This is an extremely interesting thread discussion, with worthwhile posts throughout, offering up valid points and food for thought. While some are gradually weaning themselves off their cruising habit, others remain enthralled with what the ships have to offer, both as a conveyance and as a home away from home.
From X cruising veterans who feel their expected standards have been lowered, even in the most basic of services, to new Celebrity cruisers-to-be- with their varying levels of presupposition, the entire industry has come under extreme scrutiny since Covid became a part of everyday life.
Indulge my musings, if you will, as I suggest that at whatever stage of cruising withdrawal we might be and whatever disappointments and letdowns we have encountered since the restart, that all was exacerbated by the shutdown and our own personal responses to same. Did we expect too much too soon? Did we fail to give the benefit of the doubt to our favorite ships and their crew’s? Did we immediately expect everything to be same as before, for us, while not realizing the entire big cruising picture and the burdens placed on cruise lines, cruise ships and cruise crews? Not to mention all the necessary support and expense needed to resume operations.
I prefer to keep the twinkle in my eye as a reflection of the “cruising sparkle.” My perfect cruises have never been a ten on the scale, and I do not expect them to be. Also, our thresholds differ as to comfort and satisfaction, the higher the threshold, the brighter the sparkle. I say that with no fear of compromising my cruising expectations or dimming the twinkle in my eye.