navybankerteacher

You need to consider the means by which cruise lines have managed to attract so many more passengers year after year - while having kept the fare increases well below the inflation rate: they have cut expenses by cutting staff - while increasing passenger load, thereby reducing the share of fixed costs each passenger must cover, while reducing their “grocery bills” by cutting amounts and quality of food purchases. Obviously, Carnival has followed this path, certainly NCL as well; but Princess, Royal Caribbean, HAL, and Cunard are essentially doing the same- perhaps at slightly slower rates. You commented that “cruising used to be premium service”; you should realize that, if you want to receive premium service, you cannot expect to pay discount prices. Either pay for the premium spaces and restaurants on the same lines, or switch to premium lines. Anyone who started cruising 30 years ago (when cruising WAS a luxury) must remember the old days, recognize the changes and adjust his expectations.

As I recall, both acts were essentially intended to protect the U S merchant marine interests by favoring US flagged ships and protecting them against foreign competition. The difference between what US crew and foreign crew are paid is probably greater now than ever before - making US cruise passengers very interested in doing away with such protections - which permit ANY US shipping operations to exist. A number of industries have been impacted by the differences in pay standards; how many of you have recently purchased a television set or a camera which was made in the US? Or how many New Yorkers have ridden in subway cars recently made in the US - as opposed to Japan (made from iron ore shipped from the Great Lakes - some of which was smelted with coal shipped from the Chesapeake Bay).

It seems you like to drive - perhaps you are always fortunate with regard to traffic. When I travel for leisure, I want it to be easy, hassle free and reasonably economical - including ALL related expenses. In any case, as I posted earlier: “enough”.

There are always some folks who are challenged when it comes to reading comprehension

I suppose you NEVER experience traffic delays on I-95, and that you would prefer to spend $300 on Uber vs. $128 to park at Stamford station, and that typical per-mile car costs don’t count, So just continue driving. My experience driving to/from Boston, and my preference for a good time vs a hassle cause me to think differently. Enough.

If I were to start referring to Walmart as the Carnival of retail stores - would Walmart shoppers would see that as perjorative?

If you book cruises a few months out, and check Amtrak prices that much in advance, it is a totally different scene. If one of the points of the trip is to have an enjoyable time, avoiding I-95 in CT, RI and MA is something to consider.

Of course I would buy the avocados at Walmart - just as I sometimes sail Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Cunard and (not as frequently) Carnival. I am aware that many of the goods carried by Walmart are identical (same brand and quality) as at higher priced stores, and I do make purchases there. I do not buy clothing, shoes, or furniture at Walmart because I don’t appreciate the quality of those items . I suggest you get over the knee-jerk reaction to “Walmart” as pejorative - I simply use it as an appropriate term for identifying a low-cost, mass market provider.

No- I am just questioning your opposition to the use of a perfectly appropriate and applicable term for a low price, mass market provider.

Of the identified lines (which I have sailed) I found Celebrity to have better food and service and somewhat less crowding in public areas, slightly offset by somewhat less variety in entertainment — yet overall preferable.

I take it that you feel there is something inherently bad about large scale mass market operations. Frankly, I do not - I frequent both sorts of enterprises - in cruising and retail expeditions.

A few fans of the large mass-market ships have protested the Walmart comparison. It may not be complimentary , but comparing a usually crowded discount mass market cruise ship with a usually crowded mass market retail operation is not altogether inappropriate. Doing so does not mean one might not ever take advantage of the opportunities offered by the discount mass market provider — it is simply a matter of being aware of the differences between discount mass-market providers and more upscale providers (be they providers of shopping opportunities or cruise experiences); that awareness, of course, requires having experienced both approaches. Having sailed both types of ships, I have never seen a particular convalescent home vibe on a smaller vessel- and, in fact, seem to recall a higher proportion of infirm passengers on larger ships.

Enjoy your drive.

I have just checked for a random date a couple of months out: Stamford CT to South Station Boston - prices were minimum $15 and maximum $33 per person each way (Northeast Regional, obviously not Acela) making four round trips TOTALLING either $120 or $264. Of course if one does not think enough to plan ahead (like booking other things the same time as the cruise) and buys at last minute prices, he pays what he deserves to pay. Also, an early train on embarkation day negates the need for a room (or rooms) for hotel night, overnight parking, and cruise parking.

Please advise what station you are talking about - which is 3 1/2 hours from South Station, Boston; and what your hotel will cost for 4.