JAZZman said:
I joined the navy for this reason and believe me, you would rather go to a travel agency. For most of your time, you gonna feel to work in jail with seasick.
I guess a guy who describes himself as a naval slave on his profile isn't the best one to take advice from. I sailed West Coast when I was with the Fleet and did the following ports and countries:
Alaska: Juneau, Skagway
BC: All over Vancouver Island, the San Juan Islands, Prince Rupert, Vancouver and Queen Charlottes (Many times)
Seattle
Portland (awesome port)
California: San Diego (many times) San Francisco, Long Beach, Stockton, Eureka (seriously)
Mexico: Puerto Vairta, Mazatlan
Hawaii, Pearl Harbour (many times)
Guam
Indonesia
Singapore (twice)
Malaysia (3 ports)
Phillipines (Manilla)
Hong Kong
Thailand (Pattya Beach)
We usually went on awesome tours that were subsidized by the ship's funds (went to a volcano in Indonesia on horse back!) or our host Navy took us to see some of the sights as well. Whenever I was on board I organized a work party to go and aid a charitable organization ashore...in Manilla we took 30 folks from HMCS Huron and painted an orphanage....that was a highlight of the trip for many who felt they were giving something to people in a third world country.
Of course if you think that having fun is rolling off the ship and stopping at your first bar...the navy isn't all that much fun....but yeah you can see the world and there are opportunities to broaden your horizons. It's not "all travel, all the time" but the opportunities come up. As Airmich (formerly Navy Mich) pointed out...the feeling of family and comradeship is second to none.
Toronto just left for a tour off Africa and Charlottetown leaves for a 6 month tour in the Arabian Gulf in the Fall.....they are going to see a lot of the world!