clothes on a cruise

rockgran you will love the round Britain cruise. We did one a couple of years ago and also went around Ireland, to Guernsey and Tresco. It was amazing to see our country from a different angle and we visited so many interesting places. We were on a smaller ship, with about 350 passengers. I hope you enjoy it.

Except the drinks are at an exhorbitant price, which if one doesn't drink is totally fine, but for those who do [and they are about] makes it a lot more than all inclusive[land based].
Still I suppose you pays your money and takes your choice .

The thing I like about cruising is that my husband can go off and explore and I can stay aboard and enjoy the facilities. There is so much to do on or off the ship. I like to do the quizzes, craft activities, dance classes, lectures, etc. My husband enjoys exploring each location. At dinner we have plenty to talk about and I love the opportunity to wear a bit of bling. We enjoy socialising but it is easy to find some solitude too. The entertainment is excellent and the food fabulous - not to mention the cocktails! Nothing is forced upon you - there is plenty of choice. What's not to like? (Unless you get seasick I suppose.) I know there are some environmental issues but I think that applies to all tourism. Our next cruise is around Britain - can't wait!

Thanks granjura but why ?

You should read the 'Silkworm' Greenfinch.

I think this may be why I have never been on a cruise! I have trouble even with hotels and guest houses. On holiday I like to veg out in my scruffy gear, eat when I fancy and what I fancy and stroll off and explore when I choose.

Anyway, with my IBS I cannot countenance any activity after breakfast as I am otherwise engaged! - and the routines of a cruise would be a disaster for me.

When we have taken the long slow overnight channel crossings I cannot wait to get off on the other side!

I love cruises but I do have this guilty feeling about the workers and all they have to do. I sometimes imagine that in the future all the passengers might be Chinese and we Europeans could be serving them. It doesn't feel very good.

No Eloethan it is no OK. As I said it is a catch 22 situation. I really don't know what we can do about it. However , I suspect if we went into every industry we would have very little choice in what we buy I'd like to know what would happen to the workers if we stopped buying all the clothing and household goods etc. If we all stopped going to countries that paid low wages to catering and seasonal staff ( I include Britain in that ). .Do you have a solution ?

The stock reply to complaints about low wages/bad working conditions - in this country and in other countries - often seems to be "Oh well, if it wasn't for this type of work, "they" wouldn't have a job". I often think that, as is happening in this country, "they" can rapidly become "we", and when it is our own children and grandchildren who are increasingly subjected to this sort of exploitation we may not be so sanguine.

Apparently, 60% of cruise ships are registered in Panama, Liberia and the Bahamas so that the owners can avoid the laws of the nation from which they operate. Some ship workers earn as little as 75p. per hour.

Garment workers in places like Bangladesh are crushed to death in unsafe buildings, construction workers are imported into Qatar where they work long hours in terrible, unsafe conditions for little money.

Is any sort of industry, however abusive or exploitative, OK because at least it provides a job? And if it isn't OK, why support it?

Juliette There's always one isn't there ?

Changing the subject a bit but does anyone else make up names and stories about the people they see ? Hate to think what others call us !!

Yes, the saying ' one mans meat is another mans poison' is very true. It is a shame though that some people have fixed views on some things that they have never experienced.

Galen you are right about the income generated and the people working on board the ships are paid low salaries but the alternative is no income at all for many of them in their home countries. I suppose sadly it is a catch 22 question. I must say though that 99% of them are so helpful and friendly they add greatly to the enjoyment and you can always reward them in you own way.

I prefer having the freedom on holiday to go where I like when I like and not be dependent on port stops and expensive whistle-stop tours.

Cruises seem pretty good value, given that there appears to be a bountiful supply of food at all times of the day and night. From what I've read though it is often achieved at the expense of the people working on the ship who work long hours for very little pay.

I also agree about the environmental damage these massive ships are causing.

I have to say I enjoy exchanging details of places we have been with other people we meet on holiday. It is interesting to hear about their favourite/most hated destinations, although - in our experience anyway - not necessarily helpful. One couple we met in Menorca (which I love) said Menorca was nice but not a patch on their absolute favourite holiday destination - Lanzarote. We subsequently thought we'd give it a try - and, apart from the food, didn't much like it.

granj the number of tenders going back and forward would create much more wash.
The alternative is to anchor off lido de Jesolo and tender to the shore then bus in.
The locals have a lot of income generated by the cruise ships.

Funny Juliette ;)

Agree with everything that ginny has said, probably to the letter and beyond. On our first cruise (only been on two!) we -did- meet an 'expert', been on every ship on every line known to man, he introduced himself as Tom so for the duration we called him TOM CRUISE, sorry it was funnier in real life and has made me giggle just remembering.

In Venice, those large cruisers are causing massive damage to the foundations on the town. Just can't understand why they are not forced to down anchor by the sea at the side - and then brought in in smaller boats???

Suzied This is another misconception about cruises. It is entirely possible to' get away ' from other people just as it is on any other holiday. Even when you spend a day at sea there are so many places you can relax in. Cabins, bars, libraries, cosy little nooks. If you are lucky enough to be able to afford a room with your own balcony there is nothing better than relaxing there, watching the sea or scenery roll by with a drink and a book .
One of my favourite things about the cruises is that you cover large distances whilst you are busy enjoying relaxing, being entertained with shows, interesting talks or classes or simply whilst you are asleep. Also you only have to unpack your suitcase once even though you see many different places.

My son and DiL seem to have made it their mission in life to get us on a cruise. They don't seem to get the message that it is not for us. I will not go on any boat I can't fish over the side of! We have friends who, on the few occasions a year we see them, bang on endlessly about their cruising holidays. I'm sure none of you good people are of that ilk! Horses for courses.

Each to their own, but I was put right off cruise idea when we stayed on Santorini. Huge cruise ships stopped there and they looked so ugly, like floating tower blocks. The tiny town became packed and unpleasant for the few hours when the boats disgorged their passengers. It was lovely and quiet he rest of the time. They look particularly awful in Venice, where many people want to ban them. My OH would never go on one as he hates the idea of being cooped up all day with a load of people you can't get away from.

Kathmandu? Don't even like looking at my feet if I've my glasses on and can see them! Too high up!

They do trips to places like Machu Pichu etc. I can't physically manage them though.

Difficult if you want to see Katmandu or the Great Wall of China or other such places though. As I said it is all about choice.

Have I met you on other cruises?

whitewave There are plenty of opportunities to see inland and other areas on the optional ( extra cost) excursions.

We have been on three cruises. The first time I took 2 long summer dresses and added a necklace and earrings for the formal nights. DH wore an ordinary suit. The other two cruises, we decide not to bother with the formal nights. A suit takes up a lot of room in your luggage and we just couldn't see the point of making a big fuss just to sit down to the same sort of ( delicious) meal that we could have any other night. We either went to the self service restaurant or had dinner in our room. We have met people from every walk of life and just as in every day life some we liked and others we didn't.