If you have been a regular reader of this blog, you know that when I get a chance to go on vacation, my wife and I love to cruise. That is exactly what we did two weeks ago as we boarded the Freedom of the Seas on Sunday, May 4. I feel very fortunate that we are able to do this and truly understand that, financially, many cannot, although, in my mind cruising is a great family vacation value. However, I also hear many reasons why people do not cruise which seem somewhat alien to me.
For example:
“I’ll get sick” – The ships today are so large and are so stabilized that oftentimes motion is almost unnoticeable. There are still passengers who wear patches behind their ears (usually first-timers) or will get a shot that will last a week to fend off motion sickness, but it is hard to believe that such precautions are even necessary these days.
“There’s too much food” – I cannot disagree here, but certainly using a fork or a spoon to lift calories into your mouth is a personal choice, not one the cruise company forces you to do. There is food to be had at all times and the temptation to constantly be eating is certainly there. To alleviate this fear of overeating simply requires willpower.
“There’s nothing to do” – I know of passengers who go on a ship just for that reason; they simply want to rest and relax while being surrounded by beautiful scenery. BUT, if you choose to be active, there are things going on every hour of every day from the time you get up in the morning until you decide to go to bed at night (or into the wee, wee hours of the morning). A Daily Planner offers at least fifty interesting things to do every day.
“My kids won’t enjoy it” – Would they enjoy rock climbing, boogie boarding, surfing, basketball, volleyball, miniature golf, Johnny Rockets, or the many other activities for young children and teenagers, not to mention discovering fascinating ports of call?
If you think you won’t like: having your room cleaned three times a day; having a choice of multiple restaurants all offering fantastic service – lobster tail, prime rib, escargot, shrimp, etc.; top flight Vegas entertainment every single night; a chance to visit some of the most beautiful beaches in the world; sitting by the pool reading your favorite book, then, perhaps cruising is not for you.
I felt just like you 25 years ago until I went once. Now, I try to go ONCE… EVERY YEAR!
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
Instead of my usual five musings for the week, I thought I would finish my “cruising” theme with the Top Ten Dumbest Questions asked by the passengers. This list was created by David Letterman, but has been stolen by cruise directors everywhere:
10. Will the elevator take me to the front of the ship?
9. Do these stairs go up or down?
8. How far are we above sea level?
7. Does the crew sleep on-board? (No, they are thrown into the life boats.)
6. Does the ship generate its’ own power? (No, there’s an extension cord hooked up
to Miami.)
5. To the ship photographers – If the photos aren’t marked, how do we know which
pictures are ours?
4. Is the water in the toilet fresh water or salt water? (I don’t know I haven’t tasted it.)
3. What do you do with the ice carvings after they melt?
2. Is there music in the Disco?
1. What time is the Midnight Buffet?
