Crusies? No thanks. Floating in a giant disease cesspool full of trash touristas that don't actually see anything other than crappy tourist knick knack shops and bars when they go to port? You couldn't pay me to do that.
Be a traveler, not a tourist.
All your concerns are valid. I came up lower middle class and worked my way to upper middle class. Odd parents, one a German citizen and the other a naturalized Dane. They did the best they could, but we ended up in the US and pops eventually moved to Switzerland, became a citizen and lived a comfortable life until he passed in 1992. As a child/teenager, I was fortunate enough to visit during school holidays and one extended summer. I chose a blue collar profession and became well skilled. I stayed at work so long as the bs factor was directly in negative proportion to the money paid on pay days. I had the 'opportunity' to work for many companies and ran my own businesses for about a third of my working years. (I was in auto repair, both mechanical and collision)
Anyhow about ten-twelve year ago, the missus talked me into joining her for a cruise to Bermuda. Flight from Dulles to Ft. Lauderdale and picked up the ship. I have developed a keen eye for observing my fellow travelers. Traveling people pack all they think they will need and that leaves very little space for courtesy and common sense. From the time you enter the transportation system, you need to steel yourself to the things and people that you will interact with. At age 45 or so. I was equipped with a good deal of patience (not a strong suit to begin with), and the ability to 'turn the other cheek and bite my tongue.) As I got older this reserve of goodwill was drained, so that by the time of (hopefully) my last cruise, I was not the most well behaved cruiser.
I am on board with much of your critique of the cruise business. From the beginning of the travel, (arrival at the airport), not to mention the days of preparation, finding temp home for pets, packing, cutting off papers and mail delivery and generally getting your mind right to the 'adventure' to begin. Then there is the mode of travel to begin with. Early on we flew "steerage." Economy to the carriers. Miserable and not conducive to patience or good behavior. Then the carriers began to separate the riff-raff from those who were ok spending more to get 2" more of legroom, a preferred seat or other amenities that the carriers thought the traveling public would tolerate. WE looked at the upgrades to Business Class and even First Class. We were NO WAY going to pay that kind of money for 6-8 hours of travel! Well we tried it once and justified the cost somehow. You get a better seat, included alcohol and a smaller ratio of passengers to crapper. It is still a test. Some folks feel that when traveling, anything goes. I will get on to the cruises we have gone on. The behavior of travelers in airports, before and after arrival is another topic.
The Bermuda trip was ok. We docked and stayed for 2-3 days. Some folks never left the confines of the boat. "I'm not paying for meals that I have already paid for." We walked all over the island and I enjoyed myself. Over the next 10-12 years, the missus got me to travel overseas at least twice annually. When younger and more agile we would cruise and 'free style.' Free style meant car rental and packing and unpacking every few days. Did I mention my missus? She is the best. We Drove across France, (the French people we met in the interior of the country were a stark contrast to those in large urban centers.) I stood on Omaha Beach 65 years to the day and hour of the events that occurred there. I have driven the AutoBahn, I recommend it! We free styled once a year and then we cruised the other. Benefits of boat cruising: pack/unpack less, destinations that you probably wouldn't get to on your own, local guides that are well worth the trip. The good guides, by far out number any marginal ones. The largest line we cruised was Carnival/Celebrity to the Caribbean. Panama Canal was nice to see, we traversed the eastern lock and were bussed to the western one, although the ends of the Panama Canal tend to be more north and south.
Seen: Norway, Iceland, Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands,( I don't want to bore the non interested, if you want more info PM me)
Conclusionis that my goodwill to my fellow man has run out. I just became eligible for Medicare and have found that the older I have gotten, the looser my lips have gotten.. If you are able to order from the menu as you would on a special occasion at a high line restaurant: covering up the right side, where the prices are listed. Go to places that you are interested in seeing, not only where your wallet will take you. It is an activity for younger more patient people. Those quick to offense or anger should be careful.
Anyhow my story, partially....................
