2 Nighters – Taste or Waste?

This weekend I am going on my 1st cruise for 4 years since my daughter was born, I was really looking forward to it, 2 nights Taster Cruise on board Celebrity Eclipse, I thought it would be a good idea to see if my 3 year old likes cruising before I book a longer cruise

There have been a few 2 night taster cruises this year – Emerald Princess and Royal Caribbean Ovation of Seas – but after speaking to clients when they returned it has giving me cause for concern as to whether these short cruises really are TASTERS or WASTERS!

Feedback for Ovation of the Seas has generally been good – the ship is outstanding, the food amazing , great service, fantastic cabins BUT complete chaos with regards to having to prebook all dining times and the shows in the evening, many clients have complained about long queues and wait times 

Quote – the worst cruise we have been on, and we have been on a lot. This ship is fine if you are 20 to 40 years old. It is very much aimed at the younger market. There are no shows in the theatre. Sorry there was one but you had to book for it and we were not aware so when we enquired there were no places left. The dining arrangements are crazy

Emerald Princess had negative reviews from the people I have spoken to – passengers said it was just a Booze Cruise with massive queues at the bars with everyone trying to get the most from their drinks package

Quote – Passengers were encouraged to sign up to the drinks package and this meant you could be waiting for 30 mins. for a drink. There seemed to be too many people on board, queues everywhere, we missed most often the entertainment because everywhere was packed. There was queues first the restaurant and the only time we got in there was when we ate at 5.30pm for dinner, the rest of the time we ate in the self service which was more like a bad all inclusive Spanish hotel. As I had cruised with Princess before I was expecting a very high standard of service and should have realised at check in that this was not going to be of the same standard. No porter collection for bags onto the ship and off ship.
The staff worked so hard but things were badly organised and I don’t think the powers that be had any idea of the implications for everyone signing up to the drinks package – which was very good value. Everyone wanted cocktails and they take time to make, hence the wait time. 

I am left wondering if Taster Cruises really do entice NEW comers to book again for longer cruises or if  it is just an opportunity to get drunk on board – I am apprehensive about my ‘Weekender’ especially as this has been sold with the all-inclusive drinks package but I am still looking forward to it – I will let you know how it went!!