no such thing as "accidentally booking". it was a deliberate attempt to create content showing your likes & dislikes. After several videos your conclusion about cruise hols was correct,so you were proving a point
@TravelBeans this is my first time ever hearing of Airalo - what a fantastic idea! Alex, I am right with you re those intrusive thoughts around heights. I also feel that pull, like the void is pulling me over the edge. It's like subconsciously my mind is focused on that sensation of going over the edge and falling all the way down (based on my fear of heights no doubt), so I feel like my body is being pulled over. Awful feeling.
Thats what i love but not what I love the most. I loved the restraunts and midnight buffets etc. It was great. But we have not been a cruise in 9 years. Been 7. was on the black watch, the boudicca and the Balmoral. All inclusive just the once. was a bad idea because over did it and also my baileys wasnt on the list for all inclusive. had to drink some other one I didn;t like so much. But for me the food has to be at the top of the list. Second getting up and not having to do a thing :) Then getting off at different places, it was pretty exciting. I miss it we will need to go another one its been too long.
The cool thing about a cruise is you get a small taste of different cities/countries. It enables you to decide which of those countries you’d like to go back to & explore more.
Yep! Oh I’ve been to ‘Spain’ for 5 minutes with 600 others ‘Italy’ for 5 minutes with 700 others, boy I’ve ’traveled’ the world on a cruise! Yep that’s really getting to know other countries. Living aboard with thousands of people with obnoxious brats, disgusting attitudes - with bugger all on board to do. keep it pls keep it.
I'm sorry you were bored. There weren't heaps of activities on my cruise/days at sea, either, but I loved just lying about on deck in the sun, relaxing, reading, taking it easy and just doing nothing. I did some aerobics and enjoyed the stationary bike whilst looking at the sea...it was amazing.
Like your videos, thanks for posting. We went on our first cruise to the Mediterranean last fall. We chose NCL aboard the Epic, a much hated boat. We loved it, the cabin reminded us of our RV. We are destination oriented so we really just need a place to sleep and shower and get back to it. We tried a Transatlantic in spring this year and are booked for two more next year. You have to find a line that suits you. It takes some time, Sea sickness is really the only hurdle. I love the motion, my better half is only slightly affected. We did cross paths with a Costa ship in port and the two ships went nuts whistling and cheering, it was awesome. Safe travels you three.....
The night my father died, my mother said that she never got to go on a cruise with him because he was sick for 15 years. So my wife and I bought her a cruise to Alaska. 8 of us went with her, I was bummed spending 30K on a trip what I deemed, "An Old Fogy trip." Wow was I wrong. What a blast. We all had the most fun I have ever had. When the trip was over, I wanted to climb back on the ship and go back for another two weeks.
Open your mind and look for new adventures. I have over 500 Sea days and signed up for another 25 days in the next 90 days. No interest in cruising with the " Beans " type of " Wet Blanket Cruisers "
Was that a Princess Cruise? I'm planning on an Alaska Cruise next year, and Princess is kind of the default, but they have a reputation of being an "older person's" cruise line.
@@diesixdie2 I see the demographics is pretty well spread overall ages, tending to be a little older without the wild reputation of some cruise lines They actually have some of the best permits for glacier viewing in Alaska
@@diesixdie2 "Princess is kind of the default" - Oh no, no....Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Celebrity Cruises all go to Alaska as well. I personally found Princess to skew towards older people for sure. I've only been on Princess once and I saw a huge number of older people (65+) onboard. I also found it to be quite boring, but perhaps that was just the particular cruise I happen to have been on.
I love the days at sea, but that is because I love the peace and tranquility of just watching the ocean, reading a book, taking in a show or playing trivia. This cruise just looked packed at all the available places and boring as hell. At least you had a balcony. I always get inside staterooms and then find a place on the ship to chill. Getting off at the ports is great, but doing an excursion that is on your bucket list is fantastic. Swim with dolphins, whale watching, nature hikes, city tours. This cruise and all the late night stuff just wasn’t your cup of tea and this cruise ship just wasn’t a good fit for The Beans!!!
Definitely do a river cruise! You wake up every morning in a different city and you can walk right off the boat into the city. We love them. Also, lovely meeting you guys at Karl’s wedding! ❤
Good for you to give it a go ! We are land lovers so definitely not everyone’s cup of tea ! Road tripin gives you the freedom to change your mind and itinerary but a cruise is a nightmare trip for my free spirit. I love watching whatever it is that make people happy traveling.
My girlfriend and I had a great time literally doing nothing on a cruise. Just eating drinking and watching the ocean and views. I could see how someone who likes to keep busy and doesn't drink might hate being on a cruise!
Never ever leave the ship without your passports!! It’s like cruising 101. If for any reason you don’t make it back to ship on time, or you fall sick off the ship, you’re stuck without it!
I prefer to have a copy of my passport in my phone. I do the same for other important documents, a copy is in my phone. I would not recommend to carry your passport around while touring. I keep my passport locked in the safe or hide it appropriately.m
Actually, if you miss the ship, the cruise will leave your passport with the port authority. That is why most cruise lines tell you to leave the passport in your safe. And yes, have a copy on your phone. The recent family in Alaska was missing a passport--ie the cruise line could not find their passport--apparently it wasn't in the safe. We cruise often, and this is common knowledge.
i don't think that's a bad cruise it's just that you are not cruise ship people. and that's totally ok. cruise ships are to relax in a beach chair, eat lots of food, and maybe do land excursions. but if you don't enjoy staying put, then just travel by train or airplane!
I used Airalo for the first time in April when I was visiting my daughter in the UK and son in Sweden. It was so much easier than having to get new sim cards in every new country. i am 72 and this was my first overseas trip since 2015. I live in Canada.
I used it last week in luxembourg for a few days. It was so easy. I usually get a sim at airports but I'm a convert now. Will use this every time I go away.
MobiMatter is similar to Airalo but it offers more options and better prices, though it’s less simple to use. I’m comfortable with tech and it’s worked well for me on several trips in Europe and Asia. Here’s how they compare if - for example - you need an eSIM that works in Italy: •Airalo offers 6 eSIMs that work in Italy, but nowhere else (they don’t offer any Europe-wide eSIMs). The cheapest 20GB plan is $33. •MobiMatter offers 40+ eSIMs that work anywhere in Europe (they don’t offer any Italy-only eSIMs). The cheapest 20GB plan is $20.
OMG I can't help but chuckle, I was exactly the same on my first cruise. Stick with it, you will figure it all out and be seasoned cruisers before you know it!
You all did very well for your first cruise and are very charming. This is my first vlog and I’m now a subscriber. I did so much research before my first cruise and knew I had to check in at the terminal when you arrive. You are now seasoned cruiser cruisers and your next cruise will be so easy. Looking forward to more vlogs. Cheers.
You hit the nail on the head when you were talking about how you don’t get enough time in each port. I always call it a “sampler platter” and why the itinerary is so important to me. I don’t want to be “at sea” too long and I want stops that give at least 8 hours at a location (usually the most you’re going to get). Like I commented on your other video, I hope you give it another chance. Now that you know a little of what it’s like, you can choose more wisely on the next one.
As a family with kids you should try a Disney cruise! My wife and I really enjoy them. They also have kids clubs and a nursery(although the nursery does cost extra). This way you can drop the little one off and enjoy each others company. But there are so many fun things to do on the cruise and the adult area is amazing. They are bit more expensive but there is an Alaska one which you mentioned.
Love your travel vlogs. What a lovely family. Your little one is adorable and such a good traveler! Our kids were not and it made it much more difficult to relax. lol. But a cruise makes it easier.
For future reference: You can find non crowded portions of the ship. I swim early every morning before the pool is full and then hang out in the adult area of the ship. The adult only places are the best. You have your sweet cute baby this time so that's not an option on this cruise. Find the continuous decks onboard and go for a nice long walk. I have to agree that the shore trips aren't worth the cost. I usually look up things to do at each port and do my own thing. Safe travels! 💞
I always watch this channel and revel in the beauty of all the adventures you guys go through. And then you guys also show the realness of what I could be going through and the fact that you guys can laugh through it all warms my heart everytime. Thank you for making the content that you do.
When I was on a cruise with my grandchildren, my grandson slept in his buggy and we went to the theatre with him, no probs. Plenty things to do and sat outside at mealtimes while kids splashed about in the pool, we had a great time.
They have really annoyed me , making it sound horrendous , they did not do the research before going . They could have done far more even with a child . As you said , Noah in a buggy in the evenings , go and eat he will sleep and you could enjoy a show . Also take it in turns to go to the gym . Sorry I am feeling very cross .
Hello from Vancouver island…cruising to Alaska is our thing. Entirely different experience from this Costa cruise. The inside passage is filled with forests, mountains and wildlife, including whales, dolphins, seals, eagles, deer, bears, etc. the Alaska ports are filled with historic sites, and the excursions are breathtaking. I’ve cruised many times to Alaska, and there’s always a new adventure. Hope you give it a try.
100% our favorite also. We were on Princess 8/2023 and we cannot wait to go again. Planning to go again 8/2025 and take our 4 adult children. It is a beautiful trip and Princess does it perfectly.
Mykonos 1971….beautiful and rustic honeymoon spot at one of the first “resorts “ built…really just a hotel/motel style …you rode local buses with the people and chickens!!! Remembering the Saturday night gathering in the town square with families all dressed up and lovely little babies and toodlers watching people juggle and sing!!! Have often wonder what the increase in tourist traffic made for changes on the island!! It was quaint and charming…glad we just made a local boat from Athens and the rest of the 3 weeks we traveled Europe on trains or short flights!!! So glad we went then as aging had taken its toll !!!❤❤❤ lots of memories and no regrets!!
Please don’t let this be your last cruise… I have been on many cruises and I will say what I just saw was the worst of the worst… I personally have never done the Alaskan cruise but I do have a friend that has she absolutely loved it..
Heartfelt thanks for your honesty. Had almost talked myself into cruising despite having no wish to do so. Now I don’t feel bad about not wanting to cruise. As always love seeing Noah. He’s such a little scene stealer🥰
Their experience was terrible! A good cruise line provides a vastly different experience. We took my parents on a cruise to Hawaii and at the end they looked ten years younger!
Top ranked cruises have the same problem you mentioned regarding time in port. We recently completed a Viking cruise and found our limited time in port frustrating. The ship and crew were fantastic and easy to see why they are highly ranked. This was our first cruise and if you like to easily travel in complete comfort, and ok with only small samples your destinations then cruises are for you.
First, so sorry you got sick. I have been on at least 10 Cruises and love them. My favorite vacation, everything is right there. Try a better cruise line. I love Norwegian. Baby Noah is just so adorable!!
I truly admire how you guys are excercising and trying to have a good perspective in what seems like a difficult predicament. I would feel so trapped as well because as a fellow vanlifer and backpacker I like to have my space and endless options to change where I am and what I am doing so kudos on embracing your current options and making the best of it. I weighed 183 and have been on a weightloss and personal health journey to heal my body and am down to 155. I truly commend and admire you guys and support your dreams for you and your little one. please share anything more as I would love to know more about your life journey and feel free to ask me anything too. Love your channel, you guys are truly geniune and funny too:)
I have been on a couple cruises out of Long Beach California and can honestly say we had alot of fun. It was a learning experience for sure but I would advise inviting an avid cruiser along with. They can help you navigate activities based on prior experiences. Also to not drink on a cruise is an admirable lesson in self control because most of the people on a cruise it seems are there for food and drink. Great video. Noah looked like he had a stellar time.
Just an FYI tip - you should always take your passports with you when you leave the ship. If anything does happen and you find yourself being a dock runner, you are then stuck in a foreign country with no passports.
I love the the effort and thoughtfulness that you put into planning your adventures. That being said, how do you accidently book the worst rated cruise line?
😂 by finding a last minute offer on a cruise leaving from the place we just happen to be that week.. it didn’t cross our minds that the ships would differ so much 🙈
@@TravelBeansThe various cruise lines are very different, and every ship is different. Even if a cruise line has sister ships (same basic class/style) these can be very different in character and service, food quality, etc. BUT, they are usually all full, and I don't like masses of people. Unfortunately, we missed the opportunity to book affordable holidays on half capacity cruises during the pandemic! Well, I'm glad you survived! Now you need a holiday, I reckon 😊
I visited Malta back in March and I loved it! We stayed in Valletta and then did a tour on Gozo. One of my favorite destinations so far. I go on my first cruise at the end of August to Alaska. I can’t wait.
I just started watching your channel. What a wonderful couple and family you are. Your life experiences have been so amazing and even through the tough times (van fire!) you have such a positive outlook. You’re a joy to watch and I’m looking forward to future videos. So hello from Las Cruces, NM😊
I've been on one cruise. It was with Royal Caribbean and was actually pretty great. I think you'll find that the experience of cruising varies widely with the cruise line and ship. Your cabin was pretty nice, but the rest of the stuff seemed pretty boring on the ship. Not to mention trying to get everyone on and off. I bet you'll experience the same bad stuff at embarkation unless they stagger departures like some ships do. But you should try that line and see what you think. We had a great time!
The pool/sun tanning area looks nice. It would be really tough to be on a cruise and not drink even a little bit.. I think there are some people that would enjoy this cruise, even with it being the worst cruise possible. It's better than many people's daily realities of working nonstop. I would love a week of water views, travelling and relaxing.
Thank you. You have pretty much addressed all my thoughts and concerns about taking a cruise - especially on one of those floating towns. I am still a little tempted to take a cruise, but think I will be looking more into river cruises. I did take a Nile cruise many years ago, and really enjoyed it, but the boat was much smaller. At least I can say I've tried.
Poor Noah and Emma getting sick. Thats never fun especially when on vacation. Alex, always bringing some humor--"My anxiety has gone through the roof". 😂 I do enjoy both of your adventurous natures. Your videos are endlessly entertaining. Glad you guys survived the cruise. 😊
Alaska is the one place I’ve cruised, and I chose it because there is land in sight at all times and you get off the ship nearly every day. Small ship, fewer crowds, and saw whales from the ship. Like you, I wanted more time in the ports - but I was seeing places that I would never get to see any other way. Glacier Bay National Park was magical.
I've had camper vans for many years but the best actual van free holiday I've ever had was a river cruise on the Nile. It wasn't so rich in wildlife so might not be your cup of tea, but the history was utterly riveting. Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Abu Simbel etc, there was a fascinating excursion every day. I also enjoyed just sitting watching Egyptian life go by on the riverbanks. I went in November when the temperature was mid twenties - perfect for sightseeing. Love your vlogs! And hope you're feeling much better now.
A Nile cruise has been on our wish list for a while now - this sounds fantastic!! We find the history there absolutely fascinating! Great recommendation, thank you 🙏
I too, was going to suggest the Nile, though not sure if Noah would enjoy it? I went a couple of months after the beginning of the 2011 revolution. Prices were rock bottom, so I seized the opportunity, and other visitors were few and far between due to recent events. There is indeed so very much to see and learn! The small river boat we were on, was perfect. My cabin had a tiny balcony with French windows, and every night I went to sleep with the sound of the Nile just a few feet below, slapping against the boat. I woke in the mornings to see fishermen in their boats, buffalo being washed in the river, and swallows skimming the river. Afternoons, after busy mornings visiting temples etc, were a welcome time to relax reading, or to cool down in the little pool. I also took the extra visit to Abu Simbel, where there were just a very few other visitors, though I should have loved to have spent a lot longer than the few hours there! We had wonderful Egyptologists guiding us, and bringing the past to life. I also took the opportunity on the last morning to see Hatshepsut's Temple etc from a hot air balloon as the sun rose behind us. The pilot expertly hovered us gently as he explained the scene in front. He wore a BBC Blue Peter badge and told me of some of our notable people he had taken up. That was a magical holiday, and never to be forgotten! No 'mass tourism' or cruise liners for me!
Noah is adorable!!! So sorry you got sick! Heard of several cases where people got sick on cruises. It could be a number of reasons why! I would try another cruise line!
We did our first cruise 2 years ago from Hamburg up around the Norwegian fjords, on the stunning Aida Prima. A German ship so mainly German passengers but it suited us perfectly. Loved it
Currently on a cruise right now and using my boyfriend phone and WiFi haha I loved watching these videos ! Baby Noah was def the star and my fav haha I also love how patient and positive you guys are even through the hard stuff ! Definitely need to take that into my life as well ❤
Cruising requires lots of research before booking! There are tons of different flavors of ships/activities/itineraries/ports of call etc etc so you definitely have to do some thorough research to make sure you’re booking what suits YOU best.
Just done p&o Iona for 14 days with wife and boys aged 8 and 13, I really enjoyed it Tenerife, Portugal, gran Canaria etc food and hospitality from staff absolutely great, would definitely do another.
Wrong Cruise Line and that makes such a difference. I did a Greek Island Cruise 10 years ago. It was on Norwegian Cruise Line. Cruised out of Venice, Italy. It was amazing. Cruising with a kid is hard especially when its just you and no additional family who could give you a couple nights off. Please don't give up on cruising! I've been on 12 and would love to cruise with yall. I have even cruised solo. You did visit great places. Glad you all went and can't wait for your next adventure.
Well done for trying the cruise, personally, I can think of nothing worse, holidaywise. The restricted time on land would be horrible. But hey, each to their own and I know a lot of folks enjoy them.
I'm so sorry that your ship offered so few activities on a sea day. I've been cruising for about 40 years and I LOVE sea days. But I am very lucky in that I love to read, so if there's not a dance class, trivia contest (pub quiz) or a "Name That Tune" activity, etc., I am perfectly happy to sit on deck and read a good book while enjoying the ocean breeze. When you're ready to cruise again, I suggest you speak with a travel agent (cruise travel agents will not charge for their services - they receive a commission) who can match you with a cruise line/ship/itinerary which is a good fit for your family and interests. P.S. My very first cruise was on the Costa Flavia! It was my high school senior class cruise, back in 1981 (now you know how old I am). It was pretty much a rust bucket, but I still had a blast cruising with my friends.
❤ Little Noah is gorgeous he is so well loved by both of you. I would love to see you reading to Noah again his little squeals of delight went straight to my heart. Happy Travels Beans😊
I was working on a cruise ship when the Costa Concordia sank in 2012. It is a VERY special way of life, that some love, and some cannot get behind. I wasn't up for it, a bit like you both. I wanted more to do and I missed land EVERY time we were at sea! Love your content
I recognised the Costa Concordia when it sank, and found my photo of that ship berthed in Valletta, taken when I was walking around that side of the city, just a short time before!
Oh no!! You really do need to try again on a proper cruise line!! I've just taken my 43rd cruise and my Costa experience is amongst the bottom! Glad you got to enjoy the ports! So sorry you ended up with a cold Emma!
Same here. I’d bring my work and just crochet all day on that balcony with a coffee watching the world go by. I’d only I could afford a cruise to complain about.
Kelly, maybe try a 3 day cruise? In most ports, there are ships that offer a 3 day weekend cruise and a 4 day Mon -Thurs cruise at prices that start at about $200. Remember, that includes all your food, entertainment, and activities. Many Royal Caribbean ships have ice skating shows that are dazzling, aerial silk shows, aqua shows featuring high diving, and the usual singing/dancing performances- all included in the price. By the way, the bigger ships include several places to enjoy a meal or snack for free! My kids love the ice cream cones!
My daughter and I got Covid on our Eastern Caribbean cruise a couple weeks ago! I think you might like cruising with a different cruise line. Bigger ships have a ton of activities and the entertainment is really good! We love Princess Cruise line.
Princess has come up a lot to us since our last video - looks like a completely different experience on those bigger boats! Definitely something we need to try in the future
I just love watching Noah 👀 he's getting so big and such a happy baby. He's very well behaved for his age 👏 👏👏 you guys are doing a great job raising Noah. Keep up the great work...❤ safe travels 🫘
So lovely to see a glimpse of our home country 🇲🇹 in your video, we've been away from there for three years now but Valletta is just so charming ! Glad you enjoyed it ☺❤
Looking forward to future Malta vlogs. So lovely to see my home country featured on channels like yours ☺️ PS. I also cruised for the first time last year after being skeptical but I adored it. We went with P&O and did the Norwegian fjords... Such a unique way of seeing all the landscapes and so peaceful
@@TravelBeans It would be worth staying in Valletta itself, and to take buses out from there. The Grand Harbour boat tour is worth taking. I loved the look of Senglea from the water, and should love to visit that properly. Beautiful Mdina is well worth visiting, and can be reached by regular bus services from Valletta.
One of the most wonderful cruises that I've ever experienced is Seaborne, ultra luxury cruises, smaller ships list people, fantastic shows everything is included, five star meals all the way beautiful spacious caberns, and the best trained staff, 5 star all the way can highly recommend it
Surely now you have to try a river cruise, I would recommend Western Danube (Austria and Germany) river cruise, much calmer, smaller boats, interesting cities, less stress, and nature all the way. Offcourse, southern Rhine cruise through border of Germany and France is great, but for foodies the Rhone cruise should be the obvious choice. We are waiting for a video!
We are BxJourneys, Jay and Luis and we are experienced. We found your channel and love your 1st cruise experience videos. If you have any questions., please let us know😊 you need to try Disney, Princess or Celebrity for a better cruise experience.
I did a cruise on a 14-guest boat called the Tucano on the Rio Negro (one of the big rivers that feeds the Amazon). It was absolutely incredible and I think you’d love it. We had guided walks in the rainforest during the day where we saw Howler monkeys, tarantulas (eek!), iguanas, and after dinner there were night adventures in 2 small powered boats like large sturdy canoes which held about 8 guests each. We’ve also been lucky to cruise Alaska and South America on big cruise boats, which I enjoyed, but the Tucano was extra special.
You guys should definitely do an Alaskan cruise with a better company where you can pick your dining times and the activities are less cheesy. (Our first cruise was also a Costa cruise and wasn’t our cup of tea 🙈though the drink package helped) The nature you see from your balcony is incredible. We went in the last cruise of the season and were the only ship in every port and weather was great. Hope you are feeling better now Emma.
Eons ago, when my late husband was in the Air Force, we went on a lovely holiday to Halkidiki, Greece. It was amazing! The resort we stayed at was called Kassandra's Palace, and the one thing I have brought with me over the years since 1982 is the poster I got from the hotel manager for "Halkidiki, the Secret Paradise of Greece" from the hotel lobby. He gave me the poster after he saved John from getting arrested for accidentally sinking a kayak when he got drunk on oozo!
River cruising is great so relaxing. Also Alaska cruise choose a cruise with a smaller ship. Really beautiful and leave from Seattle. Spent a few days there before the cruise.
I went on a nice Alaskan cruise, and got bored too. I'm like you guys, I'm not into crowds and most of the things I see everyone else loving to be honest I have no interest in. It was our first cruise and I picked a cruise line that didn't have all the bells and whistles because I didn't want tons of kids running around or twenty-somethings partying. The cruise was FINE. It was me. I wanted to go for walks without people everywhere. The ports were tourist traps. The scenery from the ship was spectacular, thank God I got a balcony. I don't think you would like a Disney cruise, watch videos first. It's way too much forced smiling and hype. Keep doing what you do, love your beautiful family!
My first cruise was with my family when my kids were a little older and more independent. There was a drop off daycare for my elementary school aged son, and plenty to do for my teenager. I was able to relax the most I had ever been able to since the kids had been born. No cooking, no dishes, no laundry, no cleaning, no dropping off and picking kids up from school, no homework, no worries about parking or reservations. Just relaxation! I loved it! I haven't been on one since the pandemic, because I worry about the germs, but maybe someday.
Yes, those are better ages for kids to travel. I did my fair share traveling with an infant, toddler, or preschooler and even with all 3. Fun but not relaxing. 😉
Really enjoyed watching both video's... and Im about to do a good cruise around the greek isles so it was nice to see what you did.. I think you should do another big cruise to compare - do a newer ship that has all the bells and whistles.. again- great two video's on your first cruise....
If you want to be busy, try a cruise out San Juan, Puerto Rico that has a port everyday. Not all cruises that leave San Juan have such port intensive itineraries, but they can be found.
The nice thing about cruising is you can pack just once and go to multiple countries. Pack again to go home. One bad thing is people can be so gross and pass their bugs around, especially in the buffet. Constant hand washing and sanitizing is absolutely essential (on ships or land; but, be especially vigilant on ships). People will blow their nose and then pick up the serving tongs at the buffet; I’ve seen it. The most important thing is pick a good cruise line-least expensive is definitely not the way to go.
Oh gosh you should try a Norwegian cruise, Pand O or Fred Olsen. We did P and O. Dinner is any time after 6 or the buffet anytime. The pools though heated were empty. So we used them, yes it was chilly getting out but only for a minute or 2 till you got dried off a bit with the many towels. Every day except out and return was a port day, not crowded at all! And the scenery!!!! And none of that noisy stuff I can see on this boat. A couple of civilised shows and 2 excursions including a boat trip up a fjord, plus wandering around the beautiful towns and we were happy. There were 4 and 5 mile hikes up to. Fjords and glaciers for the younger fitter ones.
Absolutely loved my Fred Olsen cruise. I personally found the schedule quite busy and didn't get to do all the things I wanted to, although obviously your mileage may vary. Back with FO to Norway ahain again next month.
I think I am the same as you that you enjoy the freedom of your travels to do what you want. My husband loves cruising, so we have been on several. I always feel like we are a heard of cows when on a cruise. Eat now, watch the show, go shop, rinse and repeat. Although this is rated the worst cruise, I have been on many of the cruise lines, and the format is pretty much the same in all of them. The only thing I love about cruising is getting to see many different places that I wouldn’t normally by land. Would I do another? Yes, of course, but if I have a choice I prefer booking a flight somewhere and planning on my own. Thanks for sharing.
Try Airalo on your next trip and use TB3 to get $3 off your data plan
try.airalo.com/travelbeans
no such thing as "accidentally booking". it was a deliberate attempt to create content showing your likes & dislikes. After several videos your conclusion about cruise hols was correct,so you were proving a point
I think you both fun to watch
We used this in Italy and it was awesome.
@TravelBeans this is my first time ever hearing of Airalo - what a fantastic idea!
Alex, I am right with you re those intrusive thoughts around heights. I also feel that pull, like the void is pulling me over the edge. It's like subconsciously my mind is focused on that sensation of going over the edge and falling all the way down (based on my fear of heights no doubt), so I feel like my body is being pulled over. Awful feeling.
Stay healthy and stay safe!😊+24
That’s what I like about cruising - unpacking once, and waking up in a different place each morning. And love sea days.
Thats what i love but not what I love the most. I loved the restraunts and midnight buffets etc. It was great. But we have not been a cruise in 9 years. Been 7. was on the black watch, the boudicca and the Balmoral. All inclusive just the once. was a bad idea because over did it and also my baileys wasnt on the list for all inclusive. had to drink some other one I didn;t like so much. But for me the food has to be at the top of the list. Second getting up and not having to do a thing :) Then getting off at different places, it was pretty exciting. I miss it we will need to go another one its been too long.
Not the type of cruise I’d enjoy. Although I do love to cruise. Too many people on board for me.
Try an Antarctican cruise
The cool thing about a cruise is you get a small taste of different cities/countries. It enables you to decide which of those countries you’d like to go back to & explore more.
Yep! Oh I’ve been to ‘Spain’ for 5 minutes with 600 others ‘Italy’ for 5 minutes with 700 others, boy I’ve ’traveled’ the world on a cruise! Yep that’s really getting to know other countries. Living aboard with thousands of people with obnoxious brats, disgusting attitudes - with bugger all on board to do. keep it pls keep it.
I'm sorry you were bored. There weren't heaps of activities on my cruise/days at sea, either, but I loved just lying about on deck in the sun, relaxing, reading, taking it easy and just doing nothing. I did some aerobics and enjoyed the stationary bike whilst looking at the sea...it was amazing.
Cruising is for old and fat people
Lying around and aerobics bikes are your idea of fun? You sound as boring as the cruise.
Like your videos, thanks for posting.
We went on our first cruise to the Mediterranean last fall. We chose NCL aboard the Epic, a much hated boat.
We loved it, the cabin reminded us of our RV. We are destination oriented so we really just need a place to sleep and shower and get back to it. We tried a Transatlantic in spring this year and are booked for two more next year. You have to find a line that suits you. It takes some time, Sea sickness is really the only hurdle. I love the motion, my better half is only slightly affected.
We did cross paths with a Costa ship in port and the two ships went nuts whistling and cheering, it was awesome.
Safe travels you three.....
Haven't heard from you guys for a few weeks. Hope you're all doing ok! Sending the happy/healthy BEAM
The night my father died, my mother said that she never got to go on a cruise with him because he was sick for 15 years. So my wife and I bought her a cruise to Alaska. 8 of us went with her, I was bummed spending 30K on a trip what I deemed, "An Old Fogy trip." Wow was I wrong. What a blast. We all had the most fun I have ever had. When the trip was over, I wanted to climb back on the ship and go back for another two weeks.
Open your mind and look for new adventures. I have over 500 Sea days and signed up for another 25 days in the next 90 days. No interest in cruising with the " Beans " type of " Wet Blanket Cruisers "
Was that a Princess Cruise? I'm planning on an Alaska Cruise next year, and Princess is kind of the default, but they have a reputation of being an "older person's" cruise line.
@@diesixdie2 I see the demographics is pretty well spread overall ages, tending to be a little older without the wild reputation of some cruise lines
They actually have some of the best permits for glacier viewing in Alaska
Bring rubber duckies and participate in hiding them around the cruise ship. Not only children, but staff and some adults love finding them!
@@diesixdie2 "Princess is kind of the default" - Oh no, no....Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Celebrity Cruises all go to Alaska as well. I personally found Princess to skew towards older people for sure. I've only been on Princess once and I saw a huge number of older people (65+) onboard. I also found it to be quite boring, but perhaps that was just the particular cruise I happen to have been on.
Where have you gone? Hope all is ok with you guys ❤❤❤
Miss not seeing you xxx
I love the days at sea, but that is because I love the peace and tranquility of just watching the ocean, reading a book, taking in a show or playing trivia. This cruise just looked packed at all the available places and boring as hell. At least you had a balcony. I always get inside staterooms and then find a place on the ship to chill. Getting off at the ports is great, but doing an excursion that is on your bucket list is fantastic. Swim with dolphins, whale watching, nature hikes, city tours. This cruise and all the late night stuff just wasn’t your cup of tea and this cruise ship just wasn’t a good fit for The Beans!!!
I think that your family would have a great time on a Royal Caribbean cruise, there’s so much to do for all ages!
Definitely do a river cruise! You wake up every morning in a different city and you can walk right off the boat into the city. We love them. Also, lovely meeting you guys at Karl’s wedding! ❤
I hope you guys are doing okay. Please stay healthy and happy. Hope to hear something from you soon.
Good for you to give it a go ! We are land lovers so definitely not everyone’s cup of tea ! Road tripin gives you the freedom to change your mind and itinerary but a cruise is a nightmare trip for my free spirit. I love watching whatever it is that make people happy traveling.
My girlfriend and I had a great time literally doing nothing on a cruise. Just eating drinking and watching the ocean and views. I could see how someone who likes to keep busy and doesn't drink might hate being on a cruise!
Never ever leave the ship without your passports!! It’s like cruising 101. If for any reason you don’t make it back to ship on time, or you fall sick off the ship, you’re stuck without it!
yes, always take essentials with you!
I prefer to have a copy of my passport in my phone. I do the same for other important documents, a copy is in my phone. I would not recommend to carry your passport around while touring. I keep my passport locked in the safe or hide it appropriately.m
Donyou have the passport wallet card at least?
not your original passport a copy!
Actually, if you miss the ship, the cruise will leave your passport with the port authority. That is why most cruise lines tell you to leave the passport in your safe. And yes, have a copy on your phone. The recent family in Alaska was missing a passport--ie the cruise line could not find their passport--apparently it wasn't in the safe. We cruise often, and this is common knowledge.
Loved your video and loved watching you two with Noah. Hope your next cruise (with a different cruise line) will be fabulous.
Noah is the cutest, best natured, baby!
i don't think that's a bad cruise it's just that you are not cruise ship people. and that's totally ok. cruise ships are to relax in a beach chair, eat lots of food, and maybe do land excursions. but if you don't enjoy staying put, then just travel by train or airplane!
I mean it is rated the worst cruise ship they were on.
I used Airalo for the first time in April when I was visiting my daughter in the UK and son in Sweden. It was so much easier than having to get new sim cards in every new country. i am 72 and this was my first overseas trip since 2015. I live in Canada.
I used it last week in luxembourg for a few days. It was so easy. I usually get a sim at airports but I'm a convert now. Will use this every time I go away.
Thanks Susan
MobiMatter is similar to Airalo but it offers more options and better prices, though it’s less simple to use. I’m comfortable with tech and it’s worked well for me on several trips in Europe and Asia. Here’s how they compare if - for example - you need an eSIM that works in Italy:
•Airalo offers 6 eSIMs that work in Italy, but nowhere else (they don’t offer any Europe-wide eSIMs). The cheapest 20GB plan is $33.
•MobiMatter offers 40+ eSIMs that work anywhere in Europe (they don’t offer any Italy-only eSIMs). The cheapest 20GB plan is $20.
there are worse places to be sick. you're quite an attractive couple and seeing you with the baby warmed my heart
OMG I can't help but chuckle, I was exactly the same on my first cruise. Stick with it, you will figure it all out and be seasoned cruisers before you know it!
You all did very well for your first cruise and are very charming. This is my first vlog and I’m now a subscriber. I did so much research before my first cruise and knew I had to check in at the terminal when you arrive. You are now seasoned cruiser cruisers and your next cruise will be so easy. Looking forward to more vlogs. Cheers.
Hope you both are fine. Hope I haven’t missed any new video. Miss you both
You hit the nail on the head when you were talking about how you don’t get enough time in each port. I always call it a “sampler platter” and why the itinerary is so important to me. I don’t want to be “at sea” too long and I want stops that give at least 8 hours at a location (usually the most you’re going to get). Like I commented on your other video, I hope you give it another chance. Now that you know a little of what it’s like, you can choose more wisely on the next one.
Hoping you are all fine and well. The total silence is concerning!
Sending you lots of well wishes from Texas! Hope to hear from you soon!
As a family with kids you should try a Disney cruise! My wife and I really enjoy them. They also have kids clubs and a nursery(although the nursery does cost extra). This way you can drop the little one off and enjoy each others company. But there are so many fun things to do on the cruise and the adult area is amazing. They are bit more expensive but there is an Alaska one which you mentioned.
We went to Norway in May with our 6yr old son. We on p&o iona and it was amazing. Beautiful ship and scenery. And the kids clubs were great 👍
Love your travel vlogs. What a lovely family. Your little one is adorable and such a good traveler! Our kids were not and it made it much more difficult to relax. lol. But a cruise makes it easier.
For future reference: You can find non crowded portions of the ship. I swim early every morning before the pool is full and then hang out in the adult area of the ship. The adult only places are the best. You have your sweet cute baby this time so that's not an option on this cruise.
Find the continuous decks onboard and go for a nice long walk.
I have to agree that the shore trips aren't worth the cost. I usually look up things to do at each port and do my own thing.
Safe travels! 💞
I always watch this channel and revel in the beauty of all the adventures you guys go through.
And then you guys also show the realness of what I could be going through and the fact that you guys can laugh through it all warms my heart everytime.
Thank you for making the content that you do.
When I was on a cruise with my grandchildren, my grandson slept in his buggy and we went to the theatre with him, no probs. Plenty things to do and sat outside at mealtimes while kids splashed about in the pool, we had a great time.
They have really annoyed me , making it sound horrendous , they did not do the research before going . They could have done far more even with a child . As you said , Noah in a buggy in the evenings , go and eat he will sleep and you could enjoy a show . Also take it in turns to go to the gym . Sorry I am feeling very cross .
Hello from Vancouver island…cruising to Alaska is our thing. Entirely different experience from this Costa cruise. The inside passage is filled with forests, mountains and wildlife, including whales, dolphins, seals, eagles, deer, bears, etc. the Alaska ports are filled with historic sites, and the excursions are breathtaking. I’ve cruised many times to Alaska, and there’s always a new adventure. Hope you give it a try.
100% our favorite also. We were on Princess 8/2023 and we cannot wait to go again. Planning to go again 8/2025 and take our 4 adult children. It is a beautiful trip and Princess does it perfectly.
Mykonos 1971….beautiful and rustic honeymoon spot at one of the first “resorts “ built…really just a hotel/motel style …you rode local buses with the people and chickens!!! Remembering the Saturday night gathering in the town square with families all dressed up and lovely little babies and toodlers watching people juggle and sing!!! Have often wonder what the increase in tourist traffic made for changes on the island!! It was quaint and charming…glad we just made a local boat from Athens and the rest of the 3 weeks we traveled Europe on trains or short flights!!! So glad we went then as aging had taken its toll !!!❤❤❤ lots of memories and no regrets!!
Concerned about your well being. Hope you are not still sick from the cruise.
Please don’t let this be your last cruise… I have been on many cruises and I will say what I just saw was the worst of the worst… I personally have never done the Alaskan cruise but I do have a friend that has she absolutely loved it..
Heartfelt thanks for your honesty. Had almost talked myself into cruising despite having no wish to do so. Now I don’t feel bad about not wanting to cruise. As always love seeing Noah. He’s such a little scene stealer🥰
Their experience was terrible! A good cruise line provides a vastly different experience. We took my parents on a cruise to Hawaii and at the end they looked ten years younger!
Top ranked cruises have the same problem you mentioned regarding time in port. We recently completed a Viking cruise and found our limited time in port frustrating. The ship and crew were fantastic and easy to see why they are highly ranked. This was our first cruise and if you like to easily travel in complete comfort, and ok with only small samples your destinations then cruises are for you.
First, so sorry you got sick. I have been on at least 10 Cruises and love them. My favorite vacation, everything is right there. Try a better cruise line. I love Norwegian. Baby Noah is just so adorable!!
they have not the MONEY for others cruise line. For this they HATE Costa......
Thanks so much for watching and for the recommendation. Norwegian has come up quite a lot here in the comments - we might have to try it!
I truly admire how you guys are excercising and trying to have a good perspective in what seems like a difficult predicament. I would feel so trapped as well because as a fellow vanlifer and backpacker I like to have my space and endless options to change where I am and what I am doing so kudos on embracing your current options and making the best of it. I weighed 183 and have been on a weightloss and personal health journey to heal my body and am down to 155. I truly commend and admire you guys and support your dreams for you and your little one. please share anything more as I would love to know more about your life journey and feel free to ask me anything too. Love your channel, you guys are truly geniune and funny too:)
I have been on a couple cruises out of Long Beach California and can honestly say we had alot of fun. It was a learning experience for sure but I would advise inviting an avid cruiser along with. They can help you navigate activities based on prior experiences. Also to not drink on a cruise is an admirable lesson in self control because most of the people on a cruise it seems are there for food and drink. Great video. Noah looked like he had a stellar time.
It’s so sweet to see Noah playing. Memories flood back about my boys.
No recent video. I hope you're ok and nothing bad has happened. Miss you two.
Do you think all the negative feedback they had on this video has anything to do with their absence from youtube?
Just found your channel. Enjoying the cruise vlog. Disappointed that it’s been a month since you’ve posted.
Just an FYI tip - you should always take your passports with you when you leave the ship. If anything does happen and you find yourself being a dock runner, you are then stuck in a foreign country with no passports.
You will not be left without it. The ship will find it and give it to the port agent - they have to in order to leave you behind
@@sarahpark3417 How would they know you didn't take it with you?
That and it’s a legal requirement in most of Europe
Another Great Video Thank you. Never Go Anywhere Without your Passport . Even on the ship. Potential emergencies on any ship
I love the the effort and thoughtfulness that you put into planning your adventures. That being said, how do you accidently book the worst rated cruise line?
😂 by finding a last minute offer on a cruise leaving from the place we just happen to be that week.. it didn’t cross our minds that the ships would differ so much 🙈
@@TravelBeansThe various cruise lines are very different, and every ship is different. Even if a cruise line has sister ships (same basic class/style) these can be very different in character and service, food quality, etc. BUT, they are usually all full, and I don't like masses of people. Unfortunately, we missed the opportunity to book affordable holidays on half capacity cruises during the pandemic!
Well, I'm glad you survived! Now you need a holiday, I reckon 😊
I visited Malta back in March and I loved it! We stayed in Valletta and then did a tour on Gozo. One of my favorite destinations so far. I go on my first cruise at the end of August to Alaska. I can’t wait.
I miss gettin my “Tavel Beans fix”. Hope you guys are doing well; can’t wait for your next video!
I just started watching your channel. What a wonderful couple and family you are. Your life experiences have been so amazing and even through the tough times (van fire!) you have such a positive outlook. You’re a joy to watch and I’m looking forward to future videos. So hello from Las Cruces, NM😊
I've been on one cruise. It was with Royal Caribbean and was actually pretty great. I think you'll find that the experience of cruising varies widely with the cruise line and ship. Your cabin was pretty nice, but the rest of the stuff seemed pretty boring on the ship. Not to mention trying to get everyone on and off. I bet you'll experience the same bad stuff at embarkation unless they stagger departures like some ships do. But you should try that line and see what you think. We had a great time!
Loved you cruise experience & honestly expected it to be terrible but i really struggled to see why it was voted the worst cruise in the world !
The pool/sun tanning area looks nice. It would be really tough to be on a cruise and not drink even a little bit.. I think there are some people that would enjoy this cruise, even with it being the worst cruise possible. It's better than many people's daily realities of working nonstop. I would love a week of water views, travelling and relaxing.
Thank you. You have pretty much addressed all my thoughts and concerns about taking a cruise - especially on one of those floating towns. I am still a little tempted to take a cruise, but think I will be looking more into river cruises. I did take a Nile cruise many years ago, and really enjoyed it, but the boat was much smaller. At least I can say I've tried.
Himestly these two are just whiny. I’ve been on 14 cruises and every one of them has been great including a transatlantic on costa
I’ve been on 3 cruises and I love them all. I’m glad you had a good time!
Poor Noah and Emma getting sick. Thats never fun especially when on vacation. Alex, always bringing some humor--"My anxiety has gone through the roof". 😂 I do enjoy both of your adventurous natures. Your videos are endlessly entertaining. Glad you guys survived the cruise. 😊
Alaska is the one place I’ve cruised, and I chose it because there is land in sight at all times and you get off the ship nearly every day. Small ship, fewer crowds, and saw whales from the ship. Like you, I wanted more time in the ports - but I was seeing places that I would never get to see any other way. Glacier Bay National Park was magical.
Your baby is so good. A great little travel companion.
I've had camper vans for many years but the best actual van free holiday I've ever had was a river cruise on the Nile. It wasn't so rich in wildlife so might not be your cup of tea, but the history was utterly riveting. Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Abu Simbel etc, there was a fascinating excursion every day. I also enjoyed just sitting watching Egyptian life go by on the riverbanks. I went in November when the temperature was mid twenties - perfect for sightseeing. Love your vlogs! And hope you're feeling much better now.
A Nile cruise has been on our wish list for a while now - this sounds fantastic!! We find the history there absolutely fascinating! Great recommendation, thank you 🙏
I too, was going to suggest the Nile, though not sure if Noah would enjoy it? I went a couple of months after the beginning of the 2011 revolution. Prices were rock bottom, so I seized the opportunity, and other visitors were few and far between due to recent events. There is indeed so very much to see and learn! The small river boat we were on, was perfect. My cabin had a tiny balcony with French windows, and every night I went to sleep with the sound of the Nile just a few feet below, slapping against the boat. I woke in the mornings to see fishermen in their boats, buffalo being washed in the river, and swallows skimming the river. Afternoons, after busy mornings visiting temples etc, were a welcome time to relax reading, or to cool down in the little pool. I also took the extra visit to Abu Simbel, where there were just a very few other visitors, though I should have loved to have spent a lot longer than the few hours there! We had wonderful Egyptologists guiding us, and bringing the past to life. I also took the opportunity on the last morning to see Hatshepsut's Temple etc from a hot air balloon as the sun rose behind us. The pilot expertly hovered us gently as he explained the scene in front. He wore a BBC Blue Peter badge and told me of some of our notable people he had taken up. That was a magical holiday, and never to be forgotten! No 'mass tourism' or cruise liners for me!
Noah is adorable!!! So sorry you got sick! Heard of several cases where people got sick on cruises. It could be a number of reasons why! I would try another cruise line!
We did our first cruise 2 years ago from Hamburg up around the Norwegian fjords, on the stunning Aida Prima. A German ship so mainly German passengers but it suited us perfectly. Loved it
Currently on a cruise right now and using my boyfriend phone and WiFi haha I loved watching these videos ! Baby Noah was def the star and my fav haha I also love how patient and positive you guys are even through the hard stuff ! Definitely need to take that into my life as well ❤
Cruising requires lots of research before booking! There are tons of different flavors of ships/activities/itineraries/ports of call etc etc so you definitely have to do some thorough research to make sure you’re booking what suits YOU best.
Just done p&o Iona for 14 days with wife and boys aged 8 and 13, I really enjoyed it Tenerife, Portugal, gran Canaria etc food and hospitality from staff absolutely great, would definitely do another.
Wrong Cruise Line and that makes such a difference. I did a Greek Island Cruise 10 years ago. It was on Norwegian Cruise Line. Cruised out of Venice, Italy. It was amazing. Cruising with a kid is hard especially when its just you and no additional family who could give you a couple nights off. Please don't give up on cruising! I've been on 12 and would love to cruise with yall. I have even cruised solo. You did visit great places. Glad you all went and can't wait for your next adventure.
Well done for trying the cruise, personally, I can think of nothing worse, holidaywise. The restricted time on land would be horrible.
But hey, each to their own and I know a lot of folks enjoy them.
Love your sweet family, the cruise with calm waters and weather, made it so enjoyable.❤
I'm so sorry that your ship offered so few activities on a sea day. I've been cruising for about 40 years and I LOVE sea days. But I am very lucky in that I love to read, so if there's not a dance class, trivia contest (pub quiz) or a "Name That Tune" activity, etc., I am perfectly happy to sit on deck and read a good book while enjoying the ocean breeze. When you're ready to cruise again, I suggest you speak with a travel agent (cruise travel agents will not charge for their services - they receive a commission) who can match you with a cruise line/ship/itinerary which is a good fit for your family and interests. P.S. My very first cruise was on the Costa Flavia! It was my high school senior class cruise, back in 1981 (now you know how old I am). It was pretty much a rust bucket, but I still had a blast cruising with my friends.
❤ Little Noah is gorgeous he is so well loved by both of you. I would love to see you reading to Noah again his little squeals of delight went straight to my heart. Happy Travels Beans😊
glad to see that you survived your first cruise.
I was working on a cruise ship when the Costa Concordia sank in 2012. It is a VERY special way of life, that some love, and some cannot get behind. I wasn't up for it, a bit like you both. I wanted more to do and I missed land EVERY time we were at sea! Love your content
I recognised the Costa Concordia when it sank, and found my photo of that ship berthed in Valletta, taken when I was walking around that side of the city, just a short time before!
Such a reasonable review with good tips. Good sports. Not a good environment. Packed in like Sardines.
Oh no!! You really do need to try again on a proper cruise line!! I've just taken my 43rd cruise and my Costa experience is amongst the bottom! Glad you got to enjoy the ports! So sorry you ended up with a cold Emma!
43, how?!
What a lovely wee family you are .x
This is where i would be more lucky, i knit, crochet and enjoy sitting in one place people watching
Same here. I’d bring my work and just crochet all day on that balcony with a coffee watching the world go by.
I’d only I could afford a cruise to complain about.
Kelly, maybe try a 3 day cruise? In most ports, there are ships that offer a 3 day weekend cruise and a 4 day Mon -Thurs cruise at prices that start at about $200. Remember, that includes all your food, entertainment, and activities. Many Royal Caribbean ships have ice skating shows that are dazzling, aerial silk shows, aqua shows featuring high diving, and the usual singing/dancing performances- all included in the price. By the way, the bigger ships include several places to enjoy a meal or snack for free! My kids love the ice cream cones!
Nice to see a happy family love your videos
My daughter and I got Covid on our Eastern Caribbean cruise a couple weeks ago! I think you might like cruising with a different cruise line. Bigger ships have a ton of activities and the entertainment is really good! We love Princess Cruise line.
Princess has come up a lot to us since our last video - looks like a completely different experience on those bigger boats! Definitely something we need to try in the future
I just love watching Noah 👀 he's getting so big and such a happy baby. He's very well behaved for his age 👏 👏👏 you guys are doing a great job raising Noah. Keep up the great work...❤ safe travels 🫘
So lovely to see a glimpse of our home country 🇲🇹 in your video, we've been away from there for three years now but Valletta is just so charming ! Glad you enjoyed it ☺❤
Such a charming place! It’s now firmly on our list of places to visit properly in the future 😊💛
Looking forward to future Malta vlogs. So lovely to see my home country featured on channels like yours ☺️ PS. I also cruised for the first time last year after being skeptical but I adored it. We went with P&O and did the Norwegian fjords... Such a unique way of seeing all the landscapes and so peaceful
@@TravelBeans It would be worth staying in Valletta itself, and to take buses out from there. The Grand Harbour boat tour is worth taking. I loved the look of Senglea from the water, and should love to visit that properly. Beautiful Mdina is well worth visiting, and can be reached by regular bus services from Valletta.
One of the most wonderful cruises that I've ever experienced is Seaborne, ultra luxury cruises, smaller ships list people, fantastic shows everything is included, five star meals all the way beautiful spacious caberns, and the best trained staff, 5 star all the way can highly recommend it
Surely now you have to try a river cruise, I would recommend Western Danube (Austria and Germany) river cruise, much calmer, smaller boats, interesting cities, less stress, and nature all the way. Offcourse, southern Rhine cruise through border of Germany and France is great, but for foodies the Rhone cruise should be the obvious choice. We are waiting for a video!
You two are such a nice couple. I wish both of you (and you little one) the best in your future endeavors. Also, I have subscribed to your channel.
We are BxJourneys, Jay and Luis and we are experienced. We found your channel and love your 1st cruise experience videos. If you have any questions., please let us know😊 you need to try Disney, Princess or Celebrity for a better cruise experience.
My take on this is that if you wouldn't enjoy a package tour on land, you won't enjoy it on a cruise.
I did a cruise on a 14-guest boat called the Tucano on the Rio Negro (one of the big rivers that feeds the Amazon). It was absolutely incredible and I think you’d love it. We had guided walks in the rainforest during the day where we saw Howler monkeys, tarantulas (eek!), iguanas, and after dinner there were night adventures in 2 small powered boats like large sturdy canoes which held about 8 guests each.
We’ve also been lucky to cruise Alaska and South America on big cruise boats, which I enjoyed, but the Tucano was extra special.
You guys should definitely do an Alaskan cruise with a better company where you can pick your dining times and the activities are less cheesy. (Our first cruise was also a Costa cruise and wasn’t our cup of tea 🙈though the drink package helped)
The nature you see from your balcony is incredible. We went in the last cruise of the season and were the only ship in every port and weather was great.
Hope you are feeling better now Emma.
Malta was our favorite stop (Barcelona was cool too) on our Mediterranean cruise. Lovely place to visit.
I hope you all are doing ok ❤
Hope your all ok. Been a bit quiet. Hope your just enjoying the summer xx
Eons ago, when my late husband was in the Air Force, we went on a lovely holiday to Halkidiki, Greece. It was amazing! The resort we stayed at was called Kassandra's Palace, and the one thing I have brought with me over the years since 1982 is the poster I got from the hotel manager for "Halkidiki, the Secret Paradise of Greece" from the hotel lobby. He gave me the poster after he saved John from getting arrested for accidentally sinking a kayak when he got drunk on oozo!
River cruising is great so relaxing. Also Alaska cruise choose a cruise with a smaller ship. Really beautiful and leave from Seattle. Spent a few days there before the cruise.
I went on a nice Alaskan cruise, and got bored too. I'm like you guys, I'm not into crowds and most of the things I see everyone else loving to be honest I have no interest in. It was our first cruise and I picked a cruise line that didn't have all the bells and whistles because I didn't want tons of kids running around or twenty-somethings partying. The cruise was FINE. It was me. I wanted to go for walks without people everywhere. The ports were tourist traps. The scenery from the ship was spectacular, thank God I got a balcony. I don't think you would like a Disney cruise, watch videos first. It's way too much forced smiling and hype. Keep doing what you do, love your beautiful family!
Yes cruise Alaska. I have 3 times now with Norwegian Cruise Line....Amazing!
My first cruise was with my family when my kids were a little older and more independent. There was a drop off daycare for my elementary school aged son, and plenty to do for my teenager. I was able to relax the most I had ever been able to since the kids had been born. No cooking, no dishes, no laundry, no cleaning, no dropping off and picking kids up from school, no homework, no worries about parking or reservations. Just relaxation! I loved it! I haven't been on one since the pandemic, because I worry about the germs, but maybe someday.
Yes, those are better ages for kids to travel. I did my fair share traveling with an infant, toddler, or preschooler and even with all 3. Fun but not relaxing. 😉
Really enjoyed watching both video's... and Im about to do a good cruise around the greek isles so it was nice to see what you did.. I think you should do another big cruise to compare - do a newer ship that has all the bells and whistles.. again- great two video's on your first cruise....
You might enjoy bike/barge tours. These are much smaller (
If you want to be busy, try a cruise out San Juan, Puerto Rico that has a port everyday. Not all cruises that leave San Juan have such port intensive itineraries, but they can be found.
The nice thing about cruising is you can pack just once and go to multiple countries. Pack again to go home. One bad thing is people can be so gross and pass their bugs around, especially in the buffet. Constant hand washing and sanitizing is absolutely essential (on ships or land; but, be especially vigilant on ships). People will blow their nose and then pick up the serving tongs at the buffet; I’ve seen it. The most important thing is pick a good cruise line-least expensive is definitely not the way to go.
grossss
Oh gosh you should try a Norwegian cruise, Pand O or Fred Olsen. We did P and O. Dinner is any time after 6 or the buffet anytime. The pools though heated were empty. So we used them, yes it was chilly getting out but only for a minute or 2 till you got dried off a bit with the many towels. Every day except out and return was a port day, not crowded at all! And the scenery!!!! And none of that noisy stuff I can see on this boat. A couple of civilised shows and 2 excursions including a boat trip up a fjord, plus wandering around the beautiful towns and we were happy. There were 4 and 5 mile hikes up to. Fjords and glaciers for the younger fitter ones.
Absolutely loved my Fred Olsen cruise. I personally found the schedule quite busy and didn't get to do all the things I wanted to, although obviously your mileage may vary. Back with FO to Norway ahain again next month.
@@laalratty I’ve not actually done F O but it’s on my list. I’ve heard good things.
I hope that you feel better soon, and of course the gorgeous little Noah. 💐❤
I think I am the same as you that you enjoy the freedom of your travels to do what you want. My husband loves cruising, so we have been on several. I always feel like we are a heard of cows when on a cruise. Eat now, watch the show, go shop, rinse and repeat. Although this is rated the worst cruise, I have been on many of the cruise lines, and the format is pretty much the same in all of them. The only thing I love about cruising is getting to see many different places that I wouldn’t normally by land. Would I do another? Yes, of course, but if I have a choice I prefer booking a flight somewhere and planning on my own. Thanks for sharing.