Stormy Seas or Smooth Sailing?
Jackie Wammock
Travel Blogger | Owner of Travelera Partners | Former Retail Real Estate Exec | Always packing and unpacking | Safari Specialist
So, a couple of weeks I was invited by Holland America to sail on the Volendam—a 1400-passenger ship that felt huge to me but is apparently considered cozy by modern standards. People seem to fall into one of two camps: die-hard?cruise?lovers?or those who'd gladly choose a stick in the eye over setting sail. I was definitely in the latter group, hanging out with the blind folks.
Now, I'll admit it—I'm a bit of a control freak (there's a shocker). ?The idea of being stuck on a floating city with 1398 people (plus my husband Sam) for?a week, with no easy escape route apart from the Coast Guard, did?not Spark Joy. But hey, I took one for?the Travelera Partners ?team and the fine folks at Holland America, so off we sailed. The comments on my social media posts were all over the place, too.
?From "OMG, we love?cruises, so jealous!" to "Tried it once, one and done."
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CAMP NO WAY
?Total lack of control over time spent in a destination
Too many people all on top of each other
Too many really really old people
Too many sloppy drunk people
I heard the food sucks and buffets are germy
Why, as long as there are really nice hotels?
It’s like Vegas at Sea
It’s like Six Flags at Sea
Hate group organized travel
I really don’t like people
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领英推荐
CAMP HELL YEAH ??
?Well timed port stops for sightseeing and eating
Modern ships offer tons of dining options, and chill spots to hang out
Different ships, Different Crowds
No need to worry about the food, many cruise lines are Foodie Forward
Some cruise lines rival 5-star luxury hotels, with swanky cabins, top notch butler service and amenities
Hate Vegas? Opt for a ship with a small casino or no casino
If the top deck looks like Six Flags at Sea, this may not be the ship for you
Not a fan of group trips?? No worries, lots of options to do your own thing
People averse?? Don’t go on a cruise! ??
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"So How Was It?" You Ask the?Cruise?Skeptic...
?Honestly? We had an awesome time. ? And get this—I didn't need a vacation from my vacation for?once. Probably because I wasn't the one buried in travel research and decision fatigue for?a change. Who knew that unpacking and packing just once could be a game-changer?! Sure, the ship was at full capacity, but it never felt packed.
We're?not?big into casinos?or?shows, so we happily skipped those. Buffets??Not?a fan, so we ditched them too.
We did hit rough weather, but that just meant an extra day at sea, which was perfect. I cozied up in the library near the coffee shop, living my best life with books, endless lattes and wine. Sam? He was off getting gym time and naps in.
?Here's the kicker: no eye-popping bill at check out. Most of it was already included in the fare. So yeah, I totally get it now.
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Senior Vice President at CBRE, Inc
9 个月Omg never. No cruises ever again. I simply just don’t like them. Not for me.
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9 个月Your journey from skeptic to enthusiast mirrors a common experience! As someone guiding startups and B2B businesses, I find parallels in how initial perceptions can evolve. Just like a well-executed marketing strategy, a cruise can surprise with its depth and variety of experiences. Looking forward to reading more about your newfound perspective and how it relates to broadening horizons both on the sea and in business!