Why do you cruise?

[FEDJAN]

These threads are a great source of information. Perhaps I am suffering from information overload. As a soon to be first time cruiser (March 2006), I'm wondering why you cruise. On these threads I've learned of possible weather problems, seasickness, food that may not be too good, unsupervised children, crying babies, pushy (rude) senior citizens, trash falling on your balcony from above, diapers in the adult pools and high drink prices. Add to that the seemingly ever present "dress code" issue, the always popular "smoking" issues and let's not forget "smuggling booze" on board. Lots of opportunities for issues.

 

So, why do you cruise?

 

I have many friends who cruise and cruise often. They love it! A floating hotel that brings them to exotic places, at a reasonable price. I can't wait to try it. I know I have to go with an open mind, follow the rules/traditions and roll with the punches. My friends did not mention any of the problems stated above. What are the chances of getting a cabin next to (or under) unruly children or screaming babies? Being poked by a cane of a senior? Being seated with a table full underdressed folks while I'm in a tuxedo? Can things get this bad?

I can't believe you seasoned cruisers would continue to cruise if conditions were consistantly bad. I'd like to think these issues are somewhat rare and couldn't all happen on the same cruise. The good must outweigh the bad (and the ugly). Right? Thanks

[caviargal]

I love to cruise. I love being at sea and I love that dinner is an event every evening. I enjoy dressing up because I do not have the chance to do this at home and I would be happy if every night was formal. The ports are generally secondary to me and the ship is the most important aspect of my cruise experience. I enjoy nice things so I stick with lines that offer me the atmosphere and service I prefer.

 

I plan my vacation cruises to avoid the times where families travel, as I do prefer adults and adult vacations. I prefer lines where people still dress for dinner. I stay away from the party hardy lines and the ones where there are so many passengers on the ship that I feel like I am on the number 5 in midtown Manhattan at 5pm.

 

With some planning and some luck, one can avoid the negatives of cruising (at least most of the time) and have a wonderful experience.

[DEL67]

Like your friends, I look at a cruiseing as a floating hotel that takes me places at a reasonable price. I also appreciate the service and the easy accessibility of entertainment.

 

As for all the complaints, some people tend to focus on what they did not like or what went wrong rather the whole experience. Also, people are different and like different things so its rare that any experience can please everyone.

 

Is cruising perfect? No, it couldn't be. Has it changed? Yes. The larger ships and the more economical pricing make today's experience very different from that of 15 years ago. Is it better or worse? That depends on what you like. However, if you go expecting to have a good time, you probably will. We do!

[2funcruzin]

I believe that alot of what is noted on these boards are a combination of isolated incidents and people simply having a bad day.

 

Do bad things happen sometimes? YES...however I think when you read them in a contained area like these boards you start to think of them as happening all on the same cruise..if that were true I certainly wouldn't cruise. However, if one of these incidents occurs to you while on your cruise would that be a reason not to cruise again? NO WAY! And that's how it happens truly.....

 

Cruising is a way of being pampered 24/7 and doing all of the things you enjoy in life like being entertained, dancing, eating terrific food, and visiting beautiful ports of call in a matter of 4-10 days. It's the best of life!

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[Scrappinjack]

I was a reluctant first time cruiser for a host of reasons. My wife, in fact, booked our first cruise without telling me--and I can't begin to thank her enough. While I absolutely love just about everything about the cruises and being on the ships, I can see why certain aspects might be irritating to some people and I understand that unpleasant situations can arise with such a cross-section of people sharing common areas and such. If one is impatient, then every line will be a major inconvenience. These cruise ships are too large with too many people. That one caters to a rowdy clientele. Too many kids/not enough kids. Too strict/too lax. Too dress-concious/too casual. I have been on seven cruises with my wife and kids and I can honestly tell you that the only thing we didn't look forward to was leaving the ship at the end of the cruises. We love the entertainment and activities; love dressing for dinner; love the sea days. Sure, we've had table mates we didn't particularly enjoy; a meal here and there that wasn't what we expected; encountered a few rude and pushy shipmates. But, there is always a way to get around such things. The staff will find you another dinner table. They will substitute your meal. You can avoid irritating people on a big ship. Don't like kids? Check the cruise lines for the ones that cater to families. For example, whereas the gal in one previous response wants to cruise with fewer passengers and children and probably doesn't sail RCCL, our family enjoys that atmosphere and won't sail on certain other lines. There is something for everyone. Just remember that you're on vacation and flex a little.

[Scrappinjack]

To 2funcruzin: Well said indeed! Man, I love my cruises!

[Wennfred]

To me Cruising is the total best vacation, I mean you first get to travel to a nice port like Miami, then you get to sail to these exotic island, places you only see on Corona T.V. Commerials or on the Travel Channel and where else will you get the best foods with out going broke. :)

[hastingsbrass]

I started cruising because a good friend of mine is a travel agent who specializes in cruises. I went with him on a last minute cruise to Alaska last summer and I fell in love with it.

 

I love the variety of activities on board as well as the chance to visit more than one place but still be able to return to "my" own bed each night. I find cruising offers a lot of options, I am not a sun worshipper, and wouldn't take a vacation geared to laying around on a beach, I like that there is always something going on, and that I can arrange my days the way I like.

 

I have taken a variety of different kinds of vacations, but there is nothing that compares to cruising for me in terms of comfort and ease of travel. Now I just need to keep my eye open for itineraries that get me to the places I have always wanted to see!! :p

[CaptData]

If you really want to get poked by a cane (although I'm not a senior citizen) come on my trip. I promise to poke you when we meet (no lawsuit, please, you asked after all).

 

 

Actually, I love to cruise because if I have a bad day I order Room Service. I can watch the waves go by or see an island from the distance. It is great for the disabled.

[mrg0433]

So many people have stressful jobs and spend hours commuting every day to work that they really need to make the most of their vacation time to re-energize their bodies and minds.

 

I feel that a cruise gives the vacationer the most time to relax. I especially enjoy cruising from a port near home because the money we save on airfare and hotels can turn a 7 day cruise into a 10 day cruise on our budget. Not having to drive a car anywhere gives us more time to relax. I love the option of doing nothing at all but sitting on my balcony for hours at a time. Another great thing about a cruiseship is that hubby can spend time in the casino while I spend time sunbathing and reading a book. Sometimes I attend wine tasting seminars while he simply watches old movies and tv shows in the afternoons at sea. We really enjoy cruising freestyle on NCL because they have so many different restaurants to choose from within a few steps of our cabin each day: Mexican, Italian, French, Steak House, Japanese, Chinese/Fast Food, Deli, English Pub, American, Venetian DR, BBQ, etc.

 

Our last ship even had a movie cinema on board with popcorn served too. Of course, there is all the music, dancing and entertainment each evening. Best of all to me, is that we can sun ourselves anywhere from the top deck, pool, promenade, or our own room. I love that ships now even have miniature golf courses and solariums for relaxing indoors on windy cool sea days.

[N.FL Cruisers]

We like to cruise because you pretty much know exactly what to expect from past experiences. You will also know how much it will cost including tips so you can budget in advanced if you must. There really isn't this big hidden suprise on our card on the ship because you can see what is being spent day to day. Since we live by multiple ports we don't even have an airline ticket issue. I would rather be cruising and having the best time than spending 2-3 days driving to some beautiful remote place in the USA. Now, maybe in the future when time is not an issue, land vacations my be something to consider, but right now this works best for us.

 

[Lauri32]

Hubby & I cruised for the first time 5 years ago. Even though it was total drama from the ex-friends that we sailed with we were hooked enough to take the kids the next year. Unfortunately, our Disney land/cruise deal was a little depressing considering we headed down to Orlando on 9/11/01. The ship was only half full and you couldn't refrain from turning on the news every time you entered your cabin. Even still we planned a cruise for the following year. Why? Because...

 

#1 It's a smart economical vacation for us. We drive to the port to embark. You couldn't possible fly to at least 3 different places in a 7 day period, plus the cost of hotel and food and come out anywhere near the cost of a cruise.

 

#2 There is nothing to compare with sitting out on your balcony and watching the quiet sea. If you want to de stress I can't think of a better place.

 

#3 It's nice to have limited choices. With all the decisions you have to make everyday it's nice to only have a few to chose from at any given time. It actually feels like a real vacation when you don't have the added stress of "Where do you want to eat tonight? I don't care, Where do you want to eat tonight?"

 

#4 It's great to have a "sampler" of different countries and cultures. If you like somewhere well enough and want to take a land vacation there sometime, you already know a little about it from your few hours in port.

 

#5 You are treated like royalty by most of the staff. It doesn't matter who you are, or where you're from the majority of the time the staff will go out of their way to make your vacation the best ever.

 

Sorry, if I tended to go on and on. We just love cruising and can't wait to get back on the ship every time we leave.

[cruisinqt]

It took many years of marriage before I finally nagged my husband into going on a cruise. Now he's hooked!:D And here's why (in his own words):

 

1. When I go on a land vacation, we always have to get in the car and drive to go anywhere, even to eat or go sightseeing. On a cruise, I NEVER do any driving or any thinking about where we're going next.

 

2. On a land based vacation, we may hit several different hotels as we go around and see all of the sights. On a cruise, we never have to pack and unpack. You go in, unpack, and relax for 7 days.

 

3.There is something for everyone to enjoy. The kids go to the kids area, my wife enjoys the pool or shops, and I get to gamble without any nagging. We all do what we want without any worries about someone fussing about not getting to do what they wanted to do.

 

4. We get to do lots of family stuff together, but at the same time, we adults get alone time together while the kids are in the kids center. On most family vacations the kids are with us 24/7 and we never spend any time alone together. This gives us the best of both worlds.:)

[MamaParrotHead]

I love to see new places, experience different cultures.

 

I love to be waited on, rather than waiting on everyone else (like at home).

 

I love to do new things and make real memories.

 

I love to take pictures, it helps cheer me up now that i have PCD (post cruise depression).

[MamaParrotHead]

I love to see new places, experience different cultures.

 

I love to be waited on, rather than waiting on everyone else (like at home).

 

I love to do new things and make real memories.

 

I love to take pictures, it helps cheer me up now that I have PCD (post cruise depression).

[Gingee]

I have to agree with a lot of people. You see more, relax more, get pampered more, don't have to do a lot of driving, etc.

 

As you can see we are doing a cruise a year anymore. We discovered cruising when we were thinking of going to Disney again and one of my daughter's friends was going on a cruise. We compared prices and we decided to cruise. Glad we did.

[ondeckatsea]

We cruise because it's pretty close to perfect. There will always be little problems, no matter how you travel, but we don't let them get to us. By and large, it's the nicest way we've found so far to totally get away from the every day routine. We like being cared for, and being pampered, entertained, fed, driven, and protected. It's very restful (after the airport day getting to the ship.)

[Nliedel]

I cruise because with four kids it is a lot less planning for me and a lot of fun. Plus I am a pretty social animal and it is an opportunity to meet people.

[BMW325]

I always wanted to take a cruise but found myself planning land-based vacations instead. It wasn't until I won a cruise as part of a sales promotion at work. It was only a 3-night on Carnival but it got me hooked. I am leaving on Royal Caribbean in 38 days for my second cruise (5-nights) and going with someone who will be their first cruise.

 

What I liked best was having everything I needed on the ship. I didn't have to decide which restaurant to drive to that day for three different meals. I love the sun and just laying on the ship's deck with the ocean breeze was heaven. No sand to shake out, and if I needed a break from the sun, I could walk around in the ship for a bit, grab something to eat or drink and then go back to sunning. At night I could drink and not worry about driving back to a hotel in a strange city. I exercise daily and not having to locate a local gym and pay for working out was great. I could keep up my daily exercise routine and not feel guilty about skipping.

I knew I would be hooked after my first cruise and hoping my cruise partner will feel the same.

The biggest advantage is knowing about this site and all the tips. I didn't know before my first cruise and really looking forward to applying all the great ideas learned here.

[Krazy Kruizers]

For years we toured Europe, Hawaii, etc., living out of one suitcase. Having to get up early to catch planes, buses, trains, hired drivers. Long days - short nights.

In 1988 I convinced DH that we were taking a cruise. Now he loves the idea that we get on a ship, unpack, and visit many places.

That was nearly 60 cruises ago.

[Catseyes]

We too are new to cruising and have been reading these boards for quite some time now. They are great for all the info and enjoy reading peoples reviews. Yes, things can go wrong ,thats just life, but we have always wanted to go on a cruise and I finally talked my husband into going on one for our 25th Anniversary in September. Really like the idea of only unpacking once, having someone look after you, not having to clean or cook and spending some time alone with my DH. Can't wait to see him in a tuxedo, it has taken me 25 years to get him to buy a suit....

[marco]

We like going to a number of places within the given timespan, not having to think about where we are going to eat, how much is it going to cost, was it mediocre for a high price.and we like the social interaction with fellow passengers on a ship.

[creek42]

Most people like to watch on TV what I live every day, I have enough action, stress and decision making going on that when I am on vacation, I want just the opposite! I want no phones, no action TV, no driving, no stress, no decision making and no places that I have to be at a certain time! A cruise offers all of that! especially the phone part! It will cost them a pretty penny to get me before I am ready to come back! ..........no stress! (22 yrs law enforcement in central Florida)

[Lois R]

Hi:)

 

As you can see from most every reply....we ALL LOVE CRUISING:D so, if there

are some negatives...I guess it comes with the territory BUT..A BIG BUT...

the positives outweigh those negatives 10,000 FOLD.

 

Why do I love to cruise???1) I love being pampered for a week.2) I also love dressing up...I NEVER have the opportunity to wear formal outfits here at home.

3)Being served is always nice, 4)Meeting people from around the world is awesome.

5)Making life long friends....real friends is wonderful too.

6)See countries and Islands I would have not been able to otherwise do.

 

Well, those are a 1/2 dozen reasons I LOVE Cruising:D

 

I know we are all on different budgets and have different lifestyles but

for me(I can only speak for myself) the VALUE I get is the BEST. A land vacation (in my opinion) in no way compares to what I receive on a cruise.

And I have to wait till Oct 10th to go again!

[anjuli]

I've only been on one cruise, Carnival Triumph on the Western Caribbean route. We were not happy with the number of children onboard (many without supervision) nor them running up and down the halls all hours of the night (little kids). It seemed to always be crowded in the South Beach buffet, and the debarkation was awful. You might call me a prude but I found the best dancer contest just slutty (the female dancers seemed to win if they were skimpily dressed and rubbed up against the men. Get a room already.) However, we just adjourned from the Lido deck and did something different after that. No biggie.

 

There. That said, we had a great time. I found the Oxford Lounge seemed to be a secret from most passengers, I could always escape there if I needed peace and quiet (and the afternoon teas were an added bonus.)

 

The food was excellent in the dining room, and I still dream about the pastrami sandwiches from the New York deli. The buffet was fine, not great, but passable. Service was excellent, our steward was top-notch, the waiters in the dining room were attentive, and the maitre de (sp?) was extremely helpful. So overall, I would rate my cruise a 4 out of 5.

 

We are looking forward to sailing on Holland America's Westerdam over Thanksgiving for a little more traditional experience. We're doing a back to back cruise, I booked aft cabins for both sailings. I have heard that those cabins are noisy, that soot falls on them, that they're hot, that others can look down on you from the verandas above, it's too far from everything. I think we will have a great time because I don't have to cook for 2 weeks!!! I don't have to cook Thanksgiving dinner and clean up afterwards!!! I don't have to think about meals and what to fix. The only thing I to decide is what to do from the daily choices and what shore excursions (if any) we want to take.

 

I've been to Europe several times and to Australia several times. In Europe, it was always a bus tour, and it was unpack one night, pack the next morning, leave the baggage outside the door, only to do it all over again that same night. I had a great time on those tours, but there were drawbacks. Sitting on a bus for days while travelling from Amsterdam to Warsaw to Minsk to Moscow, well, let's just say I'm a lot older now.

 

We now want to cruise to the Baltic area, to the Mediterrean, and around Australia. I just think it is a different experience to be on a cruise and see the same cities. Sorry to be so long-winded.

 

These threads are a great source of information. Perhaps I am suffering from information overload. As a soon to be first time cruiser (March 2006), I'm wondering why you cruise. On these threads I've learned of possible weather problems, seasickness, food that may not be too good, unsupervised children, crying babies, pushy (rude) senior citizens, trash falling on your balcony from above, diapers in the adult pools and high drink prices. Add to that the seemingly ever present "dress code" issue, the always popular "smoking" issues and let's not forget "smuggling booze" on board. Lots of opportunities for issues.

 

So, why do you cruise?

 

I have many friends who cruise and cruise often. They love it! A floating hotel that brings them to exotic places, at a reasonable price. I can't wait to try it. I know I have to go with an open mind, follow the rules/traditions and roll with the punches. My friends did not mention any of the problems stated above. What are the chances of getting a cabin next to (or under) unruly children or screaming babies? Being poked by a cane of a senior? Being seated with a table full underdressed folks while I'm in a tuxedo? Can things get this bad?

I can't believe you seasoned cruisers would continue to cruise if conditions were consistantly bad. I'd like to think these issues are somewhat rare and couldn't all happen on the same cruise. The good must outweigh the bad (and the ugly). Right? Thanks