I'm going on a cruise. What can you tell me?

[CTyankee]

I wanna know what anybody who's been on one can tell me about the experience. Good, bad, awful, got food poisoning, missed my flight to cruise docking city, faced armed insurrection, etc...

It's not like I haven't traveled. I used to go to Europe once or twice a year, for art. Only one problem (don't ask; won't happen again).

Going to Malta, Sicily, Menorca, Barcelona. Everything in order, managed the TSA thingie and got fingerprinted, et.

I'm talking to my doc and seeing to it I have enough pain pills for my arthritic pain (I know, but I have to be careful about wine).

I should be grateful and I am.

[RKP5637]

1. Don't leave out of Florida. n/t

[Sneederbunk]

3. Why?

[RKP5637]

8. The History of DeSantis and Covid. So ugly! n/t

[jimfields33]

26. Oh goodness. We're fine in Florida. Enjoy!

[True Dough]

2. My wife and I have been on six and we've met people

who have been on scores. One couple was coming up on 200!!!!!

Our experiences have all been positive. Friendly staff. Safe ports of call. Booked excursions going ahead as planned. Clean ships. No illnesses. We've cruised with Celebrity, Royal Caribbean (x2), Princess, and Celebrity (x2).

The biggest drawback is that we sometimes at too much with the buffets being so plentiful.

Which cruise line did you book with, CTyankee? I'm sure you'll have a marvelous time.

[CTyankee]

10. Atlas.

Yeah, the buffets look awesome. I'll be careful.

[elleng]

4. C'est si bon!

I have nothing to 'tell' you, Sicily and Barcelona on my 'done those' list. Hope you get around a lot of Barcelona..

[CTyankee]

12. Only 2 days, not as much as I would have preferred. But I had despaired that I would ever get there

at all so, given my advanced age, I decided to go for it. We've got a city tour that will include my getting to at last see a couple of Caravaggios in Malta, which I am really happy about.

[elleng]

14. Great you'll see Caravaggios, a read dramatic treat!

FYI, “Maybe more than one-quarter,” Mayor Paul Buttigieg said while leading an informal tour of the village, on the Maltese island of Gozo.

[CTyankee]

16. Sorry, I missed the context...can you explain what he meant?

[elleng]

18. In Malta, a land of 2,850 Buttigiegs, they're rooting for Mayor Pete.

A bust of Anton Buttigieg, Malta’s second president, rests in the San Gejtanu band club in Hamrun, Malta. Hamrun is also the neighborhood where Pete Buttigieg’s father has his roots. (Joanna Demarco for The Washington

In this craggy, sun-kissed village of 2,000 people, three of the past four mayors have had the same last name: Buttigieg. The opposition leader is a Buttigieg, too. So is the baker. And one of the priests. And many of the retirees.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/in-malta-a-land-of-2850-buttigiegs-theyre-rooting-for-mayor-pete/2020/02/28/f906134e-58e1-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html

[Ocelot II]

32. Got to see a real Caravaggio the other day - "Judith Beheading Holofernes."

I've seen photos of it many times (even painted a copy of Judith's face for an art class), but it's a very different experience seeing the real thing. It's quite large, almost life-size, and you see things that you just don't see in a photo. I stared at it for quite a long time - so glad I got to see it! I hope your cruise will give you many opportunities to see originals.

[CTyankee]

35. Did you see the original in Italy?

[Ocelot II]

36. No, it's on temporary loan right now

at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Only had to drive a couple of miles to see it!

https://new.artsmia.org/exhibition/caravaggios-judith-and-holofernes

[dweller]

5. Wear a mask 😷

n/t



✌🏻

[Backseat Driver]

6. Sweet, a new travel experience for you. Let us know how you found things.

Is it a themed cruise - not just an itinerary? Not really my cup of tea, so I've never been cooped up with lots of humans in the close quarters of a passenger ship, and what would seem to me like days of nothing but ocean landscape and over-indulgence - more like a floating convention, hahaha!

[CTyankee]

17. It was not my choice, really. Hubby wanted to go. He doesn't do art tours like I used to.

He wants food, nice people, a getaway...he's handicapped and, even with his walker, kinda cooped up. And I want to be with him and share his delight...it's a win, win, really...

[Backseat Driver]

23. I hope you both have a wonderful relaxing trip together

among interesting people - I admit I've got a history of some mild-to-moderate sea-sickness on smaller craft just sitting at the dock waiting for a Hawaiian river cruise, but they claim that's not a thing at all on these huge ships. For that reason, I decided, to my regret, against a visit a couple days later for a ride out to the USS Arizona site. DH's dad was stationed at Pearl Harbor post-attack. Sad now that two islands' memories have slipped away to different climate change events. On a different trip, I had no symptoms on a rough trip to the base of the falls on Maid of the Mist at Niagra, however.

Be safe and happy on your getaway!

[Jilly_in_VA]

7. Wash your hands

Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Frequently and often. As often as a nurse working on an Infectious Disease Unit. Those things are floating Petri dishes!

Wipe down everything in your stateroom with disinfectant wipes when you get there and after housekeeping has been there.

Carry anti-diarrhea meds and anti-nausea meds with you just in case. Wash any fresh fruit before eating. Drink only bottled water and brewed tea or coffee.

That's all I can think of now.

[RKP5637]

9. K&R!!! n/t

[CTyankee]

13. My daughter freaked out over this. The ship has hand sanitizers everywhere and especially before

going into the dining areas.

We are bringing anti-diarrheal meds also.

And anti-bacterial wipes for hands and surfaces.

[Mr.Bill]

11. I've only been on a few,

but my mom was a travel agent and her and my dad went on many.

Go to the port briefings on the ship. They will give you some good information on how to stay safe, not get ripped off and find bargains. It's time well spent.

The longer the cruise, the more the passengers are likely to be more elderly and wealthier. They are the ones who have the time and money. Three-day cruises tend to be the younger party cruises. Choose what suits you.

Whatever you are budgeting for alcoholic beverages on the ship, triple it.

I can't offer any advice on the locations you are going to, I've only been to the Caribbean and Mexican west coast.

[CTyankee]

15. the Mediterranean.

We don't drink much, but they are included so we won't get a bar bill.

I plan to attend every briefing. I wanna know everything I can.

[Earth-shine]

19. Be prepared to gain weight or be very physically active.

The big-boat cruises on which I've been (including Carnival and Royal Caribbean) served food 24x7 and many places on the boat.

Whether you eat or not, the calories enter the body by osmosis.

The longer the cruise, the more they will depend on frozen foods. I've had steak on RC that was totally tasteless. Also, I remember tasteless chocolate desserts.

About Carnival, I remember thinking the food was so good, I could not fully appreciate it. Five-star cuisine into a three-star mouth.

RC was kind of upscale and stuffy. Carnival was a total party.

[CTyankee]

20. there are several port stops so I don't think that's an issue.

I wouldn't have gone on a cruise w/o those stops. No ocean voyages for me.

[elleng]

29. My only 'sail' was coming home after Jr. Year of College, Staatendam!

had a few, and felt bad, but met some interesting characters.

My folks cruised the Caribbean a few times, Dad's treat to our adopted mother, I think! Their wedding anniversary is coming up soon!

[Lunabell]

21. Bon Voyage!

If you can get a small prescription for zofran, an anti nausea drug, get one. Sea sickness is real and almost ruined my niece's cruise we took as a family for my dad's 80th birthday. Luckily, I had some (shh, don't tell the law I shared a prescription medication) and afer an hour or so, she rejoined the party. I didn't get sick at all.

Also, eat stuff you've never tried. I tried beef tartare for the first time. I didn't like it, but I tried it! It wasn't on one of the many buffets on our large cruise. There were restaurants there. Also club entertainment, different games for crowds, themed parties, gambling etc..

Also, the off ship excursions were fun. A picnic on an island, snorkeling, jet skis. We had a blast.

[CanonRay]

22. Get a small prescription for sea sickness

if you are at all prone to that or if you don't know. The Mediterranean can get decent sized waves. Getting sea sick is not fun.

[CTyankee]

25. good idea. we're both meeting with our primary care doc next week for what we'll need for trip.

I'm gonna need help for my aching back, I have a worsening arthritic back with lots of pain and will need prescription pain meds. I do my daily exercises, have been in physical therapy twice a week for a couple of months, but I'm afraid I'll be stuck with no pain meds and that terrifies me.

[CanonRay]

27. Bring things like ibuprofen and pepto,

Sometimes not easy to get. Don't check your medication, we lost a suitcase each direction!

[avebury]

44. I have used the wrist bands and they seemed to really work. nt

[ProudMNDemocrat]

24. Masks, hand sanitizer, lots of hand washing.

Be mindful of your surroundings. Pace yourself with activities, eat healthy, get at least 7 hours of good sleep.

Have a great time.

[WhiteTara]

28. My advice? Don't do it.

Those are floating petri dishes of all manner of disease. If you get sick, you will be let off at the nearest port of call and will have to find your way home. I don't want to be a downer, but certain things are not a good idea right now.

Airplanes are suspect but somewhat better.

[Skittles]

37. agreed

they just sound.....gross

[WhiteTara]

38. getting dumped in a foreign country, sick and far

from home sounds like another version of hell, not some great vacation.

[Skittles]

39. I have never seen the appeal of cruises

so I probably shouldn't offer advice

[WhiteTara]

40. I love the ocean and sea travel

but I don't think it's worth anything to be so sick you never get well again. COVID is still around and gaining strength again.

[Marthe48]

30. I went to Bermuda

going on 11 years ago. My daughter told me about this site: https://cruiseinsider.com/

I enjoyed checking the site and reading some of the posts. I haven't looked at it for years, and it is probably very different by now.

If you plan to take alcohol on with you, be sure to check the cruiselines policies. My daughter and s-i-l had taken a bottle of wine, but weren't allowed to take it onboard. The policy had changed just previous to our cruise.

We sailed on a Norwegian ship and had a ball. If you want to control your food intake, consider eating in a dining room rather than buffet. Our boat had a casino and we played a little one night, but there is little chance of getting lucky. The live entertainment was really good and if I hd known, I would have gone to every show, instead of one.

We planned to sleep on the boat and eat most of our meals on the boat, which saved us money. I'd recommend going with my daughter and son-in-law, but that's probably not possible to arrange They had been to Bermuda once or twice before, and knew how to get around using local transportation, such as a tour bus. We got to see all of the most popular spots, and had free time to check out things we noticed.

As always, take half the clothes and twice the money. Have fun!

[piddyprints]

31. Get acupressure seasick bands.

They work instantly, so you don’t have to plan ahead on the chance that you might get seasick. I prefer them to taking drugs.

Have fun!

[Lars39]

33. Bring a copy of your health histories and allergies.

I can download my complete records from my Dr wither app, but I also travel with a one-page, printed copy of my health history. It includes my name, date of birth, primary dr’s name, allergies, meds, vitamins, surgery dates, etc

[Floyd R. Turbo]

34. Get travel insurance. It's expensive but well worth it. Ignore the naysayers " floating Petri dish"

bullshit. I’ve traveled more than 150,000 miles on ships and the worst thing I’ve experienced is a sinus infection which I’m prone to.

Use common sense; wash hands often and sanitize the phone, light switches, and remote controls in your stateroom. Wear a mask.

Have fun!

[mnhtnbb]

41. In 2018 I cruised Barcelona to Rome

and it was fabulous. Smaller ship of 450 passengers and loved it. In 2019 I cruised NYC to Newfoundland and back to NYC for fall color on ship of 2500 and will never do a large ship again if I ever go back to cruising again, which I doubt. I've done a Baltic cruise on a ship of 450 and enjoyed it very much. Have done quite a few Caribbean cruises and enjoyed them. I've never gotten sick on any of them and do not get sea sick, but pack immodium and Pepto in your carry on, just in case.

If you can do it, add an extra day or two in Barcelona. I came two days prior to departure of the cruise and it wasn't enough. I just happened to be there during a taxi strike and was left with getting around on the subway. I was using a cane at the time and it was hot, which compounded the problem of walking very much. So if you can, give yourself more time in Barcelona. I would love to return, but doubt it will happen.

Book the restaurants on your ship and avoid the buffets. The food will be better and you'll be less exposed to crowds. Eat at the on deck restaurants for the view and breeze.

Wear a mask when you are inside and around crowds, and wash your hands or use sanitizer frequently. My son and his partner were in Scotland for two weeks in July and both came home with Covid which they think they contracted on the train three days before flying home. His partner was still testing positive after three weeks at home, still with mild lung congestion.

Check the travel insurance policy that comes with your cruise. You may want to buy an additional policy that allows you to cancel for any reason and also covers cost of getting off the ship and staying quarantined--if needed or for medical care--or delayed overseas if any part of your trip is cancelled for any reason once you're on it. I've never booked additional travel insurance pre Covid, but I wouldn't go anywhere on an expensive trip now without it. I debated booking a cruise next April from Brussels to Amsterdam and looked into travel insurance to estimate the cost, so if you Google best travel insurance companies, you can research the information.

Have fun!

[Emile]

42. Spent a month in Malta in 1969. We anchored out in Valletta

and took liberty boats to the dock. Back then you could take bus rides all over the tiny country for approximately 25 cents. Malta was the most bombed country during WW2, that said it's not all that pretty. Golden Bay Beach is beautiful. The nicest thing about Malta is they speak English there.

Barcelona is a city of fun. So many things to do there I can't mention them all. I will not recommend going to a bull fight. Watching a magnificent animal being killed is not enjoyable.

Sicily is beautiful.

Here is a pic of my Navy ship USS Yosemite dropping anchor in Malta.

[avebury]

43. Number 1 rule of cruising is

- do not miss the boat.

There are a lot of videos out there of people racing along the dock trying to get to the boat before it sails - and missing it.

I had never heard of Menorca do I looked it up. It looks absolutely gorgeous.

Have a great time. I am so jealous. I am having to settle for a work conference in Lousiville, KY.

[Mr.Bill]

46. True, one of the first things they tell you

is that things happen on time when on board a ship. One of the cruises I was on, a 12-year-0ld kid was left on the dock in Cozumel. Eash parent thought the kid was with the other parent. The ship contacted the authorities and the police on the dock had the kid and he was safe and in good hands.

The parents had no choice but to leave the ship at the next port and fly back to pick up the kid, and I assume return home from there. What an expensive nightmare that must have been. But it illustrates that even for a child, they were not going back to get him.

[Niagara]

45. Never, ever in any type of circumstances...

Play leapfrog with an unicorn!


No one will win.


Thank you, I'll be here all week.