To wonder why everyone raves about cruises?

Cruising is ace.

I also shop at Temu.

Regarding the point about the boats being eyesores. I think that is a mute point really. Beauty is subjective and a lot of tourist accommodation could be seen as ugly or ruining a beautiful coastline. The thing about these boats is they are not permanent and float away unlike ugly buildings.

Oh I knew someone would come up with that. But there's precious little point preserving the planet if there aren't any future generations.

Other species are available. The planet doesn’t just belong to humans.

Also I choose to cruise with RCL because of all their initiatives and ecological concerns when designing new ships compared to other companies.

I mean, firstly a lot of people fly to reach the start of their cruise and secondly those figures on their own mean very little
It doesn't mean little. It might not be a perfect comparison but it shows how disproportionate it is to be as outrage as some posters are here about cruising yet don't seem half as concerned about air pollution caused by flying.

I haven't heard much about Azura, but if she is having a refit then I am sure it will be brought up to a similar spec as the much newer ships. I.e. less Debenhams/BHS cafe and more hotel/airy vibe. 😅

And in terms of the environment not sure how it compares to flying but I haven’t flown in 11 years 🤷‍♀️ so I’m hardly going to beat myself up over a cruise.

I wouldn’t say I rave about cruises but I went one last year and we all enjoyed it. It’s basically a package holiday on a ship. The food was fine, some restaurants better than others. It didn’t feel crowded. The length of time we had in the ports was fine. There was plenty to do on sea days. Our kids were 14 and 17 and enjoyed the freedom they had to do their own thing. I liked the mix of ages on board. The entertainment was good. Overall it was fun. We are going on another one next year.

Have you heard anything about Azura? We are booked on her for next summer. I have heard she is planned to have a refit in March 2025, so have high hopes!

We have been on Iona and Ventura. Iona was definitely better food, decor and facilities wise. Ventura had the vibe and decor of a floating Debenhams/BHS cafe. Iona had the impressive buffet (on the surface), but was very repetitive and roast focused. Ventura buffet was a bit more of a standard all inclusive style buffet. Ventura was pre Covid so no doubt different now.

I have heard (via the in laws) that Aurora and Arcadia are entering their "floating rust bucket" era. Aurora in slightly better nick that Arcadia.

Likewise for lots of people, spending time at a beach hotel doing nothing but swimming, sunbathing, eating and drinking is a "snore fest".

And no doubt there are even people who'd regard the Cairo pyramids as a "snore fest" too - after all, they don't do anything - they're just "there".

You have to accept that different people have different preferences.

Yes you'll have to get used to it I'm afraid. Never mind I'm sure you will enjoy the cruise!

It did on the Hurtigruten cruise I did. First two nights was help yourself, buffet, sit where you like. But after that it was your designated table and I was with three other people for breakfast and dinner, the same ones each time.

I didn't mind, but I'm just saying it does happen.

Fuck me, who knew people could get so worked up about other peoples holidays?!

I joined this thread to gain some insight in to what I’ve signed up to for my first ever cruise, looks like I’ve signed up to be universally loathed by the high and mighty.

Having kids is the worst thing you can do environmentally. Especially if they go on to have kids and their kids have kids. Your footprint basically never stops growing.

I mean, firstly a lot of people fly to reach the start of their cruise and secondly those figures on their own mean very little. Surely a per capita or per holiday figure is far more relevant

(That said, I don't fly)

I mean, firstly a lot of people fly to reach the start of their cruise and secondly those figures on their own mean very little. Surely a per capita or per holiday figure is far more relevant

(That said, I don't fly)

British Airways : 7.52 Mt CO2 in 2023

Royal Caribbean: 4.99 million metric tons in 2022.

So unless those who claim how bad it is also never fly, they are just hypocrites

Oh I knew someone would come up with that. But there's precious little point preserving the planet if there aren't any future generations. I only had two. That's population stability not expansion

And I expect my whole family's carbon footprint is smaller than that of individuals who cruise and fly and conspicuously consume

There are loads of experienced independent guides in every town who are well used to getting you back to your ship on time
Totally agree with that. Locals tolerate or welcome visitors because they rely heavily on tourists.

I always book with locals and the experience is always much better. Being a tour guide is often considered a highly skilled job and most have studied tourism or local history at Uni. They know everything about local culture and indeed, they know how essential it is for them to make sure passengers are back on time for their cruise.

There was an issue with one tour where our mini bus left without us through no fault of hours. We were very worried as times were tight but one operator remained to make sure all had left and when he got to us and we explained the situation, he immediately booked a private taxi.

In terms of saving the planet, does anyone know the difference between 1 week cruise Vs 7 flights?

A little late now if you’ve got children

Tell Bob and Mary they have it right! 😂

Hey don’t bring me, Bob, and Mary into your bun fight. We’re over here minding our own business 🤣

I said the ships were ugly and hideous, said nothing about the people. I used random names to give to my virtual cruise passengers... This is done frequently on threads like this.

Someone else mentioned something upthread about a Bob and Mary but you don't seem to have an issue with that? Just Rita, Sue and Bob!

There's a certain irony in your statement, you do realise that?