Well, I think I'm done with cruising....

[2sunny]

I was so, so, so excited on our first cruise (24 day)............felt everything was "perfect" and was just excited about each new thing. My only "problem" was when people sat down next to me and complained about things..............food, what others had the nerve to wear, service, etc.

THEN, thank goodness, a lady said to me, "You are enjoying yourself so much and seem to be loving each new thing. I have advice for you; when the Negative Nellies sit down by you, just MOVE. You don't have to listen to them."

Best advice I've ever had when on a vacation................I made the choice to not let someone else infect my delight in my cruise(s). I just smile and move on (and keep my positive attitude).

I LOVE CRUISING........think it's that feeling of someone taking care of all my needs after many years of doing for others at home and in my profession.

Take me to the next available ship; I'm up for any cruise..........the longer, the better.

June 5th here I come.:p 14 more days..................;)

 

You are SO RIGHT! I do have things that bother me when we are cruising but most of it I just walk away from and forget about. The only thing I have been unable to ignore is if someone is dressed like a bum and sits right next to me on formal night.

I understand that some people (no, I really do not understand) refuse to dress properly, but I can NOT understand why they insist on coming into the dining room dressed that way.

Other than the "dress" problem, I do not let anything take away from having a great time while cruising. AND to tell the truth we mostly cruise 'Celebrity' and almost everyone follows closely to the dress code on Celebrity. Every cruise is like a honeymoon for us. We love each and every one! Attitude is everything!

[JLC@SD]

I'm thinking of not cruising for a while...all the "I don't like what he/she wore in the dining room" comments, the inconsiderate chair hogs, the adults who let their kids run wild on the ships, the nickel and diming by the cruiselines, the deteroration of food quality and service etc....have all given me reason to look at all-inclusive land vacations instead.

 

I really have mixed feelings about this......there's nothing like that first step onto a cruiseship at the beginning of the week, but frankly, I think I need a change.:confused:

 

Does anyone else feel the same way?

 

The.........what he/she wore in the dining room comments, the inconsiderate chair hogs, the adults who let their kids run wild, the nickel and diming, the deteroration of food quality and service........is occurring in the all-inclusive resorts also.

[Cuizer2]

Does anyone else feel the same way?

 

I sure don't.

[emjsea]

If I were a first time cruiser and came to this board for information, I would cancel any cruise plans I had. A lot of the posting on here makes a cruise ship seem like a war zone!

 

Fortunately, I know better.

 

While I do a lot of non-cruise holidays, (next week I'm travelling the Canadian Rockies to Prince Rupert by VIA Rail) I still enjoy cruising. Pick and choose your cruise line and itinerary. Cruising can be a very enjoyable holiday!

 

Pearl

 

Yes! I discovered this site after booking a Costa cruise and looking for some information. After reading some of the reviews I was expecting a ship running rampant with packs of wild children and horrible food. Fortunately this was not the case and I had a wonderful time. But, boy, was I feeling anxiety during the weeks leading up the to the cruise...

[hezzy]

We are new to cruising. Took our first cruise on Oceania in 2008 when husband retired. We read these boards and did quite a bit of research so very little was left to chance. We are now addicted.

 

We are booked again for Oceania in Nov., Med cruise. We loved Oceania. No kids (they aren't banned, just not a lot for them to do.) Great ship size, good food, very friendly and helpful crew. I think it is possibly a good thing we didn't go on a cruise when we were younger. We couldn't have afforded it in those early years. We just do a lot of planning. We really plan our spending and don't give up those drinks and bottles of wine. It is our big extravagance at this time in our lives. My parents died at 60 and 63 and had no golden years. It was a wake up call for me so, I plan to enjoy those years doing what we enjoy (If the stock market doesn't totally tank).

[nitnyleo]

Probably, but who cares...

 

Don't let the door smack your butt on the way out.

[jocap]

My DH loves snorkelling, so we are doing all inclusive for a winter week in Sharm-el Sheik, followed by a cruise which covers much of Egypt and Petra in Jordan. Most people do "cruise and stay", but for me that would be SO much the wrong way round! We only ever go freestyle cruising these days, so that if you're with the moaners, you can avoid them next meal-jocap.

[iheartbda]

Don't let the door smack your butt on the way out.

Shouldn't that be the gangway as it is pulled back up?:p

[Lildalejrfan]

We just returned from our first cruise & I really don't know if we'll take another one. Our floor smelled of mold for the first 3 days. (dh is highly allergic) the food was horrible. You don't even want to know what I found in my food the other day!!! I really can't believe people were bragging about how great the glorified cafeteria food was.

Maybe next time we'll try a different cruise line. I guess the old adage is true: "you get what u paid for" I'd rather pay more to have a bigger room & better food. A friend told us either will love it or hate it.

I must have used every inch of the comment card stating what I thought they could improve on.

Atleast all was not bad. The shows, casino hosts, the spa, photographers, steward & the bartenders were greast. (except for the waitress who bring drinks.....slow....got faster service getting them myself)

[flvol77]

We just finished number 13 for me and number 15 for my wife and we are both only 31 - She loves it still and honestly I am done with it for a while.

 

This last cruise honestly was average, people slamming their doors waking me up and the consistent cigar and pipe smoke on the balcony got old.

 

My wife doesn't fly so it makes it easier to just cruise. I want more time in a port, I would love to spend a week in St Thomas and go to josh van Dyke, St John, St Croix etc and even Tortola isn't far..

 

We only live maybe an hour and a half to two hours from islamorada, which I have heard the keys diving and snorkeling are awesome, and we are only a half a day away from the Bahamas by boat...I think its time to do something else. To the OP have a great time on your B2B and hopefully there will be no chair hogging, but I compeletly understand where you are coming from, but mine is just being burnt out on the same old same old and the last cruise I got a feeling of being trapped the last day and a half...time for a break.

[watermelon5]

I think it is a GREAT idea! If you stay off of the cruise ships that is more stateroom choice for me!

 

We have our favorite cruise line and we think that their food is GREAT; we think that their service is GREAT; we appreciate that folks are most often asked not to return to another formal night or even removed if not dressed properly on formal nights on our favorite cl; we have yet to have a problem with children on that cl; so we plan to cruise as often as DH has the leave time!

 

I have found that each CL is quite different and that is a good thing because all of us like different things. We were VERY fortunate in that for our very first cruise we had an EXCELLENT TA that said "I only have one cruise line that I would recommend to the two of you", and she was 100% correct!! We have since tried some of the others, for various reasons, BUT always come back to our original choice, it has always suited us best. To us that is the secret of a GREAT CRUISE, finding the cruise line that 'suits you'=happy and joyful cruising.

 

Would you care to share which cruiseline? Enquiring minds want to know...

[watermelon5]

Nope.

 

I don't care one bit what others have to say.

 

I have no idea what their expecations are and don't trust anyone else's perceptions of what is "good" or "not good" on any particular cruise.

 

We should know by know that two people on the same sailing can have vastly different perceptions of the same cruise.

 

I know what MY expectations are, though! I cruise to get to beautiful, exotic ports. The fact that I'm a ship, with good food, lots of fun things to do, time to rest and relax, is just an added bonus.

 

In fact, I'm going to book a 3rd 2009 cruise as soon as I return from my Southern Caribbean cruise next month.

 

I don't let what others are saying and/or doing affect my decisions. If I - personally - decide that my cruise experiences are no longer providing me with good value for my vacation dollars, I'll look at other options.

 

But no way am I going to base my decisions on what someone says on a cruise discussion board. :rolleyes:

 

Really??? then why are you here reading and posting?????? This board is so hypocritical and some of you folks are so full of yourselves....I just asked a question on a cruise board. Some of you think you are Psychologists and can determine my state of mind and dont mind giving counselling. Get over yourselves....and you know who you are. You are the ones that will flame me for being honest and writing this. I am NOT done with cruising, just with this board. Now go ahead....flame away...know it alls. Geesh.:mad::(:confused::eek:

[TangleWeb]

Really??? then why are you here reading and posting?????? This board is so hypocritical and some of you folks are so full of yourselves....I just asked a question on a cruise board. Some of you think you are Psychologists and can determine my state of mind and dont mind giving counselling. Get over yourselves....and you know who you are. You are the ones that will flame me for being honest and writing this. I am NOT done with cruising, just with this board. Now go ahead....flame away...know it alls. Geesh.:mad::(:confused::eek:

I'm no psychologist, but I would guess that you're in a bad mood. It really sounds like you need a break from the forums more so than from cruising :)

 

I hope you feel better.

 

This coming cruise is only our second, but we sure enjoyed the first & plan on enjoying our second. I love spending time with my wife, so will enjoy myself regardless of what else goes on. A balcony cabin assures a great view & a great time, because WE are the ones inhabiting it. I agree with what others have said. A day on a cruise is a day NOT working, or worrying about life's realities; those will be there when we return.

 

~Dave

[Taxguy77]

I'm thinking of not cruising for a while...all the "I don't like what he/she wore in the dining room" comments, the inconsiderate chair hogs, the adults who let their kids run wild on the ships, the nickel and diming by the cruiselines, the deteroration of food quality and service etc....have all given me reason to look at all-inclusive land vacations instead.

 

I really have mixed feelings about this......there's nothing like that first step onto a cruiseship at the beginning of the week, but frankly, I think I need a change.:confused:

 

Does anyone else feel the same way?

 

Great thread! Lot's of answers, none of them you.

People on this thread seem to think cruise or all-inclusive. How did they ever get the money to cruise?:confused: Did thet never have to use their own imagination? No radio or reading a book where your OWN imagination adds a lot?:confused:

[lisascott207]

I don't mind saying that the "kids comments" are kind of tiring on this board. Go stay at a Sandals or something similar if you dont want any children around. Most cruiselines cater to families w/children such as myself. We have a well-behaved 15MO son, who will join us for his 1st cruise in a week. I don't mind telling you that when I read comments about passangers who are annoyed by children it makes me feel defensive. I am hoping that this will be a wonderful family tradition for us. I would never let my children be "unruly." You need to remember that they are just children having a good time. You were one of those at some point too. I dont usually care about what others think, but I see these comments come up all too often. We are on vacation, chill out!! You are right though, you should consider another type of adult only vacation.

[McDebbie]

We stopped cruising for awhile but it was because we had to do family vacations instead - you know, go visit the old folks and then my daughter. And yes, sometimes cruising is a hassle just like air travel. It's not wrong to think you need a break and in fact, maybe you should try an AI instead, we are dying to try one but I just found the prices higher than what we could get for a cruise. You asked a legitimate question and I can appreciate your feelings but maybe asking it on a cruise board will not give you the range of responses you need.

 

Try breaking down the vacation into what you really 'want'. We love the wake off the aft balcony, can you get that oceanfront? Meals and turn down service? Towel animals? :) Just look at what you really want in a vacation and then go ahead and try the AI, there is nothing to say you can't come back to cruising later.

[Cactuscruise]

I'm thinking of not cruising for a while...all the "I don't like what he/she wore in the dining room" comments, the inconsiderate chair hogs, the adults who let their kids run wild on the ships, the nickel and diming by the cruiselines, the deteroration of food quality and service etc....have all given me reason to look at all-inclusive land vacations instead.

 

I really have mixed feelings about this......there's nothing like that first step onto a cruiseship at the beginning of the week, but frankly, I think I need a change.:confused:

 

Does anyone else feel the same way?

 

I always take a break from cruising, but not for the the reasons you stated. I just like to experience more of a country than you can stopping in a port for a few hours. I like to change things up. Inconsiderate travelers are everywhere not just on cruises. I try to take them in stride.

 

I also take breaks from these boards as I'm about to do now. All this swine flu blather is getting on my nerves.

[Aquahound]

I'm thinking of not cruising for a while...all the "I don't like what he/she wore in the dining room" comments, the inconsiderate chair hogs, the adults who let their kids run wild on the ships, the nickel and diming by the cruiselines, the deteroration of food quality and service etc....have all given me reason to look at all-inclusive land vacations instead.

I really have mixed feelings about this......there's nothing like that first step onto a cruiseship at the beginning of the week, but frankly, I think I need a change.:confused:Does anyone else feel the same way?

 

It sounds to me like you need to take a break from Cruise Critic, not cruising. Most of what you mentioned are exaggerated on these boards.

[slyfox0113]

I'm thinking of not cruising for a while...all the "I don't like what he/she wore in the dining room" comments, the inconsiderate chair hogs, the adults who let their kids run wild on the ships, the nickel and diming by the cruiselines, the deteroration of food quality and service etc....have all given me reason to look at all-inclusive land vacations instead.

 

I really have mixed feelings about this......there's nothing like that first step onto a cruiseship at the beginning of the week, but frankly, I think I need a change.:confused:

 

Does anyone else feel the same way?

 

My DH and I have just completed our 4th cruise and booked our 5th for next year. You are right, there are people who let the kids run wild, people are inconsiderate and self absorbed,the vacation is all about them. You have the chronic complainers, chair hogs, rude and obnoxious passengers who think they are alone on the ship. To put it into perspective we have a motorhome which we use almost every weekend and a couple of one week vacations in the summer. We run into wild, unsupervised kids, inconsiderate campers, inconsiderate drivers, chair hogs at the pool,etc. So I guess the reality is people are people and we don't all see it the same way or enjoy the same things. Some people just don't care about anyone else. Would I give either cruising or RV'ing up,NO WAY. Any vacation is what you make it.

[samsmaisy08]

Not me, I'll continue to cruise as long as the money holds out...as far as the unruly kids.....children will be children...I have 2 precious grandsons who we plan to take when they get a little older...go find an adult area and park yourself.....are you the one complaining about everyone's attire? As long as I don't have to cook, clean, make my own bed, etc, etc...I could care less what everyone else does.

[flvol77]

I don't mind saying that the "kids comments" are kind of tiring on this board. Go stay at a Sandals or something similar if you dont want any children around. Most cruiselines cater to families w/children such as myself. We have a well-behaved 15MO son, who will join us for his 1st cruise in a week. I don't mind telling you that when I read comments about passangers who are annoyed by children it makes me feel defensive. I am hoping that this will be a wonderful family tradition for us. I would never let my children be "unruly." You need to remember that they are just children having a good time. You were one of those at some point too. I dont usually care about what others think, but I see these comments come up all too often. We are on vacation, chill out!! You are right though, you should consider another type of adult only vacation.

 

I assume you have never had a bunch of kids knock on our door at 5 am? And under age drinking on your cruises? Look I have no problem with kids, as long as they are having a good time and not being disrespectful and they stay out of the adult areas where we are at I am good. Sounds like your son is a good kid and you make sure to know what he is up to, I can tell you Most parents don't have that same attitude.

 

Its like some parents think they have no responsibilities and they can just go crazy and let their kids go crazy. That is why we pick to cruise at times of the year when there is less kids and it works out great for us.

[RetireeWannabee]

Really??? then why are you here reading and posting?????? This board is so hypocritical and some of you folks are so full of yourselves....I just asked a question on a cruise board. Some of you think you are Psychologists and can determine my state of mind and dont mind giving counselling. Get over yourselves....and you know who you are. You are the ones that will flame me for being honest and writing this. I am NOT done with cruising, just with this board. Now go ahead....flame away...know it alls. Geesh.:mad::(:confused::eek:

You confuse me. You originally state you are done with cruising, then after a few posts come in, you rant about the people that you just invited to post, and state you are not done with cruising. I'm not flaming you, I'm not a shrink.

 

So, whatever. You are free to take a break from cruising, the internet, your marriage, school, church, work, whatever you need to take a break from. But people will remain people, and people do what people will do. Businesses will also continue on, whether you give them your money or not. Your changing your patterns is not going to impact anyone/anything but You.

 

While I understand teh appeal of AI, I would never do it as it's incredibly expensive. there are cheaper ways to see the world without sacrificing comfort. But, do what you need to do for you. Don't let a good thing like VACATION cause you stress and upset. defeats teh purpose.

[AddictedtoFL]

We did our first Carnival cruise late Feb. this year and currently planning for another in Oct. before that we only do all-incl. and/or Disney because my two kids are still very young (5 and 4), and from what we heard Cruise are only for people with no kids.

I still find it difficult to understand why some people have "issue with Kids" in both sea and land resorts.

[PROCRUISE]

On June 12th, out of Copenhagen, we will be venturing out on our 13th cruise since 2004.On EVERY ship we see the good and the less than good, but we always remember the good and feel taking a cruise is the best way to really relax and see the world.:)

 

PROCRUISE

[cruzincurt]

I still find it difficult to understand why some people have "issue with Kids" in both sea and land resorts.

 

Because those of us without kids aren't as anesthetized to them as their parents are. So the sudden presence of kiddos can be a shock to our systems.