Cruising Myths

So I did a little research and discovered that the reason 80% of the population hasn't cruised yet is because of cruise myths. I say Hogwash! So let's rip these myths apart and see if I can get you cruising.

Myth #1 - I am afraid to get sick!

People do occasionally suffer from motion sickness and this is a very valid concern. However, these more modern ships are all built with stabilizers to reduce swaying. They are also controlled by sophisticated computer aided design equipment to minimize pitching (up and down motion). There are a few different over the counter meds you can take Bonine, Dramamine, sea sick patches and bands. I usually take Bonine the morning I am board to get my sea legs and then I am good. It probably isn't necessary, but I like to be cautious. The key is not waiting until you feel sick. If you do decide to take one of these things make sure it is only one. I have seen folks who are wearing the patches behind their ears and the bracelets and who take the pills and well if they got sick, it was from over medicating.

Myth #2 - I'll be bored!

I just don't know how that is possible, have you seen a brochure lately? There is so much to do on a cruise ship especially the Mega Ships. On a cruise ship you can play trivia, Bingo, watch or enter a Hairy legs or chest contest. Watch Broadway style shows, Ice Skate, Surf, Climb a Rock Wall. Play Putt Putt; gamble the list goes on and on. For children each cruise line has their own children’s program which is broken down by ages. I literally had to make appointments to see my kids they just had so much supervised fun, who needs mom and dad.

Myth #3 - Everyone is old.

Are you kidding me? Many years ago, cruising was stereotyped into being the rich and the retired. Not anymore, it is really your best valued family vacation. Now I have to admit that some cruise lines cater to the older crowd, but a lot are catering to the family market. If you work with a travel agent they can make sure that you are well suited for the cruise line of your choice.

Myth #4 - Cruising is too regimented

On the contrary. Again many years ago the ships were smaller and had limited space for options. Not anymore, you can select a dining time or choose to eat when you are hungry. Each cruise line calls it something different like Freestyle Dining or My Time Dining or Total Choice dining, etc. I am sure you get the picture. If you take advantage of one of these dining programs you can dine anytime from 5:00 to 9:00. Now how is that regimented? Ah, yes formal nights well they're optional too. You just choice to dining in another restaurant that night instead of the formal dining room.

Myth #5 - Too Expensive - You have to be rich to cruise

Well again, Hogwash! According to the CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), half of today's cruisers have household incomes under $60,000 a year.

Prices are very competitive, especially considering everything that is included, meaning your cabin, entertainment, and meals. This makes cruising more affordable than other vacation options.
Cruises are departing from more ports than ever, so if you live near the coast, you may not even have to pay for airfare.

To help keep the cost down, you want to deposit as soon as a sailing is announced. This does a few things it ensures that you are going to get the best rate for that sailing and it gives you time to make payments. Kind of like a lay-away plan.

Myth #6 - You get fat when you cruise.

In some cases if you are out to get your monies worth and eat to you almost explode then yes there is a good chance you will put on 5 to 7 pounds in a 7 day sailing. However, the cruise lines do have healthier alternatives that are just as delicious. The offer a spa menu in the dining room as well. Most ships are equipped with a workout facility to help burn those extra calories as well. It is really up to you how much you will gain. I just recently did a 9 Night cruise and only gained 3 pounds and I never felt deprived.

I am sure there are more myths out there, but try it and see for yourself. A great way to test the waters, so to speak; is try a cruise to nowhere or a 3 night cruise. These are fun and inexpensive and a great way to see what cruising is all about.

Charleston and the Original Pub Tour

So Dave and I set out reasonably early to have breakfast and head to the cruise terminal. We had breakfast at the hotel (wouldn't do that again) and then decided to walk to the terminal. We had no problems finding it, but we sure had a tough time trying to figure out where we needed to go. It seems that the police aren't certain either. We found our way and things we a bit confusing, they had two peope trying to preboard two separte wedding groups an us two travel agents. It took some time, but we made it onboard. From the outside, you can tell that the Carnival Fantasy has seen better years, but the inside was a pleasant surprise. Clean and bright, not gaudy like some of their other ships. I hear she will be going into dry dock in November to get a bit of a facelift. That is awesome news for us travel agents! You can check out my Facebook page to see some of the pictures I took. I am definately looking forward to sailing on her in October with my scrapbooking group.

Once the ship inspection was complete, Dave an I headed back to our hotel to change and get comfortable for the heat. My brother Mark met us at the hotel and we headed back into town to grab some lunch and see what we can get ourselves into. We stopped at Ohara and Flynn's Wine Bar on Meeting Street. What a plesant and quant place. This ended up being our pre-lunch, yep wine. I turned out to be our favorite place in town and we visited there a few additional time throughout our stay. Then we headed to Pearlz Oyster Bar. This place is just outstanding! Mark and I did a few Oyster Shooter (yep more alcohol), can you see where this is going? We order some lunch, more oysters please. We then headed over to Market Street book The Origianl Pub Tour. $25.00 pp later we are booked, but have to wait. Where else is a better place to do that than Wet Willies, you guessed it more alcohol and this drink has a cool name "Superman". You can only imagine the state of mind we were in by 7:00. So the pub tour begins and we can already tell this is going to be a long night. Our tour guide Chris did an awesome job on keeping us safe and did a great job trying to teach us something about the history of Charleston. The tour was supposed to be over by 10:00 and well ours didn't end until well after midnight. We visited 5 different bars and at each place you got a free specialty shot from the bartender. Again, pictures will be up on my facebook. I didn't even know I could play the tamborine. You don't have to drink it up like we did, but you definately should do the tour and ask for Chris he will show you a crazy time.

City of Charleston and the Carnival Fantasy

So Dave and I decided to visit the beautiful city of Charleston and while we were there, we'd do a ship inspection on the Carnival Fantasy. We arrived on Friday afternoon and to be honest, Dave and I weren't seeing the charm that we've heard about time and time again. The roads into town are a bit confusing (until you get use to them) and the folks drive like they are on their way to a fire. We decided to try out two different hotels while we were in Charleston. The first one is the Holiday Inn on Calhoun street. We were impressed how clean and charming the hotel was, especially for a Holiday Inn. The rooms are spacious and reasonably priced. The pool is a typical rectangle, but it looked clean and was very busy while we were there. It is a very hot summer and it was full of children. To our surprise we heard that beginning January 1, 2011 it will no longer be a Holiday Inn and is switching over to be a Courtyard Marriott. I think that is a great thing, being that the closest Marriott to downtown is on the west side, by the marina. We had reservations there, because I am a Marriott Rewards member, but we cancelled it to stay closer into town at the Best Western King Charles Inn on Meeting Street. I will let you know how that is, once we arrive and check it out. The Holiday Inn is about a 20 minute walk to Market Street. Market Street seems to be where all the night life, restaurants and bars are. There is also a Market (go figure) you can browse through to do a little shopping. Last night Dave and I ate at the Charleston Crab House. This was a neat little place and very busy. Service was great and you didn't have to wait long for your food. I had the Wasabi Crusted Tuna with Collard Greens and Red Rice. The dish was good, but I was disappointed with their Wasabi. The crust itself didn't seem to have wasabi in it and the dalop of Wasabi they served with the dish was bright green and didn't have much flavor. For any of you who knows wasabi, it shouldn't take very much to burn your nose hairs. Well, I was smearing their wasabi on every bite and never really got that reaction. The tuna itself was fabulous, so I guess their downfall is their take on Wasabi. Dave had a Lowcountry Boil. For those of you who is not sure what that is, it is steamed shrimp, corn, sausage and potatoes. My brother Mark, who lives in Savannah, has spoiled us on this with no one's low country boil living up to his. While this was not bad, the portion size was small, and it was kind of bland, not having the flavors steamed in that we are used to. We followed dinner with drinks at the Noisy Oyster and Aroma's. While there was nothing memorable about the Noisy Oyster, other then the drinks being a bit pricey, Aroma's was a nice find. It is a quaint little bar with good service, drinks, and pricing. A local jazz/blues band/duet named "Cotton Blue" was playing there. Their music was good and provided a nice atmosphere. We will be returning there during our trip. This is where we ended our night. Tomorrow is a ship inspection on the Carnival Fantasy and my brother Mark comes for a visit.