Cruise I went on a cruise at sea last month. My wife and I have taken cruises since we got married in the early 1980s and have sailed on different lines in different places. I know that many people will argue with me on this point, but I find most cruise lines is basically the same in terms of operation. Maybe it's because all the major lines are now owned by Carnival Corporation & plc under the tutelage of Micky Arison Miami.
The people on board are interesting, the crew and passengers. The team worked hard and are friendly (those who speak English, and even those who do not). Passengers are an interesting mix if you have your basic blowhards who try to impress others, health events, retirees who wander aimlessly and get on your way, the rednecks on their first cruise, youth have not yet learned the label on board ships, and people you usually want to avoid like the plague. I don t think Vanderbilt or Rockefeller cruise over. I guess someone in the sales department of Carnival finally realized there is more money to make the middle class.
Over the years I have come to admire the cruise lines as a brilliant marketing machine. In fact, the cruise is only part of their business. They also maintain incestuous relationships with all local merchants and hotels that you encounter on your trip, or they own outright or extort money from advertising on their part. Then, of course, they nickel-dime you to death about everything: drinks, internet access, cell phone contact, etc. When you're cruising, you'll quickly learn that nothing is free.
The waiters and cabin boys do a first class work. Most come from abroad (for example, the Philippines, Brazil, etc.), and they can teach their American counterparts a thing or two when it comes to service. However, I tend to watch a ship like eating machine cleaning the colon. Food is everywhere and you are treated to dishes quite remarkable, both in terms of quantity and quality. I do not think anyone has ever landed a ship without tucking away a few pounds.
All this means that you spend much time in the bathroom, which has been remodeled over the years. The toilet is now particularly effective and robust. The first time I flushed, I thought he was going to suck the family jewels in the drain. Very scary.
The showers are functional and have plenty of hot water, but it can be very embarrassing to take a shower while the vessel was rolling on the high seas shower curtains are made of plastic film that acts as a magnet enveloping your body. Between the shower curtain and the roll of the ship, I felt like a mummy, surfing the high seas Note to carnival: look someone in the redesign of showers.
For entertainment there are acts nightclub and Las Vegas-style musical revues. I realize the ship is trying to throw hard, but it is far from the caliber of Las Vegas (or Las Cruces, actually). If you are a renowned artist and you have been invited to perform on a cruise ship, it's time to fire your agent does that mean that your career is on shaky. Do not worry though, they still need help in the kitchen.
The casino has always been one of my favorites and cruise lines do a competent job with the little space they have. I like a game of craps or baccarat, but they are limited to ships. Often, there is only one craps table and baccarat tables are particularly rare. There are many blackjack tables and roulette and a table for Texas Hold'em poker, not to mention the numerous slot machines on board. Unlike in Vegas, but you must pay for your drinks, which frankly surprises me.
If you are a smoker, you might think that a cruise ship would be a wonderful place to relax and have fun. Unfortunately, this is not the case as art
Posted on February 19, 2010.
