I notice that of lot of people have been cruising to the same area(s) several times... Maybe the itinery differs from time to time, that is, the islands or places you visit, maybe not.
So when you go to, say, the West Carribean again, is that still interesting after a couple of times? Suppose you do a different excursion every time you get there, yes, I can understand it is still worth while. But sometimes you explore the port of call on your own or you take a little trip inland on your own... does that lead to "seen that, done that" or do you still dicover new things? If not, what is it that makes you choose that area again?
Just curious, since my husband and I are fantasizing about our next cruise (someday). We were in the Eastern Mediterrenean and thinking of going there again... There is so much to see and do, and the itinery from one company to another might vary as well... And after all, our civilization was born there! So there you go...
So going someplace twice, three times... why not? Or is the advice to take as many different areas as possible?
The cruises we have repeated have been to experience a different ship. We're doing the E & W Caribbean next month just to be Oasis.
Ed & KathyDIAMONDCrown & Anchor members
Liberty of the Seas, TransAtlantic, October 2011
Enchantment of the Seas, S Caribbean, March 2011
Oasis of the Seas, E & W Caribbean, October 2010 Celebrity Mercury, E Caribbean, February 2010 Grandeur of the Seas, E Caribbean, October 2009 Grandeur of the Seas, Canada NE, October 2008 Grandeur of the Seas, Bermuda, October 2007 Grandeur of the Seas, W Caribbean, October 2006 Explorer of the Seas, E Caribbean, May 2005
So if I understand correctly, the cruise experience is more important to you both than the area where you sail to...?
Isn't that a waste of possibilities to discover new things and new countries and people? At least that's part of why we like cruising: seeing a lot in a short period of time...
I'm better traveled than most. When I was younger I took classes in London, Paris, Rotterdam and a lot of smaller cities in Europe. Going back now on vacation I have stayed for a week and more in most of them. My typical planned vacation in, say, London is scheduled tightly: plays, historical walks, reserved restaurants, and day trips (Stonehenge, Bath, etc.).
To really SEE a place you have to spend more time there than a few hours in port. You have to learn your way around and spend time talking to the locals. I learned far more about English politics being locked in a pub after closing (they used to lock the doors after 11pm because they have to stop serving liquor, but if you have been served, you can stay and finish up) than I could have by reading the papers. My son and I sat with a bunch of regulars and even got to have another (illegal) round of beers.
My wife and I go on cruises to relax. After a while every Caribbean island looks alike, the beaches, the resorts, the rum factory, etc. Even the souvenirs are the same, they just have different names printed on them. When you go to places you have been before, sometimes rather than get in the tiresome hot sweaty line to leave the ship and re-board again, it's far more tempting to loll around the empty pool and read with an umbrella drink and take the occasional nap. Depends on your age too.
Ed & KathyDIAMONDCrown & Anchor members
Liberty of the Seas, TransAtlantic, October 2011
Enchantment of the Seas, S Caribbean, March 2011
Oasis of the Seas, E & W Caribbean, October 2010 Celebrity Mercury, E Caribbean, February 2010 Grandeur of the Seas, E Caribbean, October 2009 Grandeur of the Seas, Canada NE, October 2008 Grandeur of the Seas, Bermuda, October 2007 Grandeur of the Seas, W Caribbean, October 2006 Explorer of the Seas, E Caribbean, May 2005
I agree, Cruznation, that you cannot get to know a place when you are only there for a few hours. That is why I am so amazed when I see tourists - mostly from Japan and the USA - running around in my country - and in amsterdam and Delft mainly - with their camera in hand... I always wonder what they have actually SEEN when they climb back on board of the bus.
But you can get a "sniff" of a country or place, an impression which can be very pleasant as well. When I was younger I used to travel the world - both with back pack and travel bag or suitcase - and stayed in one country or another for five, six weeks... That way I have grown to love Asia, for instance. And Australia.. AND the USA where I travelled three times for about four weeks!
But being on a cruise also means going from A to B and yes, you can of course stay on board, but I love that sniff after which I can decide, if time and money let me, to return... The "cruise experience" you can also get in the very expensive 5 ***** hotels where they even blow your nose, if need be...:)
So relaxing at the pool side, drinking your drink, taking a nap... great! But why on a ship then instead of a luxerious hotel by the seaside???
Good question. I think we like the cruising experience more than the hotel experience. There is a group we cruise with sometimes (from Baltimore) which is only an hour from the house. Taking a cruise also means being able to visit Canada or Mexico without having to fly. TSA has been pretty nice at Dulles and National; not so much in Memphis where they X-rayed my two disposable cameras. (Taught me not to forget my digital camera again). But mostly the pace is easy, the people friendly, and we just find traveling by cruise ship a lot more enjoyable.
Ed & KathyDIAMONDCrown & Anchor members
Liberty of the Seas, TransAtlantic, October 2011
Enchantment of the Seas, S Caribbean, March 2011
Oasis of the Seas, E & W Caribbean, October 2010 Celebrity Mercury, E Caribbean, February 2010 Grandeur of the Seas, E Caribbean, October 2009 Grandeur of the Seas, Canada NE, October 2008 Grandeur of the Seas, Bermuda, October 2007 Grandeur of the Seas, W Caribbean, October 2006 Explorer of the Seas, E Caribbean, May 2005
I'm with cruznation and KeithnRita on this one. Our next cruise (in 3 weeks ) was chosen based on the ship over the destinations. We have never been on a Carnival Spirit class before, but we have been to all 4 ports before. It's correct what cruznation said that you can't get to know a place after a day in port, but after being there on several cruise and doing different things every time eventually you will become familiar with the place.
We will do different activities in the port this time, so in that way we feel it's still new destinations which will bring us new experiences.
My cruises:
Carnival Fantasy 9/7/06 Nassau/Half Moon Cay, Cabin V26, 4 nights Carnival Inspiration 3/17/07 Grand Cayman/Calica, Cabin R132, 5 nights Sovereign of The Seas 12/21/07 Nassau/Cococay, Cabin 8568, 3 nights Carnival Glory 6/14/08 Cozumel/Belize/Roatan/Freeport, Cabin 6481, 7 nights Carnival Liberty 5/30/09 Ocho Rios/Grand Cayman/Roatan, Cabin 8229, 7 nights Monarch of The Seas 09/21/09 Nassau/Cococay, Cabin 5529, 4 nights Majesty of The Seas 06/14/10 Key West/Nassau/Cococay, Cabin 9506, 4 nights Carnival Legend 10/03/10 Grand Cayman/Cozumel/Roatan/Belize, Cabin 5181, 7 nights Freedom of the Seas 11/28/10 Labadee, Haiti, Cabin 9489, 4 nights Carnival Freedom 08/26/2011 Colon/Cozumel/Limon, Cabin 8425, 8 nights Carnival Sensation 01/15/12 Freeport, Nassau, Cabin E37, 4 nights
I guess I am too much of a rookie in the cruising experience... Although I fully understand that as long as you do different things in a port of call than the last time, it will continue to be a great adventure!! We went to the Eastern Mediterranean, which we loved! - and are contemplating to go back there, one day, and do different excursions or explore by ourselves...
When I see in your signatures the cruises you all made, oh boy!! So much to do, so little time and money... the latter is the biggest problem, ha ha. But not to worry, tomorry is the monthly state lottery again - I have a ticket every month - and someone has to win the main prize! Why not me?? I will let you know...
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