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Cruise ships seem pointless...
#131442
05/31/2017 06:33 AM
05/31/2017 06:33 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 402
DavidinChelseaMA
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While going through recent SXM youtube videos, I've come across some vids showing people on cruise ship vacations to the Caribbean, (SXM, in particular) and other locales. The whole thing seems sort of pointless. Why would somebody want to go to the Caribbean and spend a bunch of time on a floating mall?
Last edited by DavidinChelseaMA; 05/31/2017 06:36 AM.
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: DavidinChelseaMA]
#131444
05/31/2017 07:19 AM
05/31/2017 07:19 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,750 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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We used to enjoy cruises and that is how we found SXM. Obviously people do still enjoy them or there would not be new and bigger ships coming out on a regular basis. I have no desire to go on another cruise but that doesn't mean other people shouldn't enjoy them.
Kind of like different resorts, beaches, islands, not everyone has the same tastes and it is a good thing or life would be rather boring.
J.D.
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#131446
05/31/2017 07:28 AM
05/31/2017 07:28 AM
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 658 Maine
SXMbeacher
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Same here. We had St Maarten on our cruise itinerary 5 years ago, and have been back twice since, and we are coming back next year! We also stopped in St Thomas, but just loved SXM. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/titanic.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: DavidinChelseaMA]
#131449
05/31/2017 08:47 AM
05/31/2017 08:47 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,562 Long Island, NY
RICKnGRACE_LI_NY
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We have been on many cruises and have also been to SXM countless times. They each have much to offer.
We have discovered many places, some of which we would return to spend extended time and some where we wouldn't.
I guess the term, "to each, his own" is appropriate for this discussion.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Rick and Grace
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: candu]
#131450
05/31/2017 09:42 AM
05/31/2017 09:42 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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As far as 'schedules', for the most part you can avoid them regardless. Eating on a specific schedule, at a specific table, with a specific group of folks, pretty much doesn't happen any more, unless you WANT it that way. That is one of the best things about modern cruising. For ME, personally, I hate that all the ships are so huge. We have over 30 cruises under our belt, loved all of them, and our love affair with SXM started on a cruise. It's a great way to check out several different places in a week. The next cruise we will take will be on a smaller, more upscale ship. Cruises definitely have their place.
Carol Hill
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: DavidinChelseaMA]
#131451
05/31/2017 09:53 AM
05/31/2017 09:53 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Pointless? Not really......but not for everyone, for sure. DavidinChelseaMA said: While going through recent SXM youtube videos, I've come across some vids showing people on cruise ship vacations to the Caribbean, (SXM, in particular) and other locales. The whole thing seems sort of pointless. Why would somebody want to go to the Caribbean and spend a bunch of time on a floating mall? I guess it's pretty much a matter of different strokes for different folks but they definitely do serve as as a valuable option for some of us under some specific conditions. Many years ago, long before the building of the present day cruise terminal on SXM, we used to enjoy the occasional breakfast at a place called Pinocchio's on Front Street in P'berg and we would often see the cruiseship passengers as they were being tendered in to the Wathey pier. We had never cruised but seeing this we knew it was something that just didn't appeal to us. About 20+ years later, we decided to return to Bermuda where we had honeymooned so many years before and after pricing it all out we decided it was far more economical to do a Bermuda cruise over a vacation there. We booked the cruise and had a good time - we had a great suite, excellent cruise companions, and all things in consideration, it was a good time but we decided once again cruising just wasn't our thing. So back to typical non-cruising vacations we went. Fast forward another twenty years and we decided we wanted to return to Hawaii, but this time we opted for an interisland cruise as a huge portion of our trip since the first time around we had stayed on Oahu and done the historical tour only. Because we were celebrating a very significant anniversary, we booked an incredible trip allowing plenty of time on the island's on both ends of the cruise plus awesome cruise accommodations and first class round trip air. It was a wonderful trip in every way and we absolutely loved the cruise and all the different facets from the great food, to the incredible suite and it's huge balcony which we both loved, and not to forget our adorable butler. But when all was said and done, this second cruise experience helped us reaffirm the fact we definitely are NOT among those who would enjoy cruise vacations on a regular basis. They serve a great purpose if you are looking for an all-inclusive vacation and want to cover some major territory, or if you are looking for a good way to comfortably and inexpensively cover a lot of territory, or as in our case, an easier means to an end - that of seeing much of the Hawaiian Islands without wasting a lot time checking in to numerous hotels and airports. And truth to tell, being part of the older generation these days, it was a comfortable way to cover a lot of territory we really wanted to see. But now that we've 'beentheredonethat' for two very specific cruises, if I never see another cruiseship in my life, i won't feel like I'm missing out on anything. They definitely serve a purpose but personally speaking, I want to get there quickly and enjoy the 'being there' part without being a captive audience on a big floating mall. Friends are doing a twenty-five day repositioning cruise and asked us if we had any interest in it. All I could think of was, 'OMGoodness - TY but no TY' but please take lots of photos. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: DavidinChelseaMA]
#131452
05/31/2017 10:32 AM
05/31/2017 10:32 AM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,196 Virginia
Snorkeller
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We also first "discovered" SXM on cruises. We have taken over 50 cruises and very much enjoy them - of course, we also enjoy land vacations - come to think of it, we enjoy anything that gets us out and about.
We started cruising with young daughters - taking a week cruise every year. We think that for a family vacation, cruises are great. Everybody can do their own thing - separately as desired during the day - but then come together for dinner and the evening. No endless discussions about where to go for dinner - maybe your family can avoid those, we seem to have trouble when there are lots of choices. And, those dang vegetarians who want every night to be Thai ....
We now have a family group of about 8 that cruises over the Christmas/New Year's holiday every year - again, we find that the structure is not a negative, but a plus for our group.
If it is just the two of us now, we do tend to think about a land vacation as opposed to a cruise. But, we have cruised enough that we know, and consider friends, some of crew on certain ships - and, when you cruise a lot you also get to know some regular repeat cruisers. I doubt that we ever will be people who stay on a cruise ship for months at a time, but for a relatively few people it is what they really enjoy and how they want to live a good part of their lives.
I think a significant part of it is simply how you feel about being on a ship out in the water - for whatever reason we find it relaxing and enjoyable just to be on a boat/ship. I do agree that this kind of feeling is somewhat diluted on the big ships of today - but as long as you can sit and look out over the water to the horizon, it still is pretty great.
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: Snorkeller]
#131453
05/31/2017 10:37 AM
05/31/2017 10:37 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Snorkeller--that is exactly what I don't enjoy about the megaships of today--the feeling of being out on the water is so diluted. I know I would personally never cruise again without a balcony -- UNLESS it's on a really small ship.
Carol Hill
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: DavidinChelseaMA]
#131454
05/31/2017 10:50 AM
05/31/2017 10:50 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,160 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
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Cruising is a form of vacation enjoyed by many. It is absolutely relaxing and a way to see numerous islands and various other places throughout the world that most people would otherwise not travel to because of the cost and other things. I have cruised many times and loved each trip immensely. I did not find SXM on a cruise, but many have over the years. Cruising is the reason SXM has hundreds of annual visitors now each year who come to spend weeks on this island paradise.If for some reason cruise ships stopped coming to the island, SXM would suffer greatly!
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: boucharda]
#131463
05/31/2017 02:24 PM
05/31/2017 02:24 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,562 Long Island, NY
RICKnGRACE_LI_NY
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boucharda said: We are not cruise people but I can see the advantage of seeing a bit of many places that you normally might not see....but..the couple we rent our Paris apartment from (live in New Zealand) just spent two months in Paris and now are on the QE2 for 7 days ..England to NYC. yes, the ship is an entertainment center but I would go whacky not being able to leave it for 7 days....and have only open sea to look at.... As I said earlier, to each, his own......that's the part I find most relaxing. I could kick back on the balcony or in a lounge chair with my Kindle reading and staring out at the ocean for hours on end. Not a care in the World.
Rick and Grace
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: RICKnGRACE_LI_NY]
#131464
05/31/2017 02:28 PM
05/31/2017 02:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,562 Long Island, NY
RICKnGRACE_LI_NY
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And I can do that on a beach too. I find the water has a calming affect/effect (I never know which one) on me whether I am on land or on a boat, either large like a cruise ship or small like a run about.
Rick and Grace
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: RICKnGRACE_LI_NY]
#131466
05/31/2017 02:38 PM
05/31/2017 02:38 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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I agree. That's why I love Beachside Villas so much! I sit in my comfy chair in the shade and stare at the ocean or read my book, or nap, and I don't have a care in the world!
Carol Hill
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: RICKnGRACE_LI_NY]
#131467
05/31/2017 02:40 PM
05/31/2017 02:40 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,958 Portland, OR
jazzgal
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RICKnGRACE_LI_NY said: affect/effect (I never know which one) Someone suggested to me once to equate the "e" in "result" with effect.
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: boucharda]
#131469
05/31/2017 02:50 PM
05/31/2017 02:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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I personally don't need buffets these days anyway! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: DavidinChelseaMA]
#131473
05/31/2017 07:58 PM
05/31/2017 07:58 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
PelicanPirate
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We have lots of friends who somehow think they will be confined and constricted by a cruise. The only thing constricting to us is getting back on the ship which we have been the last to step back on.
Having cruises on 1970's boats with 500 pax, we are amazed at how those with 2000 aren't packed at all. There is a lot of space and I think the balconies keep many back in "their place". We actually prefer inside cabins for several reasons. #1) price, we have gotten 12 day Med cruises from Venice to Barcelona for $500/ person twice. This allowed us to see Venice, Athens, Ephesus, Istanbul, Mykonos, Naples/Pompeii, Rome, Florence/Pisa, Monaco, and Barcelona and we only had to unpack once. 2) we like being up on deck with full unspoiled view of the horizon and the breeze. 3) sleep quality is awesome in total darkness. 4) we have had balconies, but we tend to spend more time in room with balcony........as for the mall.......it may loook like one but really it is usually a mid/high end jewelry shop, perfume shop, liquor store and gift shop. We rarely buy much on board except the same stuff we'd buy on Sxm. We usually buy expensive jewelry at home because as Warren Buffet says if you don't know Jewelry, know your jeweler.
As for food, we find it pretty good and definitely far above what you can get anywhere in the Caribbean except in Grand Case. But you don't have a bill to worry about and you can order every item on the menu if you want and it is gladly brought to you.
We have never had a bad cruise or a bad trip to SXM.........so I'll take either if someone is handing them out. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
PS, if you are into Club Orient, a Bare necessities cruise is an unbelievable escape. That "mall" doesn't require clothes.
I had a airline pilot describe his plane as the "tube of shame" which often from the inside it is just that. Unless it is a 747, then it is th "Cadillac of th sky" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
Last edited by PelicanPirate; 05/31/2017 08:16 PM.
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: DavidinChelseaMA]
#131475
06/01/2017 05:37 PM
06/01/2017 05:37 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,628 Southern Maryland suburbs of D...
Bill_S
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Cruise ship vacations are a wonderful way for a great many people to get out of their "safety zones" and begin to explore the rest of the world while remaining in a "safe" environment.
Our first cruise in 1997 allowed us to explore five islands in the Eastern Carribean in a hassel free, "safe" environment, and that trip started our lifetime love of St. Martin. By taking that trip, we became comfortable with and enthralled with SXM and have returned for 1-2 week vacations many time.
Please don't anyone fall into the mental trap that people who see things differently than you are (insert judgement). They are just people with differient viewpoints and entitled to their own decisions... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />
Bill
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: Bill_S]
#131477
06/01/2017 06:17 PM
06/01/2017 06:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Bill_S said: Please don't anyone fall into the mental trap that people who see things differently than you are (insert judgement). They are just people with differient viewpoints and entitled to their own decisions... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> Great point, Bill. We all have different likes and dislikes and in this case, as in so many others, there is no right or wrong. Enjoy your preferences and please, don't anyone feel as though you're being judged by the rest of us if we differ in opinions. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Cruise ships seem pointless...
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#131480
06/01/2017 09:33 PM
06/01/2017 09:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213 GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind
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SXMScubaman said: We have even thought about taking a weeks break from being on island and cruising for a week out of SXM and then returning to our timeshare for more weeks on island. I'm not certain, but I don't believe SXM has a port authority at the dock. Are you allowed to board in mid cruise in SXM?
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