So I saw THIS Atlantic article linked on Bluesky and I found myself conflicted, nodding in agreement with almost everything the author wrote, yet simultaneously thinking he sounded exhausting and pretentious himself.
It made me think though, that while this absolutely jibes with everything I’ve thought after hearing from my acquaintances who have gone on them – and from extrapolating based on my own understanding of their personalities – I’ve never really asked “peers” what they think. Have you been? How was it? Why would you agree to be trapped inside a compacted hotel where you will literally die if you leave at the wrong time?
…also I didn’t think I could post the link in !news@lemmy.world
I read the whole article, and I’m just confused. I didn’t really see much actual criticism of the cruise itself, just a rant from some guy who went on a cruise that he clearly never wanted to be on in the first place. It reminds me of being a teenager and having to go on vacation with my family, and just wishing I could be doing literally anything else.
I’ve been on a cruise once. To Alaska. It was a smaller cruise ship, though I still would have thought it was huge, had I not seen other ships 4 times it’s size docked next to it.
It was a fun experience. I got to enjoy seeing a lot of cool places in Alaska, got to eat at a free buffet anytime I wanted, and even had my first fine dining experience. There were shows and fun activities to take part in. I also got a nice deal on it. I’m far from rich, but it was a really fun and reasonably priced vacation for me. I’ll probably go on another cruise some day.
I’ve been on one cruise. 5 days in the Caribbean. Probably the best week I’ve ever had.
It was within a month or two after cruises were allowed post Covid, so it wasn’t very crowded, and that might have made a huge difference, but my wife and I would LOVE to do it again.
EDIT: I read that article, well, some of it. I started skimming part way through and then just gave up. This isn’t about cruises. It’s about a lonely socially awkward person who expected to be more interesting because he was on a boat.
Yeah, like I said, I’m not quite sure what the writer was expecting. I like to imagine his editors sent him on the trip as a punishment; there’s at least one part where he implies that’s a possibility.
Now, I don’t doubt that he met a lot of thoughtless, unpleasant people on that ship, but the inability to acknowledge that people unlike him could be anything other than worse than him was… offputting. The story was written for an audience of about 5 aging hipsters from Brooklyn.
The article reads like the author has the mission statement of being the most miserable motherfucker in the room.
My frozen margarita was very tasty and mixed perfectly but the little blue umbrella clashed with the green of the lime mix, so I was forced to pour it down the sink and rinse it down with my tears.
I went on a caribbean cruise with my family when I was 12 in the 90s. I was old enough to appreciate and remember some things, but I imagine it’s better as an adult. I wouldn’t mind doing an Alaskan or European cruise.
I just finished reading The Last One by Will Dean, the fictional story of a woman who wakes up on a cruise boat to find everyone has disappeared. I hated the ending, but if anyone is interested in luxury boat-realted horror, you might be into it.
Unlimited all inclusive food man. I would totally do it again.
