4,197 passengers and crew had to be evacuated. So far 16 people have died, including 15 passengers and one crewman; 64 others were injured (three seriously) and 17 are missing. Word is that the Captain, in his infinite wisdom, decided to ignore the computers that were telling him the correct route to follow to avoid rocks so that he could show off for people on the nearby island. (Note to self: If I ever become a ship captain, dont do that) According to first hand reports the rest of the crew aboard the Concordia acted amazingly. Not enough good things can be said about how the crew reacted in this emergency.
That brings me to the question at hand: Has this put me off cruising?
Answer: AN EMPHATIC NO!
Here is the why: Since 1979, only 4 ships of major cruise lines have sunk (including the Concordia). Compared to any other form of travel, this is simply amazing. Accidents happen. Planes crash, boats sink, cars and buses crash, and trains derail. Thats just a fact of life and the risk one takes when traveling. Lets focus on the positives of cruising!
It is one of the least expensive ways to vacation. We took the kids on a cruise as our big "gift" for Christmas this year. We went in November. It was for 8 days, 7 nights, on the Carnival Liberty. It was, by far, the best vacation we have had to date. We went to Cozumel Mexico, Grand Cayman Islands, Roatan Bay Honduras, and Belize. We got to do things that we would be hard pressed to do here. In Honduras, we chartered Victor Bodden Tours to take us anywhere we wanted to go on the island ($60 for the entire day). We got to play with monkeys. Really, how often do you get to look at a complete stranger and say "Would you like to touch my monkey?" and not get slapped???
My 14 year old son, who eats like a horse, got to eat anything and everything he could get his hands on. 24/7. Most importantly, we got to have family time. At the age of our kids, we don't have much time left to do things like this. They will be grown and going off to college soon enough.
All the onboard entertainment (i.e. magicians, shows, bands, DJ's, swimming pools, hot tubs) were included. All the food was included. All for less than $1,400, total, for all 4 of us, not each. Of course, this didn't include the money we spent on land, getting to the ship, alcohol on board (the biggest expense for most people), casino money (my personal favorite since I won quite a bit), ect.
This was my 5th cruise and my wife's 7th. The kids have been on several as well. Compared to a certain Mickey Mouse operation down south, other all-inclusive vacations, or renting a house at the beach, these all pale in comparison to cruises (in my opinion).
If you have never cruised before, do yourself a favor, save some money, book one and go. Even a short cruise (2-3 day) is amazing fun and frankly, less than what you would spend on a nice hotel.
How about you? Have you been on a cruise? Whats your best vacation? Comment below!
Now I will have facts to help convince Gramps a Cruise is a very good idea~ Thanks again Jesse!
ReplyDeletemy kids are at the age (teenage) where they want to take friends along on vacation....so, we tend to go with the rent a beach house or condo route.
ReplyDeleteIf you go that route, i recommend St. George Island (very family friendly) in Florida. Best place to take a family vacation if you can't cruise...
My husband is terrified and wont get on a boat, ship, or anything else that would mean is out on the ocean. I would love to go on a cruise though so next time u go invite your little sister and nephew. Please and thank u :) also I agree with u. Just bc something bad happened recently on a cruise ship shouldn't turn u off from.something u love. Life is to short to live in fear. Enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteWhat is he afraid of? Can he swim? They now cruise out of NY, so its a lot closer to you than it used to be. Tell him to man up!
DeleteSharks. Even though he doesn't have to get in the water he is still terrified bc sharks are in the water. Yea he can swim. He would have an anxiety attack before he even got on the ship. No manning up for him. Sometimes I forget I'm the woman in this relationship. Hehehe. But in case he reads this, I love him anyway.
DeleteWhere did you find a deal like that?! $1400 for 8 days, with a family of 4... wow! Best I can find is around $4000 for a week cruise. I'd love to try a family cruise vacation. nice post btw.
ReplyDeleteI usually book last minute so I find better deals, but in just checking the sites I usually check here is something:
ReplyDelete7 Night Western Caribbean (Miami roundtrip)
Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Lines
Cruise Ship: Carnival Liberty
1 Miami, Florida --- 4:00 p.m.
2 At Sea --- ---
3 Cozumel, Mexico 7:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
4 Belize City, Belize 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
5 Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras 7:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
6 George Town, Grand Cayman 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m.
7 At Sea --- ---
8 Miami, Florida 8:00 a.m. ---
Departure: 11/03/2012
Cruise Length: 7 Nights
# Passengers: 4
Dining Pref: Early Dining (around 6:00pm)
Stateroom Category: 4A
Stateroom Number: 1463
Cruise Subtotal: $1,476.00
Tax: $391.88
Total: $1,867.88
This was the exact cruise we took this past November. It was cheaper before and if you keep watch, the prices fluctuate and it will go down.
When a colleague of mine at work emigrated from US to Aus, he chose to float. He does not fly, and he had two surfboards and all his belongings to transfer.
ReplyDeleteHis itinery took him omst of a month, as they island hopped, and he reckoned the cost for Two cabins, (one for his stuff) and 2 passengers, was cheaper than 2 one way flights and a container for his stuff.
And they loved it. He surfed almost every day, knocked loads of breaks off his bucket list, and didnt have the jetlag thing to cope with.
Good job on the Blog Jesse.
Greg Abbott