We have lots of friends who somehow think they will be confined and constricted by a cruise. The only thing constricting to us is getting back on the ship which we have been the last to step back on.
Having cruises on 1970's boats with 500 pax, we are amazed at how those with 2000 aren't packed at all. There is a lot of space and I think the balconies keep many back in "their place". We actually prefer inside cabins for several reasons. #1) price, we have gotten 12 day Med cruises from Venice to Barcelona for $500/ person twice. This allowed us to see Venice, Athens, Ephesus, Istanbul, Mykonos, Naples/Pompeii, Rome, Florence/Pisa, Monaco, and Barcelona and we only had to unpack once. 2) we like being up on deck with full unspoiled view of the horizon and the breeze. 3) sleep quality is awesome in total darkness. 4) we have had balconies, but we tend to spend more time in room with balcony........as for the mall.......it may loook like one but really it is usually a mid/high end jewelry shop, perfume shop, liquor store and gift shop. We rarely buy much on board except the same stuff we'd buy on Sxm. We usually buy expensive jewelry at home because as Warren Buffet says if you don't know Jewelry, know your jeweler.
As for food, we find it pretty good and definitely far above what you can get anywhere in the Caribbean except in Grand Case. But you don't have a bill to worry about and you can order every item on the menu if you want and it is gladly brought to you.
We have never had a bad cruise or a bad trip to SXM.........so I'll take either if someone is handing them out. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
PS, if you are into Club Orient, a Bare necessities cruise is an unbelievable escape. That "mall" doesn't require clothes.
I had a airline pilot describe his plane as the "tube of shame" which often from the inside it is just that. Unless it is a 747, then it is th "Cadillac of th sky"
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
