LukeJ

I wonder why our pallete changes so much. It's weird as somethings you used to try or enjoy, you never would like to eat again. It does intrigue me, the way our body and mind works. Years back, I would even do certain activities, now, the thought of it fills me with dread. I could never do them now, and it's almost frustrating as I would constantly do them back in the day.

Some people do go away for the experience that's true, and even though the ship may dock, doesn't necessarily mean that you have to get off. As you say, there is plenty of things to do onboard, and many have seen the locations stopped at many times before.

@PaulB when I read that, I did actually think that's a bit ambitious, expecting bamboo to be a material for a house, as I envisioned a sort of Robinson Crusoe type shack, but you're right as I just search it online. This really is the most flexible material you can use. You can use it for absolutely everything, the list is endless.

I'm actually going to encourage you to give it a go now. And I do require photos as evidence I'm afraid. You never know, you may actually enjoy them.

It's just like a typical busy UK city, that parking is very limited and you could drive around and around just looking for anywhere to park, which as you can imagine can get very frustrating after you've been travelling for some time. Some hotels do have car parks underneath, but if you're over a certain height, you cannot get in there and you end up searching for places that you can park, and find yourself some distance away from your destination.

We do plan a couple of excursions I admit, but when you are on a cruise for a week or more, it's good to have something to aim for in that time, however, to plan everything within every hour of the vacation is not my idea of fun. As I mentioned, I do like to go with the flow majority of the time, but if there is a couple of excursions planned, then I'm for that too.

That is a bit of a worry if sickness continues onboard. I totally understand how sickness can reach a party but after some time, it will eventually go. If that bug lingers for longer, then cleanliness needs to be addressed.

@Kendall James-Vargas that's not a bad idea to be fair, the issue is that you would arrive in Southampton for example first thing in the morning and unable to check in until midday and nowhere to park. But that's just the trivial thing. I always hate the travel home after the vacation. You step off the ship, and then the thought of driving that way home daunts you.

I would actually love to see bamboo art work. I'm very big on art, and love collecting pieces for my home. I would like to see something different done with other materials, and think if you can make t-shirts out of bamboo, then maybe canvas type material to paint on.

Wow, that's certainly a vacation to remember. I'm not sure if I would even like the 27 months onboard. It's great to have the novelty and the travelling to different locations, however after a spell, it tends to drag slightly I would think.

No I do agree that the travel in the car is a bit of a chore. I would require to travel 5 hours to get to the port of Southampton or Portsmouth. If I have a rest stop, it will be even longer, so I do try to travel there in one long trip rather than break it up, but it's important to everyone to stretch their legs in between the journey. We always travel down the day before and stay in a hotel. But once onboard, it's always worth it I find.

Ha ha oh yes I have to admit I gave a wry smile when I read your comment on the hyper planners. I've been there myself, and some are just totally overwhelming and try to plan every single thing of the vacation. I'm all for doing things as a group, but honestly it spoils things when it's all planned for you. I like to see where the wind blows, and go wherever we feel at the time.

There was a slight tongue in cheek there, however if abroad and someone offered me them, I would consider it. I'm open for most culinary things, and will only try once even if I don't like it. It's important to broaden your horizons and try new things. We preach to our kids, good advice for ourselves too.

I'm happy to go with the flow when on vacation, open minded to most things and think positive, and let everyone else be miserable if they wish.

@Cruising Caribbean that made me chuckle, yeah the mentality of people these days. Complain when something is dirty, happy to try and destroy and spit venom because something isn't clean, and then complain when someone is cleaning because they have to actually move. Honestly, it baffles me.

Just need to manage your expectations really. In your mind you must realise if you pay basic then you will receive basic service. The only sad thing about is, is sometimes you can't pay top price, and will never receive what the privilege passengers can get, however as long as you're open minded and with friends and family, then that's better than anything money can buy .

@Kendall James-Vargas it's a universal scenario with kids unfortunately. And spend more time stopping for breaks than travelling some times. Yes we always sail out of UK, mainly Portsmouth or Southampton. If there is an opportunity to fly to America to sail from one of the big ports, then it's something that we would consider.

@Kendall James-Vargas that's an interesting take. I've never ever thought about the exposure and always leave my wi-fi and Bluetooth on when at home. It just doesn't occur to me about radioactivity and that changes my perspective now.

@FJB why not if the weather is good ha ha. I done that before when working abroad in the summer seasons. If I didn't have a place, I'd sometimes sleep on the beach. Always remember thinking it was surreal, lying there listening to the waves.

I don't go for wi-fi when onboard anyhow. I want to go for the relaxing vacation where I just think and concentrate on myself and my family with no distractions from the outside world. I understand that people need the connectivity, and as everything in the world, you pay for that privilege. It's supply and demand to these companies. If nobody paid for the wi-fi onboard, then the companies would have no choice but to lower the costs. However if passengers are still paying then there is absolutely no chance that those costs will ever go down.

@Cruising Caribbean absolutely spot on. We should all know that the world doesn't do us any favours. If we want something nice, then we pay for that. If we pay little, then unfortunately we do get the basics of it. If you have no problems with the basic, then great. As you mentioned the buffet, with scrambled eggs, it's just the way it goes when it comes to feeding crowds of people. At some point that was probably good scrambled eggs, but over time, it obviously goes. If you want fresh, super scrambled eggs, then as you guess, pay more for a more personal touch.

@3Sisters seriously she is a nightmare. Always wants deep meaningful conversations when the lights are out and all I want to do is go to sleep. She's been sleeping on the sofa all evening, despite me telling her not to, but I know nothing clearly. If I say no, I get the "you're no fun" speech. No you're right, I'm not at this time. Four hours ago, I was a hoot, but you wouldn't know.

I'm surprised to read of this. If the cruise companies are getting a cheaper alternative, why is it costing the guests more? That sounds like total greed to me, and I don't particularly like that. Is there a valid reason for this?

Like moths to a flame that scenario. You know if you look your worst and want nobody to approach you, they suddenly get drawn from far and wide. It really is a fickle thing the mind really. Just the way you think has a massive effect. I sometimes remind myself of that if I'm feeling low, and force myself to think of the positivity, and make myself put effort into something, such as best clothes, and surprised that my mood has shifted.

Wow, I will have a look on the site and see what's available, thank you very much. I agree, plastic is such a horrible alternative, especially for bottles. I personally prefer glass to making the product look better to the eye, understand why it's was moved to plastic, but now as we develop, do should the materials.