A never to be repeated cruise

[kendon]

The Mexican Riviera. Once was enough. It was chilly on the way down and on the way back up. In between, I wasn't crazy about the ports either. The water in the Pacific doesn't do it for me....guess I'm used to the calm, blue, Caribbean Sea for swimming and snorkeling.

 

Also, I do not care for the Diamond or Sapphire. The dining room configuration (4 small DR's) drove me crazy...it was difficult to sit at a large table to meet others.

[The Wilkies]

Also, I do not care for the Diamond or Sapphire. The dining room configuration (4 small DR's) drove me crazy...it was difficult to sit at a large table to meet others.

 

Oh dear, one of the best bits about anytime dining is the lovely people you meet. Maximum table we like is 8, anymore and you can't speak to everyone. As you will see we are on the Diamond next April.

[Go-Bucks!]

There are 3 places I didn't like: Jamaica (had fun at Dunn's River Falls, but the rest of the time was miserable), Belize City, and Bahamas. First 2 aren't safe and the last one was boring. Also didn't enjoy Aruba much - pretty ugly island and got stung by some kamakazi bee on the beach - had a welt and bruise that lasted 2 weeks.

 

But I love Roatan Island, Europe, Central America, Hawaii, and Alaska.

[LC_txcruiser]

My least likely repeat is definitely Mexican Riviera. Cabo was nice, but the rest was just blah. Although if I found myself on the west coast needing an easy relaxing cruise fix, I wouldn't turn it down. The only reason we went in the first place was that it was last minute and the airfare to LAX was cheaper that to FLL, lol. Living in AL now, I doubt that will be the case again. I would definitely do Alaska or NE/Canada again when I'm feeling like a tourist, but for just relaxing its Caribbean all the way. Preferably Eastern, but Western without Jamaica is fine with me.

[onthelake]

We did Caracas down to Rio about 10 years ago. It is my 'never again' because I still react to the overwhelming poverty. When you see the slums and then get back on the cruise ship, the contrast is just so stark. It really makes one realize how lucky we are.

[Anubi]

Believe it or not, Egypt is a place we would never want to visit again. Certainly the pyramids are a “must see” from an historical standpoint but the air quality in Egypt and Cairo made it hell on anyone with any kind of respiratory weakness or sensitivity (e.g. to smoke) confining several people in misery to the air conditioned tour bus, despite being in walking distance of a pyramid.

 

I totally agree about the air pollution in Cairo. When we got to our hotel, it overlooked the pyramids and despite being forewarned by a friend, I threw open the balcony doors and walked outside. A coughing fit then ensued and I beat a hasty retreat back inside. LOL However, that being said, our next cruise after the transatlantic, will be a Nile River cruise.

[cruisemom42]

As far as destinations go, I have yet to take a cruise where I said "Never again!" Yes, some ports I would avoid, but not the entire itinerary.

 

On the other hand, my "never again" is NCL. It was my nightmare cruise -- they lost a customer for life.

[Cruisin' Chick]

As far as I'm concerned, Ensenada is one port that is a stay-on-the-ship port for me. Hopefully we'll repeat the Hawaiian cruise, which unfortunately has to stop at Ensenada in fulfillment of the PVSA. The last time, we got off the ship to go to the little marketplace next to the pier so hubby could buy something. Then we took photos of our ship and the Royal Caribbean one nearby, then back on the ship. I estimated about 90 per cent of the passengers had stayed onboard or got off long enough to stretch their legs on ground and returned.

 

Basically that town is kids begging you to buy candy and adults hawking questionable jewelry. We did go on the city tour once. But otherwise, nothing to do there.

 

Been on the Mexican Riviera cruise twice and not impressed with those ports either. Had allergic reactions to the trash burning in Puerto Vallerta both times.

[kendon]

Also, I do not care for the Diamond or Sapphire. The dining room configuration (4 small DR's) drove me crazy...it was difficult to sit at a large table to meet others.

 

Oh dear, one of the best bits about anytime dining is the lovely people you meet. Maximum table we like is 8, anymore and you can't speak to everyone. As you will see we are on the Diamond next April.

 

I completely agree, and that was missing on this cruise. Plenty of tables for 2, bench style against the wall so one of us always had our back to the dining room. Perhaps fixed seating would be better. After these ships, Princess went back to the regular dining room configuration.

[Colo Cruiser]

Also, I do not care for the Diamond or Sapphire. The dining room configuration (4 small DR's) drove me crazy...it was difficult to sit at a large table to meet others.

 

 

I agree, I hate that configuration too.

 

I do like their Traditional room though.

[Grammyluvs]

While I loved the Mediterranean Cruise- I would NEVER do it again in July. I'm from Alabama but the heat and humidity in the Med exceeds anything I have experienced here. Spring or Fall would be ideal.

[sonomaphil]

I will not return to Alaska, once is enough. I enjoyed the trip while it lasted but I see no reason to go back.

 

I thought I was the only one who feels this way! Yes, Alaska was nice...but I have no burning desire to go again.

[RK+2]

I have to agree going through the Panama Canal. Done it twice. Was like watching paint dry. The ship goes up, then it goes down. Guess my father dragged us to see too many locks when I was a kid.

[wizard-of-roz]

I thought I was the only one who feels this way! Yes, Alaska was nice...but I have no burning desire to go again.

 

 

My DH feels this way....I loved it. He says he'll go back if it's a 2-for-1 Cruise, like the last one.

[DeepWaterMariner]

Mexican Riviera...did it once and that was enough.

[chipmaster]

A different angle, I don't ever plan to taking a cruise that repeats the same ports. Cruising for me no matter how wonderful the food, entertainment, value, views etc/ etc. is all about ports. Once it is done on cruise to many other places to do and a cruise stop is always a compromise too much of a compromise to repeat!

 

I've repeated Alaska to give my kids and parents the experience, but see no more repeats in the future. The cruise itself can't see the boat or the class of the ship to every be enough to justify the cruise itself, just too limited when compared what you get on land, just about any land.

 

OK, enough about all the wonderful cruises we've taken. Is there a cruise you would not repeat. I don't mean because the ship stank, but because of the places visited. I will not return to Alaska, once is enough. I enjoyed the trip while it lasted but I see no reason to go back.

[juggles]

well, I could live on a cruise ship where ever it went. I just love 'em

[wizard-of-roz]

Mexican Riviera...did it once and that was enough.

 

We live on the "left" coast. And, that makes it easy to get on a cruise going to Mexico/Hawaii/Pacific Northwest/Panama Canal/Alaska and repositioning cruises without having to get on an airplane. My DH now refuses to fly [unless it's for a family emergency!]

We've done Europe and have traveled, extensively via motorhome all over the U.S.

To go to Mexico onboard a glorious, floating hotel is okay by me.

After about 15 cruises to Mexico, we don't get off the ship. We just enjoy the vaction time/good food/meeting new friends and finding the time to read/relax and enjoy each other.

I know we're on the sea [i can smell the salt water], I know we're being treated well [i don't have to cook or make a bed] and, the best of all, when everybody else gets off the ship, we have it all to ourselves.

[luvs2travl]

I would not go back to Cozumel, Carmen de Playa, Belize, or Cancun again. Ditto on Jamaica - would not turn down an itinerary with a Jamaican port, but would not get off the ship, either. Been to Aruba three times & would stay on the ship there as well.

 

Loved our Panama Canal full transit (FLL-SD) and we plan on doing that one again. Going through the Canal was only one day out of a glorious 19-day cruise1 Fabulous ports on that cruise.

 

Been to Alaska 4 times & will probably go again. Seward and Valdez are are favorite 2 ports there.

[wizard-of-roz]

A different angle, I don't ever plan to taking a cruise that repeats the same ports. Cruising for me no matter how wonderful the food, entertainment, value, views etc/ etc. is all about ports. Once it is done on cruise to many other places to do and a cruise stop is always a compromise too much of a compromise to repeat!

 

I've repeated Alaska to give my kids and parents the experience, but see no more repeats in the future. The cruise itself can't see the boat or the class of the ship to every be enough to justify the cruise itself, just too limited when compared what you get on land, just about any land.

 

We love people like you. As, I've said, when folks who think like YOU are off the ship.....I now have the most expensive private yacht on the sea.

Occasionaly we will run into "like-minded" folks like us but not too many to make a difference.

The lines are non-existent and the movies are great to watch and I can even do some pottery making, if I desire. Without ever having to get in line/board a tender or endure the heat and humidity of land.

[Although, we once felt the same way you do, just got too old to need to do it anymore!]

[Pennypocket]

Pretty much any and all Caribbean cruise. Actually the cruise lines try to keep it a secret but all Caribbean cruises only visit one island. At the end of the day the ship sails off shore so the casino can open. During this time the local residents change all of the signage in the towns to reflect a different Island and in the morning the ship sails back into the same port and the passengers think they are on a different island. With every island having the same Indian run Jewelry shops and the same bars, the same tours etc. Who would really know!

[MiamiSpartan]

I loved Alaska and would go back anytime, now Jamica, I would stay on the ship and not get off, but I would not let Jamica stop me from taking a particular cruise, I would just stay on board and lay by the pool or in the sanctuary ;)

 

What she said...Feel the same way about Jamaica....been there, done that...would just enjoy having the ship to myself for the day...

[STARFISH*4]

i havent been cruising enough to say 'never again'...right now i just want to go WHEREVER and WHENEVER i can:)

[Mr. Luckytoo]

On the other hand, my "never again" is NCL. It was my nightmare cruise -- they lost a customer for life.

 

My most recent cruise was a TA - I love the relaxing days at sea and in fact I've booked another in May.

 

HOWEVER,

 

The Ship I sailed, NCL Epic, is one ship I'll never sail again. Newest isn't always the nicest.

 

When my wife and I spend so many days at sea we want to be on a cruise ship that is comfortable and relaxing, 2 things that the Epic most certainly isn't. While mine wasn't a nightmare by any stretch I have to admit with so many alternative lines I doubt I'll sail them again.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

Pretty much any and all Caribbean cruise. Actually the cruise lines try to keep it a secret but all Caribbean cruises only visit one island. At the end of the day the ship sails off shore so the casino can open. During this time the local residents change all of the signage in the towns to reflect a different Island and in the morning the ship sails back into the same port and the passengers think they are on a different island. With every island having the same Indian run Jewelry shops and the same bars, the same tours etc. Who would really know!

 

LOL, sometimes I get that exact same feeling...I liked that.