http://www.cruiselinefans.com What to Bring? Preparation Advice and Questions, packing and luggage; essential paperwork; required vaccinations and more. en Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:57:09 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.cruiselinefans.com/images/styles/cruiselinefans/misc/rss.jpg http://www.cruiselinefans.com http://www.cruiselinefans.com/before-you-cruise/44197-self-disembarkation-carnival-splendor-yuck-new-post.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:07:19 GMT We just got back from a wonderful cruise on Splendor - full review to follow - nearly spoiled by debarkation.

As we had an early flight, we elected to self-debark. UGH!!! In order to get a down elevator from deck 8, we had to take an up elevator and stay on. Things were a sardine can on deck 3, which is where we had to go.

Two women - please note I did NOT say ladies - were a royal PIA. I also hope they read this. They were in the back of our elevator and had more luggage than anyone. When we reached the bottom they pushed and pushed until they somehow managed to get off the elevator. They then kept pushing forward through the crowd, once running over my wife's foot with a suitcase. As other elevators came down they insisted that the people there, now in front of them because of the elevator position, get to the back and wait "like we had to". Everybody wished them a flat tire, a dead battery, or both as they were eventually let through to get rid of them. Avoid self-disembarkation like the plague if you possibly can!

More to follow in generally great review.

Dan ]]> Before You Cruise flutepilot http://www.cruiselinefans.com/before-you-cruise/44197-self-disembarkation-carnival-splendor-yuck.html http://www.cruiselinefans.com/before-you-cruise/44043-reasons-consider-cruise-vacation-new-post.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:28:54 GMT Why cruise?
What makes a cruise vacation the right choice?

While the answers to those questions can be different for every person, I thought it would be interesting to start a thread/list of reasons, for people who are not sure this is what they want to do. I'll start off with some of mine:

*You get to sample different vacation spots, compare them, and then decide where you would like to go back to. (for example, the different Caribbean islands)

*You see something that you can't see from land or see it differently(like waterfront fjords/glaciers in Alaska or the riverfront on the Rhine).

*It is the easiest/safest way to get to some places (like the Falkland Islands or Iskendurun, Turkey.)

*It is an all-inclusive vacation, for less money than most all-inclusive resorts.

*It is a great alternative to a retirement home - more interesting!!

*It is a great way to have a family reunion with people in all income brackets.

*The sea and the waves are so relaxing!

I hope this was a good start. Please add more. If you do not agree with these reasons, don't say why, just add your own. As I said before, this is an individual thing. ]]> Before You Cruise MCcruiser http://www.cruiselinefans.com/before-you-cruise/44043-reasons-consider-cruise-vacation.html