Cruise ships

[TitoFan]

Cruise ships are nice to sail on.... but are also the epitome of arrogant and blase irresponsibility toward the environment and humans affected by this environment. Case in point, yet another waste spill incident, this time off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. That's not to mention the incidents that probably go hush-hush in the high seas.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...id=mailsignout


Yes.... cruise ships provide a lot of business and tourism to a great many places, both in the Caribbean and elsewhere. But geez.... these companies make money hand over fist. You'd think they'd be a little more responsible and totally avoid this type of bullshit.


I have an idea, though it probably wouldn't go over very well with the cruise industry. Rather than fine these people, how about we take the offending ship..... empty it of all hazardous materials..... tow it out to an area where new reefs are needed..... and sink the sonofabitch to provide a starter for new reef and a home for marine life. All at the cruise ship company's expense. One or two ships going down like that would probably result in the cruise ship industry becoming the greenest industry on the face of the planet.

[Master]

I would love to go on a cruise one day. They are very expensive and but well worth it if you get the right place in the world.

[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.

[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.