is it me or does this bother anyone?

[sail7seas]

A Caribbean cruise and a touring vacation in Europe are very different vacations. Both are wonderful in their own way but can't compare IMO

 

[pdmlynek]

The ship makes more money when you can't get off....they LOVE fewer port days! ....

 

 

 

Well, although they may make more money on alcohol or casinos on sea days, I wonder if this is true. On sea days cruise ships do not get a part of the cut from excursions like on port days, and they have higher operating costs (more fuel, more engine time, more food). And people will still buy drinks and gamble in the evenings on port days.

Does anyone actually KNOW? Or I should ask: does anyone on these boards actually know?

[Nigella]

I love sea days and enjoy as much time as possible on the ship. My ideal cruise would be 90/10 split, in favour of sea days.

[Jana60]

Not many places have the capacity to handle those mega-ships.

Anyway I do not know why you are complaining. Out here we have one ship doing only 3 stops and only two different ports on the 7day. Very few choices otherwise.

If you want port intensive sail out of San Juan- 7 days, 6 ports, no sea days.

 

Carnival Glory does 7 day cruises with Eastern and Western Caribbean routes alternating but are both round trip Miami. Their Eastern Caribbean route goes Miami-> Nassau-> St. Thomas-> San Juan-> Grand Turk-> Miami. And their Western Caribbean route is Miami-> Cozumel, Mexico-> Belieze-> Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan-> Grand Caymons-> Miami. Only 2 sea days on each cruise. I'm doing them Back to Back in December for about $1800. But I actually like to get a little rest on a cruise so for ports I've been to many times, I might just take advantage or the ships empty hot tubs and pool with a book and a glass of wine.

[dmwnc1959]

As someone else said, when people start Caribbean cruising they seem to pick itineraries that give them the most ports. Once you've cruised for awhile it's all about the ship.

 

This was me last year. Did a 10-night back-to-back cruise that went to four western Caribbean ports (which I could have cared less about) and only left the ship long enough to get pictures (of the ship no less), then went back. Heck, I only took the tender into Grand Cayman to get a picture of the six ships anchored that day! Two of the four ports I hadn't even been to yet and held no appeal what so ever. To me it was all about the ship.

 

I'm actually trying to repeat the exact same itinerary next year, again just for the ship.

[cherylandtk]

and second; i just bought a new BMW and need to scale back on my costs.

And you are bothered by a 3 port itinerary not being a good value for your money? It is all a matter of personal choice. Only you can decide what is or is not a good purchase for you.

[beachpearl]

I will be taking my 1st cruise in November.

i wanted to ship that stopped every day in port.

 

I would feel kind of cheated by a sea day, but I guess that is a part of the cruising culture.

 

I wanted the opportunity to see more and the choice to be able to get off the boat each day.

 

I'll be on the NCL sky. It's a short cruise, but I chose it because it does stop in port every day.

[paul929207]

I will be taking my 1st cruise in November.

i wanted to ship that stopped every day in port.

 

I would feel kind of cheated by a sea day, but I guess that is a part of the cruising culture.

 

I wanted the opportunity to see more and the choice to be able to get off the boat each day.

 

I'll be on the NCL sky. It's a short cruise, but I chose it because it does stop in port every day.

Glad you found one that meets your needs. I prefer sea days and the more the better.

[DukeFamily]

See? This simple thread highlights perfectly the many reasons people love to cruise - and all the reasons are right; none are wrong! I think I enjoy the ports and sea days equally. Also, every time you cruise, you learn. When we started, we didn't know better and only took ship sponsored excursions...now we don't. As a newbie I also felt almost panicked on sea days trying not to miss anything that's going on. Now I don't even bother with the shows some nights....I'd rather sit out on deck with a coffee some nights. Loving (and learning!) to cruise is an ever evolving process, IMO.

[dmwnc1959]

Glad you found one that meets your needs. I prefer sea days and the more the better.

 

I prefer sea days too, but port days are cool because most everyone gets off the ship and it's a lot less crowded. Enjoy having a mostly empty ship to myself. ;)

[pdmlynek]

I will be taking my 1st cruise in November.

i wanted to ship that stopped every day in port.

 

I would feel kind of cheated by a sea day, but I guess that is a part of the cruising culture.

 

I wanted the opportunity to see more and the choice to be able to get off the boat each day.

...

 

I am in the same boat. I am going to be on my first cruise this summer, and I am not sure what is there to do or see during sea days that everyone so raves about.

Why are cruisers, especially more experienced cruisers, so looking forward to sea days? What am I, and 'pearl, missing?

(yes, I've read plenty of posts on sea days, but nothing really blows me away, like some of the excursiona would; what is wrong with me?)

[dmwnc1959]

I am in the same boat. I am going to be on my first cruise this summer, and I am not sure what is there to do or see during sea days that everyone so raves about.

Why are cruisers, especially more experienced cruisers, so looking forward to sea days? What am I, and 'pearl, missing?

(yes, I've read plenty of posts on sea days, but nothing really blows me away, like some of the excursiona would; what is wrong with me?)

 

For First-Timers hitting the ports of call will be a new experience and exciting, and hitting as many ports as you can during your cruise is important. That way you feel like you got the most for your money. Some have said that they feel cheated by a Sea Day because you don't get to see or do anything other than what's on the ship. Boring.

 

But to some of us the ports are a distraction from the complete escape and relaxation we get from doing absolutely nothing. No schedule, no time frame to do this or that, no rushing around. Sleep in late, read a book, catch a movie, relax by the pool, participate in a lecture or trivia game, get a spa treatment, or unwind from the daily grind we may deal with at home.

 

And some of us may have already 'been there, done that' with most of the ports of call you may be visiting for the first time. Or seen all that we care to see that interests us. So we book a ship doing an itinerary that has lots of seas days, or ports that don't have anything to offer us so that we can relax and just enjoy the ship. That's the kind of vacation I like.

[calliopecruiser]

What am I, and 'pearl, missing?

 

(yes, I've read plenty of posts on sea days, but nothing really blows me away, like some of the excursiona would; what is wrong with me?)

 

As they say, different strokes for different folks. Or whatever floats your boat ;)

[paul929207]

I am in the same boat. I am going to be on my first cruise this summer, and I am not sure what is there to do or see during sea days that everyone so raves about.

Why are cruisers, especially more experienced cruisers, so looking forward to sea days? What am I, and 'pearl, missing?

(yes, I've read plenty of posts on sea days, but nothing really blows me away, like some of the excursiona would; what is wrong with me?)

NOthing is wrong with you. There isn't a "right" number of sea days for a cruise.

 

Perhaps after your first cruise, you will be even more confinced that you want as many ports days as possible. However, there is also a chance that you will realize how nice sea days are.

 

Have a wonderful cruise

[Cuizer2]

I am in the same boat. I am going to be on my first cruise this summer, and I am not sure what is there to do or see during sea days that everyone so raves about.

 

Why are cruisers, especially more experienced cruisers, so looking forward to sea days? What am I, and 'pearl, missing?

(yes, I've read plenty of posts on sea days, but nothing really blows me away, like some of the excursiona would; what is wrong with me?)

 

Perhaps that is the key. The more experienced cruisers are the ones who enjoy sea days. Sea days are very relaxing.

[dhill]

We prefer a good mix of sea days and ports of call.Are next cruise will have 2 sea days at the start of the cruise then three port of calls in three days then another sea day just right for us.All tho on are 14 day Hawaiin cruise we had 4 sea days in a row at the beginning and end of the cruise that was really nice also:)

[Northshorecruisers]

For me, 3 ports on a 7 day is just right. I enjoy the days at sea to do other things on the ship. If nothing else, laying by the pool keeps me occupied.

[kruzerci]

Personally, I prefer sea days.

 

I do too. I also prefer the Eastern over Western Caribbean, so Eastern usually works out perfectly for us ;)

[pdmlynek]

Thank you, dmwnc’, callipercruiser, paul’, Cuizer, I appreciate your answers. Your views are consistent pretty much what I’ve read by countless other posters who are experienced cruisers, on the preference of sea day over port days.

 

I was just trying to understand what the allure of sea days is. I’ve never been on a cruise yet, so please excuse my naiveté. Because, you must admit, that to someone who has not experienced cruising, the description of sea days (such as “Sleep in late, read a book, catch a movie, relax by the pool, participate in a lecture or trivia game, get a spa treatment, or unwind from the daily grind”) sounds nothing more than what anyone can do on any weekend at home. But I trust that there must be something more to this, otherwise experienced cruisers would not spend good money on cruises.

[paul929207]

Thank you, dmwnc’, callipercruiser, paul’, Cuizer, I appreciate your answers. Your views are consistent pretty much what I’ve read by countless other posters who are experienced cruisers, on the preference of sea day over port days.

 

I was just trying to understand what the allure of sea days is. I’ve never been on a cruise yet, so please excuse my naiveté. Because, you must admit, that to someone who has not experienced cruising, the description of sea days (such as “Sleep in late, read a book, catch a movie, relax by the pool, participate in a lecture or trivia game, get a spa treatment, or unwind from the daily grind”) sounds nothing more than what anyone can do on any weekend at home. But I trust that there must be something more to this, otherwise experienced cruisers would not spend good money on cruises.

While you can do those things at home, you can also cook, clean, mow the lawn, paint a room, etc, etc. And you can't do those things on a ship.

 

Everybodies different. Very few will do everything on your list. You pick the ones you want and skip the rest

[DT-Cruiser]

Thank you, dmwnc’, callipercruiser, paul’, Cuizer, I appreciate your answers. Your views are consistent pretty much what I’ve read by countless other posters who are experienced cruisers, on the preference of sea day over port days.

 

I was just trying to understand what the allure of sea days is. I’ve never been on a cruise yet, so please excuse my naiveté. Because, you must admit, that to someone who has not experienced cruising, the description of sea days (such as “Sleep in late, read a book, catch a movie, relax by the pool, participate in a lecture or trivia game, get a spa treatment, or unwind from the daily grind”) sounds nothing more than what anyone can do on any weekend at home. But I trust that there must be something more to this, otherwise experienced cruisers would not spend good money on cruises.

 

I just booked my first cruise on Carnival Pride out of Baltimore to the Bahamas. We depart on Sunday and will not reach the first port until Wednesday morning. I've been told that there is so much to do on the ship that I'm not concerned about the sea days. I haven't even decided whether I'm going to take any excursions or even leave the ship yet......LOL!!!! I just plan on relaxing and having as much fun as I can.

[indiana123]

Exactly Paul (forgotten the numbers!)

 

It 'you or 'us' time. Its very different, do what you want when you want.. no distractions worrying about the lawn or washing. Its just not the same.

 

At home you wouldn't go to the theatre a few times a week, or sit in the Crows Nest at midnight looking out to sea with a late night drink.

 

On Oriana I went to see a violin virtuoso on my own, he was fantastic.. not all classical. I couldn't believe when my partner went with me one night and thoroughly enjoyed himself. He wouldn't normally go to a violin Concert if you paid him. Same with the Concord lectures.. he thoroughly enjoyed that series, as did hundred of people. Not something you would normally go to.

 

Honestly, by the time you get up and have a leisurely breakfast, and a stroll and decide what to do next out of an array of activities you can't believe the day has gone.

 

Definitely not the same as having a weekend at home.

[paul929207]

We have learned to try all the lecturers. Even those that don't sound good. Several times ones that we almost skipped have turned out to be great. If we get to one and find it is not for us, we leave and skip the rest of that persons talks.

[calliopecruiser]

the description of sea days (such as “Sleep in late, read a book, catch a movie, relax by the pool, participate in a lecture or trivia game, get a spa treatment, or unwind from the daily grind”) sounds nothing more than what anyone can do on any weekend at home. But I trust that there must be something more to this, otherwise experienced cruisers would not spend good money on cruises.

 

Part of the "something more" is that you're not at home - and so don't have those responsibilities and don't have other people expecting your time or attention. But for me, it's not just about not being at home (I could book a week in a local hotel for that), it's actually being at sea: There's something very relaxing to me, on a deep level, about being on the rolling water, without view of land....but with more stability, space, and amenities than a smaller yacht. It's hard to explain.

[indiana123]

Exactly.. and I agree its hard to explain.

 

It was fun reading what's on and deciding what to do. I was determined to try things I wouldn't normally have a chance to do.

 

On days there wasn't anything I was going to do I actually read a book. Unheard of, I sat on the balcony, feet up, watching the sea and reading.

 

I even had a nap on about two afternoons.

 

I did so much all the days got jumbled up. I couldn't tell you what I did on what day.

 

It was great, but I agree it is hard to explain.