Favorite Cruise Destination

[Dr. Bob]

In a year when not one but two of our planned cruises "sank" in the corona sea, thought I would ask fellow-cruisers their favorite destination. NOT "general" (like Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean) but "specific" place or stop from your cruising itineraries.

We've been on 22 cruises as a couple since 2000 (wife on 25) so have LOTS of favorites. But we were planning on returning this now-canceled season to the Maritimes. And specifically to Prince Edward Island and Green Gables.

 

[Dr. Bob]

 

[KenH]

Bahamas. The only cruise I have ever been on. It was a Dr. Charles Stanley cruise in 1995.

 

[Dr. Bob]

Bahamas. The only cruise I have ever been on. It was a Dr. Charles Stanley cruise in 1995.

Cool. Freeport? Nassau? one of the "cays" islands for resort day on a cruise?

 

[KenH]

Cool. Freeport? Nassau? one of the "cays" islands for resort day on a cruise?

I think we stopped at Nassau. It was the only stop along the way that my wife and I got off the boat. There was another stop but you had to get into a smaller boat to go ashore.

 

[Reynolds]

In a year when not one but two of our planned cruises "sank" in the corona sea, thought I would ask fellow-cruisers their favorite destination. NOT "general" (like Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean) but "specific" place or stop from your cruising itineraries.

We've been on 22 cruises as a couple since 2000 (wife on 25) so have LOTS of favorites. But we were planning on returning this now-canceled season to the Maritimes. And specifically to Prince Edward Island and Green Gables.

My wife likes cruises. I despise them. I would just rather go somewhere and stay. On boat, off boat, on boat, off boat, I can't take it. Hurry so you don't get left. Etc. Etc.

 

[Dr. Bob]

My wife likes cruises. I despise them. I would just rather go somewhere and stay. On boat, off boat, on boat, off boat, I can't take it. Hurry so you don't get left. Etc. Etc.

We are now taking "repeat" cruises, on similar itinerary. If not a new port or a new special tour in an old port, we stay on board. Maybe wander the dock area for an hour to get a souvenir.

Favorite cruises itinerary itself is Hawaii. Why? 5 days at sea, 5 on 4 islands, 5 days at sea. The REAL vacation is the ship. With 10 meals a day, entertainment, lectures, food (did I mention that?), games, music venues, movie theater, library/deck chairs for reading and sleeping, snacks, pools, - all 100% paid for in the ticket - why spend another penny or be "hurried" on/off lines, tendering boats, etc.

Catch free shuttle to Waikiki Beach for swim/shops as ship stays overnight there. We've vacationing in Hawaii on our own a couple times, so Oahu "must see" we've already seen. Just bum. But get on ship, enjoy wonderful luncheon and unpack in room . . . and don't pack again for 15 days. Relaxation here I come

 

[Scott Downey]

I am plain leery of cruises, I do own my own boat, which stays in the Chesapeake lower bay area. I know my mother would never get on one, claims she would get food poisoning, or fall off in mid ocean.
Wife though has some interest in going on a cruise, someday, maybe like her bucket list.

 

[Dr. Bob]

I am plain leery of cruises.

You should be. They are addicting. Wife and I can take a 7-day cruise to anywhere for under $2000, incl. tax/tips and all expenses covered. 10 meals a day. Games, lectures, movies, programs, Vegas-style entertainment, options for gambling (not for us), deck activities/pools. Go to sleep and awake in a new exotic destination to explore on foot or small tours (added cost) every day.

Where else can a couple vacation like that for this money? Holiday Inn + travel/gas + meals (cruise has unlimited buffets and 5-course dinners) + entertainment for $250 a day for two? Okay, you have to share a cabin with the wife, but that is the only drawback

 

[Salty]

Where else can a couple vacation like that for this money? Holiday Inn + travel/gas + meals (cruise has unlimited buffets and 5-course dinners) + entertainment for $250 a day for two? Okay, you have to share a cabin with the wife, but that is the only drawback

I have heard that it would be cheaper for a person to cruise 52 weeks a year, then it would cost to stay at a senior assisted living center.

But what I would like to ask Dr Bob - which well know Christians have spoken/preformed on the cruises you have take, ie Dr. Stanely, Bill Gather, Chuck Wagon Gang, Joel Osteen......

 

[Reynolds]

Favorite cruise destination? Las Vegas. Cruise those little boats right into the Venetian.

 

[Dr. Bob]

Favorite cruise destination? Las Vegas. Cruise those little boats right into the Venetian.

 

[Dr. Bob]

I have heard that it would be cheaper for a person to cruise 52 weeks a year, then it would cost to stay at a senior assisted living center.

But what I would like to ask Dr Bob - which well know Christians have spoken/preformed on the cruises you have take, ie Dr. Stanely, Bill Gather, Chuck Wagon Gang, Joel Osteen.

I looked into being a "chaplain" on a cruise ship - small cabin for the wife and I in the ship's bowels with the staff. 5-6 pm daily Bible reading/prayer for any passengers. Sat night and Sun morning service for any passengers. Occasional weddings, counseling over grief (if someone dies on ship, etc). The Catholic church provides 2 priests for a 6-month stay overlapping (the first 3 months is simply R&R - priest in civilian clothing; second 3 months he ministers and new priest for R&R comes in).

Wife wants to be around grandchildren so can't do that.

When we cruise, we arrange for a Service on Sunday with me leading it and preaching. They put it in the daily "news" schedule each cabin gets the night before and provide us a meeting room (usually large lounge/dance area unoccupied at 9 am on a Sunday morning), staff, P.A. system, print song sheets (I take master copies along). Usually 50-100 attend. Guess that I am the famous preacher they write home about . . .

 

[Salty]

I never thought about that - a Chaplain on a ship! That could be quite a ministry.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Like Dr. Bob, wife and I are cruise addicts. My favorite port is the Caymans. Love the clear water and really nice people. We dive and, when we can't dive, snorkel among the fish.

Our favorite cruise was Alaska. One day we helicoptered through the mountains and landed on a glacier, walked around and drank water from the run off, then got back on and that night ran into a storm that almost rivaled Deadliest Catch storms with 50 foot waves that broke over our 3rd deck port hole. Didn't sleep much but loved the theme park ride.

 

[Charles Perkins]

In a year when not one but two of our planned cruises "sank" in the corona sea, thought I would ask fellow-cruisers their favorite destination. NOT "general" (like Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean) but "specific" place or stop from your cruising itineraries.

We've been on 22 cruises as a couple since 2000 (wife on 25) so have LOTS of favorites. But we were planning on returning this now-canceled season to the Maritimes. And specifically to Prince Edward Island and Green Gables.

My wife and I very much enjoyed our stop in Valparaiso, Chile. Not so much for that city but because it was the jump off point for Santiago which we very much enjoyed for a summer time Christmas.

 

[Salty]

When we cruise, we arrange for a Service on Sunday with me leading it and preaching. They put it in the daily "news" schedule each cabin gets the night before and provide us a meeting room (usually large lounge/dance area unoccupied at 9 am on a Sunday morning), staff, P.A. system, print song sheets (I take master copies along). Usually 50-100 attend. Guess that I am the famous preacher they write home about . . .

Have you seen any decisions?

 

[kathleenmariekg]

I have never set sail on a full-sized cruise boat. I have worked on mini-cruise boats and a lobster boat, and I have accompanied relatives that were part of the entertainment on a ship in dock, or friends with crew

I always flew. At times tickets were free. We flew a LOT during those times. Other times I went more than a decade without flying. Life is weird. I take it as it comes.

 

[kathleenmariekg]

Many of my trips to vacations spots were funerals. Washington DC was wild. I have never been in a high speed motorcade before or since. I have been to a lot of funerals. I have a relative that as a child wrote about a funeral when he was required to write an essay about a "social event". He didn't understand why people were laughing at his essay. The more that people tried to explain why funerals were not social events, the more confused he became.