Does anyone else share my complete disinterest in cruises...give me Europe anytime!!
May 24th, 2006, 03:58 PM
#121
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To Robespierre:
Although I don't think I would care for a US/Carribean based cruise, the Orient may be nice. <b>Uh, okay, but I didn't say anything about a US/Caribbean cruise.</b>
You are wise in your approach to wine, as I too, could never limit my self to one wine, one wine region, country or wine color. <b>With due credit to John Denver, <i>Berkeley Woman (1973)</i></b>
Although I don't think I would care for a US/Carribean based cruise, the Orient may be nice. <b>Uh, okay, but I didn't say anything about a US/Caribbean cruise.</b>
You are wise in your approach to wine, as I too, could never limit my self to one wine, one wine region, country or wine color. <b>With due credit to John Denver, <i>Berkeley Woman (1973)</i></b>
May 29th, 2006, 04:09 PM
#122
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After years of balking at cruising, my husband & I fell in love with it, with one important exception - our Windstar cruise in the Bahama Islands.
Windstar was terrific - they weren't the problem. The problem was that the cruise had no real point other than to relax, & ALMOST ALL of the guests needed to unwind for a lot longer than Windstar could ever have given them. What a whining, nit-picking bunch of pains in the neck!
A cruise without a purpose - great sights, history, culture - was just like going on my idea of vacation hell, which is one week in a rental house at the NJ beach. And guess what our annual trip to (dry!) Ocean City NJ with my in-laws looms up at me within a month. It shivers me timbers to think of it.
But then again, we have a Crystal Cruise to Italy to look forward to in September! Look for a destination oriented cruise line & unpack once & go out & meet wonderful people & soak up everything on offer. You'll be glad you did!
Windstar was terrific - they weren't the problem. The problem was that the cruise had no real point other than to relax, & ALMOST ALL of the guests needed to unwind for a lot longer than Windstar could ever have given them. What a whining, nit-picking bunch of pains in the neck!
A cruise without a purpose - great sights, history, culture - was just like going on my idea of vacation hell, which is one week in a rental house at the NJ beach. And guess what our annual trip to (dry!) Ocean City NJ with my in-laws looms up at me within a month. It shivers me timbers to think of it.
But then again, we have a Crystal Cruise to Italy to look forward to in September! Look for a destination oriented cruise line & unpack once & go out & meet wonderful people & soak up everything on offer. You'll be glad you did!
May 30th, 2006, 07:51 AM
#123
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I'm with you Cherylforeurope!
I have no interest in the beach or sitting in the sun. I lived in south Florida for 25 years and never once visited the Caribbean. I don't like the heat, and sweating to the hiphop music of other people's stereos is not my idea of fun.
Now, an Alaska cruise or Fjord cruise might be interesting -- but would have to include lots of ports of call for me to get around and explore cities and villages and scenery. Cold weather good.
I would much rather, however, spend my money on a couple weeks in an exotic European locale -- like York or Killarney
I have no interest in the beach or sitting in the sun. I lived in south Florida for 25 years and never once visited the Caribbean. I don't like the heat, and sweating to the hiphop music of other people's stereos is not my idea of fun.
Now, an Alaska cruise or Fjord cruise might be interesting -- but would have to include lots of ports of call for me to get around and explore cities and villages and scenery. Cold weather good.
I would much rather, however, spend my money on a couple weeks in an exotic European locale -- like York or Killarney
May 30th, 2006, 10:11 AM
#124
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I like boats for getting from A to B but not cruising. I don't like the set meal times, sharing a table with a set group of people and the entertainment. Each to his or her own. It would be boring if we all liked the same things.
The transatlantic crossing appeals to me but is currently out of my price range.
Carolena
The transatlantic crossing appeals to me but is currently out of my price range.
Carolena
May 30th, 2006, 10:31 AM
#125
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I have absolutely no interest whatsoever. I was actually just having this argument with my friend yesterday, who said that "there's so much food and things to do, nightclubs, spas..". well, YEAH, but I'd much rather just FLY someplace to eat, go to nightclubs and go to spas lol. A cruise to me seems like a waste, I just don't see how you can "get" anything out of it culturally, and I think I'd kill myself staring at the ocean all day for a week.
May 30th, 2006, 10:39 AM
#126
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Hey! Maybe that's why so many tourists "disappear" from cruise ships. They get so sated with shrimp cocktail and mai-tais (and noisy dining companions) they decide it must be better on the other side of the rail.
May 30th, 2006, 10:48 AM
#127
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I recently heard of some cruises that have classes in all sorts of things -- from languages to sculpture to computer repair. I would be interested in THIS type of cruise, as I love learning new things.
May 30th, 2006, 10:50 AM
#128
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Amazing that so many pitched in their ideas about taking a cruise, many reflecting the original poster's disdain! And many who never tried one!
We've been on one in the Caribbean and do agree with JC98 about this as a good way to see the islands. Also thanks to mcnyc for a good report on Alaska cruise which we might consider.
Yes, we do prefer land travel in Europe of course. Gardyloo has a good description of advantages of being on a cruise ship. Many of us aren't interested in sitting around and visiting the casino.
Let's just say the cruise industry appeals to many and not just the newlywed, overly fed, nearly dead But until I get in my 80s I likely won't rely on sea legs but keep struggling down those city streets country paths on land.
ozarksbill
We've been on one in the Caribbean and do agree with JC98 about this as a good way to see the islands. Also thanks to mcnyc for a good report on Alaska cruise which we might consider.
Yes, we do prefer land travel in Europe of course. Gardyloo has a good description of advantages of being on a cruise ship. Many of us aren't interested in sitting around and visiting the casino.
Let's just say the cruise industry appeals to many and not just the newlywed, overly fed, nearly dead
But until I get in my 80s I likely won't rely on sea legs but keep struggling down those city streets country paths on land.ozarksbill
May 30th, 2006, 11:25 AM
#129
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I didn't realize it was an either or proposition?
Personally, I've done both, traveled to Europe and gone on caribbean cruises, and I would never consider doing either/or for the same vacation.
First of all, Europe is WAAAAYYYY more expensive. Secondly, I cruise to the caribbean in the winter to get some warmth and because IMO, cruises are excellent FAMILY vacations. My kids love them.
I can appreciate many forms of travel, be it a mindless cruise, skiing, Europe, lying on a beach in Mexico, Maine, etc. Fortunately I don't have to only choose one type of vacation!
Just curious Cheryl and all the other naysayers, have you ever been on a cruise? Don't knock it 'til you've tried it, you may surprise yourself.
Personally, I've done both, traveled to Europe and gone on caribbean cruises, and I would never consider doing either/or for the same vacation.
First of all, Europe is WAAAAYYYY more expensive. Secondly, I cruise to the caribbean in the winter to get some warmth and because IMO, cruises are excellent FAMILY vacations. My kids love them.
I can appreciate many forms of travel, be it a mindless cruise, skiing, Europe, lying on a beach in Mexico, Maine, etc. Fortunately I don't have to only choose one type of vacation!
Just curious Cheryl and all the other naysayers, have you ever been on a cruise? Don't knock it 'til you've tried it, you may surprise yourself.
May 30th, 2006, 11:32 AM
#130
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Not sure that I agree a cruise is WAAAAY more expensive.
I'm going to Ireland in three weeks, in the middle of tourist season. Rental car, flight from Miami, B&Bs, trip insurance, all adds up to $1600 for 15 nights.
I just priced a cruise on www.royalcaribbean.com, looking for ANY 14 day cruises. The cheapest was $1100, the most expensive was $2200.
I'd say a trip to Europe was just about in the ballpark, if not a bit cheaper
I'm going to Ireland in three weeks, in the middle of tourist season. Rental car, flight from Miami, B&Bs, trip insurance, all adds up to $1600 for 15 nights.
I just priced a cruise on www.royalcaribbean.com, looking for ANY 14 day cruises. The cheapest was $1100, the most expensive was $2200.
I'd say a trip to Europe was just about in the ballpark, if not a bit cheaper
May 30th, 2006, 03:05 PM
#132
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I prefer European travel, but my budget doesn't. Also, it's a totally relaxing experience to cruise. You go one place, unpack and take day trips to the destinations. It was also nice to not take a day trip and have a gorgeous, sparsely populated ship for the day. Budget wise, cruising wins hands down. For the relaxing part too I think. If you do decide to cruise be very sure your agent asks you your likes and dislikes as that will help decide which ship to cruise. We've only been on one cruise and I'd go back again tomorrow, but I pine for Europe daily!
May 30th, 2006, 03:10 PM
#133
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That's very true mdmom...a cruise is a vacation, a trip to Europe is a journey.
I adore going to Europe, but I come home exhausted as my time is limited. Some day I'll be able to take an extended trip and be able to relax, but when I've only got a max of 10 days for the family vacation between jobs, school and sports, a cruise is hands down more relaxing.
I adore going to Europe, but I come home exhausted as my time is limited. Some day I'll be able to take an extended trip and be able to relax, but when I've only got a max of 10 days for the family vacation between jobs, school and sports, a cruise is hands down more relaxing.
May 30th, 2006, 03:14 PM
#135
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"totally relaxing to cruise"? Firstly have not been on a cruise but friends have - they talk of shre excursions where you leav ethe ship at 6:30 and don't retrun until after 8:00pm in time for dinner - sounds pretty exhausting to me
May 30th, 2006, 03:24 PM
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Hi Tempus-I did quite a bit of research on cruising, cruises, cruiselines, etc. and one thing that definitely hit home is DO NOT do the ship's shore excursions. We booked our own island tour from the recommendations found on the vast www.cruisecritic.com boards. It worked great for us. For one destination we did not tender and the other two we did. I did not like tendering and next time I'd just get a taxi. But live and learn. The ship was beautiful and the service great. It was a huge ship, but it had many intimate spaces. We didn't go in for the hoopla too much and just found our favorite spots - a terrific piano player and the adult only pool for example. Ironically, we did have a blast dancing till the wee hours in the disco. lol!! We met some lovely couples and had a wonderful time. It was just what we needed. It's just different from Europe.
May 30th, 2006, 03:48 PM
#137
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Tempus, in the 7 cruises I've been on I've never once booked a "shore excursion". I do what I always do when I travel, either hire a taxi, rent a car/jeep/moped or use public transportation to get me to the places I want to see in port. I'm always on my schedule, never rushed, stay as long or as short as I like and I avoid like the plague anyplace that the excursion groups head to so yes, it's totally relaxing.
Jul 28th, 2006, 05:21 AM
#138
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I am not sure how the words I love to travel and cruise can even be in the same sentence.
Friends of mine want to go on a "singles" cruise. They think, wow meet men and travel at the same time. If I wanted to "pick up" and meet men I'd go to my neighborhood bar. If I want to actually travel and see the world, I do not go by way of a cruise. But hey that's just me.
My grandmother certainly loves them;-)
Friends of mine want to go on a "singles" cruise. They think, wow meet men and travel at the same time. If I wanted to "pick up" and meet men I'd go to my neighborhood bar. If I want to actually travel and see the world, I do not go by way of a cruise. But hey that's just me.
My grandmother certainly loves them;-)
Jul 28th, 2006, 06:01 AM
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Fair enough: But to me there are travelers and vacationers. And there is a difference.
Either way you choose to see the "world" (and I say that lightly b/c there is only so much you can see from the deck of a ship) is your choice, and if taking a cruise is your way, then great, it is better than not seeing anything at all.
Either way you choose to see the "world" (and I say that lightly b/c there is only so much you can see from the deck of a ship) is your choice, and if taking a cruise is your way, then great, it is better than not seeing anything at all.
