Why Do You Cruise?

[CrossBluePerchance]

(y)Lots of good points KmomChicago!

[K32682]

Cruising is a means to an end not an end in itself. They are a suitable travel option to visit places that are not easily accessed, where there isn't always suitable accommodation or places are spread out over a large area. In return for visiting these desired locations I will tolerate the tiresome and occasionally pretentious aspects of being on a cruise ship.

[bUU]

Reading so many threads about chair hogs, smoking, bad food, and a host of other complaints, can lead one to believe that going on a cruise about is the worst vacation possible.

Indeed. People really need to understand, when they go online, that the extremes get exaggerated far more than one would ever expect to see such exaggeration.

 

Why do you cruise and what are the things you like most about cruising?

The change in the routine. You are forced to "be on vacation" in a way that a land trip to visit some city does not.

[welove2cruise2014]

I love all modes of travel. I know you didn't ask but here's why I love them all (including cruising!):

 

Driving/road trips - I use this as a chance to listen to music, think, and I typically find driving very relaxing. Also, I like the control I have while driving a vehicle.

 

Trains - love watching the world go by while traveling from point A to point B.

 

Flying - I love the whole experience. I still feel that excited feeling when I am on my way to the airport, getting thru security, having that first meal or snack at the airport (ok I'm weird lol), and sitting at the gate waiting to board.

 

CRUISING - We live fairly close to the Cruise terminal so what I love about it is a quick taxi ride, then we're at the port, then on the ship - it's a quick "being home to being on the ship" transition. Also, I feel like time isn't passing while I'm on the cruise. You're just so out of touch with the real world for that week or so that you're on the water. I just love it!!!

 

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[calliopecruiser]

Indeed. People really need to understand, when they go online, that the extremes get exaggerated far more than one would ever expect to see such exaggeration.

It also depends on when, where, and with whom you cruise. I haven't had issues with any of those things across 2 lines and 10 years.

[cruiserking]

I love the excitement of being on a ship. All of a sudden you're plucked out of your regular life and living aboard an ocean liner, cruising the open seas, watching other ships pass you in port and across the horizon.

 

Everything is grand aboard from strolling the promenade decks to watching the ever changing skies and creatures flying and swimming nearby. Plus every day or so you're in a new port, it's the best vacation and counting the days to board the QM2 three weeks from today.

 

Jonathan

[Sea Hag]

I cruise mainly because I like looking at the ocean.

[Velvetwater]

Reading so many threads about chair hogs, smoking, bad food, and a host of other complaints, can lead one to believe that going on a cruise about is the worst vacation possible.

?

 

You get those in many places around the world...well the chair hog is more resorts around the world but still.

[Mike981]

Being at sea fills my soul.

[bUU]

You get those in many places around the world...

I think there is a difference in that people seem to develop more of a proprietary attitude with regard to cruise lines/ships than with regard to most land-based accommodations, and so the exaggeration is fueled but a lot more passion.

[SPacificbound]

For me there is nothing more calming than watching the water and the endless horizon. I love the smell of the sea, and having lots of sea days. The best cruises are when they are b2b2b2b etc. :D

[SRF]

Realize that many people just like to complain.

 

I find the food on board to be fine. Is it the finest gourmet food? Nope, but it is not bad. And you do not have to cook it or clean up after.

 

Chair hogs are annoying, but not that big a deal. We go by and stake out chairs on the way to breakfast, then are in them fairly early. And when we leave, we give them up.

 

Smoking is only really an issue in the casino. The outside areas are easily avoided. But my SO smokes, so I am stuck with being in the smoking areas at times.

 

I have not seen the pets on board. I have seen people in shorts in the MDR. I don't like it, but it is not a big deal.

 

And I like cruising. I find I actually prefer the sea days, as I do not feel obligated to do anything.

 

I like the shows.

[donaldsc]

Two reasons. One is that it is the most reasonable way to get to some places that I want to visit. However, mainly because my wife wants to.

 

DON

[LoungingMcCoy]

My wife has always wanted to travel but I had my fill of travelling when I was a kid. Our cruise in January was kind of a spur of the moment idea due to some outside circumstances. What a great way to travel! Everything is taken care of from lodging, to food, to entertainment and it's comparatively inexpensive. You get to see some "exotic" places.

 

But I guess if I'm being honest, I want to keep cruising so maybe someday I can win a Carnival "ship on a stick". ;p

[simplelife]

An earlier poster mentioned freedom from decisions - yes, that is a big one.

We love being able to do as much or as little as we wish, and be with a few or many people or be alone.

We love not having to drive anywhere.

We love the fact that cruising is still the best value for our vacation dollar.

 

 

( We think the food is good - and it's made even better by the fact that I do not have to prepare anything or clean up - , and chair hogs don't bother us - we like to hang out in quieter, less crowded places.)

[CanobieFan]

For me, going to new or different places. Sea days are fine but i'd rather be in ports and I like to maximize my time in the port. (Like.... First off, almost last on)

[Cruisefanatic71]

I cruise to disconnect from my every day life and enjoy the time spent going to new countries or visiting countries that I have already been too without having to worry about what is happening at home or in the world.

 

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[daxiedoo]

Not that I’m a cruise expert as I’ve not done many, what I most enjoy is what others have said, visiting a new place everyday but only paying the one fare, sitting back and literally watching the world go by, I love the tranquility of the sea but with a great respect for what it’s capable of.

Being looked after, having someone turn down my bed, like it matters that I’m getting in to it, no dishes to wash or housework to do

Getting time to spend some real valuable time with my husband, like everyone we have very busy work lives, so it’s nice to spend time together and enjoying some simple things like strolling along the waters edge.

Meeting people from all walks of life is lovely.:hearteyes: Already planning a Caribbean cruise for 2020.

[pacruise804]

To be on the water, watch the water, and feel the movement from the water:cool:

 

In addition to that, simplelife summed up my opinion on the non-water aspects of cruising:cool:

 

An earlier poster mentioned freedom from decisions - yes, that is a big one.

We love being able to do as much or as little as we wish, and be with a few or many people or be alone.

We love not having to drive anywhere.

We love the fact that cruising is still the best value for our vacation dollar.

 

 

( We think the food is good - and it's made even better by the fact that I do not have to prepare anything or clean up - , and chair hogs don't bother us - we like to hang out in quieter, less crowded places.)

[lbjen]

We live about 90 minutes from Galveston, so not having to get on a plane is a huge deal.

 

Cruising is good value for us since we don't have to get flights.

 

There is a lot to do on board, and we can ditch the kids at the kids club for a little bit of time each day to get some alone time.

 

We enjoy the food, especially the buffets - it's just so easy to make sure everyone in the family gets what they want without having to stress about where to go or how to get there.

[dogs4fun]

Cruising for me is a cost effective means of sampling many different places. I can then return on a land based trip to really explore a city or culture in which I am interested.

[iancal]

We now cruise primarily as a break from independent land travel.

[navybankerteacher]

I think Herman Melville put it pretty well in one of the opening lines in Moby Dick:

 

“Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth...

...I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can.”

[MicCanberra]

I did it once and now I only cruise to feed my addiction.:D

 

It is just such a great way to travel where you unpack once and get to wake up in a different port in the morning.

[ldubs]

In addition to just about all of the above ...

 

We have a large close-knit family. Most of the cruises we take are with our group of family and friends. We find that a cruise is just about the best venue for our family group vacations. Next one booked this fall will have a total of 16 of us.