topic Re: Cruising in Community Chat

Cruising

Anonymous032819 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 21:38:12 GMT

I work with someone who loves to go cruising.

He takes at least one a year, and considers himself to be the King of cruising, and he can't wait to go on his next cruise next year.

Me?

Even if the trip was 100% free, and I got paid to go, I have zero interest in being on a floating Petri dish.

Even though a lot can happen between now and the next nine months, I don't see how the cruise industry can stay afloat with Covid being a factor.

Yes, the pun was intended.

But, to each their own.

Re: Cruising

Lucky Charm — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 21:51:52 GMT

There are people who do love to cruise and then those who shudder at the idea.

Then the in between people.

It's always been a personal choice.

And a battle between the two groups.

I've always looked at public restrooms as petri dishes. Would never sit on a public toilet seat or lay my handbag on the floor of a public restroom.

There I said it, the gloves are on!

Re: Cruising

RedTop — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 21:33:46 GMT

I don't like to be around people, so there's about a snowballs chance of me getting on a big boat heading out to sea with more people than I can count!!

Re: Cruising

FrostyBabe1 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 22:00:02 GMT

Well, the good news is that no one is going to come to your house, drag you to the docks and force you on to a cruise ship if you don't want to go.

I've been on two cruises and overall enjoyed myself. There were some things that I didn't care for, but the biggest "not so much" for me was that the average age of my fellow passengers was 75 on one cruise and 78 on another, and I really didn't think the food was anything special. Both were on Holland America. When I cruise again at some point, I'll pick a different cruise line.

Re: Cruising

patbz — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 22:12:47 GMT

@FrostyBabe1 : I have taken many ( mostly) long cruises on Celebrity, Cunard, Princess, Carnival, Royal Carribean, and Holland America. I enjoyed most of them thoroughly but Carnival was only so so and Holland America (30 days from Rio to N.Y.C.) had real problems (good was very uneven, ship needed a lot of repairs, and some excursions were not well thought out at all (imagine putting passengers on a bus and dropping them in the middle of no where where the native language is Portuguese). I know Holland America does world cruises (out of my budget) but I'll never take another with them. I will cruise again but not until probably Fall of 2022 and probably will go to Australia (love it) and New Zealand.

Re: Cruising

CelticCrafter — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 22:16:10 GMT

@FrostyBabe1 wrote:
Well, the good news is that no one is going to come to your house, drag you to the docks and force you on to a cruise ship if you don't want to go.

I've been on two cruises and overall enjoyed myself. There were some things that I didn't care for, but the biggest "not so much" for me was that the average age of my fellow passengers was 75 on one cruise and 78 on another, and I really didn't think the food was anything special. Both were on Holland America. When I cruise again at some point, I'll pick a different cruise line.

@FrostyBabe1 my husband has a friend who is a few years older than us, in his early 70's. He and his wife took an Alaskan cruise last year and he said they were the youngest couple on the ship!

Re: Cruising

kaydee50 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 22:21:52 GMT

We have taken 20+ cruises over the years and our favorite line is Holland America. We are booked on a cruise for next October, 2021, and are looking at taking one in the spring of next year. We have also taken cruises on Carnival and Norwegian, neither of which I would ever take again. I also would not go on one of those megaships of 3,000+ passengers. But cruising is a great way to experience many different cities/countries without a lot of hassles. Really missing traveling and cruising.

Re: Cruising

suzyQ3 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 22:35:00 GMT

My friends and I used to cruise Sunset Boulevard in the Sixties. Does that count?

Re: Cruising

sandy53 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 22:50:06 GMT

My DH and I enjoy cruising. We especially like the entertainment in the evenings. I never felt crowded. I especially like Carnival because there is a good mix of ages and it is casual dress. The demographic on other cruise lines we've been on (Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Princess) is much more a mix of nationalities and languages, but not elderly like Holland America seems to be. We don't vacation for gourmet food, but we do like sitting with the same group of people in the dining room each night and getting to know them. We always book a balcony room so I never feel claustrophobic. I look forward to being able to cruise again, hopefully in 2022.

Re: Cruising

mac116 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 22:51:34 GMT

My husband and I went on a $$$ cruise on Princess Cruises. I would say that the average age was 75+. We are not young, but it was difficult getting around past canes, walkers, and scooters. The food was not that great, and neither were the excursions worth the cost. We won't cruise again.

Re: Cruising

Nancy Drew — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 22:57:22 GMT

I have been on many cruises. All ages. As soon as they open up I am booking one. Good thing in America where no one puts a gun to your head to cruise.

Re: Cruising

deepwaterdotter — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 22:57:51 GMT

Since going on ocean cruises is not for you, what type of vacation travel is your preference?

Re: Cruising

drizzellla — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 23:00:40 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
@FrostyBabe1 wrote:
Well, the good news is that no one is going to come to your house, drag you to the docks and force you on to a cruise ship if you don't want to go.

I've been on two cruises and overall enjoyed myself. There were some things that I didn't care for, but the biggest "not so much" for me was that the average age of my fellow passengers was 75 on one cruise and 78 on another, and I really didn't think the food was anything special. Both were on Holland America. When I cruise again at some point, I'll pick a different cruise line.
@FrostyBabe1 my husband has a friend who is a few years older than us, in his early 70's. He and his wife took an Alaskan cruise last year and he said they were the youngest couple on the ship!

We went on a cruise to Alaska. And we were visiting Mendenhall Glacier. The bus drops you off at the Visitors Center. And then there are paved walkways to a nice viewing area of the glacier.

Fortunately our cruise ship tour was the first one of the day. We saw the bear tracks along the water. And got many pictures. When we were walking back, we ran into another cruise ship group. I felt so bad. everyone of them asked us how much further they had to walk. They clearly weren't doing very well with the little hike on paved walkways.

Guess that will be me in a few years.

Re: Cruising

NicksmomESQ — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 23:02:24 GMT

Two years ago DH & I took a Caribbean cruise on MSC it was spectacular. It consisted of all age groups from very young to old.However, we will not consider going on another cruise until at least late 2022.We have to be sure that Covid 19 is gone first.

Re: Cruising

CLHS68 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 23:07:39 GMT

I love cruising. So I would be happy to go for those that don't like it.

Re: Cruising

Anonymous032819 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 23:13:51 GMT

@deepwaterdotter wrote:
Since going on ocean cruises is not for you, what type of vacation travel is your preference?

I like to do things spontaneously, meaning no real set plan for what I want to do each day. I don't want to be rushed, or have to be back someplace by a certain time.

I also like to get off of the beaten path, away from the tourist traps, and experience local culture and cuisine.

When I went to Ireland in 2002, I went to a little town called Fermoy, in County Cork.

Beautiful area! I didn't want to leave!

My next big trip that I dream of taking some day, is to go to Scotland, and just see where the wind takes me.

Re: Cruising

tampalady — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 23:44:58 GMT

Viking, the best line around. Been on quite a few lines and found Viking, small, all ages but no children allowed. Food is amazing. We are booked for end of Jan. 2021 to Panama Canal. Hope it goes, have not received any word yet.

Re: Cruising

Annabellethecat66 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 23:58:09 GMT

OMG! I think anyone would be hard pressed to find someone who takes as many cruses (previously) as my son in law's parents.

They've cruised around the world 3 times, they've taken cruises in way far off places.

They are normally never home at all. They have many special things they get from the cruise line. I think one of the advantages is the cruise line cleans their clothes while they're on the cruise.

They were on another of their around the world cruises (I think it would have been the 4th) when Covid hit. They were lucky, they managed to get to Miami and finally ended up back home (have no idea how or when).

The wife who is a year older than me (she's going on 75) and had breast cancer. She went through chemo and promptly got on this last cruise.

My son in law keeps telling them they should sell their house and live in an apartment. He has to make sure the lawn is mowed, etc.

She is always telling me I should cruise (this was BEFORE the virus). I like them both a lot. We get along really well.

She says because I'm very outgoing I could cruise by myself and have fun.

I know she's right but it's more fun if you have someone to share it with. My late husband and girls and I went on one cruise. We loved it but that was enough.

I have no trouble with making friends. I'll go up and introduce myself. I do that in stores, everywhere.

Even with the mask on I talked to 2 people at Walmart the other day. We spent about 10 minutes talking each.

When they're not cruising their other son owns a place in Hawaii just to get away for awhile (he lives in Silicon Valley).

Since Covid all that has stopped right now I assume. I have no idea.

My daughter and son in law's godfather flies for one of the airlines. I keep asking if he's going to get furloughed and so far the answer is no. He's teaching my granddaughters how to fly. They're getting pretty good.

Re: Cruising

GenXmuse — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 00:19:45 GMT

A cruise sounds like a hostage situation to me.

Re: Cruising

1Snickers — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 00:23:14 GMT

I've been on many cruises. Alaska, Islands, Europe.

The last cruise was with friends on a Tauck Tour riverboat cruise to Holland, Amsterdam, Brussels, etc. through locks sometimes.
It was the easiest cruise and all tours were included.
The tulips were beautiful and food delicious.

That was the last cruise I'll ever take. Probably the last trip and I love to travel. But with the pandemic even if there's a vaccine I won't go.