Some years ago- never mind how long precisely- having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world.
Ishmael, Herman Melville’s Moby Dick
Your old buddy Jack also loves a good trip, and if not by land it can be by sea. In my younger days, like Ishmael, I chose to cruise on larger ships to see the world. I wasn’t hunting whales, but was wooed by all the amenities that cruise ships had to offer. It was a great vacation for the children, with mini golf and climbing walls and big buffets. The ships are certainly lavish if not gaudy, and we did it for several years until the kids were a bit older and their interests changed.
Old Jack loves a good cruise, having lived by the ocean all his life, but I prefer not to be in the company of thousands of people in close quarters.
We made a switch, and decided that if we were to sail, it would be on river cruises, and waved goodbye to the Caribbean Sea, heading to Europe.
The smaller ships offer a more intimate travel experience, with a hundred or so guests instead of the packed decks of the mega ships.
Being a student of history, they offer more thoughtful excursions for a crowd that’s a bit more “mature” in age.
I still pack a pair of sturdy walking shoes, and it’s wonderful to put on some miles wandering the old world’s historic cities and landmarks when we go ashore.
I certainly walk much more on the European cruises than I ever did on the big cruise ships.
The ships are quite comfortable, and for those that get queasy in rough water, river cruising offers a more gentle ride than the open ocean.
Are you a landlubber or the seagoing type? River or open sea? Leave a comment below!
An Unmapped Route: A Hiker's Blog 