BIGGER is Not Always Better
Okay, stop your snickering.
At the end of 2011, I was reflecting on experiences that I truly enjoyed. Yes, I have been on the big, gigantic cruise ships that are getting all the attention.
I remember my first visit to the Oasis of the Seas. I couldn't believe it took 90 people to check in in everyone. (I also couldn't believe the shelves and shelves filled with items taken away from passengers when they were boarding — irons, liquor and steamers were among the forbidden goods that passengers thought they could not live without for one week.)
Upon boarding, a representative of the cruise line provided me with a backpack, a canteen, and a boxed lunch to get me through the morning while on the inspection. Yes, the ship is incredible. And the Epic is also incredible. Each ship has its own personality.
However, it seems that not all passengers want bigger. Twice on RCI, when the Captain was hosting a past passengers event, he would mention their new 6,000-passenger vessels. People were quite vocal that they were quite happy on the ship they were on, which accommodated less than 3000 people.
As much as I enjoyed sailing on the Allure and the Epic, I want to give kudos to a couple of smaller and maybe forgotten cruise lines that have left lasting impressions.
In its pre-Epic days, NCL sported some ships that had a beautiful art deco theme. Louis Cruises has a couple of them now, and I was fortunate enough to sail on one through the Greek Isles. I felt that the time spent on the ship was reminiscent of the old cruises — before all the bells and whistles that are on the new ships.
How nice to have fabulous food, served leisurely. How nice to be reintroduced to the art of conversation, with so many nice areas to sit and talk to fellow passengers. No mad dash to save seats for the shows — which were entertaining, by the way — just a great appreciation for sailing along in comfort. Who needs anything else?
If you want to book your clients for the Greek Isles, you don't have to use Louis directly. You can book a choice of major tour operators who use Louis.
Now, I have been to most of these islands before, on a larger ship, but I saw more and enjoyed more on this one. Yes, Greece is in the news with its problems, but a pre- and post-cruise package in Athens should be on everyone's bucket list.
Our guide, Nicolas, who represents Louis in the US, is the expert. He made a trip on the subway a lesson on antiquity. He knew all the best restaurants with incredible views in both Athens and Istanbul.
Just watching the Captain maneuver into port in Turkey amid other, larger ships was amazing — especially since I still have a problem with parallel parking.
I could go on and on about the itinerary, the incredible history, and yes, the commercial areas. And Louis is not just a cruise line, they also have some fabulous hotels in their family brand that are wonderful places to stay in.
Another memorable smaller-ship cruise was on Fred.Olsen. I was one of only six U.S. citizens on a Southern Caribbean sailing. Everyone else was from the U.K., all flown to the ship on charters. They were the lucky ones, since they were sailing for two weeks or longer.
Shore excursions — including golf in many of the ports — were enjoyable and extremely affordable. I fondly remember the great sailboat regatta we participated in, racing against another team of passengers.
The food served onboard destroyed the myth of English food being bland. Every meal was incredible. And sitting with the Brits, I saw a difference in how they eat at a buffet. They take smaller, portions, and eat healthier. In fact, it seemed like everyone was fit, although I never saw anyone working out.
Every night, the showroom — more a cabaret than a formal theater — was packed. And every night the entertainers were delightful — comics, singers, musicians. They didn't need the hoopla of a three floor theatre, and the light shows. It reminded me of smaller Vegas showrooms in hotels that have since been demolished, with the Rat Pack performing on stages so small that the band took up most of the space. Today, everyone has to be in a arena or have thousands of people in the theatre, and that intimacy is no more.
When I was disembarking in Barbados, to fly home, it was a sad day. I made a lot of friends in one week. And their vacation was continuing, since they were going on to Cuba.
Tomorrow, I am escorting a group on Navigator of the Seas. I have used this ship before for my groups. Yes, it has the parade down the Promenade, and the ice show, and lots of glitz and glamour. I even had to pay $400 for card tables to be brought onboard for the group. These big ships don't seem to have a place for people to gather to play bridge or mah jong. This group will like that, I am sure. But if I could entice them to try Louis or Fred.Olsen, I think they would be pleasantly surprised.
I haven't planned my personal trips for 2012 yet- and I love the variety of what is out there. While bigger can be great — it may not always be better. Isn't it great to have a choice of what to offer. You just have to know what will appeal to your clients, and then tell them that you have the perfect ship or the perfect itinerary to whet their appetite.
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2011 
