Comments on: Is Cruising an Inauthentic Way to Travel in Your 20s?

By: Emily Gerson

Emily Gerson — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 02:45:28 +0000

Manda, thanks for sharing! I’m glad to hear you had a good experience, and especially happy to hear that you went out of your way to find local activities and eateries. That’s definitely the way to do it! Caribbean cruises are definitely inexpensive. The only problem is that the cheaper the cruise, the worse the food is (I thought the food on Carnival was pretty awful, but have had amazing food on nicer cruises). But you’re right–as long as the boat docks often, you have many chances to explore local cuisine. I look forward to reading your blog posts about your experience!

By: Manda

Manda — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:48:37 +0000

I just had my first cruising experience. It can be authentic if you make it authentic. As far as price, it was verrrrry affordable and worth the five relaxing days at sea. I went to Cozumel. While others opted to go to the water front Americanized restaurants, I asked the locals where I should eat and walked further into the hood and had a meal made by loving grandmothers and aunts. Next time I will leave the boat as soon as it docks because after my authentic tequila tasting and lunch and walking around the neighborhood, the day got away from us and we didn’t have enough money to do anything else. But I still had a blast. I suggest early research, ask a few people online about things to do and ask the locals you find walking around that are more inland. The price for my cruise was less expensive than a roundtrip flight ticket and there are some longer cruises (long stays at dock or to multiple iles) that are worth the dime. Im excited about cruising and want more! I’ll be blogging about my first cruise soon.
Thanx for sharing

By: Kita

Kita — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:59:18 +0000

Hi All,

Being 27 and having been on several cruises myself, it is definitely the most inauthentic way to travel. Not only is it completely harmful to the climate (consider the gallons of gas it take to move a bunch of people around in a small city) but they also destroy the small islands and places where locals live. Many times, especially in small ports, the vendors selling to the cruise ships are actually employed by the cruise ship companies themselves, therefore only hurting already poor countries.

Also, being on St. Martin for a week’s vacation, I witnessed the entire shoreline come alive with parties and open shops, etc., during the day while cruise ships were in port, only to realize that at 5pm it completely DIES, and there is not a single person left on the beach. Behind the cute little island shops, I might add, is a GIANT landfill that was produced by the cruise ships.

So yeah, I truly believe human beings are morally obligated NOT to go on cruise ships.

By: Amy @ The Q Family

Amy @ The Q Family — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:39:22 +0000

I enjoy cruising as much as other kinds of travel adventures like camping or visiting a city. I don’t think you should be worried about what other people think. If you are happy while you are traveling and enjoy your trip, go for it. I don’t know if there is a rule of ‘Authentic Travel’ written anywhere. Different people has different taste and preference.

I strongly believe that travel is reall a personal preference so what you do and how you do it on your trip is your choice! Enjoy your trip as much as you can. Don’t let other predict how you should travel.

By: What We’re Reading: September 25, 2009 | Two Go Round-The-World

What We’re Reading: September 25, 2009 | Two Go Round-The-World — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:54:38 +0000

[...] on Maiden Voyage, Emily Gerson asks “is cruising an inauthentic way to travel in your 20s?:” She writes: [...]

By: Nancy D. Brown

Nancy D. Brown — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:48:25 +0000

Hi Emily,
I only have two Alaska cruises under my belt; one with Royal Caribbean on a land and sea tour package and with Holland America Line and the Ms Westerdam. Like many folks under 50, I thought cruising should be left for the retired crowd. Now that I’ve done it, I can’t wait to go again.
I’ll be heading to the Western Caribbean in November on Princess Cruise Line. Would love any input on selecting exciting shore excursions.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:39:50 +0000

I have mixed feelings about cruises.

I don’t have much experience with the big cruise boats but I did a week long cruise along the coast of Dalmatia and it was a neat experience. Our boat was small (under 30 people) and it was infintly easier than trying to arrange transport between the many islands of Croatia. I highly doubt I saw any of the islands in as much depth as I would traveling on my own, and there was a bigger focus on partying it up than sightseeing in my group however. Still, it was a lot of fun and very convenient.

On the other hand, I think cruising can be deceptive because you don’t get to experience a country as fully. That’s fine if you are using your cruise, as you said above, as a taster to explore further, but I have a feeling most people would be perfectly happy to visit San Juan for a night and check Puerto Rico off their list. I think it comes down to personal travel style in the end.