Is it just me....?

[SMB]

Warning: session to follow!

Is it just me or is anyone else getting tired of the "guy over board" and "sinking ship" stories. I'm not complaining about this forum. I think I'm just getting tired of the 24/7 news on this these stories. I turn on the news, I turn on the radio, I get on the internet, I get on the CC forum... wherever I go, I can't get away from this stuff. Now the "PrimeTime Live" type shows are getting on board (all pun intended) with hour long specials. Does anyone remember the good ol'days when we worried about the demise of the midnight buffet! I get enough of the ridiculous and depressing when I watch the local and national news. Cruises (travel in general) were my "happy place" and now I'm dreading the next cruise story.

For those feeling my pain, you may find solace, like I did, in www.jibjab.com (Click on "What We Call The News")

THINK HAPPY CRUISE THOUGHTS, GUYS

[Spikesgirl]

In journailsim, there's a saying - if it bleeds, it leads. Unfortunately, cruising seems to have attacted the attention of the news media for one reason or another. In short, it's bleeding. Why there is a need to focus crticial attention upon the cruise industry might be twofold. For a long time, it was vacationing for the elite. 'Regular' people have always been fascinated with the lives that the wealthy lead. The reporting of these events could be a carry over from that attitude. Just as some people have to have the very latest from this actor or that sports figure, the media sees cruise news in the same way. When something spectacular happens, such as a person overboard or a wreck, it immediately pulls the attention of the media.

Second, and this is a just a percepton, mind you, but the news is very rigidly controlled by the gatekeepers. They alone decide what is and isn't newsworthy. For some reason, cruising has caught their attention and they have decided to focus the nations attention upon it. They have decided that it's difficult and dangerous, so the news stories read as such. Perha[s some of the gatekeepers long for the day of when cruising was exclusive to a few and is attempting to drive the market into the ground, so that it can be picked up again at a later time, polished off and offered up as a treasure.

As I've said, these are just my opinions, but I felt strongly enough against the gatekeepers to toss away a ten year career in journalism rather than become one of them.

Charlie

[rogue]

I understand all of this, but there is a positive to it all. If all of these reports decrease the amount of people cruising, the price of cruising will go down. The old suply-demand curve.

[Suzila]

That's exactly what I was thinking, Howard. People who have cruised before and know what it's all about , shouldn't have too much trouble cruising again. Those who haven't ever had the pleasure of cruising, will be turned off by all the problems.

Cruising may become a bit cheaper if the cruise industry is trying to lure people in.

[SMB]

Howard & Sue, you are such positive people. I love the silver-lining you have found!

[rogue]

To be honest, I used to get upset about the news reports on the horrors of cruising, but not anymore. Once I realized that the news outlets are actually helping us out, I became Alfred E. Newman (What, me worry?). I know that cruising is a safe vacation. Is there a chance of problems? Of course. Is it a high probability? Of course not. The probability is, in fact, very low. Are other types of vacations more dangerous? Absolutely! The fact is that suicides, muggings, rapes, robbery, etc. are all part of the world we live in today. This is sad, but it will not stop me from cruising, and if it stops anyone else, so be it. I love to cruise and will not be deterred. I'm one of those CruiseCrazies

[Suzila]

I, on the other hand, am a positive person, but not Alfred E. Neuman. I worry about things, but things that are more in my control. I can't control what happens on an airplane as far as the plane flying, I can't control whether a captain runs the ship into a rock, etc. I can control my own driving, but not someone else's when I'm on the road.

Like Howard says, everyday life problems are the things we should worry about. Other than that, go on a vacation, be aware of your surroundings and things happening around you, and enjoy your vacation. And if something terrible happens, hopefully not, you have to deal with it. What else can you do? I know, from past experiences, that when stuff happens, I can be in control. I think that's the best way to be, the best way to enjoy life.

[Gregswife]

Stephen, to be quite honest, after reading the accounts of your cruises, I am amazed this hasn't happened on a ship you were sailing on yet!!!

[hazelson]

The way I figure it - if my last hours on this earth are aboard a cruise ship - then what a way to go!!!!

[rogue]

I couldn't agree more. I just hope that it's not on my next cruise.