The Senior Wonder Years!

WYSPECIAL

[Deleted User] said:

I have received a message from NW that I will be receiving £100 in June, as I qualify again for their fair share reward. Happy about that!

I got that email yesterday too!

Katiehound

Maybe you do want a cruise but on a smaller ship (not floating block of flats!)

 Have a look at Ambassador, Fred.Olsen & Saga- all their ships have much smaller passenger total.

 A. is the cheapest- but good- had a great cruise with them last year.

I like Fred but has got expensive. (for some reason often twin for single occupancy cheaper than a single)

 Saga is certainly the dearest but lots of extras included in the price such as tips, Wifi, excursions & all have balconies.
All these will have last minute deals which are good value if you can sail within the next few weeks

[Deleted User]

@Katiehound many thanks for your response. To be honest I think I have decided that I do not want to cruise again.

I am questioning the whole purpose of travelling abroad at the moment and the reasons why I should or should not. Am I travelling because I really want too, or because I feel I should? 

I did enjoy my week in Cyprus but, as usual, looked forward to getting home and my regular routines.

I have not travelled extensively in my life. I have visited Canada and the USA once each. Most of my travel has been within Europe mainly on holidays as well as some city visits.

Due to financial restraints and other commitments I did not holiday much in the first half of my life.

I do tend to overthink things and do not find sitting back and  enjoying the moment comes naturally to me.

I also feel that I may have missed the ‘boat’ (pardon the expression lol) when it comes to travel. Perhaps I just have to accept that those opportunities have not been taken up and become a total home bird. I am not adventurous or a risk taker. 

Many younger members of my extended family have already  travelled extensively and take it in their stride. However, travel is easier and cheaper today than when I was  younger. Part of me feels that with so many choices and places to potentially visit it is too overwhelming to tackle, so best left.

I like the idea of visiting places but worry about the reality of doing so. The planning and travel bit I enjoy, rather than being there lol.

The plans I wrote about earlier in the thread about travelling around the world genuinely excited me at the time but then the ‘what ifs’ crept in. Maybe another pipe dream.

Anyway, I will have a think.

Katiehound

One of the areas you might consider (if we can forget that man Putin!) is the Baltic.  Lot of fascinating countries & cities that can be visited on a 2 week cruise- I went there last year & the weather was beautiful, but of course that is not a given. I have been to that area several times but there were still new places to visit  including Helsinki.

I also enjoy meeting new people, the dining experience & the dancing so it is a social trip.

helensbiggestfan

Hi Baron, good to see you posting.  Glad you enjoyed your holiday.  

It's very interesting to hear your thoughts on travel.  I think it's quite common to feel unsettled after a trip, which is why I tend not to book several trips in advance,  I find I need time to readjust, there's often a lot to process..

tbh I am starting to feel really ambivalent about the whole travel/tourism issue.  It can be a double edged sword.  The realist  in me points out that of course tourism is a major part of some economies but even so there can be a darker side to mass tourism.   Often it's the global corporations who benefit most, not the local inhabitants.  They don't always benefit from the financial bonanza, in fact quite the reverse. Locals are often priced out of housing and often struggle to keep up with the general rising prices that tourism brings in its wake. 

 Many of the most beautiful and popular cities have been overrun by tourists and many locals are starting to voice their disappointment and disapproval.  Barcelona, Venice, Florence are just a few that spring to mind.  Increasing tensions as demand outstrips the cities resources.   I understand that Venice has banned the larger cruise ships.   One of  the reasons given is that cruise ship passengers don't usually contribute much to the economy of the places they visit.  Apparently they overwhelm the cities but don't actually spend much. 

I first visited Barcelona in 1992. Then again in the early 2000s and the most recent trip was in 2016 to attend my sons wedding.  I couldn't help but notice how much it has changed and how busy it was.  Fortunately my DIL had found us a lovely apartment to rent in a pretty quiet little untouristy backwater near to the Sagrada Familia. It was a lovely peaceful retreat when we wanted to get away from the crowds.  

Having lived in a couple of tourist hotspots myself I can understand how the locals might be feeling. Mass tourism does alter the character of a place and can place enormous pressure on local resources, often causing environmental damage.  Apparently even Mount Everest is struggling with too many climbers....

I have always tried to follow the maxim, take only photos and leave only footprints in the sand and I endeavour to be always respectful of other cultures and customs.  Alas not all tourists behave well, many are rude, entitled and disrespectful,  I am afraid I have often been appalled by the behaviour of some of my fellow travellers.  On a couple of my cruises the arrogance and entitlement of some of my fellow passengers was beyond belief.  

This sounds a bit weird I know but I have often felt quite guilty when visiting some countries.  I just  felt uncomfortable with the poverty and squalor I witnessed. I know their local economies need tourism but sometimes the stark differences between the wealth enjoyed by tourists and the lives of the locals just didn't feel "right".  It always repulses me to see luxury hotels standing cheek by jowl next to shanty towns.  

I am not rich by western standards, in fact technically one could argue I live below the poverty line (although I would say I live like a queen). Certainly, by comparison with what I have seen on my travels, I know I am very privileged to enjoy my comfortable lifestyle.  

There are still some places left on my "bucket list".  Maybe next year.....like you I need to think it over.  

[Deleted User]

Katiehound said:

One of the areas you might consider (if we can forget that man Putin!) is the Baltic.  Lot of fascinating countries & cities that can be visited on a 2 week cruise- I went there last year & the weather was beautiful, but of course that is not a given. I have been to that area several times but there were still new places to visit  including Helsinki.

I also enjoy meeting new people, the dining experience & the dancing so it is a social trip.

Many thanks for your response. I think it is the social experience that I do dislike, unlike yourself. I am not always keen to meet new people and dislike parties and dancing lol. I am also teetotal. So I will not be booking another anytime soon.

[Deleted User]

@helensbiggestfan. Many thanks for your detailed response. We share similar sentiments about travel. Best wishes.

Sunshine_girl2

Glad to hear you enjoyed your holiday . I enjoy travelling but out of season . I am going on a solo holiday to Nerja in Feb , been before with parents and I loved it. Thoroughly enjoy travelling on my own, as much as with family . I am fortunate that I have friend situated around the uk as well so often visiting one of them . 

helensbiggestfan

Katiehound said:

One of the areas you might consider (if we can forget that man Putin!) is the Baltic.  Lot of fascinating countries & cities that can be visited on a 2 week cruise- I went there last year & the weather was beautiful, but of course that is not a given. I have been to that area several times but there were still new places to visit  including Helsinki.

I also enjoy meeting new people, the dining experience & the dancing so it is a social trip.

Tore my meniscus walking on the cobbled streets in Helsinki.😱😂.    My knee has never been right since......but you're right it is a lovely place.   

helensbiggestfan

I've not travelled with Ambassador but I did sail with Cruise and Maritime. I understand they went bust and then regrouped and started trading as Ambassador.  So, I would imagine there's not much difference in the way they operate.  

On my C&M trips they always had several quiet areas, it was easy to find peace and solitude.    And you didn't have to consume alcohol in the bars, they all served coffee as well as non alcoholic beverages.  I've yet to try Ambassador but from what I can gather they seem to be pretty much the same.  Again smaller ships, fewer passengers.  

I quite fancy trying Hurtigruten. Apparently they aren't fancy, schmancy but being smaller vessels they can access the smaller more off the beaten track destinations.   At the other extreme I keep promising myself a trip on the Queen Mary 2.  Lol.  I had intended to do it for my 70th birthday but covid put  the kibosh on that.  Maybe my 80th if I'm still around....