Cruising can be one of the most value-friendly vacations going. But how the heck do you choose from all the choices out there? Here are some resources (including non-traditional cruising, like freighters) and feedback.
Cruising is the main way to explore awesome Antarctica
Virtual-Piano Our planet's vast, remote, southernmost continent - larger than Europe - is a much-coveted "final frontier" for many travelers. And booking Antarctica vacation packages via cruise ship offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see frozen landscapes that can't be seen anywhere else along with a plethora of polar wildlife. With vacation packages typically ranging from one to three weeks, cruise ships departing from Argentina's Tierra del Fuego make the two-day crossing through the…
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(And thank you again, Kathie.)
When I went to the casino (except on the 2 non-smoking nights, which were heaven), I was in big trouble. When others smoke near you, YOU smoke. That's the reality. & you're not getting the super-filtered end of the deal, either. Also, you run the gauntlet when you pass the smoking section as you enter the pool area to get to the Windjammer buffet. When the automatic doors open, it creates a vortex which pulls all the smoky air right at you with a dramatic rush. If you took a shower before you came down to breakfast, you're SOL. Now you stink.
It's difficult to blame the cruise line for this; I believe they were thoughtful about where on the ship to put smoking sections. But honestly, the last night aboard ship, I was in the casino (a smoking night) & I had a sore throat. Big deal; I knew it was because of the heavy smoke & I'd feel better the next morning. Not so. I'm getting over the head cold that developed full-force when I got home from my vacay last Saturday (it's Thursday).
It's not fair to tell non-smokers to avoid the smoking areas on the ship. The casino was non-smoking 2 nights out of 9. The area of the pool where the smokers are is practically unavoidable; one must walk through this area to get to the Windjammer (my husband & I did a little recon when we first boarded to see if there was a way around this).
I understand that smoking is an addiction of the brain & body. Perhaps smokers could use their cruise as a time to "stop" smoking. I didn't say "quit." You *know* you could stop smoking for a week or so. Give it a try.