True confession - I have never taken a cruise. Been on plenty of them for inspections & casino time when they’re in port. Became used to being underway with professional mariners, and don’t think I’ve got the patience for anything else. I’ve got plenty of small craft underway time, mainly sailboats in the Chesapeake, Caribbean, Keys, even took a 44’ Beneteau offshore from Charleston to Key Largo. I get the financial aspect of it - you can see some cool places for the $$’s. I just have so little trust in mankind, I don’t want to be around that many of them when things don’t go as they’ve planned.
Cruising is not for everyone to be sure.
What I suggest to people who have never been but have any curiosity about it at all is to book a 3 dayer.....that way if they hate it they’re back off the boat pretty quick.
Having said that, I used to work with a whole lot of retired Navy guys. Many of ‘em said they’d never get on a cruise ship because of their experiences on ships in the Navy......until my retired Navy Chief supervisors’ daughter decided to get married during a 7 day cruise.
He had to go and he was dreading it. I just laughed because I was pretty sure I knew what was gonna happen....sure enough when he got back to work he told me he and his wife were already planning their next cruise trip.
As far as prison goes.....I have been in many state prison facilities over the last 5 or so years serving in my church’s prison ministry.
When people ask me what that’s like I always say the same thing......”it’s not what you think it is”......and that goes for cruising as well.
Have a blessed day gentlemen.