Cruise ships

[X]

Don't let the fact that I hate them, everything they stand for, everything they do, their economic set up, their environmental impact, and everything about them them put anybody off

I even dislike Tom Cruise just because he is named Cruise ......

I wouldn't disagree with some of Tito's post either.

It is definitely true that they bring some prosperity to places like small Caribbean islands, no question about it. I do wonder whether greater prosperity could be achievable through other means of tourism though. All the shops and bars are open when the cruise ships dock in Cozumel, but simply shut when they are not in port. If more people visited - and stayed - on Cozumel instead, then the local economy would get far more money.

I would probably challenge the definition of 'upgrades' though, Tito. Just as an example, the Jamaican government recently made such 'improvements' around Falmouth recently. At the request of cruise ship companies, they carried out dredging works which killed off entire coral reefs. Those things took millions of years to grow and are the habitat to exactly the sea life that so many people visit Jamaica for. Except for cruise ship tourists, of course. All the ferryman who used to bring the tourists ashore have lost their jobs. That has generated some wealth but I fear it is short term thinking

Even legally moored cruise ships cause irreparable damage to the reefs around these places. Look at the Cayman Islands. Huge degradation caused by anchors just scouring the sea bed and poison from fuel leaks and waste ejection. It will take tens of thousands of years for those endangered habitats to grow back. No more coral reefs = worldwide starvation, climate change, atmospheric change etc etc.

Nothing is ever completely evil or wrong, except Jade Goody, so I would never moralise or tell anybody they should not go on cruises. My brother loves them and has been on a few, albeit he is a crazy fool - in the immortal words of the wise sage, BA Baracus.

I also take your point about people knowing what they are getting into when they go to work on a cruise ship. That's very true, and it is a good way for many people to earn a living. A good friend of mine would work on a Carnival cruise ship - he had a great time and only had to work 9 months of the year to live well indeed. That's not to say that there is a lot wrong with their 'offshore' and 'international maritime' labour laws and the way the crew are treated. People earn a lot working in diamond mines and oilfields too, but it's not a job for everyone.

As I say, if anyone wants to go on a cruise, have a great time and enjoy it, but do so with your eyes open.

[TitoFan]

Yeah, I get you X. Seeing half a dozen cruise ships crowded into the St. Thomas docks looks nice and all that.... but you can't help that sneaky feeling that if something dumps out "accidentally" you'll never know which ship is responsible.

I know you're a diver (so am I), and are particularly sensitive to the plight of coral reefs, as well you should be. Puerto Rico's own coral reefs have seen significant decline over the years for whatever reason we want to assign to it. Forces of nature, or man-made. My dad was an avid diver, as are my brothers and I, and I remember many a wonderful time diving among the reefs, usually looking for something to spearfish.

I think cruising is doable in a green way... if only these greedy corporations would concentrate in putting back as much or more than they take away. Unfortunately where there's billions to be made, everything else gets kicked to the curb. I think the St. Maarten (or St. Martin, depending on who's saying it) upgrade was well needed, though. Having a huge ship travel hundreds of miles to get there..... only to have to anchor off shore and sent tenders to offload passengers.... seemed like such a waste of time. The ship's already there, so it's not like the environment isn't feeling the impact already. But it's like anything else. If the local government of whichever island or port of call... proceeds with upgrades carelessly and only looking at the bottom line.... it's wrong. That's where the cruise lines should take responsibility and say "You know what? We'd like you to upgrade your docking facilities... but we need to make sure you do so in an environmentally responsible manner. We'd like to be involved in your permitting and construction process, if only as an oversight to make sure things are done right." That would give these cruise companies major points. And they've got the clout.

The wife and I love cruising... although as you say it's no way to truly explore and get to know other cultures. For trips to Europe, for instance, I would definitely eschew Mediterranean cruises in favor of traveling by land from country to country.

[Master]

You have changed my mind Tito, I am saving for a cruise, it may take many years but am going to do one to the north or south pole.

[TitoFan]

You have changed my mind Tito, I am saving for a cruise, it may take many years but am going to do one to the north or south pole.

They say Alaskan cruises are well worth it. I've never been, but friends of mine have. In Europe you have the Mediterranean cruises and apparently some good river cruises in the Nordic region. Then there's the Caribbean cruises which I've always taken. Great relaxation value and plenty of water sports and new things to see and experience. (Plus some mean local drinks as well). Of course, you have to put up with the occasional "let-it-all-hang-out" bikinis by the poolside..... but for those it's always a good idea to have a good pair of wraparound sunglasses.

[Master]

You have changed my mind Tito, I am saving for a cruise, it may take many years but am going to do one to the north or south pole.

They say Alaskan cruises are well worth it. I've never been, but friends of mine have. In Europe you have the Mediterranean cruises and apparently some good river cruises in the Nordic region. Then there's the Caribbean cruises which I've always taken. Great relaxation value and plenty of water sports and new things to see and experience. (Plus some mean local drinks as well). Of course, you have to put up with the occasional "let-it-all-hang-out" bikinis by the poolside..... but for those it's always a good idea to have a good pair of wraparound sunglasses.

Yes a friend has seen the Aurora (northern lights) and they said it was beautiful.

[Primo Carnera]

You have changed my mind Tito, I am saving for a cruise, it may take many years but am going to do one to the north or south pole.

Fuck me, you change your mind like the wind! You are so easily led.
I’m going on a med cruise next year , and to be honest I’m fucking dreading it.
Stuck on a boat that no matter how hard it tries, can never be luxurious, and then when you stop at the city ports , you have about 6 or 7 hours in a city , so you run round like a blue assed fly to fucking see the sites.
Fucking dreadful.

[Master]

You have changed my mind Tito, I am saving for a cruise, it may take many years but am going to do one to the north or south pole.

Fuck me, you change your mind like the wind! You are so easily led.
I’m going on a med cruise next year , and to be honest I’m fucking dreading it.
Stuck on a boat that no matter how hard it tries, can never be luxurious, and then when you stop at the city ports , you have about 6 or 7 hours in a city , so you ran round like a blue assed fly to fucking see the sites.
Fucking dreadful.

Then you run deep sea divers like x and titofan over in your giant boat. Inconsiderate.

[TitoFan]

You have changed my mind Tito, I am saving for a cruise, it may take many years but am going to do one to the north or south pole.

Fuck me, you change your mind like the wind! You are so easily led.
I’m going on a med cruise next year , and to be honest I’m fucking dreading it.
Stuck on a boat that no matter how hard it tries, can never be luxurious, and then when you stop at the city ports , you have about 6 or 7 hours in a city , so you run round like a blue assed fly to fucking see the sites.
Fucking dreadful.

Is it the MSC line? I've heard they're a bit stark as compared to some of the other cruise line ships. Royal Caribbean ships are pretty nice, but still..... you enjoy the ship and what it has to offer. I don't like the mega ships, as I find 5,000 people is a ghastly number of people to be bumping into at the buffet line or just walking down the concourse. Two to three thousand is ok. Also the length of the cruise. If I'm gonna go through the trouble of packing to go on a ship, I'm gonna stay at least 7 nights. Short cruises of 3-4 nights don't do it for me. Some people are the other way around. If I disembark, I try to keep it real. No 5-hour tours halfway across the country to get back in the nick of time. I prefer some shopping close to port..... or an activity I really want to do, like ATV off-roading, zip-lining, or maybe some wreck diving.

[Beanz]

You have changed my mind Tito, I am saving for a cruise, it may take many years but am going to do one to the north or south pole.

Fuck me, you change your mind like the wind! You are so easily led.
I’m going on a med cruise next year , and to be honest I’m fucking dreading it.
Stuck on a boat that no matter how hard it tries, can never be luxurious, and then when you stop at the city ports , you have about 6 or 7 hours in a city , so you run round like a blue assed fly to fucking see the sites.
Fucking dreadful.

Ha! Will the Mrs just not take 'No' for an answer? 😁

[Spicoli]

Well X has sealed the deal and put to bed any thought of them for me . That's a good thing. I just don't see the appeal with being essentially stranded and cattled along with thousands of strangers. Seems like at least once a month we have stories of cruise ship passengers having horror stories of sewage, illness or outbreaks of wide spread sharting. Royal Caribbean had to refund earlier this month after some Indian company turn it into a 24-7 drunken burlesque show. They have loud fat and obnoxious written all over them. At the most give me a small fishing charter with a handful of people and a few coolers, that'll do just fine.

[Primo Carnera]

You have changed my mind Tito, I am saving for a cruise, it may take many years but am going to do one to the north or south pole.

Fuck me, you change your mind like the wind! You are so easily led.
I’m going on a med cruise next year , and to be honest I’m fucking dreading it.
Stuck on a boat that no matter how hard it tries, can never be luxurious, and then when you stop at the city ports , you have about 6 or 7 hours in a city , so you run round like a blue assed fly to fucking see the sites.
Fucking dreadful.

Ha! Will the Mrs just not take 'No' for an answer? 😁

Mate, sometimes you have to lose a battle to win the war!
@TitoFan, I think it is MSC. You’ve cheered me up no end....not.

[TitoFan]

You have changed my mind Tito, I am saving for a cruise, it may take many years but am going to do one to the north or south pole.

Fuck me, you change your mind like the wind! You are so easily led.
I’m going on a med cruise next year , and to be honest I’m fucking dreading it.
Stuck on a boat that no matter how hard it tries, can never be luxurious, and then when you stop at the city ports , you have about 6 or 7 hours in a city , so you run round like a blue assed fly to fucking see the sites.
Fucking dreadful.

Ha! Will the Mrs just not take 'No' for an answer? 😁

Mate, sometimes you have to lose a battle to win the war!
@TitoFan, I think it is MSC. You’ve cheered me up no end....not.

Just think of all the points you're about to accumulate.

If you do get to liking it..... keep it under wraps. That way your mate will think you're making a huge sacrifice for her.