Cruising...the magic is gone

[spongerob]

Not all that long ago I would have at least 2, and to up to 4 cruises booked at one time. The only thing that limited me was vacation time available to me. Now, I've got just one cruise booked, and I'm not very excited about it.

 

After 20 cruises I find my desires turning to land-based trips and (OMG) road trips. And I'm liking them.

 

Cruising used to be great but any more it has become so cheap, and so watered down to keep up with the demands of the mass market that the only unique thing about cruising is the mode of transportation. The rest of the experience is about as special as going to a Wal-Mart.

 

We're hitting the road again next week for a non-cruise trip. And we couldn't be more excited. Anyone else feel this way, is the magic gone for good?

[Philip217]

Spongerob,

 

You are absolutely correct.

 

Mass Market cruising - just like Mass Market flying - has lost it's charm.

Too many homeless and people raised by wolves can now afford to cruise (and fly).

Unfortunately the Mass Market airlines and cruise lines are catering to them

 

But all is not lost.

You can still be thrilled by cruising - and flying.

You only need to spend a bit more money.

 

I'm flying First Class on an Air France A380 next week. It's going to be a blast.

I have been looking forward to this trip for many weeks.

 

Then I'm going to board Seabourn Odyssey in Buenos Aires for a 35 day trip in a Suite.

Do you think I am going to be thrilled?

Bet on it.

 

Beer or champagne??

It all depends on what you are willing - or able - to pay for.

[tak81288]

No, but I don't have all those cruises under my belt either...I always mix it up and can't even imagine having four booked at once...I can take maybe one cruise a year for about a 7-8 days and maybe a quick 5 day one...other then that everything else is always land vacations...As much as I love cruising, I usually have just as good or better vacations on land since I am able to see and do more in each area I visit...

 

I'm not a fan of road trips...if it takes over 3 hrs to get there, Id rather be on a plane...lol...:)...the rest of my family loves road trips though so I can't always get out of doing them...

 

Have fun in your travels though!

[trikinimaster]

I think the problem is the mass cruise lines like Crnival and NCL. If you go to smaller lines and longer cruises is entirely different.

[Talisker92]

I have been on quite a few cruises, and still enjoy them. I have also been on a number of land trips, where I can get more of an in depth feel for the place. We just got off a Panama Canal cruise, and leave this morning for a trip to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole.

We have 2 cruises booked for this year, and one for next year.

[Tralynn]

I may feel that way once I've cruised as much as you. But for now, we've decided to try and keep it exciting by booking cruises to places we've never been before. After numerous Caribbean cruises, we've finally booked our first Alaska cruise. That has brought back the excitement for us.....An adventure to a new place, seeing things we've never seen before. I've now made my bucket list, and I'm going to try to get to at least one of those places each year. It's given me something to shoot for and I think that's where the excitement is for me.

 

It's all about shaking it up and keeping it different and new.

 

Enjoy your new adventures, whatever they may be.....

[cruisemom42]

The trick with cruises, for me, is not to take too many without mixing it up. I've been cruising for a long time and, while I wouldn't say the magic is gone, it is definitely not what it used to be.

 

I generally try to plan two vacations a year -- one cruise and one land trip (outside the US). That keeps me appreciating both of them. On cruises I appreciate not having to unpack more than once and not having to worry about logistics of getting from place to place (although I usually do my own thing in ports). On land trips I appreciate the chance to spend more time in a particular locale and to enjoy eating local food.

[Toto2Kansas]

We both felt the same way a few years ago, and took over a years break from cruising, I called it cruise burn out. We did find when we decided to cruise again that we needed to change things around a bit to keep it interesting.

After 40+ cruises we decided to try the smaller ships in the Princess fleet, more personal, more like cruising used to be, nothing like the mass market cruises the larger ships provide, and it put the magic back into cruising for us.

We also upgraded our cabins to all full suites on each of these sailings, we just cruise less, but go in style. It has changed our opinion of cruises completely and they are back to being exciting and new. Not only do we get excited about the itinerary (as we usually repeat cruises now that are to our favorite destinations and skip over places like the Caribbean that we have been to way too many times), but we also get excited about the type of cabin we have booked (the full suites on the smaller ships are absolutely to die for in comparison to the larger ships).

We feel the same way about flying, it is absolutely the worst it has ever been. But when we have a long flight, we book first class air which makes it a bit more tolerable/enjoyable.

We don't cruise as often now, as booking the suites and first class air sure do take a chunk out of the old vacation budget, but we find we would rather cruise less and really exjoy the experience then to try to fit in as many cruises as we can each year on ships or to destinations that just don't ring our bell anymore. :D

[Happy ks]

I still llove cruising, but from now on will be more selective in where we go. For years we cruised on RCI and went to the Mexican Riviera and Baja. Now...that became really boring.

 

Other cruises we have taken have been a lot more interesting. Alaska, Hawaii, Italy. Our next is up the CA coast with 5 stops in 7 days, we have a group of 15 friends/family going on that one, it should be fun.

 

We also look forward to a time where we can cruise the smaller ships and not go on the behemoths, once our kids are out of college and gone from home.

 

But I can very well understand the OP's point of view, cruising has changed over the years. Some of it for the better, some for the worse.

[mafig]

We feel the same way.

 

Nothing booked for us.

 

Plan to take at least a year off from cruising. Really looking forward to Las Vegas next month:D.

[kitty9]

Same for me. I completed my 65th cruise last month and said that was it for a while. The mass markets have really declined in terms of food and service and my other line of choice, Crystal, have raised their fares to insane heights. For example, a cruise I did to the North Cape on Crystal Symphony in 2009, would cost me $2500 more this year. Crystal is great, but their fares have gone way beyond silly.

[cruiserbryce]

when the fun is gone from cruising we will find other way to travel also...fortunatly I dont see that happening for a while :D

[travler27]

We are retired and spent the last 7 years touring the US in 5 different motorhomes from 40' down to 23'. We've been everywhere from Fairbanks to Key West and all points in between. We travel about 9 months out of the year and still have a small motorhome. The freedom to do whatever, whenever and wherever we want has been a lot of fun.

 

On 2/21/11 we leave out of Mobile on our first ever cruise. I'm a bit apprensive about being confined to a ship with 2-3000 other folks basically going to nowhere. I know we will stop in Cozumel and Calica but the trip is really about the ship. The ports are no different than other Carribean tourist towns and we've been to dozens of those. Cayman, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, etc.

 

And after reading on these boards for the past few weeks I wonder if we've made a good decision. I really don't tolerate rude very well and it's starting to look to me like these ships are full of drunken spring breakers staggering all over making a nusiance of themselves.

 

I guess we'll see how it goes. I hope it's not a total waste if $3,500.

[Rick-cruiser]

Depends on the cruiseline, the length of the cruise, and the size of the ship.. Is it a 7-day on a mainstream line with over 2,000 passengers?

 

If so, then it probably is.

.

[chipmaster]

Seems money is no issue here, no?

 

For me vacation time is limited, more than yours. For me the decision, land, cruise, etc. is based on what I want to do with family. You always need to pay for what you get and don't always get what you pay for.

 

If you are willing to spend more you can get smaller ships, different ports, better service. If you need things like big theater, shows, rock climbing, etc. etc than the mass market is where you gotta go and with it you got to just remember the huge value they offer.

 

I can't imagine doing more than one cruise every year even if retired and with 365 days of leisure, just so much more to discover. So no question, if I had done as many as you I'd be jaded long before that :D

 

Not all that long ago I would have at least 2, and to up to 4 cruises booked at one time. The only thing that limited me was vacation time available to me. Now, I've got just one cruise booked, and I'm not very excited about it.

 

After 20 cruises I find my desires turning to land-based trips and (OMG) road trips. And I'm liking them.

 

Cruising used to be great but any more it has become so cheap, and so watered down to keep up with the demands of the mass market that the only unique thing about cruising is the mode of transportation. The rest of the experience is about as special as going to a Wal-Mart.

 

We're hitting the road again next week for a non-cruise trip. And we couldn't be more excited. Anyone else feel this way, is the magic gone for good?

[STARFISH*4]

in 2 weeks its #13....Dec #14 & 15....looking to book #16/17/18 for 2012 and even thinking of 2013 so i am not to the CRUISE overload point yet...stilll in the CRUISE OBSESSION mode:D

[obnurse]

We can't cruise as often as some who have posted but we cruise about once a year. We find these trips to be wonderful, relaxing and fun! Not tired of it and don't see that for the future. Maybe some are just experiencing too much of a good thing? If Christmas came 4 or 5 times a year it wouldn't be special, either. JMHO

[okgirl]

I'm leaving on #22 in 6 days home for 2 weeks and leave for #23, so clearly I'm not tired of it yet.

 

I also usually spend a week down at the beach each spring, but prefer cruising. I like everything about cruising from the cabin stewards, to the multiple dining options, the casino, the piano bar, the shops, staying in my cabin and watching a movie, finding a quiet place to sit and read.

 

All of my cruises have been with Carnival, and I will be Milestone by early 2012, so if the Carnival experience starts to fade maybe we'll branch out to other lines.

[Hlitner]

We have been cruising for about forty years and have talked to quite a few cruisers who say they have gotten bored with cruising. Most of the time it is because they only use one or two cruise lines (we have cruised on 12 cruise lines) and also cruise in the same places (usually the Caribbean). Cruise ships go to all 7 Continents and there are many lines and many many different ships. Personally, we have limited our cruising to about 75 days a year, but we have met many folks who cruise more then twice as many days per year without ever getting tired or bored.

 

Hank

[Cruisin' Chick]

After a five year hiatus, we are feeling a lot different. Due to some work issues (which are getting resolved right now:) and a terminal illness for one of our parents:(), my hubby felt he wouldn't be able to enjoy a vacation.

 

Since his workers comp case seemed to be finally coming to a close (neutral doctor's report!), he told me to check out the Hawaiian cruise as we're really enjoyed it before. So we booked it almost last minute and we both really relaxed. (only our teen seemed to have some issues -- typically, "it's so lame" complaints)

 

He wants to book it again. We just have to convince the girl as she's too young to stay by herself and we don't have any options for her to stay elsewhere.

 

Maybe you should just do some other vacations, or as others have said, try another line like Regent.

[spongerob]

Seems money is no issue here, no?

Oh, I wish...:) We just budget the luxuries first!

 

We've thought about the smaller lines and ships. We have a couple of cruises on smaller vessels and really enjoyed them since we do not need the shows and attractions. I'm happy with a competent waiter and a good bartender. The problem is time; I just can't take the time off required to enjoy those trips.

 

We used to say that we wanted to see the world while we still had a chance. Now that I've seen a decent chunk of it, all I can say is, "There's no place like home." ;)

[Krazy Kruizers]

You didn't mention what length of cruises you have been on.

 

We tend to do longer cruises -- 20 or more days -- and find that they are way different than just the ordinary 7 day cruise.

 

Maybe you should consider something like that on the smaller ships.

[cruzin w chris]

Spongerob,

 

You are absolutely correct.

 

Mass Market cruising - just like Mass Market flying - has lost it's charm.

Too many homeless and people raised by wolves can now afford to cruise (and fly).

Unfortunately the Mass Market airlines and cruise lines are catering to them

 

But all is not lost.

You can still be thrilled by cruising - and flying.

You only need to spend a bit more money.

 

I'm flying First Class on an Air France A380 next week. It's going to be a blast.

I have been looking forward to this trip for many weeks.

 

Then I'm going to board Seabourn Odyssey in Buenos Aires for a 35 day trip in a Suite.

Do you think I am going to be thrilled?

Bet on it.

 

Beer or champagne??

It all depends on what you are willing - or able - to pay for.

could you sound any more snobish !

[cruzin w chris]

"homeless people and people raised by wolves" are you kidding me !

we love cruising and just watching everyone have a great time. if some people feel that they are "ABOVE" others than you should stick to the high priced cruise lines and airlines and just DO NOT make insensitive comments about others. i work extremely hard for my money and can afford to cruise every now and then thanks in whole to the cruise lines keeping the costs at an affordable level. last time i checked my mom and dad did not have paws or tails and did not live under a bridge. so before you make dumb ass comments use your head. thanks

[Happy ks]

We are retired and spent the last 7 years touring the US in 5 different motorhomes from 40' down to 23'. We've been everywhere from Fairbanks to Key West and all points in between. We travel about 9 months out of the year and still have a small motorhome. The freedom to do whatever, whenever and wherever we want has been a lot of fun.

 

On 2/21/11 we leave out of Mobile on our first ever cruise. I'm a bit apprensive about being confined to a ship with 2-3000 other folks basically going to nowhere. I know we will stop in Cozumel and Calica but the trip is really about the ship. The ports are no different than other Carribean tourist towns and we've been to dozens of those. Cayman, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, etc.

 

And after reading on these boards for the past few weeks I wonder if we've made a good decision. I really don't tolerate rude very well and it's starting to look to me like these ships are full of drunken spring breakers staggering all over making a nusiance of themselves.

 

I guess we'll see how it goes. I hope it's not a total waste if $3,500.

 

Perhaps it's time to go to Europe, Australia, Asia, etc...? While cruising offers just a taste of other countries, it's a nice way to see a lot of places in a short amount of time.

 

In the future we look forward to another Med cruise and will fly in a few days prior, stay a couple days after the cruise.