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Post by GuyF on Apr 22, 2016 12:19:53 GMT -5
Back after 11 days at sea. Was on the Norwegian Gem, from NYC to Old San Juan, St Thomas, St Maarten, and Tortola (BVI). Great trip, though a bit long.
I have now been on cruises on various different lines. I know every ship is different, but I was curious to see what you guys have experienced. Cruising is our favorite way to travel, at least while we still travel as a family. Once my kids are older and no longer vacationing with us I don't know if we will do that as much. But give me your thoughts on that as well! Note: We are always operating on a budget, so we have not gotten any suites or anything--just general staterooms. But feel free to share whatever you wish, with the caveat that I'm well aware cruising is not for everyone.
Oh, if you've never cruised and were thinking about it and you have questions, ask away.
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Post by ic59 on Apr 22, 2016 14:33:13 GMT -5
Guy, my wife and I love cruising. Since I no longer fly, cruising has made it possible to get back to Europe and to Africa, though only North Africa. I love the idea of not having to unpack every few days. Also, like going out to dinner every night and NOT have to wait for a waiter to present a check. When you're finished eating, you get up and leave. I have been on a 35 and on a 42 day cruise and didn't find them too long. But keep in mind, it was only the two of us. Only thing I didn't like was the expense involved with the Internet. Welcome home.
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Post by chelseadal on Apr 22, 2016 16:29:41 GMT -5
Guy,
We love to cruise. We have gone on Royal Caribbean 90% of the time and are Diamond members there. It was a great family vacation and we often went with 2,3 or 4 other families. We tried Norwegian (also good), Celebrity (good) and Holland America (no complaints). When we take our adult kids now (if they want to be seen with us) we go Royal Caribbean. We have definitely slowed down, but have been all over the Caribbean (with kids) and Europe (without). We are looking forward to a Viking River cruise on the Danube in September which is supposed to be great.
I'd rather sail with the "Black Sails" crew but what can you do.
Let me know if you have any questions.
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Post by gregcrow on Apr 22, 2016 16:40:32 GMT -5
Nope! not me. Would rather spend 11 days in prison.
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Post by oldtimer on Apr 22, 2016 18:46:09 GMT -5
N Nope! not me. Would rather spend 11 days in prison. Greg.....Could not agree more...Suffered from chronic torture sea sickness...Lost 30 lbs on one 30 day zig zag trip...Begged to be in leading landing craft boats so as to get back to land no matter the danger... Avoided the water since...Used to turn down great golf trips because they entailed about a 2-3 mile ferry ride... Don't even like fish.....
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Post by GuyF on Apr 22, 2016 18:52:25 GMT -5
Guy, my wife and I love cruising. Since I no longer fly, cruising has made it possible to get back to Europe and to Africa, though only North Africa. I love the idea of not having to unpack every few days. Also, like going out to dinner every night and NOT have to wait for a waiter to present a check. When you're finished eating, you get up and leave. I have been on a 35 and on a 42 day cruise and didn't find them too long. But keep in mind, it was only the two of us. Only thing I didn't like was the expense involved with the Internet. Welcome home. Love the idea of those cruises, but that's just too long. But who knows how I'll see it later in life.
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Post by GuyF on Apr 22, 2016 18:54:06 GMT -5
Guy, We love to cruise. We have gone on Royal Caribbean 90% of the time and are Diamond members there. It was a great family vacation and we often went with 2,3 or 4 other families. We tried Norwegian (also good), Celebrity (good) and Holland America (no complaints). When we take our adult kids now (if they want to be seen with us) we go Royal Caribbean. We have definitely slowed down, but have been all over the Caribbean (with kids) and Europe (without). We are looking forward to a Viking River cruise on the Danube in September which is supposed to be great. I'd rather sail with the "Black Sails" crew but what can you do. Let me know if you have any questions. The Viking cruise should be awesome. You gotta friend me on facebook so I can see the pics from that one. Re Black Sails, that's a given.
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Post by GuyF on Apr 22, 2016 18:54:26 GMT -5
Nope! not me. Would rather spend 11 days in prison. And you likely have!
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Post by GuyF on Apr 22, 2016 18:55:24 GMT -5
N Nope! not me. Would rather spend 11 days in prison. Greg.....Could not agree more...Suffered from chronic torture sea sickness...Lost 30 lbs on one 30 day zig zag trip...Begged to be in leading landing craft boats so as to get back to land no matter the danger... Avoided the water since...Used to turn down great golf trips because they entailed about a 2-3 mile ferry ride... Don't even like fish..... Surprised to hear this! Was awaiting a tale or two of your adventures at sea.
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Post by Cjb on Apr 22, 2016 19:29:34 GMT -5
Only went once, Celebrity out of NY to Bermuda about a dozen years ago with the entire family and some neighbors.
Didn't like it. Felt confined and back then you had to put a suit on for dinner - not good with 4 teens.
Food was plentiful, but very ordinary.
Electronic gambling and shopping in over-priced ship boutiques just not my cup of tea.
When I'm on vacation, I want be in a tee shirt and shorts the whole time (ok, maybe a golf shirt at dinner in a restaurant).
Give me a beach, a fishing pole and a bicycle and I'm good.
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Post by oldtimer on Apr 23, 2016 13:03:41 GMT -5
[Surprised to hear this! Was awaiting a tale or two of your adventures at sea. [/quote]GUY...... You asked so here goes..........After mop up operations on Guam where Japanese troop were still in hiding 30 years later we boarded ships heading for another destination...We were never told where we were headed until well at sea...A few miles from port were told that we were headed for Siapan...It meant nothing to us as they were just names...Sea sick already, I asked the Lt. how far was that...He answered ''I have good news for you Perrotti, it is only about a 100 miles''... That night we ran into a Monsoon with winds reaching 175 miles an hour...We had to seal all water tight doors as ships came crashing back down on giant waves, many which broke in half which were later found miles apart...It was longest most miserable trip by far of my life, and I at times welcomed death... The trip took 5 1/2 days...We lost dozen of ship and 100's and 100's of lives... I get sea sick just posting this.....
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Post by GuyF on Apr 23, 2016 13:52:31 GMT -5
Only went once, Celebrity out of NY to Bermuda about a dozen years ago with the entire family and some neighbors. Didn't like it. Felt confined and back then you had to put a suit on for dinner - not good with 4 teens. Food was plentiful, but very ordinary. Electronic gambling and shopping in over-priced ship boutiques just not my cup of tea. When I'm on vacation, I want be in a tee shirt and shorts the whole time (ok, maybe a golf shirt at dinner in a restaurant). Give me a beach, a fishing pole and a bicycle and I'm good. It's changed. You dont have to dress up or even eat in a main dining room. And plenty of free activities if shopping or gambling isnt for you.
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Post by GuyF on Apr 23, 2016 13:54:37 GMT -5
[Surprised to hear this! Was awaiting a tale or two of your adventures at sea. GUY...... You asked so here goes..........After mop up operations on Guam where Japanese troop were still in hiding 30 years later we boarded ships heading for another destination...We were never told where we were headed until well at sea...A few miles from port were told that we were headed for Siapan...It meant nothing to us as they were just names...Sea sick already, I asked the Lt. how far was that...He answered ''I have good news for you Perrotti, it is only about a 100 miles''... That night we ran into a Monsoon with winds reaching 175 miles an hour...We had to seal all water tight doors as ships came crashing back down on giant waves, many which broke in half which were later found miles apart...It was longest most miserable trip by far of my life, and I at times welcomed death... The trip took 5 1/2 days...We lost dozen of ship and 100's and 100's of lives... I get sea sick just posting this..... [/quote] Well, thankfully, cruising isnt like the scenario you described! But I certainly understand your desire to stay off ships.
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Post by chelseadal on Apr 23, 2016 14:16:50 GMT -5
Only went once, Celebrity out of NY to Bermuda about a dozen years ago with the entire family and some neighbors. Didn't like it. Felt confined and back then you had to put a suit on for dinner - not good with 4 teens. Food was plentiful, but very ordinary. Electronic gambling and shopping in over-priced ship boutiques just not my cup of tea. When I'm on vacation, I want be in a tee shirt and shorts the whole time (ok, maybe a golf shirt at dinner in a restaurant). Give me a beach, a fishing pole and a bicycle and I'm good. It's changed. You dont have to dress up or even eat in a main dining room. And plenty of free activities if shopping or gambling isnt for you. Yes. Refuse to even bring a sport coat now and I think the food is good though not great.
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Post by GuyF on Apr 23, 2016 20:55:15 GMT -5
It's changed. You dont have to dress up or even eat in a main dining room. And plenty of free activities if shopping or gambling isnt for you. Yes. Refuse to even bring a sport coat now and I think the food is good though not great. You get what you pay for. If you are looking for spacious accomodations and exceptional meals every night, cruising isnt for you. Given that they always have food available, I never worry about the meals much.
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