Topic: The destination is the destination.

Before we discovered cruising we generally had camping holidays. We had a nice camper:


And we also enjoyed less comfortable, more adventurous methods of transport:


But much as I loved these vehicles, I never thought that the van or the bike was the destination.

As a child, I loved buses. I can still wax lyrical about RMs, RMLs, RTs and RTWs. But I got on a bus to go somewhere!

So when I discovered this website (first the Q&As and reviews, then the forum), I was surprised by how much people talked about ships and how little they talked about where they went on them.

Of course I have my theories and I realise full well that to share them is to invite some heated controversy. But perhaps that's not altogether a bad thing - I've complained elsewhere today that things are getting a bit dull around here ;). I've still got my bike, so on with the crash helmet...

Status (there, I've said it!). You see, I think the problem for some people is that destinations don't really cut it. You can cruise the Caribbean with Cunard or Ocean Village - but there's a bit more kudos with Cunard. Much more satisfying to make sure everyone knows you're a Cunarder rather than an Ocean Villager.

And what about those members who list their past and future cruises at the foot of posts? It's invariably a list of ships, not destinations. For all I know they like going back and forth across the Atlantic. The mischievous side of me wants to post a list of all the ports of call I've done!

I know we're all different, and I'm not being judgmental - honestly. Each to their own. It's just a question of balance. I love ships too. I love being on ships. But I go on cruises to see the world. I'm anticipating the obvious response - that is, isn't it nicer to see the world in more luxury? Perhaps, but then again, perhaps not. For one thing, money is an issue for us. If we could cruise to Greenland on a tatty ship for the same price as a QM2 Atlantic crossing, we'd choose Greenland. But there's another reason too: It's like the motorbike versus the van. The motorbike's more real and it's more fun, and it can take me to places the van can't reach!

So, as an ex-teacher, I'll leave you with your homework: 'The destination is more important than the ship. Discuss.'

(The mischievous side of me wants to post a list of all the ports of call I've done!)

Hi Dave
The destination not the ship for me.
Have only done Western/Eastern Med + Canaries.
But just looked at Thomson website ports of call and i could not believe i ticked off 70 different stops.
Some on here must tick off well over a hundred.
I dont even mind calling at some 9/10 times i will always find something different to see.
JC

QUOTE:

So, as an ex-teacher, I'll leave you with your homework: 'The destination is more important than the ship. Discuss.'

It all depends upon why I'm going on a cruise.....

A well researched cruise for it's destinations/ports that has taken time in the planning, saving, preparation of own excursions etc and been booked way in advance.

A last minute bargain booked because I'm feeling tired/blue and in need of relaxation.

A short break taster cruise that's chosen to get a peek at a ship I am thinking about using in the future.

Destinations are important to me, they don't have to be new (not yet bored with Venice, Malta, Copenhagen to name but 3) but if they are the research and planning beforehand is (almost) as enjoyable as visiting! I also need to feel comfortable on board and, as a solo traveller, know that there is enough to occupy my interest on-board in-case I don't find people to chat to (thankfully not happened to date ).
Conversely for relaxation on a short break it's the ship that has to grab my attention, pools, food, sauna, steam, jacuzzi need to be included in the price, I need a quiet spot (outside or Solarium) for reading and a nice piano type bar for evening relaxation. Destinations then take (almost) second place, revisiting some old haunts that I already know and that I can just stroll around or take the local bus/train to.
Then there is the short break fact find that is more to do with touring the ship/getting to know the facilities/vibe than the destination. These are invariably 2 nighters, often to Bruges, Le Harvre, Guernsey etc and whilst I do enjoy revisiting these destinations I'm back on-board early to check out dining/drinking/swimming etc areas and what the ship has to offer.

Does that make me a Jack of all cruises master of none? or just someone who chooses her cruise to suit her needs/mood?

Ships,bikes, vans and buses.


Well done Dave-at last a topic that truly does interest me.
Although I'm no authority on motorbikes, I did my stint on the back of a few in the 60s and loved it. Got married early 70s with little money between us so ventured into camping holidays, which was also great fun. Moved on to a caravan when the kids came along and we couldn't fit everything we needed to take AND the tent.
Life moves on of course and the kids grew up and no longer came on holiday with us.
I think we would have moved on to an auto sleeper but got divorced instead.
My OH of 5 years is a public transport anorak, especially buses and trams. Like me, he wants to see the world and we choose itineraries rather than the ship. We stumbled on cruising as we found it was the best way to see St Petersburg and we are both sick of flying. obviously, if ther is a tram ride to be had wherever we go, then we're on it. We even went on a London bus in Helsinki.
As for you being an ex teacher-I should have recognised the signs as you are not alone on this forum-That's not a criticism by the way, as I am am ex teaching assistant.

I hope this thread thrives.

I agree with a lot of what you are saying and have said in the past; we often prefer to take two cruises or even one cruise of a much longer duration than one cruise with an expensive cruise line like Silversea or Seabourn. On the other hand, now and again, for special occasions or for certain ports of call spending that bit extra becomes worthwhile and the extra luxury afforded by the "higher class” ship becomes a real treat.

In the same way I used to enjoy my middle range caravans because they suited my purpose and provided everything I needed but I happily looked, without envy, at those more luxurious models which came in at a higher price. Having said that some of our caravanning was to socialise fairly locally and the remainder was to explore all the wonderful destinations that were now open to me.

Summing up; there seems to be both aspect in cruising, one of where one goes, or destinations and the other of what one cruises on, or luxury. Kudos might be the aim of some but for the true cruiser it is a combination of both ideals which make for the best cruising. ......Neil

QUOTE:

So when I discovered this website (first the Q&As and reviews, then the forum), I was surprised by how much people talked about ships and how little they talked about where they went on them.

And what about those members who list their past and future cruises at the foot of posts? It's invariably a list of ships, not destinations. For all I know they like going back and forth across the Atlantic. The mischievous side of me wants to post a list of all the ports of call I've done!

If we could cruise to Greenland on a tatty ship for the same price as a QM2 Atlantic crossing, we'd choose Greenland. But there's another reason too: It's like the motorbike versus the van. The motorbike's more real and it's more fun, and it can take me to places the van can't reach!

So, as an ex-teacher, I'll leave you with your homework: 'The destination is more important than the ship. Discuss.'

Hi Dave. Sorry I've abridged your quote so much. I agree with all that you've said. The destination is the more important part of the holiday, the ship comes second, within reason.
We've always chosen small ships as they go to more unusual ports. I've no objection to going somewhere more than once, in fact last year was our 5th cruise to Norway and second to Svalbard. We are going to Iceland this year and have already had the conversation that begins "I'm really going to miss Norway this year......"
I rarely mention ships as our favourite was the very small, not very posh, traditional, Ocean Majesty.
I'd love to hear more about people's experiences in ports of call. Judith

QUOTE:

Ships,bikes, vans and buses.

As for you being an ex teacher-I should have recognised the signs as you are not alone on this forum-That's not a criticism by the way, as I am am ex teaching assistant.

I hope this thread thrives.

Hi Mrs Smith. I'm green with envy at both you and Dave as ex-educationalists. I have another two years to retirement and can't wait to be able to cruise outside school hols. I know one should not complain about 12 weeks holiday a year, but I want to go in winter! I also want to be able to take advantage of special offers which don't often include July or August. Judith

As Helen said. It's depends. We have been lucky enough to visit all the five [major] continents through our travels having inadvertantly caught the wanderlust bug whilst living abroad. Alaska and Russia were the only exclusive 'by ship only' trips. I have the Arctic and Antarctic as the last two must cruise to on my list and I prefer the expedition ship idea rather than a cruise ship. Our last cruise however was chosen for the ship and weather rather than the destinations as we just wanted to 'veg'. Kudos Re the cruise line doesn't enter into the equation. Comfortable and fairly traditional ships are fine and we don't require a butler at sea. Having said that, there was a wonderful cruise/stay/fly holiday on the QM2 advertised recently that would have grabbed us if the timing had been better. That covered all three I suppose, ship, destination and kudos.

QUOTE:

Hi Mrs Smith. I'm green with envy at both you and Dave as ex-educationalists. I have another two years to retirement and can't wait to be able to cruise outside school hols. I know one should not complain about 12 weeks holiday a year, but I want to go in winter! I also want to be able to take advantage of special offers which don't often include July or August. Judith

Never mind Judith, your time will soon come. I was lucky enough to retire 2 years early and love being able to 'swan off ,as my kids call it, to wherever, whenever. My OH had also retired when we met and set up home together and it was such a pain being restricted to school holidays.
When I retired, my kids expressed concern that I may sit at home and get bored. They suggested I do some voluntary work in a local school. I was horrified and had to explain that schools run on timetables and if I did volunteer, they would expect me there on certain days at certain times. I think they now realise that their fears were unfounded. I'm too busy spending their inheritance to vegitate.
Jill

The Ship and the 4-star lifestyle it represents(albeit a temporary one)
is very much one of the prime destinations for many.

The Ship is an escape from our dull dreary 1.5 Star domestic lives, if only for a week.
A week of hedonistic luxury to be savoured and enjoyed.

But maybe luxury isn't everything.

Dave is an adventurer, wants to see the globe. Nothing wrong with that
but there are parts of it I frankly don't care to see.
Just not that curious.
The Ship is still Destination Numero Uno! for me. ;)


Dave also chooses to cruise on...shall we say...less-than-exciting ships.
No wonder his destinations are the big deal.

Years ago I took one look at interior shots of FO ships
and thought they looked as bland as coastal hotels along the South Coast of England.
Actually, my apologies to most coastal hotels along the South Coast of England
for I'm sure several of them are decorated inside, a good bit brighter than most FO ships
with their plain,dull ceilings.

Have you seen what the American ships have done with 'The Fifth Wall'?

Ships can be exciting in themselves: that's what the hated OASIS is all about
-making The Ship The Destination, especially in the ho-hum Caribbean
where turquoise waters only go so far in the imagination.
.