Are there people who will ONLY travel by cruising?

[Lois R]

11 minutes ago, slidergirl said:

I don't think cruising is too pretentious now - I was talking about the earlier times, pre-"Freestyle".  I've always been a hippie rebel, so I guess I didn't want to spend my time and money doing something where I was told when I had to eat and what I had to wear 😉

 

I haven't found a small cruise that I could afford - I'm jealous of the river cruise you just took.  I'm trying to save for that - probably a canal barge trip.  I'm not a "herd" person anyway.  Probably why I'm 99% of the time a DIY girl.

 

For Hawaii - DO IT!  It's one of my favorite places in the World.  So many geographical differences in a small space.  I've stayed on Oahu, Maui, Lanai, The Big Island - all uniquely different.  Gotta say TBI is my absolute favorite.  When I was still married, going to TBI was our "default" vacation if we couldn't decide on something else.  So much to see, so much to do, so much to eat...

 

I have never been to Hawaii before...…..always wanted to go.  What is TBI? Oh... The Big Island?

[Bizmark'sMom]

14 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

I haven't reached the stage where I'm interested in "vacations" . To me travel is about exploring and if I am not exploring there isn't any point leaving. I can do nothing at home, if I am feeling real lazy I can whack out a food delivery app and I can have all sorts of food at my door in twenty minutes.

Same here. The big benefit being that I can stay in my pajamas all day when I'm lazing around my house. 

[slidergirl]

18 minutes ago, Lois R said:

I have never been to Hawaii before...…..always wanted to go.  What is TBI? Oh... The Big Island?

Sorry - yes it is The Big Island.  I got tired typing it out!   

[Lois R]

18 minutes ago, slidergirl said:

Sorry - yes it is The Big Island.  I got tired typing it out!   

no problem.....after looking at the Tauck tour, I will look at a cruise to Hawaii.....

[slidergirl]

33 minutes ago, Lois R said:

no problem.....after looking at the Tauck tour, I will look at a cruise to Hawaii.....

the problem with the cruises to Hawaii is that there are issues with tendering sometimes at the only stop for the island.  I read where people say they missed the stop at Kailua-Kona on TBI -if you miss tendering, you miss the island.  With the cruises, unless you do the NCL one, you are just any other cruise, getting a few hours a a few islands and lots of "at sea" time,  I did a quick look at Tauck - you get multiple days at each island they go to, the hotels used are quality ones, and you have "group" time and "my" time.  

[Lois R]

40 minutes ago, slidergirl said:

the problem with the cruises to Hawaii is that there are issues with tendering sometimes at the only stop for the island.  I read where people say they missed the stop at Kailua-Kona on TBI -if you miss tendering, you miss the island.  With the cruises, unless you do the NCL one, you are just any other cruise, getting a few hours a a few islands and lots of "at sea" time,  I did a quick look at Tauck - you get multiple days at each island they go to, the hotels used are quality ones, and you have "group" time and "my" time.  

Hi, I saw the Tauck itinerary.....just not sure I want to spend 12 grand on it.

[clo]

5 hours ago, slidergirl said:

I haven't found a small cruise that I could afford - I'm jealous of the river cruise you just took.  I'm trying to save for that - probably a canal barge trip.  I'm not a "herd" person anyway.  Probably why I'm 99% of the time a DIY girl.

 

Maybe look into the Alaska State Ferry.  If we ever go back, it would be very appealing.

[ilikeanswers]

5 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi, I saw the Tauck itinerary.....just not sure I want to spend 12 grand on it.

 Ouch that is pricey😳. I see why you are hesitant. There must be some cheaper tours out there. I don't suppose DIY is an option? I DIYed Hawaii and found it really easy. Spent a good five days on Big Island. I agree with the other poster Big Island has a lot to see and not a lot that is close to the ports. 

[clo]

6 minutes ago, ilikeanswers said:

 Ouch that is pricey😳. I see why you are hesitant. There must be some cheaper tours out there. I don't suppose DIY is an option? I DIYed Hawaii and found it really easy. Spent a good five days on Big Island. I agree with the other poster Big Island has a lot to see and not a lot that is close to the ports. 

Someone here said their wife takes the Tauck Tour trips and DIYs them and saves a lot of money.

[Bizmark'sMom]

Hawaii is dead easy to DIY.  And it is so worthwhile to just park yourself on one island and really explore. Rent a condo and a car, and go!  Kauai is my personal favorite - specifically Hanalei - but all of the islands are worth exploring.  It's so easy - you're still in the US!

Seriously, do not do Hawaii on a cruise! Each island is worth a week by itself. And you can hop between the islands on flights.  It's easy to eat meals out, but Walmart and Costco are there if you want easy breakfasts and lunches in your condo.

 

When I need an easy warm weather vacation, I rent a condo on one of the Hawaiian islands. I would never consider a cruise there. 

[Lois R]

1 hour ago, Bizmark'sMom said:

Hawaii is dead easy to DIY.  And it is so worthwhile to just park yourself on one island and really explore. Rent a condo and a car, and go!  Kauai is my personal favorite - specifically Hanalei - but all of the islands are worth exploring.  It's so easy - you're still in the US!

Seriously, do not do Hawaii on a cruise! Each island is worth a week by itself. And you can hop between the islands on flights.  It's easy to eat meals out, but Walmart and Costco are there if you want easy breakfasts and lunches in your condo.

 

When I need an easy warm weather vacation, I rent a condo on one of the Hawaiian islands. I would never consider a cruise there. 

This might sound weird to you or to others, but I have no desire to rent a condo and car. I realize it is in the US and Costco and Walmart do nothing for me. I do appreciate your input though. I would just

prefer something on a tour (especially if is was something in the smaller genre).  To at least interact

with other folks. 

[Lois R]

1 hour ago, clo said:

Someone here said their wife takes the Tauck Tour trips and DIYs them and saves a lot of money.

I guess it would depend on what type of tour and money people are referring to...….the Hawaii Tour Tauck offers

for a solo (the one I was looking at) is close to 12 grand.

[clo]

1 minute ago, Lois R said:

I guess it would depend on what type of tour and money people are referring to...….the Hawaii Tour Tauck offers

for a solo (the one I was looking at) is close to 12 grand.

I haven't tried pricing one as I'm guessing they're still way more than I would pay.  And, yes, Hawaii is super easy to DIY.

[Lois R]

1 hour ago, ilikeanswers said:

 Ouch that is pricey😳. I see why you are hesitant. There must be some cheaper tours out there. I don't suppose DIY is an option? I DIYed Hawaii and found it really easy. Spent a good five days on Big Island. I agree with the other poster Big Island has a lot to see and not a lot that is close to the ports. 

Hi, I really don't feel like going there on my own. I realize it may sound weird to people who like to travel by

themselves but I very much enjoy the interaction of meeting other people while I travel--one of the reasons

I enjoy cruising.  I have lived my whole life (well, 90%) as a solo and while on vacation I like being with other

folks.   I am sure there are less $$ pricey tours...…...I haven't researched everything yet.

[clo]

37 minutes ago, Lois R said:

This might sound weird to you or to others, but I have no desire to rent a condo and car. I realize it is in the US and Costco and Walmart do nothing for me. I do appreciate your input though. I would just

prefer something on a tour (especially if is was something in the smaller genre).  To at least interact

with other folks. 

I've no doubt there are escorted tours there.  Are we allowed to refer to companies like that?

[slidergirl]

8 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi, I saw the Tauck itinerary.....just not sure I want to spend 12 grand on it.

I never looked at the price, just the itinerary compared to the cruise...  

 

I have always DIY in Hawaii.   Depending on where I'm driving, I always see tour busses.  

[Lois R]

9 hours ago, clo said:

I've no doubt there are escorted tours there.  Are we allowed to refer to companies like that?

The only thing I know we are not allowed to give are Travel Agencies.   But I have my friend Google to help me

with finding tour companies.....not sure I am even doing it LOL...……..

[clo]

3 hours ago, Lois R said:

The only thing I know we are not allowed to give are Travel Agencies.   But I have my friend Google to help me

with finding tour companies.....not sure I am even doing it LOL...……..

Certainly one of MY best friends.

 

Here's the link to Gate 1 Travel.  We've used them in Europe, SE Asia, S. America and Antarctica.  Their guides are terrific.  We just got tired of not enough DIY time. YMMV.

https://www.gate1travel.com/

[ontheweb]

31 minutes ago, clo said:

Certainly one of MY best friends.

 

Here's the link to Gate 1 Travel.  We've used them in Europe, SE Asia, S. America and Antarctica.  Their guides are terrific.  We just got tired of not enough DIY time. YMMV.

https://www.gate1travel.com/

We have also used Gate1, and have been happy with our trips.

 

On our last one in Peru this past summer, they even made sure in the airport departing that we got our flight passes. DW thought that they were there to help in case something went wrong such as the flight time changing.

[h_blond2]

I love cruises, but it definitely isn't the only way that I will travel. I have a cruise booked for next summer, along with a beach trip to Pensacola Beach and a possible train trip to Chicago for Christmas. I can't imagine limiting myself to only one type of travel, but to each their own.

[clo]

28 minutes ago, h_blond2 said:

I love cruises, but it definitely isn't the only way that I will travel. I have a cruise booked for next summer, along with a beach trip to Pensacola Beach and a possible train trip to Chicago for Christmas. I can't imagine limiting myself to only one type of travel, but to each their own.

I have to believe that people who only cruise - not counting those with issues - just don't want to go to the places like you mention.  Whereas I'll run out of life before I run out of destinations )

[pacruise804]

12 minutes ago, clo said:

I have to believe that people who only cruise - not counting those with issues - just don't want to go to the places like you mention.  Whereas I'll run out of life before I run out of destinations )

 

I wonder if some of it is how different people define different words.  Living in a rural area the majority of my transportation is by car.  I have taken wonderful trips by car to Gettysburg, Baltimore/DC, Wisconsin, Niagara (NY&ON), and Nashville to name a few.  In my mind though I struggle viewing those as "travel" though I suppose they are.  I have friends that alternate their time off work: one break is "vacation" which is to relax and is usually an AI somewhere warm while the other is "travel" which is more history, nature, architecture, culture - but not relaxing/refreshing.

 

I love cruising and being on the water, and find I can get interesting nature and history at the ports we visit.  For this time in our life cruising is good, but I also look forward to rail travel, and long road trips at more inland places when we have the freedom of time.

[clo]

1 hour ago, pacruise804 said:

In my mind though I struggle viewing those as "travel" though I suppose they are.  I

For me they sure are. Although we're retired and that may be the difference.  We recently bought a small motorhome and have done two, like, 4-5 day trips. One from Vegas to Malibu to Death Valley. The other places you've likely not heard of.  And a couple of years ago we did an Eastern Oregon road trip which was super.

[Warm Breezes]

We tend to mix it up.  Each year we are up to 2-3 larger vacations (week long +)....hoping to expand that after I retire in 2021.  My favorite types of vacations are a combination of land and sea.  But we also take strictly land and strictly sea vacations as well.  It all depends on the time we have available, where we are going and who is going with us. 

[cruisemom42]

On 11/18/2019 at 10:40 AM, clo said:

Certainly one of MY best friends.

 

Here's the link to Gate 1 Travel.  We've used them in Europe, SE Asia, S. America and Antarctica.  Their guides are terrific.  We just got tired of not enough DIY time. YMMV.

https://www.gate1travel.com/

 

I used to travel with Gate 1 fairly regularly and I agree their guides are generally top-notch. I got annoyed with them, though, following a trip to Israel where there was far too much time devoted to a mother and daughter in our group who only wanted to shop. After visiting the "diamond factory" (which in itself was not high on my list, but for a brief stop -- okay), the rest of us were all back on the bus at the scheduled time and ready to go to the promised historic site. The mother and daughter were still shopping. Our guide kept the busful of us waiting for another 45 minutes, and even then the M-D were not ready to go, so he finally arranged a taxi to bring them to the site and got started with the rest of us.

 

As a result, our time at the site was cut short by the amount of time we waited (an hour), which was MOST unsatisfactory for many of us. The guide should have handled it better and arranged the taxi for them from the moment the delay started. 

 

This same mother and daughter would constantly ask when the next shopping opportunity would be. After the incident mentioned above, this just set my teeth on edge every time. If it's one thing that gets my goat, it's people who insist on taking a cultural/educational tour and then only want to shop....

 

I haven't traveled with Gate 1 since then.