· ShipShopper
Index™ – What is it?
· What was wrong with the old
“star” system?
· How does the ShipShopper Index™
differ from the old systems?
· How does the ShipShopper Index™
draw its data? How’s that data used?
· What’s in it for me?
· How do I use the ShipShopper
Index™?
· How else can the ShipShopper Index™
be used?
ShipShopper Index™ – What
is it?
Now, for the first time ever, consumers have access to an
objective, price-based cruise ship rating system. Rather
than the generalized, subjective “star” system of
the past, the precise, ShipShopper Index™ measures and
continually monitors a cruise ship’s “worth”
based on its consistent ability to command a given price.
A ShipShopper Index™ represents, on a relative scale,
what cruise passengers have paid and continue to pay for cruising
on a particular ship.
What was wrong with the old “star”
system?
It was subjective and imprecise. Star rating systems ranked
a ship based on some highly subjective elements, such as cuisine,
service, and décor, as well as facilities and amenities
(again, often subjective) such as the number of swimming pools,
health spa services, size of cabins, crew ratios, space ratios,
etc. And truthfully, some star ratings were either inflated
– as a courtesy to the cruise lines – or somewhat
elitist, basing their ratings on a few judges’ particular
tastes and preferences.
Also, star systems attempted to rank ships in order from
“Better” to “Worse.” Again, those subjective
measurements would creep in:
- Is the newest ship the “better” ship? Sometimes,
but not always.
- Is the most spacious ship the “better” ship?
Maybe, but maybe not.
- Is the ship with more balconies the “better”
choice? Likely, but who’s to say?
- Is the bigger ship the “better” ship? Some
say yes, some say no.
7 Blue Seas decided to leave the “better” or “worse”
dilemma alone and focus on a fresh, new approach to cruise
ship ratings.
How does the ShipShopper Index™
differ from the old systems?
The ShipShopper Index™ doesn’t pull its data from
brochures, magazine reader’s polls, or hearsay; it relies
expressly on the prices a given ship is able to consistently
command in a free and unbiased cruise market. In essence, you,
the traveling public (there are some 7.5 million annual cruisers
out there!) determine a ship’s worth. You vote with your
pocketbook!
From where does the ShipShopper
Index™ draw its data? How’s that data used?
7 Blue Seas taps cruise prices, updated daily, from industry
data. From that data, 7 Blue Seas calculates each ship’s
average per diem (the price, per person, per day that a given
sailing is commanding) for an entire year. Seasonal swings,
market areas, and last-minute sales are factored in, delivering
the intrinsic worth of a particular cruise ship. This value
is presented to you in the form of our continually updated ShipShopper
Index™.
What’s in it for me?
- Accuracy. For the first time, you have an objective
ship rating list. The ShipShopper Index™ is the new
standard!
- Simplicity. For the first time, you have a ship
rating list that’s easy to read, easy to compare, and
easy to use!
- Advantage. For the first time, you have the ability
to see through the hype to locate the best cruise deal,
not just the cruise a given cruise line is “pushing.”
For the first time, you have a quantitative idea of each
cruise ships’ worth!
- Savings. For the first time, you have the tool
to find the best cruise for your dollar.
How do I use the
ShipShopper Index™?
It’s easy. Here are two ways: Cruise-to-cruise Comparisons
and Budget Shopping.
- Cruise-to-Cruise Comparison: It’s a highly
competitive industry out there and you’ll often see
cruise lines offering identical cruises at identical prices
– especially on their “Last Minute Deals.”
But which $499, 5-Night Western Caribbean cruise is the
really the best deal? Check the ShipShopper Index™!
If one ship is ranked at 110 and the other at 90, you’ve
got your answer!
- Budget Shopping: A glance at the ShipShopper Index™
shows that, in general, Celebrity ships tend to have higher
numbers than Carnival ships. But, sometimes there are little
"hiccups" in the pricing and real deals pop up.
Say, you come across a Celebrity 7-night Alaska cruise that's
priced only 10% more than a Carnival ship doing the same
itinerary. You compare their ShipShopper Indexes™ and
find that Celebrity's ship is ranked 30% higher relative
to the Carnival ship. Which is really the better
deal? You've got your answer!
How else can the ShipShopper Index™
be used?
The ShipShopper Index™ can be an essential tool for
researching your next cruise vacation. By reviewing the index,
you may be surprised to find that the cruise line you once
thought "expensive" offers some surprisingly affordable
ships (and the cruise line you once thought of as budget-priced
might have a few surprises for you, too!). Now, armed with
a clear understanding of the various ships' relative prices,
your vacation decisions will be easier and better informed
decisions.
Plus, there are deals and then there are real deals.
Using the ShipShopper Index™, 7 Blue Seas puts every
“discount” we come across to the test. If it passes
our scrutiny (our pencils are the sharpest in town!) it goes
on site immediately to our Hot
Weekly Deals section.
Additional innovations and applications will be added as
the ShipShopper Index™ becomes the new standard in rating
cruise ships.
7 Blue Seas
Cruising made easy…just add water
Choosing made easy…just add ShipShopper Index™! |
