Tours and Cruises, same mind set
 

Been on one tour, never ever again! Been on one cruise, never ever again! To me, for the most part, those who do either are inexperienced and fearful of the unknown or are perhaps elderly and in poor health. To me, being on a ship is like going to Paris and never leaving the hotel esxcept for a short tour. can someone please explain the attraction of either?

Robert, I personally don't like them either but, since tours tend to bounce people around a lot, they can be a nice way to get a taste of a lot of different areas that could be revisited later in depth. Also, I was thinking of doing some hiking in South America and I would probably do that with a tour because I wouldn't feel comfortable enough to go it alone.

I'm totally with you Robert, but I think they are great for some people. I have friends who were getting ready to go to Europe last year for two weeks and wanted my help since they knew I've spent so much time in Europe. We met two or three times and discussed all sorts of things from where to go, how to go, where to stay, etc. After a couple of months I could see that they were not independent travelers. They kept saying, "but what if. . ." They worried about problems with the reservations. They worried about getting lost. They worried about not understanding the language. I finally suggested that they might be wise to take a tour and they did. Incidentally part of their idea was to see as many different things as possible, and I was unable to persuade them to limit their travels as much as I thought they should. You know what? They went on the tour, relaxed, and loved it so much, they've already booked another one this year. I think they are wise. It's not for me, but it is for them. Incidentally, they also did a WindStar cruise and they hated everything about it, so go figure!

Hi! There is a place for tours and cruises. I agree with you about cruises generally, however when a boat permits you to access somewhere like the San Blas Islands off Panama where primitive Cuna Indians live as well as the experience of going through the Panama Canal, or sailing the water off Canada and Alaska, then a cruise is great. (We've also taken land excursions of Alaska.)<BR> And as for tours, we always take one when we visit 3rd world countries. The educational aspects can't be beat with qualified guides, doesn't matter how much I read and prepare. Now W. Europe is a different matter, then the cultural experiences are worth the trouble of doing it yourself. Each to his or her own! Judy<BR><BR><BR><BR>

I am not really interested in either, but my parents have taken several tours in Western Europe that they enjoyed immensely. These tours are run by two college professors who teach a lot about the culture & history of the areas they visit, the groups are small (fewer than 20 people), and stay and eat at expensive places. My parents feel insecure about travelling in a place where they don't speak the language, so they get taken care of, learn a lot, and get to spend lots of time with fellow Americans (they're very social people). They are not interested in taking a cruise!

Not necessarily, Robert..<BR><BR>Again, as I said on another thread, I think that diversity is great, and also is the <BR>possibility of choosing whatever suits us, and our preferences better.<BR><BR>I've been doing a lot of cruises, as I've done land trips, (although I haven't done any land group tours-- always traveled independently). I don't like to feel confined, stuck with a land itinerary or group, nor I like to wake up too early, or to pack, unpack, check in and out hotels every or nearly every night or morning. On another hand, there are places where I want to go but don't want to stay longer. Hence, when it's possible to choose a suitable cruise itinerary, as I've done, to see some places in the Black or Red Sea, or even on the Aegean Sea ( why would I stay in Volos if I just wanted to see Meteora, or <BR>staying longer in Bodrum, to see Kusadasi?), or on the Adriatic Sea or even the Ligurian sea ( Sta Margherita and Portofino are lovely, but I wouldn't stay there for more than a few of hours-- attention, Portofino lovers, I'm NOT saying that it's not worth...!!), I very much prefer to visit these places shortly, not having to go into the hassle and all the logistic trouble of parking, loading and unloading the luggage from the car ( or train, for that matters), besides everything that I mentioned before.<BR><BR>As far as cruising is concerned, nowadays there are so many types of cruise ships, formal, informal, small, medium, big, gigantic ships, as there's a wide choice of itineraries. So, what I do is balancing some cruises, that allow me to see the places I want to visit shortly, or just sample a region, even if it's to decide that I want to come back some day, and stay longer, with land trips, having the possibility then of doing more in depth itineraries, exploring a region in detail, and immersing in its culture.<BR><BR>Hence, by my past travel experience, from now on, I'll keep cruising by the regions that don't appeal to me enough that makes me wish to stay longer, or I'll choose a central location wherever is, and will make day trips from there. This is what I figured is the best option for me. To each, its own, as someone already said...<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>S

I can't comment on tours, because I have never taken an escorted tour. I have taken alot of cruises and what the experience is depends alot on the location and the person taking the cruise.<BR><BR>I am planning my first trip to Europe and first looked at tour packages to get an idea of how to plan. I hated the idea of not having any control over what I wanted to see and when I want to see it and how long to stay, so I decided to plan an independent trip. But I have no problem with people who like these type of tours. To each his own.<BR><BR>As far as cruises, there are some destinations that I could not imagine taking a cruise to because it would not "do justice" to the location. For example, I couldn't see only spending a few hours in Rome on a shore excursion.<BR><BR>But cruising is perfect for the Caribbean. Many of the islands are small enough to see alot in one day ( some you can circle completely in a few hours) and many destinations are places to lounge on the beach and relax. I love island hopping in the Caribbean and cruising is by far the cheapest way and most relaxing way to do this.<BR><BR>When I cruise, I do my own shore excursions much cheaper than I could do on the ship and have had wonderful times exploring the various cultures on each island. Plus, often hard core cruisers are people who love sailing and ships and the experience of sailing on the ocean. One of my favorite times on ship is at sunset, feeling the wonderful ocean breeze and looking for the green flash with a cocktail in hand!

Thank you all for your kind replies. Perhaps I should clarify some. With regard to cruises and tours I was thinking of Europe, not other parts of the world.

Well, Robert, I've cruised Europe, as I said, by the Black Sea, Aegean, Ligurian and Thyrrenean Seas, and also by the French Riviera. The only cruise that I thought was a waste was the one by the French Riviera. This is a region where land trips work much better. From Nice or Cannes is possible to visit nearly all the Riviera, doing day trips, and taking ferries to Corsica, Porquerolles or Elba, without having to change the land base. The roads are wonderful, the driving, very scenic, and everything is so close...<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>S

I have taken both tours and cruises. They are both excellent and convenient ways to access places that are otherwise very difficult if not impossible to do on your own. Have you tried to go to China by yourself? Or cruise the inside passage to Alaska? I have taken cruises in the Mediteranean and visited the Greek isles(only accessable by boat). Also, Rhodes, Malta, Cyprus, Majorca, Gibralter, Ankora, Beirut, Damascus and parts of North Africa. I'm not sure how I would have been able to visit these places on my our or where I could have stayed when I got there. You may also be under time constraints and want to see as much as possible in the least amout of time. The tour takes care of a lot of the work for you. Of course, when I travel in Europe, I just hop on a train and go wherever I want.

My personal experience wasn't so good. This was an Italian Cruise departing Venice, then Bari, Katakolon, Kusadasi, Istambul, Athens, Venice (one week).<BR>It is hard work. The tours are usually half day affairs on long bus rides, and small views of the sites. Back to the boat, rush again, long lines for lunch. Everyone smokes on top of you, hair and clothes get all smelly. If you travel alone, you have to be very positive and outgoig. Even then, you may not be accepted. If the food is bad, which it was, you're trapped. <BR>All in all, it's an ok experience, but not my cup of tea.

Not all cruise lines are the same, Ana, nor are the prices, unfortunately.<BR><BR>You likely cruised on a Costa ship, but there're smaller ships, with more appealing itineraries, be it for the Greek islands, be it by the Golden Coast, or even as wide as itinerary as from Istanbul to Barcelona. There are also cruise companies like Swan Hellenic, that are more focused in culture, lectures, and historic places, or Abercrombie&Kent chartered cruises.<BR><BR>Before doing whether a cruise or land trip, one should get informed about all that is involved, from the type of traveler, or cruiser that we'll likely meet on the ship or land tour, and also how long the lines, or bus rides are, besides the places themselves. As far as we are prepared, and choose well, and we know what to expect, we are less likely to be disappointed.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>S

Ana:<BR>Sounds like a bad cruise. On the Mediteranian cruises we always spent the whole day on shore from early AM until after dark. We never returned to the ship for lunch or anything else. Sailing was generally at night so you woke up in a new port in the morning. Depending on sailing times we stayed ashore as late as midnight and skipped eating dinner on board. Also got consistently good food. Depending on the cruise you may spend some daytime at sea. All in all a great way to see hard to access out of way places.

I would be unlikely to go on a cruise or tour at this point in my life, though it's not impossible. Nevertheless I don't see the point of criticizing other peoples' choices, unless it's to make oneself feel more important. I know people who've travelled independently and on a shoestring in places like Laos and Mali. In their eyes, an independent trip to Paris or Rome or even rural Hungary might well be for people who are timid and fearful of the unknown, but they're generally kind enough not to let me know that.

Surlock and Gerry:<BR>You are both right. The Costa Atlantica is the ship I quoted. <BR>I did see smaller ships, and I also saw that they stayed after we had sailed, so I think I made an unwise choice. I based my choice on the cabins with "balconies" which we really didn't use. No time for it.<BR>Thanks for your advice. <BR>I don't think this post is about criticism, but exchanging viewpoints and seeing that there are cruises which may be more appealing.<BR>

there are tour groups such as show of the month club based in boston that get you there,have the hotel and a bufffet breakfast arranged nad a 1/2 day guided tour of the place. then they leave you alone to your own divices. for certain locations that can work well for some people

Ana,<BR><BR>Before I book, I do a detailed research on the ship, the ports of call, the schedule, how far the attractions are from the harbor, how easy or difficult would be to tour on my own ( which I do, most of the times). Then, I choose the cruise based on this info. I thought of cruising Costa on the Med. I just didn't because of the tight schedule and too short time in ports. <BR><BR>From my exeperience, a balcony isn't, most of the times, worth of the extra $$ you have to pay for it when the itinerary is busy. If it were Tahiti, or even the Caribbean, it would be a nice bonus, but not for cruising the Mediterranean <BR>(unless for someone that has an unlimited budget, of course)<BR><BR>On the other hand, a single and unassigned sitting is a bliss. Imagine, having the maitre D' sitting you at a table whose mates have nothing to do with you.. and then, having to ask him to switch to another table. That's what we call here in Brazil a tight skirt-- no room to move, other than feeling uncomfortable.. in one way or the other.<BR><BR>KT, it's not that I'm not adventurous--I am! I've once been in India on my own for forty days. But as much as I love traveling, I hate packing, unpacking and changing beds or hotels every night. Well, maybe I'm just getting old.. ;-)<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>S

Robert - out of curiosity, where did you cruise and tour, and where have you traveled independently? What did you hate about the tour?

I have visited 20 countries, mostly in Europe and have always gone independent. I have also taken a couple of cruises, 1 on the Mexican Rivera and a couple in the Caribbean and they were wonderful and romantic. I also go on my own in ports of call. In St Thomas for example, we rented a jeep and explored the island and found a wonderful secluded beach. To relax and be pampered, you can't beat a cruise. The food is fantastic and you can do as much or as little as you wish. I might do a land tour in a place like China or Russia or the middle east, but prefer to mostly go on my own on land. Each person must decide their level of comfort. My only comment is that it is better to travel whatever the means than not to leave home at all.<BR>

Yippee, Since this is a Europe forum I will restrict my reply to your question to this area. I have visited western Europe with the exception of Spain which we plan on seeing in the not to distant future. My tour was of Great Britian and while I did not "hate" it I found it too restrictive. We did meet any number of nice people but we just grew tired being with the same people and being forced to stop at places that appeared to be for shopping and not sites for actual viewing. Our cruise was Turkey and Greece and while more interesting than a bus tour it too felt restrictive.