Cruise Ships--Love 'em or leave 'em?

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » October 10, 2007 1:48 pm

They cruise ships are turning places like Ketchikan, Key West and Cozumel (formerly wonderful spots) into endless t shirt shops with chain restaurant type restaurants.

fortunately, all the chain restaurants (except Denny's) are a long ways away from the dock and consume valuable time to maintain the illusion of "normalcy" for tourists in KW. Tshirt shacks like mushrooms do tend to make up for this tho.

VanillaGrl · Post by **VanillaGrl** » October 10, 2007 2:14 pm

I have never been on one. While I get some pretty good deals/discounts through Continental, I doubt I'll ever take advantage of them.

Skibo · Post by **Skibo** » October 10, 2007 2:24 pm

Never have, never will, prefer a 43-50 sloop. Better anchorages, smaller crowds, less restrictive schedule.

alphabits · Post by **alphabits** » October 10, 2007 2:31 pm

Huh ..... do you suppose the folks that live near concert venues feel the same way about Parrotheads that the residents of cruise ship ports feel about cruise ship passengers?

Virgin-Island-Girl · Post by **Virgin-Island-Girl** » October 10, 2007 2:34 pm

I've been on four and enjoyed them all.

The first was back in '88 and as a result of this cruise, I decided to move to St. Thomas where I lived for three years...

I went on one with my ex in '90 - we were divers at the time and stopped in Cozumel (where we had previously been on a week long dive vacation).

I also went on a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas in August '06 of last year for a reunion with old friends from my Virgin Island days. That was SO MUCH FUN - laughing and reminiscing about all of the good times and crazy people we knew. The cruise was the perfect setting. There is nothing like old friends!

But the best cruise was when my husband and I took the QE II transatlantically from New York to Southampton, England. We got married ten days earlier and moved to England. We decided to do the cruise instead of flying so that we could relax. It was part one of our honeymoon. After we arrived in England, we then drove to France for two weeks.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » October 10, 2007 2:36 pm

alphabits wrote:Huh ..... do you suppose the folks that live near concert venues feel the same way about Parrotheads that the residents of cruise ship ports feel about cruise ship passengers?

probably, like pholks in PC brace for the weekend of a Topless Phlocking.

chippewa · Post by **chippewa** » October 10, 2007 2:36 pm

alphabits wrote:Huh ..... do you suppose the folks that live near concert venues feel the same way about Parrotheads that the residents of cruise ship ports feel about cruise ship passengers?

Leaving behind a trail of empties, plastic leis and vomit?

not any BNers, mind you.

SuperTrooper · Post by **SuperTrooper** » October 10, 2007 2:53 pm

We've been on one cruise and had a great time! Actually it was during the cruise, up on Paradise Point in St. Thomas, that I had my parrothead epiphany.

Cruises give people a chance to visit several places without the travel hassles and packing/unpacking. Since dining is included it is also very cost effective. It's because of the cruise that we now know that we would go back to the BVI. We loved all our stops, but Virgin Gorda blew us away!

While we would go on another cruise in a heartbeat, we are saving up for a crewed sailboat charter in the BVI for our 25th anniversary. That will be heaven!

Virgin-Island-Girl · Post by **Virgin-Island-Girl** » October 10, 2007 3:12 pm

SuperTrooper wrote:We've been on one cruise and had a great time! Actually it was during the cruise, up on Paradise Point in St. Thomas, that I had my parrothead epiphany. Cruises give people a chance to visit several places without the travel hassles and packing/unpacking. Since dining is included it is also very cost effective. It's because of the cruise that we now know that we would go back to the BVI. We loved all our stops, but Virgin Gorda blew us away!

While we would go on another cruise in a heartbeat, we are saving up for a crewed sailboat charter in the BVI for our 25th anniversary. That will be heaven!

You will have such a good time!!!!!

That's what we used to do - my ex was a charter boat captain and I occasionally worked as first mate when guests wanted a full crew...

Let me know if you need recommendations for a good captain who is experienced and knows the islands. I can get recommendations for you.

SuperTrooper · Post by **SuperTrooper** » October 10, 2007 3:40 pm

Virgin-Island-Girl wrote:
SuperTrooper wrote:We've been on one cruise and had a great time! Actually it was during the cruise, up on Paradise Point in St. Thomas, that I had my parrothead epiphany. Cruises give people a chance to visit several places without the travel hassles and packing/unpacking. Since dining is included it is also very cost effective. It's because of the cruise that we now know that we would go back to the BVI. We loved all our stops, but Virgin Gorda blew us away!

While we would go on another cruise in a heartbeat, we are saving up for a crewed sailboat charter in the BVI for our 25th anniversary. That will be heaven!
You will have such a good time!!!!!

That's what we used to do - my ex was a charter boat captain and I occasionally worked as first mate when guests wanted a full crew...

Let me know if you need recommendations for a good captain who is experienced and knows the islands. I can get recommendations for you.

Thanks VIG! It's still a couple of years away (2011), but in the spring I plan to start investigating the options. I'll keep you in mind.

Dr.Corona · Post by **Dr.Corona** » October 10, 2007 4:04 pm

RAYRO wrote:We have done several cruises and enjoyed most of them. Gave us an opportunity to see many ports of call and then decide which ones we wanted to go back to and spend more time.

We also make it a point to do cruises wherein we have EXTENDED amounts of time at the port of call. We've been to Nassau twice in which we were docked from 8:00 am to 11:59 pm & been to Cozemel once from 8 to 11 so we had time to drive to the Coba & Tulum ruins. I agree that I'm not too interested in being in a port from only 10 to 5 unless it was an exotic one in which I didn't have to travel very far from the port to enjoy my day.

caly · Post by **caly** » October 10, 2007 4:12 pm

Cruise # 9 for me will be in Hawaii in January.

We really like them.
We pick the itinerary and ship as priorities. We always make sure the islands we want to see most are the ones that we are there the longest.
It is a great way to decide if an island is for you.
The ship and line is also important, and we have learned the ins and outs of making if a lot more reasonably priced by doing our own thing off the ship. We have taken side trips sold by the guides just off the ship and paid less than half what the lines sell them for.
It is an experience that you either like or don't

Big Red Parrothead · Post by **Big Red Parrothead** » October 10, 2007 4:19 pm

I went on one a couple of years ago under duress. I went in thinking I wouldn't like it, but I really did have a good time. It's not something I would want to do over and over again. (Someday I'd like to go back and spend a little more time on each of the islands we visited without the pressure of having to get back to the ship after just a few hours). But if you're looking for just a "get away from it all and not have to worry about a single thing while I'm gone" type trip, then it could be right up your alley.

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » October 10, 2007 4:37 pm

Never been on a cruise. But it is on my "someday I will" list.

I want to try a large scale cruise just once.

I also want to try a Windjammer cruise, much smaller ship, longer stays in ports, relaxed sailing atmosphere.

docandjeanie · Post by **docandjeanie** » October 10, 2007 4:44 pm

Cruise #7 for me is Hawaii in 2008.

I really like them, and we plan for the right itineraries so that we have the time we need in each of the ports. We like the packing and unpacking once and going to all of the places.

We mostly travel on Royal Caribbean and they have a very good system of compacting their trash and unloading it back in their home port, they also have the save the waves program, where you can allow them to do less towel laundry. They are very environmentally friendly.

This next cruise to Hawaii has two overnight ports which is great, so we get overnights in the Island that we want to be in Maui and Kauai. This is Norweigan.

So, I vote yes, I like them.

We also enjoy trips to jamaica and hanging out for a week, as well. Anwhere in the Caribbean is fine with me. This will be my second trip to Hawaii and my hubby's first, both of us cruising in Hawaii for the first time.

There is so much to do on RC, you are never bored and I like the activities aboard ship. The big liquor bill is scary at the end of the trip, so monitor this daily.

popcornjack · Post by **popcornjack** » October 10, 2007 4:46 pm

docandjeanie wrote:Cruise #7 for me is Hawaii in 2008.

I really like them, and we plan for the right itineraries so that we have the time we need in each of the ports. We like the packing and unpacking once and going to all of the places.

We mostly travel on Royal Caribbean and they have a very good system of compacting their trash and unloading it back in their home port, they also have the save the waves program, where you can allow them to do less towel laundry. They are very environmentally friendly.

This next cruise to Hawaii has two overnight ports which is great, so we get overnights in the Island that we want to be in Maui and Kauai. This is Norweigan.

So, I vote yes, I like them.

We also enjoy trips to jamaica and hanging out for a week, as well. Anwhere in the Caribbean is fine with me. This will be my second trip to Hawaii and my hubby's first, both of us cruising in Hawaii for the first time.

There is so much to do on RC, you are never bored and I like the activities aboard ship. The big liquor bill is scary at the end of the trip, so monitor this daily.

Yeah, everytime I think about a cruise, that is what scares me back into reality.

chippewa · Post by **chippewa** » October 10, 2007 4:46 pm

SharkOnLand wrote:Never been on a cruise. But it is on my "someday I will" list.

I want to try a large scale cruise just once.

I also want to try a Windjammer cruise, much smaller ship, longer stays in ports, relaxed sailing atmosphere.

We were looking at Windjammer, glad I didn't have a deposit down.
From their website, which was down for awhile...

There’s no doubt about it, Windjammer Barefoot Cruises is in the midst of a storm. News accounts and chat rooms have reported tough times for the 60 year old tall ship cruise company with over a million alumni.

Danny Walsh, the grandson of the founder Captain Burke is working with the legal entities that now control the company to breathe new life into her sails. “We are actively working with several investor groups on a viable plan to continue the Windjammer tradition.” reports Mr. Walsh.

docandjeanie · Post by **docandjeanie** » October 10, 2007 4:55 pm

popcornjack wrote:
docandjeanie wrote:Cruise #7 for me is Hawaii in 2008.

I really like them, and we plan for the right itineraries so that we have the time we need in each of the ports. We like the packing and unpacking once and going to all of the places.

We mostly travel on Royal Caribbean and they have a very good system of compacting their trash and unloading it back in their home port, they also have the save the waves program, where you can allow them to do less towel laundry. They are very environmentally friendly.

This next cruise to Hawaii has two overnight ports which is great, so we get overnights in the Island that we want to be in Maui and Kauai. This is Norweigan.

So, I vote yes, I like them.

We also enjoy trips to jamaica and hanging out for a week, as well. Anwhere in the Caribbean is fine with me. This will be my second trip to Hawaii and my hubby's first, both of us cruising in Hawaii for the first time.

There is so much to do on RC, you are never bored and I like the activities aboard ship. The big liquor bill is scary at the end of the trip, so monitor this daily.
Yeah, everytime I think about a cruise, that is what scares me back into reality.

You have to be prepared for that, we monitor it, because itineraries if you plan them with the ship are also on your cruise account. You can bring a bottle on the ship with you (sneak it in) also, you can choose to just take a cab to a local beach and hang out with locals instead of going on their excursions, that is what we do. We find it gives us more of a local feel for the island and we are not limited to only what they offer.

Why not try a little trip, like a 3-4 day trip to the Bahamas or Bermuda, then you can see if you like it, and your bill won't kill you. How much trouble can you get into in 3-4 days

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » October 10, 2007 4:57 pm

docandjeanie wrote:
popcornjack wrote:
docandjeanie wrote:Cruise #7 for me is Hawaii in 2008.

I really like them, and we plan for the right itineraries so that we have the time we need in each of the ports. We like the packing and unpacking once and going to all of the places.

We mostly travel on Royal Caribbean and they have a very good system of compacting their trash and unloading it back in their home port, they also have the save the waves program, where you can allow them to do less towel laundry. They are very environmentally friendly.

This next cruise to Hawaii has two overnight ports which is great, so we get overnights in the Island that we want to be in Maui and Kauai. This is Norweigan.

So, I vote yes, I like them.

We also enjoy trips to jamaica and hanging out for a week, as well. Anwhere in the Caribbean is fine with me. This will be my second trip to Hawaii and my hubby's first, both of us cruising in Hawaii for the first time.

There is so much to do on RC, you are never bored and I like the activities aboard ship. The big liquor bill is scary at the end of the trip, so monitor this daily.
Yeah, everytime I think about a cruise, that is what scares me back into reality.
You have to be prepared for that, we monitor it, because itineraries if you plan them with the ship are also on your cruise account. You can bring a bottle on the ship with you (sneak it in) also, you can choose to just take a cab to a local beach and hang out with locals instead of going on their excursions, that is what we do. We find it gives us more of a local feel for the island and we are not limited to only what they offer.

Why not try a little trip, like a 3-4 day trip to the Bahamas or Bermuda, then you can see if you like it, and your bill won't kill you. How much trouble can you get into in 3-4 days

Jack? probably none. You see how introverted he is..

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » October 10, 2007 4:58 pm

chippewa wrote:
SharkOnLand wrote:Never been on a cruise. But it is on my "someday I will" list.

I want to try a large scale cruise just once.

I also want to try a Windjammer cruise, much smaller ship, longer stays in ports, relaxed sailing atmosphere.
We were looking at Windjammer, glad I didn't have a deposit down.
From their website, which was down for awhile...

There’s no doubt about it, Windjammer Barefoot Cruises is in the midst of a storm. News accounts and chat rooms have reported tough times for the 60 year old tall ship cruise company with over a million alumni.

Danny Walsh, the grandson of the founder Captain Burke is working with the legal entities that now control the company to breathe new life into her sails. “We are actively working with several investor groups on a viable plan to continue the Windjammer tradition.” reports Mr. Walsh.

Ouch. I'd hate to see them go out of business before I get a chance to experience it....