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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:53 pm 
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Scorehead wrote:
It is by far the best vacation value & you aren't stuck in one place all week.

I think most people view that as being "more stuck" in one place all week. In fact, you spend more time stuck than "unstuck".

I would never go on a vacation where somebody else tells me which hours/days I will be confined to my hotel/resort. That's essentially what happens while the boat is moving.

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:30 pm 
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Been on 3 cruises in my life, 2 with my family when I was college aged and then one a few years ago with my wife for my 40th birthday. I was on Royal Carribean and had a great time, but there's no doubt the cruise industry has gone way downhill in the past 20 years, particularly in the food department. At its best, the food is the equivalent of banquet food. 25 years ago the food was MUCH better. Our best meal was at the Johnny Rocket's on the ship. Now, the newer RC ships are huge and have over 10 restaurants to choose from so you don't have to eat in the main dining room so I;m sure that's better.

As someone else said, the key is to schedule your excursions yourself. We had some great ones. In Barbados we went on an 8 person cattamaran tour that was amazing. The lady who ran it was a gourmet chef and the food was outstanding, tons of great local beer and a snorkling stop with giant sea turtles. In St. Lucia we went zip lining and had the owner of the transportation company we booked personally drive us around all day and show us the island. He even took us to his house so he could break out his personal supply of rum punch for us. The days at sea were a nice change of pace and a chance to relax by the pool. Drinks get expensive though since they aren't included. At night we would play poker in the casino with the same people every night.

Overall, had a great time, but unless you have low standards for what food should taste like I wouldn't recommend going back. The trip I just got back from in Mexico was about a million times better, but also a lot more expensive so I guess you get what you pay for.

Another big problem I had is that we took off from San Juan and the way crusies work is that when they don't sell out (which they never do) they go ahead and sell the remaining spots at pennies on the dollar to the local Ricans so basically our boat was 60% dirty Ricans.

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:33 pm 
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shakes wrote:
Been on 3 cruises in my life, 2 with my family when I was college aged and then one a few years ago with my wife for my 40th birthday. I was on Royal Carribean and had a great time, but there's no doubt the cruise industry has gone way downhill in the past 20 years, particularly in the food department. At its best, the food is the equivalent of banquet food. 25 years ago the food was MUCH better. Our best meal was at the Johnny Rocket's on the ship. Now, the newer RC ships are huge and have over 10 restaurants to choose from so you don't have to eat in the main dining room so I;m sure that's better.

As someone else said, the key is to schedule your excursions yourself. We had some great ones. In Barbados we went on an 8 person cattamaran tour that was amazing. The lady who ran it was a gourmet chef and the food was outstanding, tons of great local beer and a snorkling stop with giant sea turtles. In St. Lucia we went zip lining and had the owner of the transportation company we booked personally drive us around all day and show us the island. He even took us to his house so he could break out his personal supply of rum punch for us. The days at sea were a nice change of pace and a chance to relax by the pool. Drinks get expensive though since they aren't included. At night we would play poker in the casino with the same people every night.

Overall, had a great time, but unless you have low standards for what food should taste like I wouldn't recommend going back. The trip I just got back from in Mexico was about a million times better, but also a lot more expensive so I guess you get what you pay for.

Another big problem I had is that we took off from San Juan and the way crusies work is that when they don't sell out (which they never do) they go ahead and sell the remaining spots at pennies on the dollar to the local Ricans so basically our boat was 60% dirty Ricans.


60% dirty ricans and they cant figure out why diseases continue to outbreak and plague the ships? do I need to call in Ace Ventura for this?

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:38 pm 
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Why would you call a pet detective to figure out why there are disease outbreaks on ships? Would you also call your auto mechanic to put a new roof on your house?

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:41 pm 
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shakes wrote:
Been on 3 cruises in my life, 2 with my family when I was college aged and then one a few years ago with my wife for my 40th birthday. I was on Royal Carribean and had a great time, but there's no doubt the cruise industry has gone way downhill in the past 20 years, particularly in the food department. At its best, the food is the equivalent of banquet food. 25 years ago the food was MUCH better. Our best meal was at the Johnny Rocket's on the ship. Now, the newer RC ships are huge and have over 10 restaurants to choose from so you don't have to eat in the main dining room so I;m sure that's better.

As someone else said, the key is to schedule your excursions yourself. We had some great ones. In Barbados we went on an 8 person cattamaran tour that was amazing. The lady who ran it was a gourmet chef and the food was outstanding, tons of great local beer and a snorkling stop with giant sea turtles. In St. Lucia we went zip lining and had the owner of the transportation company we booked personally drive us around all day and show us the island. He even took us to his house so he could break out his personal supply of rum punch for us. The days at sea were a nice change of pace and a chance to relax by the pool. Drinks get expensive though since they aren't included. At night we would play poker in the casino with the same people every night.

Overall, had a great time, but unless you have low standards for what food should taste like I wouldn't recommend going back. The trip I just got back from in Mexico was about a million times better, but also a lot more expensive so I guess you get what you pay for.

Another big problem I had is that we took off from San Juan and the way crusies work is that when they don't sell out (which they never do) they go ahead and sell the remaining spots at pennies on the dollar to the local Ricans so basically our boat was 60% dirty Ricans.


Weren't you also on Love Cruise?

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:45 pm 
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Joe Orr Road Rod wrote:
shakes wrote:
Been on 3 cruises in my life, 2 with my family when I was college aged and then one a few years ago with my wife for my 40th birthday. I was on Royal Carribean and had a great time, but there's no doubt the cruise industry has gone way downhill in the past 20 years, particularly in the food department. At its best, the food is the equivalent of banquet food. 25 years ago the food was MUCH better. Our best meal was at the Johnny Rocket's on the ship. Now, the newer RC ships are huge and have over 10 restaurants to choose from so you don't have to eat in the main dining room so I;m sure that's better.

As someone else said, the key is to schedule your excursions yourself. We had some great ones. In Barbados we went on an 8 person cattamaran tour that was amazing. The lady who ran it was a gourmet chef and the food was outstanding, tons of great local beer and a snorkling stop with giant sea turtles. In St. Lucia we went zip lining and had the owner of the transportation company we booked personally drive us around all day and show us the island. He even took us to his house so he could break out his personal supply of rum punch for us. The days at sea were a nice change of pace and a chance to relax by the pool. Drinks get expensive though since they aren't included. At night we would play poker in the casino with the same people every night.

Overall, had a great time, but unless you have low standards for what food should taste like I wouldn't recommend going back. The trip I just got back from in Mexico was about a million times better, but also a lot more expensive so I guess you get what you pay for.

Another big problem I had is that we took off from San Juan and the way crusies work is that when they don't sell out (which they never do) they go ahead and sell the remaining spots at pennies on the dollar to the local Ricans so basically our boat was 60% dirty Ricans.


Weren't you also on Love Cruise?

Yes, that is why I said this thread would not be complete without hearing from Shakes. You have me on ignore. :(

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:48 pm 
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So, the best part of cruises seem to be doing things not on the boat you can just do on vacation anyways.

"We took this great excursion off the boat" isn't really a reason cruises are good.

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:52 pm 
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Boilermaker Rick wrote:
So, the best part of cruises seem to be doing things not on the boat you can just do on vacation anyways.

"We took this great excursion off the boat" isn't really a reason cruises are good.



Basically yea. Getting to see a bunch of different islands is cool and taking a cruise is a way to do that.


I would never go on one again mainly because the food sucks, but also because now that I've seen a bunch of different islands I know what I like and can just return to those islands and cut out the middle man.

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:57 pm 
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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 5:25 pm 
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Hawg Ass wrote:
Joe Orr Road Rod wrote:
shakes wrote:
Been on 3 cruises in my life, 2 with my family when I was college aged and then one a few years ago with my wife for my 40th birthday. I was on Royal Carribean and had a great time, but there's no doubt the cruise industry has gone way downhill in the past 20 years, particularly in the food department. At its best, the food is the equivalent of banquet food. 25 years ago the food was MUCH better. Our best meal was at the Johnny Rocket's on the ship. Now, the newer RC ships are huge and have over 10 restaurants to choose from so you don't have to eat in the main dining room so I;m sure that's better.

As someone else said, the key is to schedule your excursions yourself. We had some great ones. In Barbados we went on an 8 person cattamaran tour that was amazing. The lady who ran it was a gourmet chef and the food was outstanding, tons of great local beer and a snorkling stop with giant sea turtles. In St. Lucia we went zip lining and had the owner of the transportation company we booked personally drive us around all day and show us the island. He even took us to his house so he could break out his personal supply of rum punch for us. The days at sea were a nice change of pace and a chance to relax by the pool. Drinks get expensive though since they aren't included. At night we would play poker in the casino with the same people every night.

Overall, had a great time, but unless you have low standards for what food should taste like I wouldn't recommend going back. The trip I just got back from in Mexico was about a million times better, but also a lot more expensive so I guess you get what you pay for.

Another big problem I had is that we took off from San Juan and the way crusies work is that when they don't sell out (which they never do) they go ahead and sell the remaining spots at pennies on the dollar to the local Ricans so basically our boat was 60% dirty Ricans.


Weren't you also on Love Cruise?

Yes, that is why I said this thread would not be complete without hearing from Shakes. You have me on ignore. :(


I don't have you on ignore, Hawger. But shakes didn't address that particular cruise. And I still wanna know if Toni is sporting a cock.

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:12 pm 
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shakes wrote:
Boilermaker Rick wrote:
So, the best part of cruises seem to be doing things not on the boat you can just do on vacation anyways.

"We took this great excursion off the boat" isn't really a reason cruises are good.



Basically yea. Getting to see a bunch of different islands is cool and taking a cruise is a way to do that.


I would never go on one again mainly because the food sucks, but also because now that I've seen a bunch of different islands I know what I like and can just return to those islands and cut out the middle man.


Our last cruise was a few years ago on the "Adventure of the seas" 3000 passenger ship & I wouldn't say the food sucked at all. Some things were better than others but it wasn't terrible & some of it was very good. I do know that the food is much much better on the higher end cruise lines like Princess or Holland, which is probably who we will go with next time...too many kids on the Royal Caribbean & Carnival ships.

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:30 am 
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Joe Orr Road Rod wrote:
Hawg Ass wrote:
Joe Orr Road Rod wrote:
shakes wrote:
Been on 3 cruises in my life, 2 with my family when I was college aged and then one a few years ago with my wife for my 40th birthday. I was on Royal Carribean and had a great time, but there's no doubt the cruise industry has gone way downhill in the past 20 years, particularly in the food department. At its best, the food is the equivalent of banquet food. 25 years ago the food was MUCH better. Our best meal was at the Johnny Rocket's on the ship. Now, the newer RC ships are huge and have over 10 restaurants to choose from so you don't have to eat in the main dining room so I;m sure that's better.

As someone else said, the key is to schedule your excursions yourself. We had some great ones. In Barbados we went on an 8 person cattamaran tour that was amazing. The lady who ran it was a gourmet chef and the food was outstanding, tons of great local beer and a snorkling stop with giant sea turtles. In St. Lucia we went zip lining and had the owner of the transportation company we booked personally drive us around all day and show us the island. He even took us to his house so he could break out his personal supply of rum punch for us. The days at sea were a nice change of pace and a chance to relax by the pool. Drinks get expensive though since they aren't included. At night we would play poker in the casino with the same people every night.

Overall, had a great time, but unless you have low standards for what food should taste like I wouldn't recommend going back. The trip I just got back from in Mexico was about a million times better, but also a lot more expensive so I guess you get what you pay for.

Another big problem I had is that we took off from San Juan and the way crusies work is that when they don't sell out (which they never do) they go ahead and sell the remaining spots at pennies on the dollar to the local Ricans so basically our boat was 60% dirty Ricans.


Weren't you also on Love Cruise?

Yes, that is why I said this thread would not be complete without hearing from Shakes. You have me on ignore. :(


I don't have you on ignore, Hawger. But shakes didn't address that particular cruise. And I still wanna know if Toni is sporting a cock.

:lol:

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:47 am 
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My parents take cruises on some small ship (about 200 passengers) that is high end. They love it. The menu is pretty much whatever you want. If they do not have it that day, they will have it for you the next day. My mom ordered lobster with baked Alaska for dessert when neither was on the menu. The next night she asked for paella. They didn't blink. They also ask for your drink of choice when you are boarding and stock your room with that each night. The ports of call on their last cruise were, I believe, Florence (not a port but whatever the port town), Marsailles, Barcelona and somewhere else on the Spanish Med.

I think I could probably get used to that type of cruising.

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 11:22 am 
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These gigantic ships with 5,000 people have turned mall like really. Have to have something for everyone. Also, harder to stay on top of cleanliness is part of sickness issue when that big/populated. Whoever mentioned the higher end to me was right for me as that is the only way I go again. That and the adopting of all inclusive on the booze like the land resorts do.

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 12:14 pm 
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good dolphin wrote:
My parents take cruises on some small ship (about 200 passengers) that is high end. They love it. The menu is pretty much whatever you want. If they do not have it that day, they will have it for you the next day. My mom ordered lobster with baked Alaska for dessert when neither was on the menu. The next night she asked for paella. They didn't blink. They also ask for your drink of choice when you are boarding and stock your room with that each night. The ports of call on their last cruise were, I believe, Florence (not a port but whatever the port town), Marsailles, Barcelona and somewhere else on the Spanish Med.

I think I could probably get used to that type of cruising.


If you're gonna cruise, that's the way to do it. If I was to do it again, it would definitely be for a mediterranean cruise like your parents did. Get a chance to see some great places in Europe and hang out on the med in luxury...sounds great.

My parents did a similar type of cruise to China and said it was great. They became friends with a couple from Florida and now they hang out with them a few times a year for over a decade now. They just got back from visiting them in Miami last week.

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:40 pm 
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shakes wrote:
They became friends with a couple from Florida and now they hang out with them a few times a year for over a decade now. They just got back from visiting them in Miami last week.

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 Post subject: Re: CRUISERS!!!!
PostPosted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:49 pm 
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In that vein river cruises in places like france and rest of europe getting popular.

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