Cruising and TUG

[gwberg]

Do TUGGERs take cruises? Is there something like TUG for cruising?


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[Passepartout]

About the closest analog is www.cruisecritic.com/ It's also a HUGE and complex site, but when you spend the time to dig deeply into it, it covers cruising like no other site. OTOH, many TUGgers have settled into the TUGboats here: https://tugbbs.com/forums/forums/tugboats-cruise-vacation-travel-discussion.71/

 

[Sandy VDH]

In the past we have done about 5 TUGger cruisers. I know as I am the travel agent who has booked them for the group.

The people from TUG who picked the location and dates have all moved on or have passed. Fern was the first one, then Dave M, then Kathy Q. Fern and Kathy has passed, not sure what happened to Dave M, but I know he did retire from both work and these boards. Kathy Q even became an agent that work with me.

I would volunteer to do one again, if we had someone who pick like to decide on the trip. We have done a few different lines and different departure cities. We have had some smaller groups like the Australian trip, and a very large group of about 100 that did the Alaska trip.

 

[Timeshare Von]

About the closest analog is www.cruisecritic.com/ It's also a HUGE and complex site, but when you spend the time to dig deeply into it, it covers cruising like no other site. OTOH, many TUGgers have settled into the TUGboats here: https://tugbbs.com/forums/forums/tugboats-cruise-vacation-travel-discussion.71/

CruiseCritic being part of the Trip Advisor empire is all about booking business and NOT helping travelers IMHO. (I have also become jaded and disenfranchised with T/A for the way they are "managed" by the volunteer Destination Experts.)

I am enjoying TugBoats here and thank Brian for creating it for us.

 

[Timeshare Von]

In the past we have done about 5 TUGger cruisers. I know as I am the travel agent who has booked them for the group.

The people from TUG who picked the location and dates have all moved on or have passed. Fern was the first one, then Dave M, then Kathy Q. Fern and Kathy has passed, not sure what happened to Dave M, but I know he did retire from both work and these boards. Kathy Q even became an agent that work with me.

I would volunteer to do one again, if we had someone who pick like to decide on the trip. We have done a few different lines and different departure cities. We have had some smaller groups like the Australian trip, and a very large group of about 100 that did the Alaska trip.

I'd enjoy doing a cruise with TUG folks, if it were with Royal Caribbean. I say that because I'm trying to get my sailings to get me to Diamond status with RC.

Also Sandy, since you are a TA, may I PM you to ask a question and possibly get a quote on annual travel insurance?

 

[EZ-ED]

In the past we have done about 5 TUGger cruisers. I know as I am the travel agent who has booked them for the group.

Hi Sandy,
Buddy and I have been on at least two of those TUG cruises. Lots of fun and depending on "where" a TUG cruise would go we would be interested in doing so again. Our only problem is at 25 cruises we have been to many of the common destinations so are pretty selective anymore. Currently looking at American Cruise lines Puget Sound and another in the NE for a small ship cruise sometime next year. A couple of years ago we did a train trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage and I would highly recommend it to anyone and that could be an option instead of a cruise.

 

[TheHolleys87]

CruiseCritic being part of the Trip Advisor empire is all about booking business and NOT helping travelers IMHO. (I have also become jaded and disenfranchised with T/A for the way they are "managed" by the volunteer Destination Experts.)

I am enjoying TugBoats here and thank Brian for creating it for us.

I’ve been finding the CC forums on ports and destinations reasonably helpful, although at times repetitive (questions on how to get from either Houston airport to Galveston especially). I have used Trip Advisor only rarely.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Hi Sandy,
Buddy and I have been on at least two of those TUG cruises. Lots of fun and depending on "where" a TUG cruise would go we would be interested in doing so again. Our only problem is at 25 cruises we have been to many of the common destinations so are pretty selective anymore. Currently looking at American Cruise lines Puget Sound and another in the NE for a small ship cruise sometime next year. A couple of years ago we did a train trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage and I would highly recommend it to anyone and that could be an option instead of a cruise.

How are you and Buddy doing? I haven't been Boise in ages. Not since I saw you both there last.

 

[Passepartout]

In the past we have done about 5 TUGger cruisers. I know as I am the travel agent who has booked them for the group.

Thanks for your organizational skills. We enjoyed the Western Med we took with a TUG bunch out of Barcelona. But it seems that TUGgers gravitate to lower cost cruises- which is like timesharing in Vegas or Williamsburg or Orlando, We've all 'been there, done that'. Many of us have affinities with certain lines- Von likes RCCL, we- and Pedro and BJB are loyal to Celebrity. We want to cruise on lines that give us loyalty perks- like laundry and discounted drink & specialty restaurant packages.

I think we'd be willing to go again, perhaps on a T/A or maybe Valparaiso-Buenos Aires with Antarctica. Those allow plenty of time to enjoy the ship as a resort, and get acquainted with fellow TUGger cruisers.

Lets see what others feel.

Jim

P.S. Still missing Fern, KathyQ, Karen G, and other departed TUGgers

 

[EZ-ED]

How are you and Buddy doing? I haven't been Boise in ages. Not since I saw you both there last.

Well for old people we are not doing to bad. We are both closer to 80 than we are to 70 and it's starting to show . Not doing any robust or 12 hour excursions anymore. I gave up scuba. We look closely at our travel destinations for safety/security problems. No more Florida as our last few trips there were much colder than we expected and it's just to crowded anymore. Same with crowds in California and Arizona although I have relatives in Arizona so do go to see them.

We hope you are doing well and still have the urge to adventure!

 

[Sandy VDH]

Ed (I assume it is you typing, but I could be wrong).

I am still diving. Not sure when I will give that up yet.

I still have the adventure spirit. In the last 2 years I have been to Maldives, Seychelle and French Poly, as the exotics. And BVI and St Thomas as the local stuff. I also did Utah, Arizona and Nevada with my niece this past summer. Made it back to Canada (for our Thanksgiving) a few weeks ago. Have also been traveling for work a bit, been to BC, NC/SC and around TX.

Say Hi to Buddy for me.

Cheers

 

[Timeshare Von]

Im very interested in Antarctica, but not able to swing it until 2027.

 

[silentg]

We are still around, Sandy, and my sister is planning trips with you as TA. I recommend Sandy to all Tug members.

 

[gwberg]

We’re planning a 10-night Alaska cruise in July-August on Oceania. I’m stunned by the seemingly sudden price increase and food and service changes to the detriment of passengers. Is this industry-wide? Any comments appreciated.


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[Passepartout]

Cruise lines charge whatever they can as long as they can fill staterooms. The lines are still building new and bigger ships.

The pandemic put the skids on travel, and there is still pent-up desire.

It's all about supply and demand.

 

[gwberg]

Cruise lines charge whatever they can as long as they can fill staterooms. The lines are still building new and bigger ships.

The pandemic put the skids on travel, and there is still pent-up desire.

It's all about supply and demand.

I’m sure you’re right. Thanks.


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[jorcus]

We’re planning a 10-night Alaska cruise in July-August on Oceania. I’m stunned by the seemingly sudden price increase and food and service changes to the detriment of passengers. Is this industry-wide? Any comments appreciated.


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You have to keep in mind you are looking to book a cruise on a higher end cruise line in the middle of high season and you are probably looking at prices when they tend to be the highest in terms of how long before the cruise sails. If possible go later in the year, or play the waiting game and see if you can book after the last deposit date usually when the cruise is less than 90 days out. Of course if air fare is an issue that may play into your planning as well when it comes to cost. I hate the add on pricing of most cruise lines. It's one of the things I liked about Azamara cruise lines. The price advertised was the price we paid except for the internet but I think they are starting to include basic internet as well into the advertised price.

 

[gwberg]

You have to keep in mind you are looking to book a cruise on a higher end cruise line in the middle of high season and you are probably looking at prices when they tend to be the highest in terms of how long before the cruise sails. If possible go later in the year, or play the waiting game and see if you can book after the last deposit date usually when the cruise is less than 90 days out. Of course if air fare is an issue that may play into your planning as well when it comes to cost. I hate the add on pricing of most cruise lines. It's one of the things I liked about Azamara cruise lines. The price advertised was the price we paid except for the internet but I think they are starting to include basic internet as well into the advertised price.

Good points. Thanks.


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