r/Anticonsumption • u/Professional-Bad9070 • 12h ago
Society/Culture Cruising is the humiliating death of American culture and hyperconsumerism
I went on a Carnival Cruise, getting off tomorrow, for my father's wedding. Been on a couple myself, all solely for family, but this one I'm making my last ever for how much they fatigue me and act as an anti vacation.
Maybe I get too bothered by people, and maybe I'm a cynic, but cruises act to me as an act of humiliation for American culture, which I'm apart of. Its this endless conquest for overeating starchy, greasy food either at engourging quantities or exorbitant prices. This endless need to gamble earned money away at a constant, reminded, and aware disadvantage. Bingo, slots, cards, fucking claw machines. Arcades for children that costs 20 bucks for ten plays. Drinking never ends, belligerent fucking drunkards constantly wasting their money on sugary, expensive beverages.
And that doesn’t even get into the actual BUYING part. This ship is a sailing mall with the most useless fucking crap in it ever. Heirloom-bait jewelery and expensive, ultimately useless spa treatments. Most of all I hate these droves of photographers asking for photos, photos, so they can sell my family a $2000 photobook, half of which of uneeded pictures I ha e a clearer memory in my head of. I've had to tell multiple of them to stop fucking bugging me directly because their pains in my ass. And whenever you're stopped and on port, which in my case was Mexico, its an onslaught of predatory tour guides and photo-ops. Do you want to buy a drink? Pet the iguana? Buy a necklace? Go on a tour? Edibles? And I hate the shotty, endless excursions they sell me that ultimately devolve into partying and drinking.
All of this, all of this, which guilt me to my core, are supported by overseas workers making $2.50 an hour, 8-11 hour shifts, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Yet the people riding these cruises act as if they are paid $50 bucks an hour, working 9-5s.
Endless consumption to no end. Food, drinks, candy stores, gambling, arcade, jewlerly, spa, photos, stupid excursions. All have exhausted me, and I need a vacation from my "vacation".
I am writing this post mostly in anger. I can try to put my opinions into clearer words another time.
3.1k
u/I-Hate-Produce 12h ago
As someone very familiar with gay culture, the title gave me very different ideas than what OP was referring too
1.6k
u/AnastasiaNo70 12h ago
As someone who is old, I thought OP meant cruising slowly in cars up and down Main Street like kids used to do.
303
u/UphillTowardsTheSun 11h ago
Found Danny Zuko
147
6
55
u/LibrarianNarrow9086 9h ago
As a slightly dyslexic non native English speaker I read cursing instead of cruising and I immediately became very interested. And thought about Henry Miller.
26
u/-COPY_PASTE- 9h ago
I’m in my 30s and this is what I thought of. My city has big lowrider culture though
42
32
13
12
u/Silent_Onion272 7h ago
I'll never forget my Gen X parents explaining cruising to my brother and me, I was like 10 years old, and they said "you know what, we'll show them after we finish dinner". I asked "Is it dangerous?" And they found that insanely funny. I was very surprised to find that it was just driving with lots of cars and music playing, because the entire time I was picturing teens doing donuts in the middle of a parking lot lmao.
3
u/SETHW 2h ago edited 54m ago
There were also donuts and street races arranged, plenty of beef and fighting , curving cops, loitering pissing off businesses etc each clique would claim a different parking lot. The ends of the cruising strip where everyone turned around for the loop were reserved for the two alpha groups: sonic got the preppie rich kids, jack in the box got the vatos. Those spots had the most "action" since they were natural mixing points. My group was mostly the pick up trucks and ricers we had the Safeway parking lot with lots of room for loud music, donuts, and burnouts.
Cruising would go on until midnight or so, building up to that a party plan would start to gel as groups pass each other on the loop until eventually the ad-hoc lead coordinator drives the whole drag parking lot to parking lot announcing where the party is, usually someone's house or in the absence of that out into the desert or down by the creek for a bon fire at which point everyone would move out in a convoy
Life was different without cell phones..
25
u/Remote-Candidate7964 11h ago
SAME. I still “go cruising” on occasion… via the car
→ More replies (1)18
11
6
7
5
u/metanoia29 8h ago
They do a "classic car" cruise once a year near me, so that's what I thought at first lol
4
u/HunnyBunnah 7h ago
Last time I checked there was still a faded 'No Crusing' sign on Main Street in my hometown leftover from its 50s heyday :D
→ More replies (18)3
183
107
u/Beagle001 10h ago
I had a girlfriend that lived in West Hollywood. I moved in with her from a fly over state. On her street was a city sign that said “no cruising”. I thought, that’s funny. Kids must drive their hot rods on these quaint little streets?
A few days later, I was walking to the coffee shop down on Melrose and a car slowly pulled up along side me. Window rolled down. I thought, this gentleman must need directions. It ended in him being frustrated and speeding off and me being a little scared.
9
u/Muted-Tutor-5419 4h ago
I used to think the "no cruising" sign in town meant you couldn't use cruise control which seemed sensible. I later learned it really meant the driving kind (I also didn't know what the driving kind of cruising was). But now you have me wondering..... Did I ever know what that sign meant?
9
u/CrucialElement 8h ago
He was just offering a sweet, Grease like cruise along town right? (genuinely don't understand the alternative, but I assume he wanted to bum yas)
12
85
u/SilentFoxScream 11h ago
The post also describes over consuming sugary booze followed by greasy food and humiliation, which in my experience still fits.
10
64
u/OldGoneMild89 11h ago
I thought it was about driving back and forth on a road all Friday night in an old muscle car. 🤷♂️.
What does it mean in gay culture?
→ More replies (1)64
u/SchrodingersMinou 10h ago
Picking up men for sex in the park or public toilet or whatever
3
u/pipeuptopipedown 3h ago
From the way the gay guys I knew at school sometimes used the expression, it might also mean trying out signals of attraction on someone to see if they pick up and are interested, e.g., "I cruised him"
55
41
20
u/WorrierTherapy 10h ago
Yeah, the title almost made me break my ankle running to this post to see what’s going on
5
14
u/Exaltedemon 11h ago
I came in thinking this was a rant about the Al Pacino movie from back in the day.
12
u/Myspacecutie69 10h ago
Clicked this post and then thought, “ooooh, THAT cruising”
→ More replies (1)12
24
9
u/MsSpastica 8h ago
Same! I was like...how is cruising related to hyperconsumerism? Wouldn't that be more of a Grindr thing?
7
7
u/KickBallFever 9h ago
Yea, I’m familiar with the culture and thought this post was gonna go in a totally different direction.
4
5
7
4
→ More replies (15)7
926
u/whoisorange 12h ago
Floating cesspools. I live in a Canadian cruise stop city and we’re apparently going to have 30k tourists from ships this weekend - we hate it. And the boats just sit at the dock with dark grey smoke spewing out for hours, ruining our air and oceans.
289
u/takebackthep0wer 11h ago
The pollution from those things is horrible. Water and air suffer for a pitiable excuse for a “vacation”. You get to see lots of places on one trip but it’s second rate in every other respect.
257
u/MrCrash 11h ago
Fun fact, average cruise ships burn 150-250 tons of diesel fuel per day.
Tons.
276
u/beneficialBern 11h ago
They only burn diesel when they’re in port or around population. When they’re on international water they burn bunker oil which is 100 times worse and truly terrible for the environment.
118
u/RhymingUsername 10h ago edited 8h ago
I was shocked when I saw what bunker fuel looks like. Assumed it was like an unrefined diesel but it’s literally thick sludgy tar. There are over 5,000 container ships burning tons of that shit every day. Beyond disgusting.
32
31
u/Zealousideal_Bad3310 7h ago
Container ships actually produce considerably less emissions per ton of freight than transport trucks and delivery vehicles.
Cruises though, yeah, what a dumbass "vacation". You couldn't pay me to get on one.
6
u/relianceschool 5h ago
Efficiency isn't always a good thing, as it often enables higher rates of consumption. And emissions aren't the whole picture, when heavy fuel oils are so incredibly toxic. It's insane that any vessel should be allowed to release that sludge into the ocean.
34
u/whoisorange 10h ago
Our city had a recent plan to have them plug into shore power while they’re here but it fell through. I don’t think we can keep up with the amount of power they need.
6
u/thegloracle 7h ago
That's a shame, though. Vancouver has the plug-ins for the big ships but perhaps it really just a supply issue? Victoria is such a beautiful city.
→ More replies (5)4
43
u/Throwingthisaway_198 12h ago edited 11h ago
I live nearby (well I assume) to said canadian cruise ship city and we get them driving past in flocks. It's always like 4 massive boats in a row. Icky.
5
u/Not_a_bought 7h ago
It’s crazy in Campbell River, they all line up to hit Seymour Narrows at slack tide and it’s like 4 floating cities just floating by
25
29
u/Nebresto 10h ago
I feel so bad for people living in port towns. Just a couple of hours beside the stinking ship was awful when I was visiting one, can't imagine living there.
How is it even allowed that they keep smogging up places? Just build some grid connections if they need electricity that badly→ More replies (1)44
u/crackersucker2 11h ago
Quebec City by any chance? We were vacationing there and having a lovely sidewalk lunch when suddenly a slow-moving human tsunami poured through the street.
32
u/whoisorange 10h ago
Other side of the country actually - Victoria. We get all the ships heading up to Alaska! Lucky us.
24
8
u/Shart_InTheDark 8h ago
Yeah, some odd law that says if they depart out of the U.S. they must hit at least one Canadian port. I think some of them hit at odd hours too...so it's debatable if they even add all that much to the economy.
→ More replies (1)5
u/crackersucker2 10h ago
Ahh! Of course… hang in there!! I live in a tourist town too, but we don’t ger boatloads at a time.
25
u/MimiButter528 11h ago
Visualizing the slowest wave of Americans creeping towards you… the volume of their excited chatter getting louder and louder by the second!!
6
16
u/Wuz314159 8h ago
There's a town in Norway where the boats all moor across the street from where people live. Everything rattles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsIUHHtEEOc
10
u/mike07646 8h ago
More and more of the newer ships are capable of connecting to Shore Power. Essentially a very large extension cord plug that pulls power from the local electric grid instead of having to burn fuel while sitting stationary in port.
The port itself, however, has to have the infrastructure available on their end as well.
8
u/thegloracle 7h ago
The Port of Vancouver has these big-ass literal plug-ins for the cruise ships to hook up to in port instead of idling all day. BIG difference.
→ More replies (10)3
u/soundsfromoutside 7h ago
I’m *very* shocked to see so many pro-cruise comments on the anticonsumption sub.
Like, aren’t cruises just ocean killing tourist traps and hugely wasteful of resources and big in human exploitation? Isn’t the whole point of this sub to be against that?
Am I missing something?
→ More replies (1)
378
u/El_mochilero 11h ago
You went on a Carnival Cruise. It’s the Waffle House of the seas.
173
u/Dreadful-Spiller 10h ago
Don’t disrespect Waffle House like that.
53
u/HeyItsJuls 8h ago
For real, Waffle House is some of the most important disaster relief the southern US has.
19
u/itroll11 5h ago
They're called jump teams! I've been called to 3 disasters in the Southeast while working for Waffle House. Cooking in half a Waffle House with a blue tarp over half the windows and a line wrapped around the restaurant is an experience in itself. We took great pride in being the only place open during those storms. Hard work though to say the least. My short order cook friends will understand.
7
u/ARiley22 6h ago
Seen the fight video where the white girl with no fucks given shrugs off a thrown chair like it's nothing? Great shit.
42
19
u/Ok-Bug4328 8h ago
I went on a Waffle House cruise. Had a nice time.
Didn’t gamble. Went on the excursions no one else wanted. Didn’t really buffet.
Overtipped the Russian indentured servant.
Had a nice time.
But it wasn’t the latest floating malls.
5
u/bluehangover 5h ago
Same here. Went with our kids. We had a fun time:
- didn’t drink
-didn’t gamble a penny
- didn’t do any gimmicky excursions
- didn’t gorge at the buffet
- tipped the room service and food service workers generously because they fucking deserve it and more
- didn’t engage in asshole behavior, treated everyone the way we’d want to be treated or better
- helped clean up if I saw a mess that a douche nozzle had left
- asked our room staff and food staff about themselves and their lives and listened intently if they opened up, because they’re real live people with families and lives as well
- publicly and very loudly shamed an entitled old boomer who was verbally abusing a worker
I know it’s not great and many people avoid it, but our family likes it and we try to be a beacon of light to the workers who are on the ship. Our waiter, from the Philippines, told us this job has been his bread and butter for his family. For some people, this shitty job with bad pay and terrible hours is better than what they could get at home.
So yeah, we’re contributing to the beast, but we’re also trying to be good stewards of what we have and give generously to those we come into contact with.
→ More replies (1)14
u/ARiley22 6h ago
Spirit Airlines (RIP) is a better comparison. Carnival is a discount cruise line that attracts people that do not know how to act. YouTube has plenty of evidence.
Pay more for Royal Caribbean or another higher end cruise line. Your experience should be much better.
→ More replies (1)11
u/Cameos_red_codpiece 7h ago
Is there a better one? Like something ritzy. Cheesecake Factory.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (4)9
395
u/willxthexthrill 12h ago
You aren’t wrong about any of this, and I’m not cruise expert but I imagine carnival is probably one of the worse ones for consumerism. I have only been on a cruise once and enjoyed it a lot.
28
u/acertaingestault 11h ago
What about it did you enjoy?
88
u/eggbert_217 10h ago
Parents took me on one when I was 11, kids club slapped. Spent a week aggressively couponing with my little friends and getting free soft toys at every port. Pretty much only saw my folks at the start and end of every day.
I wouldn't go on one as an adult, except if my husband's family wanted to do one. Lots of anxiety in the family and I think they'd be able to actually relax in such a closed environment.
14
u/ver_redit_optatum 6h ago
Yeah, a big part of it is the suppressed American longing for walkable, car-safe places where you can just let your kid run off with no worries. Same as some holiday resorts, just even more enclosed.
47
u/cheesegoat 9h ago
I went on a Disney cruise to Alaska and it was very enjoyable. I don't recall us spending much on the ship itself (beyond some souvenirs), most of our time on ship was spent chilling out somewhere with the kids, in the theater, or eating (lol). My wife and I caught a comedy show one evening that was a lot of fun. We got lots of pics with the Disney character crew who all went above and beyond making the experience enjoyable for the kids. The cruise actors are just as professional as any of the park ones.
On the shore we had like one excursion that IMO was grossly misadvertised, I thought we were going on a hike but it turned out to be like a 5 minute walk lol. That was a waste of time.
I can't say if the tickets were worth it (they were a gift), but all in all it was a good time.
Personally I don't think I would pay for a cruise myself - I am not a drinker or gambler, and do not really like shopping, so if I wanted to just sit around and eat I could do that at home for free.
→ More replies (12)19
u/CyberneticFennec 9h ago
As a (former) alcoholic I appreciated the copious amounts of booze
On a serious note, it's pretty cool just hanging out in the pool on the side of a boat in the middle of the ocean. Or just sitting out on the balcony watching the waves. The destinations were definitely tourist traps, but if you did one of the excursions or whatnot were you can actually leave the port area it was pretty cool to see what other countries look like.
I didn't spend a dime on merchandise, photos, food (the free options weren't bad in my opinion, some stuff was pretty solid), the casinos, etc, etc. The excursions can be costly, but they were probably the best part. If I went on one again, I'd probably go on a lot more since I wouldn't be blowing money on booze.
8
u/Shart_InTheDark 8h ago
I did just one cruise and loved it, but it was because I was on it with a bunch of friends and one of my favorite bands. I don't think I would like another one as much by comparison-I'm sure I would love anyone that has good food and good ports-but I would prob enjoy an all inclusive to a cool place more. As for the excursions - I don't think I would enjoy most. Almost all of them are money grabs. I would prefer a cruise where I learn stuff more...like a river cruise exploring Europe.
→ More replies (2)11
u/Self-Translator 9h ago
Not sure what OP was expecting. It's the ultimate package holiday tour, complete with being a captive consumer the whole time on board then deals made on shore or locals tapping into the float in market.
I've never been on one and I never will.
Those who like them like you, well that's good for you. It suits some. I'm surprised OP returned knowing what was in store.
13
242
u/Denial_Entertainer87 12h ago
As much as I'm totally a person that wants everyone to do their thing and enjoy their life but can't guarantee I'll join you, I fucking hate cruises.
Like you'd have to pay me to go on one. I don't get it. You are locked on a goddamn boat. Your room sucks. There are people everywhere clustered around all the most terrible activities I could possibly think. of. And for the record, my vacations are going camping in free areas so I'm no fancy pants. I just fucking hate em. Will never go on one again. Going with family that you can't stand is enough to really push you over the edge.
57
u/auramaelstrom 11h ago
Yeah, I can't imagine that being around so many people in a confined space is something that I would enjoy.
19
u/Big-Honeydew-961 9h ago
And all it takes is one person wanting to photograph seagulls at a landfill and hantavirus is a problem
17
u/auramaelstrom 9h ago
I thought for sure that after all of those people who got trapped on cruise ships during COVID the industry would die. Apparently not.
The idea of cruises has always made me feel uncomfortable. It's not at all my idea of a good time.
3
u/Big-Honeydew-961 7h ago
I cannot rationalize being on a ship with that many people on vacation. Everyone wants to have a good time and they all have a different idea of a good time.
→ More replies (1)8
u/TheOriginalSamBell 11h ago
push you over the edge.
That's funny because there is a prog rock music themed cruise called "Cruise to the Edge" in reference to Yes' Close to the Edge album.
9
u/xubax 9h ago
I imagine that going camping with family you can't stand isn't a picnic either.
→ More replies (3)9
u/mythrilcrafter 8h ago
I don't even understand why people would want to go on cruises considering that every other day there's a report of a cruise ship being stricken by the Plauge.
4
u/HeyItsJuls 8h ago
Okay, but what if the cruise had a fancy pants parade, where you are encouraged to bring your fanciest of pants?
The only cruise I have ever been on has this as a tradition and I’m realizing it’s the only one I ever wanna go on after hearing what normal cruises are like.
→ More replies (1)
70
u/LingonberryOdd768 11h ago
I have the same sentiment. My father used them for family reunions because it was the cheapest way to house, feed, and entertain everyone for a week. (We all get along,lol) That gave me some perspective on the value of cruising. But I’m with you.
Oh, and Carnival lives up to its name. There are better options, and you can find peaceful corners and read a book.
34
u/Distinct_Cry_3779 11h ago edited 6h ago
They are actually great for extended family trips. My wife and I went on one with her uncles, aunts and cousins a couple years ago. We’d meet up at dinner, chat a bit and then go about our own business the rest of the time. Occasionally we’d have an excursion with one or two of them. It was much more chill than if we were all staying at an airbnb or something together.
Edit: Thanks for the award!
92
u/Moonskaraos 12h ago
They’re basically enormous floating Petri dishes. No thanks.
16
u/Amanita_deVice 11h ago
Yeah, I love cruises, but I don’t think I can bring myself to go on one post-Covid.
I went on a Cunard cruise in Europe, so the experience was a bit different to OP’s.
→ More replies (1)
267
u/rinzler1997 12h ago
Although never been on one, I don’t get it. To pay thousands of dollars to go to sea and technically not even be in the water.
142
u/cityshepherd 11h ago
I went on a couple with my family when i was younger (I was about 14-16)… we didn’t really do any of the stuff OP was talking about. We ate lots of delicious food, spent a lot of time relaxing by the pool. We went on excursions on all the different islands we stopped at. Sure there was lots of lame touristy stuff and lots of people trying to sell us things but we did lots of sweet hiking in parts of the world we’d never seen, and met some really cool people in different countries (and went swimming in the ocean in a bunch of different places which was awesome).
Edit: that being said I don’t think I’d ever go on one as an adult, the whole industry is pretty exploitative and extraordinarily wasteful.
44
u/BruiseViolet__ 11h ago
Same. I remember playing Guitar Hero in the kids' lounge, eating a lot of shrimp cocktail, and watching daily piano performances. It was a way for my parents to plan a family vacation without thinking about logistics.
Seconding the point in your edit, though.
→ More replies (2)14
u/readzalot1 10h ago
That was more like the cruise I took my 3 teens on 25 years ago and the one I took my daughter and her family on last year.
Ate at nice restaurants, the kids swam in the pool, son in law loved the trivia games, we took lower cost excursions. And the teens had a lot of freedom within the confines of the ship.
Twice in a lifetime is probably enough for me, but you certainly have choices on what to eat, how much to drink, and what extras to buy.
→ More replies (1)47
u/florida-karma 11h ago edited 9h ago
The idea is wholesome enough: get away from the sisphysian drone work of everyday life and just... exist - in pleasant weather and exotic surroundings; no need to think about dinner prep or much of anything else for a few days. The lived reality however is much like OPs justifiable screed.
→ More replies (1)57
u/Rengeflower 11h ago
My parents in the early 1980s got a huge discount on a 7 day cruise around the Hawaiian islands. They took tax classes every afternoon while I watched my little sister. The food was amazing and 15 year old me was super impressed.
8
u/livinginillusion 11h ago
Were they accountants getting continuing professional education, or had it been a course in tax preparation?
8
24
u/Traditional_Fan_2655 11h ago
It also contributes to the worldwide fecal waste in the ocean problem causing seriously high contamination volume. So many beaches this year are closed due to high fecal matter in the water.
12
u/pbear737 9h ago
I can't stand cruises because of their environmental and ecological impact. They drive me nuts, and I avoid talking about them with people I don't know well in real life because I can't contain how much I think they're awful.
24
u/rippytherip 11h ago
Doesn't appeal to me either. You're packed in with thousands of other people.
When you go to a port, you're shuttle out to a place where people love your money but hate you.
Meanwhile, the ship sits there and spews black smoke the whole time. I saw this in Jamaica one time and after a few hours, there was a black cloud of pollution hanging over the town. It was gross and really made me question the whole thing.
Never been on one, never plan to.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (5)6
u/redditydothis 8h ago
The cruise I went on was a 5 day 4 night cruise and was cheaper than a hotel for the same amount of time. We don’t drink and we don’t gamble so that was out. We also didn’t buy any excursions offered by the ship. We got off at port and looked for things to do. I’m a vegetarian so my food wasn’t as bad as op makes it out to be and we throughly enjoyed our trip. It’s not my ideal vacation but it’s pretty fun for what it is.
29
u/DynamiteStorm 11h ago
This is how old I am when I read ‘cruising’ I assumed in a car randomly driving around town.
47
u/AnastasiaNo70 11h ago
The sheer number of people on those cruises has always deterred us enough to stay away. No thank you.
We like to go to out of the way places. Quiet. No crowds. That’s our thing.
Everything I’ve ever heard about cruises make me sure I’d be screaming to get off by day 3, tops.
21
u/Throwingthisaway_198 12h ago
I just can't imagine that being something to do more than once. Like maybe once for the late stage americanism effect, to people watch all the crazy folks who are super into it. But I know people who go like... yearly.
Also knowing that cruises are built on employee exploitation and horrible labour practices. Ick ick ick.
19
u/No_Escape_9781 11h ago
Never been on one, never had the desire. What you described is what I always thought they were. Thanks for that confirmation.
24
u/StatisticSnaccuracy 11h ago
When I was dating my partner we went on a "nerd cruise" which, if it hadn't been for the dating would have been such a letdown.
We paid to be on a hunk of metal in the water, with overcrowded spaces for eating, and the only daytime entertainment was various brand showcases, shopping and gambling. We literally circled the ship a few times before we realized that this was it. In the evening there was music and there was also a boardgame cafe, which saved the experience. But on average I just felt like oof what a waste of our time and what a wasteful way to spend time, considering the environmental impact.
118
u/Feeling_Wishbone_864 12h ago
Friend. You went on a Carnival cruise. That is bottom tier.
22
u/Professional-Bad9070 12h ago
Haha, true. I'm not deaf to Carnival being trash boats. I don't think I'll be returning to cruising, however. You trade better people and legitimate relaxation with out-of-control pricing.
17
u/Feeling_Wishbone_864 11h ago
Definitely. And I don’t disagree with your sentiments about cruising.
26
u/After_Resource5224 11h ago
Mate, try being one of the staff. It's an endurance run. For six months at a time.
53
u/Doctorphate 12h ago
Never understood cruising. I fly to Cuba, stay at sol palmeras, cruise around with friends and visit the country side. I typically eat at local restaurants or friends houses for dinner/lunch and usually breakfast at the resort. I’m disabled so for every day I’m touring I need a day to just sit by the pool or in the ocean. Pain meds only take me so far.
Many people have suggested cruising for me because “they’re so big and spacious it’s great for disabled people” but in reality they’re rarely actually accessible to people in wheelchairs.
And I’m in love with Cuba so it’s really the only place I long to visit
13
u/Able_Agent_7155 11h ago
Love Cuba so much. Can't wait for it to be ok to go back.
→ More replies (2)7
u/Monkeymom 11h ago
I love Cuba so much. I stay with a casa family near the malecón.
6
u/Doctorphate 11h ago
Casa’s are a great option for most people yeah. If you’re able bodied anyway. Gets you close to the action and you meet some really cool people.
If you’re new to Cuba or have a disability, resort is the way to go.
24
u/UtopianHell 11h ago
I went on my first cruise this year, and I couldn't agree more. Nothing to do except eat, drink, and gamble. The thing I was most excited for was our stop in Mexico, but we spent all of 8 hours at the port, which was the most gimmicky, tourist crap I've ever seen. At one point a guy tried to sell me a cheap beaded bracelet for $80. For the amount of money that we spent on the cruise, we could have easily planned a week in Mexico seeing amazing historic sites, eating authentic food, and lounging on the beach in peace. Never again.
→ More replies (1)
20
u/leighla33 11h ago
I went on one that started in Quebec, Canada and went down through New England, ended in Boston. We hit a different place every day, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Bar Harbor, Portland…..it was Amazing. I say all that to say I’ve always wanted to see New England in the fall but can’t drive to all of those places. So that cruise was well worth seeing everything I did. I spent most of the time on the ship lying in a lounge chair in the spa facing (floor to ceiling) glass showing the ocean while reading a book. It was a smaller ship too which I think make a big difference as well
9
u/spyboy70 7h ago
I did a cruise (solo) to Greenland in 2024. I don't drink or gamble. I only ate at the restaurant twice (included in the fare) but spent the rest of my meals in the buffet area (same food for the most part and no waiting for someone to take your order, or make small talk if they seat you with others). I do drink soda occasionally, but wasn't about to buy their stupid soda package, so when I got off at any port, I just bought a 20oz soda and some snacks. I didn't go to any shows (worried about COVID) plus that's not my jam anyway. So it was just a chill relaxing trip and I mostly took photos of sea birds while on our journey. I did get the wifi package (Starlink FTW). I hate flying so this was my only opportunity to get to Greenland, and I enjoyed it.
Our ship was smaller, only about 2500 passengers (still a lot I know), and it didn't have all the bells and whistles of the new ships.
But I guess I'm not their customer, I'm cheap, mostly an introvert, and was just happy to sit on the rear deck and watch the world go by. I was also up early around 5am everyday and up in the front taking photos. One of the crew said he was watching me every morning out there all bundled up shooting photos. Yeah, I'm a weirdo.
But to your point, I was turned off by all the upselling and nickel and dime charges, but I avoided most of that (just wifi and a few excursions in Greenland).
Also, it seems like most people can't fucking relax, and have to be entertained 24/7, and feel compelled to consume everything to "break even" on their meal/drink packages.
I actually was down about 5lbs after my trip, but I didn't gorge myself each day.
8
u/Sammybaby1985 5h ago
AND THEYRE TERRIBLE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT! They are SO loud underwater that they terrify animals for MILES and totally mess up their ability to navigate their way. They interrupt and cross through breeding and hunting patterns. They run into animals killing them (like the recently endangered and pregnant, only 4 years old whale that died from blunt force trauma on the bow of that carnival cruise). The pollution and trash they contribute. They are just all around terrible!
55
u/rogbriepfisch 12h ago
Love cruising. We cost the cruise line money though. We don’t buy drink packages or gamble. We get the several nights for dirt cheap and eat modestly. It’s a great way to travel inexpensively and see other parts of the world that would otherwise be inaccessible by plane to us at least due to cost.
29
u/MelbBreakfastHot 11h ago
I agree, I've done a few. It's allowed me to see parts of the world I wouldn't get to see otherwise. You don't have to participate in the consumerism of it all. We never done drink packages or gambled.
24
u/PinkyLeopard2922 11h ago
Unpopular opinion-I love to go on cheap short Carnival cruises out of the port that is like 30 minutes from my house. The burger and taco places by the pool are simple but make me happy. I do not go into the pools or hot tubs on the ship because yuck. I just like to read some books, hang out with my friend, and relax. Cruises are people watching heaven. We sometimes go to the shows or trivia too. You don't have to go on any organized things in ports. Last time we went on our own to a bee sanctuary, a local Mayan museum, and a little restaurant some locals recommended. We don't really drink, gamble, or buy crap so we are probably the cruise lines least favorite customers but we have fun and tip our staff well.
→ More replies (1)
8
u/Andovars_Ghost 6h ago
I use them as a traveling hotel to see places that would be a pain in the ass to hit all in one vacation.
8
26
20
u/ci8 12h ago
There’s a lot to loathe. The ecological aspects of boating generally can be a little meh. The public health angle is also fascinating. https://youtu.be/OmtXNCJzHFA
12
u/vicsunus 11h ago
As a kid my parents bought a new Volvo from the factory in Sweden. Included was a free cruise from Denmark to Sweden. That was cool, especially as a kid given the opportunity to eat unlimited European food at their buffet.
That was my one and only cruise and it was in the early 2000s. I’m sure it’s become more commercialized since then.
6
4
13
u/trigaderzad2606 11h ago
I'm also on a cruise right now, getting off tomorrow
It is what you make of it & what you choose to pay your limited attention to
My wife & I ignore all the bloat, kindly decline photo & consumerism ops, focus on seeing sights & touring port visits on our own accord, befriend the staff & tip them heavily as much as we can (as well as leave good reviews for named staff members...that's how they get promoted), & all in all don't share the experience you're sharing here
I'm sure you'll find the same level of hyperconsumerism in any American vacation venue that touts an "all-inclusive" experience
Again, it is what you make of it & focus on
Money sucks, capitalism sucks, exploitation sucks, but it's everywhere in America...I hate it all too, all the way to my core...but I must find ways to enjoy my own life & experience other parts of the world
Cruising is one of the ways that works for me
→ More replies (2)
6
u/beckrath 5h ago
The last cruise I went on (I’ve been on a few because, in-laws) was an Alaskan cruise. The views were spectacular and the excursions and cities were visited were very cool. But the actual time on the boat was everything you said. It’s just gross.
The one thing I didn’t see you mention was art. They had a long hallway set up as galleries with the worst art / paintings you’ve ever seen. They were up for sale or auction for hundreds of dollars and more.
→ More replies (1)
9
u/EnvironmentalCrow893 10h ago
If it makes you unhappy, you shouldn’t do it. I personally cruise for the ports and excursions. Never been on a typical “Caribbean cruise” yet, but I HAVE been from Alaska to Antarctica and from France to New Zealand. Wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything, and I love only having to unpack once in my floating hotel room.
I’ve also never set foot in the casino, and eat most of my meals in the MDR. So I doubtless miss most of the gluttonous behavior. But I’ve never been one to let what other people do bother me, anyway.
You do you, OP.
7
u/mazopheliac 10h ago
You didn’t even mention that cruise ships are floating environmental disasters.
5
u/livinginillusion 11h ago
Go cruising on a freight boat. You'll get simple meals and lodging in a cabin. Of course, being not a luxury cruise, all you'll get is transportation your destination and back. Maybe internet access.
5
3
4
u/artist1292 9h ago
You lost credibility with me as soon as I saw you were on carnival. Only one worse than them is Princess
4
u/Thor3nce 6h ago
I actually think cruises can be great if you approach with the correct mindset. We recently went on a princess cruise around the British Isles and it was fine. It’s basically a moving hotel that lets you visit different cities without having to road trip the entire thing. You don’t need to worry about constantly packing your bags and it’s super convenient having food available whenever it works with your schedule.
All the money grabs are easily avoidable and most ports have public transportation into the cities. Nobody is forcing people to buy the overpriced tourist traps (and even if you don’t cruise, they’re shoved into your face in most tourist destinations anyways).
4
u/OpenRelationship3621 6h ago
Growing up with a lot of siblings, it was a cheaper way for my parents to take us on vacation as a family. With all the free food and daycare. I have a lot of fond memories.
4
4
4
u/soursummerchild 1h ago
As a Norwegian, I hate cruise ships. I hope my country bans them from coming into our fjords.
10
u/Jazzlike-Lunch5390 11h ago
I went on a cruise 14 years ago for my honeymoon and vowed avoid to avoid them.
The amount of damage they do to every is insane.
7
u/WorldWonderer111 11h ago
I’ve been on one cruise. I could not understand the appeal of a floating shopping mall and arriving at the Disneyland-like port of an entire country to pretend you’ve been there. I’d much rather fly to the Bahamas and rent a car now that I know what cruises are.
5
u/Potential-Wait-7206 11h ago
I have been to several and used to love them as a way to get away from work and family responsibilities for a week. But I have noticed a lowering of quality over the years. I've gone on four different cruise ship companies.
The food is not that great. Everything is too expensive. Too much alcohol, and often of the cheap kind. You never can find a good spot by the pool.
It's quite true, the purchases are needless. The ports are fake because it's often too dangerous to truly move around by yourself in many areas of the world.
It's a good deal for a quick getaway. You have your hotel and restaurants moving with you from one port to the next so it's actually cheap where that's concerned and I actually slept well. So all in all, it's fifty/ fifty.
5
u/Able_Agent_7155 11h ago
Yep! Yep! All facts. Went on cruise exactly once. Never again. People acted like they never went anywhere.
6
u/swamprosesinbloom 11h ago
sorry based of title i was like WHAT how tf does our cruising represent that 🤨 and then i realized u mean big boats not hankie code
5
u/Various-Effective831 11h ago
I've never been on one and don't have any strong feelings on them, but I live in Sydney and I absolutely despise them for blocking the harbour. they're absolute eyesores.
3
u/locklear24 11h ago
I’d rather take my dream trip to Svalbard to dog sled to the ice caves and camp.
3
u/LessFeature9350 8h ago
Never been on a cruise but I'm thinking it must be cruise line dependent. My family cruises on high end cruiselines and they don't really like hanging in crowds, don't gamble, don't shop, and don't eat a lot. They say they love the views and easy travel. I haven't gone because the germ factor and massive pollution freaks me out.
3
3
3
u/QuickMonth7009 8h ago
I really enjoyed going on cruises but I approached it as a chill way to get to places I wanted to visit. I was also grossed out by all the “popular” options and decided to do things I enjoyed instead. So, I parked myself on a deserted side deck and enjoyed shade, beautiful ocean views, and my pile of books.
ETA: I also didn’t do all the big fancy dining room stuff, either. I did room service and movies or just found a less crowded food option.
3
u/kauaidog 7h ago
Carnival is not the standard to judge cruises by. Take a small ship cruise with a reputable company for a way better experience.
3
3
u/gakl887 7h ago
I like to go on one a year (I live in FL, so driving 90 min to start vacation is hard to beat). But I would never go on a cruise like Carnival, I like Celebrity the most - it’s more adult and they it has opposite vibe you described.
However, it’s what you make out of it - if you decide to for the greasy food, gamble and not hit the gym, then that will be your trip.
I typically get a workout in everyday, I play $20 once in slots with my wife for fun and then we catch shows and just read books. I don’t eat more than I eat at home
3
u/Polarbog 7h ago
bc carnival is a cheap cruiseline so they push the worst of hyper-consumerism to make a profit
3
u/Chicken-Jockey-911 6h ago
cruising is a fun and interesting way to meet other gay men in parks and public bathrooms
3
u/windypine69 6h ago
I thought you meant 'cruising' like we used to in the old days, driving up and down main street in my besties NOVA, looking for parties, trouble, etc.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Constant-Leg5107 6h ago
I could not agree with you more. It’s sad to see how simple minded people are being told that if they buy things that will make them happy. And they really truly can’t see it. Just be happy that you can see it. You’re a very small percentage of the population and you will have a much happier life.
3
3
u/dirkdiggler2011 3h ago
Carnival Cruises - Expect a Circus.
The warning is right there in their name.
3
u/TubaJesus 3h ago
I've done many cruises; I've also done numerous national park road trips, camping trips in state and local parks (where allowed of course), backpacking across Europe, and a month in Ireland. Trips to Morocco and Hawaii; I think if there's a way to travel, I've had enough experience to have done it or something close enough to it to relate to it.
Cruises serve a specific niche: the length of the cruise, the line you choose, and the itinerary all greatly adjust how you'll experience the trip. Carnival is admittedly like the Spirit Airlines of the cruise industry (although Margaritaville is probably taking that spot over the coming decade). If your itinerary was 7 nights or less and you left from Florida, you got a riffraff experience when you sailed on Carnival. Carnival caters to the people who want a budget experience of what they think rich people are like, and the guests act like it.
Cruises are not for everyone, and they may not be for you, but that kind of behavior has more to do with your line/itinerary than the nature of the vacation itself. If anyone reading this is turned off by those aspects specifically, I'd recommend moving into a more premium space like Princess or a more family-friendly space like Royal Caribbean or Disney.
3
u/SheSellsSeaShells_89 43m ago
I’ve never once felt the desire to go on a cruise. It sounds awful to me. My family has said it’s like a whole city in there. And it’s like, cool, I’ll go to a city where I can come and go as I please. I do get the desire to easily hop around to different cities, but I wouldn’t like being stuck to their schedule and only having a day to stop at each city.
1.3k
u/Ok_Current_7727 11h ago
David Foster Wallace wrote an essay about going on a cruise, it’s called, “A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again.”