Sitting around with nothing to do is never a good option for me. But during the lockdown part of the global pandemic experience, we could not sail at all. So we bought a recreational vehicle (RV). That proved to be a big help in finally getting familiar with Florida after moving here 16 years ago, keep us from going crazy just sitting around and more. Still, to compare RVing to Cruising is about like comparing chess to tic tac toe. Here are a number of ways RV Travel is different than travel by ship.

1. Totally Self Service– When camping, no one is going to make your bed or clean your toilet. Or do anything else for you actually. While it really is not a big deal, dumping the black tank where human waste goes is nothing I ever did on any ship.
2. Someone Is The Navigator– That person charged with insuring that you make it to your next destination. Lisa drew the short straw. In September we’ll hit our 40th wedding anniversary. We have survived a lot over the years but I had doubts we would make it to that blessed date before we worked out the navigation challenges.
3. You’re The Chef- If you’re planning on eating during your RV trip, you’ll be cooking or buying a lot of carry out along the way. We do both.
4. You’re The Captain- Sound good? Wait until you’re in a thunderstorm with heavy winds on the highway in your over-the-road truck sized RV which, like a cruise ship, is also like a big sail and gets blown around a lot. RV’s do not have stabilizers…yet. Well they do in a way. A product called Liquid Spring is a $multi-thousand option but RV owners who did just that report a comparatively smoother ride. Otherwise, you find yourself hollering “yahooooo!” a lot while driving.
5. Fans Come And Go– Cruise travelers are by far the more rabidly loyal group. About half of all new RV owners won’t make it until Season Two. Those that do start a YouTube channel which, combined with other influencer-inclusive promo programs fill the CruiseCritic-like RV message boards with “I bought one and took it back a week later” are not all that uncommon. It works for us as Lisa works remotely from home all the time now and it’s a way to get her out of that space.
6. Parking Can Be Challenging- If you’re a cruise traveler who gets up early to watch the ship’s docking process, wait until your partner is directing the docking procedure of your 30,000-pound motorhome. It will not be as enjoyable as watching someone else “park a really big thing” which can be really painful to see if you are not accustomed to it. Think, wild animals. Still, you’ll gain a greater appreciation for the seamanship involved with moving the really big thing that floats around in the process. RV’S DO NOT FLOAT – so don’t get any crazy ideas.
7. There Are Beds, Then There Are RV Beds- Beds in RV’s are by design a bit shorter or thinner to conserve space. An “RV-Queen” is not the same as your Queen bed at home. Odds are, the feet of tall people will hang off the end of the bed. Still, it’s your bed and no one else ever slept in it or ever will. That’s a biggie keeping RVers away from cruising as much. Or going to hotels. Or getting past a doomsday thought for what the future brings. It’s a bed.
8. The “It Does Cost A Whole Lot Less” Lie– Yes, resident senior rates at a Florida State Park give us a weekend getaway for about a $20/night camping fee. Absolutely nothing is included in that price. It’s the exact opposite of a cruise. Trying to emulate the experience of a cruise ship in an RV is an exercise in futility unlike any other. Believe me. I tried. It’s just different.
9. It’s Not The Same Crowd At All- I’m pretty sure I saw five or six guys huddled around a map of The White House at a Florida State Park just days before the January 6th resurrection. History lessons are really not a big part of RV travel. I think we had happened into a staging area.
10. It’s Not The Same Crowd At All– I know I just said that. But it bears repeating as it’s probably the most significant difference we noticed. On a cruise, I can find someone to have a conversation within about 10 seconds. That may never happen on an RV trip. By design, this atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for when the pandemic had nixed most ways to travel and isolation was your best shot at survival.

Bonus Ways

1. Camping Trips Don’t Add Up– I tracked RV camping places on a spreadsheet like I do with cruise ships and ship features. 124 RV trips recalled do not bring back anywhere close to the number of memories of cruises. In the highlight columns “Chris Remembers” and “Lisa Remembers”, typical entries include “deer” as opposed to a lengthy list of cruise ship features. Still, there is something uniquely intoxicating about peace and quiet. To me, RVing most closely emulates a favorite part of cruising; sitting on the balcony and watching the world go by.
2. Cruises Really Are A Fabulous Travel Value– We actually did what every travel agent in the world warns travelers about, going ala carte on every element of travel and let me tell you: It’s a lot of work. It is good work at a time when there was really nothing to do but work, read, watch TV, and walk somewhat distance from others.
3. Photo Opportunities Are Very Driven By Your Planning- The cruise line has entire departments devoted to investigating destinations around the world. Think about that: Cruise lines have trained lifetime professionals that do nothing but insure quality shore trips for all passengers regardless of interest. In an RV, you are on your own every step of the way.

It’s been quite an educational experience really, diving headfirst into a world we knew very little about. It just goes to show how one person’s suggestion can lead to an interesting path in life.

The other day someone asked if we’ll cruise, camp, or what in the future. Initially, I said we’d do both and appreciate both as totally different experiences. Variety indeed is the spice of life ya know! Now? I don’t have any bridges to sell you anymore but what a deal I can make you on a slightly-used RV!