The best, most comprehensive review on why NOT to go as a captive somewhere, with 5,000 or so complete, boorish strangers, and cruise company! I never could imagine the attraction of it. And now I am assured of my wisdom and insight! Thank-you both for the reassurances!
Things have changed with the pandemic and that rules us out of cruising or going anywhere with crowds. Cruising was useful to us as we produce photos and videos for editorial use and the ability to see 6 or 8 countries in a short period of time helped us grow a large portfolio. Thanks for watching.
How many cruises have you done to reinforce your opinion? What cruise line? Saying you'll never cruise is like saying you'll never buy a Corvette. There are many types of cruises (and cars) to choose from. Do you have a car? My wife and I started cruising around 32 years old. Our first was unbelievable!. You are never surrounded by 5,000 people at once either. Everyone is never at the same place. Are some places crowded at times? Absolutely. So are cities, and city venues. That's nothing new. Actually, regarding crowds if you have done a few cruises, you soon find out that if you decide to stay on board during a port day (maybe you've done that port before, and don't need to see it again) you pretty much have an entire cruise ship to yourself for that entire day. That's an experience in itself! We are now 48, and have been on 16? 17? cruises? Enjoyed every one of them. All Carnival. Ain't broke, don't fix it! Have made friends over the years that we are still in contact with today. Also friends with some cruise ship staff. Norm & Tina, You just bought your shares at the wrong time I guess. As of today, CCL is around $9.00 per share. If you can, double, triple, quadruple or more down. Sell all your shares except for the 100 when you break even. We used that shipboard credit enough times that it has paid for 1/2 the initial share cost over the years when we bought around $30. Our average cost right now is $15 or so. We will part with most shares when we break even, but may even keep up to a 1,000 or more shares as someday, the dividend will also come back I'm sure. WRT the dining room, we have experienced the same regarding ordering as much as you want, and multiple entrees or appetizers. That remains the same. We rarely eat in the dining room actually. We prefer to eat when we are hungry, and as much or as little as we want. We prefer the buffet most days. Drink costs and size? Haven't seen the beer shrink, but have seen the price go up. What prince on anything, anywhere, hasn't gone up. That's just business. If anyone wants to say they are just trying to make more money, then buy more stock in your cruise line and offset your costs with the share price gains. LOL! We are beer drinkers. In the past few years, Carnival offers a drink package for $50 per person, per day. Both people in the cabin must buy it for every day of the cruise. So you're looking at $750 (likely a bit higher now) for 7 days, 2 people, and that gives you 15 drinks per day. First day of the cruise, I've drank that sometimes before 8pm! So days less. Bottom line, at the end of the day, it's a nice perk to have whatever I want, whenever I want, up to that 15 drinks per day. I do throw in the scattered Tiramisu martini though. SO GOOD! But back to the beer! Most of them are still 16oz or 500ml on Carnival ships, and around $8.00 I think if you're not on the drinks package. Yes more things now cost extra. That's just the way it goes. Every company is constantly trying to figure out how to save money and protect profit as every company should do. If not, you won't be a company very long. You can still do and get a lot for free on a cruise ship (at least Carnival anyway). Yes there are upcharges but that also gives you the opportunity to upcharge your experience, when there were things before you could have had for free, but never took advantage of. If Canada could get its crap together right now with its airlines, and I'd still like to hear less talk about Covid, we would love to hit the seas again! Maybe someday we'll run into you on a Carnival FunShip. Who Knows! Thanx, Dwayne (from Newfoundland) Tracey (from Saskatchewan) Living in Manitoba for over 20 years. Cheers!
@@dwaynewells2922 you're absolutely right! I'll NEVER cruise and I'll NEVER buy a Corvette! Some things you just know you won't care for, even without trying it/them! Like co-ed, nude bathing in Japan! Not for me. But, hey, if it rocks your boat have at it. And believe me, I'll die just as happy by not doing it as those who get off on it will! At this point in my life I have nothing to prove to anyone, including, Most imporantly, myself! Now if the public bath had only younger, very buff, intact, attractive people, hmmmmm......... I might give it some consideration. But those requirements would totally be, naturally, too much to even hope for! Or maybe it does happen but only in that town called Brigadoon!!! Hahaha!
@@dwaynewells2922 I'm not sure I would ever brag about having 8 cocktails before 8 pm! Or even in a whole day! One of the things I dislike the most are drunk people. Or people that have the smell of alcohol pouring out of their skin. And the idea that people are going to really make sure they absolutely get their monies worth on the drinks package is----- enough to guarantee I won't EVER go cruising on a ship. And yes, I do have a few cocktails during the week. But wholly cow! A $1000 for liquor. In a week? ( I'm adding in tips for room service, waiters, and bartenders! I don't spend $1000 for liquor in a year!!! ( And I'll bet they buy all of it at duty free ports so the charges ARE outrageous! I don't mind a company making a profit but at some point it begins to feel like armed robbery! And to that I say---- No Way, Jose! I've gotten around the world quite nicely as part of a couple and as a single traveler, with out any issues. The 5 hour port calls---- what are you going to see? I dropped into Cairo for a few days and ended up staying 6 months! Egypt is the MOST fascinating place I've ever been. Not the nicest, cleanest, prettiest but it is the MOST fascinating place in the world I've ever seen, by far. Not sure I would have gotten much out of a 5 hour visit! And people who say they did 'xxxxx' or 'xxxxxxxxxxx' on a cruise stop, what they really did was the ports 'dock' and surrounding area! Six months in Cairo wasn't nearly enough time for me! I need another 6 months, at least! But, 5 hours? Get serious folks! The more time you spend OFF ship the less money spent ON ship! And the less you spend after returning because your tired, resting, sleeping, etc. Or you have spent your allowance for the day buying trinkets--- dockside! Happy Cruising, indeed! Before Cairo, on my solo, around the world in 12-15 month trip, I was in Morocco. I saw a gaggle of folks following someone carry a little triangle of a flag on a stick hrld high, in Fez! Americans mostly so I thought I would follow along just to see what it was like! Quickly a few spotted the 'infiltrator' and we talked for a few minutes. "You're traveling alone??? WHAT????!!!!!But how do you know where to stay, what to eat, where to go? What about your safety!" Etc. Etc. 'They are people, just like you and me! They have no interest in hurting me, or you! If you treat others with respect they will treat you similarly!" And I remember them running off from me because 'the group' had disappeared, out of sight, around a corner! They were absolutely Terrified!!! of being left behind, getting lost, being separated or whatever!!! I had to laugh and just shake my head! I wonder if they really ever saw anything of Morocco! Or even talked to a Moroccan? Or saw anything not on the prescribed tourist walk? Probably not, huh? Such a pitty. They acted like they were in the jungle with wild, hungry animals all around them! Fez, Merekesch, etc have been cities for well over 1000 years! (Fez became a city in the later part of the 8th century, Merekesch was est in the middle of the 11th century.) It isn't the Wild West! Calm down. You might actually learn something by traveling on your own! But At least give it a TRY!!!
You are both just precious and delightful. I love your relationship and kindness you show each other. Yall go together like peanut butter and jelly. God bless you
What shocked my wife and I about Cruising is the relaxed attitude regarding dinner attire. Our first Cruise was 30 years ago and a suit/dress was mandatory at least twice. Also, you had a choice of early or late dining times with the same dinner guests. This was a great way to meet different people. Now you can dine anytime without other people. Still love Cruising but it sure has changed!!
Thanks for watching yes it’s more relaxed and casual these days even the formal nights LOL 😂 hopefully cruising safely will be back soon as it’s a lovely way to see lots of places 🍷🌺🍺
We choose resorts for our winter vacation. Everything included, unless you want fancy extras. Lots of food choices, and tours available to see the local attractions. Each to his own though!
Thanks for sharing! we also have done all inclusive and they are great we also like going to Portugal 🇵🇹 for a month or two , although Covid has put them all on hold for us anyway, have a nice weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
We have booked our first ever cruise for 2023 -- a river cruise up the Nile from Cairo to Aswan! I understand that river cruising is much different than ocean cruising and our boat only has 62 passengers or something like that. They say all the shore excursions are included in the fare except for a couple of special excursions with limited capacity that we need to book ahead. I believe that meals and wine at dinner is included as well. We are looking forward to it and seeing what the cruising experience is like.
Wow sounds amazing we hope you enjoy it , we also did a river cruise on the Danube it’s was awesome that included meals and wine 🍷 with dinner it’s a very different experience with way less people we had 160 ish but the boats on the Nile are a lot smaller . Have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
You two are so cute. You make me smile. Cruising is a big thing to watch right now. Makes we wonder if we will ever cruise again. Good to hear what you think has changed. Thank you.
Greetings Norm & Tina ... Andy & I, mostly based on the fears of Covid have mostly hunkered down at home these past 18 months, turning to my Music (Recording & Teaching) and Andy's crafts (shows and opening a shop). We have decided to once again hit the road, start looking in on all of our vlogging friends, and restart Jimmy Lew & Andy Too. And Wow ... I was pleasantly surprised to see you have acquired 32k subscribers. Congrats ... well deserved!!! Looking forward to catching up with you two. Cheers from Michigan 🍺💞🍺
Hi Jimmy and Andy great to hear from you , we were wondering what you were up to , we like you have been at home since February 2020 so not travelling much we did buy a trailer on a static site which we have been to a few times . Actually having the You Tube channel has given us both something we can do together even been stuck at home , glad you are restarting your channel have a wonderful weekend in Michigan 🍷🇺🇸🍺🇨🇦🌺
As soon as the cruise ships started returning to Alaska in August 2021, my wife and I jumped at the chance to go. Canada was just starting to lift restrictions to US citizens but the requirements were too difficult for tour operators to handle. I had wanted to go to Emerald Lake in the Yukon but we couldn't make that happen. We took a private tour from Skagway up to the Canadian border and back to the ship. It was awesome and the ship was doing an excellent job with social distancing in restaurants and entertainment venues. And the crew was so happy to be sailing again after 18 months that the service was impeccable... Also I really like Escargot so I always ordered 2 or 3 as an appetizer. My wife likes lobster and when they had it one night they kept asking us if we wanted more. We had a few but didn't want to be gluttons... 🙂
Thanks for your insight into the cruise business. We do miss it too, especially for people who don't like flying. It still lets you get to know different places.
Newly retired and never been on a cruise as of yet but looking forward to maybe in a year or two. Really enjoyed hearing what you had to share. Many thanks.
Memory flash back: Dec 1966- Company: Codgedar Lines ( Italian I thought) Ship: Flavia. Length of trip: 30 Dec '66 - 7th February '67. Route New Zealand to Rotterdam via Suez Canal. One class passengers - two swimming pools, disco, movie theatre, casino, library, two dining halls, dancing/entertainment facility, activities, well everything one could imagine to keep occupied all this time and not get board. Including the most handsome ship's doctor a teenage girl could drool about! Day trips in ports where the ship berthed including Aden. A teenage walhalla. Having experienced that, and enjoyed it, it was however enough for me not to embark on Cruise Ship Holidays. Too much water....😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 The weirdest thing was swimming in the pool and knowing one was floating about on the ocean. Love hearing about your experiences. You tell them so well. 😂 🥳 🇳🇱 🙋♀️ 🇳🇿 🍷🍷
What a fabulous flash back thanks for sharing what amazing places you must of seen , although yes we like cruising we love month stays like we do in Portugal 🇵🇹 to see a place more . We did a wonderful river cruise on the Danube a few years back that was amazing from Budapest to Prague. Hope you are enjoying a lovely Sunday with coffee ☕️ on your balcony 🇳🇱 🍷🇨🇦🌺🌞
Thanks for your insights on cruising. The only cruising that we have done was a 3-day Nile River cruise. It isn't the same as those big cruise ships that you showed in your video, but it did give us a taste of the experience. What we learned from that and seeing the cruise ships docking at cities we've visited is that we have no desire to take a cruise. Your stories of how they are charging more for things on the cruise was enough to turn me off. But what we really don't like is the short stays in port. I realize that part of the experience is enjoying the amenities of the cruise, but that would get old for us quickly and we more enjoy seeing the sights. Having a 5-hour excursion or even a full day in a port just isn't enough for us. But that is us. Currently, we are living a nomadic retirement lifestyle in Europe and enjoying being able to slow travel and really get to experience the different countries. Anyway, you guys love cruising so I hope that you are able to get back on the boat soon.
Your Nile cruise 🚢 sounds really nice, yes we agree the time in ports is too short that’s why we go to Portugal 🇵🇹 for one or two months over winter 🥶.With all the Covid travel restrictions we don’t see us cruising for a very long time have a great weekend Cheers 🍷🍺🌺
Norm and Tina, I enjoy your story telling and your videos. 😄 Probably the only cruising I'll do, will be with BC Ferries here on the West coast of Canada just because it's part of our 'highway'! 🛳️
BC Ferry cruising is a great way to travel! As a Yukoner for 4 decades,I've taken them from Skagway to Pr. Rupert and Port Hardy a couple of times,and also Pr. Rupert to Haida Gwai. Also in Alaska. Cabins can be used but we always do it on the cheap. Definitely see more real life vs what you'd be shown from a cruise ship. But definitly a lot more effort goes into a trip you plan for yourself vs a cruise.
@@northernsteph Those sound like beautiful sailings! Wonderful! I do want to do the inside passage from Port Hardy to Pr. Rupert one day. Maybe the other ones you mentioned too!! 😃
We love to cruise , but it’s been awhile. There are definitely are a few things to learn and navigate once’s way around , I remember our very first cruise 1991 Vancouver to Mexico, it truly was all inclusive, it definitely has changed. We have always booked our own excursions. We can’t wait to go again our next one we are looking at is a canal cruise:)
Thanks for sharing!! we bet everything you got in 1991 would have charges now , canal cruise sounds great we have done the Danube river cruise we loved it , hope you are well enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍷🍺🌺
Location filming no less! The trailer looks great. Having done cruising ourselves, we know how expensive the trips are. We now only do the odd one or two that we haven't done before. If the ship is only there for half a day we just go ashore, look around and have a coffee.The food has always been good aboard ships, but in the early days, when we were into wines, it was rather an expensive addition. These days we are alcohol free but still enjoy ourselves. We went Holland America several times but their standards did drop off dramatically so we now go with Oceania, which represents superb value. We have missed cruising the last couple of years because of the Covid 19, even going abroad to places we like ,Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Italy etc. We have only last week booked a week in Gran Canaria again for January. We will see how we get on with the flights, although we have bought an extra middle seat in row of 3 so that we dont have to sit directly next to anyone and it was only another £38 for the seat each way so well worth it. As soon as we feel confident again, another cruise will be sorted out. Bye for now.
Glad you liked our trailer we are enjoying it , nice to explore different ares and only 2 hours from home.Someone else suggested going to Oceania , when we feel more comfortable to cruise we will check them out , great idea to buy the middle seat 💺 although coming from Canada 🇨🇦 that would cost a lot extra LOL 😂😂have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🇬🇧✈️🇵🇹🚢
Amazing! Love this video, thank you very much. You guys are amazing! You seem to be really enjoying your retirement. Been following for a few months now and absolutely love it! I crack up laughing with you sometimes! Seriously.
Have only been on one cruise. Holland America Alaskan Cruise. Vancouver up to Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. It was a great cruise. We all really enjoyed it.
Been on 5 in the Mediterranean. Loved them all especially Celebrity Cruises. Amazing food!! 👏 Shore excursions by the ship are costly but a safe way to go. Ships can't leave legally. Always go Concierge class.
We had one Celebrity cruise in the Caribbean and we were in Concierge but it was our first cruise in the year 2000 and we didn’t understand or benefit from that class, we were too naïve.
I love your videos and want to thank you for doing them! I am 62 and my husband is much younger than I so unfortunately we won’t be retired at the same time but we do love to travel when work permits. I’m torn about when I’m going to actually retire because the longer you wait the more you get-you know the drill. 😃 And I also am aware that we are not guaranteed a tomorrow so there’s that too. Oh well, thanks again you two💜👍🏻
We are so pleased you enjoy our videos and thank you for your kind words. At least you know the concept of wait until later to take CPP or take it today, it is a difficult decision. Have a great weekend. 🚢👍🌺💐💕
Speaking from experience, please find a compromise. My best friend since kindergarten lost his life in a motorcycle accident and never seen tomorrow at 16. My first wife never seen tomorrow at the age of 28 (Leukemia). My second wife at 45 is still seeing tomorrow, but she has been through breast cancer. I am now 48 and have been through all that and more. Right now I am on disability for mental health. Trust me! Find a compromise! We are both hoping to be retired around 50. Cheers!
We travel the world and use a cruise to get from A To B. Very economical instead of a business class flight.. use the money on the voyage..we never buy the off shore tours from the cruise line, get a private tour for less money and without the crowded buses to get on and off..
Same here we enjoy the smaller tours, quicker and more personal. We have done well with cruises taking photos and videos and then licensing them. Nice to unpack just once 🚢👍
I just found you today. Working in the crawl. Anyways 8 or12 later I had Carnival Cruise shares. Yes I took the los. And sold and bought back in Sharon's name.
I live in a 12x50 mobile home in a mobile home park.Not a whole lot bigger than your trailer.I have heard folk in Great Britain refer to them as residential caravans! You see I am learning to speak English!!!Viewing and listening with interest! Cheers from westcoast to eastern Canada! P.S. Never been on cruise ship. Great to hear your take on them!
Thanks for the great video. Cruising has never interested us for a variety of reasons. Maybe Alaska or Nordic cruises some day. We really enjoyed Riverboat cruising. Amsterdam to Budapest and Netherlands and Belgium. Everything’s included. All you can eat or drink and excursions included plus maximum of 120 to 140 people. It does cost up to $20,000 including flights but a once in a lifetime experience. Hope to go on more and maybe try cruising someday.. Stay safe and enjoy your travel planning.
Hi Paul actually we did a river cruise 🚢 in 2013 from Budapest to Prague it also included 2 nights in a hotel in Budapest and 3 nights after the cruise in Prague , as well as all the food, excursions etc. We loved it and as you say a lot less people would love to do it again when we feel it’s good to safely travel again. Glad you enjoyed the video and we wish you a wonderful New Year Cheers 🥳🇨🇦🥂🌞
Happy Saturday guys. This is a wonderful video because you are giving us great information about cruising and you are very entertaining while you let us know. My wife is terrified that she will be seasick and that would ruin the trip. Cheers!!!
I know someone who loves cruising and she always books her airfare with the cruise company because of the guarantee. I asked if it was more expensive. She said it usually costs her about $100-150 US more than booking her own airfare, but it’s still cheaper than going down the day before, booking a hotel, paying for a cab from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the cruise terminal, plus an extra day of restaurant meals.
It can be reassuring to have the cruise company be responsible for your travel and connections, only a few cruise lines offer it. Thanks for watching 🛳
Thanks for you comments on cruising. We just returned two days ago from a 14-day cruise in Greece with Seabourn (sister company to Holland America). Thankfully, since Seabourn is all-inclusive, we didn't have to face the annoying add-ons for drinks, etc. True, Seabourn is more expensive than HAL, but if you're able to get a deal on a Seabourn cruise and compare your per person/per day costs with all the extra expenses you encounter on HAL, the overall cruising experience is better and often worth the extra expense. We might not be able to cruise as often as we otherwise would but it's a better overall experience on Seabourn or a similar all-inclusive cruise line.
That’s sounds like a great cruise 🚢 were you still able to still enjoy it and the places you visited with all the Covid travel restrictions , thanks for watching and have a great week Cheers 🍷🇺🇸🍺🇨🇦
@@ThisIsOurRetirement It was almost like pre-covid times onboard. Only 300 passengers with 411 crew so lots of personal attention. No masks required onboard for passengers, but of course required in port and when around crowds. All passengers and crew were fully vaccinated with lots of testing. PCR test required before transiting from the US through Heathrow. Another test required in Athens before even going to the port and a third test required before being allowed on the ship. Then a weekly test onboard mid-cruise and a fifth test before leaving the ship. All in all, pretty safe.
Only been on one cruise, with Royal Caribbean. We flew to NY and then cruised across to Bermuda and then down to Caribbean. It was to celebrate my 40th. It was enjoyable, glad we had the experience. Might go again one day but I would rather fly to Portugal or Italy and holiday in one place. I found it a bit stressful tbh but maybe it would be less so if we were retired and had a different mind set, x
Hi Deborah your cruise 🚢 sounded great , but with Covid and all restrictions not sure we would like it now. We like you love going to Portugal 🇵🇹 or similar place to stay and explore from there . The trips we have done since retiring we have seen as exciting rather than stressful, although we nearly missed our plane back from Australia 🇦🇺 LOL 😂so yes maybe different mindset enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍺🚢🍷🌺🤗
nice to be back out of hospital now and home and its lockdown here in Australia such fun I guess cruise companies like many businesses are trying to get back their loses after many countries have restricted travel everything is changing *like👍Au👍full view*
Hi Billy so glad you are home and yes we have been following all the Lockdowns with you 🇦🇺 they sound really tough 😱it’s a shame about the cruising industry we are sure they will put costs up again when they are allowed back in places. That was how we got to see New Zealand 🇳🇿 and Australia 🇦🇺 on a great cruise 🚢 in 2017 take care 🤗🇨🇦🍷🍺
Hi Tina & Norm, I really love your presentation style and enjoy your videos. I'm not interested in cruising but never say never. However, it's with an open mind I approach most things. I have always had Australia and New Zealand on my travel list. But one day, one day. Best wishes from Bangkok.
We too have had great times cruising. As for the future... we did put a fully refundable (very small $100) deposit on one in 2023, Princess. Seems the initiative to get folks back is free drinks....free gratuities, ...free hi speed internet. That was the offer and we think that's what it might take to bring us all back "into the fold". We'll stay tuned and see how things go...but don't expect prices to go down!!...not going to happen. Cheers
Hey Tina and Norm! Great to see this video on what Shocked you guys about going cruising. So cool you guys have been on so many of them. We agree they want to charge you for everything now especially shore excursions. When Bears went to Alaska on Celebrity Cruises they want between 100-400$ per person for every activity off the ship. Those drink packages on the ship are great if you like to drink cause the drinks on their own are so expensive. Sucks to hear they took away the robes and slippers if you are not in a suite. Guess they are making so many changes. Great video and love you guys to the moon and have a great Sunday! 💖🌛
Hi Bears and Butters we are fortunate that we did get the first 5 years of travel in before Covid came , yes the day trips are very expensive and so are drink packages both Alcoholic 🍷and Non Alcoholic ☕️. We did an awesome river cruise on the Danube which we loved everything was included on that which was nice . We have been seeing you have had smoky smogy weather and 🥵 hot hope you are keeping cool 😎 enjoy your weekend 🌺🇺🇸😎🇨🇦🤗
@@ThisIsOurRetirement We are dealing more with heat and humidity where we are living, and haven't been impacted too bad by the smoke. Since we live in SoCal.. but there are a few fires that just started that could blow smoke in our direction. We heard you guys are having some hot weather up there too.. around 40C.. Perfect time to take a dip in the lake with some wine!! :D
It seems to happen everywhere. They've come out with advertising skinnier Reese cups like they're doing you a favor but it's the same price. Other items are doing the same. Hamburger from the grocery store here is up to $6 a pound of 85/15 lean. It's nuts. 😁👋💖
Thank you for sharing your adventures and information and memories with us. I miss cruising, but, believe that my cruising days are Fin. I especially liked sailing with Holland America line and Celebrity. Princess and Norwegian lines were nice, but, didn't enjoy the Carnival lines for many reasons. Just my experiences. Happy weekend. HUGS and GOD bless you all 🤗.
Nice cupboards in background can't you get wifi outdoors Shirley there's better scenery around you to share with your subscribers. We all feel cooped up the last 18 months right? Have a great weekend from Oakville
One more thing. Agree on the extra charging. On my cruise Barefoor red wine bottle was 30$US. It’s 6.99 C$ in Calgary. Also the land hikes at 160$ would be much cheaper if you booked it on line but I guess that what the charge is for full service.
Hi Norm and Tina, I enjoy your videos. I have only been on one cruise so far ( unless an overnight trip on the Newfoundland ferry counts!) . My only annoyance on the Carnival cruise was to use the soft drink package I had to line up at the usually busy and crowded bars to get a pop to have with my buffet meal. I thought the pop would be near the food as well. We were supposed to go on a RC repositioning cruise from New Jersey to Europe and UK April 2020 but unfortunately covid happened. Hopefully we can do this same cruise May 2022.
We have done a couple of these repositioning cruises they are an awesome way to cruise we loved them we hope you get to do it in 2022 🤞We haven’t done Carnival but yes that would be annoying about the drinks enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
Interesting facts and observations. Took my wife and family on an 8 hour ferry crossing on Bay of Fundy from Yarmouth, NS to Portland, Maine and my wife vowed she'd NEVER go on a cruise. Sort of backfired on me... OK... it was a ROUGH crossing!!
Oh dear guess that would put her off cruising , we have only really had one rough crossing to New Zealand on the Tasman sea 🌊 have a great Sunday Cheers 🍷🍺🌺
We went to Portland, Maine stopping at Nova Scottia from NYC. We also had a rough ride at the Bay of Fundy. My husband was ill throughout the 7 days and refused to cruise ever again. 😔 I love the idea of stopping at many ports. So much cheaper than going directly to each spot. But he wouldn't go anymore.
I didn't know about the perks with ccl. So I shall keep my eye on the stock price. Man, would love to meet you on a cruise. We could have some nice chats (something like the character Steven on Keeping up Appearances 😁 )
Thanks for the informative video. 👍 I recall another blogger say that drinks were US $10 each, or a package of 10 a day for the cruise at $79 per person per day. And for a party of 2, even if one person did not drink, the cruise line automatically charges for both persons. On a contrasting unrelated note, I recall Doug Ford promising "a buck a beer ". Call that mission impossible. Haha. Perhaps the plight of Cruisers today could be descibed in a modern version of Carroll O'Connor 's tune, "Those Were The Days". Cheers 🤣🤣🤣🇨🇦 🎉🍙🍷🍹
Great comment yes they do bill for both people in a stateroom for drinks package and the buck a beer 🍺still waiting for that maybe we just need patience LOL 😂😂have a great weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
I'm taking my first cruise soon. It sounds like all the good stuff I've heard about them is gone. Lol. I booked the flight through the cruise line but they told me they no longer guarantee to get you to the ship.,
We hope you have a great time 🚢 another of those changes probably as we hear a lot of flights ✈️ are being cancelled or amalgamated they have stopped the guarantee have a lovely weekend 🍷🌺
It’s funny isn’t it and in the buffet so much food gets wasted and thrown out because people don’t eat what has been made , enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍷🍺🚢🌺
Thanks for another fab video. I'm still not convinced on cruises because of motion sickness altho good pills out there. I think we will be travelling in our car for the next year or so. Shall we meet up for our private Happy hour in AZ 👌
It could be a possibility if the border ever opens up 🍷🍺you should look to try a cruise 🚢 at least once there is very little motion and Norms top tips are take Gravol and a tube of mint lifesavers to keep your mouth moist they work wonders .Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
As a new subscriber, I’ve really enjoyed your interesting & informative video. My wife and I are interested in starting cruising but not the best with choppy boat trips. So grateful to know if the many trips you have done have been calm onboard and how much the ship rocks ups & downs in poor weather. Thanks.
Thank you for subscribing we appreciate it. Mostly the cruise ships we have been on are fine, the only rough sea we have had is the Tasmin sea between New Zealand and Australia. We would recommend the Inside passage cruise to Alaska, most of it is like a river cruise with very smooth water, we did it in Summer. Have a great weekend.
@@ThisIsOurRetirement Really appreciate the very prompt and helpful reply. Good to hear that and we’ll take the advice on board. I look forward to checking out your other videos. Have a great weekend too.
I miss cruising as you both do, We use to do a Atlantic crossing to Brooklyn on the Queen Mary 2, once a year. Last time 2019 then fly down to see my mother in the USA. We have a credit with Cunard and we are considering a crossing in 2023. Hope the masks are gone by then, but I doubt it, that would put us off. You raised some interesting points. We always have travel insurance incorporating Cruise cover this ensures if you miss the ship ( god forbid ) the insurance will take you to the next port, off course this would be on a regular cruise not a crossing as one way!
We are definitely going to try a cruise when this virus dies down. Fly from Dublin to Venice and down to the Greek Isles! We love Greece but the island hopping is a bit much for us. So a nice Cruise sounds like the answer. Would also like to try a River Cruise. Remember my parents doing the Rhine! The Cruise was great for NZ and Australia. Thanks for sharing your stories. Good to know what to look out for.
We have also done a river cruise we did the Danube it was amazing from Budapest to Prague, your Greek cruise 🚢 idea sounds great have a nice weekend Cheers 🇮🇪 🍷🍺🌺🇨🇦
If you think you might like it just do it once to see if it’s for you we have also done a Danube river cruise that was awesome different type of cruising Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
Good work. We do a cruise and stay through TUI. Fly to maybe Corfu, Majorca, Malaga or Dubrovnik. Do a weeks cruise arond the med then a weeks stay where we flew to. Really missing it. You can do it the other way round stay and cruise but we find after a week of shore excursions we need the week to recover. We're about to book next years cruise Covid allowing ? Keep sharing, Thankyou
The Arison family ( Founders of Carnival) are still quite involved in the operation. They have taken on a lot of debt during covid but they are smart operators. There is a lot of operating leverage in the cruise business. The share price will recover.
I enjoy being on the water but I just don’t think I could do a cruise just the confinement of it and knowing I can’t leave would be enough to start my anxiety and can’t I’m not usually having a lot of anxiety but knowing I can’t get off we do it
Plus at the moment with Covid lots more restrictions we won’t be cruising 🚢 any time soon we understand how you feel Jane have a nice weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🙂
I agree on many things that you said and I think it will get worse in the next years as cruise companies will try to make up for the lost revenues since the pandemic. You also forgot to mention the minimum 18% service charge on all drinks and wine even if you don’t agree. We still have a credit with Norwegian and since we don’t want to lose it we will probably go on the Northern European cruise next June or July.
You are right about cruise companies probably going to increase prices. Yes we did forget the service charge but MSC on a drinks package didn’t add the tax to the drinks. Hope you get to use your Norwegian credit, the Northern European cruise is one we always wanted to do, going into Russia. Thanks for your comment.
No mention of tips ,did i miss something ! In the Uk we're encourage to pay the tips up front at the time of booking ,which is very strange because over here we tip when we get good service and don't if the service is rubbish .So very bizarre to pay up front .So imagine my surprise at the end of the week we got the envelope asking us to tip again!!! That must be shock to all Brits on their first cruise ............
Yes the tips are charged daily to your stateroom , but you can go and reduce the amount especially if you feel the service isn’t up to par , in your case if you paid up front I would tell them that . Have a great weekend Cheers 🇬🇧 🍷🇨🇦🚢🍺
Love cruising! Looking forward to getting back to it once this pandemic is behind us. We've mainly cruised Celebrity and always taken the drink package, is it worth it? Probably break-even, but it is prepaid(as are our gratuities) and no shocking bills when you get back home. ALWAYS fly out min. 1 day prior and good advice on booking flights with cruiseline during Canadian winter months
Usually they have a lot of different things like gluten free , dairy free , vegetarian etc you can tell them your personal allergies and they will cater to you . Have a great weekend Cheers 🍷🍺🌺
I enjoyed learning about your experiences cruising. I have never taken a cruise as after seeing quite a few reviews about the major cruise lines I lost any interest in doing so. At the risk of sounding "snobbish 😱", the idea of being cram packed with 4,000 "Walmart crowd" individuals on a mega ship just doesn't tickle my fancy. 🤣. I have heard many good things about Viking cruises. They seem to be more educational and not having the atmosphere of an "amusement park". Really, whatever one enjoys is perfectly fine to me. I just don't enjoy crowds or being herded around like a school child. To each his own. One of my sisters loves "small ship cruises". She once went on a yacht with 3 other couples and had a great time. She was in her 40's at the time and was physically fit. I know that there are some really nice small ship cruises(50 to 100 passengers) in Tahiti and also the Caribbean. It was sad but rather expected to hear how many amenities the cruise lines are cutting back on. It makes sense because of all of the money that they have lost recently. I am glad that you have had some spectacular experiences cruising and hope that you will be able to do so in the future. I certainly wish everyone who enjoys cruising a fun and exciting time. Take care and have a pleasant weekend. 👍🤗❤🙏🌎
The cruises we took were always on smaller ships 🚢 max 2500 and not the big amusement type 😱more low key with educational courses , jazz music etc .We did a wonderful Danube river cruise 160 people from Budapest to Prague that was awesome we hope you have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
Good afternoon Tina and Norm, this is a totally unrelated topic but hope you can help. I think I’m right in thinking you live in Ontario, we are planning a vacation to Toronto and Ontario for next year. I have done some research and planned a route as we want to see the lakes and mountains but I think I need to narrow my itinerary down a bit. I have been looking east of Toronto towards Kingston, Ganaanoque and The Prince Edward Island with Sandbanks also Algonquin Park and over to the West to the Bruce Peninsula with Tobermory, PortElgin and Stratford and also Niagara. Do you think this is all possible in 2 weeks or should I concentrate maybe East or West of Toronto instead of trying to cram to much in. Would you have any suggestions, any help is appreciated. Thank you
Personally Jacqui we think that’s way too much especially in 2 weeks , all those places could be split into two trips as you say East or West both would be nice , if you are asking us to pick we would do Bruce Peninsula (it’s stunning) selection but you could do Niagara Falls as well . If you are going to rent a car 🚗 book early as there are shortages . We wish you well Canada 🇨🇦 is beautiful Cheers 🍷🇨🇦🌺
Well none of this is shocking to me. This is how businesses make money nowadays...nickel and dime you once they get you to make the initial purchase. Interesting that you mentioned that third party excursions guarantee that they get you back on time! This is a selling ploy. Delays can happen beyond their control and when it does the ship will depart unless you book directly through the ship, then they will do all they can to get you back on board.
We travel to immerse ourselves in the place and enjoy the culture and people. We tried cruising and found it wasn’t a fit for us. We found it shocking how much food was wasted , and how much was consumed , as this was the “entertainment “ for many onboard. We feel bad that the cruise ship employees, many from third world countries, must have found it hard to survive COVID times. The cruising industry is BIG business so Florida will have those cruise ports open as soon as they can…despite what’s happening there.
That is very true it has been very tough times for the cruise industry that also effects all the local businesses in Florida that supply them too , have a great weekend Cheers 🍷🚢🌺🍺
What shock me was how noisy it was. I didn't like cruise ships and their loud speakers (early in the AM) too. We are not morning people. However, we do enjoy the ports. Does anyone know of a quiet cruiseline?
We don’t but let us know if you find one , with MSC all the announcements are done in like 5 Languages LOL 😂 we did a river cruise 🚢 from Budapest to Prague that was nice and quiet Cheers 🍷🚢🌺🍺
I live in the Yukon, a couple of hours from Skagway and see the other side of cruising. What used to be a beautiful little authentic northern town before Alaskan criusing started, is now a bit of a horror show during the brief hours a cruise ship is in port. Thousands of people pounding up and down the boardwalk buying crap that isn't connected to Alaska or the north in any way. I'm sure some people are happy to make money off the passengers but most workers are also shipped in,and businesses close on days when no ships are in port. Haven't been on a cruise yet,and not really inspired to do that. Maybe a smaller European River cruise some day. Did enjoy a canal boat holiday in the UK once though.
Good to know. I was horrified when the Norwegian Bliss was going to Alaska. It's overkill for such small towns. I've been once driving and once on a cruiseship. Beauty is found but not in the shops.
The best, most comprehensive review on why NOT to go as a captive somewhere, with 5,000 or so complete, boorish strangers, and cruise company!
I never could imagine the attraction of it. And now I am assured of my wisdom and insight!
Thank-you both for the reassurances!
Things have changed with the pandemic and that rules us out of cruising or going anywhere with crowds. Cruising was useful to us as we produce photos and videos for editorial use and the ability to see 6 or 8 countries in a short period of time helped us grow a large portfolio. Thanks for watching.
Regrettably totally agree!
How many cruises have you done to reinforce your opinion? What cruise line? Saying you'll never cruise is like saying you'll never buy a Corvette. There are many types of cruises (and cars) to choose from. Do you have a car?
My wife and I started cruising around 32 years old. Our first was unbelievable!. You are never surrounded by 5,000 people at once either. Everyone is never at the same place. Are some places crowded at times? Absolutely. So are cities, and city venues. That's nothing new. Actually, regarding crowds if you have done a few cruises, you soon find out that if you decide to stay on board during a port day (maybe you've done that port before, and don't need to see it again) you pretty much have an entire cruise ship to yourself for that entire day. That's an experience in itself!
We are now 48, and have been on 16? 17? cruises? Enjoyed every one of them. All Carnival. Ain't broke, don't fix it! Have made friends over the years that we are still in contact with today. Also friends with some cruise ship staff.
Norm & Tina,
You just bought your shares at the wrong time I guess. As of today, CCL is around $9.00 per share. If you can, double, triple, quadruple or more down. Sell all your shares except for the 100 when you break even. We used that shipboard credit enough times that it has paid for 1/2 the initial share cost over the years when we bought around $30. Our average cost right now is $15 or so. We will part with most shares when we break even, but may even keep up to a 1,000 or more shares as someday, the dividend will also come back I'm sure.
WRT the dining room, we have experienced the same regarding ordering as much as you want, and multiple entrees or appetizers. That remains the same. We rarely eat in the dining room actually. We prefer to eat when we are hungry, and as much or as little as we want. We prefer the buffet most days.
Drink costs and size? Haven't seen the beer shrink, but have seen the price go up. What prince on anything, anywhere, hasn't gone up. That's just business. If anyone wants to say they are just trying to make more money, then buy more stock in your cruise line and offset your costs with the share price gains. LOL!
We are beer drinkers. In the past few years, Carnival offers a drink package for $50 per person, per day. Both people in the cabin must buy it for every day of the cruise. So you're looking at $750 (likely a bit higher now) for 7 days, 2 people, and that gives you 15 drinks per day. First day of the cruise, I've drank that sometimes before 8pm! So days less. Bottom line, at the end of the day, it's a nice perk to have whatever I want, whenever I want, up to that 15 drinks per day. I do throw in the scattered Tiramisu martini though. SO GOOD! But back to the beer! Most of them are still 16oz or 500ml on Carnival ships, and around $8.00 I think if you're not on the drinks package.
Yes more things now cost extra. That's just the way it goes. Every company is constantly trying to figure out how to save money and protect profit as every company should do. If not, you won't be a company very long. You can still do and get a lot for free on a cruise ship (at least Carnival anyway). Yes there are upcharges but that also gives you the opportunity to upcharge your experience, when there were things before you could have had for free, but never took advantage of.
If Canada could get its crap together right now with its airlines, and I'd still like to hear less talk about Covid, we would love to hit the seas again! Maybe someday we'll run into you on a Carnival FunShip. Who Knows!
Thanx,
Dwayne (from Newfoundland)
Tracey (from Saskatchewan)
Living in Manitoba for over 20 years.
Cheers!
@@dwaynewells2922 you're absolutely right!
I'll NEVER cruise and I'll NEVER buy a Corvette!
Some things you just know you won't care for, even without trying it/them! Like co-ed, nude bathing in Japan!
Not for me. But, hey, if it rocks your boat have at it. And believe me, I'll die just as happy by not doing it as those who get off on it will!
At this point in my life I have nothing to prove to anyone, including, Most imporantly, myself!
Now if the public bath had only younger, very buff, intact, attractive people, hmmmmm......... I might give it some consideration. But those requirements would totally be, naturally, too much to even hope for! Or maybe it does happen but only in that town called Brigadoon!!!
Hahaha!
@@dwaynewells2922 I'm not sure I would ever brag about having 8 cocktails before 8 pm! Or even in a whole day! One of the things I dislike the most are drunk people. Or people that have the smell of alcohol pouring out of their skin. And the idea that people are going to really make sure they absolutely get their monies worth on the drinks package is----- enough to guarantee I won't EVER go cruising on a ship. And yes, I do have a few cocktails during the week. But wholly cow! A $1000 for liquor. In a week? ( I'm adding in tips for room service, waiters, and bartenders! I don't spend $1000 for liquor in a year!!! ( And I'll bet they buy all of it at duty free ports so the charges ARE outrageous! I don't mind a company making a profit but at some point it begins to feel like armed robbery! And to that I say---- No Way, Jose!
I've gotten around the world quite nicely as part of a couple and as a single traveler, with out any issues. The 5 hour port calls---- what are you going to see?
I dropped into Cairo for a few days and ended up staying 6 months! Egypt is the MOST fascinating place I've ever been.
Not the nicest, cleanest, prettiest but it is the MOST fascinating place in the world I've ever seen, by far. Not sure I would have gotten much out of a 5 hour visit! And people who say they did 'xxxxx' or 'xxxxxxxxxxx' on a cruise stop, what they really did was the ports 'dock' and surrounding area! Six months in Cairo wasn't nearly enough time for me! I need another 6 months, at least!
But, 5 hours? Get serious folks! The more time you spend OFF ship the less money spent ON ship! And the less you spend after returning because your tired, resting, sleeping, etc. Or you have spent your allowance for the day buying trinkets--- dockside!
Happy Cruising, indeed!
Before Cairo, on my solo, around the world in 12-15 month trip, I was in Morocco. I saw a gaggle of folks following someone carry a little triangle of a flag on a stick hrld high, in Fez! Americans mostly so I thought I would follow along just to see what it was like! Quickly a few spotted the 'infiltrator' and we talked for a few minutes.
"You're traveling alone??? WHAT????!!!!!But how do you know where to stay, what to eat, where to go? What about your safety!" Etc. Etc.
'They are people, just like you and me! They have no interest in hurting me, or you! If you treat others with respect they will treat you similarly!" And I remember them running off from me because 'the group' had disappeared, out of sight, around a corner! They were absolutely Terrified!!! of being left behind, getting lost, being separated or whatever!!!
I had to laugh and just shake my head! I wonder if they really ever saw anything of Morocco! Or even talked to a Moroccan? Or saw anything not on the prescribed tourist walk?
Probably not, huh? Such a pitty. They acted like they were in the jungle with wild, hungry animals all around them!
Fez, Merekesch, etc have been cities for well over 1000 years! (Fez became a city in the later part of the 8th century, Merekesch was est in the middle of the 11th century.) It isn't the Wild West! Calm down. You might actually learn something by traveling on your own!
But At least give it a TRY!!!
You are both just precious and delightful. I love your relationship and kindness you show each other. Yall go together like peanut butter and jelly. God bless you
Thanks so much for watching have a great week🍷🇺🇸🍺🇨🇦
What shocked my wife and I about Cruising is the relaxed attitude regarding dinner attire. Our first Cruise was 30 years ago and a suit/dress was mandatory at least twice. Also, you had a choice of early or late dining times with the same dinner guests. This was a great way to meet different people. Now you can dine anytime without other people. Still love Cruising but it sure has changed!!
Thanks for watching yes it’s more relaxed and casual these days even the formal nights LOL 😂 hopefully cruising safely will be back soon as it’s a lovely way to see lots of places 🍷🌺🍺
👍👍✌️Happy hour I’m shocked.
We choose resorts for our winter vacation. Everything included, unless you want fancy extras. Lots of food choices, and tours available to see the local attractions. Each to his own though!
Thanks for sharing! we also have done all inclusive and they are great we also like going to Portugal 🇵🇹 for a month or two , although Covid has put them all on hold for us anyway, have a nice weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
You folks are such a breath of fresh air to our Saturday afternoon happy hour. Carol & Gerry Milligan, Tamworth, Ontario
Thanks so much glad we can join your happy hour enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍷🍺
We have booked our first ever cruise for 2023 -- a river cruise up the Nile from Cairo to Aswan! I understand that river cruising is much different than ocean cruising and our boat only has 62 passengers or something like that. They say all the shore excursions are included in the fare except for a couple of special excursions with limited capacity that we need to book ahead. I believe that meals and wine at dinner is included as well. We are looking forward to it and seeing what the cruising experience is like.
Wow sounds amazing we hope you enjoy it , we also did a river cruise on the Danube it’s was awesome that included meals and wine 🍷 with dinner it’s a very different experience with way less people we had 160 ish but the boats on the Nile are a lot smaller .
Have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
More "shocking" revelations !!! Great, guys ! Keep it coming !😃🍷
Thanks Phil 😀😀🍻🍷
Hi Tina & Norm great tips and I agree about letting things settle down .
Regards Christopher Barker
Thanks for watching! yes Christopher we agree we hope 2022 will be goodbye 👋 to Covid so we can start travelling again Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
You two are so cute. You make me smile. Cruising is a big thing to watch right now. Makes we wonder if we will ever cruise again. Good to hear what you think has changed. Thank you.
We hear you yes we are not sure if we will cruise 🚢 again with all the travel restrictions but in the mean time have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
Greetings Norm & Tina ... Andy & I, mostly based on the fears of Covid have mostly hunkered down at home these past 18 months, turning to my Music (Recording & Teaching) and Andy's crafts (shows and opening a shop). We have decided to once again hit the road, start looking in on all of our vlogging friends, and restart Jimmy Lew & Andy Too. And Wow ... I was pleasantly surprised to see you have acquired 32k subscribers. Congrats ... well deserved!!! Looking forward to catching up with you two. Cheers from Michigan 🍺💞🍺
Hi Jimmy and Andy great to hear from you , we were wondering what you were up to , we like you have been at home since February 2020 so not travelling much we did buy a trailer on a static site which we have been to a few times . Actually having the You Tube channel has given us both something we can do together even been stuck at home , glad you are restarting your channel have a wonderful weekend in Michigan 🍷🇺🇸🍺🇨🇦🌺
As soon as the cruise ships started returning to Alaska in August 2021, my wife and I jumped at the chance to go. Canada was just starting to lift restrictions to US citizens but the requirements were too difficult for tour operators to handle. I had wanted to go to Emerald Lake in the Yukon but we couldn't make that happen. We took a private tour from Skagway up to the Canadian border and back to the ship. It was awesome and the ship was doing an excellent job with social distancing in restaurants and entertainment venues. And the crew was so happy to be sailing again after 18 months that the service was impeccable... Also I really like Escargot so I always ordered 2 or 3 as an appetizer. My wife likes lobster and when they had it one night they kept asking us if we wanted more. We had a few but didn't want to be gluttons... 🙂
Sounds like a great cruise 🚢 we loved the Inside Passage scenery was spectacular Cheers 🍷🎄🎅🚢
Thanks for your insight into the cruise business. We do miss it too, especially for people who don't like flying. It still lets you get to know different places.
Thanks for watching we used to love cruises 🚢 have a great day Cheers 🍷🚢🌺🍺
Thank you for the great hind-sight ...
Our pleasure! have a great weekend Timothy Cheers 🍷🌻🍺
buffet, buffet, buffet- tons of choice!!!!!!!
Newly retired and never been on a cruise as of yet but looking forward to maybe in a year or two. Really enjoyed hearing what you had to share. Many thanks.
Hope you can take a cruise when it’s safe to do so, thanks for watching.
Memory flash back: Dec 1966- Company: Codgedar Lines ( Italian I thought) Ship: Flavia. Length of trip: 30 Dec '66 - 7th February '67. Route New Zealand to Rotterdam via Suez Canal. One class passengers - two swimming pools, disco, movie theatre, casino, library, two dining halls, dancing/entertainment facility, activities, well everything one could imagine to keep occupied all this time and not get board. Including the most handsome ship's doctor a teenage girl could drool about! Day trips in ports where the ship berthed including Aden. A teenage walhalla. Having experienced that, and enjoyed it, it was however enough for me not to embark on Cruise Ship Holidays. Too much water....😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 The weirdest thing was swimming in the pool and knowing one was floating about on the ocean. Love hearing about your experiences. You tell them so well. 😂 🥳 🇳🇱 🙋♀️ 🇳🇿 🍷🍷
What a fabulous flash back thanks for sharing what amazing places you must of seen , although yes we like cruising we love month stays like we do in Portugal 🇵🇹 to see a place more . We did a wonderful river cruise on the Danube a few years back that was amazing from Budapest to Prague. Hope you are enjoying a lovely Sunday with coffee ☕️ on your balcony 🇳🇱 🍷🇨🇦🌺🌞
Thanks for your insights on cruising. The only cruising that we have done was a 3-day Nile River cruise. It isn't the same as those big cruise ships that you showed in your video, but it did give us a taste of the experience. What we learned from that and seeing the cruise ships docking at cities we've visited is that we have no desire to take a cruise. Your stories of how they are charging more for things on the cruise was enough to turn me off. But what we really don't like is the short stays in port. I realize that part of the experience is enjoying the amenities of the cruise, but that would get old for us quickly and we more enjoy seeing the sights. Having a 5-hour excursion or even a full day in a port just isn't enough for us. But that is us. Currently, we are living a nomadic retirement lifestyle in Europe and enjoying being able to slow travel and really get to experience the different countries. Anyway, you guys love cruising so I hope that you are able to get back on the boat soon.
Your Nile cruise 🚢 sounds really nice, yes we agree the time in ports is too short that’s why we go to Portugal 🇵🇹 for one or two months over winter 🥶.With all the Covid travel restrictions we don’t see us cruising for a very long time have a great weekend Cheers 🍷🍺🌺
As an English Teacher I have to say I love your use of Extreme Adverbial Phrases - another shockingly good video !
English is an evolving language like old super wonderful fantastic comfortable pair of shoes
I just needed a visit with Teen and Norm today. Not a cruiser or a retiree! ;) You two are the best. All the best from LA!
Thank you so much we are glad you visited we appreciate your support have a lovely weekend Cheers 🍷🇺🇸🇨🇦🌺
Norm and Tina, I enjoy your story telling and your videos. 😄 Probably the only cruising I'll do, will be with BC Ferries here on the West coast of Canada just because it's part of our 'highway'! 🛳️
Sounds great thanks for watching enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
BC Ferry cruising is a great way to travel! As a Yukoner for 4 decades,I've taken them from Skagway to Pr. Rupert and Port Hardy a couple of times,and also Pr. Rupert to Haida Gwai. Also in Alaska. Cabins can be used but we always do it on the cheap. Definitely see more real life vs what you'd be shown from a cruise ship. But definitly a lot more effort goes into a trip you plan for yourself vs a cruise.
@@northernsteph Sounds great thanks for sharing have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🍺🌺
@@northernsteph Those sound like beautiful sailings! Wonderful! I do want to do the inside passage from Port Hardy to Pr. Rupert one day. Maybe the other ones you mentioned too!! 😃
😂 … don’t mind me I’m from Texas
Thanks for sharing as always cheers
Thank you! enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍻
I had a friend take her son on a Disney cruise years ago. They charge everything to your cc. Glad you’ve had some good experiences. Thanks
Yes it’s expensive when you finish the cruise and have to pay your room charges.
We love to cruise , but it’s been awhile. There are definitely are a few things to learn and navigate once’s way around , I remember our very first cruise 1991 Vancouver to Mexico, it truly was all inclusive, it definitely has changed.
We have always booked our own excursions.
We can’t wait to go again our next one we are looking at is a canal cruise:)
Thanks for sharing!! we bet everything you got in 1991 would have charges now , canal cruise sounds great we have done the Danube river cruise we loved it , hope you are well enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍷🍺🌺
Location filming no less! The trailer looks great. Having done cruising ourselves, we know how expensive the trips are. We now only do the odd one or two that we haven't done before. If the ship is only there for half a day we just go ashore, look around and have a coffee.The food has always been good aboard ships, but in the early days, when we were into wines, it was rather an expensive addition. These days we are alcohol free but still enjoy ourselves. We went Holland America several times but their standards did drop off dramatically so we now go with Oceania, which represents superb value. We have missed cruising the last couple of years because of the Covid 19, even going abroad to places we like ,Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Italy etc. We have only last week booked a week in Gran Canaria again for January. We will see how we get on with the flights, although we have bought an extra middle seat in row of 3 so that we dont have to sit directly next to anyone and it was only another £38 for the seat each way so well worth it. As soon as we feel confident again, another cruise will be sorted out. Bye for now.
Glad you liked our trailer we are enjoying it , nice to explore different ares and only 2 hours from home.Someone else suggested going to Oceania , when we feel more comfortable to cruise we will check them out , great idea to buy the middle seat 💺 although coming from Canada 🇨🇦 that would cost a lot extra LOL 😂😂have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🇬🇧✈️🇵🇹🚢
Amazing! Love this video, thank you very much. You guys are amazing! You seem to be really enjoying your retirement. Been following for a few months now and absolutely love it! I crack up laughing with you sometimes! Seriously.
Thanks so much we really appreciate your support enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
Have only been on one cruise. Holland America Alaskan Cruise. Vancouver up to Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. It was a great cruise. We all really enjoyed it.
That’s great we have done the same cruise 🚢 really enjoyed it hope you have a great week Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
Thank you for the video!
Our pleasure have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
So great to know some advice from you my fan thanks you so much for your beautiful sharing
I love cruise 🚢 trip
You are so welcome have a great day 🍷🌺🍺
We've never considered cruising because I don't really like boats. You two are such fans you may have changed my mind, post covid of course!
Maybe it’s something you should try once you might like it after Covid , it’s a great way to see lots of places and meet people 🌺
We love cruising! We’ll be so glad when we can get back to it. Yep there seems to be an up charge for nearly everything!
Same as us, we do wonder how long it will be for safe cruising, yes there are up charges for lots of previously free goodies lol.
Been on 5 in the Mediterranean. Loved them all especially Celebrity Cruises. Amazing food!! 👏 Shore excursions by the ship are costly but a safe way to go. Ships can't leave legally. Always go Concierge class.
We had one Celebrity cruise in the Caribbean and we were in Concierge but it was our first cruise in the year 2000 and we didn’t understand or benefit from that class, we were too naïve.
I love your videos and want to thank you for doing them! I am 62 and my husband is much younger than I so unfortunately we won’t be retired at the same time but we do love to travel when work permits. I’m torn about when I’m going to actually retire because the longer you wait the more you get-you know the drill. 😃 And I also am aware that we are not guaranteed a tomorrow so there’s that too. Oh well, thanks again you two💜👍🏻
We are so pleased you enjoy our videos and thank you for your kind words. At least you know the concept of wait until later to take CPP or take it today, it is a difficult decision. Have a great weekend. 🚢👍🌺💐💕
Speaking from experience, please find a compromise. My best friend since kindergarten lost his life in a motorcycle accident and never seen tomorrow at 16. My first wife never seen tomorrow at the age of 28 (Leukemia). My second wife at 45 is still seeing tomorrow, but she has been through breast cancer. I am now 48 and have been through all that and more. Right now I am on disability for mental health. Trust me! Find a compromise! We are both hoping to be retired around 50. Cheers!
We travel the world and use a cruise to get from A To B. Very economical instead of a business class flight.. use the money on the voyage..we never buy the off shore tours from the cruise line, get a private tour for less money and without the crowded buses to get on and off..
Same here we enjoy the smaller tours, quicker and more personal. We have done well with cruises taking photos and videos and then licensing them. Nice to unpack just once 🚢👍
Great tips sledgehammered that like button stay safe awesome and blessed
Thanks, you too! enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍷🇨🇦🍺🇺🇸
I just found you today.
Working in the crawl.
Anyways 8 or12 later
I had Carnival Cruise shares. Yes I took the los. And sold and bought back in Sharon's name.
Interesting concept thanks for sharing enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
I enjoy you two! Thank you.
Our pleasure! enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍷🌺
Thank you.
You're welcome! 🌺
I live in a 12x50 mobile home in a mobile home park.Not a whole lot bigger than your trailer.I have heard folk in Great Britain refer to them as residential caravans! You see I am learning to speak English!!!Viewing and listening with interest! Cheers from westcoast to eastern Canada! P.S. Never been on cruise ship. Great to hear your take on them!
Thanks for watching, yes caravans are trailers, you could also say a static caravan for a mobile home. Have a great week.
Thanks for the great video. Cruising has never interested us for a variety of reasons. Maybe Alaska or Nordic cruises some day. We really enjoyed Riverboat cruising. Amsterdam to Budapest and Netherlands and Belgium. Everything’s included. All you can eat or drink and excursions included plus maximum of 120 to 140 people. It does cost up to $20,000 including flights but a once in a lifetime experience. Hope to go on more and maybe try cruising someday.. Stay safe and enjoy your travel planning.
Hi Paul actually we did a river cruise 🚢 in 2013 from Budapest to Prague it also included 2 nights in a hotel in Budapest and 3 nights after the cruise in Prague , as well as all the food, excursions etc. We loved it and as you say a lot less people would love to do it again when we feel it’s good to safely travel again. Glad you enjoyed the video and we wish you a wonderful New Year Cheers 🥳🇨🇦🥂🌞
Another very informative video! Thanks
Thank you
would have loved to meet you guys when you were here in NZ
That would have been nice Laurette
...we have done 4 cruises.......hoping to do it again when it's safe............
That’s great yes wait till it’s safer 🚢🌺
Happy Saturday guys. This is a wonderful video because you are giving us great information about cruising and you are very entertaining while you let us know. My wife is terrified that she will be seasick and that would ruin the trip. Cheers!!!
Our pleasure! yes that would ruin the trip but these days there is very little motion unless it’s bad weather which is quite rare Cheers 🍷🌺🍺🚢
I know someone who loves cruising and she always books her airfare with the cruise company because of the guarantee. I asked if it was more expensive. She said it usually costs her about $100-150 US more than booking her own airfare, but it’s still cheaper than going down the day before, booking a hotel, paying for a cab from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the cruise terminal, plus an extra day of restaurant meals.
It can be reassuring to have the cruise company be responsible for your travel and connections, only a few cruise lines offer it. Thanks for watching 🛳
Thanks for you comments on cruising. We just returned two days ago from a 14-day cruise in Greece with Seabourn (sister company to Holland America). Thankfully, since Seabourn is all-inclusive, we didn't have to face the annoying add-ons for drinks, etc. True, Seabourn is more expensive than HAL, but if you're able to get a deal on a Seabourn cruise and compare your per person/per day costs with all the extra expenses you encounter on HAL, the overall cruising experience is better and often worth the extra expense. We might not be able to cruise as often as we otherwise would but it's a better overall experience on Seabourn or a similar all-inclusive cruise line.
That’s sounds like a great cruise 🚢 were you still able to still enjoy it and the places you visited with all the Covid travel restrictions , thanks for watching and have a great week Cheers 🍷🇺🇸🍺🇨🇦
@@ThisIsOurRetirement It was almost like pre-covid times onboard. Only 300 passengers with 411 crew so lots of personal attention. No masks required onboard for passengers, but of course required in port and when around crowds. All passengers and crew were fully vaccinated with lots of testing. PCR test required before transiting from the US through Heathrow. Another test required in Athens before even going to the port and a third test required before being allowed on the ship. Then a weekly test onboard mid-cruise and a fifth test before leaving the ship. All in all, pretty safe.
Wow lots of precautions thanks for sharing stay safe and well 🌺
We did a two week with Seabourn to Alaska. The trip was outstanding. The extra cost was well worth the money.
@@texasboy5117 We also have sailed to Alaska with Seabourn and agree it was wonderful.
Only been on one cruise, with Royal Caribbean. We flew to NY and then cruised across to Bermuda and then down to Caribbean. It was to celebrate my 40th. It was enjoyable, glad we had the experience. Might go again one day but I would rather fly to Portugal or Italy and holiday in one place. I found it a bit stressful tbh but maybe it would be less so if we were retired and had a different mind set, x
Hi Deborah your cruise 🚢 sounded great , but with Covid and all restrictions not sure we would like it now. We like you love going to Portugal 🇵🇹 or similar place to stay and explore from there .
The trips we have done since retiring we have seen as exciting rather than stressful, although we nearly missed our plane back from Australia 🇦🇺 LOL 😂so yes maybe different mindset enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍺🚢🍷🌺🤗
Another great video. We too love cruising, but as you said, we are not booking, just looking, because of this Covid
Good choice! looking is cheap and keeps you safe LOL 😂😂, that’s why we aren’t going to Portugal 🇵🇹 this year too have a wonderful week Cheers 🚢 🍷🌺🍺
u guys are funny. always enjoy watching you.
Thanks for watching have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
nice to be back out of hospital now and home and its lockdown here in Australia such fun I guess cruise companies like many businesses are trying to get back their loses after many countries have restricted travel everything is changing
*like👍Au👍full view*
Hi Billy so glad you are home and yes we have been following all the Lockdowns with you 🇦🇺 they sound really tough 😱it’s a shame about the cruising industry we are sure they will put costs up again when they are allowed back in places. That was how we got to see New Zealand 🇳🇿 and Australia 🇦🇺 on a great cruise 🚢 in 2017 take care 🤗🇨🇦🍷🍺
We've never gone on a cruise yet but with the price of the drinks I may never go 🤣
Another great video!
It is a wonderful way to travel maybe try it once to see if you like it have a wonderful day Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
tons of salads, cooked veggies, stir frys, cheeses, I never had trouble.......
There is always a good selection of food 🥘
I’ve cruise out of New Orleans and Miami.( both in 🇺🇸 USA). Hopefully, when we retire will will do it out of the country.
We have cruised out of Miami and Fort Lauderdale 🚢 New Orleans is on the bucket list Cheers 🍷🌺🙂
Hi Tina & Norm, I really love your presentation style and enjoy your videos. I'm not interested in cruising but never say never. However, it's with an open mind I approach most things. I have always had Australia and New Zealand on my travel list. But one day, one day. Best wishes from Bangkok.
Thank you so much! we have been to both Australia and New Zealand both lovely places , Hope you have a great 2022 David Cheers 🍷🍺🌺
We too have had great times cruising. As for the future... we did put a fully refundable (very small $100) deposit on one in 2023, Princess. Seems the initiative to get folks back is free drinks....free gratuities, ...free hi speed internet. That was the offer and we think that's what it might take to bring us all back "into the fold". We'll stay tuned and see how things go...but don't expect prices to go down!!...not going to happen.
Cheers
Wow sounds a great deal we love Princess 🚢 yes prices will probably go up not down hope you have a great time Cheers 🍷🍺🌺
Hey Tina and Norm! Great to see this video on what Shocked you guys about going cruising. So cool you guys have been on so many of them. We agree they want to charge you for everything now especially shore excursions. When Bears went to Alaska on Celebrity Cruises they want between 100-400$ per person for every activity off the ship. Those drink packages on the ship are great if you like to drink cause the drinks on their own are so expensive. Sucks to hear they took away the robes and slippers if you are not in a suite. Guess they are making so many changes. Great video and love you guys to the moon and have a great Sunday! 💖🌛
Hi Bears and Butters we are fortunate that we did get the first 5 years of travel in before Covid came , yes the day trips are very expensive and so are drink packages both Alcoholic 🍷and Non Alcoholic ☕️. We did an awesome river cruise on the Danube which we loved everything was included on that which was nice .
We have been seeing you have had smoky smogy weather and 🥵 hot hope you are keeping cool 😎 enjoy your weekend 🌺🇺🇸😎🇨🇦🤗
@@ThisIsOurRetirement We are dealing more with heat and humidity where we are living, and haven't been impacted too bad by the smoke. Since we live in SoCal.. but there are a few fires that just started that could blow smoke in our direction. We heard you guys are having some hot weather up there too.. around 40C.. Perfect time to take a dip in the lake with some wine!! :D
@@bearsandbutters Doesn’t that sound awesome 🌊🍷🤗
It seems to happen everywhere. They've come out with advertising skinnier Reese cups like they're doing you a favor but it's the same price. Other items are doing the same. Hamburger from the grocery store here is up to $6 a pound of 85/15 lean. It's nuts. 😁👋💖
Looks like everyone is trying to cut costs on everything, thanks for dropping by hope you are keeping well and have a great weekend Cheers 🍺🍷🌺
I had two desert I wanted to try. Ate both of them.
Another cruiser order two steak dinners.
Still love cruising.
It’s definitely a fun way to see lots of places and eat lots of great food LOL 😂😂Cheers 🍷🚢🍺✈️
Thank you for sharing your adventures and information and memories with us. I miss cruising, but, believe that my cruising days are Fin. I especially liked sailing with Holland America line and Celebrity. Princess and Norwegian lines were nice, but, didn't enjoy the Carnival lines for many reasons. Just my experiences. Happy weekend. HUGS and GOD bless you all 🤗.
Thanks for watching both Holland America and Princess were our favourites , our cruising 🚢 days might be over too have a great weekend 🍷💐
Nice cupboards in background can't you get wifi outdoors Shirley there's better scenery around you to share with your subscribers. We all feel cooped up the last 18 months right? Have a great weekend from Oakville
@@nickn146 There was too much noise going on around outside so we filmed inside ,thanks for watching have a great weekend Cheers 🍺🌺🍷
One more thing. Agree on the extra charging. On my cruise Barefoor red wine bottle was 30$US. It’s 6.99 C$ in Calgary. Also the land hikes at 160$ would be much cheaper if you booked it on line but I guess that what the charge is for full service.
Yes the wine 🍷 is very expensive compared to back home or even just on dry land LOL 😂🌺
yes, meeting in the theatre takes forever.........
Yes it can do 🙂
Thank you Norm and Tina for this wonderful video. What about the seniors' discounts??
Good question! you just have to shop around to find the best price for your cruise 🚢 some include more extras than others Cheers 🍷🚢🌺🍺
Thanks for this interesting vid, I hope you're doing good. I'm hopefully going to Paris in November :)
We hope you have a great trip, thanks for watching.
Hi Norm and Tina, I enjoy your videos. I have only been on one cruise so far ( unless an overnight trip on the Newfoundland ferry counts!) . My only annoyance on the Carnival cruise was to use the soft drink package I had to line up at the usually busy and crowded bars to get a pop to have with my buffet meal. I thought the pop would be near the food as well. We were supposed to go on a RC repositioning cruise from New Jersey to Europe and UK April 2020 but unfortunately covid happened. Hopefully we can do this same cruise May 2022.
We have done a couple of these repositioning cruises they are an awesome way to cruise we loved them we hope you get to do it in 2022 🤞We haven’t done Carnival but yes that would be annoying about the drinks enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
Interesting facts and observations. Took my wife and family on an 8 hour ferry crossing on Bay of Fundy from Yarmouth, NS to Portland, Maine and my wife vowed she'd NEVER go on a cruise. Sort of backfired on me... OK... it was a ROUGH crossing!!
Oh dear guess that would put her off cruising , we have only really had one rough crossing to New Zealand on the Tasman sea 🌊 have a great Sunday Cheers 🍷🍺🌺
We went to Portland, Maine stopping at Nova Scottia from NYC. We also had a rough ride at the Bay of Fundy.
My husband was ill throughout the 7 days and refused to cruise ever again. 😔
I love the idea of stopping at many ports. So much cheaper than going directly to each spot. But he wouldn't go anymore.
Great video. Love the filler pic of St. John's (YYT). Next time your are in St. John's direct message me and I will show "a time".
Sounds good! we hope to get back soon have a great weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
I didn't know about the perks with ccl. So I shall keep my eye on the stock price. Man, would love to meet you on a cruise. We could have some nice chats (something like the character Steven on Keeping up Appearances 😁 )
Well the stock anything around $18 or less would be a deal, maybe one day, the world is a small place.
@@ThisIsOurRetirement We can discuss how I am trying to get off reading papers. I started with the Saturday paper 😁 It's at 24, thanks for the info.
Thanks for the informative video. 👍 I recall another blogger say that drinks were US $10 each, or a package of 10 a day for the cruise at $79 per person per day. And for a party of 2, even if one person did not drink, the cruise line automatically charges for both persons. On a contrasting unrelated note, I recall Doug Ford promising "a buck a beer ". Call that mission impossible. Haha. Perhaps the plight of Cruisers today could be descibed in a modern version of Carroll O'Connor 's tune, "Those Were The Days". Cheers 🤣🤣🤣🇨🇦 🎉🍙🍷🍹
Great comment yes they do bill for both people in a stateroom for drinks package and the buck a beer 🍺still waiting for that maybe we just need patience LOL 😂😂have a great weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
It looks like I’m not going on a cruise any time soon
We agree with you maybe 2023 🚢 if things settle down have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
I'm taking my first cruise soon. It sounds like all the good stuff I've heard about them is gone. Lol. I booked the flight through the cruise line but they told me they no longer guarantee to get you to the ship.,
We hope you have a great time 🚢 another of those changes probably as we hear a lot of flights ✈️ are being cancelled or amalgamated they have stopped the guarantee have a lovely weekend 🍷🌺
I always feel guilty ordering 2 main entrees at fine dining but not getting 2 plates at the the buffet. No judgement there 😃
It’s funny isn’t it and in the buffet so much food gets wasted and thrown out because people don’t eat what has been made , enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍷🍺🚢🌺
Never really fancied a cruise it always seemed so costly....so this is very interesting..
Thanks for watching Terry
Steak, lobster, slippers. I’m convinced Nooohm is a reincarnated ancient Roman with a taste in modern day decadence. Bring on the gladiators!
Funny you say that I do like pasta 🍝
Interesting to know everything good luck
Thanks! You too!
Thanks for another fab video. I'm still not convinced on cruises because of motion sickness altho good pills out there. I think we will be travelling in our car for the next year or so. Shall we meet up for our private Happy hour in AZ 👌
It could be a possibility if the border ever opens up 🍷🍺you should look to try a cruise 🚢 at least once there is very little motion and Norms top tips are take Gravol and a tube of mint lifesavers to keep your mouth moist they work wonders .Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
As a new subscriber, I’ve really enjoyed your interesting & informative video. My wife and I are interested in starting cruising but not the best with choppy boat trips. So grateful to know if the many trips you have done have been calm onboard and how much the ship rocks ups & downs in poor weather. Thanks.
Thank you for subscribing we appreciate it. Mostly the cruise ships we have been on are fine, the only rough sea we have had is the Tasmin sea between New Zealand and Australia. We would recommend the Inside passage cruise to Alaska, most of it is like a river cruise with very smooth water, we did it in Summer. Have a great weekend.
@@ThisIsOurRetirement Really appreciate the very prompt and helpful reply. Good to hear that and we’ll take the advice on board. I look forward to checking out your other videos. Have a great weekend too.
@@drew9312 Cheers 🍷🚢🌺🍺
I miss cruising as you both do, We use to do a Atlantic crossing to Brooklyn on the Queen Mary 2, once a year. Last time 2019 then fly down to see my mother in the USA. We have a credit with Cunard and we are considering a crossing in 2023. Hope the masks are gone by then, but I doubt it, that would put us off. You raised some interesting points. We always have travel insurance incorporating Cruise cover this ensures if you miss the ship ( god forbid ) the insurance will take you to the next port, off course this would be on a regular cruise not a crossing as one way!
We have done a few Atlantic crossings 🚢 we really enjoyed them hope your plans happen in 2023 enjoy your weekend 🍷🌺🍺
@@ThisIsOurRetirement Thank you....
We are definitely going to try a cruise when this virus dies down. Fly from Dublin to Venice and down to the Greek Isles! We love Greece but the island hopping is a bit much for us. So a nice Cruise sounds like the answer. Would also like to try a River Cruise. Remember my parents doing the Rhine! The Cruise was great for NZ and Australia. Thanks for sharing your stories. Good to know what to look out for.
We have also done a river cruise we did the Danube it was amazing from Budapest to Prague, your Greek cruise 🚢 idea sounds great have a nice weekend Cheers 🇮🇪 🍷🍺🌺🇨🇦
@@ThisIsOurRetirement Oh the Danube sounds fab! Have a lovely weekend in beautiful Ontario.
@@maryrosed8475 You too 🌺
90% of the time we enjoy the buffet better. Less formal and faster and less crowded
That’s very true lots of people never go to sit down restaurants, thanks for dropping by enjoy your weekend Cheers 🌺🍷🍺
Interesting to hear, we haven't ever been on a cruise.
If you think you might like it just do it once to see if it’s for you we have also done a Danube river cruise that was awesome different type of cruising Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
Made for each other👌👌👌👌 cute couple👫 never give up🤝🤝🤝 💐💐💐💐💐💐 congrats🎉
Thank you so much 🌺🤗
@@ThisIsOurRetirement you are welcome uncle 🌹💐💐💐💐💐💐 , if you have a possibility once visit my channel👍😇🌹
Good work. We do a cruise and stay through TUI. Fly to maybe Corfu, Majorca, Malaga or Dubrovnik. Do a weeks cruise arond the med then a weeks stay where we flew to. Really missing it. You can do it the other way round stay and cruise but we find after a week of shore excursions we need the week to recover. We're about to book next years cruise Covid allowing ? Keep sharing, Thankyou
Thanks so much for watching hope you get back to cruising 🚢next year Cheers 🌺🍺🍷
The Arison family ( Founders of Carnival) are still quite involved in the operation. They have taken on a lot of debt during covid but they are smart operators. There is a lot of operating leverage in the cruise business. The share price will recover.
Let’s hope so , we are sure it’s tough for all cruise owners 🚢 also the hotel industry many won’t recover from Covid thanks for watching 🍷🚢🌺🍺
A like for just that into lol. Made me laugh you two 🤣
Thanks we appreciate that 😂😂
I enjoy being on the water but I just don’t think I could do a cruise just the confinement of it and knowing I can’t leave would be enough to start my anxiety and can’t I’m not usually having a lot of anxiety but knowing I can’t get off we do it
Plus at the moment with Covid lots more restrictions we won’t be cruising 🚢 any time soon we understand how you feel Jane have a nice weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🙂
I agree on many things that you said and I think it will get worse in the next years as cruise companies will try to make up for the lost revenues since the pandemic. You also forgot to mention the minimum 18% service charge on all drinks and wine even if you don’t agree. We still have a credit with Norwegian and since we don’t want to lose it we will probably go on the Northern European cruise next June or July.
You are right about cruise companies probably going to increase prices. Yes we did forget the service charge but MSC on a drinks package didn’t add the tax to the drinks. Hope you get to use your Norwegian credit, the Northern European cruise is one we always wanted to do, going into Russia. Thanks for your comment.
I wonder if they raised the price of alcohol to dissuade people from drinking too much. We've all seen how drinking has played out on airplanes.
That is a thought, although we have never seen any drunkenness.
No mention of tips ,did i miss something ! In the Uk we're encourage to pay the tips up front at the time of booking ,which is very strange because over here we tip when we get good service and don't if the service is rubbish .So very bizarre to pay up front .So imagine my surprise at the end of the week we got the envelope asking us to tip again!!! That must be shock to all Brits on their first cruise ............
Wow! Crazy
Yes the tips are charged daily to your stateroom , but you can go and reduce the amount especially if you feel the service isn’t up to par , in your case if you paid up front I would tell them that .
Have a great weekend Cheers 🇬🇧 🍷🇨🇦🚢🍺
They can add up , it’s a big cost 💲 of cruising that and Alcohol 🍷🍺
Love cruising! Looking forward to getting back to it once this pandemic is behind us. We've mainly cruised Celebrity and always taken the drink package, is it worth it? Probably break-even, but it is prepaid(as are our gratuities) and no shocking bills when you get back home. ALWAYS fly out min. 1 day prior and good advice on booking flights with cruiseline during Canadian winter months
Thanks for watching yes we too have had some great cruises 🚢 and prepaying everything is great hope you have a great week Cheers 🍺🍷🌺
The food is what I worry about on the ships. I have so many food sensitivities, what if I can't find stuff that is safe for me.
Usually they have a lot of different things like gluten free , dairy free , vegetarian etc you can tell them your personal allergies and they will cater to you . Have a great weekend Cheers 🍷🍺🌺
Thanks for sharing. I'd like to go on a boat and bike cruise. Have you done that?
No we haven’t , we have done a river cruise on the Danube which was awesome, some of them offered a bike 🚲 option.Enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
Who is the best value operator? I am not surprised Carnival has started cutting things back .
It’s personal choice we like Holland America and Princess 🚢 enjoy your weekend 🌺
I enjoyed learning about your experiences cruising. I have never taken a cruise as after seeing quite a few reviews about the major cruise lines I lost any interest in doing so. At the risk of sounding "snobbish 😱", the idea of being cram packed with 4,000 "Walmart crowd" individuals on a mega ship just doesn't tickle my fancy. 🤣. I have heard many good things about Viking cruises. They seem to be more educational and not having the atmosphere of an "amusement park". Really, whatever one enjoys is perfectly fine to me. I just don't enjoy crowds or being herded around like a school child. To each his own. One of my sisters loves "small ship cruises". She once went on a yacht with 3 other couples and had a great time. She was in her 40's at the time and was physically fit. I know that there are some really nice small ship cruises(50 to 100 passengers) in Tahiti and also the Caribbean. It was sad but rather expected to hear how many amenities the cruise lines are cutting back on. It makes sense because of all of the money that they have lost recently. I am glad that you have had some spectacular experiences cruising and hope that you will be able to do so in the future. I certainly wish everyone who enjoys cruising a fun and exciting time. Take care and have a pleasant weekend. 👍🤗❤🙏🌎
The cruises we took were always on smaller ships 🚢 max 2500 and not the big amusement type 😱more low key with educational courses , jazz music etc .We did a wonderful Danube river cruise 160 people from Budapest to Prague that was awesome we hope you have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
@@ThisIsOurRetirement The river cruise you took sounds great!
@@johnsymonstcu Thanks it was 🌺
Can you take your own bottles of wine on the cruises?
You can on some most you can’t Darren 🚢🍷Cheers 🍷🚢🌺
can you talk more about your stock photo side hustle? I would be interested in doing something similar.
Thanks for the suggestion have a great weekend Cheers 🍷🌺🍺
Good afternoon Tina and Norm, this is a totally unrelated topic but hope you can help. I think I’m right in thinking you live in Ontario, we are planning a vacation to Toronto and Ontario for next year. I have done some research and planned a route as we want to see the lakes and mountains but I think I need to narrow my itinerary down a bit. I have been looking east of Toronto towards Kingston, Ganaanoque and The Prince Edward Island with Sandbanks also Algonquin Park and over to the West to the Bruce Peninsula with Tobermory, PortElgin and Stratford and also Niagara. Do you think this is all possible in 2 weeks or should I concentrate maybe East or West of Toronto instead of trying to cram to much in. Would you have any suggestions, any help is appreciated. Thank you
Personally Jacqui we think that’s way too much especially in 2 weeks , all those places could be split into two trips as you say East or West both would be nice , if you are asking us to pick we would do Bruce Peninsula (it’s stunning) selection but you could do Niagara Falls as well . If you are going to rent a car 🚗 book early as there are shortages . We wish you well Canada 🇨🇦 is beautiful Cheers 🍷🇨🇦🌺
@@ThisIsOurRetirement Thank you so much for your advise, I can narrow it down and take your advice😀
Well none of this is shocking to me. This is how businesses make money nowadays...nickel and dime you once they get you to make the initial purchase.
Interesting that you mentioned that third party excursions guarantee that they get you back on time! This is a selling ploy. Delays can happen beyond their control and when it does the ship will depart unless you book directly through the ship, then they will do all they can to get you back on board.
Thanks for watching 🌺
They hang over the bough and shout into the city.....hello is there anybody there...and you should hear it and immediately come aboard...
We travel to immerse ourselves in the place and enjoy the culture and people. We tried cruising and found it wasn’t a fit for us. We found it shocking how much food was wasted , and how much was consumed , as this was the “entertainment “ for many onboard. We feel bad that the cruise ship employees, many from third world countries, must have found it hard to survive COVID times. The cruising industry is BIG business so Florida will have those cruise ports open as soon as they can…despite what’s happening there.
That is very true it has been very tough times for the cruise industry that also effects all the local businesses in Florida that supply them too , have a great weekend Cheers 🍷🚢🌺🍺
I would've thought drinks would be cheapish. Not sure why I thought that. At least it's not a leaky boat.
Absolutely a leaky boat 🚢would not be good LOL 😂 have a great weekend 🍷🍺🌺
What shock me was how noisy it was. I didn't like cruise ships and their loud speakers (early in the AM) too. We are not morning people. However, we do enjoy the ports.
Does anyone know of a quiet cruiseline?
We don’t but let us know if you find one , with MSC all the announcements are done in like 5 Languages LOL 😂 we did a river cruise 🚢 from Budapest to Prague that was nice and quiet Cheers 🍷🚢🌺🍺
I live in the Yukon, a couple of hours from Skagway and see the other side of cruising. What used to be a beautiful little authentic northern town before Alaskan criusing started, is now a bit of a horror show during the brief hours a cruise ship is in port. Thousands of people pounding up and down the boardwalk buying crap that isn't connected to Alaska or the north in any way. I'm sure some people are happy to make money off the passengers but most workers are also shipped in,and businesses close on days when no ships are in port. Haven't been on a cruise yet,and not really inspired to do that. Maybe a smaller European River cruise some day. Did enjoy a canal boat holiday in the UK once though.
Good to know. I was horrified when the Norwegian Bliss was going to Alaska. It's overkill for such small towns. I've been once driving and once on a cruiseship. Beauty is found but not in the shops.