Cruise Talk: Transportation, or Destination?

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Transportation, or Destination?

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Topic: Transportation, or Destination?

Ann
Just Boarded
Member # 18

posted 10-24-1998 4:13 PM

I've never been on a cruise before. I'm going on one NEXT June -- MUCH too far away. So in the meantime, I've been cruising cruise boards, and have a question. First some background:
I'm going to Alaska. I'll do a 5-day land tour, then a 7-day cruise down to Vancouver. Now, I THOUGHT I was planning a trip to Alaska, and using the cruise ship as TRANSPORTATION - admittedly pretty classy, and hopefully we'll see a lot along the way, but basically, using it to get from "point A to point B".
But the more I read these boards, it appears that MOST people who take cruises consider the cruise the DESTINATION -- that is, they look forward to the food, the entertainment, the night life, the ship activities, and almost coincidentally, the geographic stuff around them.
What do you all think?

Posts: 5 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

Jerry cruiser
Just Boarded
Member # 213

posted 10-24-1998 4:59 PM

Alaska is an incredibly beautiful place for visiting, and believe me, you'll not regret going there. But, the cruise ship itself is the other half of such a wonderful voyage. While you're sailing the cruise turns into the destination itself, with all the magnificent food, enterntainment, service, activities, etc. so you really don't know what's better, if the luxury and pampering of the ship, or the wilderness of Alaska. I really think the cruise is everything but a simple transport:)

Posts: 4 | From: México, D.F. | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 10-25-1998 5:02 PM

I went on my first Cruise in May this year to Alaska. For me the highlight was the ports of call and the scenery. However, the ship (Celebritie's Mercury) was an experience too! Some Cruise passenger never even left the ship in the ports. Personally although i enjoyed the food and entertainment, the ship will always take second place for me.

Malcolm

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

Vickie
First Class Passenger
Member # 466

posted 11-04-1998 01:28 PM

I discovered cruising about 7 years ago and just completed my 20th cruise this April - obviously, I love it! To me, the geographic destination is irrelevant - in fact, I seek out cruises with many days at sea such as trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific. Even when the ship is in port, I typically stay onboard to enjoy having the peace and solitude of having the ship basically all to myself (or, I get off briefly to walk around.) For me, the beauty of a cruise is the ability to be by myself when I want and to be around people when I want; I can happily spend hours in a deck chair on a forward deck reading, watching the clouds and the water slide by; decisions about where to eat aren't a big deal like they can be on land - the only question is do I eat in my room, in the formal dining room, on deck, in the buffet, or at one of the snack bars? There's always an interesting range of passengers and it's very easy to strike up a conversation. For me, the actual cruising itself is the ultimate in relaxation - mental and physical.

Posts: 29 | From: Connecticut, USA | Registered: Nov 98

Joe at PwC
First Class Passenger
Member # 225

posted 11-04-1998 02:44 PM

I cruised to Alaska back in '93 aboard the Crown Princess. I can say that, firstly, Alaska is possibly one of the most breathtaking places on earth from the naturalistic standpoint. If you happen to be taken by beautiful scenery, there's few places that beat it. I found that Alaska has a unique power of making one feel insignificant, since the surroundings are on such a grand scale. As for the ship, the Crown is a lovely ship with LOTS of open deck area (although no walkable promenade encircling the ship). The food was excellent, and the dining room staff quite amiable. If you manage to gain membership in the Captain's Circle, you are eligible to attend a private cocktail party with the Captain in his ready room at the front of the ship. This goes for all Princess ships (I think).

Certainly with cruising, the ship is a destination in itself. The better the ship's public image, the more people will want to travel aboard her. Typically, this is especially true of new ships, eg., Grand Princess, Carnival Destiny. However, it is also true of old ships which have more or less attained the status of "legendary," such as the QE2 or the Norway (previously the SS France).

At any rate, enjoy!

Posts: 385 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

ROTTERBRANDT
unregistered

posted 11-04-2002 07:29 PM

A cruise is best for ports that are walkable in a day. Some of the great cities like Rome, or Amsterdam, one is better off on a land vacation with at least a week in the port city

IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 11-04-2002 07:33 PM

After 50+ cruises around the world, it's almost always about the ship!

If I can book a great ship that goes somewhere interesting.... all the better!

BTW, Alaska is beautiful, and is possibly one of those places that actually outshines the ship itself.

Best regards,
Ernie Roller
Atlanta

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 11-04-2002 09:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by eroller:

........Alaska is beautiful, and is possibly one of those places that actually outshines the ship itself.
Best regards,
Ernie Roller
Atlanta

I agree! For the best of both worlds, try if possible to do an Alaska/Yukon land trip before or after your cruise.

Happy cruisin'

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 11-04-2002 09:52 PM

The thing to watch out for these days is the actual routing. With the ships from Seattle they're only going up the inside of Vancouver Island, then outside up Hecate Strait thus missing some of the best of the Inside Passage.
Southbound they go outside Vancouver Island altogether and in through Juan de Fuca to Victoria for a couple of hours.
...peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 11-05-2002 08:04 AM

For me the ship is the destination. Being on the ship is more important than the ports.

[ 11-05-2002: Message edited by: gizmo ]

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 11-05-2002 08:38 AM

I think that the ship and its destinations are complimentary.

Anything over 40,000 tons is not on my menu if it can be avoided.

Whatever, nothing beats ones first cruise. Its like someone opened a new cookie jar.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Tim Agg
First Class Passenger
Member # 3185

posted 11-06-2002 11:18 PM

...interesting places to visit, eye-popping scenery every day, and seven days on a ship - the only thing better is to double the days!!

Posts: 365 | From: Vancouver BC | Registered: Jul 2002 | IP: Logged

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