Thread: What is the one thing you wish...

You don't have to like cell phones, but if people have them for emergencies, or only use them in their cabins, then you don't know if they have them or not, do you?

We were just in Central Europe and after 3 days into the cruise, the ship lost its satellite connection, and we couldn't see CNN. (I'm not a fan of Chicken Noodle News, but they at least know that there is more than one planet on the globe.) The last we had seen, there was flooding in Pennsylvania, and the front was headed to NY. I am thrilled I had my phone to call my mother in NY.

When I could reach her, I asked:
"We saw there was flooding. ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
"We saw that Israelis were at the Gaza border. What's the news about Gilad Shalit?
"We know the space shuttle was delayed. What are they saying now?"

You might think these are weird questions, but they were important for us. Just like this week, we would want to know what was going on with North Korea. If World War 3 is about to break out, I want to find out before I get to the airport. And yes, we were on vacation, but finding out that the world has changed while we were away is not something we want to do.

When you leave the ship, you should have the emergency number for the ship's agent with you. Since I bring my cell phone with me, I type the emergency number into the phone, and then I don't have to look for a pay phone.

OK, I vented.

The thing I really don't like other people to bring is a closed mind. I know people who travel and complain about seeing ABC - "another bloody church". How silly! Besides the fantastic artwork you would miss, houses of worship let you know what's important to the people who go there! The construction tells you about the customs at the time it was built, and it could tell you about the history of the area. In Bulgaria, we went to a church that was very ordinary on the outside, and incredible on the inside. They put all their artistic talents to work on the inside - where the ruling Ottomans couldn't see it! It was meant to be low key, so that they wouldn't be forced to convert!

Another thing people are closed-minded about is food! You can find the "American embassy" - McDonald's!- in almost every major city in the world, but why travel, if that's the only place you will eat? But if that's what you want to do, don't let me stop you. Just let me call my Mom on my cell phone once a week.
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Originally Posted by MCcruiser

Another thing people are closed-minded about is food! You can find the "American embassy" - McDonald's!- in almost every major city in the world, but why travel, if that's the only place you will eat?
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Oh wow did you hit the nail on the head with this one...and I totally agree! It amazes me to see tourists that complain about foreign food being "different" and then end up eating only what they are used to. Like McDonald's. OK, I know it's 'to each his own' and everybody has preferences and their own comfort levels...but what a shame to miss out on such a wonderful experience. To me, the food is as important to what a country is all about as its museums or historic landmarks.

Originally Posted by Krazy Kruizers

We just got back a few days ago from Alaskan back-to-back cruises and all we heard were cell phones - even in the dining room!!!!

That is the trend I also found on our Alaskan cruises. I mean having a cell phone is one thing and since I have teens at home, mine is always on, but walking around the ship conversing in public areas is a real annoyance.:thumbsdow :thumbsdow

Unfortunately, cruiselines can't teach manners.....

I don't mind kids if their parents have taught them how to use their "indoor voices". I don't object to people using their cell phones quietly in out-of-the-way places. I appreciate smokers considerately staying in the designated areas.

It's the rude, inconsiderate people of any age that I wish would stay at home!:thumbsdow

Lisa

I have never been on a cruise with rude adults. Never...not once!

I don't know if that's because we usually go on longer cruises...or where we go...or the cruiseline or what. But people are polite, funny but not loud, strangers gather to share stories and jokes but nobody is ever annoying...and I have never seen anybody sloppy drunk. Tipsy and giggly...sure...but never falling down drunk or mean, vulgar, or ugly from drinking.

Originally Posted by Texashorselady

what a shame to miss out on such a wonderful experience. To me, the food is as important to what a country is all about as its museums or historic landmarks.

Julie, you are so right. That's part of the beauty of travelling. When we travel, one of the first things we do is enquire of that country's national dish and other foods they prepare, because as you stated, "the food is as important to what a country is all about as it's museums, historical landmarks", and I will add it's culture. I am here in the US eating McDs and BKs sometimes, so I can't fathom why I'd want to have that when I travel too.

I'm not crazy about McDonalds and seldom, if ever, eat there. However when we were in Thailand for 15 days I got very tired of the food. We were on a tour and had the very best meals at the very best places, I still got tired of it! When we had the chance we did go to a McDonalds once. Now the hamburger didn't quite taste the same as here, but that meal tasted as good to me as any steak dinner at a fine restrurant in the US.

I couldn't eat at any Asian restrurant for almost a year after I got home, and I usually like that food. Way too much rice for me!!!