Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>A cruise feels like people going nowhere.<< I think that's kind of the idea. It's basically an all-inclusive resort (like Club Med or Sandals) that just happens to be moving around. If you like that type of vacation, then I think you would also like a cruise. If you prefer to go spend a long time in one place, exploring all the little details and getting to know the local customs, then a cruise probably isn't your best option. Most cruises aren't really about the destinations, they're about the ship. That's why different cruise lines do so much work to differientiate their ships, and show what makes those ships better than competitors'. It's tough to market a lot of the stuff in a 30 second commericial, but it seems like the ships really are the important part. The stops along the way are just sort of an added bonus.
Originally Posted By Doobie <<< I actually think this was a very good thing to include. This happened to us, as well as numerous friends of ours. We are not fair weather folks by any stretch. But there is literally NOTHING to do there when the weather is bad and folks need/want to know this when they go. On a four day cruise with 2 stops, it kind of matters if one stop doesn't count! And that is particular to a Disney cruise since they promote Castaway Cay as a major selling point. Is it an automatic fail on Disney's part? No. But it is important information that you dont' easily come across in all the happy happy planning materials. >>> I thought this was interested for a related reason. I've never gone to Castaway Cay on a rainy day but I have had a cruise where they couldn't dock there because the weather was too rough. However, as a result, the entire crew remained on the ship and the on-ship itinerary was updated to add a lot more activities. However, if the ship does dock the vast majority of the crew would normally get off the ship (I'm guessing even in the rain), so the stuff on the island is no fun to do because of the rain but there's not much to do on the ship because there's no crew to do it with. I don't know if that's the case here, but if it is, I do think it's interested. I'd like to find out what it's like on the ship on a rainy Castaway Cay day. On the other topic, the ship is the draw for me. I could happily stay on the ship. We do get off because there's interesting stuff there, too, but I'd be happy to do a 4-day cruise with nothing but sea days. Especially on the new ship since there's still so much new stuff for me to explore. But definitely not for everyone. Doobie.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 'real reporter. may be an oxymoron these days - what makes him more 'real' than others ?
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones "I think that's kind of the idea. It's basically an all-inclusive resort (like Club Med or Sandals) that just happens to be moving around." Yeah, that kind of vacation doesn't seem appealing. You're insulated from culture, people and history. I don't discount water transport. I would love to take a ferry to Dublin from Britain, for example.
Originally Posted By Christi22222 >>However, if the ship does dock the vast majority of the crew would normally get off the ship (I'm guessing even in the rain), so the stuff on the island is no fun to do because of the rain but there's not much to do on the ship because there's no crew to do it with. I don't know if that's the case here, but if it is, I do think it's interested. I'd like to find out what it's like on the ship on a rainy Castaway Cay day.<< Bingo! In addition, I don't think you could realize until you get there that it's not even like there is some bar or restaurant you can sit in and look at the ocean. It is all open air, cold, and no way could handle many bored folks looking for a place to hang out. How would anyone know this if they hadn't been to Castaway Cay? Why does the ship bother docking if there is nothing to offer?
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I loved being on the Castaway Cay...when will you ever "know" someone that will invite you to their private island? It was incredible to be there and watch a storm approach. Everybody ran for shelter but an abundance of food was still available. The storm did not last long and the sun brought back the day!And being on a cruise ship with the option to watch the sun rise or set everyday with no cars or phones to disturb you is so calming. Maybe you need to try it once. I was one of those people that did not get it and now I yearn for the sea and that feeling of floating.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Yeah, that kind of vacation doesn't seem appealing. You're insulated from culture, people and history*** To each his own. Some people don't care about culture, people, or history when they're on vacation. They just want to unwind and relax, perhaps take a swim or indulge in a massage or a show. For that, the ship is a great vacation because it offers all that plus you get to visit a few places along the way. Personally, I think that for myself there are two different kinds of vacations and I enjoy them both pretty much equally. On the one hand, when I visit New York or Hong Kong or other "big city" destinations, I love to be on the go...experiencing culture, sure, and museums and historical sites and all that good stuff. However, when I go to places like Guam or Hawaii (and yes, Florida too), or on a ship for that matter, I enjoy just chilling. Sleeping in, getting some sun. Doing not much of anything for the entire time but relaxing. Both ways work for me, but if unwinding seems like a "wasted" vacation (which I can understand for some), then cruising probably isn't the best idea.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Depends on the cruise. When we honeymooned we were pretty much on the go. First night on ship we had a great dinner, saw a show, and then went dancing into the wee hours. The next day we were up at 6:30, breakfasted and out exploring key west. We went to the Ship Wreck museum, explored the architecture, went to Papa's house, and took in some drinks with the locals. Then back onto the ship for sunset. We had dinner and then went to another show. The next day was at sea. We were up and breakfasted, had a message, then went to a lecture on Mayan History and culture for the next day. We had a wine tasting session and a lecture on pre columbian art. We gambled in the Casino and then had dinner, a show and then went dancing again. The next day we were up, breakfasted, and took a tender to Playa Del Car. We met our Mexican guide who was a post grad in Mayan History, and he was our guide who took us to the Amazing Mayan Ruins on Tulum. enroute we stopped at a street market and bartered (managed to pay 35% of the asking price, so probably only a 40% ROI for the trader - lol). At the ruins, we had an amazing time and our guide pointed out so much we wouldn't have seen if we went it alone, and not just the mayan ruins, but the flora and fauna too. That evening we enjoyed a fab dinner, a comedian and some jacuzzi time where we debated points with canadians and germans. The next day was in Grand Cayman, where we went to a turtle farm, went snorkling with the Sting Rays, visited the town of Hell via 7 Mile Beach, and then had some personal time for shopping and dining in Georgetown. That evening was a meal and a show. The next day was Jamaica, where we went to a 19th century plantation and saw how sugar cane, coconuts, and cocoa are grown and harvested, how rum is made, and enjoyed a lovely rum punch. We then went to Ian Flemings house where he wrote the James Bond stories, and then on to Dunn's River Falls. Rather than opt to climb the falls, we just enjoyed it's beauty and then Sarah had corn rows done. That evening was jacuzzi, dinner, show and dancing on deck under the stars. The next day was at sea, where we slept in, swam, went to the casino, enjoyed a movie, enjoyed the spa, had dinner and the last show of the cruise. The next morning we disembarked after an early breakfast. It was a fantastic vacation, and to be honest, it showed me, I would never vacation in the Caymans or Jamaica for an extended stay, nor return to Key West, but the Yucatan Peninnsula is totally worth a long stay. Now I had always wanted to go to Jamaica and Cayman before this, and the cruise allowed me to sample it. Personally I love cruises of this type, but would never want to do a transatlantic or stay on board all the time. But a Med or Baltic or African Cruise would be awesome. I also fancy Alaska. Then again, I could never understand the popularity of such holiday destinations as Hilton Head, Galviston or Palm Springs.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Depends on the cruise. When we honeymooned we were pretty much on the go*** Well, there are lots of options in any case. For folks who want to be "on the go", they can certainly do so. I found that the amount of time in port is fairly limiting (I've only actually been on one cruise, but I've checked out lots of itineraries and they seem pretty similar). We, too, enjoyed strolling around Key West along with exploring the Mayan Ruins of Tulum in Mexico which was AMAZING, but in the back of my mind there was always the time factor. Attempting an itinerary like yours would most certainly stress me out, but that's just my personality. I suppose I would enjoy a port experience more thoroughly if the ship were staying overnight. I hate to be late for anything (I'm the guy who shows up at the airport 3 hours early and clears security no later than an hour before the flight...then I can chill ). It gives me stress. So, I suppose that's why I'm happy to consider the ports of call "extras" and I don't really worry too much about planning lots to do. If I'm staying in one place, that's a whole different story.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I don't really do pool holidays (well the kids mean we do more now). But even when we have popped for a bit of sun in Spain, we end up touring around a lot. It is just the way I am I suppose, so much to see and do. Then again, we also enjoy 3 hour meals on vacation, and don't go to bed very late.
Originally Posted By danyoung >The next day was at sea. We were up and breakfasted, had a message...< Must have been a heck of a message for you to include it in your trip report!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lol, darn typo, massage. Grrr. Sorry for not proofing. This mobile hardware is great, sometimes, honest.
Originally Posted By danyoung I knew what you meant, but it's always fun to point out the funny typos!
Originally Posted By dshyates Since we are talking cruises, if I had the time and money, I would be on this cruise. <a href="http://www.sailingshipadventures.com/index.cfm?event=VoyageDetails&VoyageID=6247" target="_blank">http://www.sailingshipadventur...eID=6247</a> I went on one of these in 1982, when was 18. It was the most amazing experiences in my life. Windjamming is not for most people, but pulling into a cove of an uninhabited island and kayaking into the caves that inspiried "Treasue Island" is exceptionally cool. Not to mention snorkeling right off the boat.
Originally Posted By dshyates "It was the most amazing experiences in my life." Sorry, that should read, "It was one of the most amazing experiences in my life."
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Agreed Dave, just like I crewed the Royalist on 3 occassions earning my RYA qualifications. The best one was racing from Southampton to Gibralter. The most adventurous was being at see during the tail of a hurricane (scary stuff). <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TS_Royalist" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TS_Royalist</a>
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt With most attractions ending with a souvenier shoppe, it's headed that way.
