|
|
![]() |
#1 |
Life is for living
![]() |
![]()
The 'Cigars & Cruises' thread made me look and see if there was a dedicated thread for cruises and cruisers (NOT Tom Cruise.
![]() Do you enjoy cruises? What's your favorite cruise line? Best/worst cruise you've been on? Are you thinking about taking your first cruise and have questions? Ask away! Our first cruise was in 2007 when we were stationed in Europe and we've been fans ever since. It was on the Costa Concordia which was made infamous five years later when the drunken captain ran it aground and capsized it while trying to impress his girlfriend. We've been on 15 total ocean cruises: - 10 Norwegian - 2 Carnival - 1 each MSC, Costa, and Holland America We've also taken two Viking river cruises, on the Danube and Rhine. We've got a backlog of cruises on the horizon due to the craziness of the last few years. We'll be on NCL in July going out of Reykavik to Greenland and back around Iceland and again on NCL next January going to the Southern Carribean. Then we have two "special occasion cruises", one next April on Oceania out of Tahiti going around French Polynesia in celebration of Steph's 50th; the other is February 2024 on Viking Ocean going up the coast of Norway to above the Arctic Circle in search of the northern lights for my 50th (3.5 years after I actually turned 50). Favorite cruise line: NCL. We like their itineraries, life on the ship, the food, and we love the Haven. ![]() Least Favorite: MSC. The ship was old and creaky and the crew was apathetic at best. The itinerary (Eastern Mediterranean) was great, though. Best cruise: NCL out of Sydney, Australia going around New Zealand. We splurged on the Haven so went in style. Every stop was fantastic. The only downside was flying to/from. Itinerary we want to repeat: Glacier Bay, Alaska. I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time overseas during my military career and have been in 50 different countries. I don't think any place I've been matches the beauty of Glacier Bay. We did it in 2016 on Holland America (they sail a smaller ship on this itinerary so they can get closer to the glaciers than other lines) and when we disembarked after the cruise I turned to Steph and said "We're doing that again." How about you?
__________________
A 1911 in the hand is faster than 911 on the phone |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
King of Rants
|
![]()
We're thinking about Royal Caribbean one of their Oasis class ships with the central park on the ship. What makes it funny is I can't be in the sun for extended periods of time I have what's called Erythropoietic protoporphyria so I have photosensitivity to the sun so I'm looking for a cruise with plenty of indoor activity and that seems to be one of the cooler and better ships for it but i'd also love to travel on a cruise the has a dedicated cigar lounge and just chill, smoke cigars and meet new people. So, that's where we're at, at the moment but that could change. Definitely considering NCL because of their smoker friendly lounges. God bless you!
__________________
“When I have found intense pain relieved, a weary brain soothed, and calm, refreshing sleep obtained by a cigar, I have felt grateful to God, and have blessed His name.” Spurgeon |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 | |
Life is for living
![]() |
![]() Quote:
Even the smaller ships have plenty of indoor activities to keep people busy. There's always something going on, be it trivia contests, dance lessons, cooking demonstrations, casino tournaments...or just finding a quiet corner to sit and enjoy a drink and play some cards with friends. Back in 2010 I worked with a guy who went on his first cruise with his wife and kids. When he came back I asked how he liked it. He said "Meh. All you do is eat and drink." I told him no, that's all he chose to do.
__________________
A 1911 in the hand is faster than 911 on the phone |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Ol' Dude
|
![]()
I took my first cruise back in '89 on what was then NCL's newest ship, the Seaward. I've been cruising ever since. I honestly have no clue as to how many I've taken though I'm Platinum level on two lines. I'd guess I've been on around 40 or so. The industry has really changed since my first cruise.
Recently we've started to try the riverboat cruises. We actually had one scheduled when the rona virus hit and it was canceled. Since then I'm taking a wait and see approach. When I do eventually book something again it'll probably a Mexican Riviera trip out of Long Beach or L.A. That's an easy drive for us from Vegas and we always enjoy Mexico. Not in any hurry though. Being quarantined on a ship isn't on my bucket list. If things ever really do get back to normal I'll look at South America and possibly one to the Orient. That's a big if at this point. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | |
Life is for living
![]() |
![]() Quote:
__________________
A 1911 in the hand is faster than 911 on the phone |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Bunion
![]() |
![]()
I think that it would be good to also talk about fave destinations and time of year.
For example, I really want to do the Inside Passage to Alaska and would do it almost any time of year. The cruise line is an issue, primarily in the difficulty in getting a balcony with a hot tub. Mind you, convincing the family is impossible, but I may have to take a solo trip before too long. Hate almost all of the cruise itineraries that I have seen of the Caribbean, but my brother's cruise of the Baltic has me interested.
__________________
I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 | |
Life is for living
![]() |
![]() Quote:
We mainly cruise in the off-season.
__________________
A 1911 in the hand is faster than 911 on the phone |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Life is for living
![]() |
![]()
Stephanie and I are on the NCL Star right now. Our last time on it was 2016. Back then it had a nice cigar lounge. The ship was refurbished in 2018, and no more cigar lounge, sadly. Now the cigar smoking area is at one of the outdoor bars on the top deck.
__________________
A 1911 in the hand is faster than 911 on the phone |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Ain't Never Gonna Leave
![]() Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Todd
Location: Northcentral woods of Wisconsin
Posts: 6,832
Trading: (51)
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]()
I am glad there are so many of you that enjoy cruises. My dad met his 2nd wife on a cruise, almost 9 years after mom died. It was soooo good for him.
Personally??? Never been on a cruise... ...hope to never have to endure it... WHAT??? You ask in utter astonishment? OK, here's my thing... Surrounded by water on a boat for 5-10 days... and unable to fish while doing it? (no, stops where you can fish in between long times where I could be trolling do not count) Arrrrgggg...I am not Roman Catholic, so that would be my idea of purgatory. Pauline's folks wanted to take us (and her siblings and their families) on a cruise for our 25th Anniversary. I said, "Y'all have a great time! While you're gone I will be taking my dream trip, a 10-day guided trout fishing excursion out west somewhere...Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, somewhere like that." Her dad thought I was kidding until Pauline informed him that I was very, very serious.
__________________
Todd__ "Smoke what you like, and enjoy it!" |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Will herf for food
|
![]()
LOL Todd. I've never been on one either. With our Thousand Trails membership we can trade some of the perks in for cruises, short ones or or partial cost for longer ones. I am interested in what options would suit us best. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.
__________________
“Eating and sleeping are the only activities that should be allowed to interrupt a man's enjoyment of his cigar;” Mark Twain |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
That's a Corgi
|
![]()
I watch Dream Cruises on AWE and seldom do they look like something I want to go on. Mostly grey hairs and just average food and wine.
__________________
Port Wine & Claret | British Cars | Welsh Corgi's |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Man in Black!!!
|
![]()
I have been on a cruise a few times, just short 3 day to Ensenada Mex. They are quick leave San Pedro Fri. afternoon wake up in Ensenada Sat. You get to spend the day then back on the ship sat night and out at sea sun. wake up Mon. am and get off. Back then I was able to smoke cigars on the upper deck bar. Then the wife worked at a large wholesale mortgage company where she was one of may VP's. and as a year end bonus the big wigs got to go on a Cruise and since she won employee of the year we got to go. But it was not just any cruise to the Caribbean it was the WindStar which is a large yacht.
Wind Star is a sleek, 4-masted sailing yacht accommodating 148 guests. With four decks and a gross tonnage of 5,703, Wind Star feels like your own private yacht. Wind Star features wide open, teak decks—quite unusual for small ships. All Accommodations Feature Queen Size Bed with Luxurious Linens Waffle Weave Robe and Slippers TV with DVD Player Fully Stocked Mini Bar/Refrigerator Safe L'Occitane Bath Amenities Fresh Fruit Hair Dryers and 110/220 outlets Wi-Fi (internet cards can be purchased at reception) Bathroom with granite countertop and shower Granite vanity with magnifying mirror It only has 148 guests and 100 people taking care of them. You’ll find fresh fruit and flowers always waiting for you after a day of sun or sightseeing. And, of course, everything else you need and expect — flat-screen television and DVD, private safe. And always at your fingertips, anything you wish from room service 24/7 Also a private chef to make you anything at ever breakfast It was 7 days Saint Thomas, Saint Martin, Saint Bart's, Jost Van Dyke, Saint Kits Saint, Lucia. We even raced on the Stars and strips Regatta where we were part of the racing teem ![]() After that I could never go on a reg cruise again ![]() I would go on one of there cruises agin in a heartbeat, but a $5,000 a head "That will never happen" ![]() ![]()
__________________
"If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions." "Hav-a-na nice day" |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Life is for living
![]() |
![]()
Regent, Oceania, or Viking Ocean would probably change your mind about that. Oceania has been described as a Michelin-starred restaurant at sea.
__________________
A 1911 in the hand is faster than 911 on the phone |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Will herf for food
|
![]()
Yeah, I don't do masks, lockdowns, or vax mandates. If that's on the itinerary, I'm out.
If I can't smoke a cigar I'm probably out for that reason too. I've got better things to do with my time and money.
__________________
“Eating and sleeping are the only activities that should be allowed to interrupt a man's enjoyment of his cigar;” Mark Twain |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 | |
That's a Corgi
|
![]() Quote:
![]()
__________________
Port Wine & Claret | British Cars | Welsh Corgi's |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 | |
Ain't Never Gonna Leave
![]() Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Todd
Location: Northcentral woods of Wisconsin
Posts: 6,832
Trading: (51)
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() Quote:
By the way, tying this to another thread, wasn't my other post worth a rep bump? ![]() Peace of the Lord be with you.
__________________
Todd__ "Smoke what you like, and enjoy it!" |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 | |
Will herf for food
|
![]() Quote:
__________________
“Eating and sleeping are the only activities that should be allowed to interrupt a man's enjoyment of his cigar;” Mark Twain |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Sexy Dave
![]() |
![]()
I've been on about 15 cruises. All Norwegian. There's always either a cigar lounge or a place on deck to smoke. My wife and I always loved cruises. So much fun and everything under the sun is included. I highly recommend it.
__________________
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin I "heart" Boobies and Beer! ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |