Book 1

Introduction

• Chapter   3
• Chapter   9
• Chapter 23
• Chapter 32
• Chapter 33

And Then Some ~ Book 1

Chapter 32 ~ Travel

Cruising: A wonderful travel alternative even for non-cruise types

My wife and I are not “cruise types,” so the decision to embark on one did not come easily or quickly. Our impression of “cruise types” included social people who like to smoke, drink, gamble, play bingo, eat a lot, and be pampered and entertained in a large-scale city environment, and there is no doubt that cruise companies cater to these proclivities.

But we decided to try it anyway on a three-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Princess—the Grand Princess (one of their largest ships) no less. That experience characterizes much of what we have experienced on each of our three successive cruises to the Panama Canal and the Western Caribbean, to the Southern Caribbean (out of Jacksonville, Florida, on Celebrity Cruise Lines, for two weeks), and to Bermuda on Celebrity for 7 days. Our experience is not unique. Not only do cruise vacations boast the highest satisfaction ratings among all types of vacation travel, but once people try cruising, they come back again and again.

Some of what we have discovered may help others make the decision to cruise or not to cruise. Of course, many have already discovered it with 12 million people spending $13 billion a year on cruise vacations (USA Today, July 8, 2005, p. 2D), a fact that makes cruising one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism market. Although more than 90 million people worldwide cruised over the past two decades, about 85 percent of U.S. adults have never cruised according to Corey Sandler, Econoguide Cruises 2005 (Globe Pequot, 2005).

We have easy explanations for the growth. These ships have extensive facilities and programs for families and children of all ages. There are a highly structured array of activities and passenger participation events every day. On the ships we have traveled, there are large entertainment venues with lavish production shows.

These advantages are great for those seeking this kind of experience. For us, however—who are, I might add, regular travelers (using other means such as travel trailers and a fifth wheel)—it is the standard of service that we get on these cruises. It is the high quality shore excursions. It is the safety of this form of transportation. It is getting to know our table mates so well that we have maintained contact with some of them long after the cruise ended. But even more important is the relaxation, escape, and excitement—without the hassles. In addition, it is the freedom we have to do as much or as little as we want. We enjoy unpacking one time only for our days at sea, and we have never objected to being pampered.

The pampering never ends. My wife pushed her chair into the table when she finished her lunch, and the maitre d’ told her not to, that there were people to do that. I picked up a knife to hand to our waiter as he cleared the table at the conclusion of one of four courses, and he said “No,” that he was there to take care of that. The fruit, canapes, and hors d’oeuvres, delivered to our room were more than we could eat, but we did not complain. Afternoon tea with all the canapes you can eat, servicing by a large and efficient wait staff, and serenading by extraordinary musicians and singers were unforgettable opportunities.

The issue of safety is an important one. There are careful inspections of luggage and all carry-on articles. The screening procedures are similar to those found at airports—the use of metal detectors, the requirement of showing photo identification and embarking and disembarking only after passing through security and having ship identification clear the screening machines. Once a cruise ship is underway, only documented employees and fare-paying passengers are onboard. A cruise ship is comparable to a secure building with a 24-hour security guard, and according to FBI statistics, sailing on a cruise ship is safer than being virtually anywhere in the U.S. in terms of crimes of any type.

The cruise experience is exactly what you choose to make it. It’s a little like students choosing where they want to go to college. They can select a large school with many students, and with that choice get a vast array of opportunities including majors, athletic possibilities, theater and entertainment options, and even choices of where to live. Or, they can select a small school with few students, and with that choice get fewer options but, potentially, an increase in individualized attention.

In much the same way, we make our cruises special. We dine with just one or two other couples; we get to know our wait staff on a personal basis; we choose our excursions carefully to get close to nature and wildlife or achieve the “big picture” of a location; we seek out educational opportunities; and we delight in finding quiet, relaxed places to read or write in solitude.

It is true that all four ships we have sailed have formal and casual sit-down dinner nights, but even these can be avoided. We would prefer no suit and tie, no jewelry or cocktail dresses; however, we have become accustomed to them, and one survey of our table mates suggested they did not mind dressing-up for dinners. Dressing up to go out dancing or to attend a concert is much the same as going out for an evening on the mainland.

Every cruise has its “cruise types.” Chalk it up to people relaxing, having fun, and exercising their inhibitions. We have discovered there is so much to enjoy, so many choices available, and so much relaxing fun, that cruising has become a wonderful travel alternative even for non-cruise types such as ourselves.

Richard L. Weaver II

• Chapter   3
• Chapter   9
• Chapter 23
• Chapter 32
• Chapter 33