I'm Jumping Ship!

Graduating to the next Cruising Age Group?

Not sure what to title this one....am I "jumping ship" or just graduating to a different "cruise age"?  Most of my friends/clients know that I am a Carnival Junkie....or was maybe. I finally made it to DIAMOND level and now that I am at the highest level, I don't really even care. I am not sure whether it is like the beanie baby craze....the thrill of the hunt, the challenge and the excitement ...OR... like a broken, sought after Christmas toy...disappointment and let down.

We all know I am getting older and less tolerant of younger generations :)  but it isn't just the "age of the passengers" anymore.  After cruising 13 nights on one cruise, I have realized that the things that are important to me are starting to lack.  I want to be spoiled, I want great food and I want to experience a changing cruise line. 

I have a cruise booked on the Carnival Magic for this September and I am sure I will have a great time.  However, my next Caribbean Cruise will be in January, on Holland America's Koningsdam.  I did a HA ship tour a few months back and I liked what I saw.  The buffet was at a whole new level for me and the dining service was impeccable.  In addition, HA is changing!

Bring on the Jazz, the Test Kitchen, dueling pianos and the wine experience, Blend.  I am ready.  That's right, HA is going after the 50-75 age group now and we deserve this!  From the HA website:

Launched in 2016, Koningsdam carries forward all of the tradition, nautical heritage, and signature service and style for which Holland America Line is known—while raising the bar for 21st-century elegance. The 2,650-guest Koningsdam is the first of her class, ushering in a new era of Pinnacle-class cruising.  ....a mix of something contemporary and something classic: “Koning,” means king in Dutch—and is a salute to King Willem-Alexander, the Netherland’s first king in more than 100 years.....Light-filled spaces. Fluid curves. A sophisticated interplay of high technology and elegance. With beautiful architectural elements inspired by music. All woven together in a forward-thinking design approach.....Koningsdam’s central atrium is pure visual drama. Soaring three decks high, the space is graced by an airy stainless steel sculpture that evokes the feeling of a classical quartet, with strings, arches, and bows. The atrium is capped by a ceiling that serves as a backdrop for subtly changing high-definition projections. Look up by day to see wispy cirrus clouds floating overhead. By evening, the atrium takes on dramatic lighting hues or reflects the clear constellations of the night sky.

I still can't get into the big ships with over 5000 passengers but I am ready to sail on the new midships that are willing to take note that there is a new class of passengers, ready for some changes.  It doesn't take a ship with that many people to provide great entertainment, fun things to do and top class service.

And yes, I know it is still CCL...I did say I was a junkie right?  But actually, I am just someone who wants a great value and more bang-for-the buck.  To me it is not about the status of a cruise line, or any name brand hype.  Heck, I shop at Marshall's and TJMaxx.