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 [email protected]
EDIT:
After 44 comments, here’s where we stand:
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28 (including me) responding to the questions
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21 have been, 7 (including me) have not.
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Of the 21, 15 liked it, and 6 didn’t (some answers were a bit ambivalent, so I made a judgment call)
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Of the 7, 5 didn’t think they’d like it and 2 implied they might in very specific circumstances. I guess technically I could make 3, but I don’t really want to “camp” on a personal family history reenactment.
So, of those who have been, the vast majority saw value in it. The people who haven’t been either know themselves or have some serious sour grapes; I choose to believe it’s the former, for completely scientifically objective reasons.
Went on my first cruise just recently with my wife and two of my good college friends. We were interested cause we live in a city with a large cruise industry and I was very curious about it. I went into it with low-ish expectations, and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the buffet food (better than my university’s cafeteria, which is what I was expecting) but slightly disappointed overall with the fine dining entrees, though the desserts were good. I only had like 2 alcoholic drinks on the boat the whole week, which I believe is atypical (friend of mine said the drinks package is totally worth it, but I can’t imagine drinking >4 alcoholic servings a day for a week straight, which is probably what you need to do for it to even out). Sea days were cool, I enjoyed the shows generally more than I expected, and the laid back atmosphere was cool. Excursion days were also cool, but not mind blowing. Had the most fun snorkeling (although it took me five minutes to figure out how to not freak out from breathing underwater but only through my mouth, that was weird). Didn’t really feel like going to a foreign country, like it does when you take a trip to Europe. I think the main perk for me was that I didn’t have to cook any of my own food or clean any of my dishes for a whole week. I would go again, like some other people have said I think an Alaskan or Arctic cruise would be cool. We had an interior stateroom and booked it due to a very cheap rate 8-9 months in advance