Cruise ships

[Mark TKO]

I did a caribbean one a few years ago - was like Butlins at Sea.

The food was good mind and the casino

If I did another it would be on a smaller ship

[X]

I hate them.

They are gargantuan, obese, vulgar monstrosities which cost billions to build and millions to run. They are environmentally filthy and have led to vast swathes of coral reefs on endangered islands being hacked out so these behemoths can get to the ferry docks.

Most are fitted out like some childish Disneyworld ..... "oh, look, it has an authentic English pub on board" - NO IT FUCKING HASN'T. It has a parachute free fall on it - WHY, for fuck's sake? Horrible infantising bullshit, bland meaningless banality to entertain brain dead consumers. Present company excepted, of course

"Its a good way to see the world" ..... no, it's not. Disgorging thousands of ignorant tourists onto a small economy, just for a few hours at a time, means they only ever venture a few miles onshore, where the local economy is ridiculously skewed to serve cruise ship tourists. They drive prices up in a five mile radius of the port and lead to ghost towns being created elsewhere. Poor locals become dependant of the dregs of their largesse until the cruise ship company can tell them they won't be paying port fees anymore (abusing their power just like supermarkets)

They lead to horrific things like dolphin petting zoos springing up. They hardly benefit the local economy anyway, as most passengers money goes straight to the cruise company and only a tiny proportion to the country they dock at. Cruise ship tourists never ever see any real culture or country whatsoever.

They use maritime legal loopholes to exploit cheap Filipino and other labour. The conditions the crews are employed under is shocking, but nobody really gives a fuck because they have a big water slide, a Bubba Gump's and an ice skating rink.

[Beanz]

Well said. The one saving grace is the possibility of Walrus and Miles pretending to fly at the front and then falling overboard only to be battered by angry dolphins and then eaten by sharks.

[TitoFan]

I hate them.

They are gargantuan, obese, vulgar monstrosities which cost billions to build and millions to run. They are environmentally filthy and have led to vast swathes of coral reefs on endangered islands being hacked out so these behemoths can get to the ferry docks.

Most are fitted out like some childish Disneyworld ..... "oh, look, it has an authentic English pub on board" - NO IT FUCKING HASN'T. It has a parachute free fall on it - WHY, for fuck's sake? Horrible infantising bullshit, bland meaningless banality to entertain brain dead consumers. Present company excepted, of course

"Its a good way to see the world" ..... no, it's not. Disgorging thousands of ignorant tourists onto a small economy, just for a few hours at a time, means they only ever venture a few miles onshore, where the local economy is ridiculously skewed to serve cruise ship tourists. They drive prices up in a five mile radius of the port and lead to ghost towns being created elsewhere. Poor locals become dependant of the dregs of their largesse until the cruise ship company can tell them they won't be paying port fees anymore (abusing their power just like supermarkets)

They lead to horrific things like dolphin petting zoos springing up. They hardly benefit the local economy anyway, as most passengers money goes straight to the cruise company and only a tiny proportion to the country they dock at. Cruise ship tourists never ever see any real culture or country whatsoever.

They use maritime legal loopholes to exploit cheap Filipino and other labour. The conditions the crews are employed under is shocking, but nobody really gives a fuck because they have a big water slide, a Bubba Gump's and an ice skating rink.

Okaaaay....... Note to Self: Cross off Royal Caribbean marketing director from X's list of possible occupations.

[Gandalf]

Good post X. Made me think twice and so I won't go on one. Plus everyone knows I won't spend money on a room.

Oh, and thanks Beanz. That SEEMED like humour. Maybe on the way to that truce then.

[Master]

On the back of the post from X, I too will never set foot on a cruise.

Plus they are way too expensive.

[walrus]

I’d like to go on a riverboat cruise. Tbh I never even considered the environmental impact of them.

[TitoFan]

On the back of the post from X, I too will never set foot on a cruise.

Plus they are way too expensive.

TBH, there's some good to balance the bad. Having been on a few, I can personally vouch for the benefits they bring to some of the smaller Caribbean islands dotting the region. Places like St. Maarten, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia..... some of these would be ridiculously impoverished were it not for the cruise ship and tourism industry. That the benefits are skewed toward the ports of call...... sure. But these are small islands. Many people travel the few miles needed to get jobs at stores and other businesses that cater to these tourists. That the ships are there for a few hours a week..... sure. The natives are used to that, and prepare accordingly. I can personally attest to many beautiful upgrades made in some of these islands. St. Maarten, for instance, spent all kinds of money dredging and renovating their docks to accommodate the big ships, which used to have to dock offshore and send little ferries with the passengers who wanted to disembark.

Employment is what it is. If you sign up to work on a cruise ship, you know what you're getting into. BTW, there's scores of nationalities working on these ships..... not just Filipinos. Many countries in the world are usually represented. Mostly young people who crave the adventure of being on a cruise ship as their job, for months at a time. Not for everyone, but again..... you know what you're getting into.

Same thing with the ship's decor. It is what it is. Anyone stupid enough to think they're getting an authentic anything on a ship probably should be left to his/her fantasy. Regardless, much money is spent on luxuries, to pamper passengers. I see nothing wrong with that, especially after you've spent some hard-earned money to sail on one.

On positive notes, cruise ships offer quality food, high-class shows, plenty of entertainment of just about any kind, and all sorts of other amenities. It can be whatever you want it to be. If you want to sit on your ass for 7 days (or however long the cruise is) sipping piña coladas next to the pool..... you do just that. If you want to get off at every port of call and bounce around to your heart's content.... you can do that also.

I will agree with X on a couple of things. Like I said on the OP, I think it's shameful they're not more considerate of the environment. It seems they have to operate under the threat of the law, and probably do what they can get away with, as often as they can get away with it. The other thing I'll agree with is the fallacy that tourists are seeing and experiencing other cultures when they pour off the ship. That is..... yes..... laughable. I live in Puerto Rico. Some cruise ships depart from here..... others stop here as one of the ports of call. They all come and go from the San Juan area. Maybe 99.9% of the tourists that disembark here walk around Old San Juan for awhile..... take in a few sights..... eat some Puerto Rican food..... maybe take a quick tour..... and declare they've seen Puerto Rico and know what Puerto Rico's all about. Right. Sort of like me flying into JFK as a stopover to another country and declaring I know all about the States.

Bottom line @Master .... if you feel you would enjoy a cruise, by all means go on one. It's a wonderful vacation.... and well worth it most of the time.

I’d like to go on a riverboat cruise. Tbh I never even considered the environmental impact of them.

I've never been on one of those, but I'd have to think they're more environment-friendly than their ocean-going counterparts.

[Dark Lord Al]

I did a caribbean one a few years ago - was like Butlins at Sea.

The food was good mind and the casino

If I did another it would be on a smaller ship

Butlins at sea ? I think you need to review who you cruise with.
Which line did you choose Mark ?

For the record I have been on lots of cruises and love them.

[Mark TKO]

I did a caribbean one a few years ago - was like Butlins at Sea.

The food was good mind and the casino

If I did another it would be on a smaller ship

Butlins at sea ? I think you need to review who you cruise with.
Which line did you choose Mark ?

For the record I have been on lots of cruises and love them.

18 months late but it was carnival cruise. Caribbean

[Dark Lord Al]

I did a caribbean one a few years ago - was like Butlins at Sea.

The food was good mind and the casino

If I did another it would be on a smaller ship

Carnival cruise line , that explains why it was butlins.
Try Celebrity or Silver seas.
I going on a cruise in September and I love that way of travel.

[Mark TKO]

If I went again I'd do a smaller ship.

Some european river cruises look good - maybe one day.

And Norway looks a must

[Beanz]

I can't think of anything worse. It is bad enough being stuck in a Hotel, 5 star, all inclusive or budget. Not for me, can't wait to get home to be honest. Going to air B n B next time I think although the Mrs wants to do a train and B n B thing in Scotland for our honeymoon.

[Mark TKO]

done all inclusive just once - Cape Verde

I will not be doing it again

[Dark Lord Al]

I guess travel is subjective , lets face it if you choose to your tastes then it usually means you will have a nice time.