A friend told me they got a good deal on a cruise and invited me to come with them. I think it's a Royal Carribean ship sailing out of Galveston and going to their island or something for 3 or 4 nights. I've always had a negative impression of cruises as consumerist hellscapes with fat people on scooters and waitstaff making $1500 a month pretending to be happy. I've never actually been one one and for like $400 all in I'm curious to see what it's like. If I just want to lounge at the pool and get away from work for a bit, are they a bad option? Does it feel like Vegas where they nickel and dime you for everything?
I got two cruise tickets for 3 nights as a gift, and choosing to go is one of the worst decisions I have ever made. Hellscape is an understatement
RC probably isn't as degen as Carnival.Even so, its pretty easy to avoid the unwashed masses.Get breakfast early, get your drinks early, go below deck during the day and up top during the night and you will have a much better experience.
>>2865244I feel like cruises appeal to 45+ crowd more than anything. I've never really met anyone under that who has been excited to do one.
i think for me when i travel ideally i like having a break from the crowds, yes there are times its unavoidable but hopefully every recreation and meal spot is not packed full - if i visit a city or a beach, i can atleast walk to somewhere relaxed, if im on a cruise is this possible without being in my room?taking a trip somewhere that gives self satisfaction is a very big factor people do not admit.if a typical cruise is seen as gauche but a river cruise in another continent is not viewed with the same disdain or a cold water cruise as its not the floating burger resort.I imagine the typical cruise ship to be purposefully loud and boisterous atmosphere whether its family fun or all inclusive lets get drunk fun, and those aren't for me.
>>2865244>>2865264>>2865277>>2865297>>2865327Autistic people/wizards shouldn't go on cruises. They're for normal people. Everyone itt is having a conniption fit just thinking about having to sit next to a stranger on the pool deck. They're clearly not for you. Glad to help.
>>2865244I have been on an RC cruise around a decade ago because it was a gift. I would never pay for one myself after that experience. You sail around paying for overpriced shit while stopping in third world countries. It really depends on what you want, if you are a fat and lazy normalfag like >>2865336 then you will probably have a good time. If you dislike fat boomers and overpriced everything then you will probably have a bad time.
RC is a good place to relax, but I'm not sure if 3-4 days are enough for you to relax and get impressions.You can always hide from people, even on a ship, it's not a big problem.(If you decide to continue traveling the seas/oceans in the future, don't settle for Costa; it's hell)
>>2866154>You can always hide from people, even on a ship, it's not a big problem.True. A lot of anons don't get that there are plenty of places to find peace and you don't have to hunt to find empty deck chairs. But if you're the type who projects your own faults onto others like >>2865341, nothing can help you, you're going to be miserable.
>>2865244>$400 all inMaybe if you're going to drink nothing but tap water. Cruises exist to gouge their captive audience on egregiously marked up soda and alcohol. I had a coworker who basically got disowned by his mother because she didn't explain to him that drinks weren't free before he went on a cruise she was treating him to. He ended up with a tab of over $3,000
>>2866208In all fairness, assuming alcohol was free without asking is pretty retarded. I've stayed at a number of resorts and have never in my life seen alcohol that didn't have strings attached or require a seperate purchase/package. That should just be second nature.
>>2866242Outside of maybe the casino floors in Vegas, even then it's been like 5 years since I've visited so I don't even know if they do that anymore
I'm new here, so I don't know if I was able to respond to a specific person, but:#2866196Some areas on the ship open late at night, where you can safely come and chill on your laptop. I got coffee from the bar, and then my boyfriend and I went into a "closed" area. We worked and watched a movie. There was a piano there, and an older couple joined us one day. The man played the piano well and sang a song or two. There was no one else there. The trip lasted over 14 days.Regarding Costa, that's a long, separate story. Divided into three acts.
>>2865244I have not been on a cruise that sticks around on an island for multiple nights, usually 1 island every day. After being on multiple cruises (Royal, Princess, even Carnival) with my parents in the past, here's what I have to say:- All of their food is kept frozen, don't expect 5 star meals, even at the fancy restaurant every evening. I limit myself to salads, smoked salmon, fruits and certain meats. Their omelets aren't bad either, I would ask for them to put everything on it. They have yogurts and desserts galore as well, usually soft serve ice cream or gelato. The mixed fruit juices are popular at the coffee/drink station. They offer food 3 times a day, early morning, afternoon, and evening. It's all you can eat, so you can pig out or take your meal and snacks to your room.- expect a kunta kinte joke between an old boomer and a waiter.- everything is expensive as shit, so yes they will charge you every day for room service, and don't bother with alcohol. Example: A shot of vodka and redbull will cost you ~20 bucks. We'd usually buy alcohol on the island we land on and "smuggle" it through the check in when we return to the ship.- I don't bother with getting in the pools with other people, it's like being in a soup with boomers. They also close in the evening so no late night jacuzzis.- there are plenty of lounge seats around, depending on what your ship offers there could be other forms of comfort on the top floor like a fake turf with a theater screen. Free towels near the pool. Good for sun bathing.- they usually have a library room in the middle floor if you want some quiet time and read and whatnot. Sometimes generic board games are offered.- the gym is usually on the front of the ship at deck level with a view outside, sometimes they'll offer free classes like yoga and shit early in the morning so check your daily programs for anything that interests you.- they may also offer activities and games to do on certain timesContinued...
>>2866419- the spa is my favorite place to go. Depends on what your ship has built however. Steam rooms, infrared saunas, heated stone tile beds, dry saunas (usually mediocre), only 2 ships I know with ice rooms (love those). This is what I pay for the whole trip.- there is also a theater with live shows, so check out what interests you there. They also schedule films to be played in likely a smaller separate theater.- sleeping on the ship may not always be comfortable, and don't expect hot water in the morning shower when everyone is doing the same thing.- The ship arrives at the destined island on schedule, like 6-8am. Fill yourself up at the buffet, make a couple fish sandwiches (one for yourself and one for bartering with the 3rd worlder offering to make you a hat out of palm leaves). Grab a couple apples, yogurts, and waters to go.- remember, the economy of these islands rely significantly off cruiselines, they go through a "dry" season during summer time. They want to hustle every cash they can get off your drunk ass while you're present.- When you are on the docks and as you enter the island country, you will be dealing with a swarm of taxi drivers offering you deals and shit. If you are with a small party, ignore all the ones in the front and push your way to the back where you see those hanging around with buses and vans. Haggle down to 4 dollars per person, and whatever beach they recommend is an inevitable setup, they're all in it together, so pick your poison. Keep contact with that driver so he can pick up your posse when requested, expect another 4 dollars per person on the way back.- Expect to be charged with cash for utilizing anything they have on the beach. Umbrellas, chairs, boats, jetskis, etc. You can try haggling a group deal. Usually there's a bar, so that's your chance to enjoy a local burger, fries, beer and whatnot. Try their local beer, they don't care how old you are either.Continued...
>>2866420- If you are tired of the beach, I recommend visiting historical sites from colonisation days, you can see old forts established by a euro country like the french, british, or dutch.- There are no island special deals, you'll find kike brands everywhere offering "sales" which are the same prices as anywhere else. Jewelry, Sunglasses, etc. All the same. If you want something sentimental then buy something that only comes from that island. Maybe even imports they are known for like spices. I don't mean seashell bracelets and necklaces from alibaba.- your time on the island is fairly short since you are expected to be back on the ship before 5pm local island time, though I don't know how that works if you are on the same island for multiple nights.- Swim in the beach as often as you can, that's the real healing benefit you get out of this entire thing.Godspeed, everyone has some kind of booze cruise story, go make one. My most memorable moment was sitting out on my private porch one evening, vaping out of a THC cart I smuggled in, when I saw this beautiful meteorite shoot straight down from the clear sky towards the horizon and illuminating everything into a bright green and purple hue before fading away. Was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. We were half way from lauderdale towards a carribbean island.That being said, I'd never go on a cruise again, and would rather stay at a fancy hotel or airbnb on an island of my choosing. Again, your case is a little different if you are staying in the same island for multiple nights, you have more time to check it out. Try to enjoy yourself and make the best of it. Take plenty of pictures.
