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Basically, I wonder whether or not RCCL is prepared to deal with passengers being able to look into each others' rooms, or passengers who are noisy (in theory, everyone in Central Park will be able to hear any arguments--or whatever the opposite of arguments are--of passengers in inside-facing staterooms). Most hotels with an atrium might have doors that face inward, but not balconies. It'll be interesting to see if there are any unintended consequences.
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Speaking of those park-facing balconies, I was surprised when Richard Fain said he expects they will be in greater demand than the regular ocean-facing balconies. I for one would far prefer to look out onto ocean. After all, there are many hotels in this world where you can overlook a heavily populated park, but few where your view is of nothing but vast ocean. I mean, isn't an unobstructed ocean view one of the unique selling points of a cruise in the first place?
Just a thought.
Posted By Wendy Perrin on April 15, 2008, 10:20 PM
All I can say is "yuck." In this day of going green, global warming and scaling down, why are we always looking to super-size everything from our big Mac meal deals to our SUV gas-guzzling cars and cruise ships?
Frankly, I'm disappointed with Richard Fain and Royal Caribbean. Then again, I'm probably not their ideal customer.
What a Trip
Posted By Nancy Brown on April 16, 2008, 5:26 PM
I guess forever gone are the days when a cruise was about the ship and the water and the service. The size of the mega-ship is soooo UN-appealing!
What ever happened to the Love Boat? :-)
Posted By P. monderita on April 17, 2008, 12:27 PM
I love cruising. I love big ships - more to do.
BUT I dont want a balcony facing an atrium of sorts. I love cruising because I love the OCEAN - that's what I want to see - the big blue with sunsets and islands in the distance. If I wanted to see a park or other hotel rooms I'd go to NYC or any other city for that fact. No thanks on the park-facing balcony.
Posted By E.McCormick on April 17, 2008, 12:45 PM
I would like to see RC offer a more intimate cruising experience. I took my 1st cruise last summer & was very aware that there were over 3,000 ppl on the ship. Until I can afford one of the smaller, luxury experiences, I don't see myself doing anymore cruising.
Posted By Lisa on April 17, 2008, 1:34 PM
We Cruise a lot, and I'm far more interested in the ship board activities, itinerary, entertainment, and prices, than this kind of ambiance overkill. By far the majority of the passengers on the longer cruises I've taken are over 60; yet, in my experience, very few of the ships cater to this group to the extent they should. Amateurish, Las Vegas, style entertainment is the rule, and too many ships consider shopping and art auctions as their main form of activities.
Posted By R. Cummings on April 17, 2008, 2:26 PM
Way to go RCI!!! I'm an huge cruiser and this is the best I've ever seen! I cannot wait to see it in person and enjoy every minute of it!!!
Posted By L. Buchanan on April 17, 2008, 2:59 PM
I went on Carnival Conquest, 1st time Carnival, and was not as impressed with the cheaper fare cruises. I agree with R. Cummings. They don't cater to the 60+ age group. It's more for the middle age and younger set. Take a more expensive cruise and you have a totally different class of people. There were so many off dressed younger set on Carnival, and rude ones it was unreal. Go cruising when kids are in school. The fruit and seafood on Carnival was shipped in and tasted just like the grocery store where Princess Grand was loaded fresh out of Argentina and it was to die for. I ate fruit morning, noon, night and in between. Also the menu fare is so much better on a more expensive cruise. Carnival was good for a cheap cruise but give me the more upper crust of itinery and people.
Posted By Kay Emmons on April 17, 2008, 3:51 PM
I don't think RCC really cares too much about the customers want - it's all about them making a buck. We wrote RCC a 7 page letter about our first "family" cruise experience on Mariners of the Seas. Proir to booking RCC never mentioned we were sharing the ship 1/2 families and 1/2 "HOGS of the high seas". I have nothing against Harley riders. In fact, a lot are educated professionals. But, this was not a "family" environment. We would have booked another ship or selected a different date had we known. Needless to say, were trying the Princess line this fall. RCC can test the waters so to speak with new ships. But, if it's a hit - other lines will follow suit. If it fails - that's money RCC spent. Hense, "the cost of doing business". If I want to be in a neighborhood/city setting - why would I pay to re-create that on the ocean? There are plenty of beautiful land options available. If I'm on a cruise - it's because I want peace, relaxation and the incredible blue ocean around me. If I want to see a neighborhood from the water, I'll be in Italy on a gondola.
Posted By A Arndt on April 17, 2008, 4:05 PM
Most definitely NOT my kind of cruise ship. I've been on 10 cruises,including RCCL,and my goal is always a smaller (less than 1500 passengers)ship. If I want a boxing ring I'll go to Las Vegas,if I want to ice skate I'll go to the local indoor rink,if I want to see Central Park I'll go to NYC (since I live in NJ) and see the real thing,if I want a rock climbing wall .....well,I'm too old for that so forget it. And if I'm on the ocean I want to see the ocean not a floating imitation of a park. Sorry RCCL, you won't see me on this ship or its soon to be born sister ship.
Posted By Donna S. on April 17, 2008, 8:03 PM
If you want a quiet restful cruise cruise with a smaller older crowd, my rule is never book a ship with a water slide.
Posted By HerbN. on April 18, 2008, 6:37 AM
RCCL has already tested this concept with the Voyager of the Seas, which has balconies facing in to the "Promenade", which emulates a little street with sidewalk cafes, etc. I believe these balconies do fetch more money and usually sell out.
Posted By Debbie on April 18, 2008, 9:23 AM
What a bunch of nay sayers. I've taken two trans-Atlantic cruises in past year, and believe me, the beautiful,peaceful ocean can get very boring. Being able to meander through a park setting can be very peaceful also. As cruise passengers take more and more trips, they expect more than the same old thing. Sure I can go to New York and Central Park, but on the same trip can I take in several other countries or islands, not to mention what New York hotels, food, tours, transportation would cost in comparison to a cruise. As for the "amateurish Las Vegas style" entertainment, I must strongly disagree. While occasionally there has been a sub-par act, I have been extremely impressed with the ship entertainment--even recently on an Azamara cruise where they do not have the theater staging like the larger ships, the staff entertainers were all first class top-notch performers.
Yes, there are benefits to small size cruises, but you there are also benefits to larger cruises. You must decide your preference. I like both, but I look forward to the park setting and say bravo to RCCL for being innovative.
Posted By Kaaren L on April 19, 2008, 12:33 PM
I agree with the majority of the above posts. What is RCCL thinking? Not only is their giant monstrosity un-earth friendly, but it appears they didn't do their research beforehand, if the opinions of the general public run along the lines of this thread.
Our first cruise was the Grand Princess when it was brand new. Of course we were awed! But cruises since then find us using very few of the ships' overdone amenities, preferring to spend our time off the ship in port.
As for crossing the ocean, days at sea are not boring, unless one makes them so. As well, how many ocean crossings are there, compared to coastal ports and island hopping cruises? I don't see the justification.
The point of cruising is to see the world, to get out of our cocoon. Ships like this are built to keep you on board and spend your money there. Again, what's the point?
On a two day "at sea" stretch last month, I spent a full day on our veranda with a book I'd been trying to find time to read. Room service and no one else around made it enjoyable - a total unwind - not bells and whistles that have to keep me entertained 24/7, as if I were at home.
Our next trip is going to be on a far smaller ship with the things that matter to us - not all the unnecessary fluff that misguided cruise lines try to pack on their ships.
Posted By Martha on April 21, 2008, 7:56 AM
If you cruise the Silja Line ships from Helsinki to Stockholm, they have interior facing cabins, but they don't include balconies, and the promenade area is not open, but enclosed. (Makes sense in the cold climate.) As a child, the first time I cruised this short overnight trip, I loved being able to watch the adults in dinner attire stroll below. It all depends on the cruise and who's on it!
Posted By Kristin on April 23, 2008, 11:29 AM
RCCL sometimes gets things right and when they do it is wonderful...however, this new concept...questions abound: 1. How will this space be cooled - being open to 90 degree weather is not very appealing - and if they cool it, how much energy will it take? Not very green. 2. Why would anyone want to look down upon other in a fishbowl - a balcony is supposed to be a private space... 3. Let's concern ourselves with service, exceptional food, great itineraries and tried and true successful designs....
Posted By Isabella on April 25, 2008, 4:23 PM