Callie28

We are 4star Mariners with HAL, Elite with princess and X and cruised to a lesser degree with crystal, Oceania, and royal Caribbean. Started in 1981. Seen great change of course, some good (balcony cabins) some not (cruising used to be “special” holiday it become a bus trip in water) All lines are 90% fantastic and seemingly 10% oops what were they thinking.

While the majority of cruisers in many destinations are our southern neighbours, we’ve found the personalities on board change based on the length of the cruise and destination.  Our best cruises were circumnavigation of South America - 49 days on princess, rome to hongkong, b2b2b - 44 days on Mclass X mostly UK and European guests and HAL hongkong to Vancouver 30 days,  Princess had great port reviews and lectures. X dressy and sophisticated - everyone seemed to dress for dinner every night. HAL - aging with, minimal enrichment.  But all that being said we are itinerary driven and each line delivers to our expectations based on what our expectations are for that line.  If all priced the same with the same ports - Celebrity first, HAL second, Princess third likely because their elite perks are the poorest. So looking forward to a somewhat normalization of the industry.  

Been cruising since 1982 and have touch wood never been ill. Neither has the mr. we attribute this to staying away from crowded buffets, trying to sail on ships without self serve, and if forced only have food that others cannot breath on.  No hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas, only quiet places on deck.  In future I expect that passengers will need to present an official medical statement confirming whether they’ve had a immunization shot for whatever virus is prevalent at the time.  It has become clear that there will not be an easing of travel restrictions until a vaccine is developed for human use so in 18-24 months all travel providers will be able to hopefully coordinate their approach whether ship, plane, train or point of entry.  The whole world has to re-open before travel will re start up and travel providers will need to comply with the new world.  Dreaming of cruising every night. 

On a somewhat similar topic, I think that cruise lines need to pay closer attention to their guests unintended footprints. Just got home from 44 days at sea from Rome to Hong Kong. In this time sailing across seas, gulfs, straits we did not see any sea life but all kinds of plastic garbage every day.  Tons of it. And tons of plastic garbage throughout south and Southeast Asia.  While a small start, could cruise lines remind their guests to bring their plastic water bottles back to the ship for recycling? And any other garbage they might “create”.  We need to be mindful that in many places in the world recycling is far down the list on day to day living and we should not add to garbage when we go ashore. Our only footprint should be a little contribution to the local economy not tour bus seat pockets filled with our empty water bottles.  “Take your cruise card, photo I’d,, hat, wear comfortable shoes and take water, just remember to bring your bottles back to the ship”. 10 extra words as a reminder, maybe 10 fewer plastic bottles floating in the sea? 

Have seen folks removed from ship for smoking in their cabin after warning, refusing to attend emergency drill, or in the case of emergency medical that is beyond the capabilities of on board medical centre. There are plenty of warnings in the first two situations including involvement from the captain - we all sail at the captains pleasure.

We did a self directed Aussie tour last march. Viator - great ocean road with lunch was awesome. Long day - saw koalas in the wild, old forest, pure air, 12 apostles, great great day and not expensive. We also did, viator Borassa valley by doing 2 tours we got 10% discount. Would recommend. We spent 3 days in Brisbane, 4 in Melbourne, 3 in Adelaide and 6 in Sydney. A good but quick mix.