Are standards slipping or do we expect too much?

One conversation I have a great deal with clients is concerning the standards of modern day cruising. On the most part the feedback I receive is great, but it seems to becoming a common theme where clients sailed years ago with a particular cruise line and had such a wonderful time that for nostalgia’s sake they rebooked. Some rebook on the ships they celebrated their wedding anniversary on, birthdays, engagements and some just because the ship is dear to them being a momentous experience in their past.

Some of these clients come home a little disappointed. The food wasn’t as good. The service wasn’t as good. The cabins weren’t as nice. Generally the standards have slipped they say.

Now I have a theory on this. My first cruise was in 2008. My husband and I (along with my in-laws) sailed the Caribbean for 14 nights and had the most amazing time. The ports of call were stunning, the ship was beautiful, food was to die for (so much so i ate way too much) and the service we experienced was second to none. We came home brimming and bubbling about the best holiday we had EVER had. And believe me, being in this industry for 14 years I have had some great trips away so thats a very big statement to make and I still stand by it. Its still is the best holiday we ever had.

Fast forward a few years and we think it would be great to go on the same ship again. Now don’t get me wrong, it was another lovely cruise…but not how we remembered. Food was still great but the menu not as enticing as we remembered, the staff didn’t seem quite so attentive, the ship didn’t seem to keep us as entertained as it had before. Funnily enough the ship in question still has the same venues and facilities now as she did 10 odd years ago.

Which leads me on to my theory….Is it just that we had such a great time the first time around that our expectations were so high? Perhaps the itinerary wasn’t as fulfilling this time round, the company not as good, the food just not as suited to our tastes. Or have costs been cut (as some suggest) and it is reflecting in the offerings on board?

Id love to hear your thoughts on this as I cant quite make my mind up.


About Me

Hi there, My name is Isabelle, I'm 31 years old and I live in a small village in a lovely part of rural Lincolnshire with my husband Carl who I married on the beautiful island of Rhodes in 2012, our daughter Lexi who is 6 and our son Oliver who is 3. Oh…

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