I have 134 cruises under my belt taken since my first in 1971.

That said, in my book, they are all garbage now particularly the mass market brands. The problem in recent years is that most lines are publicly traded corporations beholden to their stockholders. Years ago they were owned by European families who took enormous pride in their product.

Yes there are a zillion "gimmicks" on ships now but the days of gourmet food and white glove service are pretty much ancient history.

Worldspan

need more yachts that take individual bookings.

I don't think the comparisons were so much about cruise line X to hotel chain X. I think it was comparing the cruise lines to each other in relation to comparing those hotel chains to one another.

I understand that. But I maintain that saying that RCCL is "the Motel 6 of cruise lines" is meaningless as a metaphor, because the experiences are so very different. It may be the rock-bottom of cruise lines, but saying it's a "Motel 6" is misleading at best. In my opinion. :)

same for at the top - "hotels" like twin farms and the point
or "chains" like amanresorts and african safari companies
or larger "chains" like peninsula (owns almost all their hotels)
are all very different from the best FS/RC, let alone the worst FS/RC

I have just sailed on Oceania Insignia
I wasn't that impressed.
comparing to one hotel chain
I would class it as a Westin
Azamara Journey as a St Regis
Holland America and Princess as 4 pts and Sheraton respectively.
hoping to do Regent Crystal and Silverseas in next few years.

Your comparison of Oceania's Insignia to a Westin underscores the apples and oranges nature of this thread topic IMHO.

The main features of Oceania are a) its small size (684 passengers max on its three smaller ships including Insignia) and b) its cuisine, neither of which factor in to Westin or any other hotel chain that comes to mind. I hereby retract my 2008 post. :D

Of course, having just gotten off Regatta on our 14th Oceania cruise, I admit to leaning toward them. ;)

Comparisons among cruise lines are much more valid. Regent, Crystal, and Silverseas are all alternatives to Oceania if you're looking for smaller ships and good eats. :)

do any cruiselines have michelin quality in main restaurants?
have any upscale cruise fans stayed in a property like twin farms?

my food standards are not high, and i would not equate seabourn in 2006 with true fine dining restaurant

some may be surprised by what is available at some luxury properties
(especially as cruiselines cut costs, seabourn gets rid of small ships, etc)
cruiselines themselves are like the larger hotel chains/companies, especially larger ships
yachts that take individual bookings are like smaller more luxurious properties/companies