Breaking: Carnival Triumph has arrived at the pier in Mobile, AL.

[XOKCowboy]

10. Cruises are for people who don't want to see where they've been

I go every year to a little island off the coast of Belize. No Marriotts, no McDonalds, local people, local food, locally owned everything. Crystal white beaches, water that's is more shades of blue and green than you can ever imagine. The worlds largest barrier reef less than a quarter mile offshore. I've had more than one friend say they were going on a cruise that was stopping in Belize and I tell them not to even bother going to the island. They can either take an $$$ excursion which is an hour and a half water taxi ride each way to a resort where you have to eat or take a cab to the airport, buy a $125 RT ticket and still have maybe 4 hours to experience an island it's taken me 6 years to start to appreciate and love. Most just wander around Belize City and wonder why anybody would ever go to Belize.

I have the utmost sympathy for those on the Triumph. Another reason I'll never take a cruise as if I needed one.