I was watching a program about a cruise ship on the television recently. It had some very good shots of the ship and covered all of the facilities, the entertainment, the accommodations and the dining. Yet, I felt that it really did not get to what makes cruising special.
These days, all of the major cruise lines provide very good venues for a vacation. The ships are beautifully decorated, have nice accommodations and with some exceptions, have similar amenities. They differentiate themselves primarily by style. Some lines are more casual than formal while others emphasize the intellectual side of life over physical activity. Thus, the most important factor in selecting a cruise is to pick a cruise line that is in harmony with ones lifestyle.
Of course, there are horror stories about what can happen on a cruise but such instances are the rare exception rather than the rule. Most cruises are free of untoward incidents. However, what makes a given cruise a great experience rather than an okay time is the sum of the little things that happen during the cruise - - the people one meets, the things one sees, who you are with etc.
While much of this is outside of the cruise line's control, there are little things that a line can do to help make the days special. For example, a recent cruise to the Bahamas on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 included Easter Sunday. Quietly and with no fanfare, chocolate bunnies accompanied by chocolate eggs and jelly beans appeared in various locations around the ship on the Sunday morning. In the main dining room, a bunny ice sculpture was placed near the entrance during dinner. Of course, this was a treat for the numerous children onboard. However, it also was a nice touch that helped to make the voyage stand out for everyone.
Photos of the bunnies and other decorations are posted at: http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-Easter.html
No comments:
Post a Comment