I might be wrong, but don’t a lot of people on cruise ships travel on these ships because of

[politicat]

77. I use the transatlantic routes when I go to Europe.

I'm not afraid to fly ( I love it) but I have serious ethical and environmental concerns about flying. I spend 6-8 weeks every other year in Europe doing research and I go by ship.

Ships have three advantages - fewer limitations on what I can take and a greater quantity, no jet lag, and comparable cost in money. The downside is time -- it takes me 7 days each way, but I use those 14 days to write without interruption. (Not much Internet at sea.) Flying from the the US to the UK costs about $800 each way; going steerage (inside cabin, regular food) is about $950. I am usually taking a considerable quantity of research materials, and for my 2015 trip, considerable other equipment that I could not take at all on a flight (few musicians these days trust an airline with an instrument, for example) plus extended personal gear. Given that one box of research material can weigh well over the 50 pound limit, the baggage fees get high fast.

They're slow, but Cunard is very good -- worst I've ever dealt with is rough seas and sea sickness.

I've never been on another line, but people who have been on ship with me have said that some of the other lines cut corners that are points of pride for Cunard.