clothes on a cruise

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.

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.

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.

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 !!

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?

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 ?

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.

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!

You should read the 'Silkworm' Greenfinch.

Thanks granjura but why ?

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!

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 .

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.

The cruise we went on (Marco Polo, Cruise Maritime) it was very easy to avoid any formality! One couple we met never went into the waiter service restaurant and chose to eat in the cafeteria every meal time. We did go to the two more formal nights but on neither occasion did I wear a long dress, nor did my friend. The men just wore a suit and tie but not DJs. On the other evenings people wore stuff you might wear to go out to a restaurant for a pal's birthday or whatever they were wearing in the day if they were eating cafeteria style (meals were the same!). We chose Marco Polo because it is a small ship & also spent 2 days rather than 1 in St Petersberg!

Greenfinch, it is about the silworms wrapping the people at the silk factory and then....- so made me think about your post.

Penstemmon if you have been to St Petersberg you might like the programme on tv this evening at 9pm about the Hermitage Museum, on BBC4. I shall record it as hoping to watch a new Foyle tonight!

The drinks do look expensive, Nonu, and there is a 15% service surcharge added on to their cost on the cruise element of our forthcoming holiday. I'm just pricing up the spending money we'll need, and I feel a nervous tic coming on! What with the dear booze and the £18 a day gratuities (no, I don't begrudge it, but it all tots up), it's certainly not a cheap option. As for shore excursions, I'm just going to put my fingers in my ears and la-la-la to myself for a little while, rocking gently. Still, as you say, you pays your money......

Thanks, Nannabelle. It is certainly a good way to see the north of Scotland without driving.

Maggie if it helps you to plan we paid about £1500 in 'extras' i.e drinks, trips & excursions plus the % for tips for the two of us on a 12 day cruise. The drinks were pretty much pub /restaurant prices, sometimes cheaper! We took excursions in most ports and did 3 in St Petersberg!
Oh and that included two photos too but we declined the DVD!!

PENTST that will certainly cheer MAGGIE up no end .

£1500 in EXTRA"s to me is quite a hefty sum, thanks, but no thanks .

On an all inclusive[land based ] you pay a fixed price and that is the end of it . That is one of the reasons we don"t go on cruises , as there are hidden extra"s, which TMM is a bit cheeky

Plus you are TOLD[so I believe ] what to give as gratuities, that should be a personal choice I believe .

On most cruises the the gratuities are optional. You can opt out!

Made me gulp a bit Nonu......
Wasn't aware hidden extras (some of which would appear unavoidable) added up to anywhere near that! BF said on several cruises you were 'searched' to stop you bringing alcohol and mixers on board, any found were confiscated !

LOOPY yes I have heard from several friends you are " searched " to stop bringing on board alcohol, seems mighty draconian to me .

Cunard don't

But aren"t they a lot more expensive than other cruises ?