Silvery Seas Cruiser Posted November 25, 2007 #1 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Although it sounds like an oxymoron if there ever was one, a well known budget travel writer Arthur Frommer is suggesting that the new behemoth cruise ships loaded with amenities would do well just to remain in port. They could then offer seven day "stationary cruises" and never go anywhere, but guests would stay on board as in a traditional cruise, but never leave the dock. This would save foreign port fees and, most advantagious of all, costly fuel. Would any of you be interested in such an arrangement or are there other benefits to traditional cruising at sea that you would miss, even if traditional cruising would cost substantially more than a "stationary cruise"? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWestShuh Posted November 25, 2007 #2 Share Posted November 25, 2007 I personally wouldn't be interested in something like this. It is all about the places I can go and see for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ancldaca Posted November 25, 2007 #3 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Seems to me that if a company wanted to do that, they could just build a hotel which would probably be cheaper too. Sorta defeats the purpose... On the other hand, cruise ships have often been used as temporary hotels at big events. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygirl3 Posted November 25, 2007 #4 Share Posted November 25, 2007 While I love sea days, I wouldn't want to be docked for 7 days. Part of the enjoyment is sitting out on the balcony watching the sea go by. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpaul Posted November 25, 2007 #5 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Nooooooo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megr1125 Posted November 25, 2007 #6 Share Posted November 25, 2007 So...the ship stays put and the islands change?????? I thought that's what happened anyway! you get on the ship....and everything ELSE moves.... (sorry......i need more coffee! very strange sense of humor today!):D 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sultan_sfo Posted November 25, 2007 #7 Share Posted November 25, 2007 We enjoyed our 7-night Bermuda Cruise -- two stops 2 hours apart both in Bermuda. Two nights in Hamilton and one night in St. George. 2 sea days to go and 2 sea days to come back! I loved the overnight stays -- so few on cruises. /Sultan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowbird23 Posted November 25, 2007 #8 Share Posted November 25, 2007 If I wanted to remain stationary on vacation on water, I'll stay home and float in my tub. No thank you....:mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzinnluvinit Posted November 25, 2007 #9 Share Posted November 25, 2007 So...the ship stays put and the islands change?????? I thought that's what happened anyway! you get on the ship....and everything ELSE moves.... (sorry......i need more coffee! very strange sense of humor today!):D I wouldn't like a 7 day stationary "cruise" but I would like to stay in some ports for 2 days. You just can't see everything in one day. I know that situation causes more returns to that island but I can't afford to keep taking cruises to see the same islands many times so I can see what one really interesting island has to offer. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megr1125 Posted November 25, 2007 #10 Share Posted November 25, 2007 actually...our 5 night bermuda cruise was fun since we did overnight in Hamilton......so we were able to see more.....7 days in one spot though....well.....if i wanted to spend 7 days in one spot, i would stick with a land vacation. if it's on a ship..SOMETHING better move, preferably the ship!;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted November 25, 2007 #11 Share Posted November 25, 2007 I don't think Frommer is taking into account the fact that if the ship doesn't leave port, they lose their captive audience. Ships make a fair amount of revenue on things like liquor, duty-free shopping, gambling -- all of which they couldn't offer if they were docked in port (well, maybe the liquor but people would leave the ship to drink). I certainly wouldn't be interested. Lately the cruises I'm most interested in have to do with the itinerary, not with the ship itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaLuvCruising Posted November 25, 2007 #12 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Ships have provided accommodation in ports for numerous reasons including Hurricane Katrina recovery and Super Bowl. It makes sense that they could be a floating resort in one place under some circumstances. If that was a resort option during the Olympics, for example, I might be interested. But otherwise, I'd always take seven days at sea over seven days in port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonaCK Posted November 25, 2007 #13 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Nope. If I wanted to stay on a cruise ship in one port for 7 days, I'd book a hotel room at the port of call. As much as I tend to stay on the ship during port days, it's still the actual "cruise" part that I enjoy.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassnote_1 Posted November 25, 2007 #14 Share Posted November 25, 2007 :p Heck no. Better to get a room and a car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHP Posted November 25, 2007 #15 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Depends on "where" it was docked. I could see doing something like this at a pier that was fun like Tampa or New Orleans where there is lots to do right at the pier. Not in Miami where you dock in an industrial port area. And not for a 7 day...maybe a 4 day!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mydnite Posted November 25, 2007 #16 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Nope, I would get boarded, at least on sea days you get to see different landscapes out of the window. A crusie that did not go far might be OK, as long as it did move and go somewhere! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzin is me Posted November 25, 2007 #17 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Nope --- gotta have the motion of the ocean. :D AND, don't forget that the casino wouldn't open if "docked" for 7 days! :eek: I wouldn't mind just being at sea for the whole time and not stopping at any ports but that hum of the engines is a necessary part of the experience for it to be a cruise and not just an all-inclusive resort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofmeg Posted November 25, 2007 #18 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Although it sounds like an oxymoron if there ever was one, a well known budget travel writer Arthur Frommer is suggesting that the new behemoth cruise ships loaded with amenities would do well just to remain in port. They could then offer seven day "stationary cruises" and never go anywhere, but guests would stay on board as in a traditional cruise, but never leave the dock. This would save foreign port fees and, most advantagious of all, costly fuel. Would any of you be interested in such an arrangement or are there other benefits to traditional cruising at sea that you would miss, even if traditional cruising would cost substantially more than a "stationary cruise"? Many took longer then that I guess after Katrina, but no I wouldn't-why? My favorite thing about crusing is being out on my balcony or up on deck watching the water roll by. I prefer that to anything else a cruiseship offers. I have always said, some of these old cruise ships would make great hotels. That was done with the original Queen Mary. I hope one day to spend the night on her. I really wished that had been done with the old Pacific Princess of "love Boat" fame, granted the staterooms were dinky but she could have been remodeled to make them larger, possibly taking two rooms and making one-the biggest draw would be the pool and other areas that looked just like what was seen on TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofmeg Posted November 25, 2007 #19 Share Posted November 25, 2007 We enjoyed our 7-night Bermuda Cruise -- two stops 2 hours apart both in Bermuda. Two nights in Hamilton and one night in St. George. 2 sea days to go and 2 sea days to come back! I loved the overnight stays -- so few on cruises. /Sultan That was great about Bermuda. That is the cruise we did on the original Pacific Princess. We actually went to all 3 ports there and on one my hubby at Hamiliton had left to scuba dive, and he returned to the ship at the royal dockyard! He did say though it sure gave him an eirie feeling when he saw the ship move out and he was on that motor boat going to the diving spot! He felt like he was being left! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvscruising2007 Posted November 25, 2007 #20 Share Posted November 25, 2007 No. I like the actual sailing on the ocean; it is part of the mystique and romance of the cruise. I wouldn't mind staying in a port for an overnight, however. But the sea is the draw of a cruise. Jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAWS Posted November 25, 2007 #21 Share Posted November 25, 2007 No, that sounds boring as all get out. If that were the case, I'd rather go to an AI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpaul Posted November 25, 2007 #22 Share Posted November 25, 2007 They are called "Cruise" ships, not "Port" ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creeks Posted November 25, 2007 #23 Share Posted November 25, 2007 No, we wouldn't want to stay a week on a ship docked all the time in one place! That would just be an inconvenient hotel. However, my DH would LOVE a cruise that just went out to sea and stayed there for two or more weeks! He cruises to CRUISE! Most ships pay a great deal for docking, and would rather spend hours going in circles off shore instead of tied up at the dock. Meanwhile, they can have the casino open and a captive audience for drinks.;) We also enjoy the smaller ships, but that is not the direction the cruise industry is going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted November 25, 2007 #24 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Iv taken what is called Cruises To Nowhere the ship goes out into the ocean and puts down the anchor. So, Id be a yes. 7 days though, Id prefer to go somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted November 25, 2007 #25 Share Posted November 25, 2007 For less money, I can fly to Vegas, stay in a huge, luxuious room and have MUCH better food than on a cruise ship! No--I wouldn't pay to fly to a port and sit in a small room on a ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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