It's The Annual Awards Season - Yuk!

Last night I received an email from Crystal trumpeting that it was named the best large ship cruise line for the 13th year by Travel and Leisure Magazine. While I believe Crystal is, in fact, the best large ship cruise line, I take exception to the poll of some "readers" of that publication as being meaningful in any real respect. I say this for two basic reasons:

First, years ago various publications put together "Best of" lists that were based upon a critical analysis of the things which each felt were the critical factors when determining the best of, say, a cruise line: Service, food, cabins, amenities, itineraries, etc. Then someone had the brilliant idea of opening up the Best of lists to the publication's readership...and then some opened things up to, the kiss of death (IMHO): Internet voting. This leaves me wondering what these polls actually mean, if anything.

I have a plaque in my office "2000 Berlitz Guide - The World's Finest Luxury Ships" It names the QE2 Grill Class as No. 1, followed by 5 Seabourn ships (including the former Sea Goddess I and II), Hanseatic and two Silversea ships (Silver Cloud and Whisper). Each entry has a point total, reflective of a quantifiable scoring based upon Douglas Ward's critical analysis of the ships. To this day I utilize the Berlitz guide as a guide...not a bible. The author/analyst has his definite likes and dislikes. (Even though I love cheese, I have never discounted a line because of an inferior cheese assortment.)

The Travel and Leisure, or Porthole Magazine, or Conde Nast, or whomever's polls are not surveys of criteria, but popularity contests of only those that actually vote. First I ask, "Who actually votes?" "Are those that vote actually readers of the magazine?" "Is there a way to improvidently skew the results?" And, the answer invariably is, "There is no way to associate votes with readership of the magazine and, yes, you can - as they say in Chicago - vote early and often." Conde Nast posts right on its website: "Make Your Opinion Count! Sign up to participate in Condé Nast Traveler reader polls, and you may earn a chance to win a free trip in one of our survey sweepstakes."

As readers of this blog, ask yourself, "Did I vote? Would I ever vote? Do I know anyone who does vote?" My guess is that for the vast majority of you the answer to each of the three questions is "No." And if the votes are not by your peers, why would you bother considering or worrying about what others actually think? And, to be sure, you don't even know how many people actually voted...or if they had ever been on the cruise line or at the property they voted for!

This years T&L poll of cruise lines does not provide any shockers as to the top lines, though obviously, who is No. 1 and who is No. 3 should be meaningless...even if you give the poll any credence. But the 2007 Porthole Reader's Choice Awards (BTW, you can sign up online, so you actually don't need to be a "reader" of that magazine either) awards Carnival the best main dining room cuisine and NCL the best alternative dining cuisine. Personally I don't care if your favorite is Seabourn's, SeaDream's, QM2's Grills or Silversea's main restaurant or Regent's alternative Signatures, Celebrity's Olympic Restaurant, QM2's Todd English, etc., there can be no legitimate question that there is no qualitative basis upon which Carnival and NCL can legitimately top the cuisine presenting in those venues.

I also looked at the T&L Top 100 hotels. Five of the top 10 are African safari hotels; one actually being a luxury tented camp. Make no mistake, some of those properties are truly outstanding (and I am truly looking forward to my luxury safari next year), but seriously? What are the standards in making a hotel one of the best. Some might say an absence of insects and really good air conditioning; which are absent/partially absent in some of the those Top 10 choices. (Imagine those missing at the Raffles Dubai - where I have stayed and was blown away by how incredible the hotel is...and it is not on the list at all?) BTW, African safari hotels also took 6 of the top 15 in the Small Hotel category while only 2 from all of Europe made the list.

That brings me to my second reason: What one person finds perfect another finds unacceptable. On CruiseCritic.com, there have been some pretty animated "discussions" about why Regent is supposedly the best cruise line and so far superior to, for example, Crystal. The argument is that Regent has open-seating, is liquor inclusive and has wonderful suites, while Crystal has fixed seating, you pay for most of your alcoholic drinks and it has smaller (though not small) cabins.

Believe it or not, in legitimate surveys people actually prefer fixed times to dine. Even with open seating, you will find that most people schedule the time to arrive...and with whom they will be dining. For some, the concept of meeting new people every night is uncomfortable and they enjoy catching up with their new friends each evening. For some signing for a drink is "so yesterday", while others say, "Why should I prepay at a premium for drinks that I will never consume?" And then while no one would complain about about having a larger cabin/suite, for others big enough is well big enough. (There are so many other factors that should be considered when selecting YOUR cruise, but the point is made.)

So, in the end, in the T&L survey, Crystal was No. 1 in the large ship category and Regent was No. 2. I am very confident that for many Regent loyalists, Crystal is simply not an option at all. For them, Crystal doesn't even belong on the same list as it offers such a different cruise experience.

And that, alas, is my point. These awards lists really have nothing to do what is best for you. They may give you "brand awareness" or a signal that a particular property exists, but use them for nothing more. For me, they just confuse the marketplace and create a false impression.

Now, should I take a Royal Caribbean cruise because they have been voted to have the best Caribbean itineraries (the same major ports every large ship line goes to...at the same time!) or should I consider Seabourn (which cruises from Barbados to Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent, and The Grenadines).

Let's have a vote! Maybe not.

Intercontinental Tahiti - A Great Start Upon Arriving in Tahiti

In a bit of irony I just received a notice for the newest video of the Intercontinental Tahiti resort. Having stayed there I am pleased to confirm that it actually looks like it does in the video. So if a cruise is not in your plans, or you are looking for an excellent pre-cruise hotel, consider the Intercontinental Tahiti.

Cruising French Polynesia

A reader of this blog wants to know what is happening with luxury cruising in French Polynesia in the next few years. The answer is: Something...and it probably will be very good.

Regent Seven Seas has announced, after rumors that 2009 would be its last year chartering the Paul Gauguin, that it is again negotiating to extend the charter. To me this seems almost identical to what occurred a few years ago when Regent had everyone believing the present charter was not going to happen. I do not know if it is a negotiating or marketing ploy, but I find the "this could be it" approach unfair to the clients. Regardless, the 350 passenger Paul Gauguin provides an overall exceptional experience at a premium (not true luxury) level. It does have a good number of balcony cabins and a very limited number of suites (though they are not furnished at a level one would normally expect.) I truly enjoyed this ship and highly recommend it, but know that it is an great way to experience French Polynesia in a very comfortable and cared for manner, but not at the level of the other Regent ships.

Silversea is close to finalizing an agreement with the Tahitian government to place its new discovery vessel, Prince Albert II for the period of April through October 2009. A letter of intent was signed in December 2007 and a meeting was held last month. Its itineraries have been set in anticipation. The Prince Albert II, with only 132 passengers, has been extensively refit and now has quite a number of suites, though only the top suites have true balconies (and a limited number of French balconies). I understand that the level of service is intended to be as close as possible to the luxury levels of Silversea.

Seabourn is going to be visiting French Polynesia during the Seabourn Odyssey's 2010 World Cruise, but not before. While I know Seabourn is planning on having a strong presence in Asia in 2010, I do not have any information on its expanding its presence in French Polynesia for now. When it does make its brief stay in French Polynesia, it iwll raise the standard of luxury to its highest levels to date.

There are, of course, some other alternatives:

Star Flyer, a 170 passengers sailing ship, with modest accomodations is now based in French Polynesia, but it provides a markedly different experience with the majority accommodations being very compact cabins with twin bunks or beds and portholes. While the other two regulars, Paul Gauguin and Prince Albert II, fares include gratuities and drinks, they are not included on the Star Flyer.

If you act quickly, Princess's Tahitian Princess cruises French Polynesia through December 2008. This former R-Ship provides a more "cruise ship-like" experience than the others mentioned with a good variety of accommodations and a fairly standard Princess experience.

Also, with more cruise lines traveling to and from Australia, there are some one-off cruises which spend some time in French Polynesia including such lines as Celebrity. While they may not be the most ideal way to visit this little slice of paradise, it may provide an option on either side of some extensive sea days.



It is hoped that Regent is able to renew its charter with the Paul Gauguin. If it does not I am confident some other entity will continue to operate the Paul Gauguin there. It is a purpose built ship with a very loyal following. Losing that option would leave the area with only two real choices with no compromise in between and extremely limited capacity.

Travel, "Life Lists" and Why Check It Off

Yesterday I was talking with a client about to depart on a Regent Seven Seas cruise on the Paul Gauguin around French Polynesia. We discussed taking a jetski tour around Bora Bora and the relatively unbelievable cost to do it. While I hate jetskis (as they are painfully noisy not only to the driver, but those on shore anywhere near them and they are dangerous - counterintuitively when you need to avoid something releasing the accelerator eliminates control), I know that for many they are a symbol of freedom and fun.

Clearly if rational sense was applied, the cost per minute of actual jetski time ($5.00 or so) would make one say, "No Way!". But knowing that one cold winter's evening while sitting in front of the fire, or one horrid day at work, there will be a quick thought about the experience of being on the water speeding around Bora Bora and it will bring a smile; making it all worth it.

I mentioned that on Friday I had checked off a "life list" experience: Sailing on an America's Cup yacht. Every morning for more years than I care to admit, I walk down the hall to my office passing lithographs from the America's Cup races going back to 1983...every day! And on Friday I was there doing it. OK, I was a 50 year old in faux races, but I was also on deck as a grinder. As one of my colleagues said, "I can now die a contended man."

But then I thought: "I AM PUTTING THIS BACK ON MY LIST! ONCE IS DEFINITELY NOT ENOUGH!"

I have been on two safaris in East Africa; one a more traditional "tourist" safari with pop-top minivans in Kenya and the other being a private safari in Tanzania the year it opened its border with Kenya (that is a whole 'nother story!). I was amazed by the number of people who were just interested in checking off the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo and rhino) rather than truly observing them.

On my private safari, as we had already checked off the Big Five (and many others, like 174 species of birds, cheetah, bat eared fox, some seriously poisonous snakes, etc.), we had no pressure to "check off" anything. So we found a pride of lion and waited...and waited...and waited for hours. And before we knew it we realized we were watching a hunt developing right before our eyes. The hunt took quite a bit of time...and then there it was: The Kill. Life List time, right? Wrong.

I will never forget watching the lionesses over the kill and then seeing this huge male lion bounding over tall golden grasses with the sun behind him (ala Clint Eastwood), letting out a roar that made the marrow inside your bones quake, then leaping on top of the kill, fighting off all of the lionesses. I was up all night thinking about that moment. It still brings chills to me when I think about it. That was most definitely a thing to check off my "Life List".

But then I thought, that was so personally enriching, so astounding, that I need to do it again. Erase that check mark! Next August I am taking my family on a private safari in Southern Africa.

In the truly rarefied world of luxury travel isn't that what it is all about? That unique experience? That really personal one that is based upon what you really are aching to do and not what someone else will think of you for doing it (for better or worse)?

So I am wondering if that jetski around Bora Bora will be a one time thing? Or maybe next time it will be in a sailboat? The beauty of it is that it doesn't matter if it is either.

The beauty is the inspiration of the moment.

The inspiration to...DO IT AGAIN!

Seabourn Announces Godparents for Seabourn Odyssey

What a fantastic idea! Seabourn has announced that every guest on the Seabourn Odyssey's Maiden Voyage will be her godparent. Each guest's name will be inscribed on a plaque that will be displayed for her entire life.

Seabourn Complimentary Upgrades - With a Catch!

Seabourn is extending an offer to its most productive travel agent, who are designated Pinnacle Club members, the ability to have clients purchase upper category oceanview suites and be upgraded to balcony suites. If your travel agent is not a Pinnacle Club member, member you cannot take advantage of this promotion.

The two available sailings are November 21, 2008 and December 5, 2008. Both are 14 day Costa Rica/Panama Canal itineraries.

You must book by July 30, 2008 and the upgrades are made on weekly basis based upon availability. If you are interested give me a call sooner than later.

Where Did the "Critic" in Cruise Critic Go?

As many of you know, I had posted for years on Cruise Critic under the moniker of Iamboatman. My postings have stopped essentially because the concept of "critical" discussion of cruise lines has become forbidden and anyone who dares challenge a poster's comments could summarily have his/her posts removed, be suspended or banned.

In essence, a great message board to find and exchange ideas now has become a "Don't bother us asking a question you don't already know the answer to" and a "I can say anything I want, and you cannot criticize me for it or challenge it."

I have looked at the boards from time to time, especially the Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn boards and find them to be not only boring, but absent any real content...with very few people posting because (obviously) actual discussion of issues, concerns or ideas has been significantly suppressed.

For example, there is presently a thread on the Regent board trying to find out about a particular "Circle of Interest" program on Regent Seven Seas which Regent couldn't provide her/him information on. The poster started that thread after her/his first thread wondering about what it was that justified Regent in charging such high cruise fare was hijacked into a discussion of vodka and how one particular person (who feels she must respond to every one of my posts) only drinks premium vodka while she is cruising on Regent. That same person advised the poster in her new thread to ask her travel agent rather than get information on the message board. WHAT?

What would I have posted? As to the Circle of Interest inquiry, I would have confirmed one poster's comment that Regent has used it as a marketing ploy and that from what I have seen and heard it is generally little more than an expensive (for the client) marketing ploy that has been played out...so Regent is discontinuing the program. And why would it train its staff to encourage a failing program?

As to the first thread, I would have posted that the value simply isn't there relative to the price...if you are questioning it yourself. When the supporters of Regent's policy are acting with faux "status" by upscaling their vodka while onboard, it only confirms to me that they are the same people that fall for the "smoke and mirrors" Regent has been using for the past few years as they endorse the same practices.

To be sure, not everyone who cruises Regent is of that sort; to be sure the majority probably aren't. But when the discussion of what the heck is happening to Regent with its hugely increased prices, its inconsistent service, its changing of hotel, food, etc. sourcing to Oceania's, is met by the "smoke and mirrors" people defending Regent as a sort of holy grail...and the hosts of Cruise Critic barring that discussion, the utility of the message board fails.

In another instance, a poster on the Seabourn board simply made up event(s) (literally pulling one of them from an old thread) and when challenged by that fact as well as facts obtained from others onboard, Cruise Critic defended the original poster's right and removed the challenges under the theory of "you were not there, so how could you know." So the misinformation stayed and the accurate info was removed.

The result is, as is clear from the present state of both the Regent and Seabourn boards, is that everyone is now left with a pretty meaningless site when, not so long ago, it was a great place to find out information.

I would hope that from what seems to be a clear tailspin from being a great source of relevant information, those that run Cruise Critic will change their philosophy and put the "critic" back in Cruise Critic.