Anyone hate cruising?

[The Viking]

My wife and I have for a long time thought of taking a cruise and will take our 1st. in Jan. 07.

 

We have a lot of thoughts about our first real cruise (I have sailed often overnight on business trips in Europe). We hope we will enjoy it, but wonder if anyone have talked to someone who just hates cruising. It is hard to believe if anyone does not like it as I see the posters on these boards are very addicted to cruising.

[agabbymama]

I don't hate cruising, but I'm not in love with cruising either. I cruise to see ports that would otherwise be almost impossible to do. I cruised the Inside Passage of Alaska (Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka you can't get to except by boat or plane), I cruised from San Juan Puerto Rico to St. Martin, St. Thomas (impossible also other than by ship or plane), I cruised to New England/Canada (could be driven, but not in the 11 days the cruise was, to see all the ports we stopped at). I think cruising is way overrated as a vacation. Too many people in too small an area for me. The ship is too confining for my tastes. I like to be able to walk or drive around. One really good feature of cruising is you only have to unpack/then repack ONCE, and your meals are all included. I like busy port intensive itineraries and get easily bored when there are too many sea days. I'm also not enamored with the cruislines "Cruise Contract" that by booking with them you are agreeing to their contract. If you really read it, it is rather one-sided in their favor. It amounts to buying a cabin for a week or two, that's all they guarantee. No guarantee that you will get where you want to go. They can "change the itinerary for weather, mechanical problems or for any reason whatsoever...". If they cruise out of port and just circle in the ocean, they have fulfilled their end of the contract. That's why my cruisetour next year back to Alaska will be my final cruise. It's only 3 days on the ship, then 8 days on land. I'm trying to hedge my bets that with only 3 days, nothing will happen to change the itinerary. I'll stick to land based vacations, in approximately 14 air/land vacations, I have always gotten where I paid the airline to take me, then travel either by rental car, train, bus or my own two feet.:p

[florida cruiser girl]

What's not to like? I mean LOVE!!

Being waited on by the staff, as much food as you can eat, exotic ports of call, you get to go all these places and only unpack once! shows, casinos, activites galore, no one calling you on the cell, total relaxation!!

You will be hooked!! BON VOYAGE!

[trish1c]

On these boards you will be hard pressed to find anything other than fans. If you hated something why would you spend time on the internet talking about it?

 

I do have several friends who can't stand it -- too many rules; the dress codes; being told when to eat; the high price of drinks; the inability to get off anytime or to stay longer in a port b/c it's fun; the feeling like cattle b/c there are 5000 people on your ship.

 

Yes, there are answers to many of those considerations & I have only occassionally felt like a cow but it's not for everyone.

[wraithe]

The only people that I've met that didn't really enjoy cruising were the ones that went on a 3 or 4 night cruise to the Bahamas, or something like that. They didn't even have time to see the ship, much less an excursion, so what's to like. Personally, I was so glad that my first pleasure cruise was a 9 nighter, it was awesome, had plenty of time to learn the ship, meet and enjoy my tablemates, and see some places I'd never been before.

[cruisinbuddy]

Ever since I cruised for the first time in 1999, I've LOVED it.:) Now believe it or not, our first cruise was the quentisential (sp) perfect cruise. Everything was perfect, yeah yeah it was our first cruise and nothing to compare it to. Well after 4 cruises I do, and nothing has beaten it. Plus being able to see 4, 5 or more different countrys in a week, very cool. The service on the ship, I like being treated like royalty. Lying out on the lido deck or whatever having your Foo foo drink soaking up the sun, going to the formal dinners, I LOVE IT ALL. Cruise 2009 is already planned, not booked, but planned. Ohh 30 days til I go on the Liberty.

[GottaLuvCruising]

Cruising is my passion and something I talk about a lot. But in my travels, I've met only a couple people who really hate cruising. I don't get it. But here are the basics.

 

Friend #1 - cruised one time, shared a table with the people the same age, but couldn't stand it. They were all grandparents and she is not. She found the conversation revolving around their grandchildren (of which she has none and likes it that way) very tedious. She thought the whole experience was boring and wants to decide for herself what to see and do. She likes road trips (yuck).

 

Friend #2 - cruised one time and hated being "herded" from dining to show lounge, etc and found the whole experience boring. Husband is very wealthy and owns a 50+ boat with a full-time captain and she would much rather be on it sunning while he fishes. (Now that's my idea of "boring".)

 

Sitting in the FLL airport Sunday, the guy beside me told me that he dislikes cruising, but I didn't really listen and can't remember why.

[sea_breaze]

Really, really didn't want to go on our first cruise back in 2002. Have been on 5 more since with another one booked for February. It's a great vacation. If there is one downside to cruising it is (At least on the mass market lines) the amount of people in a close proximity. The good outweighs this by a long shot though and the crowds only come into play here and there.

 

We still take land base vacations but I do need my "cruise fix" at least once a year. I would be very surprised if you guys didn't enjoy yourself on a cruise. Just look at this website and see how many cruise junkies there are out there, there's a reason for that.

[constructiondude]

When I got back from my first cruise back in May I didn't think I'd ever take another cruise but after a few months went by it was all I could do to keep myself from getting on the next plane. Being in a port city doesn't help. I obviously gave in and I'm going on my 2nd cruise in about a month.

 

Like everyone else I know several people that wouldn't be caught dead on a cruise; however, I successfully converted one friend who went on his first cruise last month.....I will get them hooked on cruising one at a time.

[ger_77]

Ummm, no.

 

What's to hate? Hate getting up in the morning and heading out for breakfast? There's room service. Hate having to go to the bar to get a drink? There's room service. Hate having to make your bed once you do get out of it? There's the cabin steward. Hate having to do all the driving to get to a destination? There's the captain for that. Hate trying to figure out what to see on an island? There are shore excursions available. Hate having to entertain yourself in the evening? There are bars, shows and a casino for that.

 

The only things I can possibly think of that one could hate is leaving the ship when it's all over. I hate getting home and not being able to find the Lido deck in the morning. I hate waiting for someone to put my napkin on my lap at the dinner table, and I hate waking up to -35 degree temperatures in the "frozen tundra" when we've just spent a number of glorious days in a more tropical setting. Oh, and I hate having to put my own little umbrellas in my drinks, too.:eek:

 

Please let us know how your cruise was when you return, won't you?

 

Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :)

[Aquahound]

I only know one person who hates it. But, it's only because she gets seasick at the sight of water.:eek:

Sucks to be her!

[Quilting_Cruiser]

As Trish said, this board is for fans of cruising so you won't find people here who hate cruising. You also won't find my DH here--believe me, we don't cruise because he loves cruising! We cruise because I do! He doesn't really hate cruising, he just doesn't see why so many people love it so much. He did tell me that as far as he's concerned we'll cruise the rest of our lives because he loves that I love cruising! What a guy!

 

I've talked with my MIL many times about cruising and she won't even consider it--she'd feel trapped, she can't stand the idea of being out on the water, etc.

 

Cruising isn't for everyone. But, for me, it's the only way to vacation!!;)

 

I hope you absolutely love your first cruise!

 

Cheers!

Jayne

:)

[Nitra]

I have only met a couple of people that didnt enjoy it but they tended to be the more needy type, not the go with the flow type people. They were bored, or hated every minute of the experience, didnt like the food because they were very picky and did not like anything, etc. I enjoy hearing the reasons. It is not for everyone but all those I have introduced to cruising loved it and have gone several times since.

 

My hubby does not cruise with me but he works on the ships so cruising for vacation is not his thing, well he has been talking about it more lately. I usually go with friends and he wont go then because he wants me to be able to hang out with them and not have to worry about him.

 

I am the type that does not cruise for the ports, I can get there without the ship. I cruise for the ship, I love to lay by the pool and listen to the band, hang at the bar and chat with friends, play bingo, hit the casino some, dance, and of course have my every need filled. I do not have to make beds, do the dishes, answer phones, deal with email, faxes etc, someone else cooks, makes it all good.

 

Enjoy your first cruise!

[nbevins]

i met 1 man (40 cruises) who hated the cruise.The guy had won a large lottery and was not happy not working and dd not know what to do with all the money.

nothing would make hime happy

[The Viking]

We appreciate alla your comments and find that is often the attitude of the guests that makes the differencs.

 

Sorry wraithe but we purchased a 5 days just to check it out.

 

Only 38 days to go!!!!

[lovemylab]

The only people I have met who hated cruising were those who got really seasick the first time they went and never tried it again.

 

The most negative opinions I hear about cruising are from those people who have never tried it.

[Cotton]

:D I'm wondering if these are actually MY children.....?:D :

 

1. My adult son went on one cruise two years ago. Said never again! (He was bored on the ship, but loved the ports...) He said he drank too much because 'nothing else to do'.:confused:

 

2. One of my adult daughters went on one cruise and said it was "just ok". Doubtful she'll try it again.:rolleyes:

 

3. My other adult daughter said she can take it or leave it; has been on two cruises (one w/me), but prefers flying to her vacation destinations.;)

[claudie]

In all honesty, I don't love cruising but don't hate it either. My husband and kids love them. I travel enough so that if we cruise once a year as a family it's fine. I'd rather spend my time in a less crowded environment where people are thinking about something other than food. I don't care much for the shows but love the gym and the spa. The bars are always fun but don't care for the casino. What I do like is visiting different ports and watching my kids have a great time!

[Happy ks]

Gee, when I read the OP, I thought, no way will anyone here admit to not liking to cruise, but lo and behold, the very first post was from a person who actually does :D .

 

We've cruised with a family member who didn't love it as much as we do, but it was the short time in ports, not the actual cruising she objected to.

 

We love to be on the ocean, we love the laziness of lollygagging around, we love being served. So much so we don't go to the buffet unless the dining room is closed. We aren't the typical cruisers, we don't gamble much, attend many shows, try to find a seat by the pool. We don't try to get off the ship first when in port and we're among the first to re-board at a port stop. We enjoy the ports and will go on excursions if we haven't been in the port before, but we rarely do any souvenir shopping.

 

We're up early, watching the approach to port, we go up on deck at night, the ocean is always so beautiful then. We leave our balcony door open all night to hear and smell the ocean. We can't get enough of the ocean and we see it every weekend. For us, the experience is mainly all about being at sea and the service a ship provides. We'd probably be happy with no port stops at all.

[MLS1227]

My wife and I have for a long time thought of taking a cruise and will take our 1st. in Jan. 07.

 

We have a lot of thoughts about our first real cruise (I have sailed often overnight on business trips in Europe). We hope we will enjoy it, but wonder if anyone have talked to someone who just hates cruising. It is hard to believe if anyone does not like it as I see the posters on these boards are very addicted to cruising.

 

That's right I've never been on a good cruise, because I've never been on a cruise. I'll let you know in a couple of months if I hate cruising, after we get back. But here's why I "Think" I won't hate cruising. We are in our 60's and have been fortunate enough to travel a lot but always by air. We've been to most all the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii, Rio, and Bermuda. We just like to relax and if you go to an island for a week by air, you better like it, cause you're stuck there. We are taking a 7 day with 3 port call. That gives us 3 different days to see 3 different places.

 

We are old farmers from Southeast Kansas and don't vacation to party. We vacation to relax so I doubt we will be bored spending days on deck with a good book. I will be surprised if we meet 8 or 10 people. Not because we are better than others, we're just quiet, private people.

 

Another reason is cost. We are driving to New Orleans and spending a week on Grandeur of the Seas. We booked an oceanview cabin and the cost was $1,090 for BOTH of us. We wil probably spend another $400 or $500 but try flying to an island and staying a week. It can't be done for no $1,500.

 

Probably the BIGGEST reason is "No Flying". I don't know if I will hate cursing but I KNOW I hate flying and always have. Talk about feeling like cattle. The other thing is, we have a 28' Carver we keep on a local lake. I have found that people around the lake & water are just 'nicer' people. Don't know why, they just are. Did you ever wave at a person in a boat that didn't wave back? I just hope the people on board the ship are 1/2 as nice as those on this board. I've had a lot of 'first tirmer' questions and everyone has been great, offering good advice.

 

I'll let you know February 17, 2007, when we dock, if I hate cruising but I really doubt it. Do like we are, go with a positive attitude and it will be great. Good luck and when you get back, post and let us know.

 

Mike S.

[Creeks]

"I've Never Been on a Good Cruise Quote:

Originally Posted by The Viking

My wife and I have for a long time thought of taking a cruise and will take our 1st. in Jan. 07.

 

We have a lot of thoughts about our first real cruise (I have sailed often overnight on business trips in Europe). We hope we will enjoy it, but wonder if anyone have talked to someone who just hates cruising. It is hard to believe if anyone does not like it as I see the posters on these boards are very addicted to cruising.

 

 

That's right I've never been on a good cruise, because I've never been on a cruise. I'll let you know in a couple of months if I hate cruising, after we get back. But here's why I "Think" I won't hate cruising. We are in our 60's and have been fortunate enough to travel a lot but always by air. We've been to most all the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii, Rio, and Bermuda. We just like to relax and if you go to an island for a week by air, you better like it, cause you're stuck there. We are taking a 7 day with 3 port call. That gives us 3 different days to see 3 different places.

 

We are old farmers from Southeast Kansas and don't vacation to party. We vacation to relax so I doubt we will be bored spending days on deck with a good book. I will be surprised if we meet 8 or 10 people. Not because we are better than others, we're just quiet, private people.

 

Another reason is cost. We are driving to New Orleans and spending a week on Grandeur of the Seas. We booked an oceanview cabin and the cost was $1,090 for BOTH of us. We wil probably spend another $400 or $500 but try flying to an island and staying a week. It can't be done for no $1,500.

 

Probably the BIGGEST reason is "No Flying". I don't know if I will hate cursing but I KNOW I hate flying and always have. Talk about feeling like cattle. The other thing is, we have a 28' Carver we keep on a local lake. I have found that people around the lake & water are just 'nicer' people. Don't know why, they just are. Did you ever wave at a person in a boat that didn't wave back? I just hope the people on board the ship are 1/2 as nice as those on this board. I've had a lot of 'first tirmer' questions and everyone has been great, offering good advice.

 

I'll let you know February 17, 2007, when we dock, if I hate cruising but I really doubt it. Do like we are, go with a positive attitude and it will be great. Good luck and when you get back, post and let us know.

 

Mike S."

 

One of these days I'll learn how to quote previous quotes.

We'll be on our 19th cruise next month; we've enjoyed them

all, from 5 days to 18 days long, lots of ports to transocean

lots of days at sea. We live in the desert, which we love, and

cruise often, which we love. We don't bingo, games, spa, or

disco, but enjoy relaxing, be it on our balcony or an inside

cabin. Hope you and Mike enjoy it as well as we do.

Jo in AZ

[Las Vegas Non Rev]

1. To much food. Food is available 24 hrs a day. To many choices and all you can eat.:mad:

 

2. Entertainment. Every time you turn around you are forced to decide what show or event you will have to endure.

 

3. Drinks. All those waiters and bar tenders forcing you to enjoy a drink of the day.:rolleyes:

 

4. The pool, The sun, the ocean as far as you can see.

 

5. That guy that comes in and cleans my cabin twice a day.

 

6. All of the exotic ports of call.

 

Well as you can see i hate cruising for these Six reasons. I'm so mad i cant think of four more.

[MississippiMom]

My DH and I have been together since 1996. He had cruised once in the early 90's. It took me until 2000 to get him to agree to go on a cruise with me, and he found out that it wasn't "cruising" that he disliked, but vacationing with his ex-wife ;). The company that we (any of us) keep, whether on land or sea, seriously impacts our perception of a particular type of vacation.

 

He hated the cramped room, the fact that you were "stuck" on the ship, and the expensive drinks. But, really, he and his (then) wife pretty much hated each other and being on a cruise wasn't about to change that.

 

DH and I have been on two cruises together and are headed for a third in March. This time we are taking my parents (their first time) and our four and five year old daughters. We are hoping that they will all enjoy cruising as much as we do. If I can get the kids "hooked," it will probably become our every other year family vacation. (Especially if the Port of New Orleans continues to be successful, since it is within driving distance from our home.)

[Cruise Passenger]

Of course I hate cruising. That is why I stay on this site at work and at home during any free time. I also hate it soo bad , I booked two cruises next year just to show the cruise lines how bad I hate cruising.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

"One of these days I'll learn how to quote previous quotes.

We'll be on our 19th cruise next month; we've enjoyed them

all, from 5 days to 18 days long, lots of ports to transocean

lots of days at sea. We live in the desert, which we love, and

cruise often, which we love. We don't bingo, games, spa, or

disco, but enjoy relaxing, be it on our balcony or an inside

cabin. Hope you and Mike enjoy it as well as we do.

Jo in AZ

 

Jo in AZ. Here's how to quote another poster. Click on "Quote" at the lower right hand side of the original post. Well, you already know that. Then hold down the left side of your mouse and don't let up. Keep holding it down as you run the arrow over the quote. That will turn the quote to black with white letters.

 

You turn black any part of the quote you don't want to repeat. Hit your "Delete" button on your keyboard and anything in black will disappear and leave visible only the part of the quote you wish to comment on.

 

This works well when the original poster has a long post, but you want to comment on only a sentence or two.