What inspired you to take your first cruise?

[Hulagirl]

Interesting Norma, when you left the Island Princess you said that you had booked the Star Princess for next April! Guess you really didn't. I see you booked the Med this August. Have a good time.

 

Hulagirl

 

 

Grand Princess Baltic Cruise

 

Diamond Princess - Northwest Cruise

 

Star Princess - Eastern Caribbean

 

 

Diamond Princess - Alaska

 

[sweet sheep]

Alaska is wonderful and going to Denali is really great. When we were there it was a clear day and we saw all of Mt. McKinley which is rarely seen completely because the clouds come down on the top of it most of the time. Enjoy you cruise, its a great place to start as there will be no rough waters.

[emilysmom]

We live in New Jersey and since I'm afraid to fly we always drove. Once we had our daughter it was very tedious driving all the way to Florida etc. Cruising seemed like a great way to get to different destinations without flying. The kids clubs also lured us because, as any parent knows, it's rare to be able to spend time alone with your spouse. Our first cruise was May of 2003 and we're now going on our fourth cruise on June 26th. We're hooked.

 

Countdown to Bermuda on the Zenith

[VPIcruiser]

I have always loved the water. As a child I would watch the Love Boat on TV and dream of going on a cruise. In August, my husband and I will take our 8th cruise in seven years. We are hooked. When we took a week-long land vacation two years ago, we took turns saying, "If we were cruising now...."

[Danno]

Like an idiot I worked without a holiday for the first 5 years I owned my own business...finally I decided that the only way I would actually leave on a holiday was if I had tickets in hand and no way to get out of going.

 

Unable to decide where to go, my TA suggested a cruise. We looked at several brochures, she recommended the usual, RCI, NCL and Princess...knowing us she suggested we avoid Carnival...while leafing through the publications rack I stumbled on a small cruise line with only two ships, Meridian and Horizon, we booked Horizon and an addiction was born.

 

I still remember how exotic a cruise seemed at the time...while still a wonderful vacation, there is really nothing like your first cruise!!

 

Dan

 

CenturyX1,GalaxyX2,HorizonX5,VolendamX1,

 

Zenith to Bermuda Oct/04

Century to E.Caribbean Feb/05

 

**email mrtnb(at)efni(dot)com

[nealberk]

We got our tax refund loan right after 9/11 and wanted to do something "fun". We thought about a week in Vegas but then I just happened to start looking into cruise prices and discovered that they were even cheaper than the Vegas trip would have been!

 

We got on the ship - the Veendam- and were hooked. (two months later due to our glowing reports my father in law took his first cruise - on the Century)

[ISABELLA]

Watching the TV show "The Love Boat" make me dream of cruising, so back in 1989, we took our first cruise on Regent Star ( anybody remember this wonderful small cruiseline)? And got hooked on cruising. 27 cruises later - it is still our way to have a great vacation.

[babylene]

I think it was in 1997 that we took our first cruise. We always preferred resorts (in the winter) because we don't take too much sun and we love to take our very early am walk and swim. We had stopped taking our sons during the Xmas holidays...the last time had been a disaster...lots of rain in Cancun, a hurricane-damaged beach.Our younger son heard about cruising from his friends. I think he was intrigued by the abundance and choice of food (He''s a picky eater!) He had a long Xmas break...well into January...and we found a "deal" on the Century, eastern Carib. So, off we went. The weather was awful. The ship...she rocked...we did meet some nice people, but still vowed we wouldn't cruise again....except for Alaska...that intrigued us. We were happy that we had 2 weeks booked in Huatulco in Feb.

 

A few years forward...DH's 60th birthday. Wanted to take a trip "en famille" . Guys wanted "adventure" Mom didn't want "too much adventure"!!! So...out of 3 or 4 choices, they chose....Alaska. Off we went on the Infinity. Our older son had never been on a cruise. I think his eyes popped out of his head. This time it was a huge success. We did our own sight-seeing and also spent time in Vancouver.

 

Mom & Dad (that's us!) still preferred land vacations. After one more winter holiday in Huatulco (DH read 4 books and complained there wasn't enough to do), I found a "deal" on the Infinity, 14 days through the Panama canal. I couldn't refuse and booked it on the spot...shocked DH,that's for sure! This was our most successful cruise. Nine days at sea...fabulous bridge teacher...he made the trip. DH now is a bridge player!!

 

This past winter, we did the 14 day Zenith. We met wonderful people and we had a great time. We did some sightseeing with them (something I never bothered to do in the Carib before) and we had time to do our "beach thing" as well. To be sure it is the least expensive way to visit the Carib.

 

To end this long story....we have 3 more cruises booked. My friends all laugh at me because I was the one who wouldn't cruise!

[NitaBcruising]

Fun thread! Thanks for asking! I'm enjoying everyone's stories.

You know, I'm not quite sure! Maybe friends talking about it. But, DH didn't think it would be for him.

Anyway, one day I stopped at AAA and talked to a TA. I just sort of, kinda, just booked a cruise! I was so unsure of this idea myself, that I only booked a 5 day to the Bahamas, with a 1 week land portion following. That was in case we hated the cruise, we knew we'd enjoy the sun and the beach! And, of course, I didn't mention to DH that is was cancellable, so we went!

That was 5 years ago, and we've been on 15 since! Even DH is hooked, as he doesn't have to drive everywhere, and we still get to see wonderful places.

We haven't been on a land vacation since, other than a couple of nights at the coast.

 

Nita

[QueensChick]

Went to our trusted travel agent in Spring of 2001 to plan a trip to Bermuda (flight and hotel stay), as I had always wanted to go there. She said said the fateful words, "Have you thought about a cruise? It's a wonderful way to visit Bermuda". We agreed somewhat reluctantly and two months later we were aboard Zenith having the time of our lives. We've vowed never to travel any other way. Kudos Marlene!

 

 

"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking."

-Marcus Aurelius Antonius

 

1. June 2001 Celebrity ZENITH (Bermuda)

2. July 2002 Celebrity MILLENNIUM (Southern Caribbean)

3. January 2003 Carnival CONQUEST (Western Caribbean)

4. August 2003 Celebrity GALAXY (Western Caribbean)

5. September 2004 Royal Caribbean ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS (Southern Caribbean)

6. May 2005 Celebrity INFINITY ()

7. September 2005 Royal Caribbean BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS (Mediterranean)

 

 

'til my Adventure

 

 

 

<a href="http://www.escati.com">

<img src="http://escati.linkopp.net/logos/time98.gif" alt="Time By Escati"

 

 

[theawesome1]

Gosh, our first cruise way going to be our last. We booked Carnival Ecstacy for a Nassau ruise to get us to Paradise Island to be guests of Sun International at their new Casino.Resort - Atlantis - and i was going to write promos & gossip on the people there. Air was $700 PP RT to fly from CLE, Miami was $79 & the cruise was $138 for 2 nigths getting there. Well we were famous but not good famous. The laundryroom caught fire & all the black smoke that destroyed everyone's stateroom belongings. We all had to be as far forward on the ship without the staff assiting at all. Our faces were Al Jolson style as we got another ship to get folks off. We got to Nassau, the limo from Atlantis was there & the driver was laughing hysterical when he saw me & my DH. Then CNN & Co with microphones asking what happened. All our clothes were toast as our stateroom was next door.

 

So the week at Atlantis, all comped, was a dream come true, we got new clothes too. A flight back to the US thanks to Travolta who was just intruiged with out story.

 

We did Meridian for my DH's A&M Records party for their album that did great & other rockers. Then years later princess ws in town with a great deal on Alaska on the Dawn followed 3 months later with S Carib. We just loved them for years of at least 2 a year. Then Carnival hit & the rest went down hill. So back to Celebrity we are & very excited with the M Class ships.

 

My logo: When we disembark, I just have to book another!

[catmand]

Pobably one of the worst reasons to do something: we talked about a cruise for several years, didn't go for all the usual reasons (to dressy, sea-sick, expensive etc) or gosh, who will watch the cats & house.

 

A good friend had a liver transplant, doing great, looked 10 years younger, rejected the liver and passed away about 10 months post-op. A short time later I had minor surgery, developed an infection and wound up in the hospital for 5 days.....while I was in the hospital I quit smoking and we booked cruise number one. A seven day to Alaska.

 

Star Princess 9/03 Alaska

Celebrity Mercury 3/04 Mexico

Next: Sapphire Princess 10/2/04 Mexico

Celebrity Infinity 5/05 Alaska

Mercury Cruise 3/13/04 & Amtrak Train trip 4/04 Pic's

http://community.webshots.com/user/catmand100

[carlyshenk]

This is a great thread!

I watched "The Love Boat" TV show and I was really intrigued. Then, unfortunately, we were in an automobile accident, hit broadside by a drunk driver. I was injured very badly and was in the hospital for a week. Thank God, my husband was not seriously injured and released the same night that accident happened. After a long and stressful healing process, we got the insurance money and my husband asked me what I wanted to do with it and I said I wanted to go on a cruise. And the rest is history. That was in 1992, and we have been cruising ever since. I would never want to go through what we went through back then again, but that is how we paid for our first cruise. And we have been on at least one cruise a year ever since.

 

Carol

[SAN]

My 3rd grade teacher and "The Love Boat" TV program. My 3rd grade teacher talked to us and showed pictures of her cruise to the South Pacific. Since the age of 8 dreamed of sailing the Pacific; still need to do that.

 

The Love Boat really did it for me. I vowed I would take a cruise one day. Finally happened in 1983, when my husband and I cruised to Alaska to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.. He still remembers of how depressed I was when we had to disembark the Island Princess.

 

We didn't cruise again until our 20th anniversary and from then on we have tried to sneak one in every few years.

[lssteele]

"What" inspired me is more like "who" inspired me. Our daughter worked for Princess and had for about 3 years. We had never taken the time to go with her (kids at home, work, whatever). Finally, we had a semi-life changing event (retired at the age of 50..moved from one state back to where all the kids lived). We had just returned from England visiting our son at Oxford...had moved 3 weeks later and within 2 weeks of the move she called and asked if we wanted to join her on her ship. I am embarrassed to say I wasn't real sure where she was...too many changes in my life to keep up with everyone else. Anyway, I said "sure, where do I meet the ship?". Her answer was Dover, England..on the Royal Princess going to Scandinavia/Russia. We were given a crew card and consider one of the crew..everything was free...what a first experience. We joined her in Alaska and a repositioning cruise through the Panama Canal before she decided to quit and get a "real job". I'm not sure I've forgiven her for that but I sure do thank her for introducing a wonderful way to travel. By the way the older daughter works for American...we were the envy of our friends there for awhile. Tried to talk the 3rd daughter into going to work for Amtrac...but she didn't think that was such a neat idea. I wanted to beable to say.."I can travel trains, boats and planes"!!! She is a Social Worker and the son is a teacher..so reality has set in.

 

Panama Canal on the Galaxy

[emilysmom]

Great posting!!! I replied before but decided to add more. I had always wanted to go on a cruise and when we got married in 1993, I suggested to my new DH that our next vacation should be a cruise, mainly because I was, and still am, afraid of flying. We’re very close to New York. My husband said he hated cruising. He was divorced and his only experience on a cruise was with his "now" ex-wife. I let it go at that, not wanting to bring up bad memories for him. We took vacations in Florida, driving mostly, or flying somewhere with me panicking over every movement the airplane made. Believe me, I was not a fun person to fly with!!! Valium and wine did nothing!! LOL. Even though we had long drives, vacations were still wonderful. Our beautiful daughter was born in 1997 and when it came time to take a vacation, she was 18 months old, Mommy insisted on driving to our Timeshare in Florida all the way from New Jersey. Not so bad. Very little fussing and we listened to Barney and Sesame Street music the whole way down. I still remember every song! Reality check…no more romantic dinners on vacation!!!! No more late nights at shows or amusement parks. We had dreams of going out to dinner while our child slept in her baby carrier, NOT. The resort we were staying at had babysitting. We envisioned trustworthy grandmothers running the show. It ended up that most nights we ordered take-out or I cooked. Educating myself about cruises and what they offered , I convinced my DH to go on one. Our first was May of 2003, second one was November of 2003, and our third will be in 18 days on June 26th. Having younger children and wanting romance at the same time on vacation, nothing beats going on a cruise!!!!!! Broadway shows, wonderful dinners and fun for the whole family. Need I say more.

 

Countdown to Bermuda on the Zenith

[Shari2]

I also had some inspiration from the,"Love Boat," show. I watched it faithfully and thought how wonderful it would be to be out on the ocean on a cruise ship.

 

I was a young widow with no plans to travel, and when my folks asked me if I wanted to go on a cruise with them and some friends, I said,"yes!" That was in 1979. I have since been on seven cruises and have one booked for this fall.

 

Shari

 

Carnivale--4/79

Cunard Princess--4/84

Norway--1/86

Holiday--4/87

Zenith--Inaugural-4/92

Constitution--2/93

Infinity--1/19/03

 

 

[TaznBugs]

I got hooked before our 25 ann. I asked my dw if she wanted to go to disney she said to expensive then I asked about vegas same answer so I stoped asking , I found an cheap cruise and book it without telling her but I did tell our friends we had 6 other couples join us before she knew about it when I did tell her all she could do was go or she had to tell everyone we weren't going so off we went had a great time and have been doing it every year since.

 

Jim

I need Boatdrinks!!!

SEA BREEZE 98

OCEAN BREEZE 99

MAJESTY 2000

SENSATION 2001

CENTURY JULY 2003

CENTURY JULY 10 2004

[CaptData]

My husband and I decided to take a cruise for our 25th Ann. We had both been in the Canadian Forces so we have travelled alot. and the cruise would be different. He passed away 8 days before sailing . After his death I went to an AI but did not like it. My doctor told me to go on a cruise. I went on the Panama Canal cruise in Nov 2002. I have cruised ever since.

 

MS Maasdam 6 - 17 Feb 05

 

 Until I sail away on the ocean blue

 

 

 

Navigator of the Seas Western Crib 08/03

Dawn Princess - Eastern Carb 01/03

Dawn Princess Panamal Canal 11/02

[pooh1bear43113]

While schlepping thru the Columbus Dispatch on a dreary Sunday afternoon, I happened upon a very small ad about cruising the Mediterranean.....a special was being offered on Premier's Rembrandt. We had always talked about cruising - but The Carib. just didn't hold much appeal for us and the fare for this 7-day in Europe was soooo cheap that it couldn't be ignored.....

 

That put the hook in us.

 

Pooh Bear

=^-.-^=

 

(AKA/Sharon and Will)

 

REMBRANDT - Med. 9/1998: and so it begins!

LEGEND OF THE SEA - Med. 5/1999

SPLENDOR OF THE SEA - Med. 5/2000

INFINITY - Hawaii 4/2001

MILLIE -Med. - 5/2002 (X No Go)

RHAPSODY OF THE SEA - Mardi Gras - 2/2002

INFINITY - Trans-Canal - 12/2002

SUMMIT - Alaska Repo Cruise - 5/2003

INFINITY - Trans-Canal - 12/2003

SUMMIT - Alaska Repo Cruise - 5/2004

 

And next:

 

MILLIE (finally!)- 5/15/2005 back to the beautiful MEDITERRANEAN!

 

**No clock - too much trouble - but I'LL KNOW EXACTLY WHEN MILLIE LEAVES FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN**

(5/15/05!!)

[Denisern2]

After college it was a great reason to have an upscale party......

 

DENISE

 

Next up Celebrity Summit 10/15/04

 

Carnival Fantasy 2/95

Carnival Fantasy 2/97

Carnival Facination 1/98

Dawn Princess 11/98

Sun Princess 11/99

Celebrity Century 10/00

Dawn Princess 5/01

RCCL Adventure 3/02

Dawn Princess 9/02

Grand Princess 9/03

Star Princess 1/04

[Blazerboy]

When you're a kid, and someone takes a toy away, you want it even more! Our first cruise as a family was to have been a crossing on the S.S. France when I was four (1967-you do the math). There was some kind of strike, so we ended up flying to London on BOAC. Fortunately, we were able to sail back to New York from Le Havre, my mother, aunt, and four brothers, plus the Comer Caravan we'd been camping in for three months! The Longshoremen were on strike (still? At four I don't remeber all the details), so they dumped us, the Comer (think cartoon version of an ice cream truck, and you'll have a good picture), and 27 pieces of luggage on the piers. While my mother negotiated to get the camper, my aunt and older brothers ran around the pier trying to collect all the luggage. Some nice man gave me an old stuffed animal to play with, which I did happily, until, magically, once through customs, the toy dissapeared. My mother maintains to this day that I was the youngest heroin or illegal diamond smuggler ever! Such adventure, such drama, I was hooked for life (helped that my mother hated to fly as well) and have been sailing as often as possible ever since. One of the joys of getting older is that cruising is now an annual event rather than every five years or so. Booked on the Constellation Transatlantic this Fall, and can't wait!

 

Blazer Boy

[pilewski]

we had no idea where to go for our honeymoon and walked into a travel agent who told us, "have i got a deal for you." we went and will never stop.

 

9/95 Seaward

7/97 Zenith

6/98 Century

2/99 Galaxy

2/01 Galaxy

8/01 Nordic Empress

2/02 Millenium

10/03 Century

 

8/28 Century