inversed's Blog

Okay, I really don't want to be a downer, but I'll feel environmental-guilt if I don't mention how TERRIBLE cruise ships are for the environment. Awful, awful, awful! & they have negative effects on a lot of the communities where the boats dock (of course all travel has this effect, it's just more concentrated because there are so many cruise passengers who go to the same places).
Here's an article by a man who wrote a book about the "seedy underbelly" of the cruise industry:
http://www.consciouschoice.com/2003/cc1602/cruiseblues1602.h tml
& here's an advice column asking about any sustainable cruise lines from my fave environmental site:
http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2003/02/06/umbra-cruises/ind ex.html

That's from 2003, but I couldn't find much info on any positive changes that have been made since then, unfortunately. If you decide to go anyway, there are some cruise lines with "environmentally-friendly" ships (but don't fool yourself into thinking they're really good- they're probably just slightly better than the normal ones):
http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/carnival_legend/
& of course try to reduce your waste while you're on the ship, and ask about the company's environmental policies, and… uh, that's all I've got!

Please don't hate me for raining on your cruise parade! Hate the evil cruise industry which forced me to do it!! & I hope you have a great vacation, even if you do take a cruise!

It seems like every time you turn around, you hear a new horror story about how everybody on board some cruise ship has food poisoning, or all of the toilets were broken forcing passengers to use champagne buckets as chamber pots.  Nope.  I'm never getting on a cruise ship if I can possibly help it. 

- or people falling off of cruise ships (!!!)

I went on a Carnival cruise to the Mexican Rivera. There was a total of 14 in out group of friends that went and it was a 7 day. It was the perfect amount of time and there was never a dull moment. The excursions were not bad in my opinion. We rented a jeep for one and did our own thing. On another we went to a resort and went horseback riding. You know ahead of time what your port of all are and for how long at each. So it is a really easy way to research those cities to see what you might want to do. For both separate excursions we did not go thru the Cruise lines. There were places when we got off that I think made things cheaper. Lots of fun and we are planning on doing one again soon! Hope this helps!

A group of 14 friends sounds like a lively bunch! A cruise with a group of family or friends does sound like fun. I didn’t even think about booking our own excursions separate from the cruise line. There are probably a lot more activity options that way at more affordable prices. Thanks for the tip!

I've only been on a cruise once, to Mexico, but I loved it.  We went with a lot of family and really enjoyed ourselves.  The cabin was larger than I thought it would be, the staff was nice, food was fantastic and shore activities adequate.  It was very memorable and the last trip my grandfather was a part of, as he passed away the next year.  We're in the research and planning stages for our next one.

It sounds like going with a group of people, like a bunch of family and friends, would really be a good time. When it’s just the two of us going on a trip, we typically do our own thing away from crowds (we prefer embarking on our own adventures than following a tour), but with a group, it’s different. I think a cruise would make a good group trip. Thanks! I hope your next cruise is just as memorable as your first.