Cruises: Beats any package holiday...

carled

Amazing isn't it, how many people accused of bad spelling resort to claiming "typos". Of course the "a" needed for "predator" is right next to the "i" on the keyboard, isn't it? Also the whole "it's quicker to type "Id" instead "I'd" rather begs the question of why bother with all the other apostrophes in your post then?

I personally don't believe half of what missk_ensington is claiming academically, but that is my privilege to do so - if other people want to accept her credentials as presented, that's your choice.

Anyhow... moving on...

The reason I have taken issue with the whole post is because of missk_ensington's initial post... the whole "I can't believe you fools are still not going for cruises over package holidays" tone inherent in the first post. This rather assumes that everyone who isn't going on cruises actually goes on package holidays, when that is not the case. I actually lump package holidays and cruises in much the same category and, to answer Ivanopinion's question as well, I actually advocate booking all holidays piece by piece rather than going anywhere near a tour operator, because that way I'm not paying a middle man, I get to choose my own accommodation and travel plans and, most importantly, I don't end up being herded around with the mobs of people who think that either a cruise or a package holiday is a good idea.

I accept that some people don't want the hassle of DIY holidays and can people also accept that I am posting this somewhat tongue-in-cheek as a parody of missk_ensington's original post. For me to say, "you're all fools for not booking DIY holidays" would be the same as what missk_ensington did in the first place. There are all sorts of holidays available for all sorts of people and to post what amounts to propaganda on cruises (as missk_ensington) keeps doing is misinforming people to an extent. There are numerous sites on the internet that will explain that many cruises (including several recommended by missk_ensington) are fairly awful in catering and facility standards and not everything is the shangri-la she promises. Please do not book a cruise purely on her say so, rather do some more investigation before committing yourself to a holiday purely because someone who is addicted to cruising says you should do and, indeed, alludes that you are something of a fool if you do not take her advice.

Some of the information posted on this thread is blatantly misleading (you don't get mosquitos on cruises...) yeah - of course any self respecting mosquito is never to be found at the water's edge where a cruise ship is moored up for much of the time, is it? I have an aunt who went on a med cruise and the thing that makes her shudder most is the memory of the clouds of gnats and mosquitos that descended on the ship in the evening. Furthermore other people allude to "empty decks" and "solitude"... I suggest you do some investigation into other people's experiences of cruises concerning young children running riot all day and night on these boats.

To summarize... please take note mods and don't just be so small minded as to delete my post (like you did last time) because I dare to criticise the opinions of another user. The forum is for debate and if someone puts themselves in a position where they are dispensing hideously biased advice to an extent where it appears as propaganda then there needs to be a balancing argument.

snax

It would be good if this thread could develop into a "just found a great cruise deal" type of thing [a bit like the 'Boots Grabbit bargains' thread]
There seem to be several knowledgeable and 'cruise experienced' posters here who have helped enormously in drumming up interest and more of the same would be more than welcome I'm sure.
I'm thinking of 'doing a cruise' this summer/autumn [mediterranean - leaving from UK as OH won't fly!] but have become bogged down with the breadth of choice and the inability to search incisively, due to the number of websites all proclaiming to offer the best deals - only to find another cheaper elsewhere .... it's all to confusing and I don't want to be lumbered with 2 weeks on a posh ferry sailing off a jetty in the middle of nowhere.

Regards
S.

saveapenny

What have you got about peopple who cant spell. I for one have trouble and never missed school through holidays.
The idea of treking through the forest fr hours isnt my cup of tea for a holiday but I dont go around the board attacking people choices if that how they want to spend thier holiday missk like many others as got her views on cruises you have yours .
I have been on several different types of holiday and enjoy them all. And no I have never seen a mossie on a ship becuase they cant get a tux to fit.

Please leave spelling out of your opinions. most on here finds it offensive and you dont not know the circumstances DO YOU!!

missk_ensington

Let me get this straight, there is no fabrication in my credentials I am in my first year at uni, reading Eng100 aka Q300 UCAS code. I would tell you what university but don't wish to make my identity traceable, as I have come across enough nut cases already. However, whether people believe me or not is unimportant to me.

Secondly, I am not 'telling' people to go on cruises, I am sharing information that I don't think people are aware of, as I was not aware myself until recent years how affordable and enjoyable cruises are. I think I have already stated, the reason I prefer cruises in short, is because I get to see several countries without having to wait seven years (one annual holiday per year for most people).

As for the Germans/Italians/French/bloody Kiwi... in an earlier post, I have no prblem with these people, only a problem understanding their language. Not a great foundation for making friends, and yes it may seem a very 'British' mindset, but last time I checked, I was British. If that makes me common, ignorant, or any other term that diffentiates me from your elitist bunch, who I presume, travel to Outer Mongolia and find peace with yourself and do 'Non-British' things, then I don't really care.

For most of us, we have a budget, small children, and don't wish to travel long distances on a plane with a baby. I don't know what your idea of a great holiday is, but I'm sure it isn;t suitable for the majority of people this thread has attracted.

Furthermore, if you wish to debate at the detriment of this, previously useful thread go to a debating website, not one trying help people.
http://freedom.proboards18.com/ you can debate until you're blue in the face.

missk_ensington

PS. Even if I had genuine spelling errors, that is not down to a) education or b) intelligence. Many people who are famous for their business/intellectual achievements cannot spell and muddle letters.

bunking_off

Well personally, I did take missk_ensington's initial post as something that could be paraphrased as "you guys are fools for not going on a cruise". I've been watching this thread since to see how it develops.

I respect that some people may enjoy cruises. To be honest, there are some, such as Canadian/Alaskan and the Norwegian Hurtigruten, which do appeal.

However, having stayed in a place like Geiranger for a week, and watched the tidal wave of people which is a cruise ship arrive and totally destroy the character of the place (then, happily, leave, restoring the tranquility) I can't say they appeal to me at all. Geiranger must have at most a few hundred people living there...and a typical day sees approx 2-3000 cruise ship passengers arrive.

If following the sun to the med or Caribbean is your thing, then I can appreciate the attraction of cruises - these places are full of tourists anyway so whether you stay on land or go by boat makes no difference. Similarly, my old man is currently going around the middle east on a cruise visiting places which would be very difficult to see otherwise. However, to extrapolate that to "everyone should go on a cruise" is a heck of a leap of logic.

missk_ensington

I am targetting my advice to people who would otherwise only normally go to Benidorm for a week, due to budget, young children, etc etc. For fully fledged travellers you can up and go, without worrying about babies and other such like, you can go to tranquil islands and have a wonderful time, but for most of us with young families, we want entertainment, kids clubs, hot dogs and kids meal sittings, babysitting services, other english families, and most importantly the peace of mind that you can relax and know your child is pretty safe.

I'm not saying that your typical cheap cruise is the answer for everyone- if I had no kids, no budget, no other worries I might take that stance too, but in reality the middle of nowhere in a tropical country is not practical with kids.

Edinburghlass_2

Interesting concept, when my daughter was young I got all those "ingredients" in a lovely family hotel in St Annes.

Rachie_B

missk_ensington wrote:

I am targetting my advice to people who would otherwise only normally go to Benidorm for a week, due to budget, young children, etc etc. For fully fledged travellers you can up and go, without worrying about babies and other such like, you can go to tranquil islands and have a wonderful time, but for most of us with young families, we want entertainment, kids clubs, hot dogs and kids meal sittings, babysitting services, other english families, and most importantly the peace of mind that you can relax and know your child is pretty safe.

I'm not saying that your typical cheap cruise is the answer for everyone- if I had no kids, no budget, no other worries I might take that stance too, but in reality the middle of nowhere in a tropical country is not practical with kids.

hmm i get what you are saying but dont completely agree with all your above points

just because we are on holiday doesnt mean i want my kids eating junk and i never use babysitting type services

my kids are on holiday with me ,so i will look after them,my eldest would prob use a sports type kids club though

but i like to be with my children on holiday ,learning new things together and appreciating the different locations / cultures etc

also for us it was a case of have baby will travel lol
and we went abroad on DIY s/c holidays to the costa del sol about 3 times within his first 2 yrs

missk_ensington

I'm not saying kids want to eat junk food, my son certainly doesn't, but its a fact that a lot of kids won't eat anything 'foreign', so on cruises you have that choice. There's healthy options, soya options, veggie options etc etc etc.

I agree that your kids should be with you on holiday, but between certain ages, kids DONT WANT to be with mum and dad. And I believe mum and dad should have the odd night out on holiday (after all theyve paid for it and worked hard all year) but I disagree strongly with young kids running around bars late at night whist the parents get p1ssed. From what I see you have 3 options 1) dont go out 2) Get a babysitter or 3) Leave them running around like the Clampits. On my one annual holiday, Id go for option 2.

Its each to their own, but I dont feel 'normal' travel with a baby is enjoyable in the least. In fact, Id want paying to do it, not be paying to do it. Took my baby to Spain aged 4 months and it was hell-sand everywhere, drowning him in suncream, I couldn't go out at night so I was in bed at 8.00 on my hol. I hated it and came home stressed and a lot more tired than when I left in the first place, as well as several hundred pounds lighter!!