Do you do research before booking/traveling???

[bonvoyagie]

I am a real planner when it comes to long trips - even our camping vacation to Glacier National Park (that is in Montana not Alaska :D). Was planned out well ahead of time - including all reservations.

 

I also agree that people who do not research ahead of time should not be allowed to complain when things did not suit them.

 

As for the current state of the education system - don't get me started.:mad:

I have a niece who teaches 4th grade and a brother-in-law who got out of teaching and started preaching (seriously). They go on and on about common core and no child left behind etc.

 

My next cruise is booked for Sept 2016 - I am already starting the spreadsheet on each port. I simply start with the port days and times -then I go off to the internet and see what there is to see in and around that town. I put it down on the sheet and then we all discuss the pros and cons of what we want to do and narrow down the list. With three of us this is not often easy - and sometimes we do end up going our own ways. - I predict that will happen in Portland Maine on our next cruise as there is a Railroad museum that I want to see and my DW and MIL have no desire to see. I may just have to get up early and do it on my own and then plan a tour for all of us later in the day:)

[SquishTheWhale]

I have a 'cruise folder' which has the main confirmations of our cruise and flights, plus the printed port guides anda long sheet of printed tips and tricks for the ship! I'll be adding to it when I book any shore excursions and the pre flight hotel. I love to plan and it gets me excited for the holiday! I don't plan every hour or anything, but I be pre booking some speciality dining and entertainment, and have an idea of what we will do in each port. I've also spent a long time looking at menus on board etc.

 

My partner is very much 'ok book it if it makes you happy. I'll turn up on the day. Oh cool looks like the ship has waterslides' and that's the extent of his research. But I actually like that because it means everything about the ship or everything I plan to do is a wonderful surprise to him! The look of 'wow' on his face is priceless.

[luvtheships]

Not sure if this is the April cruise you are on but the itinerary is listed just like this on all cruises for that month on the Epic

 

CRUISE PORTS EMBARK Rome (Civitavecchia) (Italy); Florence/Pisa (Livorno) (Italy); Cannes (France); Palma, Majorca (Spain); Barcelona (Spain); Naples (Italy); DISEMBARK Rome (Civitavecchia) (Italy)

 

it is very easy to see that they list the Port and the main city by the port.

 

Not sure why anyone would be confused

 

The op is not confused .....the op is just wondering why so many pax complain about stuff that they should know about before the cruise

 

 

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[mintsugarcube]

I research AD NAUSEUM!!

 

Being OCD (or CDO, this way it's written alphabetically!), it is my DUTY to research before I cruise!!

 

I honestly believe that a good half of the fun really is in the planning of the cruise.

[luvtheships]

Terry... it's worse than that... People who arrive at Port Canaveral think Orlando is right outside the gates... Geography is a lost art. Within 10 years, there will be people who cannot read a map because they have been using GPS their entire lives... I call it the Stupocalypse.

 

Lol.... I only recently bought a GPS for my car and have used it maybe 2x

 

My good sense of direction is my gps I enjoy telling people

 

I never got lost in all my life and at 18/19/20 yo we were driving all over visiting friends on other campuses in big cities etc.....with nothing more than their address

 

Maybe we had a paper map in the glove compartment but I don't remember!! Lol

 

We just knew north from south and didn't need to look at the dashboard either. We just knew which highway to take. I guess it was because we were the baby boomers with parents who fought ww2 and had sense and determination and just expected we would get it right...and we did.

 

Unfortunately that was back in the 1970's when things were believe it or not a little more normal/safer/realistic.....and we had a pop. Of 100 million

 

 

 

But these days.... Too many unlicensed crazy drivers out there and the pop is 300 million

 

We need GPS/cell phones/pepper spray/security whistles.....etc

 

No I don't live in a high crime area....but do know the possibilities out there

 

I too am amazed at the lack of geography and history knowledge that is out there

 

Not in my family though as we travel so frequently and love planning

 

I even have USA and world maps framed and hung on my wall and it was great for reference for the kids school work

 

It's a pity that so many people are buying into the "dumbing down" of society these days.....well anyway in my house we have bucked this trend thankfully

 

 

 

 

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[tel2]

My next cruise is booked for Sept 2016 - I am already starting the spreadsheet on each port. I simply start with the port days and times -then I go off to the internet and see what there is to see in and around that town. I put it down on the sheet and then we all discuss the pros and cons of what we want to do and narrow down the list.

 

That is exactly what I do. With a column for costs. In Euros and dollars if it is a European cruise I even program in the current exchange rate so it automatically calculates the cost in dollars for me. I just have to update the currency conversion formula as time goes on. I have it easier than you though because I don't need to discuss it with anyone. My husband couldn't care less what we do as long as there is an organized plan in place and I don't make him go to the theatre or any shows.....

 

Terry

[skierjj]

I love geography and maps and history.

I love planning for vacations, especially road trips and cruises.

I agree that it is half the fun to read, educate and plan activities and shore excursions; before the actual trip.

I like reading reviews of other people's vacations and trips. (My DH thinks that's a complete waste of time;)).

I try to pay for everything well in advance; and try to estimate all costs beforehand so that there are no (or very little) surprises.

I have activities planned for our upcoming Alaska trip for port days and for the land portion, but not too much scheduled on board because I plan on just kicking back while bundled up, on our aft balcony and look for wildlife and view the scenery most of the trip.

Glad that there are other planners like me in this world.

Happy planning and cruising!

Joyce

[xriva]

Some people do no research - you can tell by some of the repetitious questions here on CC. Many of the questions can easily be answered on ncl.com - and if you don't know that site exists (but you found CC??) - a quick Google search would find it. I had not thought about the "the travel agent will handle it" possibility, since we book almost all of our travel ourselves (we do use our PCC for the base cruises.)

 

We are obsessive planners because I don't like surprises. Some people don't plan at all. Some people don't know what a cruise is - search for "stupid cruise questions" for examples. (My favorite was "Why does my room have a view of this ugly city?" with the probable cause that the ship hasn't left port yet.)

[fishin' musician]

I'm the planner, DW is along for the ride. Some days are structured, some not so much. In Juneau a couple years ago we had nothing planned and once in town we found out about a lumber festival in Douglas, across the river. We figured out the bus schedule and off we went, upon returning we took the tram up Mt. Roberts, did some hiking and had an amazing dinner at the restataunt. An excellent day!

 

FWIW, we found a Rick Steve's book (downloaded to tab) that proved to be a great resource for Mediteranean cruises.

[wrcjr98]

Definitely!!!

 

I set up a website for the cruise, including info about the ship, the ports, travel, and the roll call cruisers.

 

I then share the link to others going to help them plan too. Seems to also increase the roll call participation and planning shipboard or port activities together.

 

My current one is: Cruise.

 

Nice!

I'm technologically challenged, so I'd never be able to figure out how to do this, but this is great!!!

[kessdarln]

 

Now maybe I am a bit over the top, but I just was paging thru the port reviews for a number of destinations at which we will porting on our cruise, and I was completely non-plussed by the scores of rants and raves by people claiming that the cruise line was lying when they said they were stopping in Florence because much to their amazement, the ship ported more than an hour away from Florence; and the ship advertising was misleading when the brochure said there was a port call in Rome because the port was not anywhere near Rome; the itinerary said Florence/Rome so I assumed that meant the cruise line would provide me with free transportation to Florence/ Rome, etc.

Terry

 

Hi Terry,

 

I'm a planner too. The ship does not provide transportation... you can walk off and explore the port town and they'll let you stay on the ship too. :) Smaller lines like Grand Circle Cruise Line do provide transport because tours are included into the cost.

 

That being said.... I'm on the Epic for 11 nights, 2017... and was there in 2011... Smart Cruise Tours will bundle your excursions, or just provide transport to the cities. In Naples I really liked AP Tours and to get to Rome a lot of us took the train. Anywhere you can get the skip the line pass will be worth the few extra $$.. SCT has all that info, even if you don't go with them. I walked right into the Colosseum, past 100s waiting just to buy a ticket. Another option, you can probably save money and have a smaller more intimate tour join an excursion with others here, the ship ones are good but you do go with a lot of people.

[kessdarln]

Yes I do!!! Drives my husband crazy, as he does none. Says he likes to be "surprised".

My son-in-law doesn't do research either, but my daughter is like me. Is it a male thing? (Kind of like asking directions???)

 

However, I can't tell you the number of times they have saved money, saved time, saved embarrassment, or in some other way benefited from us doing the research!

 

Exactly! You know what you want, and you have a great time! I did a few all-inclusive land and river cruises last year and I must say it was quite nice having everything planned for me and I just went along... but I still had to read all about it in advance... know what to bring, what to wear.. and what I wanted to see in the free time. :cool:

[kessdarln]

Definitely!!!

 

I set up a website for the cruise, including info about the ship, the ports, travel, and the roll call cruisers.

 

I then share the link to others going to help them plan too. Seems to also increase the roll call participation and planning shipboard or port activities together.

 

My current one is: Cruise.

 

I've seen these before - maybe it was you... or is there a site for doing these? Do you have other sites?

[freddy penguin]

Nice to know others do spreadsheets as I've had family/friends tease me about this habit. None of them have complained though when they've had a great time due to my planning and organization. I just booked the 4 day land/7 day cruise on the Epic out of Rome. Originally I was looking at just the cruise out of Barcelona but after researching the ports I realized the port I wanted to see the most in was Rome. If I hadn't researched the ports prior to booking I might've missed the chance to spend more time exploring Rome. It's a lot of money to spend and not know what you are getting.

[skierjj]

Definitely!!!

 

I set up a website for the cruise, including info about the ship, the ports, travel, and the roll call cruisers.

 

I then share the link to others going to help them plan too. Seems to also increase the roll call participation and planning shipboard or port activities together.

 

My current one is: Cruise.

 

Wow this is great. Thanks for compiling all that cruise information in one place.:p

[kessdarln]

Nice to know others do spreadsheets as I've had family/friends tease me about this habit. None of them have complained though when they've had a great time due to my planning and organization. I just booked the 4 day land/7 day cruise on the Epic out of Rome. Originally I was looking at just the cruise out of Barcelona but after researching the ports I realized the port I wanted to see the most in was Rome. If I hadn't researched the ports prior to booking I might've missed the chance to spend more time exploring Rome. It's a lot of money to spend and not know what you are getting.

 

My first cruise was a gift: NCL Pride of Aloha in 2004, I did nothing but hang out at the pool thinking: is this all there is to do on a cruise and quickly lost interest in cruising. Didn't know about dailies or shows or food other the buffet. My 2nd cruise on Carnival in 2010 was a little better, but not great, I saw 1 show but there was no water for 24 hours. Then my siblings and I were given a cruise on NCL Pearl to Alaska and I was hooked. I researched that one in advance, my siblings made sure I went to the shows, knew the ship, enjoyed every moment of the cruise. That was followed by 3 more solo NCL cruises over the next 3 years. I've done some escorted tours the past year but I'm back to booking more cruises for the next 3 years and researching my heart out. LOL

Edited May 4, 2015 by kessdarln

[CoffeeGoddess]

Terry... it's worse than that... People who arrive at Port Canaveral think Orlando is right outside the gates... Geography is a lost art. Within 10 years, there will be people who cannot read a map because they have been using GPS their entire lives... I call it the Stupocalypse.

 

Tell me about it! And it's so easy to find anything now with Google Maps. One of the first things I do when planning a trip is go to Google and see exactly where places, landmarks, and train stations are located in relation to each other.

[azappraiser]

Yes I do!!! Drives my husband crazy, as he does none. Says he likes to be "surprised".

My son-in-law doesn't do research either, but my daughter is like me. Is it a male thing? (Kind of like asking directions???)

 

However, I can't tell you the number of times they have saved money, saved time, saved embarrassment, or in some other way benefited from us doing the research!

 

Sorry, but it's not just a "male" thing... I do all the research and planning for all of our vacations. DW will add some input if there's something she's heard about or wants to see or do, but essentially, all she cares about is being able to pull up Tripit on her smartphone so she has an idea of what we're doing on any particular day. I will admit to not asking for directions though... I have a Garmin!

Edited May 4, 2015 by azappraiser

[kessdarln]

Sorry, but it's not just a "male" thing... I do all the research and planning for all of our vacations. DW will add some input if there's something she's heard about or wants to see or do, but essentially, all she cares about is being able to pull up Tripit on her smartphone so she has an idea of what we're doing on any particular day. I will admit to not asking for directions though... I have a Garmin!

 

 

Someday my prince will come... But he was too stubborn to stop and ask for directions! :D

[mintsugarcube]

Someday my prince will come... But he was too stubborn to stop and ask for directions! :D

 

LOVE it!!

[watchdiva]

What is Tripit? DH leaves all of the planning to me and would love for him to have an app that he could search for trip details.

[4774Papa]

OK, this is more of a rant. I am booked on a western Med cruise on the Epic next April. Maybe I am just obsessive, but my apartment for pre-cruise is already booked, I have started my detailed spreadsheet that identifies the excursions or sites we want to do at each port; and I have programmed in my chosen travel dates to a fare watcher site so as soon as they become available I will be able to monitor flight prices from three airports near me to which we can drive. I do this for all my cruises, even when I am going to ports I've been to multiple times (actually, especially in those because I research to figure out what we haven't done before that will be interesting). Not that we end up being that regimented -- sometimes we abandon plans and do something we discover that looks more interesting. But still, I research and know what my choices are.

 

Now maybe I am a bit over the top, but I just was paging thru the port reviews for a number of destinations at which we will porting on our cruise, and I was completely non-plussed by the scores of rants and raves by people claiming that the cruise line was lying when they said they were stopping in Florence because much to their amazement, the ship ported more than an hour away from Florence; and the ship advertising was misleading when the brochure said there was a port call in Rome because the port was not anywhere near Rome; the itinerary said Florence/Rome so I assumed that meant the cruise line would provide me with free transportation to Florence/ Rome, etc.

 

Completely aside from the fact that any moron should be able to figure out from glancing at the itinerary map that neither Florence nor Rome are anywhere near the water, do people really plunk down thousands and thousands of dollars without any research at all as to where they are going? Or any research at all about the ship they are sailing on?

 

I read one review after another where people were complaining about things that would be perfectly obvious to anyone who spent a half hour reading about the ship they were booking, i.e., I was very disappointed that my husband and I brought our formal wear for multiple formal nights only to discover NCL does not have them; I was disappointed that the ship we were sailing on did not have water slides; I was disappointed that the ship we chose did not have an indoor pool, and on and on.

 

OK, I am done ranting now but I just find it truly bizarre that folks would book a very expensive vacation without spending even a minimal amount of time researching the ship or the destinations. Am I the one that is in the minority?

 

Terry

Terry,

Good points. We find most fellow cruises to be knowledgeable about the ports.

 

I enjoy the research in preparation for a cruise and/or land trip. I start prior to deciding what to book. Usually, research two years before the cruise.

First, research of the itinerary helps you understand the history, culture and natural wonders.

Second, you save money by booking the best hotel for the money at a good location.

Third, you can compare ship's excursions to private tours and find the best tours for your money.

Fourth, by checking airfares early and often, you can probably save on air.

Fifth, cc roll calls are great places to exchange information on tours, sites, transportation, etc.

Sixth, we have made friends on cc prior to the cruise, even had pre-cruise get togethers. We still keep in touch with our cruise friends and sometimes meet them on future cruises.

 

Further, I try to read about the places we visit, like prior to going to China, I read books on Chinese history as well as tour books.

[Cauzneffct]

I'm quite a planner as well. Not down to 15 minute increments, but I do enjoy figuring out what I'd like to do in the different ports. Our next cruise will be with our then-16 month old, so all of that is (most likely) going out the window.

 

I also agree that many things which are "problems" wouldn't be with some basic research. If those posting negative reviews had joined/visited CC prior to their cruise, they could have probably avoided some of the issues.

 

I will say that, as a planner, NCL's recent unveiling of changes to what's included/at what price only once passengers arrive at the ship is particularly disheartening; I try to be as conscientious a consumer as I can, so when things I research aren't offered (or are no longer free, etc), it kind of defeats the purpose.

Edited May 5, 2015 by Cauzneffct

[kessdarln]

I'm so happy for planning and thankful for resources such as CC and the web in general. I met a terrific gal and her husband on a 12 day Med. cruise and she had all the tours researched ahead that I was able to join. Nice small groups 7-15 with individual attention from the guides over those mega bus ship tours.

[Carnac767]

Thanks for the laugh, OP. It reminded me of our Baltic cruise itinerary on Dream, which listed London (Dover) and Berlin (Warnemunde). It was astonishing how many cruisers I met that actually believed that the ship would be leaving from London and was somehow going end up docked in Berlin.