This ship was a real disappointment. Mostly elderly passengers, good food, but you have to sit at your table for all three meals. I would not recommend if you are still among the living. Feel free to e-mail if you have questions.

what was some of the activities on board and where did you go

Hi Merriem,<BR><BR>Definitely Cunard is an upscale cruise line and it attracts elderly passengers.<BR><BR>Your travel agent should have advised you of this.<BR><BR>Paul

Paul, I did not consider this an upscale cruise. Frankly, after 12 cruises, I would not recommend this ship to anyone that is still breathing. The food is good, but that is about it. If you want to read my review, go to<BR>http://www.epinions.com/content_47004552836. Just cut and paste.<BR><BR>Upscale does not mean stuffy and elderly. Merriem

We were in port with the Caronia this past summer in Halifax. The ship, the former Vistafjord, is 30 years old and looked tired, particularly docked next to the Carnival Victory. The passengers appeared to be mostly European and primarily senior citizens. It was my understanding that the ship had been totally refurbished several years ago, how were the accomodations?

Seems to me that maybe you should have looked a little closer into the ship before booking it. <BR>If you have sailed a dozen cruises then being prepared by knowing what you are getting yourself in to would be the key to booking something that is suitable to your liking.<BR>IMHO<BR>Bill

I have sailed with Cunard eight times, all on QE 2. I have never sailed on Caronia, but I've seen her in port (up close in NYC) and she's very pretty, with the classic liner look I love. <BR><BR>People always seem to bash Cunard, saying the line is for the nearly dead. I'm 32 yrs old, and was 27 on my first QE 2 trip, and I LOVE IT CUNARD. All the young people (30 to 50) I know who've been on Caronia have enjoyed it very much. Cunard provides an elegant, refined atmosphere (something we ALL could use a dose of in our current world) and has activities for all ages/tastes, except for the beer-guzzling, tube-top wearing, glitzy, party-hearty slob. For those folks, there are other cruise lines which are more than happy to provide what they need for $499 for a 7-day cruise.<BR><BR>Michael<BR>NYC

Frank, the cabin was fine. However, the beds and pillows were in poor condition and I doubt if they had replaced. The bathroom was quite large and had a tub and shower combination. There was plenty of storage for the three of us. However, the cabinets looked like they were not new. I suggest you cut and paste my complete review for all the details<BR><BR>http://www.epinions.com/content_47004552836<BR><BR>Bill, with reference to your comment, you never know about a ship unless you have been on it, and then it can still be different the next time. IMHO it is a crap shoot. Ask dozens of people and you will get different answers.<BR><BR>Michael, with reference to your comment, the Caronia is a very attractive ship, and clean and well maintained. However, I didn't see any people aged 30-50, most were in their 70's. The service in the dining room was great, and we enjoyed the food. I did not like the policy that you could not sit for breakfast and lunch at another table with friends. I refuse to go to a buffet on a vacation. I think that what the QE2 provides, and the type of passenger on the Caronia are totally different.

Hi Merriem,<BR><BR>I will have to agree with you that the Caronia attracts elderly passengers. But since the elderly passengers like to be pampered I am sure they would certainly complain if something is not right. The Caronia has a large repeat passenger list.<BR><BR>I am surprised the bedding was worn. The ship was refurbished in 1999 at a cost of 5 million. You should definitely write a letter to customer service or have your travel agent do it for you. Tell them that you usually do not book older ships (1973) but you were told the ship was just recently refurbished. This is undesireable for an upscale cruise line.<BR><BR>The assigned seating is the norm for many cruise lines. the object here is that you will have the same waiter and busboy and will recieve the extra attention. Also, upscale passengers do not particularly care to eat with different strangers for breakfast and lunch every day. They also do not care for personal choice dining.<BR><BR>Next time you cruise and you are not pleased with your tablemates and you have new-found friends you should speak to the maitre 'd and have him put you all at a different table together. This is done quite often.<BR><BR>Better luck next time.<BR><BR>Paul

Paul, I must question why I bother posting to this site. However, to respond to your post....what is this about elderly passengers wanting to be pampered? Frankly, I think everyone wants to be treated well when they are on a vacation, regardless of age.<BR><BR>I do not think that age is an issue, but the mind set of the passengers and the activities of the ship. We have cruised with people in their 80's and found them to be delightful. I do think quite frankly, that this ships decision recently to cater to the British market, leaving for most cruises from Southampton, is going to change the type of passenger.<BR><BR>The bedding was not worn. The mattress was full of lumps and was obviously very old. Also, all of the closets, chests, etc had not been re-done. This was a Cat D.<BR><BR>With reference to assigned seating, I have never had an assigned seat on Holland American, Windstar, Celebrity, RCCL, or NCL. Yes we had an assigned table for dinner, but breakfast and lunch was open and most enjoyable.<BR><BR>Also, who said that UPSCALE people do not want to eat with others. That is outlandish.<BR><BR>Sorry, you may be a TA, but I do not agree with your post. Merriem

What makes a great cruise ? Many things, but the first thing is a great travel agent, I suggest you get one Merriem.

Hey Merriem,<BR><BR>I also have no idea why YOU post here, either! Your posts are always a bitch-fest. Bitch, bitch, bitch.<BR><BR>And..... for someone who complains about old ladies, you certainly sound like one!<BR><BR>Just my two cents,<BR>Lois<BR><BR>PS: Paul T. I love you!<BR><BR>

"Older cruisers"--I see so many posts wherein someone complains about older passengers.What is wrong with going on a cruise or a trip with older people?They rarely make asses out of themselves--They are not out to impress anyone--most are interesting to converse with,if given a chance--most have worked hard and raised their kids and now it's their turn to spend a little on themselves--They don't act like idiots in the dining room--They know how to dress, and etc,etc.My last two cruises(Princess/Holl.Amer.)were comprised mainly of "older cruisers"and I have to say both were great. No pushing,shoving,acting like nuts when it came time for dis-embarking for shore tours;no rushing to get the front row seat in the theater;just mature people having a good time without being loud,rude,crude,vulgar,etc.<BR>Give me a boatload of "older cruisers" anytime.<BR>P.S.<BR>Paul,you can't win no matter what.I have to say,you take so much undeserved flack,I have started to respect you!!

Why are the people on this forum so rude?

JeanieJ;<BR>If your remark was intended for my post,pray tell how it was "so rude"?<BR>Standing up a little for "older folks"<BR>and complimenting Paul is "rude"? If so,call me rude.

Hi Lois,<BR><BR>You're a sweetheart.<BR><BR>I am in the travel industry and I know what an upscale elderly couple wants .... they wish to be seated with the same passengers every night since they are basically shy. After about the third night they do liven up and some become the life of the party. Camaradarie is important and they look forward the the diing room meals. They wish to be pampered moreso than the younger passengers. This is the reason they book Cunard, Silversea, Crystal and Seabourn. <BR><BR>Thanks for the kind words Ron ...... I am a senior citizen but my 10 year old daughter keeps the whole family young. Therefore Carnival is our favorite line. When we cruise we leave our cares at home and have a great time. Of course we have cruised Silversea, Crystal, etc. but the excitement was just not there.<BR><BR>And please do not get upset Merriem, I'm not picking on you. I am just attempting to explain things.<BR><BR>Paul