I took the above cruise a few years ago. Would I take it again? Probably not. But, if I were to see a cheap cruise like it offered on Princess without a single supplement that sails out of New York, I'd jump at the chance to take it.
- - - - - -
There is a problem with cruising. In many ways, its like taking a tour bus, except that it covers a larger area on water. If I were to take a tour bus to see the sights in San Francisco, the knowledge that I'd gain from that bus ride would give me an idea of where to focus my exploration on a day to day basis. Cruising is much the same, as it helps familiarize a person with the important things that can be seen in a coastal area. In the Caribbean, I like to say that each island consists of 3 main things: a beach, a fort, and a shopping district. The size and scope of these things differ from island to island, but for the most part, there is not much difference between the islands.
With the above being said, cruising can be a great way to detach from the world. When I was still employed by the bank, I found that NOT being able to read my emails or make phone calls from the ship forced me to disconnect. There is an art to disconnecting from the world. But once it is mastered, one can relax without pressures of the outside world getting in the way. (Leave your phone on, and you can receive both a large phone bill upon your return and bad news to be processed while still on the ship.)
- - - - - -
So, why do I cruise? I guess it's habit. I've gotten used to the idea of staying in a hotel that moves from port to port, and not having to pack and unpack at each destination.
