Would you go on a cruise?

[Sunny]

This was a question I asked myself even before Covid. Lots of cruises were ruined by rapidly spreading viruses of all kinds. I was on one in the Mediterranean where half the people couldn't get off the ship to visit the ports, because they were too sick with a flu-like illness. I luckily didn't get it

The cruise ships are like petri dishes. Thousands of people are crammed together in constant close quarters. It's impossible for them to stay spaced apart, let alone the crew, who are packed into their quarters down below like sardines. Even if you try, how much fun would a cruise be if you constantly have to wear a mask, and there are long waits to do anything because of having to limit the number of people in a room? And if a genuine surge of Covid breaks out, you could be stuck on the ship for a month or more, unable to disembark. And I'm sure the medical care available on a cruise ship isn't exactly optimal. What happens to those who need genuinely life-saving measures?

Today's paper had an article about this, with a few horror stories about a supposedly few days' cruise ending with families having to quarantine for a month after getting off the ship, trapped in a hotel room. And this kind of "fun" cost them thousands of dollars!

 

[RadishRose]

I would never take a cruise! I decided that long before COVID; aside from being petri dishes,these behemoths are great polluters, a waste of fossil fuels and can be destructive to ports of call.

Venice

 

[Purwell]

Must admit that I have always wanted to go on one, particularly to the Norway Fiords.

 

[Alligatorob]

Never been on one, and can't see the attraction. Being crowded onto a boat with hundreds of tourists is not my idea of fun. I know some get to see nice scenery, but there are other ways to do that.

So no I would not. Covid has nothing to do with it.

 

[Llynn]

Only if I could go on a U.S. Navy warship. After that experience, nothing else compares.

 

[dobielvr]

No. I've never had a desire to go on a cruise.

Being out in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight....no thank you.

 

[hollydolly]

Absolutely not... stuck in one building essentially with thousands of people, all sharing the same small pools, and sports area.. and all the expensive tipping.. and then when you get to port.. a mass exodus of people trying to get off the ship at the same time, with just a few hours to see everything ashore.. ..in reality only time to see not much further than the post area..

My daughter has been on a couple of cruises she loves it... but her idea of a holiday is to sunbathe, and relax reading a good book.. have a nice dinner in a restaurant.. and she's happy...

Not me I'm absolutely all for doing my own thing.. deciding where I want to go and not be led by any itinerary... ..and my own pool...


I would rather never take a holiday again than end up on this floating nightmare...

also what you don't see in the picture is often the loud thumping music that's played from early morning till night

 

[Knight]

Was on the bucket list to do in retirement. Early on in retirement we went on a 10 day Caribbean multi port cruise. No health issues but that was the worst experience we've ever had for traveling.

 

[bowmore]

I have been on 47 cruises, and love them. We normally go on smaller ships at the higher end of the spectrum. We stay away from the floating Petri dishes like Carnival and Royal Caribbean. we have had 2 cruises cancelled, and have booked a cruise for March 2023. Hopefully things will be netter then.

 

[timoc]

Would you go on a cruise?​

Definitely, but only a cruise for two. When are we going, Sunny?

 

[Pecos]

Not these days, I enjoyed the four that I went on many years ago but they do not appeal to me at all anymore.

 

[Jules]

No more with Covid. We had just been considering it after taking a lengthy break. Not on one of those monster ships, especially Disney.

 

[Chris21E]

Agree with most reasons, but having spent a month on one as a kid, no interest in any travel at this point...

 

[Chris P Bacon]

Shore I would!

 

[Jackie23]

No, no.....for all the reasons already mentioned.

 

[Jace]

Absolutely not... stuck in one building essentially with thousands of people, all sharing the same small pools, and sports area.. and all the expensive tipping.. and then when you get to port.. a mass exodus of people trying to get off the ship at the same time, with just a few hours to see everything ashore.. ..in reality only time to see not much further than the post area..

My daughter has been on a couple of cruises she loves it... but her idea of a holiday is to sunbathe, and relax reading a good book.. have a nice dinner in a restaurant.. and she's happy...

Not me I'm absolutely all for doing my own thing.. deciding where I want to go and not be led by any itinerary... ..and my own pool...


I would rather never take a holiday again than end up on this floating nightmare...

also what you don't see in the picture is often the loud thumping music that's played from early morning till night

I agree with ALL you've stated..and the picture "proves it"!

 

[fatboy]

no way,to many people.

 

[RadishRose]

Must admit that I have always wanted to go on one, particularly to the Norway Fiords.

This is a sightseeing trip. It differs from just mindlessly floating on the ocean, over eating, wasting resources , etc.

Fly to Norway, take a charter sightseeing boat for your purpose and enjoy more time at your destination.

 

[Pinky]

I've known people who loved going on cruise vacations. Not for me, though. I have a phobia about being on the ocean.

 

[JustBonee]

Had a wonderful 10 day cruise in the Caribbean several years back with my husband ... everything about it seemed normal, and it was a fun time. Loved hanging out on the top deck during the day, and going to shows in the evening.

But I have no desire to ever do it again, in current times and situations.

 

[CarolfromTX]

There are cruises, and there are Cruises. We took a Viking cruise before Covid and plan to take another in March. Only 950passengers, tops, and even before Covid the cleanliness was outstanding. Never crowded, small group excursions. So yes, I will get on a cruise ship.

 

[Sassycakes]

I have a fear of water so a cruise has never been something I would want to do. On the other hand, my sister and her family go on cruises every year.

 

[hollydolly]

There are cruises, and there are Cruises. We took a Viking cruise before Covid and plan to take another in March. Only 950passengers, tops, and even before Covid the cleanliness was outstanding. Never crowded, small group excursions. So yes, I will get on a cruise ship.

but aren't Viking cruises river cruises?.. correct me if I'm wrong... compared to these gigantic floating ocean going hotels

 

[bowmore]

but aren't Viking cruises river cruises?.. correct me if I'm wrong... compared to these gigantic floating ocean going hotels

Viking initially was just river cruises, but now have ocean cruises also. They are supposed to be nice.

 

[ElCastor]

Never been on one, and can't see the attraction. Being crowded onto a boat with hundreds of tourists is not my idea of fun. I know some get to see nice scenery, but there are other ways to do that.

So no I would not. Covid has nothing to do with it.

You hit the proverbial nail on the head.
Did the Alaska thing out of San Francisco, and have no desire to do it again.
* Entertainment -- Blah.
* Constantly surrounded by endless rows of 2nd rate food, snacks, etc. I suppose this was designed to alleviate the boredom of being at sea -- didn't work. Probably gained a pound. And then there were the slot machines! Really? Slot machines??
* Ports of call -- Yikes! The definition of a tourist trap. Surrounded by the obligatory jewelry stores and souvenir shops. Better sign up for a tour, otherwise most port calls were less than exciting, and even the tours tended to be too structured.
* And last but not least, trapped with an annoying relative for days on end. Aieeee!!!