Have you ever been on a Cruise on a large Liner?

I don't remember it very well. I was just a little girl. My mom along with her girl scout troop took us on Lake Erie for a lake cruise. It was a liner called the Aquarama. I vaguely remember going up a ramp of sorts and that's it.
 
When I was 9, my mom took me all over Europe to visit her brothers & sisters. We spent a week on the Queen Mary.
I think it took us to Cherbourg. Then it was a long train ride to Paris, where her sister lived.
 
win231 said:
When I was 9, my mom took me all over Europe to visit her brothers & sisters. We spent a week on the Queen Mary.
I think it took us to Cherbourg. Then it was a long train ride to Paris, where her sister lived.
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I've toured the Queen Mary in Long Beach and have even stayed onboard for a sales meeting. What a classic ship with so many nice touches, but now so run down because the company who owns it doesn't have the money to keep it up. IMO you were lucky to have experienced it!
 
Our first cruise we were uncertain if we’d be bored. Not for a minute and so much fresh air and great meals. We went to the dining room for breakfast and dinner. Lunch was a light buffet. Some people seemed to live for eating pizza, burgers, etc and never went to the dining room. We only did four ocean cruises. The Panama Canal one was the most interesting. Just prior to Covid we considered a Mediterranean cruise. That won’t be happening now.

The river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam was exceptional.
 
I've only been on one cruise and that was back in the late 80's on a Cunard ship (can't remember the name) to Alaska....It was a fun trip, I went with two friends.
 
Went on a Carnival cruise with the grands several years ago. Almost 5000 passengers. Meh. Enjoyed the excursions for the most part, but ship was crowded, food lines were nuts, not my thing. But we took a Viking cruise to the Mediterranean and it was fabulous. 950 passengers, no lines, great service, good food. Loved it.
 
My first cruise was one of the last sailings of the old Queen Elizabeth in 1967. We passed near the old Queen Mary at sea, going in the opposite direction. There was much horn hooting and firing of sky rockets. It was definitely a different experience than modern-day sailing.

I've sailed on midsized and large ships since then and loved them all. I can't wait till it's "safe" to sail again. I am jonesing for a sail.

I love the big ships with lots to do and see and all the places to explore. If I want peace and quiet, I'll stay home where it's plenty peaceful and quiet and it doesn't cost me a penny. On vacation, I want hoop-la and excitement and people to meet.
 
We went on a cruise on a large ship in the Caribbean. In every port the tourists overwhelmed the locals. It carried 4000 passengers.
On a different cruise the ship carried 1400 and it was a far better experience. Bigger ain't better.
 
A few years ago BBC Scotland showed a documentary about the cruise ships and passengers who visited the Shetland islands.

Pre Covid, cruise ships used to stop at Lerwick (the only town in the Shetland islands, with about 7500 residents) as it has deep natural harbours. When the monstrous cruise ships unloaded their passengers the town was briefly overrun. You may think that this was good for the local economy, but not so. Most of the passengers were on a 'full board' basis, so they returned to the ship for their meals, and apart from some specialist jewellery shops, local businesses didn't receive much trade. One person who did a roaring trade was the man who ran the bus company and ferried people from the ship to town. Charity shops also benefited from the ships crew, looking for bargains in clothing.

There were some amusing incidents like when a group of passengers asked where the caught the bus to Edinburgh. They could not quite understand that Edinburgh was a 300 mile flight away, because they were supposed to be in Scotland. Another passenger had totally lost track of place and time by asking "This is Dublin, isn't it?"
 
Yes, people on cruise ships and tours can be pretty dumb! Those that generally travel by themselves are, on the other hand, pretty smart because they study up on accommodations, restaurants, transportation, maps and what to see. Yes, those on tours think that people in Poland use roubles for their currency. I'm not saying everyone on a cruise or tour is a bit on the dumb side but I'm saying that when you have a ship with 5,000 passengers not all of them are "bright eyed and bushy tailed."
 
I have been on several cruises Bahamas, Mexico and Belize. Absolutely love, love, love!!! A great way to see different countries and just being on the ship is so much fun. I’m reluctant now with Covid. Hope to go again someday!!!
 
I'm leaving on March 13 on Holland America's new Rotterdam to the Caribbean. The ports are pretty lame and I lived in Florida for many years so the Caribbean has little appeal but I'm going for the cuisine and evening entertainment. Their BB King's Blues Club and Lincoln Center music venues are second to none. Also, the ship is beautiful and is not a mega-ship. I just need to get away from today's news and enjoy a few days of being pampered.
 
dseag2 said:
I'm leaving on March 13 on Holland America's new Rotterdam to the Caribbean. The ports are pretty lame and I lived in Florida for many years so the Caribbean has little appeal but I'm going for the cuisine and evening entertainment. Their BB King's Blues Club and Lincoln Center music venues are second to none. Also, the ship is beautiful and is not a mega-ship. I just need to get away from today's news and enjoy a few days of being pampered.
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You'll love it! If you haven't been away since Covid screwed up travel, there'll be what I can only describe as a relief of finally getting back to something (travel) that seems somewhat normal. Last time I was on the Rotterdam was before it's most recent refurbishment. I tend to like H.A. as the clientele is 'mature' and as you pointed out, it's a smaller ship with fewer people.

Enjoy!
 
MrPants said:
You'll love it! If you haven't been away since Covid screwed up travel, there'll be what I can only describe as a relief of finally getting back to something (travel) that seems somewhat normal. Last time I was on the Rotterdam was before it's most recent refurbishment. I tend to like H.A. as the clientele is 'mature' and as you pointed out, it's a smaller ship with fewer people.

Enjoy!
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Thank you! I actually retired from the umbrella company that owned Holland America and Seabourn so I have sailed on both many times. We sailed on Seabourn in the Greek Isles last September and loved it because the Greeks were so welcoming to tourists due to the slowdown of tourism due to Covid.

We have also sailed on Holland America, aboard the Koningsdam. This new Rotterdam is a brand new ship, in the Koningsdam footprint, so I can't wait! I see you are a world traveler so we will have to PM some time!
 
It still seems like my idea of hell. It's bad enough catching the ferry from UK to Europe (at an extortionate price) and I'm always glad to disembark and be driving on solid ground. I suppose it's what you like - having everything laid on - food, accommodation, entertainment etc..
but we've always enjoyed just going where we pleased with no set plans.

The thing that struck me about many of the passengers portrayed in the BC programme, was that they seemed unsure of where they were or what to do, but the ship was their 'happy place' that they could retreat to. I noticed similar things when I worked in Hamburg and the cruise ships arrived. Hoards of tourists wandering around looking slightly bewildered. I wonder id they were given any sort of briefing beforehand, or just left to wander.
 

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