since I was so totally engrossed in a show and was thoroughly entertained by my TV. I love Samantha Brown and now I am going to start having to save all my dimes and nickles for this cruise. Before I die (God willing) I am going on this cruise!!

[Tatka]

I, too, watched the Samantha Brown show last night and did enjoy it. However, it served to reinforce my belief, based upon an admittedly limited cruise experience of 10 days on the Brilliance in the Caribbean last January and 10 days on HAL in the Baltics this past August, that you need to pay greater attention to ship amenities in a location such as the Caribbean (or possibly a trans-Atlantic) where the ship is one of the primary attractions than you do in a port-intensive location (such as the Mediterranean or the Baltics) where, frankly, the cities/locations are so awesome and many that you are often too beat at the end of each day to take much advantage of the ship's amenities. It also reinforced my belief (sorry, RCL fans) that Italy, is far too rich a destination to be seen in a series of one-day stops from a cruise ship. By the way, food and service on our HAL trip of last August far surpassed that we experienced on the Brilliance in January. Of course, we paid considerably more for the Baltic trip than we did for the trip on the Brilliance. Anyway, just my thoughts.

I agree..As much as I love cruising and our Med Cruise... Med cruise is only sampling of ports...

 

Even bigger problem with cruising in Italy is that Livorno and Civitavecchia is not exactly Florence and Rome..you have to spend time getting there which takes from short time you are in port and makes all excurions much more expensive.

 

And yes I agree..as much as I loved RCI ships (Splendour in this case) food isn't RCI strong point. HAL and Celebrity definitely has an edge.

[FinelyCruising]

I fell asleep during the show, I can't belive it! I woke up watching the log rollers in Alaska on Radiance. :eek:

[kearnsk91]

We had the pleasure of taking this twelve day cruise with the Greek ports of call. After watching last night program, I want to go back and see Venice and Corfu. This trip is port intensive and you don't get to see it all. I would recommend anyone who is not booking a private shore excursion to look at the exclusive tour offered by RCCL. While many people look at the price first then what is included. Price determines alot of people's budget. The exclusive packages is for a smaller group between 12 - 14 people who have a mini bus that drops them off the front door and then picks you up quickly and keeps you moving. If considering Pisa/Florence, Rome, and Santorinni--definately start saving your pennies because you get your money worth.

 

This program brought back many good memories. I even saw someone who was on our cruise who was in the background of Sam's video. This must have been shot during mid-august.

 

kearnsk91

[QueensChick]

All I know is that I had the goofiest smile on my face throughout the whole hour (less commercials).

 

I know exactly how you feel Sam. I thought the show was terrific. I always think the Travel Channel cruise shows are terrific. Clearly, it was aimed at people who have not cruised before and especially those who have silly preconceptions of what cruising is all about (ie too much overeating, inactivity, feeling trapped onboard). However, it was quite a thrill for me. Seeing the ports was great, although this isn't the route I'm going on next year. I'm overwhelmed with anticipation.

I definitely think it should've been a two hour show. Oh well... ;)

[JackieB]

We're going on the 29th of June. We won't have Venice, but we'll have more stops in Greece.

 

Keep the ship warm for me!

[mafig]

I would have liked to see more of the ship. For instance, what about showing Samantha dressed up for formal night, going to one of the shows, sneaking in to take a peek at one of the suites?

 

This show did not make me feel "I just have to do this cruise!"

 

We were left feeling "that's it?"

[kruz]

I love any shows aired on cruising!

[vossjemi]

I taped the show last night so that I can put the tape under the Christmas tree for my wife this year. I have booked this trip in June for our 30th anniversary. I know we will love it!

 

Here are my 2 cents: I agree the show did not have enough time for all of us voracious viewers, but when has Sam ever done even more than a 1/2 hour show? They doubled it! Cruising is one element that the Samantha Brown shows have missed. I can picture them doing several more cruises the same way.

 

Those who are interested in the Brilliance-Med itinerary, watch out for the airfare. From Buffalo, airfare to Barcelona is about $1000 pp with little discounting. I hope it's better from your home airports.

Whatta husband!!! You're my kind of guy! Want to talk to my hubby and give him some hints for x-mas?:)

[vossjemi]

I fell asleep during the show, I can't belive it! I woke up watching the log rollers in Alaska on Radiance. :eek:

Are you a guy? Now, this is sounding more like my husband!:p

[critterchick]

We've seen half the show, it was on at 9 our time, after the Radiance Alaska & cruise secrets show. I agree that Italy is best seen on land if possible, but a cruise is still a great way to get a taste of places you'd like to see again (with sufficients funds and time, of course). Plus they often throw in someplace you wouldn't necessarily go on your own, such as Malta on our Splendour cruise of Mallorca & Corsica on next year's 3-day on Brilliance. The Brilliance itinerary w/Dubrovnik is definitely on my list. So is the Baltic cruise - St. Petersburg is just one of those places I won't be going to on my own w/o an escort who can read the street signs!

[psygist]

HEY JACKIEB:

 

I see you and your wife will be joining us on the Brilliance next June 29th.

 

Why not stop by the June 29, 2005 Brilliance thread and chat with us!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=75171

 

Paul

[Seabreez]

After watching Sam & the program, our cabin is 7030 and now I see that the balcony is not very private. At this point, I know all balcony categories are gone. Oh well, I just can't be "undone" when on the balcony. Can we move the chairs back toward the door anyone?? Ship looks georgeous. Like

most of you, would have liked to see more ship and less ports. But still

enjoyed the program.

[Tatka]

So is the Baltic cruise - St. Petersburg is just one of those places I won't be going to on my own w/o an escort who can read the street signs!

This is one place where ship should stay at least 7-10 days!!!

 

You can see Paris, Rome, Moscow and just about any city in two days but NOT St.Petersburg. :(

 

This is coming from person who've been there 2 times ( 1 month and 1 week ;) )