Do you do international travel in addition to cruises?

[Markanddonna]

Cruising just in the Caribbean isn't my idea of fun although we do cruise there in the dead of winter to escape the snowy north.

 

We choose a combination of cruising and land vacations in Europe. The flights within Europe are so cheap. I have flown from England, Barcelona, and Copenhagen to Poland (where I visit family) and get to experience the best of both types of vacations. We usually take a TA over and then fly to our target city or region.

[navybankerteacher]

22 minutes ago, marco said:

 

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In fact, we're heading out tomorrow for a land trip in Europe but as we have to have that shipboard experience, we're coming back on the "Queen Mary".

When it comes time to return from travel in Europe, sailing home is like a dessert - while a trans-Atlantic flight seems like a bit of punishment.  An increasing  amount of our cruising now is that sort of related travel.

[dogs4fun]

The majority of our European trips are via land rather than cruise. We have enjoyed the many cruises that we have taken but usually prefer extended time in the cities that we love.

[lackcreativity]

9 hours ago, CarrieAP said:

Cruising for us started out as a once in awhile beach/warm weather escape from our hectic daily lives. This took a turn when we became unexpectedly "retired". Visited Europe for the 1st time last fall on our 1st transatlantic cruise and found the perfect travel formula for us. We stayed in Copenhagen 5 nights prior to the cruise and loved having the time to explore the city prior to embarking on the second part of our trip. Land trip and cruising combined- the best of both worlds! This fall we're spending a week in Barcelona prior to our 2nd TA, with similar types of vacations planned going forward. I never expected international travel would become a passion at this stage of our lives. We're novices and admittedly still anxious about navigating new cities and countries on our own, but hoping to gain confidence with each trip! 

We began our travels to Europe in our late fifties with escorted tours as we were fairly timid about the experience of a foreign country. We did indeed gain confidence over time, and were happy to set out on our own during the unstructured time on the escorted tours. While we did reach the point where we could have planned to go travel on our own, we found we really liked the companionship of the groups and the ease of travel when someone else does most of the work. 

 

We never had any interest in cruising, but we did a river cruise which we really enjoyed, and then tried a small ship, adults only ocean cruise and we were hooked. I do miss spending more time in the places we visit, but the packing and unpacking and constant on the go of an escorted tour became exhausting. 

 

Perhaps, one day after we retire, we will plan an extended stay in one of the places we have enjoyed so much on a quick visit. For now, small ship cruising fits us perfectly.

[Hlitner]

I should have mentioned another of our favorite ways of traveling.  Just going to one specific place and renting an apartment for a week or longer is a fascinating way to begin to understand another culture and get into the local norms.  We often talk about slowing things down and getting to stop and smell the roses, and this is all about that kind of travel.  Using one place as a base and then day tripping has many rewards.  One of our first European rentals was when we got a furnished apartment in St Remy de Provence for a few weeks.  The first few days I would walk, every morning,  from our apartment to the nearby Boulangerie and purchase some fresh bread, croissants, etc..  The lady who owned the bakery would just give me a sour look and not even acknowledge my "bonjour."  The 2nd week, when I walked into that same bakery the lady (who turned out to be the owner) greeted me with a big smile, a "bonjour" and some conversation (in English).  I was shocked.  When I went outside I started chatting with another local (who spoke very good English) who told me that the bakery owner never acknowledged any "strangers" but that after the first week I was no longer considered a stranger.  When I stopped in that same bakery our last morning the owner actually gave me a hug, kisses on both cheeks, and would not take any money for my daily purchase.

 

Hank

[Shmoo here]

18 hours ago, clo said:

Could you tell me how you travel and, if it's cruise only, then why? 

We do mostly RV travel now, but cruises are still part of our trips.  We also travel specifically to other countries and do land trips.  

 

Mostly because we also feel a cruise doesn't always get you the most.  But we still love cruising. 

Edited June 16, 2019 by Shmoo here

[iancal]

Yes.  We do two longer trips per year.  One in Sept/Oct to Europe for 6-8 weeks. Planning this now.  Looks like Greece and Morocco via Paris.   We do a two month winter trip Jan-March.   So far it has been S/E Asia or Central America.  This winter it might be independent travel in Mexica, Costa Rica, and Panama.  Plus an AI or or short 

 

Our travel, since retirment, is independent and mostly spontaneous.  We watch out for attractive late booking cruises while on our travels.   

[SimplyMarvie]

We're a weird data point because we're young (40s, with kids at home) and we're expats, but almost all of our trips are land-based. We try really hard to make the most of living in the places we've lived and getting the kids out to see the world as much as possible while they're still young and living at home, and we're pretty fearless about foreign countries and languages and things, because being somewhere that we don't know the language is pretty much the norm for us. That said, as my job is getting more stressful and my husband's work is also getting more intense, we find that we're mixing in more vacations where we're doing a little less intensive travel and where I don't have to do as much research and planning, which will probably bring us back to more cruises as time goes on. I don't think we'd ever switch over to cruising entirely, because there's too much of the world that just isn't accessible from a boat... but maybe we'll do more. 

 

This year we've done land vacations to Cyprus and Romania with the family (and Nepal, Sophia, Greece and the UK for the adults, for various reasons) and we'll cap it off with a Caribbean/Panama Canal cruise this winter. Next year we almost certainly won't cruise, and will take a long road trip around Israel and Jordan and then go to Africa on Safari... but the year after that we'd really like to make time for a transatlantic on our way home from our current overseas job, if the travel and timing Gods are kind. 

[hallasm]

My favorite is reposition cruises - it offers a unique opportunity to spend a few days in the area around the departure port and again some days at the arrival port.  

For longer journeys we also use to divide the trip in two parts, which is possible with many airlines - a classic example is to fly from the USA to Europe via Iceland and spend some days in Iceland.

In March this year, we were on a cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong with 5 days at each end - in addition we made a detour from Singapore to Bali for two weeks.

 In February 2020, we will be on a cruise from Sydney to New Zealand - here we will spend 5 to 8 days in Australia both before and after the cruise, in addition to make a stop over in Bangkok from Copenhagen to Sydney both on the outbound and return journey.

In this way, in the past 23 years, we have visited a very large part of the world in connection with our 35 cruises.

[LynnTTT]

8 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

When it comes time to return from travel in Europe, sailing home is like a dessert - while a trans-Atlantic flight seems like a bit of punishment.  An increasing  amount of our cruising now is that sort of related travel.

We agree.  A transatlantic cruise back from a hectic few weeks in Europe is a great way to relax. When you get back you are relaxed and back on local time.  An transatlantics are usually very well priced.

[calliopecruiser]

9 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

When it comes time to return from travel in Europe, sailing home is like a dessert - while a trans-Atlantic flight seems like a bit of punishment.

If I lived near a cruise port, that would definitely be the way I'd do it.  However, since I have to fly home from the US port location anyway, I'd rather cruise out and fly back than the other way around.   Then I can (usually) book a direct flight and minimize the number of airports I have to traverse. 

[clo]

5 hours ago, SimplyMarvie said:

We're a weird data point because we're young (40s, with kids at home) and we're expats, but almost all of our trips are land-based. We try really hard to make the most of living in the places we've lived and getting the kids out to see the world as much as possible while they're still young and living at home, and we're pretty fearless about foreign countries and languages and things, because being somewhere that we don't know the language is pretty much the norm for us. That said, as my job is getting more stressful and my husband's work is also getting more intense, we find that we're mixing in more vacations where we're doing a little less intensive travel and where I don't have to do as much research and planning, which will probably bring us back to more cruises as time goes on. I don't think we'd ever switch over to cruising entirely, because there's too much of the world that just isn't accessible from a boat... but maybe we'll do more. 

 

This year we've done land vacations to Cyprus and Romania with the family (and Nepal, Sophia, Greece and the UK for the adults, for various reasons) and we'll cap it off with a Caribbean/Panama Canal cruise this winter. Next year we almost certainly won't cruise, and will take a long road trip around Israel and Jordan and then go to Africa on Safari... but the year after that we'd really like to make time for a transatlantic on our way home from our current overseas job, if the travel and timing Gods are kind. 

What you describe sounds fantastic!  My husband worked for an international company and I regretted that we never had the opportunity to live overseas.  Go for it!

PS:  We loved Israel and sorry we didn't go to Jordan.  And our Tanzania/Kenya trip was fantastic.  Saw ALL the animals.  

Best wishes to you.

[navybankerteacher]

2 hours ago, calliopecruiser said:

If I lived near a cruise port, that would definitely be the way I'd do it.  However, since I have to fly home from the US port location anyway, I'd rather cruise out and fly back than the other way around.   Then I can (usually) book a direct flight and minimize the number of airports I have to traverse. 

I’m not sure I get the difference:  if you can get a direct flight home, why couldn’t you get a direct flight over?  Yes,  you’d have a flight as the final leg after the cruise, but it would be a short one rather than a T/A.  The real difference is the 25 hour days of a westbound T/A vs the 23 hour days eastbound.  Also, the westbound are generally in the fall - giving you better weather than eastbounds in the spring.   Still, to each his own.

[calliopecruiser]

44 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

 Yes,  you’d have a flight as the final leg after the cruise, but it would be a short one rather than a T/A.

The length of the flight doesn't bother me......going through airports (with the crowds, lines, and security) is the real pain of flying for me.  The fewer airports, the better, especially after the relaxation of a cruise.   Different strokes.....I'd rather settle in for a 13 hour flight than break that into 2 flights and have to gather my gear and get on and off at a stop along the way.  And show my ID to get back on.  Etc. 

(And I don't worry about 23h vs 25h days -- I usually do transpacifics, and those actually take away or give you an entire extra day!  Going eastbound, you might have a Tuesday the first and a Tuesday the second, before moving on to Wednesday).  

[adelaidefc]

Until this year I was entirely an independent traveler - as in, I'd travel with others but planning and organising everything myself, no tours, no travel agents. I enjoy being a bit out of my comfort zone, trying to pick up a bit of the local language, work out the easiest and cheapest way around towns and the weird and wonderful things to see (and eat and drink!). 

I've done this from Singapore, Japan, and Korea, to Spain, Hungary and Finland and plenty in between (something like 23 countries and 120+ cities so far). 

 

But mobility issues and a desire to sometimes just 'relax' may lead me towards more cruises in the future. I'm still <40yo, so while I can get around I will - but it was nice (though a little odd!) to be on MSC Bellissima and realise I had nothing to do, in a completely good way. Maybe I'll listen to a podcast and people watch near the pool, maybe I'll grab a room service cheese platter and a wine and watch the waves from the balcony.

 

There's certainly a lot to enjoy about whatever takes your fancy when you're traveling, and frankly I just consider myself incredibly lucky and grateful I can afford the time and money to do these amazing things! 

Edited June 17, 2019 by adelaidefc

[adelaidefc]

Until this year I was entirely an independent traveler - as in, I'd travel with others but planning and organising everything myself, no tours, no travel agents. I enjoy being a bit out of my comfort zone, trying to pick up a bit of the local language, work out the easiest and cheapest way around towns and the weird and wonderful things to see (and eat and drink!). 

I've done this from Singapore, Japan, and Korea, to Spain, Hungary and Finland and plenty in between (something like 23 countries and 120+ cities so far). 

 

But mobility issues and a desire to sometimes just 'relax' may lead me towards more cruises in the future. I'm still <40yo, so while I can get around I will - but it was nice (though a little odd!) to be on MSC Bellissima and realise I had nothing to do, in a completely good way. Maybe I'll listen to a podcast and people watch near the pool, maybe I'll grab a room service cheese platter and a wine and watch the waves from the balcony.

 

There's certainly a lot to enjoy about whatever takes your fancy when you're traveling, and frankly I just consider myself incredibly lucky and grateful I can afford the time and money to do these amazing things! 

 

[adelaidefc]

My sincere apologies for the duplicate posts, not entirely sure how it happened and rather surprised you can't delete your own posts in this forum!

 

Edited June 17, 2019 by adelaidefc

[MicCanberra]

We do many types of travel fly /stay, fly /tour and stay fly cruise, stay/ tour but whatever we do, we often try and get a cruise in there to a new area, new ports etc.

We mainly cruise for itinerary but sometimes for occasion (friends and family) and or a mini break.

[DirtyDawg]

Our international (outside North America) travel so far has been exclusively air/land travel because of time. We both still work, and it is difficult to get the consecutive time off to do longer cruises to international destinations or to tailor our vacation around cruise schedules. More efficient for us to target a place we want to experience, fly in, see the sights and flu out.  We'll get around to international cruising when we retire.

[Bizmark'sMom]

I enjoy both.  My upcoming trip to Scotland is with 3 friends and a guide in a van all to ourselves. Yes, it's a lot of packing and unpacking, but there won't be any time pressure, and we can stop when we want to.

 

Then, Tahiti, which is purely a cruise. Fly in, stay one night, board the ship, cruise for 10 days, fly home.

 

Normally, my cruises are combined with land vacations before and after - it's the best of both worlds.

[ducklite]

We're in our late 50's and do a combination.  We haven't cruised since 2014, and just booked a cruise for 2020.  We've been focusing on land based trips since 2010--mostly to Europe.  This year we're going to Poland, Austria, and the Czech Republic. 

 

Our 2020 cruise is "reconnaissance" for longer land based trips to some of the areas we are cruising to (others are places we've already taken land-based trips to).  The shorter port visit will give us an estimate of whether we need two days or two weeks in that area on subsequent land based trips.  A couple of the ports are islands that we'd never visit otherwise.

 

In 2022 and 2024 we're planning on cruising the Baltics and the Galapagos respectively.  Both of those trips have ports often best visited by cruise line for any number of reasons.  In alternate years we've already got some loose plans for land based holidays.

[Cruiser_1977]

I take a variety..cruising, resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, camping and RVing. Variety is the spice of life 😉 I am 41 and work full time. A lot of my trips are weekends or long weekends. My first trip over 5 days since 2015 will be in January of 2020.

Edited June 17, 2019 by JennyB1977

[George C]

Spent a year in Germany courtesy of the US Army in 1970.

[clo]

48 minutes ago, George C said:

Spent a year in Germany courtesy of the US Army in 1970.

My husband was there for three years around the same time.  He saw pretty much all of Europe during that time.