Is cruising tacky?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain why it's tacky and why some people hate it? I've never been to one and have no idea what it's like. It seems like a stress free vacation.

Here's why I hate cruises:

- They are HORRIBLE for the environment, on a level most other vacations cannot match. A cruise ship's daily emissions into the ocean are equivalent to a million cars per day.

- Many times they're centered around unlimited eating, gambling ... basically crass consumption while you sit on this thing that is pumping chemicals into the ocean.'

- The stops are often so short that you just get off with throngs of people, go shop at tourist traps (which are usually detrimental to the local economy) and you get back on the ship.

I recognize all vacations take some toll on the environment, but the impact of cruises is way worse than most other vacation options.

Not to mention you're SOL if (as has happened) the ship breaks down somehow. You're stuck on the thing.

OK poor person who can’t afford one.

Can't afford a cruise? People go on cruises because they're cheap.

LOL exactly.

Just curious what you think a 7 night Disney Cruise costs the week before Easter for a family of 4?

I have a family of 5.
It priced out at $8K for a 4 night cruise for my family that week (with balcony). Two adjoining rooms with balcony on Royal Caribbean was $6K for 7 nights.

[Anonymous]

^^

I would love to go on a Disney Cruise to Alaska but it priced out at $20K for my family.
I also priced out a 5 night Galapagos Cruise for spring break at over $4K per person (we have 5).

So anyway I guess I have champagne taste but beer budget

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here! I’m not worried people will think we are tacky. Our friends wouldn’t think that. We are all in the same place in life where we have little kids and the trips are centered around them if they are going.

To the weird PP .. we speak a few languages and have lived abroad and traveled to most continents, I am pretty sure we quality as “cultured” by the definition of it alone. A cruise doesn’t change that.

I’m mostly wondering if it’s going to feel really tacky, crowded, low quality and be a bad experience since we haven’t been before. I know for a fact my young children would love the experience of it but it’s also a pretty expensive trip. We could do a lot of different exciting options with the budget for a family of four to go on one. What appeals to me is that everything is geared towards children without the lines and hustle of a Disney trip. My kids have traveled quite a bit but they are typical kids with a lot of energy that need to be busy and entertained.

I’ve heard mass market cruises (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, etc) described as “domestic wine and cheese,” which I’d say is about right. It’s the vacation equivalent of PF Chang’s or Cheesecake Factory. If you go in with reasonable expectations, you’ll have fun. Expect to be comfortable but not catered to, expect enjoyable food but not Michelin quality, visually appealing facilities but not Architectural Digest.

From reading reviews, I get the impression Disney is at the top of the mid-tier, but still could be called tacky by some. No first hand experience on Disney though.

I’m not too snobby to admit I’ve had some very pleasant meals at the Cheesecake Factory, and I’m not above cruising. It’s surely not mind-expanding adventure and exploration, but that’s not always what you want. You’ll have fun and the kids will LOVE it.

A cruise (certainly the Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian type) is a NASCAR race set afloat. Disney may be marginally better. I have heard that the high end ones, such as Viking, are very nice, though I have no experience with them.

That said, I will not voluntarily go on another cruise, even a high end one, and I definitely won't be paying for one, for these (among other) reasons:

- I don't like the lack of freedom.

- A huge part of our vacations is eating. I am not interested in mass quantities, but interesting, excellent food. It can be a Michelin 3-star, or some street kiosk with a cheap local specialty. I have no desire for food prepared in a commercial kitchen and served to hundreds or thousands of people. (As an aside, there are always people who tell you that the food on a cruise is great. Never take restaurant recommendations from those people.)

- Using oceanic cruises to "see other countries" is absurd. you stop at some cheesy port of call, and if you're lucky, you can wade through throngs of made in china crap to see something - anything - of the country you're in. Often, you just have a few hours, and have to be back on the ship before dinner, so you can't do anything interesting. (River cruises are much better at this.)

- Norovirus.

- On at sea days, ships are crowded and unpleasant.

- I like one day of lounging around by the pool/beach. Maybe two. More than that, for me, is a waste of time and money, and will soon become unpleasant.

- Money factors into it, too - not that we can't afford it, but I can *always* plan a much more fun and interesting vacation for the same price. If we're spending $10,000 on a cruise for 3, including air fare and all fees, etc., I can plan a week in a European or South American city, or a ski trip out west, for much less. I suppose I could find a great deal on an interior cabin and do a vacation on the cheap, but honestly, I'd rather stay home on a staycation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain why it's tacky and why some people hate it? I've never been to one and have no idea what it's like. It seems like a stress free vacation.

Here's why I hate cruises:

- They are HORRIBLE for the environment, on a level most other vacations cannot match. A cruise ship's daily emissions into the ocean are equivalent to a million cars per day.

- Many times they're centered around unlimited eating, gambling ... basically crass consumption while you sit on this thing that is pumping chemicals into the ocean.'

- The stops are often so short that you just get off with throngs of people, go shop at tourist traps (which are usually detrimental to the local economy) and you get back on the ship.

I recognize all vacations take some toll on the environment, but the impact of cruises is way worse than most other vacation options.

Not to mention you're SOL if (as has happened) the ship breaks down somehow. You're stuck on the thing.

OK poor person who can’t afford one.

Can't afford a cruise? People go on cruises because they're cheap.

LOL exactly.

Just curious what you think a 7 night Disney Cruise costs the week before Easter for a family of 4?

It’s not exactly a secret — I just looked it up and it starts at $8K. We could absolutely afford that but would never do it.

I didn’t say you couldn’t afford it. But $8k is not “cheap” by any reasonable standard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain why it's tacky and why some people hate it? I've never been to one and have no idea what it's like. It seems like a stress free vacation.

Here's why I hate cruises:

- They are HORRIBLE for the environment, on a level most other vacations cannot match. A cruise ship's daily emissions into the ocean are equivalent to a million cars per day.

- Many times they're centered around unlimited eating, gambling ... basically crass consumption while you sit on this thing that is pumping chemicals into the ocean.'

- The stops are often so short that you just get off with throngs of people, go shop at tourist traps (which are usually detrimental to the local economy) and you get back on the ship.

I recognize all vacations take some toll on the environment, but the impact of cruises is way worse than most other vacation options.

Not to mention you're SOL if (as has happened) the ship breaks down somehow. You're stuck on the thing.

OK poor person who can’t afford one.

Can't afford a cruise? People go on cruises because they're cheap.

LOL exactly.

Just curious what you think a 7 night Disney Cruise costs the week before Easter for a family of 4?

It’s not exactly a secret — I just looked it up and it starts at $8K. We could absolutely afford that but would never do it.

I didn’t say you couldn’t afford it. But $8k is not “cheap” by any reasonable standard.

Please refer to the bolded above. And if your response is, "that wasn't me," then you are dumber than a box of rocks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain why it's tacky and why some people hate it? I've never been to one and have no idea what it's like. It seems like a stress free vacation.

Here's why I hate cruises:

- They are HORRIBLE for the environment, on a level most other vacations cannot match. A cruise ship's daily emissions into the ocean are equivalent to a million cars per day.

- Many times they're centered around unlimited eating, gambling ... basically crass consumption while you sit on this thing that is pumping chemicals into the ocean.'

- The stops are often so short that you just get off with throngs of people, go shop at tourist traps (which are usually detrimental to the local economy) and you get back on the ship.

I recognize all vacations take some toll on the environment, but the impact of cruises is way worse than most other vacation options.

Not to mention you're SOL if (as has happened) the ship breaks down somehow. You're stuck on the thing.

OK poor person who can’t afford one.

Can't afford a cruise? People go on cruises because they're cheap.

LOL exactly.

Just curious what you think a 7 night Disney Cruise costs the week before Easter for a family of 4?

[b]It’s not exactly a secret — I just looked it up and it starts at $8K. We could absolutely afford that but would never do it.[b]

I didn’t say you couldn’t afford it. But $8k is not “cheap” by any reasonable standard.

Please refer to the bolded above. And if your response is, "that wasn't me," then you are dumber than a box of rocks.

I was replying to your post that I’ve bolded.

Are you trying to imply only one poster is allowed to reply to you?

[Anonymous]

Cruising is becoming much more mainstream and UMC. It’s a resort vacation on a ship. And the better ones are not cheap. For someone who is young and healthy or older with grown children who want adventure obviously that’s too confining. But going to a resort is much the same.
For someone who is recovering from an illness, elderly, or has young children it can be perfect. Lots to do for the kids and very relaxing. Also more value for your money than a resort.
Of course a cheap cruise is like other forms of cheap travel. It has its downsides. But those who are snobs about cruising in the 21st century are just way behind the times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain why it's tacky and why some people hate it? I've never been to one and have no idea what it's like. It seems like a stress free vacation.

Here's why I hate cruises:

- They are HORRIBLE for the environment, on a level most other vacations cannot match. A cruise ship's daily emissions into the ocean are equivalent to a million cars per day.

- Many times they're centered around unlimited eating, gambling ... basically crass consumption while you sit on this thing that is pumping chemicals into the ocean.'

- The stops are often so short that you just get off with throngs of people, go shop at tourist traps (which are usually detrimental to the local economy) and you get back on the ship.

I recognize all vacations take some toll on the environment, but the impact of cruises is way worse than most other vacation options.

Not to mention you're SOL if (as has happened) the ship breaks down somehow. You're stuck on the thing.

OK poor person who can’t afford one.

?? The packages are cheap. The cruise lines use economies of scale to herd masses of customers in and out.

[Anonymous]

My current guilty pleasure is watching youtube videos about transatlantic crossings on the QE 2. At first glance, it seems much less tacky than many other cruises. (Surprised at how tacky even the ALaska cruises seem). But everyone on the QE2 looks about a million years old, so maybe hold off for awhile. For me, sitting next to a window reading a book and looking out at the ocean for a week sounds heavenly. but probably more of a retired couple thing that a family with kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain why it's tacky and why some people hate it? I've never been to one and have no idea what it's like. It seems like a stress free vacation.

Here's why I hate cruises:

- They are HORRIBLE for the environment, on a level most other vacations cannot match. A cruise ship's daily emissions into the ocean are equivalent to a million cars per day.

- Many times they're centered around unlimited eating, gambling ... basically crass consumption while you sit on this thing that is pumping chemicals into the ocean.'

- The stops are often so short that you just get off with throngs of people, go shop at tourist traps (which are usually detrimental to the local economy) and you get back on the ship.

I recognize all vacations take some toll on the environment, but the impact of cruises is way worse than most other vacation options.

Not to mention you're SOL if (as has happened) the ship breaks down somehow. You're stuck on the thing.

OK poor person who can’t afford one.

Why can't you just acknowledge that this person has different views than you...without claiming that you are richer than them. What a sad way to look at the world.

[Anonymous]

I’m not behind the times. I just don’t want to buy into something that is incredibly destructive.

[Anonymous]

Cruises are amazing. I used to think they were tacky, but I had never been on one before. I would definitely do one again, if they weren’t so expensive. I have heard only good things about Disney cruises. I used to teach, and the kids who went came back glowing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cruises are amazing. I used to think they were tacky, but I had never been on one before. I would definitely do one again, if they weren’t so expensive. I have heard only good things about Disney cruises. I used to teach, and the kids who went came back glowing.

Doesn’t change the horrible impact on the environment. It’s really awful and much worse than most other vacation options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain why it's tacky and why some people hate it? I've never been to one and have no idea what it's like. It seems like a stress free vacation.

Here's why I hate cruises:

- They are HORRIBLE for the environment, on a level most other vacations cannot match. A cruise ship's daily emissions into the ocean are equivalent to a million cars per day.

- Many times they're centered around unlimited eating, gambling ... basically crass consumption while you sit on this thing that is pumping chemicals into the ocean.'

- The stops are often so short that you just get off with throngs of people, go shop at tourist traps (which are usually detrimental to the local economy) and you get back on the ship.

I recognize all vacations take some toll on the environment, but the impact of cruises is way worse than most other vacation options.

Not to mention you're SOL if (as has happened) the ship breaks down somehow. You're stuck on the thing.

OK poor person who can’t afford one.

Can't afford a cruise? People go on cruises because they're cheap.

LOL exactly.

Just curious what you think a 7 night Disney Cruise costs the week before Easter for a family of 4?

I have a family of 5.
It priced out at $8K for a 4 night cruise for my family that week (with balcony). Two adjoining rooms with balcony on Royal Caribbean was $6K for 7 nights.

Plus RT air for 5

And a hotel the night before

Transfers to/from airport/hotel

Excursions

This stuff isn’t cheap! All in: $10k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cruises are amazing. I used to think they were tacky, but I had never been on one before. I would definitely do one again, if they weren’t so expensive. I have heard only good things about Disney cruises. I used to teach, and the kids who went came back glowing.

Doesn’t change the horrible impact on the environment. It’s really awful and much worse than most other vacation options.

Go to bed, Greta Thunburg.