Well, you definitely don't want to spend the money on someplace you are not that interested in. Our trip was a big deal for us, but it's not for everyone. I had a major connection to France and the +1 had always wanted to visit Paris. Everything just came together in one package.

 

And after having done a river cruise, I would never travel on a large ship again. My sis and her hubby just came back from a cruise to Alaska. The ship was 3000 people. Ugh...my ex and I took a few cruises when we were married, but ships then were not the behemoths they are now.

 

Lots of people in this area are from the Azores (Islands of Portugal) Many folks, Portuguese and not, make that trip. It is a beautiful area. My local sister went last year and loved it. My brother in law is there now with his family. (His wife, my sister in VA, won't fly) His mother was from the Azores. The trip there is quite reasonably priced from what I hear.

 

One big ship cruise to the Bahama's was enough to satisfy my curiosity - since I'd heard mixed results. Nothing went wrong (you've heard the horror stories) and we enjoyed it but I have no desire to do another.

 

Back in the day when we went to the Caribbean every other year or so, we briefly thought of taking a cruise. We decided we'd rather fly to one place and stay put, vs being at a different island every day or so, having to pack to go to the beach and dealing with so many people,loading and off loading a vessel. Nope not for us. Three of my sisters took land/sea cruise out of Alaska and enjoyed it. One still enjoys cruising.

My former employer hated cruising until he starting cruising with this company. Small ships, all inclusive, get out your wallet! I've lost track of how many trips he has been on with this cruise line. Many trips, many countries, many $ spent.
https://www.silversea.com/best-luxur..._BRAND_00A-c-g

 

^ Wow, I must be getting really old. I watched the silversea ad and other than the cool first shot for the bedroom view, I said to myself, I'll pass. I guess I really have no desire to take a boat cruise anywhere. Deb's got my interest up for a second and that's about it. I would much rather pick a spot and hang there for several days.... no schedule, no time to be anywhere, no premade plans, ok, so I always was and still am a beach bum at heart.

 

^ We have some places where we do that, too. But for the most part, I try to find trips that involve a walking tour (preferably) and learning something about the destination(s). The +1 does not like to sit around.

 

Our cruise to Panama last March was fun enough we are going at year end from Singapore to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Same size ship (1900 passengers). We could always find places where other people were not (besides our stateroom) so we didn't feel like the ship was too huge.
Sorry if I am repeating.

 

I'm having a mini vacation with Ricky in Estes Park, Colorado right now. We'll be here for two more nights. It was less than an hiyr from my Loveland home. Beats the hell out of the 4 hour drive from my Lake Forest Home to Kennedy Meadows.

 

Very pretty!! I'll be at a park Sat with my nephew and family, but it's along the river in Georgetown. Not quite the same scenery as you have there.