Is the Caribbean Losing Its Exotic Allure? - Page 5 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

jemingway · 03-18-2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinelyCruising

I would suggest there is a large percentage of cruisers who want nothing more than to stretch their legs and get off the ship for a few hours and enjoy the entertainment value they receive from seeing the shops and possibly finding something to bring back home. I also think that for some others if an absence of retail exists they may feel that there was nothing to do on the island, health or cost constraints limiting choices to just what the piers have to offer.

This is a great point. I agree completely. It sounds like my in-laws.

cruise4me · 05-18-2009, 09:16 AM

Very interesting discussion.

Someone mentioned a change after 9-11, the change was more dramatic then, but has been constantly changing. I remember when local kids would dive off the pier next to the ship in the Bahamas for conch shells and sell them to the passengers. I remember when native trinkets were sold from a straw market, not concrete block building.

Returning to the ship, I get the feeling of entering another world having to show my room card key to security seperating the locals from the rest of us. Especially in some of the South American ports were there are soldiers with rifles watching.

These are changes to protect us and there will be more as time goes by and new regulations and security is warranted.