The Way Forward

[david63]

As many of you will be aware I was asked to set this forum up as a "temporary" home until P&O got their forum back up and running. It is now approaching nine months since the demise of the P&O forum and, as far as I can see, there are no signs of it coming back in the foreseeable future - if at all.

So I think that the time is right that we should be asking some questions such as:

- do we keep this forum going?
- should the forum become more encompassing and not restrict itself mainly to P&O?
- if the forum is to stay then is it in the correct format?

My main concern is that the level of involvement is on the decline; when this forum was new we were averaging over 500 posts per day (a lot of this can be put down to the "novelty" of the newness) which is now down to around 270 per day - and falling. Despite the reduction in the number of posts were are still averaging around 900 visits a day (down from a peak of just under 1000)

I am prepared to keep this forum going if that is the general wish of the members - I have not consulted with the other Moderators as to whether they are willing to continue (but I suspect that the offer of doubling their pay will be enough of an incentive ) but a lot may depend on your answers.

What are your views? (if you would rather not post your views on the open forum then please PM me)

[barney]

Please keep it going David

It has been a Godsend for me with information from other travellers.

I expect that many just flick in and flick out due to time constraints

900 visits a day is a lot IMO

Probably like many, I only contribute if I have something to say on a subject, but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy reading others views.

[Boris+]

I would very much like to see this forum staying open.

Huge thanks for all you have done for us.

Em

[Gill W]

My answer to all your questions is a resounding YES.

Although I lurk on other cruise forums, this is the only one I post on - the only one I WANT to post on.

I'd be happy to see a wider range of cruise companies being covered, and although I'm happy with the format, changes wouldn't bother me, as you do get used to new things after a while.

I have noticed there's been a slow down of posting activity recently. Less posting means there's less threads to post an answer to, so it has a snowball effect.

As long as you want to run this forum, David, I will support it.

I think we all need to show we are using the forum - use it or lose it!

[kaymar]

If it is not too much trouble for you then please keep it going, David.

I wouldn't worry too much about number of posts - quality is more important than quantity. There will always be those who post just for the sake of it (you know who you are!) and may even put other members off on occasions but I believe that the forum continues to be of assistance to new(ish) cruisers and enables all members to share their experiences and to seek advice.

Like Barney, I tend only to post if I feel I have something worthwhile to say but I visit regularly and, in the main, I still enjoy reading the comments of others.

As someone mentioned recently, a well-known T.A., specialising in cruising, has recently started a new forum. I did have a quick look but was not immediately inspired - much prefer yours!

You may well find activity increasing again as Winter approaches and members have less outside distractions but even if that does not happen, the number of visits confirms the ongoing level of interest.

Keep up the good work.

[Quizzical Bob]

Pray continue noble Sir!

Your efforts are much appreciated. The number of posts may have dropped recently but don't forget that Ken has been on holiday!

[Peter D]

Please keep the site going David. It gives so much information to old and new cruisers alike.

[Cockers43]

One of the best forums for Cruisers! Please keep it going AND expand into more companies if you can.

Thanks David

Ian & Val

[Ray Scully]

David

Please continue with this helpful friendly site.
I enjoy it so much that I would be prepared to contribute towards its upkeep if required, can't speak for the Yorkshire folk though
Such a pity that P&O don't promote the site it is far better and more positive than Facebook

Regards

Ray

[qbman1]

I think I am amongst the vast majority who would very much like to see this continue in the present format. It is a more than adequate replacement for P&O's inferior offering and I, for one, would be very sad indeed to see it go. I think we all appreciate the time and effort that David continues to put into the forum.

OK, it is probably natural that the level of involvement has declined as most of the main protaganists joined early on but it is interesting to see that virtually every day sees the registration of a handful of new members. Hopefully some of those will become more actively involved

[gillyr]

I hope that you will be able to keep the forum running - I very rarely post because usually someone else has said what I would, only much more eloquently! We do check in most days and have found a wealth of useful and interesting comment, so please don't stop!

[Frank Manning]

Yes please keep it going David. It is excellent and even Sue enjoys the posts that people put on. I would never have met some really nice people were it not for this forum.

[MicheleW]

Yes - please keep it going if it's not too much trouble David.

Although I'm not the most prolific poster, I do tend to "drop in" most days and would miss it horribly if it did go.

You and the moderators do a fantastic job and long may it continue

Michele

[Mervyn and Trish]

Yes, yes, yes, please.

Perhaps to encourage more useage some of us could sneak onto the Facebook pages of P&O and other cruise lines and promote it a bit?

[Onelife]

Hi David,

Whatever you’re paying the moderators it’s far too much in my opinion... you however deserve a pay rise for a job well done!!


Regards

Keith

[hopefultraveller]

Usually, I tend to post if I have a question. I rarely consider myself qualified to contribute. However, I read the forum on a regular basis. Many people will probably lurk and find the site informative. Please, please keep it going if possible.
Val

[Suekersh]

Please keep the site going David. It is a better forum than the PO one ever was.

Sue

[Dark Knight]

David
it would depend purely and simply on what you want to do?
if you feel it is running well and not taking too much time up, then please keep it running
if you feel it is becoming a chore, then close it down, it is your choice

one small point, if there is no quantity, then there is no forum, so to all the "quality part time posters" try putting some more effort in and that way there can be both quality and quantity, which IMHO is what is needed

[Holiday Planner]

I too read most days, but comment spasmodically. I enjoy the forum and would miss it if it went. A few months ago, some comments wound me up so much that I decided I was going to stop visiting. I disconnected my quick links to the site and took it off my 'favourites' page. Within a week I was suffering so badly from withdrawal symptoms that I came back ... though I now don't even read threads on certain topics.
So please keep the forum going if you have the time and inclination... and thank you!

[barney]

I know what you mean Angela

The was one particular poster who riled me by turning every thread into a P&O slag off.

I stopped logging on for a while then thought better of it and decided to simply ingnore the guy (girl?)

Funnily enough, he (she?) doesn't seem to post anymore, so maybe it was just for reaction

This is the best and if David can continue, it would be great

[suespud]

Keep it open David, please, just the way it is. I have been pre-occupied as of late and not read as much nor contributed (not that I post loads anyway). But now things have settled down!!

[Belle53]

Please keep it going, this friendly forum is both informative and entertaining and I would really miss it if it went. I visit nearly every day to read and play the games.

[Jan Rosser]

Please keep the forum going David - I pop in every day and contribute when I feel qualified to do so but would really miss it if you closed the site down. There are so many people on here with an abundance of knowledge which can be very useful especially to new cruisers. I feel I have made friends on here and met up with some of them on cruises - how amazing is that Of course you have the last word and if you feel it is too much I would be very sad to see it go

[rita17]

I hope you continue with the forum David. Like others, I am not a prolific poster but do read most days. I like the current format and prefer it to the old P&O one.

[JenniC]

best forum ever.. Please keep it going.. I will stay working as a mod for nothing - oh yeah I already do Seriously David! I do not get as involved as the rest of the mods, but I do keep an eye on my Ships section and am always willing to help in any other way I can.