1. Everyone gets sick onboard. People with motion sickness are more vulnerable, as well as people with low immunity, and those who do not wash their hands very often.
2. Boredom is unavoidable. It's your own fault if you're bored. Check out my other cruise posts about things to do onboard.
3. I won't fit in. Part of the fun of a cruise is that everyone is different.
4. Passengers look ridiculous without previous sailing experience. There will likely be many other first-time cruisers, or more likely many more first-timers for that specific ship. Even the people who work onboard the massive cruising vessels get confused.
5. Cruises are for only the elderly. Although the average age range isn't 23, it's not nearly as high as it used to be, and there are often quite a few children onboard most of the ships as well. Right now, the average age is between 48 and 59, but there are equal amounts 60 and over, and 40 and under.
6. Everything is on a schedule. Although there are numerous scheduled activities, there are also many things you can do at any time, such as freestyle dining, miniature golf, and exercising in the gym.
7. It's all about the food. With dozens of dining food and room options, world-class chefs and cuisines, and healthier and dietary options, you will surely have a wonderful time. Of course, you can always walk off the calories around the ship, visit the gym, and use the services of the sports courts and pools.
8. Weather can ruin the cruise. Let's face it. Weather can ruin vacations on land too. On a cruise, however, there are so many things to do indoors, that you might not even know it's raining. And with the stabilizers, and the sheer size of the major vessels, you won't even feel much wave action either.
9. Cruising is for romantic couples, not families. Cruises are much more kid-friendly now. And many family reunions are even held onboard.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Top 9 Reasons to Choose a Cruise
9. Family entertainment
8. Service
7. Satisfaction rates exceeding 85%
6. Destinations
5. Simple vacation options
4. Numerous choices for rooms, ports, ships, cruise lines
3. World-class cuisine
2. Romantic getaway
And the #1 reason for choosing a cruise is...
1. What a value for a vacation!
8. Service
7. Satisfaction rates exceeding 85%
6. Destinations
5. Simple vacation options
4. Numerous choices for rooms, ports, ships, cruise lines
3. World-class cuisine
2. Romantic getaway
And the #1 reason for choosing a cruise is...
1. What a value for a vacation!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
My Myrtle Beach Evaluation
Well, the way that I arrived was by air, to their rather small, but well-performing airport. You really can't get lost there, unless you decide to leave the building. Then it's on through a network of streets, none of which are all that close to the airport apparently, at least not if you opt for a seemingly-short taxi ride. However, there are buses that go around the city, yet none seem to go to the airport.
What's right across from the airport, though, is the Coastal Grand Mall. Nothing special there, really, but they do have some stores which might not be in your area, so it's worth a visit. Plus the have Chik Fil 'A, so I was happy. :D
As you approach the actual shoreline, though, you will get into the crowded, bustling, downtown part of Myrtle Beach, and further up the beach are more hotels and motels. It's rather interesting to see some very nice hotels right next door, and intermingled with, some very run down motels. It's not exactly the most scenic strip, but at least some of the hotels are nice.
That is, until you stay there. Don't expect hotel security, or the local police, to do much that accomplishes anything. I don't even know why they have them, to tell you the truth. And definitely don't expect the guests to do anything quiet before 3:00 in the morning. Which includes loud music, very late night parties and after parties, illegal beach fireworks at 1:30am, and so on. Maybe a nice relaxing moment in the hotel hot tub? Only if you like kids jumping in and out of it all the time. Forget any guest following the posted, and unenforced, rules in the pool area too. It's a state law to not bring alcohol to the hotel pool areas, but apparently people don't follow that law either. Actually, the hotels sell alcohol in the pool areas, so that law really makes less sense, too.
If you like to shop there is also the very popular Broadway at the Beach, courtesy of a free beach to outdoor mall shuttle. Broadway is sort of a mall, but it's sort of an entertainment center as well. So many great restaurants, too! Lots of shops of various kinds. Even a couple of dance and music clubs. There's even an aquarium, and an upside down building, which is actually an upside down house/museum.
But, if you prefer shopping a little higher on the totem pole, there is the outlet store from Tanger. Lots of big name stores in another outdoor mall setting. But these are more middle and upper middle class than the other area malls.
Restaurants are quite popular at various times and locations, but don't expect too much for service or food quality. If you get something or someone good, though, please let them know, and spread the word! There are a few there, I've experienced one or two myself.
Golfing, though, is the main call for people to come to Myrtle Beach. And the courses are, of course, very nice. But the strangest thing for me is that in 95% of the beachfront stores, they do NOT sell golf balls. Not even those silly tourist ones, or anything. If you wanted a cheap t-shirt, you can get hundreds of trucksful, but if you want a souvenir golf ball from Myrtle Beach, you can't find many. The courses have their own, with their own logos and all, but that's not quite the same thing, is it?
Now for the actual beach itself. Well, it's a beach. Lots and lots of small, broken shells, but none cut my feet, so that was fine. No annoying people, loud music, or trash, though, so you can't complain. And that water is a comfortable temperature, not too warm, not too cold.
So, if you want to venture to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, or anywhere else in the southeastern or other parts of the States, make sure to book that exciting travel over at www.kingarthur.myttn.com !
What's right across from the airport, though, is the Coastal Grand Mall. Nothing special there, really, but they do have some stores which might not be in your area, so it's worth a visit. Plus the have Chik Fil 'A, so I was happy. :D
As you approach the actual shoreline, though, you will get into the crowded, bustling, downtown part of Myrtle Beach, and further up the beach are more hotels and motels. It's rather interesting to see some very nice hotels right next door, and intermingled with, some very run down motels. It's not exactly the most scenic strip, but at least some of the hotels are nice.
That is, until you stay there. Don't expect hotel security, or the local police, to do much that accomplishes anything. I don't even know why they have them, to tell you the truth. And definitely don't expect the guests to do anything quiet before 3:00 in the morning. Which includes loud music, very late night parties and after parties, illegal beach fireworks at 1:30am, and so on. Maybe a nice relaxing moment in the hotel hot tub? Only if you like kids jumping in and out of it all the time. Forget any guest following the posted, and unenforced, rules in the pool area too. It's a state law to not bring alcohol to the hotel pool areas, but apparently people don't follow that law either. Actually, the hotels sell alcohol in the pool areas, so that law really makes less sense, too.
If you like to shop there is also the very popular Broadway at the Beach, courtesy of a free beach to outdoor mall shuttle. Broadway is sort of a mall, but it's sort of an entertainment center as well. So many great restaurants, too! Lots of shops of various kinds. Even a couple of dance and music clubs. There's even an aquarium, and an upside down building, which is actually an upside down house/museum.
But, if you prefer shopping a little higher on the totem pole, there is the outlet store from Tanger. Lots of big name stores in another outdoor mall setting. But these are more middle and upper middle class than the other area malls.
Restaurants are quite popular at various times and locations, but don't expect too much for service or food quality. If you get something or someone good, though, please let them know, and spread the word! There are a few there, I've experienced one or two myself.
Golfing, though, is the main call for people to come to Myrtle Beach. And the courses are, of course, very nice. But the strangest thing for me is that in 95% of the beachfront stores, they do NOT sell golf balls. Not even those silly tourist ones, or anything. If you wanted a cheap t-shirt, you can get hundreds of trucksful, but if you want a souvenir golf ball from Myrtle Beach, you can't find many. The courses have their own, with their own logos and all, but that's not quite the same thing, is it?
Now for the actual beach itself. Well, it's a beach. Lots and lots of small, broken shells, but none cut my feet, so that was fine. No annoying people, loud music, or trash, though, so you can't complain. And that water is a comfortable temperature, not too warm, not too cold.
So, if you want to venture to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, or anywhere else in the southeastern or other parts of the States, make sure to book that exciting travel over at www.kingarthur.myttn.com !
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