easttexasaggie04 said:

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The "poop lasagna" chef has his own Tik Tok. I stumbled across it last night.

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My favorite person in the documentary.

"Vat de ****?"

I've been on several cruises -- one Carnival -- and I'll say this confidently, "I'll never sail Carnival again."

The cruise we went on was fun, but the ship didn't really seem clean. It truly was "Walmart of the Seas." The crew also wasn't as nice as crew we've experienced on other cruise lines. The Carnival cruise terminal out of Galveston is hot and security takes awhile to get through.

Regarding TW:PC, it sucks for those passengers, but Carnival learned from the experience and has made changes to their ships to avoid similar issues with fire and power. I read somewhere -- don't recall where -- that the PC ship actually had a backup engine that could work during it, but they weren't able to use it because if it caught fire, there was no way they would have been able to access it to get it out.

For cruising though -- I said for the longest time that I wasn't a cruise person without even setting foot on a ship. My first cruise was "meh," because I didn't really know what to expect. When we went a second time with experienced cruisers who showed us some tips and tricks -- we were hooked. It's an easy way to experience international travel with just a birth certificate (though we have passports). We've been to Cozumel, Roatan, Belize, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, St. Thomas and St. Maarten -- all by cruise.

Someone said it here -- cruise ships are floating all-inclusive hotels. Drink packages, specialty dining on top of main dining are the way to go. Plus -- there is casino, karaoke, trivia, shows, jazz music, pool, adult area -- all kinds of things. The ship and atmosphere have a lot to do with your experience. Our Carnival cruise was much less expensive overall -- and we were in a junior suite -- but it seems like the experience is a wild, drinking party.

We cruise Royal Caribbean and generally get balcony rooms -- though we've stayed on the lower decks with ocean view or interior for the shorter 4-night cruises. Their new terminal gets you on and off the ship quickly. RC's ships also have larger neighborhoods and venues. We went on Harmony earlier this month -- and there was so much to do. It was a little crowded in some spots -- but overall it was a great experience with a 3-year-old in tow. My 13-year-old loves to cruise. After 7-nights, she was having so much fun that she didn't want to go home.

Also -- for those thinking you are "trapped at sea" -- you can get over that pretty quickly depending on the ship. Smaller vessels can give you the "trapped at sea" feeling -- especially if the water is rough. But with the larger ships, there are so many places to go. It can be overwhelming. I would suggest for first-time cruisers, a medium-sized ship. There's a lot to do, but not as overwhelming as the mega-ships. In addition, to get to Cozumel, it's two nights to get there with one full day at sea sandwiched between. Sea days can get packed on the pool deck, but when you get to port -- it clears out. If it's a port I've already been to, I stay on the ship and take advantage of the other passengers being away. There are fewer people in the pools and at venues. It's really a nice break.

TLDR: Don't let this doc deter you from trying a cruise. The ship and cruise line has a lot to do with your overall experience.

agproducer said:

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I've been on several cruises -- one Carnival -- and I'll say this confidently, "I'll never sail Carnival again."

The cruise we went on was fun, but the ship didn't really seem clean. It truly was "Walmart of the Seas." The crew also wasn't as nice as crew we've experienced on other cruise lines. The Carnival cruise terminal out of Galveston is hot and security takes awhile to get through.

Regarding TW:PC, it sucks for those passengers, but Carnival learned from the experience and has made changes to their ships to avoid similar issues with fire and power. I read somewhere -- don't recall where -- that the PC ship actually had a backup engine that could work during it, but they weren't able to use it because if it caught fire, there was no way they would have been able to access it to get it out.

For cruising though -- I said for the longest time that I wasn't a cruise person without even setting foot on a ship. My first cruise was "meh," because I didn't really know what to expect. When we went a second time with experienced cruisers who showed us some tips and tricks -- we were hooked. It's an easy way to experience international travel with just a birth certificate (though we have passports). We've been to Cozumel, Roatan, Belize, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, St. Thomas and St. Maarten -- all by cruise.

Someone said it here -- cruise ships are floating all-inclusive hotels. Drink packages, specialty dining on top of main dining are the way to go. Plus -- there is casino, karaoke, trivia, shows, jazz music, pool, adult area -- all kinds of things. The ship and atmosphere have a lot to do with your experience. Our Carnival cruise was much less expensive overall -- and we were in a junior suite -- but it seems like the experience is a wild, drinking party.

We cruise Royal Caribbean and generally get balcony rooms -- though we've stayed on the lower decks with ocean view or interior for the shorter 4-night cruises. Their new terminal gets you on and off the ship quickly. RC's ships also have larger neighborhoods and venues. We went on Harmony earlier this month -- and there was so much to do. It was a little crowded in some spots -- but overall it was a great experience with a 3-year-old in tow. My 13-year-old loves to cruise. After 7-nights, she was having so much fun that she didn't want to go home.

Also -- for those thinking you are "trapped at sea" -- you can get over that pretty quickly depending on the ship. Smaller vessels can give you the "trapped at sea" feeling -- especially if the water is rough. But with the larger ships, there are so many places to go. It can be overwhelming. I would suggest for first-time cruisers, a medium-sized ship. There's a lot to do, but not as overwhelming as the mega-ships. In addition, to get to Cozumel, it's two nights to get there with one full day at sea sandwiched between. Sea days can get packed on the pool deck, but when you get to port -- it clears out. If it's a port I've already been to, I stay on the ship and take advantage of the other passengers being away. There are fewer people in the pools and at venues. It's really a nice break.

TLDR: Don't let this doc deter you from trying a cruise. The ship and cruise line has a lot to do with your overall experience.

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All great. But 2 things always bug me that may or may not be fair:

1. There's a lot of good evidence that cruises seem to be bigger virus and bacteria outbreak vectors than other avenues of vacation

2. While I fully admit, I don't know for sure… something about staffs are from all over the world vs mostly from where you are staying and ships operating not in any nation's waters scares the hell out of me when it comes to standard setting in cleanliness and food safety and stuff like that. I simply don't trust it.

ATM9000 said:

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Responses below.

All great. But 2 things always bug me that may or may not be fair:

1. There's a lot of good evidence that cruises seem to be bigger virus and bacteria outbreak vectors than other avenues of vacation

I don't have any numbers -- but with that many people in the same area, you would think there would be higher outbreaks. RC requires everyone to wash his or her hands before entering the buffet. There are handwashing stations as you enter. Also -- there is hand sanitizer available everywhere. I wash my hands all the time on cruises, and so far, I've not had an issue.

2. While I fully admit, I don't know for sure… something about staffs are from all over the world vs mostly from where you are staying and ships operating not in any nation's waters scares the hell out of me when it comes to standard setting in cleanliness and food safety and stuff like that. I simply don't trust it.

Cruise ships are routinely inspected by the CDC and the CDC's VSP (Vessel Sanitation Program) to help ensure cleanliness. Above 86 is satisfactory.

You can read more here: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/cruise-ships#:~:text=How%20is%20sanitation%20on%20cruise,CDC%20cruise%20ship%20information

And here: https://www.cdc.gov/vessel-sanitation/site.html

Also -- you can search the latest inspection reports here: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/inspectionquerytool/InspectionSearch.aspx

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The Vessel Sanitation Program was also part of the recent government layoffs. Their full time staff was cut in half down to 12

https://www.travelandleisure.com/cdc-vessel-sanitation-program-layoff-travel-impact-11716092

Yes, but from another article:

"As with many programs under the Health and Human Services umbrella, the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program is entirely funded by user fees, with cruise ship companies paying for the services. No tax dollars go to the program, with all staff pay coming from the user fees."

https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/04/cdc-says-cruise-ship-health-inspections-continue-despite-half-of-staff-being-fired/

Cruise lines are going to want to push the cleanliness. I wouldn't be surprised if staff is added or cruise lines go with a private sanitation checking program.

I've been on two RC cruises.

I'll be fine if I never go on another cruise for as long as I live.

The ritz carlton cruise is the only one that would turn my head

I'd rather have food poisoning than go on a carnival cruise

Wow, this is an incredible story:

https://people.com/disney-cruise-passenger-describes-moment-dad-jumps-overboard-after-daughter-11764056

Happened yesterday.

That's a long way down.

I mean- you know what happened there. Kids don't just fall over the railing in 2025 on a cruise ship.

But you've gotta give these cruise workers some props. They're working for minimum wage, (maybe getting to bang on their downtime), but see/show up for some crazy SHT.

So the girl with her friends on her Bachelorette trip is an Aggie. Class of '06. Was friends with her back when I lived at Callaway House. Fun chick.

cr06gis said:

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So the girl with her friends on her Bachelorette trip is an Aggie. Class of '06. Was friends with her back when I lived at Callaway House. Fun chick.

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Frats

So we've got big-ag, his ex wife she took with somebody else on the comp cruise, the neighbor, and the bachelorette girl from the Callaway house.

Having gone on a cruise out of Galveston, actually feels like we're not done yet.

(The kid that works for me was on it the week before, but that doesn't count).

Rex Racer said:

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The only cruise I want to go on is a European River Cruise. But you're not out in the middle of the ocean.

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River cruises are awesome. I've done three of them (Rhone, Duoro, Seine).

20ag07 said:

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I mean- you know what happened there. Kids don't just fall over the railing in 2025 on a cruise ship.

But you've gotta give these cruise workers some props. They're working for minimum wage, (maybe getting to bang on their downtime), but see/show up for some crazy SHT.

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You think she was trying to kill herself? I think quite a few people fall of ships every year, but usually drunk and doing something stupid

Witnesses reported that the father had propped the girl up on the top railing just before she fell.

nai06 said:

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Witnesses reported that the father had propped the girl up on the top railing just before she fell.

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Gotcha. That's like that grandpa that dropped his grandkid on a ship while holding them up on the rail.

TXAG 05 said:

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nai06 said:

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Witnesses reported that the father had propped the girl up on the top railing just before she fell.

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Gotcha. That's like that grandpa that dropped his grandkid on a ship while holding them up on the rail.

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Sounds like this was an almost identical situation. Really happy to hear they both survived though. Credit to the Disney crew for their fast action, they had them in a boat within 30 minutes of the fall.

I went on a Disney Cruise this spring and was overall impressed with how smoothly things went. The Mouse always runs a well oiled machine.

Yep rumors are that the dad put her on the railing to take a picture of her. I just can't imagine.

TW:PC falls to #2.

America loves poop and poop cruising.

nai06 said:

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Witnesses reported that the father had propped the girl up on the top railing just before she fell.

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Wow. That makes me anxious just reading about it.

I cant imagine...

Imagine after mom welcomed them back etc. she ripped his ass and will never let him forget

LCE said:

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Imagine after mom welcomed them back etc. she ripped his ass and will never let him forget

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The internet never forgets either.

Dad should've hit the propeller on the way down. What an absolute idiot.

gigemJTH12 said:

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M.C. Swag said:

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gigemJTH12 said:

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loved how they got that blonde cruise worker to admit (for no real reason) that she was getting banged in some guys room the night before

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My hot take: the dorky dude with the glasses who was granted way too much screen time (prolly cuz he was the only one with POV footage) deserved it.

lol I can't imagine being on that cruise for my honeymoon and having to bang it out in a deck chair of the POOP CRUISE.

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this guy being so against pooping in the bag was so soft. like that would be the worst thing of all time. someone needs to get outdoors more.

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He acted like he was the only person who had to do it, except when he talked about his in-laws doing it, then he acted like they were all doing it together in front of each other.

Belton Ag said:

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easttexasaggie04 said:

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The "poop lasagna" chef has his own Tik Tok. I stumbled across it last night.

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My favorite person in the documentary.

"Vat de ****?"

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He was by far the best part of the doc. Him telling the story about the poop bag hitting someone on the lower deck in the face was hilarious

big-ag said:

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Gave it to my now ex-wife so she could take a "friend" on a cruise.

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Finally watched it.

That looked pretty rough.

Did you partake in the open bar on day 6 or whatever? That seemed like a solid idea from whoever came up with that.

Quote:

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Did you partake in the open bar on day 6 or whatever? They seemed like a solid idea from whoever came up with that.

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The Russian cruise director who was banging some crew member downstairs the night before did NOT agree with you.

That gal had to be a lot hotter in 2013. At this point, she's a moped.

"Poop Lasagna" would be a great username.

20ag07 said:

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Quote:

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Did you partake in the open bar on day 6 or whatever? They seemed like a solid idea from whoever came up with that.

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The Russian cruise director who was banging some crew member downstairs the night before did NOT agree with you.

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Her interviews were definitely different.

I'm wondering if she's the woman that was riding some dude on a chair next to the bachelorette party girls.