Ivy sugarplum

3 hours ago, iowananny said:

We were on Nautica a little more than a month ago on a Baltic cruise.  The bars were always crowded during happy hour.  It was hard to find a table in Martinis.  There didn't seem to be a shortage of passengers who liked the atmosphere of a bar and not drinking their own liquor in their room.  

 

My husband took a tour one day to an old Soviet missile site in Lithuania.  I had no interest in this and stayed on the ship during that day.  Most people had to be out doing something because for the most part the ship was pretty empty during most of the day.  Yes, there were some people there for lunch but it sure wasn't that many.  We did take four Oceania excursions that were provided with SM.  We've taken their tours in the past and I don't remember ever being unhappy.  Of course, some were better than others.   And sometimes we just walk around or have a taxi show us around.  We've reached the age where we can't do physically intense tours every day on a port intensive cruise.  

 

I know many on this site want the absolute best price ever.  I really think there are many who want everything Oceania provides but at a Carnival price.  But I think my husband and I are in the majority of most of Oceania's customers.  If we see an itinerary we like, it's a good time for us and we can afford it we book it.  Yes, we have cruised with Carnival.  I get casino discounts and while we prefer Oceania we have had fun on Carnival, especially in the casino. 

 

You have to remember only a small percentage of those on any cruise ever read Cruise Critic and will probably book despite this new change.  We have two cruises booked now and will probably book more.  And we might try some other cruise lines if we see something we like.

 

We don't worry a lot about our cabin.  We have had an inside cabin but also a concierge.  We enjoyed both cruises.  In April we're going to try a PH, just because the price wasn't that much higher than a balcony on Vista.

 

It's so much fun to complain and I know I'm just as guilty as the next guy.  We've had so much fun cruising.  Sometimes I have to pinch myself and remember a little girl growing up in Iowa whose biggest goal was to go to Paris someday.  I've been to Paris at least ten times.  When I think of all the places I've been it's is amazing.  And I didn't have to join the Navy.

I like your perspective, Iowananny! Aren’t we fortunate to be able to cruise and enjoy this beautiful world!