Holidays who loves them or who hates them?

I love holidays. I wish I had more leave. I like both the sit on the beach and chill and the go off and see lots of things ones. I don’t like coming back home. I did consider and have applied for jobs in the travel industry but never managed to get my foot in the door. Agree the search for a holiday can be a hassle and sometimes we end up going back to a place we have been when I’d like to go somewhere new.

If I had a job where travel was a large part I could see wanting to just chill at home would be your holiday.

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I always said I’d never be old enough to go on a cruise…filled me with dread.

Over the years we’ve been married (38) we’ve done quite a bit of travelling but pretty well all 1st World with a max flying time of around 12 hours (any longer would drive me mad). My better half had the misforutune to develop a serious incurable illness 6 months into our marriage but we’ve tried not to let it stop us travelling wherever takes our fancy…she’s walking wounded but we have to make concessions to it.

We’ve been to the US half a dozen times (for up to 5 weeks at a time). Caribbean, all over Europe…I like being an independant traveller…book flights, hire car and go. Had a share in a villa (with brother-in-law) in Marbella but sold my share after 10 years…too obligating.

Coming up to my wife’s 60th a few years back she wanted to try a cruise. :lou_facepalm_2: It was her 60th so I gave in and we set off from Southampton Docks on a P&O liner to do the Western Med. To cut a long story short…she had a great time and TBH I enjoyed it too. So now we cruise amongst other holidays…It’s perfect for my wife…no long treks to find and eaterie each night…no searching for a suitable hotel around 5 o’clock in the afternoon after a long drive, plus it’s a very sociable activity. We made great friends on our first cruise and we still see them several times a year…love them.

Off with them again in 2 weeks for a 14 day cruise. Cruising is whatever YOU make it…you can do as little or as much as you like. The age profile gets lower every year as people find the convenience of ticking-off places you should have visited (but never got round to it) is now affordable for nearly everyone.

A Few Myths About Cruises

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I can see where you are coming from @lifeintheslowlane but as I have spent most of my productive working life on big boats Cruises is the one thing I have said I don’t want to do, Probably a mistake on my part as I know I will not be working but a guest.

I just cannot get that thought out of my head that when the lights go out I would know more about how to fix it than the engineers in the engine room.

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Bus man’s holiday!

That’s pretty cool though, Phil. Being able to fix a boat.

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Mrs BTripz wants to do a cruies, I can think of nothing worse thanbeing cooped up in a tin can for 14 days (yeah yeah I know shore visits etc.)

Also factor in 2 very active and very into evrything 7 yr olds and you have my perfect nightmare scenario.

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I’m a bit meh about holidays. Some times when work is crazy stressful, to the point where weekends aren’t enough to unwind, then they’re a necessity. But I wouldn’t call that enjoyment - more a sun fix.

There’s something about dumping me in an unfamiliar location for a couple of weeks that I find slightly depressing. You never get beneath the surface of the place, and see it on a relatively superficial level. Feels like a short term sugar fix. Lost In Translation summed that vibe up really well.

In an ideal world I’d have the luxury of taking a couple of months off every year and transplant myself somewhere and see what happens. My motivation is usually to make friends and meet interesting people rather than sightsee. Sightseeing is boring!

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You can hide in the Lifeboat Bx3

plus when you find out the captain last commanded the Concordia you are in the right place.

I understand you perfectly Bob…they were exactly my thoughts on the subject until I did it for myself…probably why we’ve never had a holiday on Jersey or why we cut short 5 days on the Isle of Wight after 3 days.

Cooped up? Nope…you’re hardly ever in you cabin…lots to do…these are fuckin’ big ships. You won’t see your kids from dawn to dusk…they are taken off your hands and you and the missus can go exploring onshore, without the worry.

My hobby’s photography so I’m in my element exploring…lots of photo-ops onboard too.

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I have a cure for this

The Ayatollah had been bending my ear for ages about going on a cruise and I had steadfastly refused, although it was beginning to come to a head. What she did in the end was do one of those 3 day jaunts to Bruges with the girls. Those three days were enough for her to realise just just how shite two weeks on a ship would be . Best £200 I have ever spent.

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My gripes about cruises:

The affordable cabins have no windows - if you want a balcony then you probably afford 2 weeks in the maldives with business class flights

If you like drinking Johm smiths, Stella and Carling you are going to be a pig in shit

Sunbed are ten in a line all touching and one for every 3 passengers. So on the off chance that you get one, you will have to spend the day laid 6 inches away from you neighbour.

The boats themselves especially the big ones are basically Gatwick South Terminal - Costa coffe - seriously ?

Stuck on the boat with 5,000 other people - it is like the all inclusive resort from hell.

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And I have a problem being stuck on a boat with a 100 people every other month, although I have an outside cabin. I have put a blackout curtain up at the port hole as the light outside shines 24/7 because apparently I manange to keep the lights on :lou_lol:

I absolutely hate holidays, right up until the point of actually being there. Then they are lovely.

Deciding where, planning, paying for it and worst of all - packing. I dunno why, but I find packing one of the most stressful tasks in the world. Doesn’t matter what for, even an over night stop - packing still reduces me to the state of a nervous wreck.

Oh and the actual act of travelling is awful. No public transport is designed for anyone over 6 foot. Factor in knackered knees, and it becomes an especially unpleasant experience.

But yeah, love seeing new places and exploring. Meeting new people, and trying local dishes. Just wish there was someone that could sort everything and transport me there.

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Fuck me…all these cruise experts…didn’t know so many of you had been on one. :lou_wink_2:

Come on @lifeintheslowlane most of us come from Southampton we nearly went on the Titanic.

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When I lived in the UK I used to holiday 4-6 times a year, Summer would be more of a touring or multi city adventure and the rest of the year I chased the sun.

Then I figured it would be more effective and efficient to move to another Country (preferably English speaking as I am a lazy bastard and it would be too hard to learn a foreign language well enough to get a job).

Since I moved here in 2003 I think I’ve only really had one holiday. I don’t count trips back to the UK as a holiday although I always look forward to coming back to see familiar faces and places. Australia gives me everything I need. Sunshine, places to see, employment. I also met the love of my life, but let’s not get mushy…Lol.

I’m sure that if money and time weren’t such a precious commodity I would visit more places overseas, but until I get more of both I am perfectly happy in my surroundings and don’t feel the need to go anywhere different :slight_smile:

PS cruises are awesome if you are on the right boat! The service and food is 5star and you feel totally spoilt! :slight_smile:

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Love holidays, but 2 weeks and I am missing my home comforts and love to come home. Tend to only do long weekends or 1 week holidays now though, as I need to keep my business ticking over.

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When we go on holiday Mrs BTripz gets me to get the suitcases out of the attic about 3 weeks before we go, then she’s at packing every night.

She constantly nags at me to do my packing and I’ll acquiese the night before we go!!

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FRM ANNOUNCEMENT

I am fk off now on Tour for 2 weeks + infect continental europe with my genetic material + parasites. I have already alerted World Health Organisation, but just want to let you bros know too so that you Don’t Worry. I will see you bros later xx

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FORUM ANNOUNCEMENT FROM PAP:

sotonians Soviet will commence next week. It’s vital that all elected members are in the UK for this time. Failure to be present for inauguration will void any election votes.

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It’s all about me, me, me isn’t it @bearsy , like anyone would give a fuck if you weren’t posting and start a “Where is Bearsy” thread.

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