DebbieS732

So what turned us around? Well, I discovered that there are cruiselines that do not have formal nights. I hate dressing in fancy clothes with a vengeance. I only want to wear trousers and a top, nothing fancy just comfortable. I guess resort casual suits me. Same with Tony, he wears a suit and tie fr work so doesn't want it on holiday thank you.

 

I also discovered cruiselines that allow you to dine when you want to. Being told when I can eat is a big no-no for me. I cannot be hungry to order. One night maybe 7.30, another 8 or 8.30 and some nights later still. My husband feels the same too.

We feel exactly the same way. I doubt we would have gone on another cruise if it weren't for the the any time dining, the ability to sit by yourself and the ability to dress casual. I'm glad the cruise lines finally figured out that 'one size' doesn't fit all.

I agree with Simplelife. It is very possible to experience seasickness on a cruise (I have) and it can be a really miserable experience. Meds help but it doesn't always 'cure' it. I can see why people who are prone to this are hesitant to cruise. I've heard many people say 'you never feel the waves on those huge cruise ships' but that is simply not true. If you get into rough seas, you will feel it. Whether it bothers you or not is a individual thing but anyone who has ever experienced it knows how horrible it can be. It is very much like having a stomach flu and it takes a while to get over it.

I'm in the take it or leave it category. I view cruising as an efficient way of seeing a lot of ports in a short time. Assigned dinner times (now I only go on cruises with freestyle dining), formal nights and the occasional rough waves are not for me. We do participate in some of the activities and take in some of the shows. Those things are fun but after a few days I'm ready to do something else.

I wouldn't probably cruise just for the sake of cruising but it is a great way to visit places that would be more difficult to travel on your own. Alaska, Russia, Mediterranean, places like that. Of course, the down side is you aren't in one place for very long.

We are going to the Baltic Sea this summer (Denmark, Germany, Russia, Helsinki, Sweden). I doubt that I would travel to all those place on my own. I'm very happy doing these via cruise - no need to pack and repack and keep hopping on planes.

I also imagine it would be a great way to do a family reunion or some other big group type vacation.