An inside cabin on a ship is like flying economy on an airplane...you get to your destination the same time as everyone else but with somewhat less comfort.

quote:

Originally posted by Caitie:
Brenda: I walked into that situation with my eyes open, fully aware that the alternative was to do an independent trip and ferry around the islands, schlepping luggage, or spend three times as much and go with an operator such as T****, who uses a yacht, I think.
A year earlier, we had done a Land tour of Greece and declined the opportunity to cruise because we had learned that Louis Cruise Lines pretty much has a monopoloy in the area. We instantly regretted it and ultimately succumbed for the sake of seeing important sites such as Ephesus and Knossos. No regrets, (the staff were terrific, food quite okay) but it could have been a more pleasant ship experience.
Tangata: No, just lucky!

Caitie: I certainly accept your reasoning and on a practical level it is sound IMO. And I remember how thrilled you were to go on this trip.

What bothers me is that in so many cases, the travel industry will take advantage of people who will accept almost anything to "be there," make no apologies for it, and often no concessions, and if people do make complaints they are told it must be them that couldn't accommodate themselves to travel. We've seen in here often enough; one wonders how prevalent it is across the travelling public. Of course, one does not spend much time in a room, whether on tour or on a cruise--surely this goes without saying--but we should also get what we paid for--or think we paid for, no?

Perhaps the economic turndown and generally lost profits will force operators (not just tour operators, but travel in general) to examine their customer service and general offerings and lead them into upgrading them. Well, everyone has their fantasies, huh?

Brenda

This is what I liked about the Nile cruise ships. Everyone has an outside cabin with a massive window ! Nothing nicer than sitting in the easy chair and watching the river banks go by, after coming back from an excursion.

Brenda: Given the popularity of that particular detsination, I`m at a loss to understand how one cruise line can have a monopoly. Why is there no competition at the same or similar price point? Is it really so expensive to operate there?

quote:

Originally posted by nation:
This is what I liked about the Nile cruise ships. Everyone has an outside cabin with a massive window ! Nothing nicer than sitting in the easy chair and watching the river banks go by, after coming back from an excursion.

I'm afraid this is what I imagined for my Greek cruise. Better to learn the truth now than later.

quote:

Originally posted by Caitie:
Brenda: Given the popularity of that particular detsination, I`m at a loss to understand how one cruise line can have a monopoly. Why is there no competition at the same or similar price point? Is it really so expensive to operate there?

You're right Caitie, and I'm at a loss as well to understand monopolies in todays, especially today's, world trade markets.

Brenda

quote:

Originally posted by nation:
This is what I liked about the Nile cruise ships. Everyone has an outside cabin with a massive window ! Nothing nicer than sitting in the easy chair and watching the river banks go by, after coming back from an excursion.

Sounds fabulous, nation. All river or other cruises should be like this, shouldn't they?

Brenda

Janine, from memory of our Greek Island cruise, the cabin was the width of two single beds with a small cabinet between them. The length was a little longer, with enough room to put a small desk size piece of furniture, then a corridor wide enough to put clothes/suitcases and exit the room. On the other side a little beyond the end of the other bed was a tiny bathroom. Much like a hotel room, but smaller. I hope that makes sense.

The Perla (ship we went on) was quite old, but the cabins were clean and tidy and the service and food was excellent.

I agree FK. We were on the Perla, May 2005, just after it was bought from another company that was having financial problems. It was called `Seawings` in that company.
Not the newest of ships, but suitable for hopping from Greek island to island.
Would have loved to spend more time onboard. Felt I would have enjoyed the ships fascilities more, if we had booked more than the 10 days.
Nevertheless , a great cruise.

quote:

Originally posted by lets travel:
Hi, You have to remember that if you go on a cruise to stay in the cabin then you are in the wrong place. Most people use the cabin to sleep and change cloths.

Perhaps it depends where the cruise is & on which boat as to what is available in porthole/window etc.

We have taken a number of Pacific Island cruises & there is really nothing nicer than sitting up in bed in the morning, or wandering out to your balcony, looking out at the gorgeous view while enjoying a cuppa.

I have only taken one cruise, and we upgraded to have a cabin with a small balcony. To me, it was worth every penny. We sat out there before bed and just enjoyed the stars and the odd other ship that passed us. I especially enjoyed it in the AM, being able to sit outside in my PJ's and have my coffee.

I took an overnight ferry in Greece on another occasion, and had an inside cabin. The cabin itself was fine, and really, not having a porthole was really no different than being in one WITH a porthole and having the curtains closed. What bothered me was the fact that it was a bit stormy and I was a little panicked in a claustrophobic way. You can't open a porthole, at least not the ones I have seen, so you couldn't jump out if the ship went down, whereas you COULD jump off your balcony.

Yes, I know how silly that sounds, but it's like being in the aisle of the plane, or near the exit door; you'll probably still die if the plane goes down, but I just feel better. All in the mind, but hey, it works for me.

Shannon

quote:

Originally posted by sdkelly2000:
I have only taken one cruise, and we upgraded to have a cabin with a small balcony. To me, it was worth every penny. We sat out there before bed and just enjoyed the stars and the odd other ship that passed us. I especially enjoyed it in the AM, being able to sit outside in my PJ's and have my coffee.

Bliss!

It really is, isn't it? I especially like the fact that I can walk out there and stretch and yawn in my uncombed hair and unwashed face and pj's and there is no one to see!

Shannon

Was that you Shannon that I saw from my balcony next door...........

lol! I knew I should have buttoned up my pj's!

Shannon