I was pricing a trip for mid- to late-September from Pittsburgh to San Diego roundtrip. On the reservations request I added Superliner Roomettes in both directions as well as a Business Class upgrade on the Pacific Surfliner. To my surprise the total came to a whopping $1900-$2000. The accomodations costs of the Superliner Roomette was staggering.
Here's my question. You only get one vacation every 5 years. If you had the choice between 5-days roundtrip on a train, not including the additional costs of hotel and other expenditures once in San Diego, and then 3-nights in San Diego, OR for the exact same cost a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise in a balcony cabin to Cozumel, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands on Royal Caribbean, which one would YOU choose?
Just curious... Posted by 20th Century (Member # 2196) on :
Personally I would choose the cruise. The cruise ship is your hotel, transportation, and restaurant. Or becaue my time is flexible I would choose other dates to travel for a lower Amtrak fare. I have to admit a nice train ride would be hard for me to resist.
Posted by MDRR (Member # 2992) on :
Well, if it's Royal Caribbean, I'd take the train. If it is Celebrity, HAL, or Princess, I'd take the cruise. JMHO...
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
MDRR, the price range also fits just about any of the Celebrity, Princess, and HAL ships I have been looking at for this Fall.
I have cruised RCCL, Celebrity, Princess, and HAL, as well as Carnival, Cruise West, and Cunard. Am also looking at postponing the Fall trip this year and waiting until Fall 2010, booking the Celebrity ECLIPSE or a rail trip.
For non-cruiseship afficienados, and now that you mentioned it 20th Century, in addition to your 250 sq.ft. stateroom with balcony and 32" LCD TV, the ship does have a multitude of restaurants, all of your meals are included in spacious dining romms and Lido cafes, the ship of course has a large pool, fully equipped gym and sauna with Spa, numerous nightclubs, quite lounges, and bars, casino, basketball court, and a multitude of other things to keep you busy.
Compare these to the multitude of amenities onboard a Superliner cross-country train trip.
Posted by 20th Century (Member # 2196) on :
I agree MDRR. I prefer Celebrity to Royal Caribbean (advertising link above this thread). Before RC, Regent Seven Seas Cruise Lines had their link which I gather is superior to Royal Carribean, but more expensive. Celebrity is worth every penny spent. Besides I couldn't care less if a ship has a rock climbing wall or ice skating rink. It's the service, and dining experience that matters. Just like rail travel it depends on what we can afford and what we want from the travel experience.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
If I were traveling alone, I'd definitely choose the train trip! However, if my wife went with me and actually WANTED to take a long cruise, we'd probably choose the cruise.
Posted by Geoff Mayo (Member # 153) on :
Don't forget to factor in the extravagent "suggested tips" that cruise liners add to your bill.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Amcrap or a cruise??? Are you kidding??
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
I personally would choose the train. I can get sea sick in the bath tub so a cruise holds no plus for me. But I think sometimes less is more and you should do what pleases you. I love trains so I would take a shorter trip.
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
Do what I do, combine the two. I take the Coast Starlight to Seattle, then cruise Alaska or take the repositioning trip back to Southern California. Trips out of San Diego are reached via the Surfliner.
Of course one can't compare the amenities. Amtrak LD is still "indoor camping" (thanks GBN) but it is a different type of adventure.
Posted by RR4me (Member # 6052) on :
I've never cruised the Caribbean, so maybe it's different, but...our first and last cruise was from Vancouver to Alaska. We enjoyed it, but unless we go through the Panama Canal, doubt we'd run to do another. Neither my wife or I like to over-eat, so the multitude of edible options isn't that big an enticement. Fresh air is nice, but the scenery on the open sea has to be more boring than even the "one pine tree, all pine trees" I've read people complain about in this forum on the Southern routes. We didn't drink much, but the shopping and drinks we did consume added to a surprisingly large bill at the end. All ports of call led to short jaunts to very touristy areas, geared mostly to more shopping or eaing/drinking, unless you spent (we did) a lot more money to do fun stuff like whale watch or take the White Pass RR.
IMHO, I'd take the train and spend a day or two at interim destinations.
In any case, I hope you have an adventure and a grand time. And if you SCUBA dive, I'd reverse my opinion Posted by MDRR (Member # 2992) on :
In that case, wait until 2010 and take the Eclipse! Everyone returning from the Solstice (Celebrity) raves about the new design.
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
The bars and lounges onboard a ship and even on a Superliner passenger rail car arent a big selling point for me either, but it does give someone the multitude of places to escape to if one so chooses for entertainment and even a light refreshment. Onboard ship the options are signigicantly more appealing and numerous. I eat moderatley on cruises and dont over-endulge, but the options for fine dining are a welcome relief from my normal daily regiment. I was never impressed with Amtrak food, although good, not worth what they 'charge' as part of the roomette service. And the last several people I 'joined' for dinner and conversation at a table on Amtrak left me running back for my roomette. At least on a cruise ship I can order full room service, eat dinner in the Lido, or a table for 1 in a specialty restaurant if I so choose.
I'm not a pool deck junkie but the idea of a balcony cabin for a week in the Caribbean, reading a good book with the sounds of the ocean are indeed applealing. As a single traveller I enjoy the solitude it offers and the opportunity to meet new people if I so choose. Trying to enjoy a good book in the Dome Car of a Superliner train with a rat-pack of kids was never a thrilling prospect for me, and the feeling of being cooped up in my Roomette for days on end are now even less appealing.
Geoff Mayo Last time I took a cross-country rail trip I also remember having to tip the dining car staff and sleeper attendant, not far off from what you'd tip cruise ship staff.
HopefulRailUser I did actually combine the two once, CLT-JAX-LA and picked up the Celebrity GALAXY for a 12-night to Alaska ending in Vancouver with a 2-night post cruise, then railed from there to Seattle and back to CLT.
I try to pick and choose itineraries carefully now, to make sure it is going somewhere I havent been, or somewhere where the side excursions are intellectually stimulating. The thought of hopping on and off a train at multiple towns across the country is less appealing than just staying on a cruise ship for a straight 7-days, even if I never got off the ship while in port. And I hate shopping so that much is out of the question.
Dont get me wrong. I have travelled cross country on Amtrak quite a few times in the last 15 years. It's just that now I enjoy my creature comforts and some elbow room. For the money, Amtrak and rail seems less and less an option, now that I can only go on a real vacation about every 5 years or so.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Mr. RR4Me does a good job of describing the "contrived merriment' of shipboard life.
I've been on six cruises in this life (1979-1988 all with Holland America; now deceased GF enjoyed them) as well as two Trans At sailings during 1960; I found that I gained at least 1lb a day from "overindulgence" (the quantity is there; not sure about the quality). No wonder you have seen my less than flattering reference around here of "Love Tub".
If you enjoy packaged vacations of the escorted tour variety, then I think you would be quite at home with a cruise and consider such as $$$ well spent. If you simply want to experience an ocean voyage with "if you've seen one wave, you've seen 'em all', Carnival's Cunard brand offers sailings through the year on something resembling a schedule. Other lines "position" their ships between Caribbean cruises during the Winter and European cruises during the Summer; they handle passengers on those Trans-At crossings.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
All--
For me this would be a no-brainer but I doubt I'd go to the Caribbean. It's a bit too port intensive and one island starts to look pretty much like the next.
We have two cruises booked for this year (Transatlantic from Barcelona to Miami on Azamara Journey and a "Wine Cruise" from Vancouver to LA on Celebrity Millennium. Like Vicki and Art, we will use Amtrak for part of the trip but, in our case, only from Seattle to Vancouver.
On the last, I'm waiting awhile before cashing in AGR points until we can confirm "real" Business Class will be available.
We just completed two B2B cruises on Royal Caribbean, which were our first with them. We were pleasantly surprised that the food and level of service were comparable to Celebrity.
Geoff--
The "suggested tips" are just that. Suggested. And I've never thought the suggestions were extravagant for the amount of service rendered. We generally tip above and beyond that amount.
Frank in Sunny SBA
Posted by Geoff Mayo (Member # 153) on :
Frank and dmwnc1959 - I freely admit I have a problem with tipping for average service. A tip is for exceptional service. But that's my opinion for another thread. Perhaps other cruise lines are different because from what I've seen you "need" (read: frowned upon if you dare not to) to tip more on a cruise liner than on Amtrak.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Again, I must note that I have not been on a cruise since 1988, and the likelihood I will do so again is somewhere between slim and none (volks, I'm just not a traveler anymore beyond what is needed to "keep friends friends and family family"). However, it would appear that the "Guidelines" set forth at Royal Caribbean's site are very reasonable - and I would dare say below my personal guidelines.
I do respect, Mr. Mayo, that where you come from, the tip, save at some very high end establishments, the Connaught Grill being one I can recall, the tip is included in the restaurant check and hotel bill. However "over there' is not "over here", and even if a cruise ship is a nation state unto itself (they sure know how to pull that one out of the hat when things go wrong), the major brands have a way of following customs and courtesies prevalent in the USA.
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
I've only done three water-borne journeys; all in PR China. Back in the 90s they were: the Yangtze River 3 Gorges ( before the water started "coming up" from the Dam), the Lijiang River in Guilin to see the "karsts" and a ride on a Vietnam-era sampan down a lesser Chinese River (Daning) not far from where those bad earthquakes were in Sichuan Province...I liked the rides; quite adventurous. On one of the trips, I saw the crew rinsing the dinner dishes in the cooling water from the engine. Someday I plan to try one of these big traditional ships you guys are talking about. Thanks for the comparative discussion. I've got an LA-SEA trip planned for this July on the Starlight; then maybe the Builder to CHI, if I can swing it...
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
The description of LD Amtrak travel as 'indoor camping' is spot on, and the main reason why it would be increasingly difficult for me to justify spending 2G's on it instead of the aforementioned, and comparatively spacious, accomodations on something like the Celebrity ECLIPSE. 'One pine tree, all pine trees' reminds me of just about every rail trip I took south of the Mason-Dixon Line except in Florida where it's 'one palm tree-all palm trees'. To me crusing the Inside Passage of Alaska and Glacier Bay/College Fjord were some of the most scenic and stunning landscapes I have ever seen. Another ranking high up there were the 7-night cruise down the Columbia River from Portand, Oregon to Lewiston, Idaho, and then back to Astoria and Cannon Beach, Oregon. It was like a extended version of cruising the Panama Canal but much better. Amtrak admittedly offers up some wonderful vistas but often the vistas are too short and fleeting to justify 5 days on an LD. I did enjoy the Denver to Reno portion of the California Zephyr, the Portland-Spokane portion of the Empire Builder, as well as spotted portions of the Coast Starlight and the Pacific Surfliner. It is just that sometimes fighting for space in a Sightseer Car or hoping to catch soemthing out my 3x5 window seems to have become more challenging than anything else.
With this possibly being cruise #30 (I have 5 cruises to Alaksa under my belt) the thoughts of having 5 days of the soothing sounds of open ocean off my balcony reclining with a good book in my hand is quite appealing, as opposed to the same number of days in a Sightseer Car or in my jail-cell sized Roomette. And on a cruise ship I have several options for dining, solitude in my room, table for 1 in a specialty restaurant or Lido Cafe, or joinging a fine group of people in the main dining room. I can't begin to tell you the horror story that was my last dining car encounter on Amtrak, making me flee back to, yes, my jail cell sized roomette.
sbalax you have quite a nice lineup of journeys scheduled. I love the Millennium-class ships, and sailing from Seattle or vancouver is always exciting, even passing under the Lions Gate Bridge is cool.
Geoff Mayo I too have a problem with tipping for just 'service', even moderate service, and I really have a problem with them plaing the automatic gratuities on my onboard account. They always get removed and I tip personally, handing them the monies they earned. Not being snobby, but it is their job, and I dont want lax service or no service because they know they are automatically getting their money.
As for the "contrived merriment", from cruise #1 it was not my cup of tea. I hated the art sales and 'Newlywed Game' crap onboard, the sing alongs in a bar of snot-slinging drunk patrons, and the foul humor of the midnight 'Adult" entertainers in the aft lounge. I do however enjoy a 'cold one' once in a while at a quite bar or lounge and the soft sounds of a good jazz group onboard. Picking and choosing your entertainment from the multitude of options is critical. As for Amtrak I did, for the first few cross country excursions, find ways of entertaining myself. But the thoughts of another second rate movie in a Sightseeer Car full of tennagers or other 'merryment' makers is just not appealing, and travelling with a handful of books and my 10" portable DVD player just doesnt cut it anymore. At least cruise ships have pretty extensive libraries onboard now and the offerings keep me from having to pack one in my carry-on.
Enough rambling for now. Posted by Geoff Mayo (Member # 153) on :
quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: I do respect, Mr. Mayo, that where you come from, the tip, save at some very high end establishments, the Connaught Grill being one I can recall, the tip is included in the restaurant check and hotel bill. However "over there' is not "over here", and even if a cruise ship is a nation state unto itself (they sure know how to pull that one out of the hat when things go wrong),
I realise you haven't been to the UK for very many years and perhaps your memory is failing you. Restaurants tend to only include a tip if it is a large group, and even then it's usually only 10%, and is always printed on the menu (a legal requirement perhaps). If you don't want to tip then you don't. The only person you might want to tip in a hotel is a porter or perhaps a chambermaid if you happen to see one: if you tipped anybody else then they probably saw you coming and thought "here comes a mug".
I'm not sure where your "over there" comment came from, except perhaps the usual snipe box. Mote that I didn't say where I've been on cruises.
quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: the major brands have a way of following customs and courtesies prevalent in the USA.
Unfortunately so.
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1959: Geoff Mayo I too have a problem with tipping for just 'service', even moderate service, and I really have a problem with them placing the automatic gratuities on my onboard account. They always get removed and I tip personally, handing them the monies they earned. Not being snobby, but it is their job, and I dont want lax service or no service because they know they are automatically getting their money.
Yes - this automatic gratuities is what I was trying to say earlier. At least with Amtrak you can give them the tip - if any - they deserve and it is always under your control.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Geoff--
The same is true on cruise ships -- at least the ones we have been on (Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, HAL, Princess). The gratuity is only suggested. We've never had them automatically added to the onboard account. While you can prepay them, usually you are asked at some point before the end of the cruise if you want to have them added to your account. You are then given vouchers with envelopes to give to the parties involved. We generally give the vouchers and a bit extra for outstanding service.
Frank in Sunny SBA
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
-sbalax- There was a time frame when most cruise lines did automatically add tips to your onboard acct. I found this article with details. Its been 4 years since my last cruise (on the QM2) so I am not sure what the current policies are. This article last updated abt 2 years ago...
On my cross country CLT-JAX-LA I purchased several rolls of the Sacagawea Golden Dollar Coins from the US Mint and personally tipped after every meal. I wanted to let them know that their service was of a Gold Standard. They got a huge kick out of it.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
I checked a couple of websites (Celebrity, RCL, etc.) and the fine print does say that they automatically charge the gratuities but we've found that in actual practice there is plenty of opportunity to opt out. Or to increase or decrease the amount.
Gratuities for drinks ARE automatically added to your bill (15%) but I've seen many people who are either quite generous or don't understand the system add more. The same is usually true in the specialty restaurants.
The average per person/per day gratuity is $12.00. That covers dining room waiters and their assistants, head waiters and their assistants and cabin attendants and their assistants. They, with the possible exception of head waiters, work very hard.
The only time we have given less than the suggested amount was on the 90% American staffed NCLA Pride of Hawai'i (Now Norwegian Jade).
I've only once found an employee on Amtrak who could come close to the standard of service we find on cruise ships.
I like the gold dollar idea. I'd bet that a lot of those folks still have the coin.
Frank in overcast SBA
Posted by royaltrain (Member # 622) on :
Depending on the cruise line you choose, the value of the ship will almost always be superior to Amtrak. I have many times spent $2000 plus on an Amtrak train trip (I always book a bedroom). A few years ago I boarded Cunard's QE2 from Quebec City to New york. The six days on a luxury ship in the Queen's Grill was not that not much more than the train. Ship clearly wins over train in such circumstances.
I am becoming more like Mr. Norman in that travelling nowadays seems not worth the money or aggravation. After my journey last Christmas spending nearly ten hours in Seattle's King St. Station waiting for #11 that eventualy arrived in L.A. 25 hours late, I will not be repeating that journey even if the fare was cut in half. Much to my horror I shall fly this Christmas to see my elderly mother in Las Vegas. When I booked the most expensive business class ticket on Air Canada I ended up paying less than the train.
Posted by David (Member # 3) on :
The same comparison can be made between a cruise and a long distance VIA Rail trip. Last year, for example, my wife and I wanted to bid farewell to our beloved Queen Elizabeth 2 with our fifth and obviously final Atlantic crossing on this fine ship. For a similar cost of three days on the Canadian we got six days in a first class stateroom (technically there's no first and tourist any more, but in reality it exists by dining room assignment based on the fare.) The best thing about "first class" on a ship is a dining room with one sitting, none of this three-sittings business you usually get on trains. Last month we made a crossing on the Queen Mary 2 and paid even less because we would be assigned to the Britannia Restaurant which has two sittings. But a free upgrade to a Princess Grill junior suite gave us the single-sitting dining room, not to mention a 381 sq. ft. room. All of this was for a per day rate way below that of the Canadian.
One other thing no-one has mentioned yet is that modern ships provide lower berths or queen or king-sized beds. I'm afraid railways, due to space constraints, must still banish half of their passengers to upper berths. Yes, I am aware that Amtrak's lower berth in the bedrooms is acceptable to some couples, but really it doesn't compare to what is on offer at sea. VIA does have drawing rooms (now called cabins for three) and these offer two lowers, but these rooms are few and far between. I know Amtrak and VIA offer rooms en suite, but this option almost doubles the cost.
On the subject of tipping, most lines do indeed have a per diem charge added to the account and some passengers do remove it and tip in the traditional way. But many of us who leave the charges on the account do give an additional gratuity personally to those crew members who have provided particularly good service.
I don't want to totally give up on long-distance train trips, but I think we will be travelling more by sea as we did in the 1970s and 80s.
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
I am sure there have been a multitude of threads on this board as to why Amtrak accomodations are so expensive. I still dont get it, and never will. There are certain Amtrak trips I would love to take again but only if I was in a full sized bedroom, but at that cost? No thanks.
In the last 3 years I've aged what seems like a century, and the thought of a cross-country trip in Coach makes my skin crawl. Sorry. And I took a LOT of cross-country trips in coach over the last 15 years too. Just cant do it anymore. I fear my days of overnight LD rail travel are over, replaced by day passage or a flight.
I am glad I did it while I still could...
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
It's sad to say that I have to agree with you two. As much as I have enjoyed LD trains in the past they just don't make much sense anymore as far as personal comfort and value.
I will continue to ride day trains like the Surfliners and have AGR points for one or two more LD rides but I'm afraid that will be it.
Frank in Sunny SBA where the Summer Solstice Celebrations are just beginning to wind down.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
Seems to me the best way to get the best of both worlds is to use a Chase AGR credit card for cruises, then use your points for 'free' Amtrak travel.
I agree with those who find little use for rock climbing walls and all that implies. Give me a small ship where it's all about the voyage and remote ports of call or perhaps a true transatlantic voyage on the Queen Mary, as GBN suggests (combined with a railpass for Europe.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Railroad Rich's reasons for choosing AMTRAK over a cruise:
1) I don't get seasick on AMTRAK (If I didn't have those "ear patches" on the last cruise we took, I would have gotten seasick, since the ocean was ROUGH!!!!!)
2) All you see from a cruise is miles and miles and miles of empty ocean with a couple hours in an exotic port every day or two, where it costs a fortune to do anything; on AMTRAK, there is always something to see out the window (even if it is just pine trees)!
3) I have no use for rock climbing walls, silly cruise games ("Newlywed Game," etc.), karaoke bars where I've never heard of any of the songs they feature, disco night clubs (at my age?), etc.
4) I enjoy having my meals with different people each time on AMTRAK -- on cruises, you are stuck with the same people every meal!
My wife & I took a cruise a few years ago from Port Canaveral to Nassau (Carnival) -- it was OK, but I would't want to do a vacation like that every year. (however, we are thinking of doing an Alaska Cruise next year, but we would travel to the cruise by TRAIN!)
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
Amen, Rich!! #s 1 and 2 are the most important to me. Watching miles of water is not what I enjoy. On the train looking out the window and seeing small towns and big ones is far superior. Even with pine trees different groups are different. Ditto corn fields. There are differnt configurations that make them interesting to me.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Rich--
4) I enjoy having my meals with different people each time on AMTRAK -- on cruises, you are stuck with the same people every meal!
Not necessarily true. Many cruise lines now have the option of "Anytime" of "My Time" dining where you go to eat when you want and with whom you want. It worked very well for us on RCL on our two cruises around South America earlier this year.
Frank in Sunny SBA
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
Both types of travel have their merits. I miss trains when it has been a while since my last trip. That feeling I get while sitting in the train in LA Union Station, waiting to leave, is wonderful. And seeing the ports and the port traffic from the cruise ship is fascinating.
All this talk is making me anxious for my October trip on the CS and then the Zaandam.
Posted by delvyrails (Member # 4205) on :
In the environmental results, Amtrak is better. According to "The Suicidal Planet", page 215, the relative energy use per passenger mile for intercity rail is 0.32, for car is 0.38, for short haul air is 0.36, for long haul air (over 2500 miles) is 0.39, and for ship is 1.60!
The ship may be keener, But it's Amtrak that's "greener" ;<).
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
quote:Originally posted by train lady: Amen, Rich!! #s 1 and 2 are the most important to me.
A lot of people get motion sick (sea sick), even in cars, planes, and on trains. My first couple cross-country Amtrak trips were preceeded by short jaunts from Salisbury-Charlotte, then SAL-Raleigh. I decided I couldnt do without assistance. So I looked at the options. Behind the ear patches were one, but conspicuous. Dramamine was OK, but BONINE, a chewable cherry flavored pill turned out to be my travelling companion for many years. Taken the night before boarding, and then every morning with breakfast, I never once got sea-sick, and neither did my family whose first cruises were also in some pretty rough waters.
And there are a good number of cruise options available to where days of endless open ocean are not your demon. North- and Southbound-Inside Passage sailings in Alaska where you get maybe one day where land is out of sight. Small ship cruises up the US Intercoastal Waterways, the Columbia River, along the coast of Central America into the Panama Canal, South America and Southern Caribbean cruises that feature a port of call every day. European and Scandanavian cruises that feature a port or inland passage crusing also are quite popular and may have 1 day at sea of 7, or 3 days at sea out of 11. These sea days give you a chance to sleep in late, take breakfast in bed and a book on your balcony, and relax.
sbalax is exactly right when he said the many cruise lines now have the option of "Anytime" of "My Time" dining where you go to eat when you want, and with whom you want. They can seat you at a table for 4, 6, or 8 each night with new folks, or a table for 2 if you are feeling romantic. And most cruise port of call departures are set that when you are getting back on and leaving, you are relaxing from your days adventures and getting ready for dinner or the nights events.
And another big advantage cruising has over rail travel is that I can, right now, reserve and book a cruise as far in advance as Fall or Winter 2010, into 2011. I can hold my exact cabin, put down a small depost, and pay along as I get closer. Amtrak has no such system.
Now, imagine a cross-country Amtrak trip in which you have planned 3 or 4 stops. You get off the train and get a hotel, then do NOTHING? You sit in your room and watch TV? No. The same holds true with a cruise, you stop in a port of call and have to spend money to do stuff. You would do the same on an Amtrak trip. You stop, sightsee, buy a souveneir or two, and get back on the (ship) train and move to your next stop (port of call). Even if you are going cross country with no stops, to a single destination, you spend money once you get there. You just dont turn around within hours and get back on the return train and head back home (at least most of us dont). Same for a cruise. The ship, as well as the ports of call are the destination(s). You spend money, buy souveneirs, and get back on.
And participating in the campy entertainment onboard is not mandatroy. They dont take roll call and deduct points if you dont attend. Many cruise lines have lectures, seminars, educational studies, and classes to further your knowledge and education. Research and find one. Many also have an endless array of in-stateroom entertainment options on your 32" LCD TV. Movies, shows, and lectures or briefings. Amtrak lacks grossly in entertainment options, unless looking at trees and corn fileds for a thousand miles is really your cup of tea. After a while I got a stiff neck. Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1959: [QUOTE]Originally posted by train lady:And participating in the campy entertainment onboard is not mandatroy. They dont take roll call and deduct points if you dont attend. Many cruise lines have lectures, seminars, educational studies, and classes to further your knowledge and education. Research and find one. Many also have an endless array of in-stateroom entertainment options on your 32" LCD TV. Movies, shows, and lectures or briefings. Amtrak lacks grossly in entertainment options, unless looking at trees and corn fileds for a thousand miles is really your cup of tea. After a while I got a stiff neck.
On my one "real" cruise the "social managers" tried to get me to do a dance called the Macarena. That wasn't my "thing" so they gave me a mike and I sang "Country Roads" on the ship's karaoke system to a couple hundred Chinese people. They seemed to like my performance. But, I still never tire of rolling through America's heartland by rail-- watching miles and miles of green, undulating corn or gently wafting pine trees. Or reading my Kindle in the room; I guess I'm just not an 'organized entertainment' kind of guy...I did think the ship voyage down the Yangtze was incomparable; not that I had much else to compare it to!
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
A few years back my best friend and I took a Labor Day weekend trip to NYC on the Carolinian in Business Class. The trip was not interrupted by any unscheduled delays, the food was good, and we brought a deck of cards and my 10" portable DVD player and several movies. The ride was as smooth as they come and the weather was quite nice. We spent two days in NYC at a 5-star hotel off of Times Square, and returned on the Carolinian in Business Class back to Salisbury. He swore he would never ride Amtrak again. He just didnt like rail travel and wouldnt even consider a SAL-CLT 50 minute trip on the Piedmont. Rail travel was just not interesting to him nor was it his cup of tea. I tried for 2 years after that excursion to get him back on a train but he just wouldnt have it, remembering that 'first real' and only rail trip. He will never get to experience the LD rail travel across open plains, barren landscapes, snow capped mountains and deep canyons, along raging rivers or gaze upon a forest of trees surrounding a dormant volcano.
The same can be said about one time cruisers, who may have had a mediocre experience or got wrapped up in thinking that their only option was the 'contrived merriment' or 'organized entertainment' of shipboard life. That one cruise just wasnt up to there expectations. You couldn't talk them back onto a cruise ship if the other option was 5 days r/t on the California Zephyr, the Southwest Chief, or the Coast Starlight. But they will never experience the endless options that cruises can offer them either. Thats just the way it is.
Posted by RR4me (Member # 6052) on :
Well, you certainly got enough opinions to satisfy your original curiosity!
One last comment from me: I've seen several of these posts come across as very pro-cruise. My bet is that if you were on a sea cruise forum and posted the same query, you would get NO pro-train trip opinions, especially since the AOE/Grand Luxe is out of business Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
Well, to each his own. It would be prety boring if we all liked and disliked the exact same things. This way we can all learn from each other.
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
quote:Originally posted by RR4me: Well, you certainly got enough opinions to satisfy your original curiosity!
One last comment from me: I've seen several of these posts come across as very pro-cruise. My bet is that if you were on a sea cruise forum and posted the same query, you would get NO pro-train trip opinions, especially since the AOE/Grand Luxe is out of business
Actually I hadn't thought of posting it anywhere BUT here, and you would probably be right that most cruise forum members would not go railing in favor of a cruise. And I was VERY surprised at the number of pro-cruise responces I received. I thought everyone here was a diehard Rail Fan. I was also surprised at the number of members who have taken upscale and overseas cruises, and their indepth knowledge of the industry.
After further review of both of my options I actually am finding it hard to justify spending $2000 for either trip. But if either was to come out on top, it would be the cruise, simply because I can book it now and pay along the way. It gives me something to work towards.
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
There are actually a few rail fans on the cruise forums. One of them actually goes by the name Zephyr but our rail forum Zephyr has denied any relationship. The cruise Zephyr seems to live in Washington State.
At any rate, they love to encourage taking the train to your cruise, in particular the Cascades Seattle to Vancouver and the Surfliner San Diego to LA.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Vicki--
Now there's an idea! I'd better start planning now how to get to Miami in April to catch Equinox to Rome!
Frank in dark and cool SBA
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
I have taken a couple of cruises myself and loathed them both. If God had intended us to float from place to place, why then did He give us wheels? :-)
I suspect that the average ages of cruise people and train people are close together -- 60s and up, largely retirees. We, after all, have the time and the money.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Here is a site obviously maintained by a rail/cruisefan:
Other than the Big Name actors who, for reasons unclear to me, agreed to play roles in this otherwise "low-bud" flick, "Out to Sea" does show ths "foibiles' of cruising - including the contrived merriment.
At times when you meet obviously wealthy people on board, you have to wonder "how did these so clueless people ever become so wealthy?".
This "romp flick" makes periodic rounds on the Starz and your cable/sat operator's on demand channels; if "nothing else is on' it's worth a view.
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
quote:Originally posted by Henry Kisor: I suspect that the average ages of cruise people and train people are close together -- 60s and up, largely retirees. We, after all, have the time and the money.
You'd be surprised that the average age of most cruisers falls around the mid-30's to 50's. Lots of families with kids travel on cruises now as do business and religious groups, family reunions, and specialty interest groups like NASCAR. As the saying now goes 'It's not just for the dead and dying'.
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
Several years ago my cousin,his wife, and 2 other couples took a long looked forward to cruise to Alaska. On their return when I asked how it was his answer "never again. Most of the people sat around listening to their pacemakers" that should bring forth interesting complaints and comments!!!!!
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1959: You'd be surprised that the average age of most cruisers falls around the mid-30's to 50's. Lots of families with kids travel on cruises now as do business and religious groups, family reunions, and specialty interest groups like NASCAR. As the saying now goes 'It's not just for the dead and dying'.
This demographic could well apply to seven-day Summer season Caribbean cruises; otherwise, the longer the cruise, the more the demographic noted by Ms. Train Lady's friends will apply.
Additional caskets are part of a ship's inventory for the Round the World cruises offered by the upscale lines. I don't think how many of such are carried on board is "exactly" advertised.
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
Several years ago I was on the California Zephyr and out of Denver we picked up a very large group of teenagers and travelling companions. A very large group. It was awful. A nightmare. And one one experience with a northbound Coast Starlight the patronage in my car appeared as (not to be mean) 'the smelly homeless' and grunge rockers. And yet another experience crossing on the Empire Builder I swear I was travelling with a group of backpacking Nomad vagrants. If I judge travelling by Amtrak by those experiences I too would say never again. But I was smart enough not to. And kept on travelling.
I've been on 5 cruises to Alaska: 2 on Princess, 1 on Holland-America, 1 on Cruise West and 1 on Celebrity. From 1983 to 2004 I have been on a total of 29 cruises, year-round; holiday sailings, mid-Summer and Fall sailings, off-peak January sailings, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, New England, and Mexico. I have also been on cruises that were as long as 11-days. I dont recall any of them having a majority of older pace-maker driven passengers.
But again a single vacation cruise experience, an experience where an individual has had only one sampling of what the cruise industry has to offer and on one cruise, and judging the entire cruise industry by the patronage on that one sailing, is a bit narrow minded to make such a finite judgment on. But people do. My friend did, about Amtrak.
Posted by RR4me (Member # 6052) on :
This IS tongue-in-cheek, but do the NASCAR folks spend their time jogging counter clockwise on deck the entire cruise?
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
quote:Originally posted by RR4me: This IS tongue-in-cheek, but do the NASCAR folks spend their time jogging counter clockwise on deck the entire cruise?
We can get to the port as long as the directions include all 'left turns'. Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
All--
This thread has certainly taken some interesting turns!
On most ship's I've been on the running/walking tracks request counter-clockwise traffic. So, yes, "left turns".
Here's a great website that I may have originally found here. It has lots of wonderful information not only about ships but also trains.
Frank in overcast SBA
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
What's so unusual about counterclockwise running?
Horse races are run counterclockwise. So are foot races (400 meters and up).
The geezers at the senior center I frequent, however, insist on walking the circular indoor track clockwise. It doesn't make sense. At our age wouldn't you expect them to want to turn back the clock?
Posted by Stourbridge Lion (Member # 1796) on :
Late to the topic; but, I would likely take the cruise if it's on the right ship and time of year. Not trying to bash any cruise ship company since each has their market and time of year is based on weather for the region of travel.
Thanks for the link. I'm one of those guys who enjoys looking at other people's "slide shows" and there is certainly a lot to see here. It took me back to places that I have great memories of including Costa Rica and Scotland!
Frank in SUNNY SBA
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
Stourbridge Lion, looks like the Sun Princess (which I have been on twice, once in the Caribbean and once in Alaska) or the Dawn Princess which I also did in Alaska. I know the Ocean Princess and Sea Princess, all four of these being sisters, were both transferred to P&O a number of years ago.
Of the 5 times I made it to Alaska I also took the Yukon and Whitepass RR which was amazing. probably one of the best rail trips ever. This past Saturday I also took the New Tygart Flyer again, this time out of Elkins WV. Two of my clients went with me and had a freaking blast.
I am looking at a quick rail trip this fall to New York just to see the QM2, just to see if I still enjoy rail travel. It's been a while since my last train trip on Amtrak. Also looking at trying to connect a Silver Service trip with my cruise next year. Want to do the cruise, but to spend that long on a train again is going to be a real challenge since I'll have to do it in coach. Cant afford both 1st Class rail and a cruise with a balcony. It's a shame the cruise lines stopped marketing Rail/Sail combo's. I dont know if it was a good deal or not but it was always a fun option to try and sell my clients as a TA.
Posted by Stourbridge Lion (Member # 1796) on :
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1959: Stourbridge Lion, looks like the Sun Princess
Close, it's the Ocean Princess. Posted by David (Member # 3) on :
For those concerned about the "contrived merriment" of a cruise, remember there are cruises and there are cruises. There is a huge variety of ships out there. I have no interest in "contrived merriment" and wouldn't take another Caribbean cruise if it was free - once was enough in this lifetime. Liner voyages are more to my taste. Of the 19 ocean trips my wife and I have taken since 1972, only five have been on cruises. Sadly, liner voyages (except for the Queen Mary 2 on transatlantic) are few and far between.
A tasteful cruise experience can be had on the P&O cruises from England. But since Carnival bought out P&O amongst other lines, there have been some mass market ships added to the fleet. The best cruise we had was a fortnight on P&O's late Canberra from England to Norway. The Queen Mary 2 is most likely the ship that offers the broadest range of experiences. There is casual dining as an option to the formal dinners, even the ubiquitous cafeteria that astonishingly seems very popular, an option of basic dining in a gorgeous dining room or more intimate one-sitting dining in the pricey Princess Grill or Queens Grill. In the latter two restaurants passengers can even order off-menu items. Entertainment covers the full range from the usual pop stuff to classical music, lectures, a planetarium and even plays performed by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. In other words you can do as much or as little as you want and all tastes are catered for.
My next long-distance train trip will be to Halifax to again view and photograph the lovely QM2. Obviously it is impossible to get good pictures of a ship on a transatlantic crossing. The QM2 is calling in Halifax three times this year and twice in other Canadian ports, including Quebec City. I believe it was E.M.Frimbo who said: any excuse for a train ride is a good excuse.
Posted by Stourbridge Lion (Member # 1796) on :
quote:Originally posted by sbalax: Thanks for the link. I'm one of those guys who enjoys looking at other people's "slide shows" and there is certainly a lot to see here. It took me back to places that I have great memories of including Costa Rica and Scotland!
Frank in SUNNY SBA
Glad to share! It's my little "World Tour" site documenting the various places we have travled too outside the US. Awhile back we found this site called the Traveler's Century Club and they have broken out the world into a " List" and before you can join their club you have to reached 100 of their 319 locations on the list. Not planning on joining the club but it is interesting to us to see how our travels match up to the list and we have a long way to go to reach 100.
Allot of these places were reach via taking a Cruise... Posted by Geoff Mayo (Member # 153) on :
Interesting site, Darren. I'm one-third of the way there! Only a small handful were "fuel stops" or otherwise stops of a very short time.
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
I've got no real excuse for not taking a blue water cruise; I practically live within walking distance of one of the world's major passenger ship ports. I'm early-retired, relatively healthy, etc. Maybe I can find a slow boat to China that would call at Shanghai; from there I can get back on the rails, and catch the new train to Lhasa (Tibet.) Well, it's on my "do" list for someday--almost made it there in 2007. In my younger years, I thought I wanted to 'crew' on a 'tramp steamer' in exchange for passage, but at this point would need a little more luxury than that!
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
Railroad Bob I love San Diego. I wish I lived there. I'd probably take the Pacific Surfliner literally every weekend to points north. I know when I lived in a town serviced by Amtrak I unfortunately took it for granted and used it only about once every other month.
You may have not known but during the recent Swine Flu outbreak in Mexico the cruise lines were forced to re-route all their Mexican Riviera itineraries north to ports of call in San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, and Victoria. Apparantly they were literally giving away 7-night cruises, in some cases on brand new mega-cruise ships, as low as $199 per person. Now THATS a deal too good to pass up. A WEEKS worth of food, 3+ square meals a day, entertainment, accomodations, and interesting ports for less than $200! Wow. That's less than $30 a day. Can't beat that.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1959: You may have not known but during the recent Swine Flu outbreak in Mexico the cruise lines were forced to re-route all their Mexican Riviera itineraries north to ports of call in San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, and Victoria.
Mr. DMW, did these Love Tubs call both at LA and SF, LA and Seattle, or all three? If any of such the case, interesting to learn that the Swine Flu outbreak rose to the level of "emergency" to allow suspension of the cabotage provisions within the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (Jones Act).
Mr. Norman, back in late April the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta and the US State Department both issued proclomations stating that all unnecessary travel to Mexico should be avoided. Every cruise line took this quite seriously and cancelled nearly every single port call visit on every ship on both the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico sides of Mexico, in some cases as long as 6 weeks worth of itineraries. This was quite devastating to the local economy of these ports losing tens of thousands of passengers in these six weeks on dozens of ships. For instance in one case the Carnival Splendor, which carries upwards of 3000+ passengers, diverted for 6 weeks taking away 18,000 passengers worth of possible revenue from Mexican ports. And that's just one ship, on one side of Mexico.
However most, if not all, still included at least one foreign visit to either Canada or another Caribbean/Gulf non-US port. On the Pacific side, Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas visited SF, Seattle, and Victoria BC. The new Carnival Splendor visited San Francisco, Victoria and Vancouver BC.
Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Holland-America also re-routed ships cancelling their Mexican Riviera ports of call extending port visits in San Diego and other ports into overnight stays, or adding ports further south in Central America. These were mainly westbound repositioning cruises that were coming up from Panama Canal transits.
A lot of people in the cruise industry always wondered what would happen if something like this occurred. It appears that this test quickly allowed cruise lines to divert Mexican Riviera ships northward and still maintain the Jones Act.
Posted by Stourbridge Lion (Member # 1796) on :
Yes, many of these ships passed through Panama as a Port of Call and/or ported in Ensenda Mexico which by defintion took care of the Jones Act requirements of visiting a foreign country.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Our cruise on RCL's Radiance of the Seas was one of those that had to bypass three Mexican ports (Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas). While we were disappointed to miss these ports (especially Huatulco where we were scheduled to have lunch with a Peace Corps friend who lives in Oaxaca and has a beach house at Huatulco) we very much enjoyed the extra "sea days". We arrived in San Diego one day early and were given the option of disembarking (very few people did) or spending a night onboard. We had excellent seats for the Red Bull AirRaces!!
Although the situation was beyond their control, I thought RCL and Captain Trym handled things very well. Each passenger was given a "Future Cruise Credit" equivalent to 25% of the cruise fare for use on a future Mexican Riviera cruise. We are looking at Radiance again in February 2010.
Frank in overcast SBA
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
Picture of the Carnival Splendor on one of her detoured visits to Vancouver...I'd personally prefer this over Mexico.
Posted by Stourbridge Lion (Member # 1796) on :
Nice Shot! We did the Mexican Riviera as part of a Repositiong Cruise in 2001. It was a nice "once" for us for those Mexican ports...
Posted by railrev (Member # 2640) on :
quote:Originally posted by RR4me: This IS tongue-in-cheek, but do the NASCAR folks spend their time jogging counter clockwise on deck the entire cruise?
Nope! Track isn't banked.
Posted by railrev (Member # 2640) on :
Our first cruise was a gift from our church (I'm a pastor). We cruised on HAL out of San Diego to Mexican Riviera. Loved every minute. Started planning a second cruise almost immediately.
Leaving Vancouver for Alaska in about three weeks. But, the land portion includes train from Anchorage to Denali and Denali to Fairbanks. Best of both, I'm told.
For me, two different experiences. Faced with a decision on a once in five years vacation, I'd pick the cruise for many of the reasons listed. Lots to do, or not do. Choices galore and lots of walking around room.
The train is fun, but is usually a way to get from one place to another that has more "personality" than a plane or a bus and allows time to read, relax and look at scenery.
I'd cruise the Panama Canal, but for the canal, not to go to Ft. Lauderdale. Likewise, I wouldn't do a "Great Circle Trip" on Amtrak just to ride the train, eat the food and end up back home in San Diego.
BTW, Ginger is my "cure all" for motion sickness. Take it in tablets starting as many days before departure as the length of the trip and take it every morning of travel. Had the wristbands, but never opened the package.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Railrev--
I've found candied ginger works, too. Trader Joe's has a new Ginger Senbei snack that is VERY good.
Frank in Sunny SBA
Posted by David (Member # 3) on :
quote:Originally posted by sbalax: Railrev--
I've found candied ginger works, too. Trader Joe's has a new Ginger Senbei snack that is VERY good.
Frank in Sunny SBA
Cunard leaves a silver bowl of candied ginger at the exit of the restaurants, but strangely only after dinner. We saw several passengers take extra so they could have some at any time. Our crossing was so incredibly smooth we didn't need it, but I always had a little after each dinner because it tastes good and is good for the digestion.
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
as a warning as great ginger is likewise ginger tea if you are taking a blood thinner such as coumadin remember ginger shouldn't be eaten.
Posted by TBlack (Member # 181) on :
I've only taken a couple of cruises myself, so I don't have any strong opinions of the experience either way, but I have to say that the ships that are designed and built today are horrendous to look at. I understand that economics drives the design, but either the old France or QEII had far more grace and style than these floating boxes!
Posted by ehbowen (Member # 4317) on :
I hate to name drop, ahem, but I have experienced the pleasures of an around-the-world cruise aboard this luxury liner:
The cabin was rather cramped and the onboard activies left something to be desired, but you still can't beat the fare!
Posted by Stourbridge Lion (Member # 1796) on :
Posted by cubzo (Member # 4700) on :
That would be the Big Mo, were you on deck force? from what I understand taking the varnish off was 23 licks a board. Mine was a river cruise on the My Tho. A Tango Boat that was eventually turned over to ARVN. I was then shipped up to Danang, I believe Mr Norman spent some quality time there.
Posted by ehbowen (Member # 4317) on :
quote:Originally posted by cubzo: That would be the Big Mo, were you on deck force? from what I understand taking the varnish off was 23 licks a board. Mine was a river cruise on the My Tho. A Tango Boat that was eventually turned over to ARVN. I was then shipped up to Danang, I believe Mr Norman spent some quality time there.
Engineroom #3. Not a half a snipe�a HOLE snipe! (1985-88)
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Hq 7thAF TSN (DEROS 10JUL68)
Got "popped at" from time to time - mostly around Tet.
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
I'd like to see the Somali pirates tangle with that baby! Posted by TBlack (Member # 181) on :
We used to see the BB 62 on the DMZ. A nighttime salvo from those 16" guns was, well, spectacular!
A Tango boat is like a Mike boat with a superstructure, right?
Posted by cubzo (Member # 4700) on :
Not really a superstructure but close. We worked with the Ninth infantry.
Ah yes, I remember. There's a graceful looking craft...what a sheer line! I was in My Tho in '68. Wonder what it looks like now?
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Lest anyone think this topic has gone off of such, any Swabbie here should share with the forum what a tour of sea-duty is known as in the US Navy, as this Zoomie will defer.
Posted by ehbowen (Member # 4317) on :
Hmmm. We simply referred to them as deployments. Is there some salty Vietnam-era term I should be aware of, for historical reference at least?
Re the Somali pirates: Although we never actually used it, we had a little trick up our sleeve to deal with postulated waves of rubber Zodiac boats from Iran. Imagine a 16" anti-personnel (enhanced shrapnel) high explosive shell detonating precisely 200 feet above a group of open boats by means of a proximity fuse...very quickly, no more open boats.
(And they say battleships are obsolete!)
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I always heard sea duty called CRUISES - NROTC college buddies and onward.
Posted by ehbowen (Member # 4317) on :
True, that term was used informally.
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
Well, after a lot of thought, a ton of research, and an enourmous amount of consideration, I booked the cruise for Fall 2010 to the Grand Cayman Islands, Belize, and 2 ports of call in Mexico. The train trip just couldn't match the cruise and I got a nice large cabin with a window for a entire week for just under $1100! Time to renew my Passport... Posted by Stourbridge Lion (Member # 1796) on :
Take the time to see the ruins!!!!!!!
Altun Ha Mayan Ruin
Grand Princess
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
Stourbridge Lion already checking those out!
I think one of the biggest deciding factors (other than the economics of cost, variety of food and dining options, comparing stateroom against roomette sizes, and their offerings in entertainment options) was that if the weather turns crappy (rain) I am still on a very nice, very large mode of 'luxury' transportation. With dozens of different places to retreat to and relax, it won hands down. I just couldnt picture myself in a steel tube (train) again for 5 days at the staggering cost of over 2000+.
Sorry Amtrak. Maybe again in 2015?
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
dmw--
All this and no "paper ticket" to worry about losing!
Have a great cruise!
Frank in dark and cool and "Jackson-less" SBA
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
All this cruise talk got to me and I had to throw in a Mexican Riviera trip in December between my other two cruises. And I could take the Surfliner down to SAN.
Frank, I let the Jackson family know that your home would be available for the viewing. Nice of you to offer it.
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
quote:Originally posted by sbalax: dmw-- All this and no "paper ticket" to worry about losing! Have a great cruise!
Frank in dark and cool and "Jackson-less" SBA
I actually had a dream last night about going on a trip and losing my Passport! Not a good sign. Still, it's a long way off but it's something to really look forward to. Yea!
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
Frank will be hosting the viewing?? I better call my contacts at TMZ and get this out there quick! Someone was saying our Rail Rev would be a speaker, but I believe it will be Al or Jesse, actually... Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
GBN writes: "Lest anyone think this topic has gone off of such, any Swabbie here should share with the forum what a tour of sea-duty is known as in the US Navy, as this Zoomie will defer."
I asked my elder son, a LCDR, about this, and he suggested "Haze gray and underway." Colorful in its fashion, but he also said the phrase is more often applied to Navy ships at sea. He added that submariners have a great many rude terms for sea duty but as he was at a government email address he felt it an inappropriate forum to educate me.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
dmw--
Just a suggestion for you about the passport. Make several photo copies of the first page (picture, etc.) and leave one at home and carry another apart from your passport. It's not a legal substitute but it does have all the info you'll need to get a new one if that should be the case. Other people have suggested scanning it and keeping the information (this works for credit cards, too) and keeping the file in a place where you could access it from wherever you might be.
On our two consecutive cruises around South America we surrendered our passports in Buenos Aires when we boarded and did not see them again until after we left Costa Rica headed for San Diego. All of the appropriate stamps were in there so someone had looked at them. We found out later that if we had had them with us we could have gotten "Fin del Mundo" (End of the World) stamps in both Puntarenas, Chile and Ushuaia, Argentina!
Thanks, Vicki, for offering our place to the Jacksons. You know how nice the view is but they seem to have opted for something a little larger. Staples Center?
Frank in Sunny SBA
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
Yes Frank. We decided that an event of such import must be held in an appropriate venue. Let's see, Staples holds 19,000 and the overflow will be to LA Live, the area already trashed in the Lakers celebration.
Love this town!
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
Remember to bring your $25.00 fee when you attend, Vicki. Wouldn't want Michael's father to wind up in the "poor house" or anything...interesting about those End of the World passport stamps you can get down there, Frank...
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Bob--
Oh, we could have gotten them but we didn't have physical control over the passports. I was told they would only stamp passports. No postcards, etc. I suspect is was quasi official.
One of my favorite passport stamps is from HM Customs for Devon and Cornwall. One of our ports on a transatlantic cruise was Falmouth. HM sent two of her best men to cross the pond with us and stamp our passports before we arrived doing several hundred a day. I asked one how he got that tough duty and he just winked and said "She's my Mum."
And I did see a bus in Falmouth headed to Penzance. But no Pirates.
Frank in cooling and soon to be dark SBA
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
sbalax This re-newal next year will only be my 3rd Passport (got my first one around 1988 before going to Italy for 2 years) and I havent ever thought about making copies 'just in case'. Good idea. THANKS. This will be cruise #30 and I am sooo excited, even though it's still 14 months away. It's going to be a long wait.... Posted by railrev (Member # 2640) on :
quote:Originally posted by Railroad Bob: Frank will be hosting the viewing?? I better call my contacts at TMZ and get this out there quick! Someone was saying our Rail Rev would be a speaker, but I believe it will be Al or Jesse, actually...
Glad to let Al and Jesse have that one!
Posted by cubzo (Member # 4700) on :
I wonder how many innocent folks were trampled by Al and Jesse racing to the camera?
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
dmw--
Go to www.cruisecritic.com and then boards and Roll Calls. These are discussion boards for a particular sailing. We've met some great people this way and lots of great suggestions, information and tips. I believe you may need to "join" to post of the Roll Calls but that is free and easy. I don't know what cruise line you will be on but if it's Celebrity or RCL they host gatherings for the Cruise Critic folks with nice refreshments and, usually, fun prizes.
Frank in Sunny SBA
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
quote:Originally posted by sbalax: And I did see a bus in Falmouth headed to Penzance. But no Pirates.
How 'bout Gilbert? Or Sullivan? Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
sbalax Thanks for the link. I'll have to give it a look and some thought.
I am the definition of a 'loner' on cruises. On both Amtrak and on cruises I have met up with folks and dining room companions that have ruined more trips than I can remember. They just latch onto me feeling sorry for my loneliness and try to occupy my hours for me. I dont like having to constantly excuse my way out of their 'arranged' activites or evening entertainment. They dont realize that there is a distinct difference between being lonely, and being alone. As the saying goes, 'I'm never alone, I am with my own best friend'.
I dont so much as mind the crowd either. I do enjoy people-watching. As mentioned before I rarely drink, not much for socializing, and dont party. On most of my past cruises I awoke by 6am, in bed by 11pm.
However, nowadays I would prefer the 'solitutude' I can find in travel by eating alone in Lido or Specialty restaurants on ships, booking non-share cabins, and finding a good quiet corner on a ship with a sea-view, a gentle breeze, and relax with a good book. Thats just me.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I trust that we are all aware of MJ's, now scrubbed for what the lawyers call Force Majeure, concert tour sponsors, AEG Entertainment. Lest one wonder, the "alphabet soup" stands for Anschutz Entertainment Group. Also, lest we remember who owns the Staples Center where his Memorial will be held so that SBA Frank can have a little breathing room....guess who?
It appears Mr. A's interests will have quite the payday from MJ - dead or alive.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
dmw--
I understand where you are coming from. We've been very lucky with the tablemates we've had on "Traditional" dining (except when we were given a table for two!! We fixed that VERY quickly!). You might well enjoy "My Time Dining" (or one of the similar programs) which lets you choose what time and what sort of table you want in the main dining room. That way if you find people you enjoy you can stay with them. If not you can move on.
The "Roll Calls" do get to be a bit like adult summer camp with quite a bit of chat about packing, etc., but we have also found great information on ports, hotels, independent tours, etc. there. Give it a try. There is nothing to prevent you from "lurking".
Frank in sunny SBA where we are all breathing a bit easier!
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1959: ...They don't realize that there is a distinct difference between being lonely, and being alone. As the saying goes, 'I'm never alone, I am with my own best friend'........Thats just me.
Mr. DMW, I appreciate your willingness to step up here at the Forum and say as you have....and in my case as well, "That's just me".
I am about eighteen years older than are you, I've never married, and for that matter never voluntarily shared a domicile with any other person. I defer to the twelve or so here who know me face to face to decide to what extent I can be considered "sociable".
My "social climbing" Mother and Father simply "couldn't understand it"
So go on your cruise, enjoy it, and don't let the "Fun Squad" or any of the characters out of that flick "Out to Sea" I noted earlier corral you. They are in all likelihood acting in good faith, but they "just don't know".
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
I also dont like going to employers Christmas Parties and company picnics. Hate the fake camaraderie that invariably surfaces after everyone's had a few drinks.
And believe it or not, with all this talk of cruising I have booked 2 cruises for next Fall. Found some really good deals. Now I really have something to look forward to!
quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman:
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1959: ...They don't realize that there is a distinct difference between being lonely, and being alone. As the saying goes, 'I'm never alone, I am with my own best friend'........Thats just me.
Mr. DMW, I appreciate your willingness to step up here at the Forum and say as you have....and in my case as well, "That's just me".
I am about eighteen years older than are you, I've never married, and for that matter never voluntarily shared a domicile with any other person. I defer to the twelve or so here who know me face to face to decide to what extent I can be considered "sociable".
My "social climbing" Mother and Father simply "couldn't understand it"
So go on your cruise, enjoy it, and don't let the "Fun Squad" or any of the characters out of that flick "Out to Sea" I noted earlier corral you. They are in all likelihood acting in good faith, but they "just don't know".
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
It's been awhile since I first started this thread, and recently came back from two weeks vacation. I cruised the Celebrity MERCURY Dec. 11-20, 2010 from Baltimore (9-nights in a wonderful Balcony stateroom) and had 4-nights pre- and post-cruise hotel in Baltimore. Here are some pictures I took along the way in Baltimore, of the NS SAVANNAH, and during the 9-nights on the cruise ship and ports of call. I wanted so badly to take an ACELA while in Baltimore down to DC just to experience it but never found the time to squeeze it in. I did see the Penn Station in Pittsburgh, the exterior more interesting than that of the interior.
GREAT pictures! Thanks for posting them. It's good to see that although Mercury is one of the smaller and older ships in the fleet Celebrity is doing a great job of maintaining her.
The Coco Cay pictures brought back great memories of a stop there a year ago December when we were on Azamara Journey. We had to cut short the stop because of a front that was moving in but we still enjoyed the visit.
The "Tempest" pictures are wonderful! How long did this last? We've never had seas that rough including going around Cape Horn.
I'm having hip surgery next month so we don't have anything booked until 17 nights HNL-SYD on Radiance of the Seas in late September. I'm hopeful, though, that we can work a couple of short ones in in April or May.
I'm also looking at taking the Indian-Pacific from Sydney to Perth to rejoin Radiance for the cruise around the southern half of Australia and South Island New Zealand. We did the Ghan from Sydney to Alice Springs in 2001 and very much enjoyed it.
Frank in sunny and drying SBA
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
HI Frank, THANK YOU for taking the time to look at my pictures. The Celebrity MERCURY is an OUTSTANDING ship, perfect size and VERY well maintained even after 13 years. Sadly her career with Celebrity Cruises is at and end. She departs the fleet next month and after a long shipyard conversion will emerge in May as the Mein Schiff 2 for the German cruise line TUI, a wholy owned subsidiary of RCCL. Her sister the GALAXY is over there now as Mein Schiff having departed the Celebrity Cruises fleet in 2009.
Our bad weather on the first full day at sea lasted for the better part of the entire day, starting up around 3am and ending around 10pm, the very worst of the weather lasting for about 3-4 hours. The sequence of pictures shows the build up quite well.
The Radiance of the Seas is a beautiful ship and those sea/rail itineraries look quite marvelous. I hope to see pictures after your return either here or at Cruise Critic. I had to look up on Wikipedia the Ghan and Indian-Pacific. They look quite nice and the routes amazing! How did it compare to AMTRAK here in the US?
The Celebrity MERCURY anchored off CoCo Cay during my cruise Dec. 11-20, 2010
Me, posing with the ever present camera around my neck Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Thanks for the response and pictures. I never get tired of travel whether it be in person or vicariously.
Let's see, with Mercury leaving and Galaxy gone that leaves only Century and it's headed to Australia and New Zealand but will stay with Celebrity.
We've done three cruises on Radiance already and it's a tie with Celebrity Constellation as our favorite ship. Radiance is going in for three weeks of refurbishment before the Alaska season starts. They are upgrading the cabins and playing around with a couple of the dining venues. I am hopeful that they won't mess up the ambiance of being a ship not a Las Vegas hotel.
We really enjoyed the trip on the Ghan. At that time it ran from Sydney to Alice Springs via Adelaide. Now the route is Adelaide straight on through to Darwin. The equipment they use is older, perhaps mid-50's to 60's but very well maintained. The loos are of the "Don't flush while the train is in the station" type. Since the trip was a pre-retirement one for me we splurged and got the one Deluxe Cabin. It had it's own shower and toilet, a dressing table with TV above and a VCR. There was also a small table and two chairs and a double sized bed with a pull down twin.
The service was very Aussie. Excellent but with no pretension at all. The meals were all included and were excellent. I haven't ridden on the VIA trains but I expect the menus, quality and presentation would be comparable.
That said, it is not inexpensive. And, sadly, because of Australian law, the "Pensioner" rates can't be offered to non-Australian citizens. There was an interesting mix of passengers with lots of Brits and retired Aussies. We were the only Americans on board for that particular run.
We spent a night in Alice (Certainly enough time...) and then did a coach tour to Uluru/Ayers Rock. We spent three nights there before flying back to Alice and on to Darwin. A total of three nights there with another three on a coach tour of Kakadu National Park. We connected in Darwin with a mate who is from Perth. It was great to enjoy a part of the country he'd never seen. And it was good to have someone along who "spoke the language". He helped me understand the difference between "a schooner" and "a middy" when ordering beer!
My horoscope for today is: Part of the appeal of travel is that you don't know what to expect. You can choose your destination, but you can't choose your adventure. Plan your next trip.
I'm doing that right now!
Frank in sunny and cool SBA
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
This should be a worthwhile read for our Love Tub afficiandos around here:
I've had two "Trans-At" sailings in this life, both during 1960; s/s Rotterdam and s/s Constitution. I hold favorable memories of both X-ings to this day.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Mr. Norman--
Thanks for the link to the article. I need to re-read it later in the day when I have a bit more time.
Also thanks for the link to "The Only Way to Cross". I came across my copy the other day and plan to spend some time with it during my hip surgery convalescence. I also came across my copy of Mr. Kisor's "Zephyr" book.
I was surprised by the wide variety of prices for "The Only Way to Cross" on Amazon. I guess it's a question of condition and edition.
Frank in cool and cloudy SBA
Posted by David (Member # 3) on :
I was fortunate to get a copy of "The only way to Cross" when it was first published. Mr Maxtone-Graham wrote a follow-up called "Liners to the Sun" which I regret I did not not buy because I much prefer ocean crossings to cruises. The library of the Queen Mary 2 has a copy of this book, the first half of which I read on a crossing in May 2009 and the second part a year later. It was far more interesting than I had expected; there is much content about liner voyages as well as cruises.
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
Sorry for the delayed response, been busy at work and planning another vacation.
THANKS Frank for the details of your amazing Aussie trip, one I fear I personally will never realize. I am green with envy! And I imagine your pictures are remarkable.
I don't know if Stourbridge Lion is still out there but you may be interested to know that Grand Princess is having her 'shopping cart handle' removed.
THANKS Mr. Norman for the links. I remember reading 'The Only Way to Cross' and 'Liners to the Sun' when they were first published. Both are excellent books and offer a brilliant history and transition from 'crossing' to 'cruising'. Both are highly recommended.
As for my next big vacation, I am booked on another cruise for late this year (December again), 9-nights on the Celebrity MILLENNIUM out of Miami doing a back-to-back; four ports of call and three full days at sea plus a turn-around day in Miami between sailings. It will entail my first flight in nearly 8 years although I am looking at stretching the trip out a bit and riding the Silver Meteor back to Baltimore (with an overnight or two), then a bus back to WV. I have only done the Silver Service as far as Tampa (southbound) and thought the train ride would be a nice way to end a cruise and two weeks off on holiday?
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
