is 17days to long for a cruise?

[Davechipp74]

there is a very good chance im going on the jewel 4/28/12 its a 17day repositioning through the panama canal. is that a bit much traveling solo? will it be all weelchairs and walkers or a younger group of cruisers? how do you pack for a 17day cruise? what will 17days of drinking and gambling do to your shipboard acct.?:eek: so much to consider. i have taken plenty of 7 night, and one 10 night cruise in the past, is it much different? any help will be great. thank you

[polySeraph]

there is a very good chance im going on the jewel 4/28/12 its a 17day repositioning through the panama canal. is that a bit much traveling solo? will it be all weelchairs and walkers or a younger group of cruisers? how do you pack for a 17day cruise? what will 17days of drinking and gambling do to your shipboard acct.?:eek: so much to consider. i have taken plenty of 7 night, and one 10 night cruise in the past, is it much different? any help will be great. thank you

 

We've really enjoyed our longer cruises. There's definitely a different feel to them - more laid back, maybe. They really give you a chance to unplug and relax.

 

The age range varied widely. There were quite a few retirees (mostly younger) but there were also plenty of family groups and some boomers. The longer cruises also seemed to attract more international passengers but that could have been just our particular itineraries.

 

We pack lightly and always plan to take full advantage of the 2 laundry specials. Yes, 2 weeks of DSC can add up but we've always planned for it - so no big deal. (And the crew has always been great.) For us, the bar bill and gambling hasn't been too bad . . . our big vice has been the shore excursions. Sharing private tours through the roll call helps with that.

[hateswaterloves2cruise]

Never done any cruise over 10 days, but did do a cruisetour of 14 days in Alaska. I'm also looking at longer, repositioning cruises. I think they would be kind of laid back cause there is so much time to do everything on board. I'll be watching the replies.

[mailbroad]

I would love to take a 17 day cruise. I think that there would be a lot of retired people because they might have more time to cruise.

[STARFISH*4]

on our 2 week Panama Canal cruise the average age was 65+ ...you will LOVE the longer cruise if you love cruising...we now prefer the longer ones taking another 2 week in December...cant speak for SINGLE cruiser, but i do say if you are taking the longer cruises i do hope you like all aspects of cruising!

do watch your spending cos it does ADD UP specially on the longer cruises...get a PRINT OUT everyday!!

as far as packing...you pack how you want to travel...if you dont mind wearing things twice pack for a 7 day or 10 day....we like changes so we are heavy packers--its all in how you feel comfortable to cruise...take what you want or dont take what you dont want!

[Druke I]

Seventeen days too long for a cruise? I certainly don't think so.

 

We've enjoyed several in the 14/30 night range. We haven't gone longer, as the Missus does not want to be gone for more than 30 days on any one trip! So be it.

 

Packing is not difficult - you just to take a little (not a lot) more, and have laundry done once or twice.

[Stillfloatin']

I love the longer cruises! By the time you've gotten all settled in, you still have plenty more time to enjoy your cruise and the ship. My fave was a 19-day repo from San Francisco to Chile. Great fun. Wide range of ages, although very few families with younger children. And yes, watch out for the casino and bar bills, they really add up on the longer cruises. :D

[BlueC5Kitten]

If I enjoy a 7, 8 or 10-day cruise, I think 17 days would be all the more appealing...as for solo cruising, well, I do that all the time, so I don't think I would have any problem with it...just need to remember to take an extra book or two for the time on board. I'm not a big drinker or gambler, so I can't help you with what it does to your S&S, but I'm sure you will budget appropriately, if you've been on cruises before.

 

Packing is easy...take what you need!

 

Happy Sailing!

[toomuchluggage]

We did 21 days last January made up of 14 Panama and 7 day Mexican R.

 

The crowd was not wheelchairs and walkers as you call them but I would say a mature to reitered group of people.

 

If drinking and gambling are already an issue I would debate on going that is unless y've won a lottery.

For us we are past our drinking our faces off and as for gambling the ship is lucky to get $100 bucks out of us because we just don't gamble on ships because the odds are way way to high. This is where the cruiselines make their money booze and casino's.

[donaldsc]

there is a very good chance im going on the jewel 4/28/12 its a 17day repositioning through the panama canal. is that a bit much traveling solo?

 

If you like cruises, it isn't. If you don't, it is.

 

will it be all weelchairs and walkers or a younger group of cruisers? how do you pack for a 17day cruise?

 

Same as for any other cruise. You can wash your clothes.

 

what will 17days of drinking and gambling do to your shipboard acct.?

 

Basically depends upon how much drinking and gambling you do.

 

 

:eek: so much to consider. i have taken plenty of 7 night, and one 10 night cruise in the past, is it much different? any help will be great. thank you

 

Hope this helps.

 

DON

[ben55124]

My 2 week panama cruise had an average age of 60+, so yes expect an older crowd. Most people with jobs (and kids) have a hard time taking 2 weeks off. Panama canal also appeals to people who have already cruised everything else.

 

The 2 weeks will also eliminate spring breakers -- I would rather have an older crowd than swarms of 18-22yos. Late April may also include younger honeymooners. Probably not the best singles scene.

 

I prefer 2 week cruises. Plenty of time to settle in. To avoid laundry, pack daily underwear and t-shirts. Plan on re-wearing the rest - khakis, polos, shorts. If needed you can always pick up replacements (aka souvenirs).

[halos]

Heck no! It's perfect!! :D

[OceanDreaming2]

Heck no! It's perfect!! :D

 

Agree 1,000%!

[mypleasure]

I have never really enjoyed 7 day cruises. By the time I relax and start enjoying it it is nearly over. Way to rushed and the pax all seem way to rushed. I liked the 12 day Baltic trip this year but again would have liked a little longer. 17 days sounds perfect to me.

[cruizinrican]

It isnt for me but heck, I love cruising! If I could afford the time off from work, I'd go with you myself! ;) Have a wonderful trip! Im super jealous!

[MiamiSpartan]

I'm not sure what you are asking....

No such thing in my book...

:p

[cabincop]

I soooo need to do a 17day cruise I love to cruise most I did was 11 and I go solo. I don't drink but do gamble so I would plan for that. Plus I am a women and would bring tons of clothes and shoes hell sign me up. I think I might do one in 2012. Oh not a wheelchair and walker type and I always find people who let me eat with them or hang out also get on your roll call. They will have dinners, meets and such. ENJOY

[Doughboy139]

I did my first cruise ever this past August, it was the 12 Baltic on the Sun and I never wanted it to end.....I enjoyed it so much that I'm doing a B2B in sept of this year that will be 24 days long, the 9 day baltic along with the 15 day Transatlantic to Orlando aboard the Sun again......Rest and Relaxation, I can't wait.......

[doodlesinkentucky]

Most of our cruises are the typical 7 days and once we even took a 5 day (BLAH!). I have been on two 10 days and still was not ready to get off!!!

 

I would FOR SURE go on a longer cruise if hubby had the time off work!

 

Laundry would be the issue, since they do not have public laundry use on NCL:confused:. I would have to use the service of getting it done for a long cruise like that or buy new stuff along the way.

 

HAVE FUN!!! BTW, my brother is on a 16 day cruise soon and I am jealous!!

[Barb Nahoumi]

I'm not retired, and did the two week panama canal cruise on the Pearl in '09. My husband could not get the time off, so I enjoyed the cruise with a friend.

 

As others have stated, you need to watch expenses. Bar bills, casino expenses, and ships purchases can add up. Just budget for it.

 

I packed enough for 7-10 days, and used the laundry specials twice. My clothes were returned the next day.

 

Passenger ages varied------most were active seniors, with very few children aboard. We met some wonderful people on the cruise. The transit through the canal is not to be missed.

 

There is no such thing as a cruise that's too long.

 

Barb

[terigo]

Nobody mentioned the one thing that happens with longer cruises.....

you need to pack bigger clothes for the last 5 or 6 days....

 

By the time I am done eating what I haven't had to cook for 2 weeks or longer, I look like someone should stamp "Goodyear" on my butt!! :D

 

Still, I am willing to sacrifice the svelt figure for the joy of cruising for as long as possible....

[Budget Queen]

Although you do have some crappy ports, many times these long cruises are a very good bargain. Would make the difference to me. If they are giving it away, then so much the better. For me, the Panama Canal transit is excellent. As I mention, a few ports aren't even worth getting off in. BUT, you probably do have a decent itinerary of a port at least every few days?? I'm not one for sea days, and get bored silly. Some people like them, not me.

 

I've done many 14 day sailings, and longest 16. Key is to pack light and do laundry. :) NCL, will run a laundry special a few times. And I always take a bar of Zote soap, which works great for rinsing stuff out in the sink.

[Viesczy]

The only time frame for cruises is too short, not too long! Too long... that is CRAZY talk!

 

Our next major cruise will be next year on HA for their 30 day Hawaii/Tahiti cruise, that seems about right to me!

 

Terigo makes a great point, make sure you're taking some + sized britches! Our last cruise of approx that length was the Jewel fall repo in '09, that was 14 or 15 days IIRC, and good eats were had! Thankfully for all vacations I am in my "fit" state where I'm 15-20 lbs below my correct weight and 25-35lbs lower than my strength gaining weight. I got on the boat @ 190 and I was a healthy 205 when I got off!

 

Derek

[stanmoto98]

there is a very good chance im going on the jewel 4/28/12 its a 17day repositioning through the panama canal. is that a bit much traveling solo? will it be all weelchairs and walkers or a younger group of cruisers? how do you pack for a 17day cruise? what will 17days of drinking and gambling do to your shipboard acct.?:eek: so much to consider. i have taken plenty of 7 night, and one 10 night cruise in the past, is it much different? any help will be great. thank you

LMAO... Sorry, I really thought the title question was a joke till I read your post.

 

I guess for some people it's to much. And as a traveling single you may have to make a bit more effort to find people you enjoying hanging out with for the longer cruise. How the length of time effects your on board account is entirely under your control! I'd set a daily budget, or separate budgets for different activities, ie. gambling, drinking, and so on.

 

My wife and I decided after a couple cruises that we didn't want to take anything shorter than 13 days. We feel that for such significant trips the time is just to short on anything less. That being said, we truly love doing transatlantics for the multiple days at sea and the minimal port visits. They are the best way we've found to totally disconnect and relax from our day to day lives.

 

The age factor... while I think you will see a significantly larger percentage of older folks on longer cruises, it depends so much on the itinerary more so than the length the cruise these days. I've noticed in the last 4-5 years that more and more younger people are sailing on the 10+ day cruises than they were previously... especially in the last couple of years.

[stanmoto98]

Nobody mentioned the one thing that happens with longer cruises.....

you need to pack bigger clothes for the last 5 or 6 days....

 

By the time I am done eating what I haven't had to cook for 2 weeks or longer, I look like someone should stamp "Goodyear" on my butt!! :D

 

Still, I am willing to sacrifice the svelt figure for the joy of cruising for as long as possible....

That's awesome! Great post, terigo!!

 

You guys are going to hate me! Because it seems like I'm the only person who ever loses weight on a cruise. NO LIE!! In fact, on a 15-day transatlantic in '07 I lost 10 pounds... and it wasn't from a lack of eating, that's for sure! I've never put weight on while on a cruise.

 

I'm a fairly healthy guy who normally could stand to lose some weight. I like to be active but it's hard on my schedule most days. When we're on a cruise it's so easy to be extremely active. We never take the elevators, we take late night "hikes" around the ship for a few miles, we're in the gym, and we always chose really physical type activities while in port. Plus, I think the lack of stress helps my metabolism a bunch too.