demographics of cruising

[akel]

ok - so now I know that we are not a match for the cruise culture. Bingo? Gambling? Continual booze? Continual "deals". Dated entertainment? Bad coffee? Smoking everywhere. No thanks to all of that! Are there cruises out there with a different focus? I heard that there are some old boats - great itinerary, sustainable food out there. Might that be more a match? Does anyone know about them?

[smeyer418]

You have been reading too much of the bad reviews...most of what you say is wrong with cruises is IMO nonsense. I have been on old and new ships and while each has its own quirks for the most part the food was universally sustainable, you can easily avoid: bingo, the casino, smoking and "deals". The entertainment range from poor to outstanding but there was alkways something going on. You can always go on Crystal....

[akel]

I am looking for less - not more. (less food, less glitz, etc.)

[johnql]

Maybe you should look into freighter cruising. Here's a description from an agency specializing in freighter cruises:

 

"Enjoy quiet days at sea in informal and casual surroundings. No crowds, no formalities just comfort, relaxation, sun, clean air, casual dress, and a small group of passengers who love freedom from clocks, to do what you want when you want. Normally the only scheduled activities are mealtimes."

[smeyer418]

I am looking for less - not more. (less food, less glitz, etc.)

I am sorry what you say doesn't help. The Staten Island Ferry would meet what you say and takes you to exotic Staten Island and past world class sights...and isn't very expensive(its free), you can see some interesting entertainment, and smoking is prohibited.

[immargaret]

The only problem with freighter cruising is the cruise length.......

 

The majority of freighter cruises range in duration from about 30 to 75 days, but some are 2-3 weeks and some are longer.

[Hollyspop]

You might also want to consider a "barefoot" cruise where you can actually become a crew member if you choose to do so.

[naragonl]

You might want to check into Windjammer type cruising too.

[VegasGreen]

yep. Windjammer.

 

Otherwise, it's what you make of it. All that stuff is optional.

[Onessa]

Also take a look at alternative itineraries. Celebrity has several cruises to "off the beaten path" (at least as far as cruises are concerned) - Antarctic, Galapogos Islands. There are also itineraries that may be better suited to your tastes - if, for example, you are interested in AK's inside passage, you may want to look for places like Sitka and St. Petersburg. Pick cruises that advertise their on-board naturalists and continueing ed programs.

 

I too am not a casino/bingo/review-style entertainment kind of person. We cruise for the iternerary, try to pick those that max our time in port, and view the ship primarily as a form of transportation (a hotel that gets you to your next port while you sleep) and good food.

[breeding]

ok - so now I know that we are not a match for the cruise culture. Bingo? Gambling? Continual booze? Continual "deals". Dated entertainment? Bad coffee? Smoking everywhere. No thanks to all of that! Are there cruises out there with a different focus? I heard that there are some old boats - great itinerary, sustainable food out there. Might that be more a match? Does anyone know about them?

 

Keep trying - my inlaws have been on two christian cruises where there was no gambling and no drinking. I think the smoking was limited also. I know that it was on the NCL Wind in 1999 and they went to Alaska. I'm not sure how they found out about it but someone should know if one is coming up like that. They had a blast. Try the specialty forums. There should be a match for you.

 

We loved our Wind cruise in Hawaii in June. We didn't gamble, didn't drink (except for a few fu fu drinks and wine at supper a couple of nights), went to a few of the shows, thought the coffee was just fine (but we like strong coffee & I loved the cappacino at dinner). There were only a few spots with smokers (one lounge and one spot on the port side of the ship) that we avoided. We were never pushed with any deals but we did hear of a few times when you could go find out about them. We were in bed by 10:00 and up early to see the islands. The sea days were very relaxed and the craft and informational programs on sea days kept us very busy and were great. The food was awsome!

[newmexicoNita]

You might also want to consider a "barefoot" cruise where you can actually become a crew member if you choose to do so.

I don't think that would be what he is looking for if you are referring to something like Windjammer: I have sent clients on it and my kids went on it for their first cruise: it is nothing buy one big booze cruise according to all I have heard. Don't get me wrong my kids had a great time (tells you something about them in their college days) and so did my clients, but it certainly isn't for everyone. NMNita

[newmexicoNita]

ok - so now I know that we are not a match for the cruise culture. Bingo? Gambling? Continual booze? Continual "deals". Dated entertainment? Bad coffee? Smoking everywhere. No thanks to all of that! Are there cruises out there with a different focus? I heard that there are some old boats - great itinerary, sustainable food out there. Might that be more a match? Does anyone know about them?

Check under specialty cruises and see what you can find. There will be something out there for you. There are great Europian river cruises that are more laid back with out casinos, you can get off and on etc. There is a new line that goes only out of Europe, but I think they are coming to the Caribbean. You do get off and on when you want, everything is separate such as meals. It truely is a floating hotel and sounds like just about what you might be looking for. NMnita

 

ps older ships and very inexpensive by the way.

[johnql]

There is a new line that goes only out of Europe, but I think they are coming to the Caribbean. You do get off and on when you want, everything is separate such as meals. It truely is a floating hotel and sounds like just about what you might be looking for.

Are you thinking about easyCruise?

[Zeno]

ok - so now I know that we are not a match for the cruise culture. Bingo? Gambling? Continual booze? Continual "deals". Dated entertainment? Bad coffee? Smoking everywhere. No thanks to all of that! Are there cruises out there with a different focus? I heard that there are some old boats - great itinerary, sustainable food out there. Might that be more a match? Does anyone know about them?

 

Actually I find if you make your cruises port intensive to ports you are interested in, you tend to have a good time. We base all our cruises on itinerary. We don't play Bingo or gamble seriously (well I go one night and lose my $20 to the poker machines and then avoid the casino - which does tend to be too smoky). I have asthma and only noticed smoke in the casino and in some bars. The regular coffee sucks but the capuccinos (available at no extra charge in the dining rooms) are great.

However if you feel mainstream cruising is really not for you and you don't mind spending more money for great itineraries but spartan accomodation - look into ACCL.

ACCL = American Canadian Caribbean cruiselines

website: http://www.accl-smallships.com

[newmexicoNita]

Are you thinking about easyCruise?

Yes John, that is it. I have never sold it to anyone as it is rather new, but the concept seems to fit in with a certain type of cruiser. NMNita

[akel]

that sounds like what I would like. Do you have any idea how to connect with them? Links? Names?

 

Thanks.

[Shore Girl]

that sounds like what I would like. Do you have any idea how to connect with them? Links? Names?

 

Thanks.

 

http://www.easycruise.com

[MamaParrotHead]

we didn't gamble or play bingo one the entire week we were on our cruise. those areas were easy enough to avoid. we also didn't participate in any of the organized activities, didn't sit in on any of the "shore talks" or any other talks, nor did we drink outside of an after dinner cocktail. we just relaxed, enjoyed the ports and one another's company and chose to do things like sit up on deck a lot, read our books, vegged in the room and ordered room service snacks, had a few drinks while in the sports bar, checked out the shops, enjoyed the many various musicians onboard, had a massage. it was very relaxing and we successfully avoided all the things you say you want to as well. :)

 

many folks around here say it, and it's 100% the truth..."a cruise is what YOU make of it". :)

[kitty9]

How about one of the luxury lines? No bingo, tiny casinos, no glitz but great food and excellent service. Also, they are very port intensive cruises. For example on Crystal, they have what they call their Creative Learning Institute. You can learn to cook, speak a foreign language, play the piano, and how to draw or paint. There are also classes in fine wine, computers, digital photography, investing, health and wellness and much more. They also have first class guest lecturers who will discuss topics related to the area in which you are cruising. I've heard people like Marlin Fitzwater, Buzz Aldren, numerous ambassadors, sports figures and entertainers.

 

Easy Cruises is nothing more than a bare bones type of cruise--no more than transportation. If you like neon orange, then you might like this ship---everything, and I mean everything, is bright orange, from the hull of the ship to the furniture/walls inside. They are no better than ferry boats with beds and food (which by the way, cost extra---it's like a restaurant in that you are charged for everything you eat---food isn't included in the price).

[caviargal]

ok - so now I know that we are not a match for the cruise culture. Bingo? Gambling? Continual booze? Continual "deals". Dated entertainment? Bad coffee? Smoking everywhere. No thanks to all of that! Are there cruises out there with a different focus? I heard that there are some old boats - great itinerary, sustainable food out there. Might that be more a match? Does anyone know about them?

 

I love to cruise and do not participate in any of the things mentioned above. I work out usually 2x day, read by the pool, make frequent use of the sauna and steam rooms, go to wine tastings, have HH in the wine bar or martini bar, enjoy a leisurely dinner and then some entertainment if any appeals.

 

I meet nice people, love time on my balcony (if I have one) and spend quite a bit of time just relaxing alone.

 

I would suggest you stay away from the cruise lines that pack their ships to the gills with pax and have a loud and rowdy atmosphere. Otherwise, you can have a great time without ever being aware of the activities you mention above.