A Tale pf Two Cruises

[sagiv666]

My wife and I just returned from our second cruise in so many months, and our experiences could justify me titling this thread "Live and Let Live".

In mid-September, we cruised to Alaska for 14 nights aboard the Radiance. Before the cruise, neither of us knew about cruisecritic.com, nor were we planning to meet relatives, friends, etc. We had a balcony cabin and the first friends we met were our neighbors, one couple in particular.

We had chosen Second Seating and there we met two other couples with whom we also became fast friends. We all had different ideas in terms of what we anticipated and planned to do on the cruise, and it was enjoyable listening to each other's adventures that day when we dined at night. We also had marvelous waiters, who shared their knowledge not only of the food, but also of the different ports of call we were visiting. By the end of the cruise, our table -- including our waiters -- had developed into a close family.

Just several days after returning from our cruise and a stay in Alaska which lasted almost the full month of september, we booked a cruise to Canda and New England; this cruise was shorter, left from where we lived, and was on a ship of the NCL. In our cruise to Aaska, we first learned of cruisecritic.com; now, I joined the Roll Call for our crew and even before the cruise began, we met many who would be good friends on this cruise.

NCL is known for a more freestyle outlook on cruising, and just as we shared differences with those we felt close to on the Radiance, we shared differences in outlook on eating, etc. We became especially close with one couple who live near us, and we look forward to seeing them socially and even cruising together in the future. Whjatever differences we may have had in or outlook on cruises, we enjoyed each other so much that a very dear friendship was forming.

The moral of my little tale is do what you want, as long is you do not strive to impose your will and/or opinions on others. If some like a freestyle wayof dining and you prefer fixed seating, if some prefer to spend time at the casino when you prefer to watch a show, dance, or sleep, if you favor differeent activities when visiting a particular port, who cares?

True, I may be more passionate in my opinions in some matters -- especially health issues, by virtue of my past work in public health -- but I voice my opinions more strongly not to impose my views as much as to share my experiences and show how so many can suffer if they act against established guidelines. If I hope to increase the enjoyment of those who continue to cruise by suggesting the outlooks on good health that I myself learned, then I plead guilty.

However, the only way to enjoy cruising is to accept each other. One does not have to give up their own feelings and beliefs, but why ruin your cruise in attempt to change the world, or at least the ship?:D

[cruzeluver]

Beautifully put. And I couldn't agree more.

 

I get so bored with people spending their cruise complaining about how their ususal cruise line is so much better. If you prefer one particular line, great, but I really don't want to hear during my RCCL cruise how NCL has better food, or Princess has nicer cabins etc.

[Apoggi]

I totally agree with your post. We have made some great friends we have kept in contact with for years.

[Tanker4]

Great points and our past experiance's cruising have been similar. We've been at it off and on since the mid 80's and have never had a 'bad' cruise. Have some been more enjoyable than others? Sure, but any cruise is pretty much what you choose to make of it and better than the alternative.:D

 

Tanker 4

[willysgrandma]

What an excellent post! Thanks.