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Gwyneth Jones's avatar

Love this! Sometimes you have to try different styles of things just to see what they are all about. Its like when people go to Honolulu, stay in a big hotel and then complain it was too touristy. UM, ya. That's why *you* went! As for cruising, did it change your life? Sounds like a no. Did you (eventually after a short and understandable adjustment period) enjoy yourself, learn some stuff and see cool things? Yes. So, you are still winning at travel! Plus, you are probably a bit more well rested which is also important on a long trip. Well done!

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Sheila Bodner's avatar

Justin - Telling stories is your superpower! Lovely to read.

(P.S. Have you lost weight? Are you eating enough?)

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Liseanne's avatar

On a long trip, I’ve taken a vacation from the vacation. Never a cruise so far, but other easy, comfortable, stationary interludes, often involving a nice location, a swimming pool and several nights in the same bed. It’s a good strategy.

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Bill Lee's avatar

Measuring a ship/boat in feet.

The world is metric as Mr. McElroy found out and know

The shlp/boat/cruiser in mettric.

Launched: October 15, 2006

Length: 294 m

Capacity: 2,394 passengers

Christened: 16 December 2006

Crew: 1,099

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Billy5959's avatar

This was a lovely read, and your kind words about the cruise ship tourists were a welcome surprise! I also like to think of myself as a "solo traveller" (in that I do impromptu things like go to the end of any bus route to see what is there) but I hate the sneering that most travel writers do about package holiday-makers. Everyone who leaves the house and seeks a new view is an explorer, of a kind.

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Practical Globetrotters's avatar

Love this post! Just read it after posting my own experience cruising for the first time. We aren't cruisers either, but ended up enjoying the experience enough to do it again. But we're only into using cruising as transportation at this point. Heading to Argentina in less than a couple of weeks on a cruise ship. So much less traumatic than over 24 hours of flying and just about the same price!

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Laurie McGuinness's avatar

Great pics.

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Darrin Rigo's avatar

"The people were too loud and too friendly and none of them were neurotic Millennials who enjoyed ranking things, and I am stuck with them and this boat and this 7.5 out of 10 butter chicken buffet dish..."

This is poetry.

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Mike Clarke's avatar

A joy to read, Justin. Thanks from the rest of us “plebes” (or just little ‘ol me) for being there to share it with us.

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