I’m sure we all still remember Bonzi Buddy, that cute purple gorilla with the bad spying habits. I couldn’t help wonder what would have happened had Bonzi Software had stayed in business long enough for it to become a global business empire. I can see it launching its own discount cruise ship line but alas, the discounts would have come with steep prices of their own.
Passengers are advised to avoid the onboard shopping show at all costs. Hosted by a faceless animatronic robot with dangling glasses who goes by the name of Professor Wallet (“I am going to save you SOOO much money you won’t believe!”), the lowlight of the show is the firing of three cannons loaded with Cruise Cash coupons that supposedly ensure discounts for onboard purchases. The cannons are so loud that it leaves everyone’s ears ringing for the duration of the cruise. The coupons themselves are incinerated during the cannon fire, leaving behind nothing but ashes all over the auditorium. Attending this show is a total waste of time.
There is free wifi aboard the ship, but it comes with a serious catch. All online activity is monitored and the data used to suggest products and services based on that activity. Bartenders use this data to identify passengers with certain political views for engaging in shouting matches with them later should they decide to visit the bar. Privacy advocates have criticized Bonzi Cruises for spying on their passengers this way but the policies have remained firmly in place.
Not surprisingly, the Bonzi Buddy mascot makes appearances throughout the ship, including unannounced visits to passengers’ cabins while they sleep or take a shower. Terrified screams are common during the night and are hardly reason to ensure a good night’s sleep at all during the cruise.
The onboard entertainment is horrific, in fact none of the live shows are worth checking out. The comic Lenny Laff constantly cracks jokes on disasters that can break out on the ship, such as capsizing, catching fire and breaking in half. The magician Matt the Magic performs illusions of such inferior quality that the audience can easily see how they were done. The band Party Pants claims to perform top hits from decades past when all it does is play the same cheesy rhythm while repeatedly yelling out the song’s title. Little wonder that passengers have either attempted to escape the ship by manning the lifeboats or just jumping overboard altogether.
To keep prices low, the ship does not count its passengers prior to leaving port. It will not wait for those who are late returning to the ship and will leave without them. Afterwards their suitcases are salvaged and their contents sold at the onboard stores.
Don’t let the low fares mislead you. Bonzi Cruises charges for everything, from using the bathroom to accessing the elevators. There are charges for using the swimming pool, the hot tub and even for walking around on deck. This is one cruise line to avoid, in fact it’s cheaper to just stay home for the rest of your lives.
MJBDiver.com 