Why did you cruise the first time?

[itsalljimmysfault]

I had never really been interested in going on a cruise. Then one day a TA walked into our bowling alley trying to set up a 'cruise league'. That cruise was going to Key West (AND sailing out of Baltimore, so no flying involved!) Well, being a devoted parrothead I had always wanted to go to Margaritaville! So I agreed to go. A group of us went on that first cruise and I believe I was addicted as soon as I got on the ship! Six cruises later(and it would be lots more if $$$ allowed) my only regret is that I didn't discover cruising sooner!! Why did you go on your first cruise? Any good stories out there?

[twinklen01]

We went to wdw for our very 1st family vacation. I always told dd when she turned 10 I would take her to wdw. Well I was sensitive on the plane but didnt get sick. On the way back dh &dd didnt do to good on the flight back. Well we loved the idea of traveling but needed something that didnt involve flying so we looked into cruising. We did a 4 night cruise and loved it. We will try flying someday again of course for a cruise:)

[Luluwa]

I can answer that question in one word - LOVEBOAT

I used to watch these episodes and that put the desire in me.

[kerrytens]

My niece decided to have a destination wedding aboard a cruise ship. Best of all, she and the hubby decided to bring a bunch of us along - paid in full thank you very much!! :D

[Nunu]

We were married on the ship and my wife decided to pay for a bunch of people to come with us. :o

[Cotton]

My two sisters and I always take a 'sister vacation' from husbands and kiddies.

Our first trip of this sort was a cruise on the Carnival Festivale. We flew from N.O. to San Juan. Boarded the ship there and had a blast! It started a sister tradition, as well as a love for cruising.:)

[Ashpalo]

My first cruise was a college graduation present from my grandmother. I fell in love with cruising instantly!!! But, since I was a recent college grad and struggling to find a career, start a family, etc, it was over 10 years until I cruised again. Now I go at least once a year and take my daughters. They are cruise addicts now, too!!

 

Ashley :)

[Shelbyjane56]

I had never really been interested in going on a cruise. Then one day a TA walked into our bowling alley trying to set up a 'cruise league'. That cruise was going to Key West (AND sailing out of Baltimore, so no flying involved!) Well, being a devoted parrothead I had always wanted to go to Margaritaville! So I agreed to go. A group of us went on that first cruise and I believe I was addicted as soon as I got on the ship! Six cruises later(and it would be lots more if $$$ allowed) my only regret is that I didn't discover cruising sooner!! Why did you go on your first cruise? Any good stories out there?

 

We did our first cruise when we got married in 1976 it was a wonderful honeymoon and we have sailed many more times since then, from time to time, we like going other places too...like soccer games in england but wouldnt ever turn down a cruise :) I had just turned 20 when we got married, while I was still in college but they didnt say I couldnt drink! The price of a drink back them was no more than 95 cents! Our son has heard us talking about our wedding and the cruise that we took and he and his fiancee decided that was what they wanted too...including getting married in st thomas....we are so proud of him..no doubt they will be hooked to cruises too :)

[sewut]

My DH and I met on a ski lift. Our first kiss was on a bus. He proposed on an airplane. I kept saying that we had to something on a boat. Well, our 25th anniversary was on a cruise and we were hooked. It took 10 years after that to get rid of our 5 kids and now we cruise at least once a year.

 

Sewut

 

 

Spending our kids' inheritance, one cruise at a time.:)

[kerrytens]

We were married on the ship and my wife decided to pay for a bunch of people to come with us. :o

We're related??? :eek:

[Delta Dear]

Our first cruise was only two years ago to a destination wedding. For years, we would say, 'One of these days, we must go on a cruise.' A series of events; my husband going on dialysis, our late daughter's battle with breast cancer, my husband's kidney transplant, caring for grandchildren etc. pushed the idea way back on the burners.

 

Our daughter's best friend was getting married in the Bahamas and planned a destination wedding cruise. She is our grandson's godmother, also. My son-in-law, the grandchildren, my husband and I and 63 others all joined together for the trip. Our son and his girlfriend met us in Nassau; they cruised from Miami, we'd all flown from either Philly or Baltimore to Port Canaveral to cruise.

 

It was a wonderful trip. The wedding was beautiful. Our son-in-law and grandson, 13, were ushers, my 11 year old granddaughter was a junior usher, my husband and I read the scripture. The wedding program contained a dedication in memory of our daughter. We know she was smiling down on us.

 

We fell in love with cruising. I have thanked the bride over and over again because without her wedding, I would probably still be in the , " One of these days we must........"

 

We cruised in Feb. 2010 and are booked on a cruise in Jan.2011.

 

By the time we cruise in Jan., my husband will be 72, I am 68 and certainly wished we had started sooner, but it's never too late to discover more of life's wonderful treasures.

 

This thread should be interesting. Thanks for starting it. I could be subtitled, " Or How I Became Hooked on Cruising." LOL

[cuted126]

My mom wanted to try a cruise,so she booked one as a 21st birthday present for me!!! Then the addiction began!

[LHP]

Hubby talked me into it......

[80sramfan]

I had never really been interested in going on a cruise. Then one day a TA walked into our bowling alley trying to set up a 'cruise league'. That cruise was going to Key West (AND sailing out of Baltimore, so no flying involved!) Well, being a devoted parrothead I had always wanted to go to Margaritaville! So I agreed to go. A group of us went on that first cruise and I believe I was addicted as soon as I got on the ship! Six cruises later(and it would be lots more if $$$ allowed) my only regret is that I didn't discover cruising sooner!! Why did you go on your first cruise? Any good stories out there?

 

Because I was a fan of the show Love Boat.

[conchead]

I Never wanted to cruise...at all!!

Finally one time, I finally ran out of excuses as to why not go on a cruise.

We had booked 2 or 3 before and always found a good reason to cancel.

(They were before ES, and before final payment..even then,

I knew to keep up with some important details, like penalties and reading the contract)

 

So finally we booked one and I was dreading it, but kind of interested at the same time.

I was still nervous walking up the gang plank...got on board, settled in a bit,..DoD you know.

I would say by about 6:30 that first night, I was a full blown cruise addict.

[Georgie562]

Scared of flying/airplanes.

It was last year 2009 Celebrating my birthday. I was pretty tired of doing the same thing every year so I dedcided to try cruising since Im scared of planes and since then I loved it. and even if i were to travel by plane for the first time, I would much rather choose cruising.:)

[kjlau2002]

My husband and I wanted an affordable, easy honeymoon, and we wanted to see a lot of places. So, a cruise was the most logical choice! I will admit, I was reluctant at first, but had the time of my life. I am definitely hooked, and we are sharing our addiction with his family this Christmas on the Victory--the one year anniversary of our honeymoon, on the exact same ship! ;-)

[Old Fan]

I was awarded a cruise from one of my vendors. It was an all expense paid vacation that has since cost us thousands.

[ChuckLL]

I went into business for myself in 2001. For the first few years we weren't able to take a vacation. Finally near the end of the summer of 2004 we decided to take a break and go to Wild Adventures in Valdosta for a couple of days. I had taken my cell phone for emergencies but had it turned off. For some reason I turned it on to call my parents. Before I could get it turned off again I had about 3 work related calls. Not just any calls. Aggravating calls. My little break was essentially ruined.

 

I told my wife that I wish I was on an island in the middle of the ocean with no cell phone service.

 

When we got home it dawned on my that a cruise ship was sort of like an island in the middle of the ocean. I checked prices and departure ports. I found that Carnival had a ship (the Celebration) out of Jacksonville which is only about an hour away from us. Then I had to convince my wife. She was against it at first. Then she reluctantly gave in. By October we were on the Celebration and were hooked on cruising.

 

We've had some that were better than others, but I've never had a bad one. Of course there was one cruise where we battled with Hurricane Noel. I was fine, but my wife was sick the entire time. The ship ran out of sea-sickness meds by about the 2nd or 3rd night. Now she takes her own meds.

[dommer573]

I needed a vacation and my girlfriend at the time and I were walking through the mall one day, saw an ad for cruises in the doorway and thought that sounds fun. I also remembered the Love Boat from T.V. and wanted to try it. I loved the fact that I could take year to pay for it, that it was all inclusive, and that you could see and visit different places for one price. I put a down payment on it for the both of us, for the next summer and started counting down the days. Had a great time (by myself, broke up with the girlfriend the next week) and try to go at least once a year.;)

[toby #1]

I always thought cruising was for the rich and I didn't feel it would be fun. We are middle class and I didn't think we'd fit in with the rich snobs.

 

Dh wanted to go and the Miracle was coming to Jacksonville so I told him I would give it a try. I guess I liked it because our next cruise will be my 12th. I fell hook, line and sinker. Since then I have talked about 12 other people to cruise, some of them said they would never cruise.

 

I'm just wondering if I will ever tire of cruising, hope not.

[deborahjo]

Have told this before but here goes. My fiancee'? was killed in a sky diving accident and my parents thought I needed to get away. So I went on the Carnival Carnivale in 1978. Yes it was Love Boat inspired.

 

Did not cruise again until 2003 when I took the whole family and all got hooked.

[conchead]

Because I was a fan of the show Love Boat.

 

My wife is about sick of it..

I found it on Netflix and so far we have watched 4 DVD's

(14 episodes) in about the 2 weeks.

 

So..after we watch the movie that come today,

it is back to the Love Boat:D

[Aknot]

I havent... but I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night... no really I havent yet I have booked one...

 

My wife and I came into a little extra money. After taking our son to Great Wolf Lodge (for 5 days) we decided we needed a vacation as we have never taken one in the 18 years we have been together.

 

The catch was "I' was in charge of planning it.

 

So after hemmin and hawwing and looking at resorts, Spas, beaches, Casinos, etc.... we were almost 100% sure we were going to hit Atlantic City and spend whatever we had.

 

Well I was in San Diego on a Business trip and had a day layover till my plane left the next morning. So I decided to go out and take in the sights...

 

 

The rest is History.... :D

[Ilovepj]

Well everyone in my family was going on cruises, brother, neices, sisters, etc, but I always got seasick, so I had no desire to go on a ship. My son was in the coast guard for 8 years, and once I just went on his ship, and it was tied to the dock, and I got so sick, so cruising was out.

 

Then one day I came across this site and was just reading and saw people talking about ginger pills and bodine, and since dd really wanted to try one, I said ok, took the pills, held my breath, and it was great, I did great, and have been hooked ever since.

 

Going on my 5th cruise this oct on the dream, and I still get so excited, so I guess my thanks goes to cruise critic people.