Things I will not miss on a cruise

[Yadkin]

I've been on exactly one ocean cruise and will never do another. Something about being in a tub with 4500 of your closest friends.

River cruising, however, is vastly different. The boat is small, typically less than 200. We done five and will do many more. The rivers were the original trade routes, so most of the important cities grew up there. A first class hotel and restaurant in a different city every day.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

Nobody asked for a history lesson.

Shhhhh. You’re stepping on your dick which given its rather tiny stature is quite an accomplishment.

[LATB]

I really thought the Rona was going to be the death knell of that crapass industry. But apparently there are millions still stupid enough to board those F'n floating petri dish condos.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Originally Posted by LATB

I really thought the Rona was going to be the death knell of that crapass industry. But apparently there are millions still stupid enough to board those F'n floating petri dish condos.

But you get to meet the Captain! An opportunity of lifetime!

[Unsuspicious]

I always said you couldn't give me a free cruise, and a couple weeks ago I got an offer for a free cruise from a casino. Not gonna go.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Giraffe (He/Him)

But you get to meet the Captain! An opportunity of lifetime!

My neighbor up at the farm is a Ship Pilot. He says those cruise ship captains are the walmart greeters of the industry.

[ThePirate]

Originally Posted by Taurus

Quantum of the Seas

There is you problem, taking a cruise (maybe your first?) with 4,000 of your closest friends of which 2/3 children under 10. I guess you just got back taking one during school breaks. Having taken many cruises, I started out on smaller ships like the Viking brand or the Oceania brand, and others. They don't have roller coasters, and other kids attractions. Just people mostly over 50, who want to get away from noise pollution, see the world, eat very good, meet others, and just relax.


Taking a cruise with the larger ships is like taking a week long trip (or longer) trip on a school bus full of under 10 year old kids. Why would you even think that this is tthe way everyone else wants to vacation.


Suggestions : take a cruise while schools are in session, get on a 1,200 or fewer passenger ship, travellers of the older age group., most of whom are experienced world travellers and are people friendly. Relax.

[ThePirate]

Originally Posted by Giraffe (He/Him)

Did it ever occur to you, cross your pea sized brain that MAYBE that's when I went? 20+ years ago?

Basically, you haven't on a cruise ship in 20+ years yet you use that experience to criticise the entire cruise industry? Think about owning a 20 year old, large car full of kids, being on a very tight time line, and comparing that trip to one taken today in a sleek modern car with just your wife.


Are they comparable?

[Taurus]

Originally Posted by ThePirate

There is you problem, taking a cruise (maybe your first?) with 4,000 of your closest friends of which 2/3 children under 10. I guess you just got back taking one during school breaks. Having taken many cruises, I started out on smaller ships like the Viking brand or the Oceania brand, and others. They don't have roller coasters, and other kids attractions. Just people mostly over 50, who want to get away from noise pollution, see the world, eat very good, meet others, and just relax.


Taking a cruise with the larger ships is like taking a week long trip (or longer) trip on a school bus full of under 10 year old kids. Why would you even think that this is tthe way everyone else wants to vacation.


Suggestions : take a cruise while schools are in session, get on a 1,200 or fewer passenger ship, travellers of the older age group., most of whom are experienced world travellers and are people friendly. Relax.

Spot on, if I did it again it will be on a cruise line better known for quality than quantity. This trip was a generous gift from my son and it was great to have the whole family there and we had a pretty darn good time but would not do it again on such a large ship designed to fill as many rooms as possible.

[The_Dude]

Is there Pickle Ball?

[Taurus]

Originally Posted by 04 commemorative

Wife will not even consider a cruise and I have no desire to be on a petri dish with thousands of others either ...but we are considering taking a river cruise for our 50th.....either foreign or domestic but don't know much about them.

A predictable turn of events, son (anti vax family for what it's worth) started feeling ill on day 5, got home and he and the wife have COVID. My wife is ill now and will test today, she's vax'd. Me, still feeling OK and avoiding my wife, she can probably use a break anyways after 7 days in a controlled space with me.

[Taurus]

Originally Posted by The_Dude

Is there Pickle Ball?

There was.

[Taurus]

Originally Posted by Taurus

A predictable turn of events, son (anti vax family for what it's worth) started feeling ill on day 5, got home and he and the wife have COVID. My wife is ill now and will test today, she's vax'd. Me, still feeling OK and avoiding my wife, she can probably use a break anyways after 7 days in a controlled space with me.

Yup, wifey with COVID too. Wonder which one of those 4,500 guests and 1,500 crew gave it to our party?

[99 pewtercoupe]

I don’t think I would ever do a cruise on one of those ships that carries thousands of passengers. That being said, we have done a couple of European river cruises on boats that have 200 passengers max. Whole different experience.

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by Taurus

Yup, wifey with COVID too. Wonder which one of those 4,500 guests and 1,500 crew gave it to our party?

it was somebody who was vaxxed.

[OnPoint]

Never been on a cruise.

Maybe I'll try one of those swingers cruises. See if they're any good.

[Taurus]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

it was somebody who was vaxxed.

Maybe, I don't think anyone has a clue anymore. I used to be a strong advocate for the vax but now it's just another "who knows" deal. Wife's last vax was about 18 -20 months ago but I've had one this year due some previous bouts with cancer. Maybe I'll fare better, maybe not.

Either case I'm not losing sleep over it.

[TripleBlack]

Skipping a lot of the comments... We did a 14 day cruise/land tour of Alaska in May and it was outstanding. 7 days on the ship and 7days spread between 4 lodges operated by the cruise line.

We've been on several Caribbean cruises and the Alaska cruise was the best by far.

Cruising when school is out can be a pain but spring and fall can be decent.

[ratflinger]

Well - Never get on a boat with more than 2000 people, these mega-ships are for nimrods. We've done a crossing on QM2, doing another next year & the Caribbean in 2025 on a 1200 passenger ship. Plenty of space, no lines, good food.


You get on a Princess, NCL, HAL, MSC, etc - you deserve what you get and what you paid for.

[Tikiman]

Never have been interested in a cruise for the same reason I do not like going to malls. As far as I am concerned, those cruises are nothing but huge floating malls filled with crowds of unsavory people.

I prefer all-inclusive resorts where, once you have gotten there, all there is to do is relax in the sun with my toes in the sand and drink rum drinks all day. We also prefer adults only all-inclusives so there aren't hordes of screaming crotch spawn running around destroying the peace and tranquility.

This one is in Negril. Been to it many times. Mostly 40 and up crowd. Excellent food and service. Terrific rooms with huge private balconies. There are four suites in each building - two upstairs and two downstairs. We always prefer the second floor. The buildings all look alike, however, so it's easy to get lost trying to find which is yours.