Afraid to cruise

[maurpierre]

Every year, my two best friends & their families vacation with my family. This year, we decided we'd like to try a cruise....however, one family member is afraid....Do cruise lines allow a tour of their ships while it's in port?

:confused:

[hunter2004]

I believed the answer is no for safety season and 9/11. In the past, when our RC ship dock and other RC ship were in the port same time with us, we asked to tour but they say no security reason.

Not quite sure on this part, sometime cruise ship open the tour while in homeport for travel agent but not all the time, you might want to check it out.

another solution, this one is hard, if you know someone is getting married on the ship you can be their wedding guests, this one you will be VIP boading and have to leave the ship before sailing. number for nonsailing guests are limited. it's depend on numbers on sailing guests for that party. id and birth cirt. will be required in advance to the bride and groom.

I said ask travel agent if you know one would be the best bet.

good luck

[cherylscruises]

I always heard it was NO also. Too many people getting on and off that day. It's crowded enough w/out the extra going ons. The Travel channel has alot of shows on cruising that may help your family member get a little more familiar with the idea.

[moosetracks17]

Tell your friend this scenario and maybe this will help them a bit.

 

Sit at a table at a restaurant.... good.... blow across the top of your glass of water.... see the ripple... thats about ALL that will happen on a decent cruise. The ships are so big and have excellent stabalizer technology, most people dont notice the waves and movement. You're quite literally a Las Vegas Casino/Hotel on the seas.

 

Dont get me wrong, there can be some waves that make you feel a little funny. So you take your dramamine, find a nice place to lay down and sunbathe on deck while it kicks in, and you're fine in a couple hours. For a 1st cruise stay away from open waters..... try a Mexican Riveria, Alaska, or other "close to shore" cruise where the waves dont get more than 6 -8 feet on a gusty day.

[SomeBeach]

Agree that as a guest for a wedding is about the only way to get onboard.

Is it the fear of being bored, the fear of something happening or could it be seasickness?

If it's the first, you can see if the line you want to sail on has a video available showing all the activities and ports. Or if there is time, watch for shows on the Travel Channel relating to cruise travel.

If it's a concern of being so far out and something happening, you may not be able to change this persons mind. Again, maybe the shows on the Travel Channel will help them see how seriously cruise lines take the safety of their passengers and still allow for a good time to be had.

For seasickness, maybe a chat with a doctor will help remedy the problem.

[maurpierre]

Tell your friend this scenario and maybe this will help them a bit.

 

Sit at a table at a restaurant.... good.... blow across the top of your glass of water.... see the ripple... thats about ALL that will happen on a decent cruise. The ships are so big and have excellent stabalizer technology, most people dont notice the waves and movement. You're quite literally a Las Vegas Casino/Hotel on the seas.

 

Dont get me wrong, there can be some waves that make you feel a little funny. So you take your dramamine, find a nice place to lay down and sunbathe on deck while it kicks in, and you're fine in a couple hours. For a 1st cruise stay away from open waters..... try a Mexican Riveria, Alaska, or other "close to shore" cruise where the waves dont get more than 6 -8 feet on a gusty day.

-------------------------------------

Thanks for the advise.....I'll pass it on.

[maurpierre]

Thank you!

[joyefullcruiser]

I was not sure about cruising the first time. I am TERRIFIED of the water!! Nearly drowned when I was little is the reason. I hardly ever get in a pool. Went on my first cruise in 2004...on another last year and leave in 12 days for the next one. It is great!! If this is the reason your friend doesn't want to cruise maybe this will help.

[Bette And Bill]

You might check with one of the Travel Agency's in your area. There are several here who do arrange trips to have lunch on the ships. The ones I remember from Stuart/Port St. Lucie area, was to Port Canerval for lunch on the Mariner of the Seas and one to Miami for lunch on the Freedom of the Seas. There is normally a cost associated to cover the transportation to and from the ports and I am sure something goes to the cruise lines. Normally around $50.00 or so. I have actually seen a group having lunch in the dining room while I am checking out my table assignment or ensuring my special needs dietary restrictions have been conveyed to the dining staff.

[DiveCruiser]

See about doing a cruise to no where, they are short

 

Bob

[cb at sea]

Just give them a Valium, and get them onboard. They'll soon find out it's no different from a resort hotel!

[sandytoes03]

Don't know about every line, but RCCL has virtual tours of their ships. This might help--at least a little.

[JustAnOrdinaryGirl]

Couldnt resist a reply to this...so to the people who aren't so sure... I know how you feel... but have to say.... best thing I ever did was try a cruise!

 

I get bad seasickness (Stugeron resolved that)... don't like the idea of being confined on a ship - easy pick a cruise with lots of port calls... does it bob around... nope! Not if you pick a big ship - and there are some big ones (RC for example)!

 

Food is fab. People are great. So many destinations. Attentiveness from staff first class! Entertainment-tops. Spas-bliss.

 

Can I add anything else... probably can go forever... but to sum it up.. try it... just like you do any holiday destination...if you dont like it dont do it again but at least you tried.... and I would be AMAZED if you didn't like it!

 

Enjoy!

[elidine]

I found that the motion sickness pills always make me sleepy. Even the non drowsy ones are bad.

 

I found the the patch you wear behind your ear works best for me. They last for like 3 days and there was no drowsyness for me at all.

 

I also had heard that if you take it midsickness or mid cruise that you actually get sicker. Well that wasn't the case for me. I was given a patch after I had already turned green...hehe... it was great at reversing the sickness.

[Shelly97060]

I have heard that they do not allow tours while in port - It is a security matter.

 

You may want to consider the round trip Alaska Inside passage as a first cruise. Very smooth waters. :)

[Gathina]

Ok..I'd like to know where they leave from because MOS and FOS are huge ships and there is no port in St. Lucie or Stuart that can accomodate that size ship..and there are no big ships leaving from the Port of Palm Beach where my second home is (first is in Miami). Are you sure you're not thinking of Discovery cruise out of Fort Lauderdale that goes to the Bahamas for the day or the Palm Beach Princess that is a gambling ship that goes out for a couple hours??

 

You might check with one of the Travel Agency's in your area. There are several here who do arrange trips to have lunch on the ships. The ones I remember from Stuart/Port St. Lucie area, was to Port Canerval for lunch on the Mariner of the Seas and one to Miami for lunch on the Freedom of the Seas. There is normally a cost associated to cover the transportation to and from the ports and I am sure something goes to the cruise lines. Normally around $50.00 or so. I have actually seen a group having lunch in the dining room while I am checking out my table assignment or ensuring my special needs dietary restrictions have been conveyed to the dining staff.

[Okiguy]

Maurpierre, I was also an unenthusiastic first cruiser. My wife and daughter did a short cruise to the Bahamas from Ft. Lauderdale and came back very happy with the results.

 

Our first cruise was in the Caribbean on the Ocean Princess. It was great, lots to see in port and lots of activities on board.

 

Newer ships have stabilizers that will eliminate any bouncing around and give you a very smooth trip. Also, you only unpack once, there is never any arguments about where to eat, and you don't have to drive everywhere (good sales point for husbands). The wife does not end up cooking. Thus, everyone gets a vacation

 

My wife and I are off on our 19th cruise in early June to the Baltics!

 

Enjoy,

 

Bill, (Okiguy)