Would I take such a cruise for fun? I think if I worked in an office or factory or was otherwise trapped most of the year, wanted warm (hot) weather and some beach time, liked to eat and drink a LOT, or perhaps was a honeymooner or similar newly significant others; it would be fun for a 5 day break from routine. If I wanted a little taste of a foreign country without fear, an adventurous trip in a glass and steel bubble; it would fit the bill.
If, like myself and my wife nine years ago when a heart attack left me in a position where "If you are very careful you may be able to live a somewhat normal life for as much as five or seven years..." then it is time to buy the old Bronco with oversize tires and head off on your own to have the adventure last a lot longer and be a great deal more intense. But that is not for everyone and a cruise is great for older people, those with children, and those who just want to get away and grab a tiny taste of a place that is not Kansas.
This is about cruising not Carnival. Another time we may taste some other lines.
Bon Voyage.
Article comments
1 - Aaman
Nice article - different perspective on cruises.
Fixed some spelling/grammar and removed an email you had put - the format was incorrect, and the email not valid. Please put the correct email address in parentheses as a@b.c
2 - alpha
I always miss a few words, a comma in the wrong place. Email address format eludes me so you were right; people can cut and paste. Besides, International Reservations is for those of us from foreign countries or living in one. Everyone else can go to the website.
Thanks for making the post more readable.
3 - Natalie Davis
Whether a cruise is inexpensive or not is relative. I took a short cruise years ago and enjoyed it, but would be reluctant to do so again because of a fear of communicable illnesses such as Legionnaire's disease.
4 - Phillip Winn
I took a Carnival cruise for my tenth wedding anniversary, and enjoyed it a great deal. There was a bit of security when disembarking at various ports of call. It seemed that they were matching up disembarkers with reembarkers, so if you left the ship and didn't return, they'd be alarmed. I assume you have to let them know you're not getting back on board, yes?
5 - alpha
Natalie: Living in Mexico and using ships I am always very careful of food, especially buffet style anywhere. And, yes, any closed in environmental system - ship, plane, all-inclusive hotel - have potential for contagion. After the last big outbreak it was suggested that not touching others and handwashing often helps. It is a valid worry but less so than one of the fast food chains.
Phillip: security was the last and major problem we had but it is not usual. The "jumping ship" part is always preceded by lots of discussion and forms with the purser and a separate interview with the Mexican Immigration people. Returning I go to the 6:30 AM meeting of "people who are not US citizens or entered in foreign ports. All annoying but less than I gather the normal airport these days.
6 - Natalie Davis
Well, Mr./Ms. Alpha, I don't do fast food restaurants or salad bars or anything. I will fly, but the risk involved is worth it IMO. And I am near pathological about handwashing and not touching people anyway.
7 - alpha
Natalie: My response was general, based on the food-borne dangers here in Mexico. It was never meant to be a reflection on your cleanliness nor valid fears. I thought your worries quite appropriate.
By the way,What does IMO mean? And don't forget I prefaced the post with the problem that not being able to fly, cruise ships are my only way back to the States; so, for me, the risk is also worth it.