Cruises

[Vinayaka]

Boss and I have never been on a cruise, and are thinking of doing a 1 week Alaskan cruise from Vancouver next spring. Anybody here done cruising? What's good about it? What's lacking in it?

 

[Sunstone]

I have never been on a cruise, but two friends (a couple) who took an Alaskan cruise said the best part of it was the scenery -- glaciers, fjords, etc. However, they also said the scenery seemed to get rather repetitious after a while. As for the ports -- "mud towns". I have no comparisons by which to judge how objective their opinions were.

 

[Vinayaka]

I have never been on a cruise, but two friends (a couple) who took an Alaskan cruise said the best part of it was the scenery -- glaciers, fjords, etc. However, they also said the scenery seemed to get rather repetitious after a while. As for the ports -- "mud towns". I have no comparisons by which to judge how objective their opinions were.

I just don't want to go into it with a negative preconceived idea which turns the entire trip into some whining adventure of 'I told you I wouldn't like this!" and get threatened with being shoved of the boat, or being told to go sleep on the couch when there's no couch. That's why we selected a short and cheap one. Curiousity is cured with experience. I'll be away from any Hindu temples as well. Sheesh, that'll be really scary.

 

[Sunstone]

I just don't want to go into it with a negative preconceived idea which turns the entire trip into some whining adventure of 'I told you I wouldn't like this!" and get threatened with being shoved of the boat, or being told to go sleep on the couch when there's no couch. That's why we selected a short and cheap one. Curiousity is cured with experience. I'll be away from any Hindu temples as well. Sheesh, that'll be really scary.

I would suspect that one nice thing about a cruise -- as opposed to driving cross-country -- is you have so many shipboard entertainments. Everything from restaurants to casinos, if I recall what I have heard. Younger bro loves cruises. Just loves them.

Although one of younger bro's ships went down at sea with all hands in a Caribbean hurricane. Lucky for him (but not for the crew) all the passengers were put off the ship at a port just before the hurricane hit. The ship then put to sea and tried to ride out the storm. Sadly, it had been ordered to do so by the cruise line's New York headquarters. The captain told my bro before he left to ride out the storm that he was probably making a mistake obeying orders, yet could not afford to lose his job. The whole episode scared the hell out of me. I could have lost my brother -- and to a fluke tragedy. I mean, what are the odds of a cruise ship going down? Almost unheard of.

 

[Vinayaka]

I would suspect that one nice thing about a cruise -- as opposed to driving cross-country -- is you have so many shipboard entertainments. Everything from restaurants to casinos, if I recall what I have heard. Younger bro loves cruises. Just loves them.

Although one of younger bro's ships went down at sea with all hands in a Caribbean hurricane. Lucky for him (but not for the crew) all the passengers were put off the ship at a port just before the hurricane hit. The ship then put to sea and tried to ride out the storm. Sadly, it had been ordered to do so by the cruise line's New York headquarters. The captain told my bro before he left to ride out the storm that he was probably making a mistake obeying orders, yet could not afford to lose his job. The whole episode scared the hell out of me. I could have lost my brother -- and to a fluke tragedy. I mean, what are the odds of a cruise ship going down? Almost unheard of.

Yeah thanks for that ... My ship will be going down for sure.

Here's a funny ferry story. The new priest from Sri Lanka where they have tiny 6-car mini-ferries going out to some islands just of the Jaffna peninsula. was being driven to western Canada by yours truly. They knew we were going on a ferry to Victoria. Once we got sea-borne, the priest's wife confided to me about how she'd imagined it. This 600 car monstrosity wasn't quite like she'd figured. (the subconscious when it doesn't quite word, is so much fun.)

 

[Willamena]

Boss and I have never been on a cruise, and are thinking of doing a 1 week Alaskan cruise from Vancouver next spring. Anybody here done cruising? What's good about it? What's lacking in it?

What's good is the ocean, the breeze, walks around the upper deck, the lido (café, every ship has one) where you can eat any time, the view of passing shores, the people you meet with the same voyaging spirit, conversations over meals in the dining room, sitting on deck chairs putting your feet up on the balcony railing (circumstances allowing), dolphin pod sightings, whale breach sightings, having a large albatross drop itself onto the upper deck and everyone gathers but no one knows what to do... also, having a bunk right next to the engine room so the sounds can lull you to sleep and awaken you when they change, sitting in the lounge all alone reading a book, being the only person on board able to walk the deck with your coat open because you're native and it's not really that cold out, trying to capture motion picture ocean waves rocking the boat on your phone camera while the deck rolls and hoping you don't drop the camera overboard... The only thing that's really lacking is Canadian Whiskey, you have to go ashore for that, they don't stock it.

 

[dybmh]

A cruise to Glacier Bay via the inner channel is supposed to be amazing, and it's only accessible via small cruise ships.

I've only been on one cruise, FWIW, and I probably wouldn't do it again unless I was headed to Glacier Bay or some other location that is only accessible by boat.

 

[Deeje]

Depending on the cruiseline, and the people who are attracted to the particular cruise that you have chosen, it can be the holiday you will want to do again. My daughter and I went on a Royal Caribbean cruise around the tropical parts of Australia (we didn't need a passport) and enjoyed it so much that we can't wait to do it again. The food was delicious, the shows entertaining and the cabins were very comfortable. Lots to see and do. We had a balcony suite which allowed us to have breakfast outside.....it was wonderful!!! One word of caution however...I got seasick, so take your travel sickness pills with you just in case. After 3 days I was fine. Best thing I have ever done!

 

[Vinayaka]

You guys are making me want to leave tomorrow. But May it will be. Alaska cruises shut down for the season soon, for obvious reasons.

 

[Father Heathen]

Found this on youtube. Might be helpful.

 

[Willamena]

And just ignore the attempts at opulence, it’s all for show.


Except if they set up acrobats on trapeze over the lounge between decks, then you should be impressed.

 

[Vinayaka]

And just ignore the attempts at opulence, it’s all for show.


Except if they set up acrobats on trapeze over the lounge between decks, then you should be impressed.

I'm a minimalist traveler, but I will take Boss on the Yukon and White Pass, as I've done it by land (hitchhiked the Alaskan highway in my youth, ferried south to Prince rupert) ... spectacular scenic railroad.