The Travel Thread

[AvidReader]

Serious question: what do people find attractive about cruises? I'm curious; I've never been on one and have no urge to do so.

Spouse and I have mostly only taken transatlantic crossings, and not much any more. When I was in grad school overseas, crossing the Atlantic by ocean liner (Cunard) was comparable to a one-way flight (but with unlimited luggage, free food, and a built-in vacation, which we otherwise couldn't afford), so we used it for our move overseas, our move back, and a few crossings in between. I expect cruises will be a lot more expensive for a few years, but we had a few really lucky trips that saved us a lot of money. 

From a practical standpoint, we liked the free luggage; the freedom from cooking and chores; the ability to wake up each day with minimal jet lag; and the functionality of being somewhere we needed to be, rested and refreshed, at the end of a relaxing week.

From a pleasure standpoint, I could sit on the deck of a ship and watch the water go by for hours. Our usual ship had a library on board, so I would pick something I wouldn't otherwise have read and sit on deck reading for hours. Cell phones didn't work and internet was expensive, so we only used the latter in emergencies; I don't think there is anything I appreciate more than a week without electronics (obviously, this could also be done with a cabin in the woods, but that doesn't get one to Europe at the end). As clean has noted, the entertainment and food on board are excellent and fun, but for me it is just the quiet that is wonderful.

Spouse and I tried a Caribbean cruise a few years ago. It was all right, but I wouldn't book it again. Unlike clean, I prefer sea days to port stops, and we found the vibe very different: more of a party boat than a quiet getaway. Our company offered an all-inclusive drinks package, which we elected not to buy as we realized we would each need to consume about 8 drinks a day to break even. I would estimate that at least 40% of the other travellers had bought the package, and some never stopped drinking.

AR.

[clean]

I have been on several cruises in my quest for status, so most are short cruises and I sailed by myself.  So take that for what it is worth.  I have been to Alaska at least 5 times, and I took my girlfriend (now Bride) on a 4 day trip to Grand Cayman so that she would be able to see if she was able to be on a ship.  I have only sailed Princess.

My sister in law has sailed more often, and has sailed since she was a teen. She likes Royal Caribbean and recently has had good things to say about one of the newer Norwegian ships, but also is a fan of the Disney line (though it is expensive)

The crowds/clientele for different lines, destinations and times of the year certainly change the feel of the cruise.

For instance, I would not like Carnival.  These 'fun ships' seem to specialize in shorter trips and family trips.  IF Panama City, Florida is known as the Red Neck Riviera, then, from what I have heard mind you, this would be the line specializing in similar entertainment. 

Holland America, from my understanding, has an older clientele.  So the entertainment may be more for the slower/older crowd.

Certainly Disney would have a different target audience than Carnival!  However, my brother's family has sailed on them a few times and note that it is not exclusively a 'kids' trip. While there is no casino, there are plenty of things for adults to do and some of the other benefits of a Disney ship may help.  (For instance, the inside cabins have a 'Virtual Porthole'.  Most of my voyages have been interior, and there is no way to know what is going on outside the ship short of turning on the TV and looking at the Bridge Cam channel. 

Princess is not a party ship, but the Alaska trips draw more families and kids than some of the other trips.   One of my friends that has over 45 cruises notes that cruises over holidays are different. A cruise that covers New Years Eve or Christmas will have a lot more kids, be louder, and on those days a lot of free drinks, so this time of the year would draw a different crowd and have a different feel.

From what I have gathered from the crews, Australian cruises are very different!  Lots of drinking, and very loud! 

Unlike clean, I prefer sea days to port stops, and we found the vibe very different:

My parents have cruised a few times, but prefer some sort of 'affinity' cruise. My dad, especially, likes gospel and blue grass music. Sometimes there are cruises that bring several bands together, so they like those cruises most.
Port Days are especially fund times for my dad.  He doesnt leave the ship, but with the crowds mostly ashore, he uses those times to hit the hot tubs!  There are often specials for the spa as well, while in port. So if you want a massage or want other spa times, those are some of the better times to schedule.
(I think that the primary reason he discovered this was that his first visit was prior to his knee surgery, so he didnt feel comfortable trying to get around, and really liked the relief that the hot tub provided his knee!)

[Puget]

As someone who is (a) a bit of an introvert, and (b) prone to sea sickness you would have to pay me very good money to get on a cruse ship!

[spork]

I've been discussing summer travel plans with the wifey, who has been outside the USA for the last five months. Given the need for her to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 upon her return, it looks like July is the window of opportunity for a trip together. We were thinking of traveling to a Central or South American destination, but I don't like the risk. Also airfare is much higher than when we last went in that direction.

It would be so nice if the border with Canada was opened this summer.

[mamselle]

It would be so nice if the border with Canada was opened this summer.

My brother (in Michigan) and his fiance (who was staying in Ottawa, where she has some property, when things were shut down) are hoping the same thing...

M.

[AvidReader]

clean, I have made the same hot tub discovery as your dad. It is great!

Puget, I am also an introvert, and I unfortunately do have to take motion sickness pills for cruises (but I also sometimes need them for ground transport, so that's not a dealbreaker for me). I don't find it hard to be an introvert on board. I sit and read and enjoy ignoring the world--but that's me, and YMMV.

Spouse is raring to go on another cruise as soon as it's safe. We just can't figure out what counts as safe. I am less interested in cruises at the moment but longing to get back to Europe for some research that was scheduled for April 2020. Even if it were safe (destination country is on lockdown at the moment), my library isn't accessible yet. I so look forward to in-person research again.

AR.

[spork]

I see countries are prohibiting travelers who have been in India. Australia is telling its citizens that they will be jailed if they try to come home from India. This is the kind of complication that makes me reluctant to plan a July trip to Central or South America. Or pretty much any other part of the world.

[spork]

Anyone from the USA managed to get into Canada lately as a regular tourist? I'm seeing some information that vaccinated travelers can enter as of August 9, but Covid tests are required before and after arrival. How this is supposed to work for people who cross the border by land is beyond me. Do you get detained by RCMP if you try to leave without proof of being tested while in Canada?

Some good prices for beachfront hotels in Haiti, but getting out of PAP airport via ground transportation probably necessitates hiring a security escort before arriving. Domestic flights from PAP to other cities seem ok.

Lebanon looks like its headed toward becoming a failed state, so Beirut is off my list for the time being.

[Morden]

Hi Spork, I think as of August 9, the Canadian border will want proof of vaccination and a negative test within 72 hours of crossing for Americans; then at the border (whether land or air) you need to do another test, but you don't have to wait for the results before proceeding. Here is more info:
https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada#determine-fully

[spork]

Hi Spork, I think as of August 9, the Canadian border will want proof of vaccination and a negative test within 72 hours of crossing for Americans; then at the border (whether land or air) you need to do another test, but you don't have to wait for the results before proceeding. Here is more info:
https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada#determine-fully

Thanks. This still sounds very cumbersome to enforce.

Wifey is headed back to homeland soon for the remainder of the summer. So any joint travel will happen this fall at the earliest. Spending an extended fall break weekend in Canada, or even the week of Thanksgiving, would be nice. Things still look uncertain though. I generally hate flying and don't want to return to pre-pandemic norms for air travel, which is why driving to Canada is an attractive option.

If my campus shifts to remote-only during the fall semester because of a Covid outbreak, I'll go on vacation and teach online from wherever I am. 

[Morden]

Yes, it's cumbersome.
Right now Canadian tourists can fly into the US (I think they have to produce a negative test taken within 72 hours--at least they have to for Hawaii), but they are not allowed to cross by land at all.

[clean]

With all of THAT, is the land border really open?

My PhD School officemate lives close to the border and would sometimes stock up on food in the US.  While he is Canadian, he may be subject to different rules, but I wont be making any plans to visit HIM! 

He would have liked to cross the border and travel the US in the Spring and Fall, but at this point, it doest look like he will be in any rush to travel here (or me there!)

Though, I m not looking to travel anywhere with 2 summer classes going on!  Flying is terribly expensive from what I can see, and then the rental car prices are as much as the plane! 
Driving to my parents requires almost 40 hours round trip.  I just dont have 40 hours before Christmas to get there and from what I can see it would be close to $1000 to travel by plane (risking the airport/airplane issues).  And flying would not make my parents all that comfortable.  My niece would probably bar us from visiting The Baby if we flew, and may even ban anyone we visited from being in the presence of The Baby, so we would end up spending a bunch of money to NOT be visited or visit many people! 

[downer]

Back in May I really wanted to travel. I chatted with someone who had a nice trip to Costa Rica. But other international travel was difficult, and it was hard to be sure about travel policies two months in the future. So I've stayed home mostly. It turned out I needed to work on my house anyway, so it was OK. My wunderlust has gone. I feel nostalgic for it, and wonder if it will perk up again soon. I'd at least to be able to plan 2022.

[apl68]

I'm hoping that in a few months I can have an opportunity to go out of state.

[lightning]

Is anyone skittish about international travel over Xmas/NYE break?

I'm still licking my wounds from canceled international trips in 2020, where I did lose some money.

A few months ago, when we all thought things would be back to normal, international vacation planning for a trip in between semesters was the usual argument about where to go. Now, it's an argument about whether we should even book anything.

I have not booked anything, yet, and I don't plan to book anything, at least for now.