I'm on a cruise ship going round Iceland AMA

[Imdunfer]

As title and we have a day at sea tomorrow so I'll be around to answer.

The evening show starts soon so you might not get a quick answer tonight.

That is some serious underthinking.

There is no denying that there is an environmental impact to everything, all forms of overseas travel. But it's also true that cruise ships visiting ports have a positive impact on the local economy. Smaller ships like the OP is on or the expedition ships get into smaller ports. There has been lots of chat in Scotland about cruise ships visiting places like Kirkwall and Lerwick. Orkney estimates £15 to £20 million into the local economy, and that's EXTRA income from people who wouldn't visit Orkney otherwise as it's so far from most people. Local tour guides, bus drivers, the staff in the port, passengers spending money in local shops, buying coffee, ice creams.

Throughout Scotland, the cruise industry is worth £343 million and supports over 4500 jobs. https://www.lerwick-harbour.co.uk/news/crucial-role-of-cruise-tourism-to-scotland-revealed-with-343-million-economic-contribution

@LaliqueSaltGrinder You absolutely can avoid people! I’m very good at swerving people who I’m not keen on! You don’t sit with them! There’s options in lounges, dining spaces etc. I’ve got great antennae! You are not expected to socialise at all! I’ve been on around 10 trips on small boats and there’s always a good number I’ve not spoken to. On the 12 person voyages it’s very different and I’ve certainly come across people I hope I don’t see again! But DH and me are good at being ourselves and enjoying the experience as opposed to making small talk with others.

That's good to hear!! I think I am scarred by the first evening on my last Fred cruise when I was on my own, I was "befriended" by an elderly brummie woman who just moaned at me for 20 minutes about everything from her cabin to the view out of the window before I managed to get away, I spend the rest of the time avoiding her!!

Just looked up Noble Caledonia and they have cruises on a proper sailing ship! If I was rich I'd go on that, its been my dream even since I was a child reading Arthur Ransome books (though going on a ship as crew like my mum did once would be even better)