I love to cruise do you?

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It's serious pollution..

Aveline I'm assuming you've just responded to my post without reading the link or doing any research yourself?

Think outside the box for a moment - from the mining and processing of raw materials to make the ships and everything in them; the the amount of diesel used; the food waste; the human waste; I could go on....instead you may like to read this, from Friends of the Earth, 14 March 2022:

"How Much Sewage Do Cruise Ships Dump?

More than a billion gallons of sewage are dumped into the ocean annually. This sewage is not only full of human waste, but also chemicals, pharmaceuticals, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and hazardous waste. And many cruise ships lack the sewage treatment facilities to adequately filter out toxins.

The increased waste in the ocean adds to the problem of pollution and oxygen depletion in the waters. Added nitrogen and phosphorus allow for algae blooms — which can suffocate coral reefs, manatees, shellfish, and fish.

Cruise ships often use cheap, dirty, heavy fuel to power their engines. And their smokestacks must be cleaned to remove the harmful elements from the exhaust. So cruise ships have implemented using scrubbers to “clean” their dirty fuel air emissions. This allows the cruise liners to continue to burn cheaper, more harmful fuel. And the water used in the “scrubber” process is then discharged into the ocean adding more pollution to the already polluted waters. These scrubbers emit acidic wastewater that is warmer than ambient sea water and contains heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), suspended particulate matter, and nitrates, all of which are harmful to the marine environment."

I despair that we humans seem to be developing ostrich-like DNA

Fear of open water/deep sea is an understandable reason not to want to try a cruise Blondiescot. I sometimes suffer from 'mal de mer' but it doesn't put me off. I was told that the best way to avoid seasickness was to sit under a tree!
We're currently just trying to decide which river cruise to do next. I'm enjoying just browsing the websites and imagining which to choose.

I think we all have likes and dislikes. I did my first conventional cruise last summer, one week to southern Norway on the QM2,

The ship and everything about it was wonderful, food, accommodation etc, the places we visited were fascinating and we were also able to meet up with old friends, but essentially I was bored. Too much time doing/seeing nothing.

We have done more unconventional cruises, including the Nile (no murders!), no sea time and plenty to see and the Norwegian winter coast hop on Hurtigruten, when the ships were like over sized Brittany Ferries with no entertainment but 2 or 3 different stops a day with loading and unloading of freight and passengers. DS has done it since and was disappointed because it is now more a conventional cruise in a conventional cruising ship.

The other point of our conventonal cruise (with DD) we all, conventional returned home with COVID and I am beginning to think the sudden deterioration of my health, since then is associated with COVID

Fear of water is a very good reason not to cruise. I absolutely hate small boats and can get extremely upset and agitated if I’m on one and it rocks at all. Therefore I avoid going on small boats, particularly if there’s any swell. However, I don’t know why but I feel very safe on a cruise ship. I’ve never been in a storm on a cruise ship although there have been times when it’s rocked a bit and the access to the outside decks has been restricted for safety reasons. I became afraid of boats after the Townsend Thorenson ferry went down. The coverage on television horrified me. At that time we used to use the ferry to cross over to mainland Europe every year, pulling our trailer tent and later our caravan. We had three very small children and I watched them like a hawk during the crossing and planned my escape route just in case. This was what started my fear of boats, especially if they rock, but cruise ships don’t bring about that same fear in me. If I’m ever in a bad storm I may change my mind.

I’ve been on a lot of cruises and consider myself very fortunate. I’m going again next month. This topic seems to bring out some very extreme views. Of course cruising isn’t for everyone but why not live and let live? There are a lot of holidays I would rather not have such as remote cottages, camping and caravan trips. For me a cruise is an opportunity to glimpse some beautiful places and escape from my routine at home. There is so much to do but I often opt for nothing much. It’s such a wonderful feeling to wake up to so many different views and options to explore. As for other people, DH and I are happy to be together but enjoy an opportunity to chat with others. You can learn so very much from these chance encounters.

It does us good to get out of our comfort zone occasionally

Blondiescot, being out of your comfort zone for long stretches of time is a sensible reason for not doing something.

Norah

Blondiescot

Germanshepherdsmum

I think those of us who like to be alone and choose what we do, where we go and who if anyone we talk to are unlikely to be happy on a cruise - let alone the potential for infection. We are solitary people and happy that way. A recent cruise advert mentioned ‘just 900 (plus) like minded people’. I think not.

With you all the way on that. I can just about bear being on a plane with a couple of hundred other people for a few hours if it means I'll get to my holiday destination, but even that is just a bit too 'peopley' for my liking.
And as for not being 'trapped', well if you're out at sea and decide you really can't stand it any longer, what are you supposed to do?

For us, nobody else it seems, the idea that we couldn't swim to shore is daunting. Smaller 150-200 people river cruising is a lovely choice.

It's personal, some may want to dress for dinner on the high seas and attend 'shows' - I'm happy they have the choice!

I'm all for choice - horses for courses and all that. I'm honestly not knocking cruising that if that is literally what floats your boat. River cruising I could possibly just about handle. The one on the Norwegian Fjords which my in-laws did was a very small boat, but actually being out at sea would be way beyond my comfort zone. The very idea of it freaks me out.

If all the cruise ship passengers stayed at home and produced the usual amount of rubbish and effluent and used up the usual amount of fuel and electricity it probably cancels out any potential cruise ship pollution.

Not for me as I'm concerned about the climate emergency the world is experiencing.

If you are concerned too then you may like to read this - don't live in ignorance:

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X21010134

Now you're eyes have been opened, cancel your cruises!

Here's an extract:

*CLIA also said it would join the Global Maritime Forum’s Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonization, making zero-emission vessels and fuels the default choice by 2030.

But the industry has its work cut out to reduce its environmental impacts. According to a recent study published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, a large cruise ship can have a carbon footprint greater than 12,000 cars, while passengers on an Antarctic cruise can produce as much CO2 emissions on a seven-day voyage as the average European in an entire year, the study said. Meanwhile, the industry is a major producer of waste, with the total amount of rubbish produced by a large cruise ship exceeding a ton per day.*

Perhaps some posters aren’t really people themselves.

Blondiescot

Germanshepherdsmum

I think those of us who like to be alone and choose what we do, where we go and who if anyone we talk to are unlikely to be happy on a cruise - let alone the potential for infection. We are solitary people and happy that way. A recent cruise advert mentioned ‘just 900 (plus) like minded people’. I think not.

With you all the way on that. I can just about bear being on a plane with a couple of hundred other people for a few hours if it means I'll get to my holiday destination, but even that is just a bit too 'peopley' for my liking.
And as for not being 'trapped', well if you're out at sea and decide you really can't stand it any longer, what are you supposed to do?

For us, nobody else it seems, the idea that we couldn't swim to shore is daunting. Smaller 150-200 people river cruising is a lovely choice.

It's personal, some may want to dress for dinner on the high seas and attend 'shows' - I'm happy they have the choice!

We love cruises, the food the entertainment, dressing for dinner , cocktails around the pool, great value for money

Germanshepherdsmum

I think those of us who like to be alone and choose what we do, where we go and who if anyone we talk to are unlikely to be happy on a cruise - let alone the potential for infection. We are solitary people and happy that way. A recent cruise advert mentioned ‘just 900 (plus) like minded people’. I think not.

With you all the way on that. I can just about bear being on a plane with a couple of hundred other people for a few hours if it means I'll get to my holiday destination, but even that is just a bit too 'peopley' for my liking.
And as for not being 'trapped', well if you're out at sea and decide you really can't stand it any longer, what are you supposed to do?

grannymags

I’m with you lilypollen it’s our little week of luxury and I say to the doubters don’t knock it till you’ve tried it hope you have a wonderful time

Exactly. People who have never tried it are not speaking from experience. We never came across any infection and the ships were immaculate.

We had our first cruise reluctantly years ago, we had decided that we couldn't go abroad again because of health problems but cruising opened new doors. We loved it, you can make the experience what you want it to be plus you get to places that would have otherwise been inaccessible. I've seen the gold room in the Hermitage in St Petersburg, seals on ice floes, the Blarney stone and a whole lot more. Sadly our cruising days are over but we have good memories.

I think those of us who like to be alone and choose what we do, where we go and who if anyone we talk to are unlikely to be happy on a cruise - let alone the potential for infection. We are solitary people and happy that way. A recent cruise advert mentioned ‘just 900 (plus) like minded people’. I think not.

Aveline
I think these people who trot out these comments don’t realise how huge these ships are.
I think the the last one we went on carried 4,000 passengers. I often wondered where they all were.
Even on the excursions it wasn’t over crowded.
I had a cruise on a small ship on the Yanktze. If there was someone you didn’t like there was nowhere to hide.

I’m with you lilypollen it’s our little week of luxury and I say to the doubters don’t knock it till you’ve tried it hope you have a wonderful time

Aveline

'Trapped' . There speaks another one who's never been on a cruise! Just waiting for the classic 'floating Petri dish' to be trotted out.

People! 😲

Perhaps some posters aren't really people themselves . 🥶 😁

'Trapped' . There speaks another one who's never been on a cruise! Just waiting for the classic 'floating Petri dish' to be trotted out.

Never been on one, never want to go on one. The thought of being trapped on a boat with people.....ugh! The only upside I could see would be the photo ops during the stops, but even that couldn't entice me. Nope, far too people-ly!

We've done a lot of cruises and absolutely love it . We do prefer the smaller ships but have been on larger ones too. There's always places to go for entertainment or peace and quiet, whichever you prefer. I have food allergies and have always found that they give me the menu the day before so that I can make my choices and the food can be prepared for me.