Would you go on a world cruise?
Posted October 18th, 2009 by liz
I’ve never given much thought to going on a cruise. It’s always been something that I associated with swinging singles (think Love Boat) and older, retired couples.
My parents, who fall in that older, retired couples category, discovered cruising earlier this year, taking a trip from Australia to Japan and China via numerous islands. They loved it, so much so, that even before they disembarked in Sydney, they had booked a berth on next year’s Dawn Princess world cruise. It was going to be highlight of their year. But it’s a highlight that, sadly, my Dad, who passed away last month after a brief illness, won’t be able to participate in. Dad, who would have been the first to say ‘life goes on’, is, I’m sure, smiling somewhere in the knowledge that Mom is still planning on taking the cruise.
But while my Mom is probably one of the most independent women I know, she really doesn’t want to go on this cruise alone. So, after much family discussion, it’s been decided that I am the most logical person to go with her.
Now, being offered the chance to go on a world cruise isn’t something that any sane person would turn down. But I must admit, I’ve been tempted to say thanks but I’d rather not.
It’s just that I have some reservations about the whole cruise thing, especially about sleeping in a windowless room the size of a matchbox for a month and a half. And being totally at sea for days on end. And travelling with my Mom (last time we did that I was 12). And being disconnected from the internet (and thus the world).
So, what would you do? Would you go on a world cruise?
And more to the point, would you travel with your mother?
Related posts:
- What Travel Books Would You Take on a World Cruise?
- Weekly Green Travel News: Cruise ships, Kyoto, Galapagos Islands, and more…
- Why You Should Consider a Cruise to Haiti Now
- Who Wins in the ‘Best [Travel] Job in the World’ Campaigns ?
October 19th, 2009 at 4:53 am
Just looking at that huge floating hotel makes me cringe, but a free trip is a free trip—I would go. You’ll probably have fun regardless, especially if you have time to get out of the ports on land and get beyond the disgorged crowds. And you can get online easily when you’re not at sea. (Even at sea if you’re willing to cough up the money.)
October 19th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Don’t look at it as confinement but rather as a bonding experience with your mom.
1 month to just be together, talk, share, reminisce.
Plus it’s free.
This is how travel books get written
– Unusual travel experiences, an interesting/endearing character, and an opportunity to connect on various levels.
October 25th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Lola, you’re absolutely right – opportunities like this don’t come around that often. And who know’s what stories I can come up with along the way.
Plus I’m sure that I’ll get over the ’small room’ claustrophobia feeling once the cruise begins and it will be great to spend time with Mom.
November 1st, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Go!! A ship is huge, so don’t worry about the cabin, you will find you spend little time there. During sea days there are so many different activities you only go to the cabin to change, or nap. You can lounge around open air pools, live shows, info sessions, jog around the decks – plus which you will meet all sorts of interesting people, as will your mother. Most cruises I’ve been on have seen people ranging from kids to seniors, including every stage in between. Join some folks you meet on board for shore excursions, it makes life interesting. Enjoy.
January 11th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Ya, there are a lot of facilities you could enjoy. Try to mingle with people on the pool side. Socializing with new people always be a fun thing to do.