Is ‘Freestyle’ Cruising a Washout?

I read with dismay the Jan. 20 Cruise Views column (“A New Star on the Horizon”). A cruise is for adventure, good food, good weather, the mystique of new lands and meeting and acquiring new friends. It offers a chance to dress up and listen to good music and dinner table discussions, to hold hands and watch the horizon. The ocean, not a climbing wall, is what we come for.

We have enjoyed 14 cruises in the past 25 years, but no more. The advent of “freestyle” cruising has turned us off. Many cruise lines seem to have lost their purpose and now serve fast foods and have no assigned tables.

Ships are catering to kids, who, after a couple of days of tearing around, become disgruntled. The lines are charging in the restaurants and allowing you to eat when you want. You might as well be at home.

TOM MOORE

San Clemente