So satisfying getting back home?

[The Cosmic Avenger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst This was the Princess line, and we also stayed at Princess resorts in Alaska, which I down-rated as slightly shabby and with poor service (service on the ship was much, much better, the staff were cruise ship professionals). Would Regency Seven Seas be better? We get their brochures now.

We sailed on the Paul Gaugin when it was part of RSSC, and we loved it. Everything felt at least nice if not luxurious. And we estimated what we would have paid in tips and drinks and shore excursions and upgrades on a similar cruise and it seemed like the cost was probably about the same.

[Amethyst]

After reading everyone's kind responses to my cruise ship grousing, I am looking at the Oceania and RSSC sites. We did look at cruisers' forums a while back. They were a little too "insider" for us then - it was hard to relate, since the posters were usually experienced cruisers. Maybe we can glean more from them, now.

[Souschef]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst Tours feel almost like jobs. Do this now, be there then, be considerate of others and eat with them even if you wouldn't ordinarily choose those people as companions....Tours are jobs you *want* to do, but jobs nonetheless.

I had not thought of that, but you are right. Bags outside at 7, on the bus at 8, is like a job.
That is why we have opted for a lot of independent travel.In many cases we used the tour company's itinerary as a guide. We recently did this in Switzerland and Santa Fe,NM.
Funny thing happened in Chimayo, we had just finished a great lunch, and a tour bus pulled up. It was the bus of the tour company we used as a guide! We looked at each other and smiled, because we knew how long it would take to feed those 40 people.

[Souschef]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst After reading everyone's kind responses to my cruise ship grousing, I am looking at the Oceania and RSSC sites. We did look at cruisers' forums a while back. They were a little too "insider" for us then - it was hard to relate, since the posters were usually experienced cruisers. Maybe we can glean more from them, now.

Here is a comment I made some time ago about Cruise Critic:
In my opinion, the boards for the most part have dissolved into caring about minutiae, or because the people do not go to the cruise company’s websites for all the information they need.
I am tired about reading about Rum Runners, tipping, MDR dress, smoking, lanyards, walkie talkies and all the other “hot button” issues that create all kinds of multiple posts on CC.

I do not care who the captain is as along as he does not run us aground (Costa Concordia)
I do not care who the Cruise Director is, especially in those inane morning programs on ship’s TV. It was murder on our last cruise of 30 days to try to find some redeeming feature about the programs.
I do not care who the maitre d’ is, as long as the food is OK
I think it is insane to carry cases of water on board when the shipboard water is as good or better

[NW-Bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst This was the Princess line, and we also stayed at Princess resorts in Alaska, which I down-rated as slightly shabby and with poor service (service on the ship was much, much better, the staff were cruise ship professionals)...

Outside of Denali National Park, we saw a big Princess Resort and stopped in to take a look. Thought that the lobby and public area looked quite nice, but did not see the rooms. About service, good help may be difficult to get in that area, as many hospitality workers in Alaska are seasonal and temporary.

In Girdwood near Anchorage, we happened to see the upscale looking Hotel Alyeska and a Tauck tour bus picking up Oriental tourists in front. Inside, it also looked like a nice resort.

I thought that it was too bad that the bus tourists only got to stay one night, and not had any time to really visit any surrounding area.

[SumDay]

Besides missing the dog (terribly), I am usually ready to get back home before the plane takes off for our vacation destination. We downsized a couple of years ago, and honestly there's no place I'd rather be than in this new house.


Love my bed, my meals, walks, etc. I'm pretty easy to please. (DH would disagree heartily).

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumDay Besides missing the dog (terribly), I am usually ready to get back home before the plane takes off for our vacation destination.

I think I've identified a sure-fire way to cut your expenses.

[Amethyst]

Exactly so, and we tried to be understanding. Still, it was hard to put up with being sternly chided, by a 20-year-old hostess, for being 5 minutes late to a dinner reservation in a dining room that was still half empty. I am not exaggerating - we got a lecture. There was something "off" about her, maybe a spectrum thing.

Also, the food was surprisingly mediocre. How can you mess up salmon and king crab legs in Alaska?

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound Outside of Denali National Park, we saw a big Princess Resort and stopped in to take a look. Thought that the lobby and public area looked quite nice, but did not see the rooms. About service, good help may be difficult to get in that area, as many hospitality workers in Alaska are seasonal and temporary. In Girdwood near Anchorage, we happened to see the upscale looking Hotel Alyeska and a Tauck tour bus picking up Oriental tourists in front. Inside, it also looked like a nice resort. I thought that it was too bad that the bus tourists only got to stay one night, and not had any time to really visit any surrounding area.

[Amethyst]

Our cruise director was a hoot. He was such a relentless self-promoter, you'd think he was running for high office.
The captain was nice. He was especially good about announcing on the PA as to why the ship was doing this or that, or would soon be doing this or that. I mean, we could have figured out for ourselves that he was blowing the fog horn because it was foggy, but it showed he cared

Quote:

Originally Posted by Souschef Here is a comment I made some time ago about Cruise Critic: In my opinion, the boards for the most part have dissolved into caring about minutiae, or because the people do not go to the cruise company’s websites for all the information they need. I am tired about reading about Rum Runners, tipping, MDR dress, smoking, lanyards, walkie talkies and all the other “hot button” issues that create all kinds of multiple posts on CC. I do not care who the captain is as along as he does not run us aground (Costa Concordia) I do not care who the Cruise Director is, especially in those inane morning programs on ship’s TV. It was murder on our last cruise of 30 days to try to find some redeeming feature about the programs. I do not care who the maitre d’ is, as long as the food is OK I think it is insane to carry cases of water on board when the shipboard water is as good or better

[kgtest]

yes we enjoy coming back "home", even when we come back to snow and cold from hot and sunny. Our furniture, vehicles, grocery store, new change of clothes and scenery.

It gets old again after about a month of cold though and I am still accumulating and W*rking soo... the inevitable back to w*rk thought comes back too soon.

~3000 more days until freedom. Nobody but ER forum believes me lol.

[6miths]

Home Sweet Home. Catchy!

Humans are more comfortable in familiar surroundings. Perhaps from our ancestors days of being prey.

[Teacher Terry]

We have never been treated rudely or scolded on a RC cruise. The staff has always been phenomenal. The one Princess Cruise not so much. A few people told us that Princess went downhill when Carnival bought them. We take tours but enjoy the sea days too. We stay up later and enjoy the entertainment when we know the next day is at sea.

[athena53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Souschef Here is a comment I made some time ago about Cruise Critic: In my opinion, the boards for the most part have dissolved into caring about minutiae, or because the people do not go to the cruise company’s websites for all the information they need. I am tired about reading about Rum Runners, tipping, MDR dress, smoking, lanyards, walkie talkies and all the other “hot button” issues that create all kinds of multiple posts on CC. <snip>

Hey, you forgot deck chair hogs and what to bring to decorate your stateroom door!


I did find CC useful for the reviews; when DH and I were first looking at UnCruise to Alaska we had no idea what they were like other than what we saw on their video which was, of course, advertising. We had some misgivings about what made it cost more. The reviews on CC helped. I've now got my 4th and 5th trips booked wath them.

[Moemg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst Tours feel almost like jobs. Do this now, be there then, be considerate of others and eat with them even if you wouldn't ordinarily choose those people as companions....Tours are jobs you *want* to do, but jobs nonetheless.

They are hard work to see glimpses of things . We enjoy independent travel with day tours in certain areas .We both love a mix of professional guides and just wandering around .

[Moemg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst We went on our first cruise ever, and it may be our last. There were fun things about the cruise, but they were awfully common-denominator ("formal night," shows, etc.) and we were mostly bored. The gym was too small and crowded. Food was very good, but too many people were there eating it with us, etc. and food/drink are not the be-all end-all for us.

They are common denominator but you do not have to follow the pack . We never do formal night anymore and we always request flexible dining .We pick and choose what we like to enjoy on cruises and ignore the rest .Cruise Critic is useful for planning excursions not through the cruise line .These excursions are cheaper and more interesting .

[FreeBear]

We endure long winters here, so we enjoy getting away for warmth and sunshine. Our longest escapes have grown to about 3 weeks. It's nice to occasionally see something new because we get bored of doing the same things in the same places.


We have friends that ecape for several months, but we feel happy be home after several weeks. We miss our home and friends, and we get tired of all the logistics while on the road.

[FreeBear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst Tours feel almost like jobs. Do this now, be there then, be considerate of others and eat with them even if you wouldn't ordinarily choose those people as companions....Tours are jobs you *want* to do, but jobs nonetheless.

Years ago, I did a very small hiking tour with a couple of guides and a handful of guests. It was a nice experience, but I didn't care for the schedule. In general, prefer to travel with just DW over any group, regardless of size. I love the flexibility. Group travel, even at best, can have too many constraints, just like a j*b!

[athena53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreeBear Years ago, I did a very small hiking tour with a couple of guides and a handful of guests. It was a nice experience, but I didn't care for the schedule. In general, prefer to travel with just DW over any group, regardless of size. I love the flexibility. Group travel, even at best, can have too many constraints, just like a j*b!

I agree- I LOVED my tour of India and Nepal and knew that I wanted to be with a group, but traveling with others, on a predetermined schedule, certainly had its drawbacks. I will continue to bop around Europe on my own.

[Scuba]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst This was the Princess line, and we also stayed at Princess resorts in Alaska, which I down-rated as slightly shabby and with poor service (service on the ship was much, much better, the staff were cruise ship professionals). Would Regency Seven Seas be better? We get their brochures now.

Yes it would! We went on the Paul Gaugin in Tahiti. One of the best cruises we’ve ever been on. We also like Windstar but Paul Gaugin was definitely more upscale than Windstar.

[Scuba]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst Tours feel almost like jobs. Do this now, be there then, be considerate of others and eat with them even if you wouldn't ordinarily choose those people as companions....Tours are jobs you *want* to do, but jobs nonetheless.

We’ve never done a tour and don’t think we are likely to. Maybe if we get to the point where we can’t travel independently? It just seems like a chore hanging out with others we didn’t choose, and seeing everything on a regimented schedule. I’ve heard the OAT tours are wonderful though.