Carnival ships and ports. Am i the only one?

[FSHLOT]

Was just wondering how many of you really don't care too much about the ports?

 

For me, My cruise is 90% about the ship. Sure I like some ports, but I don't go crazy about them. I do get off the ship and do stuff with my wife, but we don't go bizerk anymore. We been to most ports in the carribean, so sometimes we just enjoy the quietness of the ship.

[BoDidly]

That's a sure sign you've been cruising for to long .:D But I do see your point.

I think in the beginning of your cruising life the ports of call are important to you.

After you've been there and done that , not so much.

 

I've actually met people that have never gotten off at a port , Heavy gamblers anonymous club :D.

[wms99]

We are starting to think of Cozumel as our second home. It gets comfortable to be there, but there is always something new to do.

As for other ports, we do not even consider the cruise if the the ship stops at Progresso. I think Montego Bay is also on the don't go list. All the others are great.

Edited June 25, 2018 by wms99
mistake

[hockeyguru32]

That's a sure sign you've been cruising for to long .:D But I do see your point.

I think in the beginning of your cruising life the ports of call are important to you.

After you've been there and done that , not so much.

 

I've actually met people that have never gotten off at a port , Heavy gamblers anonymous club :D.

 

I thought you cant gamble when ship is in port

[jayscore]

That's a sure sign you've been cruising for to long .:D But I do see your point.

I think in the beginning of your cruising life the ports of call are important to you.

After you've been there and done that , not so much.

 

I can relate to this statement.

 

Plus, the experience of the "abandoned ship" feeling is peaceful!

[A&Jfamily]

Not for me...and I am pushing 20 cruises at this point. A major part of the reason we cruise is to see new places and have new adventures. It has allowed our sons to visit well over a dozen countries so far, and countless ports within those. As they age and we recognize that most of the itineraries with the un-visited ports do not match their schedule, we are broadening our horizons and looking to Princess and river cruising for new and different places to go.

 

For us, a cruise ship is a very convenient and cost-effective means of transportation to travel the world.

[deadmoney]

:loudcry:My wife can't wait to get off in port and find new stuff to buy.

[evandbob]

Was just wondering how many of you really don't care too much about the ports?

 

For me, My cruise is 90% about the ship. Sure I like some ports, but I don't go crazy about them. I do get off the ship and do stuff with my wife, but we don't go bizerk anymore. We been to most ports in the carribean, so sometimes we just enjoy the quietness of the ship.

 

 

There's a cruise style for everyone. I perfectly understand the OP, and once in a while do the same myself and stay on the ship while it's empty.. But I've found though there are some activities and places I like to do again, such as river rafting, fishing, snorkeling and some ATV adventures and the 2nd or 3rd time might be a totally different experience than that first one, especially with a different operator.

 

Sometimes I'll even just visit some of the same beaches again. Because I venture out away from the immediate port area, I can usually spot something different to do, even after staying on an island a week at a time for land vacations.

 

I also noticed that when I can predict what the Carnival CD spiel is going to be, it's time to branch out and try different cruise lines as well as different itineraries.

 

I

[EBFURR]

We are starting to think of Cozumel as our second home. It gets comfortable to be there, but there is always something new to do.

As for other ports, we do not even consider the cruise if the the ship stops at Progresso. I think Montego Bay is also on the don't go list. All the others are great.

 

This is remarkably similar to our opinion as well, except for Progresso which we have not visited so can't comment one way or the other. We usually get off the ship at least for a while to walk around but where we do that is not all that important. Except for Cozumel which is my favorite by far.

[mgasaway]

For me it's all about the ports and cant imaging staying on ship in port. And any more than a sea day at the beginning and end has me looking elsewhere. That's why I went NCL for Hawaii, I wouldn't be able to take 4 days in a row on the ship each way without seeing something new.

[Djptcp]

After 46 cruises, there are few Caribbean islands and Central American countries (we have been to S. America, too, but just to one country) we have not already visited. We also feel that Cozumel is our second home! The ship itineraries and excursion options used to be important, but not anymore as we cruise now just to enjoy being on the ships and relax. Since retiring a few years ago we can cruise pretty much whenever we want to and prefer sailing out of Tampa because we live just 45 minutes from the port. Even the 1.75 hour drive to Port Canaveral now seems too long and forget about driving to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami. Our favorite cruise lines sail out Tampa, Carnival and Holland America. It took a 10-day Panama Canal cruise on HAL in 2016 to get us to sail out of Ft. Lauderdale.

[tallnthensome]

We enjoy the newest ships but itineraries are most important. We want to go ashore and do as many exciting excursions where we are as possible. I would stop cruising if it came to the point of staying on the ship or not even caring where the ship goes anymore. We get to sail a new ship and a new itinerary on a different line each year. I can't believe how many people just stay on the ships or just go into port to shop. Seems ridiculous to us. I think it's just as ridiculous when I see people have sailed the same ship with the same itineraries and very little else. That is to the point of being almost sad to me. There are so many cruise lines with so many different ships that go to so many places in the world. The day I get on a cruise and never get off the boat is the day I quit cruising. These people limit themselves. Instead o doing this, save more money and go to a place that isn't the Caribbean and get off the boat. Not doing excursions in the ports is the same as not being there at all.

[Micahs Grandad]

Was just wondering how many of you really don't care too much about the ports?

 

For me, My cruise is 90% about the ship. Sure I like some ports, but I don't go crazy about them. I do get off the ship and do stuff with my wife, but we don't go bizerk anymore. We been to most ports in the carribean, so sometimes we just enjoy the quietness of the ship.

 

Love to cruise but we did reach the point where the only reason to get off the ship in the Caribbean is to go to a beach.

 

That is why the vast majority of our cruises these days are outside of the continental US.

[BoDidly]

I thought you cant gamble when ship is in port

You made a funny ;) Let me try to answer . While the machines are shutdown a deck of cards in a roomy suite with a pocket full of cash can go a long way :D

[bingomamma19]

Was just wondering how many of you really don't care too much about the ports?

 

For me, My cruise is 90% about the ship. Sure I like some ports, but I don't go crazy about them. I do get off the ship and do stuff with my wife, but we don't go bizerk anymore. We been to most ports in the carribean, so sometimes we just enjoy the quietness of the ship.

 

 

We have been to almost every port in the Caribbean, I don't care for some of them --Ie Nassau, Jamaica and Cozumel. In those ports I stay on board and enjoy the almost empty ship.

 

Everyone cruises for their own reasons...for me, I love the sight and sound of the water. I would take a 7 day trip to nowhere if I could. I cruise to relax and get away from work and the stresses of life. Everything I need is on board--food, entertainment, relaxation.

[cmukid87]

When we started, we didn't care what ports we went to. We just wanted to cruise. We got off at each stop and found something to do.

 

Now we are at the point where we are studying itineraries to find ports we have not been to so we can keep having new experiences.

 

I imagine in a few years we will be going back to our original strategy and cruising just to cruise and ports that don't interest us we can stay on the ship. We have already decided that if we ever stop in Belize again, we will stay on the ship.

[bingomamma19]

We enjoy the newest ships but itineraries are most important. We want to go ashore and do as many exciting excursions where we are as possible. I would stop cruising if it came to the point of staying on the ship or not even caring where the ship goes anymore. We get to sail a new ship and a new itinerary on a different line each year. I can't believe how many people just stay on the ships or just go into port to shop. Seems ridiculous to us. I think it's just as ridiculous when I see people have sailed the same ship with the same itineraries and very little else. That is to the point of being almost sad to me. There are so many cruise lines with so many different ships that go to so many places in the world. The day I get on a cruise and never get off the boat is the day I quit cruising. These people limit themselves. Instead o doing this, save more money and go to a place that isn't the Caribbean and get off the boat. Not doing excursions in the ports is the same as not being there at all.

 

Its not ridiculous if that's what people enjoy doing. Luckily we aren't robots who all have to follow the same ideas.

 

My idea of fun and relaxing isn't the same as someone elses, and I cruise because I like to...I like the water..i like to just listen to it and mentally get away. I like the freedom of doing whatever I want at my own pace.

 

Cruising is a unique vacation that can offer a great variety of things to do or simply nothing at all...or something in between. Its all up to you what you would like. And that is what I love about it.

[FLcruzer123]

The ports are very important to us. That is one of the reasons we pick a particular sailing and ship. Yes the cruise would still be enjoyable, but we would definitely be disappointed if a port was missed or canceled.

[sc4125]

We enjoy the newest ships but itineraries are most important. We want to go ashore and do as many exciting excursions where we are as possible. I would stop cruising if it came to the point of staying on the ship or not even caring where the ship goes anymore. We get to sail a new ship and a new itinerary on a different line each year. I can't believe how many people just stay on the ships or just go into port to shop. Seems ridiculous to us. I think it's just as ridiculous when I see people have sailed the same ship with the same itineraries and very little else. That is to the point of being almost sad to me. There are so many cruise lines with so many different ships that go to so many places in the world. The day I get on a cruise and never get off the boat is the day I quit cruising. These people limit themselves. Instead o doing this, save more money and go to a place that isn't the Caribbean and get off the boat. Not doing excursions in the ports is the same as not being there at all.

 

Well now, I don't think I'm ridiculous at all. I have been to most ports many, many times. I love being onboard a ship and find it very relaxing. Running off exploring places has lost some of its appeal as I've gotten a little older. Now I find being off work & relaxing to be "exciting."

 

I worked onboard cruise ships for numerous years and also travelled a lot when I was younger as my father was a career Army officer. You may think I'm "ridiculous" and "almost sad" but to each his own. I stay onboard or go into port as the mood strikes. I like to be in the casino when the ship is at sea and lounging around the pool with a drink in my hand when it's in port. So for you the day you "get on a cruise and never get off the boat tis the day I quit cruising" works for you. For me and some others, a cruise is all about being on the ship - when I want to explore, I take land based vacations.

 

Thinking someone is almost sad and ridiculous because they enjoy something different than you, is kind of sad.

[tallnthensome]

Of course you may do whatever you like whether it's on or off the boat. I still feel that you are no longer traveling if you don't go ashore and experience the country or Island extensively. Not caring where I would be going isn't cruising . That's like landing in a plane in London for a layover, not leaving the airport, and telling people you've been to London. I don't never plan avavation to go somewhere and ultimately go nowhere. Too many places in the world to see and experience to let it get to that point. Just my opinion, nothing more.

[FSHLOT]

Well now, I don't think I'm ridiculous at all. I have been to most ports many, many times. I love being onboard a ship and find it very relaxing. Running off exploring places has lost some of its appeal as I've gotten a little older. Now I find being off work & relaxing to be "exciting."

 

I worked onboard cruise ships for numerous years and also travelled a lot when I was younger as my father was a career Army officer. You may think I'm "ridiculous" and "almost sad" but to each his own. I stay onboard or go into port as the mood strikes. I like to be in the casino when the ship is at sea and lounging around the pool with a drink in my hand when it's in port. So for you the day you "get on a cruise and never get off the boat tis the day I quit cruising" works for you. For me and some others, a cruise is all about being on the ship - when I want to explore, I take land based vacations.

 

Thinking someone is almost sad and ridiculous because they enjoy something different than you, is kind of sad.

 

I agree. I just get off the ship when I feel like it. No Biggie

[runner15km]

I care more for the ports and just need any cruiseline to get me there. :)

[BNBR]

If cruising was all about the ship I certainly wouldn't be sailing Carnival.

 

Carnival has really great itineraries and good pricing with decent ships.

[penguin85]

The ship is my vacation. Getting off at a port is extra. Sometimes I do not care to get off the ship.

[buddylover]

The ports are very important to us. That is one of the reasons we pick a particular sailing and ship. Yes the cruise would still be enjoyable, but we would definitely be disappointed if a port was missed or canceled.

This is exactly how we feel.....we cruise to see different places, then the ship comes into play (we prefer to try different ships as well). But to add to this......we have found that CCL just offers pretty "typical" Caribbean ports, and once we pretty much exhausted the "typical" ports we have ventured out to other cruise lines as well to see some "new" ports. So itinerary definitely means the most to us!!