However, also interested in your take and experience in the Bahamas. What are you seeing to the contrary?
Not a lot of experience. My take is it can’t possibly totally be our fault.
The one and only cruise ship I’ve ever been on was Royal Caribbean, and it was filled with nearly 50% non-Americans by my estimation. This was just this last February.
I was also a little surprised that RCI (Royal Caribbean) may be based in Miami, but is incorporated in Liberia. Founded in Norway. And a mess of acquisitions since, many not based in the US.
Should we be blaming the Norwegians and Liberians for all this, and also half the ship of not Americans? Yes, I know that’s ridiculous.
I don’t doubt your experience and things you view as negative. I tend to agree with your sentiments, even if I haven’t experienced them directly. Just not the “Totally ruined it” being an American only activity.
The cruise in February was my first ever, part of a 16 person family trip celebrating my in-laws 50th. Would not have been my choice, but was a neat experience. I’d much rather have a small boat and go myself, and I love the idea of leaving only footprints. I can surely see impacts of 5000 people on a ship on a small island.
It’s just not any one nation’s fault.
I guess the bigger question I have is what realistic things can be done?
For example, being only a Great Lakes and river boater my entire life until now, the idea of pumping anything but water overboard is appalling to me. But I’ve also learned a lot (here) that tells me in some cruising cases, this is the best option sometimes.
Is it realistic to have pump out facilities more accessible to all?