Are You an Addict?

[jcruise67]

Hi, my name is John, and I'm a cruise addict.(LOL) It started in 1998, the moment I pulled up to the pier in San Juan. There she was...the Carnival Inspiration. I still remember my mouth hitting the floor. I turned to my DW and I said...is that our ship? I was completely taken by the immensity of the ships, the tropical destinations, the all-glass atrium, the crystal clear blue water, calypso by the pool, wonderful ambiance....OK, someone pinch me. Sorry, I get carried away. Anyone who has cruised before knows that you can be overcome with excitement. From the moment you begin planning a cruise, it all begins. The cruise line, the ship, the itinerary, island hopping, the lido deck (POOL), sunsets, meeting wonderful pax, and making everlasting friendships. Maybe not in this order, but its all the same. I started this thread because if your like me, the anticipation of a cruise consumes my every waking hour. I see that many of you on these boards experience much of the same excitement. So just post here and let it be known what it is about cruising that makes you a cruise addict. I do know that these boards help with my therapy.(LOL)

 

John

[ckrobyn]

Hi, my name is Robyn and I am a cruise addict in training :D

 

I am about to experience my very first cruise ever and am confident I will become totally enamoured with cruising and that will be it for land based holidays!

I have become hooked on these boards for the past few months....so if that is any indication of whether or not I will become a full fledged cruise addict....I'd say YES!

Happy Cruising :D

[paws43tails]

my lst cruise was april 03, for my 30th anniversary and i'm hooked! we simply can't live without a future booking anymore, and it's better if there are 2 in the hopper... it seems that we focus on the next cruise and that keeps us going through the day to day routine with a smile... normal life is so much sweeter when there is a countdown clock attached! i'm so partial now, that land based vacations that my friends and family take seem like a total waste of $ ... i know, to each his own, but for me and dh, give us a ship to anywhere and we're in heaven! lucky you robyn, only one more week!!

[Shifra]

Hi, my name is Shifra and...yes...I am a cruise addict. It started in 1999, but my addiction was passed on to me by my family. I am second generation cruiser. It's is in my genes. I suppose I could have fought it but my resistance was too weak. I just admit that I Love Cruising! :)

[01 Cobra]

Hi, my name is Ann and I'm a cruise addict. I started cruising in 2003. I've been on two cruises in the past two years and I'm scheduled for two cruises this year "back to back" no less. I've decided that there is no better way to vacation, that if you are not in the floating lap of luxury then you are obviously not really on vacation. (IMHO) I understand that others prefer land to water, but let me tell you sonthing honeee....after my first cruise, there was no going back. I now live to cruise. My every waking moment is spent working towards cruise day. Accumulating leave, earning money and shopping for cruise gear. That's my joy. I even have my son enrolled in swim classes and learning how to use snorkle gear in the back yard pool. I insist that my family be in "cruise training" before we ship off. I will cruise at least once a year for the rest on my natural life. I have a special "cruise savings account" just to ensure that I can meet my annual cruise obligation.

I could go on but I'm sure this sounds a bit rediculous by now. I really enjoy a good vacation. Work hard, play hard are rules that I live by.

Anyone else out there???

[cruisenfever]

Hi, my name is Patti, and yes, both my husband and I are cruise addicts. Our very first cruise was back in 1996 with a group of friends. It actually turned out to be the "cruise from hell" because it was the ships maiden voyage in the Caribbean and we happen to run into a gale. Water was coming in everywhere, including coming into our cabin through the drain in our bathroom which started to flow over onto the carpet in our cabin. But, we had nothing to compare this cruise to, so we thought this was normal. Then we went on RCI and have been hooked every since. Never thought my husband would like cruising, because his idea of a vacation is either to go fishing or hunting.....not my cup of tea. But he really enjoys cruising and the adventure and just getting away and especially meeting and making new friends. When one week wasn't enough (seems once you get to the ship, unpack your clothes, it's time to pack up and go home) we decided to try a back to back on the same ship. Now, we are hooked on at least two weeks on a ship. This coming April we are doing a back to back but will be on the ship for three weeks. Can't imagine the laundry that will have to be done, but it will be well worth it. It's a wonderful way to spend quality time with each other.

[jcruise67]

Wow People!!!!...and I thought I was the only one (LOL). I agree with all of you. I started this thread just for this very reson. My DW and I only did land-based vacations; that was until are very first cuise. We were hooked on all-inclusives, but thats history now. Our first cruise made us realize that we weren't living the way we should, or should I say, the way we deserved to live. Now, I couldn't phathom any pther vaction but a cruise. Economically, it makes more sense (two vactions wrapped up in one). I guess my first clue was watching the "Love Boat" as a kid. It all seemed so unrealistic. Today, I can honestly say I'm a bonified cruise professional. Watch out cruise directors...I'm right on your heels (LOL) Thanks for sharing your experiences. Thats what makes cruise critic such a great site. For those of you anticipating your first cruise, I can only hope your experience is as wonderful as ours was. You will be booking another before your return home.

 

John

 

Until we're Golden:

[GottaLuvCruising]

My name is Janet and I'm a Cruise Addict (and proud of it!) Our first cruise was in 1991 on the Carnival Carnivale. Since then we've sailed 13 times on Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. I love cruising...planning cruises...talking about cruising... A couple years ago I took a sales position for Disney Cruise Line and now I'm independently selling all lines - and loving it!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Oh yes - we are cruise addicts as well.

 

50+ cruises so far.

 

Leave in 2 1/2 weeks for back-to-back cruises.

 

Have 2 more back-to-backs booked for this year already.

[jcruise67]

Thats Great GottaLuvCruising. I have 7 years to retirement, and I plan on getting in the cruise industry. Keep up the great work. Who knows, maybe you will be booking my next cruise.

 

John

[pamkev]

Hi,

My name is Pam, my hubby and I are addicts, we started in June 2002 on the Galaxy. We have now reached the stage of must doing 2 cruises a year. We have actively recruited (sp) more people to become addicts. My mom and daughter and 2 friends are among the fallen. We are looking for more "victims" as we speak! LOL Pam

[jcruise67]

No need to look hard Pam. Becoming diagnosed as an addict ocurrs when you step on to a ship on your very first cruise. Recruiting is the easy part.

 

John

[cruisingfreak]

You better believe I'm an Addict, more so than my DH.

 

My DH wanted to go on a cruise for years, but I was afraid of getting seasick. I finally gave in for our 25th anniversary & booked a 7 day Western Caribbean cruise. We had the BEST time ever & as soon as I arrived home, I booked another. That was in 1997. We've done 12 cruises so far, with another 2 booked for this year.

 

I hope there's no antidote for this addiction. Unless the antidote is booking more cruises.

 

 

Minette

[Gail Johnson]

Hi....I agree with everyone who has posted. Our cruising experience began in 1998 with 12 of us going. Friends and family. The next year, I got 18 to go which was a great experience. Since I booked more then 8 cabins, I got to cruise for NOTHING. I decided that was too much work, so now I only book cruises for myself and my husband.

Have any of you seen that some (rich and not so famous) book a round the world cruise over and over and simply live on the ship for the remainder of their lives. That's what I would love to do. This is a dream of mine.

I believe that the preperation of the journey is just about as much fun as stepping onto the gangplank!

G. Johnson

[jcruise67]

You are absolutely right Gail. There is no antidote for cruise addiction. the first time you sail...your hooked.

 

"Live to cruise, cruise to live"

 

Til the Golden...

[Happy ks]

After we got off our last cruise, we did not think we would be able to afford it again for a couple of years. Alaska was very expensive and we have to catch up.

 

Well, that's not working for us. Fortunatley, we live close enough to drive to the LA port and have a couple of weekend cruises planned in the next year. Not as gratifying as a week or more, but perhaps enough to tide us over. I guess you could say, yes, we are addicted.

[Lois R]

Hi:) great thread.......I am Lois and definitely addicted to cruising.....you know the funny thing about it....we are all from different backgrounds, live in different cities...and some in different countries...but we all LOVE TO CRUISE!:D

 

I have been divorced for almost 20 years......and have traveled on my own forever.....planned many land vacations......and fell in love with cruising in 2003:) It is the best vacation in the world (in my opinion) for a solo traveler...yes, we do have to pay more....(downside) but.....every time I am on the ship I remember it is worth EVERY PENNEY!!!!

I took 2 cruises waaayyyy back in the 80s and then again for my parents 50th Anniversary in 1992......and for some reason took an 11 year hiatus.....(what was wrong with me?:eek: )

Anyway......since May 2003 I have been so lucky and thankful.......see my list below.......and I am going on 2 more this year!!!!

 

Addicted??? That would be ME!!!!:D ....I sail in 5 weeks!!! Yiiippppeee!!!

[ger_77]

My name is Gerry and I live in the "frozen tundra" of Western Canada and I am a cruise addict. I won our first cruise through a local radio promotion in 1989 and was hooked from the very first sailing. My husband won't admit it, but he is addicted also - someday he will stand up beside me and admit to his addiction.:D

 

We, too, took a hiatus of about 10 years while raising our family, but got back into the swing of things with a cruise to usher in the new millennium, then our 25th anniversary cruise, then a Black Sea cruise, and shortly we'll be on our way to the Panama Canal. There's no life like it!!!

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[bibb]

It started 16 cruises ago in 1985 and we have been cruise addicts since then. We would have more cruises but we are travel addicts as well and do land vacations. Last year, we did a cruise to the Western Caribbean, a trip to Normandy/Paris/Germany, a trip to Hawaii, Las Vegas/Grand Canyon, Kentucky, another Europe trip to Spain/Portugal/Gibraltar, another trip to Hawaii and a trip to South Dakota. We have two cruises booked for 2005 and Munich is September for the Octoberfest.

 

Someone on the board here has a signature about sliding into the grave sideways with a drink in the hand and yelling, "Wahoo, what a ride!" Well, that's the philosophy; DW and I have been married 30 years and have done 47 countries/islands together with none of them in the Southern Hemisphere. Look out Down Under, we're on our way.

[Kathy & George]

We are definitly Cruise Addicts. My DH wants to work on board as a shopping guide. We are even planning to move so that we can be closer to the ports we frequent. This will be our 12th, on the Millennium Feb 13th...one more week! Planning to book 2 more. Just can't get enough. May I never be cured of this addiction.

[MarinerChica7]

Hello,

 

Me and my family are cruise adicts. No doubt about it! When I went on my first cruise I was around 5-6 years old. My family is big on vacations and we have been on 19 since then! We are going on one in 3 weeks (RCCL's Explorer of the Seas) and another in June (RCCL's Mariner of the Seas)!

 

I love planning and helping my parents book cruises (they are part time travel agents), and i've thought about going into travel agency so I can do just that! Hey, maybe i'll book your next cruise! :D

[demodawn]

We took our first in June for our 30th also thought it would be a while to afford to go again and guess what we just returned from our 2nd and have our third planed!

[wannalottadough]

Hi my name is patty and I am a cruise-a-holic. I took my first cruise in 1990 before we had internet, can you imagine planning a cruise without these boards? I use to get the brocheres and any informational videos i could find on the ship and cruiseline and i would read and re-read and constantly watch the videos. I definitley need these boards to enhance my cruise vacations.

we went severals years without cruising while our kids were growing up and now we are hooked again. We met the nicest couple on these boards and then met up with them on our cruise last june and sailed with them again in Jan. and planned our next with them for next january.

[MichTraveler]

My name is Nancy and I am a cruise-a-holic.

My first cruise was in late 1970s with a girlfriend. No internet, no cruise boards, no advice from anyone. We had a great time. Now my DH are either planning a cruise, on a cruise, or planning the next one. We do at least one land vacation each year too, but we always seem to be comparing to the cruise.

[Iggipolka]

Cruiseaholics' 12-Step Program

posted in r.t.c. by Debra Yates Welch

http://home.g-net.net/~cbrock/

 

1) We admit that we are powerless over cruises and our lives have become unmanageable.....

 

2) Came to believe in a cruise greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity

 

3) Made a decision to turn our credit cards and our lives over to the care of cruising as we understand it.

 

4) Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of the chocoholic buffet

 

5) Admitted to cruising , to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of what formal night really means

 

6) Were entirely ready to have cruising remove all my dignity in the Best Legs contest

 

7) Humbly asked cruising to remove all my dollar chips in the casino in three short hours

 

8) Made a list of all persons we had met on the cruise ship who we would like to see again on another cruise

 

9) Made direct payments to the shore excursions desk wherever possible, except when finding a better cheaper tour on our own

 

10) Continued to take personal inventory of the breakfast buffet and when we were full head straight to line dancing lessons

 

11) Sought through inside and outside cabins to improve our location with upgrades and room credits, praying only for a open seat with a view in the show lounge and the power to land a decent deck chair in the morning.

 

12) Having a had a cruise experience as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to cruiseaholics, and to practice these rituals in as many cruises a year as our pocket book allows.