re: Carnival and the "trashy" reputation

quote:

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don't forget to smuggle your hooch!

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I am a huge proponent of the ultimate beverage package on RCL. Last time it broke down to like $700 or so for my wife and I but man was it easy. On our next sailing it includes a stop at Labadee Haiti (RCL's private section of haiti) and it even includes the alcohol you drink on the island.

I just cruised on the Oasis of the Seas last month. Best ship I've been on yet. That was my 11th cruise. I've cruised 3 times with Carnival out of New Orleans.

(This thread is a few years old and my response is not directly tied to OP but the only way I could see to post)

I think most people consider cruises "trashy" is because you're choosing to be on big prison with 100->1000+ other people who are choosing to do the same thing, and, there's really nothing to see except ocean. OK sure, you have "ports of call" or whatever, but if you're "in Mexico" for 6-8 hours, that's no time to make friends, try more than one touristy restaurant, learn any language, it's not much better than a layover in the airport. People who say "I was on a cruise and went to Mexico (or wherever)", the audience is probably snickering at your naiivety because no, that doesn't count.

The only "cruise" I've done was in Ha-Long Bay in Vietnam, which is a fascinatingly beautiful area, UNESCO world heritage site, and can only be seen from the water, ie. a cruise. But the boats can only service about 30-40 people, including staff, so it's not what people normally think of, when they hear "cruise". Yes it was quite luxurious, my room was as good or better than most hotel rooms, there were only about 10 guests on the boat at any time, and it isn't a crowded party ship although there is a bar and you can do whatever you want; and there are scheduled activities. I highly recommend this option to any traveller - you will not find walmart level cruise ship "trash" on these boats as just to get to Vietnam is more money than most americans will ever have.