K32682

The OP acknowledged in the title of the thread "maybe I am insane" and I would tend to agree with his personal assessment. Creepy and macabre are the words I used and they are entirely appropriate to describe anyone who wants a tourist experience in the immediate aftermath of other people's suffering.

Tourists flocking to the same fast food chains they can go to at home have never made much sense to me. I was in Tokyo with three friends and after getting settled at the hotel we roamed the streets looking for lunch. Two went to MacDonalds, another friend and I ate ramen from a sidewalk cart. 🙂

+1 on giving yourself plenty of time. I almost learned this the hard way in Bora Bora. Our excursion ended at Bloody Mary's (highly overrated) and instead of going back on the bus my brother-in-law and I went exploring. We barely made it in time to catch the last tender going back to the boat.

My definition of arrival in port is when I can get off the boat.

It is one thing to see the site of a disaster that happened centuries ago. It is macabre and creepy to get a vicarious thrill at the site of a disaster like Maui where there still may be unrecovered bodies.

"Hot Tub Rash" is definitely a risk. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/rwi/rashes.html A recurring rash long after having gone into a hot tub would probably have another cause. I don't use public hot tubs regardless of anyone's assurance about chlorine levels. A public-access hot tub is little more than a bubbling cauldron of someone else's pee. No thanks.

The same applies for American customs agents. I was on a business trip to New York with a colleague who had visited the U.S. often but on this visit was denied entry because of a minor marijuana possession charge 40 years previously when he was a teenager. I continued on the trip without him and he ended up going through a lengthy process to receive a waiver.

Same here. People might ask but I've never had a negative encounter when I've politely explained it's the chair my wife is using and she will be back shortly.

I wouldn't consider that "bullying." If you leave it, you lose it.

Canadian citizens have a right of return protected in our constitution. Also, even though your DUI record was expunged you may be denied entry into Canada. https://www.canadaduientrylaw.com/expungement.php# "Many US citizens interested in traveling north of the border are surprised to learn that Canadian border patrol can still flag a visitor due to a misdemeanor or felony conviction that has been successfully expunged. Such an offense may no longer be visible to a potential employer, but the Government of Canada gets their information straight from the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) which still shows an arrest record or criminal conviction even after an expungement. "

As noted there is very little consistency in the enforcement of DUI exclusions by the CBSA but each attempt by a convicted drunk driver to enter Canada is taking a chance. You can expect your number to come up eventually if you visit Canada often enough and you'll denied entry or escorted to the nearest departure point if your cruise ship has docked in Canada. Canadians who have a past cannabis conviction face the same situation. Regardless of when the conviction was, how little cannabis you were caught with or how often you've visited the U.S.A. previously if your number comes up you will be denied entry. A waiver is required if you want to visit the U.S. again and it is a lengthy and often not inexpensive process.

Tell us about it. I've never had anyone attempt to bully me out of a deck chair. Exactly how did it happen and what did you do about it?

Mine too but not for everyone it seems. On a cruise to Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas we toured around with another couple and fell upon a fascinating little place that looked like it came out of a 1950's movie. We had a drink but when I suggested lunch the other couple looked like I'd lost my mind, declared they never ate anywhere but on the ship and off they went. The poisson cru was excellent. They missed out.

I eat local and have never scurried back to the boat because I was afraid of eating in port. I've enjoyed some amazing local cuisine with no ill effects.

Mass market cruising on mega ships is what it is and there won't be major differences among the lines. If you want a less crowded experience spend more on a luxury line, choose a smaller ship and don't sail the Caribbean. Cruises there tend to be lout magnets on the mass market lines.

If she's that predisposed to motion sickness the best cabin for her would be a luxury suite at a nice resort. The differences among cabins in different areas of the ship would most likely be inconsequential for someone seriously vulnerable to sea sickness.

I don't disagree but first time visitors to London should see those "tourist hell holes" at least once. The tube isn't quite "close to hell" and is a good way to get from point A to point B in a short time. If you are in less of a hurry take the bus. Another option is the Thames water taxis if you are going from Westminster to the Tower or to Greenwich. The rides above ground and on water are infinitely more entertaining than the tube.

I have a surname that is sometimes difficult to pronounce. ESL people insert a syllable because of how it is spelled. Japanese and other east Asian speakers can't even come close and shorten it to something more manageable for them. In a world of things worth getting fussed over this is not one of them.

Some of my most pleasant visits to London were in January. The weather is clement, at least from a Canadian's perspective, there is little or no wait at the major attractions, theatre tickets are readily available and there are excellent January sales at most of the major retailers.

Never travel to Europe when North American school children and teachers are not in school. October is a wonderful month to visit.

If they get enough complaints about buffet "table hogs" management will do something about it. If no one complains they won't. Complaining on web forums might make you feel but better doesn't solve the problem. If something bothers you that much then complain in the moment to the people who can implement a solution. If you don't complain at the time then it really wasn't that big of a problem in the first place.

A Caribbean cruise can be a dismal prospect at the best of times. Uninspired and uninteresting ports, swarms of hawkers, noisy and often dirty. August doubles down with heat and high humidity, higher prices, hordes of children on summer break and vacationing teachers. No thanks.

If they were seeking adventure they wouldn't be asking about cruises. 😉

People taking pictures of their food is fair less annoying than people taking selfies particularly if they are using selfie sticks.

The OP specifically asked about cruises and telling them that driving is the better way to see the UK isn't helping. I've driven in the UK extensively but perhaps driving on the other side of the road, learning what a slip road is, single-lane roads with hedgerows and contending with multi-lane roundabouts isn't for them.