I'm on a Caribbean cruise right now...

[PCIntern]

I would say the average age is well over 70 and when I look around I recall Phil Spector’s remark which caused him to be banned from domestic airline flights when he arose from his seat prior to takeoff and uttered: “Typical crash victims “. Or so the story goes….

I will relate a story:

Upon boarding, staterooms are not available until about 3 P.M. so a long lunch is in the cards. Sitting at a table for two, the couple next to us introduces themselves and enquires eventually where we’re from. Our reply: Pennsylvania, although recently relocated to the Jersey Shore. The gentleman exclaims PENNSYLVANIA! What do you think of that Fetterman guy? Our response: he’s wonderfully fresh and often funny, with a whole different approach than you normally see. The response: Yeah, well maybe for a clown show. We reiterate our support for the Senator but gently, and this fellow goes off on a Limbaugh-sequence rant. Meanwhile his wife is now sneering at us.

Upon the completion of his oratory, wordless, I smile and turn away from them as does Mrs.Intern.

This ship is loaded, and I mean loaded with Trump voters. When polls show him leading, incomprehensibly, among those over 65, you can believe it. And there’s no convincing these people of anything. The hate that flared in this guy’s face was virtually the same as when you’d refer to the Japanese or Germans to someone who fought in WWII.

A the T-shirts: American and Proud, Taking America Back, Don’t tread on me, and some weird stuff too. It’s disconcerting and depressing but this is a fair portion of the America which has been given license to hate and proclaim their loyalty to fascism.

[enough]

1. Keep us posted!

[SWBTATTReg]

2. Screw them, and good for you for standing your ground. These pissants think nothing of stealing votes and

falsely installing tRUMP as the president, whatever or not he won.

Good for you for standing your ground. And don't let pissants like this ruin your trip. Enjoy the cruise!

[Arazi]

3. I know this isn't your main point but...

You couldn’t pay me to go on a cruise.

Stuck on a huge ship with a lot of people I’d normally avoid (like the Trumpers you mentioned) sounds miserable.

Have fun (I hope!)

[PCIntern]

7. I understand

For me, going out on the water is transcendental. I could care less about who else is on the ship. Occasionally, you’ll meet some very nice people and You can commune briefly. But I make it a point not to get too involved or say too much about my personal business to people who are essentially complete strangers.

I fully understand however how some people would not want to do this.

[bdamomma]

29. PCIntern

have a good time, cruises should be political free zones. Just enjoy. What islands are you traveling too?

[PCIntern]

69. Thank u...

San Juan, St Thomas, St Maarten, St Kitts, Dominican Rep, Antigua and Tortola

[WhiteTara]

67. being on the water is transcendental

I could spend time on the ocean for sure. Our last cruise, I just spent my time watching the waves lap against the ship and feeling the power of the ocean.

[Siwsan]

4. Yikes!

Hopefully you will find an oasis of sanity!

I've taken just one cruise trip. The QEII, right after the Falkland War. It had been used as a troop transport and was completely refurbished just before my cruise. I met and had drinks with Hermes Pan, who was a very famous Hollywood choreographer. He worked with Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. The cruise was only about 1/2 booked and remains one of the best experiences of my life.

At one time I really wanted to take another cruise but Covid 19 quashed that idea.

[csziggy]

19. My husband and I took a transatlantic cruise on the QE

Which replaced the QEII. We lucked out - our trip to the UK was in 2019 so we beat the introduction of COVID by just a few months - although I did catch something that gave me a bad cough for a month or so into the trip.

Then we took a Royal Caribbean ship back via St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. I MUCH preferred the QE over the more typical Royal Caribbean tourist ship. We don't do shows and the RC few lectures were not interesting to us.

On the other hand, Cunard gave us lecturers from NOAA and NASA that we greatly enjoyed listening to.

We took cruises since they were cheaper than flying first class - and I refuse to be packed in like sardines on an airplane!

[Siwsan]

23. iI much prefer a transatlantic cruise to a transatlantic flight, that's for sure

Just like I'd rather travel on a train than on a plane. I used to take Amtrak to Los Angeles. It was so relaxing. On the route between Gallup and Albuquerque, they had a Navajo Code Talker on board to tell some stories. That was fascinating.

When I took my cruise I spent Halloween Night in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and under a magnificent Full Moon. I met some really fun people. Because the ship was only half booked, the service was wonderful.

The presentation given by Hermes Pan, complete with film clips, was amazing but not as amazing as sitting with him in a first class bar, listening to his stories of old Hollywood. He was a truly delightful man. I didn't get to dance with him, but I did get to dance with one of his friends, so that was close enough.

My dream was to take a cruise on the new Queen Mary. Maybe I'll settle for a Great Lakes cruise.

[csziggy]

71. On our QE cruise, we stopped in Newfoundland

The Queen Mary was in port at the same time. They were so happy to have both ships in harbor at once, the ships did a circumnavigation of the harbor and the fire boats sprayed water into the air. It was cool.

For our next trip I want to take the Rocky Mountaineer through the Canadian Rockies. Problem is, I don't want to be away as long as taking a train across country, from Florida to Vancouver, BC. Plus, my husband doesn't like sleeping on the train. So we'll either have to drive - too long - or fly. I've got to start checking flights to see what I can get first or business class - or buy three seats for the two of us to make it more comfortable since we're both larger people and he's tall.

[dalton99a]

5. Kick

[people]

6. Wll that's depressing!

Hope very much you can enjoy the cruise anyway.

Maybe more Trump voters than democratic voters favor cruises?

[debm55]

8. John's home in Braddock, PA is very near to me. I remember way back when he was running for mayor of Bradduck. Love him.

Enjoy your trip.

[Mariana]

9. I refuse to talk about politics with strangers when I'm on a trip.

I say that outright if anyone brings it up. "I'm on vacation, I don't want to talk about politics." If they won't STFU I just walk away from them. If someone is wearing Trump merch or equivalent, I don't engage with that person at all.

[elleng]

31. Smart!

[Hekate]

10. You and the Missus enjoy the heck out of yourselves on the transcendental ocean. ...

Love that image.

As for your fellow cruisers — oh dear. Sounds like you have your strategy well in hand. Thanks for the report.

[malaise]

11. One more reason you will never see me on a cruise

The thought of being around 3,000 strangers with only a room for escape is beyond unbearable.

I have turned down free cruises- not me ever - enjoy.

[mountain grammy]

42. Same here but

I do love being on the water…in my kayak.

[malaise]

43. Back in the day we'd go to Lime Cay and hang out with friends but it was a,ways on a small boat and we knew everyone

I also like short ferry rides.

[mopinko]

47. it's not even a room.

it’s a big closet.

[malaise]

48. ROFL

😀😀😀😀

[Celerity]

55. Les Bateaux Belmond river barge cruising in France

a tonne of pics at the link

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218078675#post44

Luxury barges with private chefs and excursions like truffle hunting, hot air ballooning, canoeing, and wine tasting. Seven barges make up Afloat in France, each with its own style and size. The elegant barges cruise the waterways of Burgundy, Provence, Alsace, Champagne, Languedoc, and Franche-Comté from April to October.

On the Belmond Napoleon, guests cruise the River Saône past châteaux, rural river towns, and expansive vineyards. Stops at Montmerle, Mâcon, and Tournus offer opportunities for wine tasting and exploring a Benedictine abbey. There's a walking tour of Chalon-Sur-Sâone and time to browse through St. Jean de Losne.

here are a few
























many more at the link

[malaise]

64. Still pass

Been on some of the Danish ferries a few times. 😀

[MiHale]

12. Love being on the water ...

the gentle sway of the waves, with eyes closed, so reminiscent of being in the womb.

But you’re a brave man for being on a cruise ship. Have a great time!

[Freddie]

13. Friend of mine LOVES cruises

She normally goes with her husband and her mom and stepdad (both very healthy 80- somethings). The guys are Trumpers and the ladies are definitely not. I honestly don’t know how they all stay married and get along.

[redqueen]

14. Cruise ships are an environmental disaster, so it's no wonder the passengers are mostly MAGATs

Any cities who don't want to deal with the pollution caused by keeping those behemoths running the entire time they're docked have to compensate the polluters for the loss of revenue.

[hlthe2b]

15. I'd be hitting every single port to get away from them...

Last edited Fri Dec 1, 2023, 04:06 PM - Edit history (1)

The locals may be tired of and cynical of tourists, but I'd bet you would be much more likely to engage in intelligent conversation. Enjoy, if you can...

[getagrip_already]

16. Concentrated, but small overall.....

It's a percentage of a percentage. But because they are all in one place, it makes it look scarier than it should.

Yes, support among the affluent white 70+ crowd for tiny is strong, but that crowd is thinning out, and it is not solid (as your presence notes).

So go ahead and cough into the a/c return if you catch something. J/k.

And don't take any shit. It's your vacation too.

[Emile]

17. Hope you are fully vaccinated and wear a mask around these cons.

[usonian]

18. I'll be there with a yacht for you when the Jewish Space Lasers fire.

Just say when.

P.S. It’ll be someone else’s yacht.

I’m older than them but haven’t lost my marbles!!

Speaking of which ……..

[SocialDemocrat61]

20. What they feared video games would do to children

FAUX News did to them.

[Bettie]

21. Good Luck...

I fear for your sanity.

[haele]

22. Sorry to hear your cruise is infested with unhappy people.

However, the cruise ship staff will probably be grateful for a more pleasant, intelligent, aware couple who want everyone to be happy and have a good time, which is the attitude most Democrats I know approach vacations and cruises with.
Hope your cruise is otherwise relaxing.

Haele

[DFW]

24. We've been on exactly one cruise in our lives

It was from Vancouver up the inside passage of Alaska up to Anchorage.

MANY non-US people there, and only a very few even asked us about our politics. Having a German wife helped not being harrased, and Obama was president anyway (this was 2015). When asked what I thought of him, I always answered as if I had been asked what he was like in person, and they were amazed when I could do that from first hand experience. The crew was mostly Italian, where the lower-ranked personnel was largely Filipino. Since I can speak a little Tagalog and a lot of Italian, we got treated very well by the crew, even if we weren't in some kind of prestige class of service or cabin.

I would guess that these days, a cruise in the Caribbean in the post-Trump era might land you with a different set of fellow tourists altogether. Here's hoping you make it back to dry land!

[Bundbuster]

25. Sounds like my very occasional experiences on upscale golf courses

Because I'm an older white guy golfer, virtually everyone on the course assumes that I'm a conservative republican. The worst ever - a stranger with whom I was riding, out of the blue with no provocation, casually launched the N word on the second hole. Before the word cleared his mouth I slammed on the cart brakes, told him to call the Pro Shop (I had no cell phone), and demand that I be picked up and put into another group. I can honestly say that this guy was the most shocked human on earth.

[elleng]

27. Good work!

Sorry you had to endure it.

[elleng]

26. OYE!

[Voltaire2]

28. Yet another reason to avoid cruises.

Thanks!

[CTyankee]

30. Cruising can be great! We went on Atlas, a European cruise line, and it was fabulous. Definitely not your experience!

The food was marvelous, the other travelers were very nice and there were many Europeans in the mix on board. The food was delightfully not American only. And the chef made fabulous dishes, everything fresh and lovely.

The cruise was not cheap. We took advantage of a major deal they were offering: an upgrade on cabins, buy one and one goes free.

Don't give up! If you like the idea of cruises, check out Atlas. I'm only interested in European travel and this one traveled in the Mediterranean. You might find some place you would like to go.

[Elessar Zappa]

32. I understand that he has the support of the majority of the 65+ age group.

But what we need to make sure of is getting young people, 18-40, to turn out for Biden. The more come out and vote, the less chance Trump will win.

PS: Enjoy your cruise, I’m going one one next week to Ensenada!

[WarGamer]

45. The 18-40's are upset about the war(s) and the climate... and never being able to afford a house.

[MOMFUDSKI]

33. Cruise ships are no different than the sorta pricey, gated, over-55 communities.

You may as well have rented a house in The Villages in Florida for the length of your cruise. We have lovely black neighbors that went on very expensive cruise including St. Petersburg, Russia. Full of rethug whites with an attitude towards my neighbors. They wound up eating their meals in their room because they were made to feel uncomfortable. It is a mad, mad world out there. Enjoy your vacay!

[CTyankee]

65. Not ALL cruise ships. See my earlier post #30. I know this is the popular notion of cruise ships but NOT ALL cruise

ships! Our experience was in direct contrast to what I read in this post!

[Deuxcents]

34. These Boomers, and I am one, are the children

Of The Greatest Generation as it was coined because our fathers and mothers fought in WWII. They came back, took advantage of the GI bill and got a skill or a degree. Joined a Union and made the middle class and now they’re all in for a person who wants to destroy what their parents fought for. Are they willing to hand over their SS, Medicare and other benefits when they vote for tfg? I hope you enjoy your cruise and find a way to get away from the trump geezers so you can say it was worth it!

[Mariana]

56. They aren't willing to hand over their own SS, Medicare and other benefits.

And, they won't have to - any cuts to those programs will be written to take place far enough in the future that they won't be affected. Older Trump voters will be positively gleeful to see those benefits stripped away from their children and grandchildren.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

35. Do you care to share what cruise line?

I've taken exactly two cruises so far, both on Holland America. The first was a Caribbean cruise in 2015, the second a Hawaiian cruise in March, 2020. Both were excellent.

On the Hawaii cruise I made two sets of friends, one a couple who lives on Whitby Island off Washington State, the other a couple of gay men who at the time lived in Florida. They have recently relocated to Lancaster, PA, because they could no longer tolerate living in Florida.

I love being able to stay in touch with both sets of friends.

I would love to take another cruise, but as a solo traveler on a limited budget, it's hard to justify paying two fares for one person. Sigh.

I do love Amtrak, and have taken it several times in recent years. A while back my brother and his wife, who live in the DC area, needed help getting in to assisted living. So three times in a year I took the train from Lamy, NM, to Kansas City, MO, where my sister picked me up, and we drove to DC. Then back to KC and I took the train home. I book a sleeper car and just love it. In October I took the train again to KC to attend World Fantasy Con. Love the train.

I'm actually trying to plan what I'm calling a land cruise: the Southwest Chief from Lamy, NM, to Chicago. Then the Empire Builder to Seattle. After that the Coast Starlight to Los Angeles, and finally the Southwest Chief again back to Lamy. If I only stop overnight at each city mentioned, it's about a nine day trip. I love the train. Enjoy the food. Really like meeting people. Again, I'm thinking of this as a land cruise, and simply have to make the reservations.

[PCIntern]

39. We are NCL aficionados

For a variety of reasons.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

46. So long as you like them.

Finding a good cruise line can be complicated.

For me, Holland America has been wonderful. I sincerely hope NCL is at least as good for you. If not, well, go elsewhere,

[Sneederbunk]

36. I have been on nine cruises and enjoyed every one of them

There are two types of people: Those who like to cruise and those who do not. The most criticism I have heard is from those who have never been on a cruise.

[marybourg]

37. But need to tell everyone about it, nevertheless.

[True Dough]

52. You have us beat by three

We've done one with Celebrity (our first), two with Royal Caribbean, two with Carnival and one with Sunshine, one with Princess.

We'd like to try Norwegian some time, if the itinerary and timing is right.

We've gone as short as one week, as long as three weeks. Went to the Caribbean three times, through the Panama Canal and along the Mexican Riviera once, two weeks in the Mediterranean and, most recently, from Dover, Engand to Norway for nine nights. Norway is an underrated gem, IMO.

Generally, we savored the overall experience (although we learned something early when we booked the cheapest inside cabin and it turned out to be near the engine room. That sort of noise when pulling into ports is not desirable, but hey, we were awakened early and raring to get out there and see the sights!

I'm pretty sure a seventh cruise will be in our future next year.

[Kid Berwyn]

38. Play dumb and ask what they think about what Gen. Milley said.

Let the cult try and figure it out.

[PCIntern]

40. Great point!

I’ll remember that! Thanks!

[IcyPeas]

41. I loved our Caribbean cruise in 2013.

Enjoy it. We loved relaxing in the warm blue ocean. So beautiful and therapeutic.

We chatted with people but mostly polite and innocuous stuff. This was pre-Trump of course. Our cruise was very mixed in age. This was a Princess Cruise. We enjoyed the trivia contests in the evening.

[a kennedy]

44. Quick, jump overboard.....I'm kidding, but damn, good luck surviving with

all those fawkers.

[mopinko]

49. for your next cruise, might i suggest

some kind of affinity cruise. there r great music cruises. dont know if the blue cruise still runs but i know for a fact that was a good crowd.
i went to alaska w the hubs, long time ago. it was good. tho the food was as meh as meh can get.
when i finally get to ireland i intend to take a cruise 1 way.

but if i were to just go looking for a cruise, i’d see what the field museum here in chi has to offer. their trips r just the BOMB. pretty sure few if any magats have museum memberships.
i know other museums do travel stuff.

[edhopper]

50. A Carribean cruise out of Florida

Last edited Sat Dec 2, 2023, 11:50 AM - Edit history (1)

will be like that.
Other cruises, with ports of interest will be different.
An Alaska cruise or a European cruise to the Mediterranean or Norway will be a different experience with different clientele.

[Mariana]

57. That is true.

We took a repositioning cruise out of Boston, and it was a completely different experience than a cruise out of Florida.

[Ferrets are Cool]

51. I know I am painting with a awfully large brush, but...

I am very ashamed of MY generation and demographic. I'm 67 and live in the deep south.

[edisdead]

53. I love when the word cruise gets posted here

It is one of the more enjoyable feeding frenzies that occurs here. Never disappoints to watch the judging tsk-tsking warning about your health etc.

[Emile]

58. As an old navy veteran, there's good reason

to be concerned about viruses being spread aboard ship.

[edisdead]

68. I was navy as well.

I have been on many cruises both out of norfolk and out of passenger lines. The hysteria over the cruise lines is just that.

[Woodwizard]

54. I will be 60 next year.

My father was a WW2 vet. I served in the Army, my wifes family is full of trumpers I am the f*cking liberal not one has served. I just dont get the worship of bone spurs.
A knickname I use in their company.

[Marcus IM]

59. What could go wrong?

If we support them, they will stay on course.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cruise+ship+pollution

[phylny]

60. Yes, a sorta-friend of mine asked, "What do you like about Fetterman?"

I replied, "Probably everything you DON'T like about him!"

She went on to say, "He can't even put two words together." I responded, "You need to stop watching Fox News. He's doing just fine."

Sigh.

[GreenEyedLefty]

61. My kids and I cruised the Mediterranean over the summer

I saw very few "Amurrican" Americans. Like one or two shirts with a flag on them, but no slogans, certainly no MAGA hats. Most people were kind of genteel, skewing a bit older. I overheard one or two snippets of anti-Biden conversations when the dining rooms were crowded and people had to raise their voices but overall, I really didn't know the politics of anyone on board, and to be honest, I liked it that way. I just wanted to get out of the USA for a bit and escape all that.

I hope your cruise is relaxing. Try not to let the culties get to you.

[dugog55]

62. Nothing angers me more than Boomers supporting the GOP

I am nearing 70 years old. I grew up in America in the 50's -70's, what I think was the golden age of America. After WWII, jobs were plentiful, wages were good and the middle class grew proportionately with Corporate profits. We all benefited by policies set forth by FDR and Truman. An aside here, I do know that racism and and discrimination was rampant at the time, but JFK, RFK, Malcolm X and MLK were making progress, huge steps actually, in the 60's, to correct that situation. It is no coincidence that in a span of little more than four years, all four of them were assassinated. We all have a good idea who was behind the four killings, but no concrete evidence has ever come fourth.

Back to the topic, all of these old bastards glorifying Trump and the GOP grew up in those years. They had much better lives than their parents that lived through a Depression and a world war. We lived a great, middle class life in America. Then along came Reagan, the religious right and conservative think tanks that changed our economy from a social based capitalism to a greedy corporate free for all. In the 80's, wages stagnated while health care costs, housing and education expenses kept going up. The Stock Market was the golden calf of the Economy. This new system has crushed all the newer generations while the Boomers, for the most part, had good established jobs and just rolled through to retirement. Their houses were mostly paid for, or close to it. They had pensions, Social Security and Medicare to help in their older years. All of this is now being stripped away and they are paving the way for it by voting for Republican politicians. At a Federal level, it has been over 40 years since the GOP sponsored or helped pas a Bill that benefits the majority of Americans over the wealthy and Big Business. Thom Hartmann, some years back, posted a $10K award for anyone who could show proof of a GOP Bill that helped all Americans, no one has claimed it yet.

And yet those old bastards keep voting Republican, cutting their own throats and certainly squashing any hope for younger people. I just do not understand where their stupidity, cruelty and casual disregard for their fellow Americans comes from.

[kimbutgar]

63. Before the pandemic I took 2 cruises on the Oceania line

The last was in 2019 in Europe and there were a few TFG magas. But the majority of passenger were non political and from a mix of various countries. All the ports we shopped in we met locals who after we said we were from San Francisco asked us what is wrong with your country for electing the orange maniac?

[GreenWave]

66. Faux Noise and its two copycats never gave Biden a honeymoon.

They were slinging shit from the first day. I bet some of those old-timers remember when it was "proper etiquette" for media outlets to give the newbie President a chance.

[Silent3]

70. I've always figured a lot of the dismissive/conspiratorial attitude toward negative polls around here...

...is due to simply not grasping (or wanting to grasp) how bad reality is.