Last week Cunard Line announced that Queen Victoria will have fencing classes aboard the ship.  Of course aboard Royal Caribbean’s largest ships you can surf or go ice skating while on several of Princess Cruises’ newer vessels passengers may opt for pottery classes.  Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest vessels boast bowling alleys.

Today, Celebrity Cruises announced it would collaborate with the world-renowned Corning Glass Museum to bring glassblowing to sea when the Museum’s traveling exhibition, Hot Glass Showsm, debuts on Celebrity Solstice in December, 2008.  Three resident glassblowers will demonstrate the art of blowing glass in an outdoor glass-making studio; lectures and workshops will also be available.  Celebrity Cruises’ president said the glassblowing exhibition “is a compelling reason to sail on Celebrity Solstice.”

But is it?  Several years ago Celebrity invested a great deal of money in bringing Cirque du Soleil to one of their ships with an extra charge for the lavish shows.  Attendance was sparce at these lavish performances and the program was dropped. 

Over the past decade every cruise line has launched “bigger and better” ships.  While these behemoths have many pluses they are often hard to differentiate from each other.  All have balcony cabins, alternative dining, children’s facilities, spas (all operated by one company, Steiners), Las Vegas-style shows and fitness centers.  To many travelers there is little difference between Holiday Inn, Marriott and Renaissance hotels.  I believe the cruise industry has reached the same point, when cruise ships are almost interchangeable.  The exception is Royal Caribbean because their “gimmicks” — rock climbing, roller blading, ice skating – attract families and more active passengers. 

Cruise company marketing execs must come up with new ways to differentiate their vessels from all others.  In the early 1990’s it was cigar bars, followed by alternative dining venues. Do the latest addition of classes — fencing, making pottery, bowling, blowing glass – pique your interest in taking one ship over another?   If not, what keeps you faithful to one cruise line?  If you’re planning to take your first cruise, what influences you in the selection of a ship?

I was born and raised in Corning, NY, am a serious glass collector and even own a bit of  Corning Glass stock.  Personally I wouldn’t book any ship solely for the purpose of seeing a glass blowing demonstration.  The itinerary, quality of food and a flexible dining program are my criteria.

 What are yours?

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