travel thread

[ben ji]

anybody been on a cruise in the pandemic era?  Think I may be going on one in January.

My parents just got back from a 7 day cruise and 10 day cruise (Stayed in Miami for a couple of days in between) but that was pre omicron. You have to be vaxed and show a negative covid test from the last 48 hours before you can board which was the only stressful part (traveling/waiting for your results not knowing if you will not be able to board etc).

They said the ships were maybe 60% full but not much was different beside the buffets were no longer self serve and they closed earlier.

They absolutely love cruises and booked a bunch of them for dirt cheap once Covid Hit and just kept rolling them over until they started doing cruises again, going on another one in the middle of January.

[ben ji]

Also according to my parents Royal Caribbean has a new 15 drink a day limit even if you have the All you can drink package. They scan your card every time you get a drink and once you hit 15 you can't get anymore.

The all you can drink package and casino were the only thing that made the last cruise I went on tolerable (2018ish, parents paid and really wanted the whole family to go).

My personal hell is being in a line with 4,000 other people trying to get off a ship just to exit into a fake aztec market looking place where people are dressed up as aztec warriors and dancing then being forced to walk .5 miles through a maze of stalls selling shitty knick knacks while you are pressed up next to other people. This was Costa Maya Mexico, luckily there was a nice beach about a 10 minute taxi ride away.

[star seed 7]

Cruises seem like AI resorts for people that don't like to relax and actually enjoy inconvenience.

I do kind of want to go on a European river cruise though.

[Kat Kid]

Only cruise that seemed interesting to me is the European river cruises on a barge where you go down the Danube or the Rhine or something.  Probably would still rather just take a train.

[Kat Kid]

Or a Nile river cruise.

[DaBigTrain]

My parents had a cruise planned for next year but ended up cancelling because of the uncertainty. I've never been on a cruise but I feel like in the normal times it would have been a good time.

[Phil Titola]

Also according to my parents Royal Caribbean has a new 15 drink a day limit even if you have the All you can drink package. They scan your card every time you get a drink and once you hit 15 you can't get anymore.

The all you can drink package and casino were the only thing that made the last cruise I went on tolerable (2018ish, parents paid and really wanted the whole family to go).

My personal hell is being in a line with 4,000 other people trying to get off a ship just to exit into a fake aztec market looking place where people are dressed up as aztec warriors and dancing then being forced to walk .5 miles through a maze of stalls selling shitty knick knacks while you are pressed up next to other people. This was Costa Maya Mexico, luckily there was a nice beach about a 10 minute taxi ride away.

Carnival has had that limit for a long time.  Good to know about RC and the capacity.  Is that something cruise lines are doing for health or just not very popular rn?

[TheHamburglar]

Only cruise that seemed interesting to me is the European river cruises on a barge where you go down the Danube or the Rhine or something.  Probably would still rather just take a train.

We took a day trip river cruise up the Rhine from Boppard. I could see both ways. However, if you’re going to the Rhine & wanting to stay in a few cities, I could see booking AirBNB in the cities & using the boats to go up/down the river instead of trains. I enjoyed seeing the cities from the boat.

[star seed 7]

There is a route that goes through Vienna, Budapest, and Bucharest (also some castles and small towns and crap) that I've been eyeing for a trip with my mom.

[Kat Kid]

There is a route that goes through Vienna, Budapest, and Bucharest (also some castles and small towns and crap) that I've been eyeing for a trip with my mom.

Yes, my in laws went and loved this. I think it would be a good time.

[ben ji]

European river cruises are alot smaller/more intimate than Caribbean cruises. My parents went on one up the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel Switzerland for 10 days and it was only around 150 guests on the ship. They were in their early 60's and said they were one of the youngest people on the ship and it was basically all americans.

 

[Trim]

Cruises seem like AI resorts for people that don't like to relax and actually enjoy inconvenience.

The only plus to the cruise I see is that everyone is on the same timeline and restrictions, so maybe it makes it easier to link up with new people if that's a goal.

[steve dave]

European river cruises are alot smaller/more intimate than Caribbean cruises. My parents went on one up the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel Switzerland for 10 days and it was only around 150 guests on the ship. They were in their early 60's and said they were one of the youngest people on the ship and it was basically all americans.

They have ones catered to families and kids. We are planning on taking our kids on one in 2023. probably AMAWaterways.

[ChiComCat]

My parents have done 2-3 viking cruises in europe.  I think they were most excited about traveling through some locks on the boat.

[star seed 7]

For you river cruise ajace people, has there been any trouble with water levels canceling boats? Very nervous about that because they just move you by bus then and that sounds very not fun.

[Phil Titola]

Any hot Argentina tips?

[sonofdaxjones]

DFW Terminal D 2nd floor Flying Saucer.  Private restrooms.

[sys]

Any hot Argentina tips?

where are you going?

[steve dave]

chile is the long skinny one that is shaped like a chile pepper. hth.

[ben ji]

My parents have done 2-3 viking cruises in europe.  I think they were most excited about traveling through some locks on the boat.

My parents just went on a Caribbean cruise in December where they went halfway through the panama canal, hung out in the lake in the middle for a day then went back to the caribbean, they thought it was pretty boring going through the locks.

Also not sure if I mentioned it but my parents have been on cruises since like Jan 5th...They went on one out of the Miami area and it was like 40% full, when they boarded they were offered a free cruise the following week so they took it. They are finally getting back to KC in a couple of days.

[star seed 7]

My quarantine spot

[Phil Titola]

Any hot Argentina tips?

where are you going?

no idea, just looking at options.

[sys]

well, i've only been to buenos aires and bariloche, but i liked them both a lot.

[420seriouscat69]

Anybody have good San Diego restaurants suggestions? I need to reserve something soon for Thursday night.

[Pete]

Anybody have good San Diego restaurants suggestions? I need to reserve something soon for Thursday night.

A fun spot is "World Famous" on Mission Beach.  Great view of the ocean and boardwalk.