Anyone hate cruising?

[The Viking]

Hi Mike from SE Kansas!

 

I see we will take our first cruises almost the same time and destinations. We are leaving Galveston on the 15th for a 5 days cruise.

[trish1c]

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

 

I think a short cruise as your 1st is a good idea. My 1st cruise was a 4 day b/c I was afraid I'd hate it -- be bored & sea sick. I figured with a port everyday I could get through it if it was awful. Obviously I liked it & I keep going.

Enjoy your trip Viking.

[MMW37]

I actually don't think I'd like a port-intensive cruise. I've only been on two, both 7 nighters with 3 stops, and our next (we leave Monday!) is an 8-nighter with 3 stops. I know you can just stay on the ship while it's in port, but then I'd feel like I was missing out. You could sell me a two week cruise to nowhere in an instant. I booked the eight nighter this time because it's even more time to relax. Then again, give me a good book, a deck chair, and an adult beverage and I can't be happier.

[trish1c]

It's a matter of taste. I despise Sea days. I have 4 on my upcoming 10 day cruise & I'm already dreading it.

[agabbymama]

It's a matter of taste. I despise Sea days. I have 4 on my upcoming 10 day cruise & I'm already dreading it.

 

Trish1c, Are you really? Or are you being facetious? I REALLY don't care for a lot of sea days either. I can lay by the pool and read at home, I certainly don't have to pay $2500-$3900 to do that. Although I do tend to read quite a bit while on the ship. The trivia games, the bingo (expensive), the casino, the lectures, art auctions, wine auctions, bars hold no interest for me. Now the shops do, but I wait until the last day when they have all the sales. And of course the food does, but you can only eat so much! The New England/Canada cruise on Constellation was supposed to be a few port days, then a sea day, then a few more ports then another couple days at sea. Ended up changing the itinerary so we had 5 port days in a row. While that was nice, that made coming home 3 at sea days. We read, played cards, packed in one day. Then had 2 days to do nothing. I was ready to climb the walls by debarkation.:p

[Texas_Diver]

I almost fell over when I read the original post in this thread.

 

Hate cruising??

 

Are you crazy???

 

D.

[madhouseinc]

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!

 

No idea you knew my daughter!!! She has been on 2 cruises and 1 short boat excursion in Hawaii and gotten sick all three times!:rolleyes:

[Tammyg]

His wife went on a cruise for a conference and he went with her and he hated everything about it. But he is a very high maintenance person so that's probably why. He didn't like the food, felt closed in by being on a ship, didn't like most of the people on the ship, etc, etc. Just can't please some people ;)

[Bobug]

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.

 

Mike S.....you sound like a guy that anyone would enjoy cruising with....you have a great attitude....I am sure you will LOVE your first cruise :)

[Jane110]

It's a matter of taste. I despise Sea days. I have 4 on my upcoming 10 day cruise & I'm already dreading it.

 

 

I'm with you! DH and I just wouldn't book a 10 day cruise that has 4 sea days. I'd lose my mind!

 

I like cruises, I don't love cruises. There are pro's and con's. The biggest problem is the lack of time spent in a port. Since we tend to not go on island cruises (caribbean, bahama's), we go to places we really want to see. The first/last ports are very important to us since we tend to do a few pre & post cruise days to allow us time in an interesting place. If a cruiseline stays overnight in a port during the itinerary, that's a huge plus for us. It means we'll be able to have a dinner in a local place and perhaps enjoy some local entertainment. I hate having to look at the clock while in port so that we don't miss the ship!

 

On the other hand, cruising allows us to visit some places that are either not easy to get to by land - especially if a place is really only worth a one day visit. We visited some lovely little towns in Brazil and other parts of South America that we'd probably never see on a land vacation. And on our Baltic cruise, Tallinn Estonia was lovely, but one long day was enough.

Some cruise friends of ours are going on a cruise to Australia and we'd never do that. We've been to Australia 6 times on our own and going there via a cruise would be a frustrating tease. Their itinerary gives them one day in Melbourne. Awful!

 

All cruises and all cruiseships are very different and I think that many inexperienced people lump them all together as similiar experiences and that's a huge mistake when selecting a cruise IMHO.

[newmexicoNita]

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.

As a travel agent, I do run into those who don't care for cruising. I don't think I have ever met anyone who truely hated cruising, but it isn't for everyone. I would guess 70% of those who cruise once will do it again as soon as they can: 15% can take it or leave it and the other 15% really don't like it. Some think there isn't enough to do on sea days, some don't like the food (hard to beleive) and others just expect it to be different than it is and others don't see the value even though a land vacation with the same amenities costs about twice as much. I think those who are the least happy don't do tours, just walk around when they get in port, they are surprised at the tipping policies, even though they should know about them and most of all, some feel cruising is too regemented. For those I would recommend either the freestyle concept or the smaller, more relaxed ships. NMNita

[newmexicoNita]

It's a matter of taste. I despise Sea days. I have 4 on my upcoming 10 day cruise & I'm already dreading it.

My DHs feeling is the same: he hates sea days. One or two are fine just to unwind, but he wants off the ship and wants to explore. I am happy either way, but think I lean toward port intensive itineraries as well. DD and hubby just did a trans atlantic with 6 sea days in a row. She said, too many for her. NMnita

[wraithe]

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

 

I think a short cruise as your 1st is a good idea. My 1st cruise was a 4 day b/c I was afraid I'd hate it -- be bored & sea sick. I figured with a port everyday I could get through it if it was awful. Obviously I liked it & I keep going.

 

Enjoy your trip Viking.

 

LOL, my first cruise was over 100 days! With no port calls, and most of it submerged! We ran out to sea to avoid a storm front moving in on S. Georgia, and it was pretty rough, submarines don't have a keel, so they roll really easy, especially on the surface. Lots of folks were sick, and it's amazing how people really do turn a pale green when sea sick. Worst cruise though, was a North Atlantic run when we did 30 degree rolls for 45 days at 150 feet. Bouncing off the bulkheads! You guys all think RCL bedding is bad, try a 3 inch foam mattress that's only 3 feet wide! Uncle Sammy's submarine cruise line was really bare bones, I wasn't even allowed to watch a movie since I wasn't qualified submarines yet, but the food was good. Obviously, I don't mind sea days!

 

FWIW, I think a 3 or 4 night cruise is a waste IF you haven't been cruising before, you don't have time to figure out if you're going to like cruising. Now, if you've been cruising before and make a choice to take a short cruise because of itinerary or whatever, that's a different story.

[jhodg56010]

I read a post here on C C a few years ago where a man said he had enjoyed every cruise but one, the one he took with his in-laws! We've been on 20 and have loved them all. Jim

[flamomo]

The only thing I can say I hate about cruising is:

The length of time between cruises.

 

Unfortunately, being a retiree without unlimited income restricts me to once a year cruising. I'd love to go 3-4 times a year, every year till I die..

[libracon]

Hi . I'll be taking my first cruise in Jan 07 as well. I will be traveling solo. These are the reasons I picked cruising. One I won't have to drive every where. If I see something I want to do, I just go and do it. otherwise I can lounge by the pool or on my balcony. I'm single so I have to do everything. Cook, clean, drive, shop, etc,etc. Simply the thought of not having to do any of this, now that's a vacation. I do have a couple of friends that won't cruise for these reasons 1) claustrophobic 2) Sea sick really bad And 3) control freak Can't drive the ship don't go.. All far reasons in their own right. None however said they Hated cruising, just stated there reasons for not doing so. I also love to travel and see this as a great way to get there. I have been all over the U.S. and have flown all my life. This is just something new and exciting to try. But no, it isn't for everyone. I hope you enjoy yours .:)

[memphislonghorn]

I have only been on one cruise in my life. I didn't hate it, didn't love it. I liked being waited on hand and foot. I LOVED the food! I did get bored, though. I vacation by myself (single, no one to go with me). Not easy for me to interact with strangers. So the sea days were somewhat dull. Also, I did not like only having several hours in a port. My first port was San Juan, and in my few hours there, I fell in love with the place, so much so that I returned there a year later and stayed for a week.

But cruising IS good for being able to visit exotic places for a budget. Flying somewhere in the Caribbean and staying at even a modest hotel is very expensive. You can cruise there for a third of that cost.

[Scarlett_Oh]

My dad hates cruising. Mom, Dad and I just got back from his first and probably last cruise (7 day, Mexican Riveria) and he states the following reasons:

 

Too much to do. :confused:

 

Had to dress up in a suit for dinner. I tried to sweet-talk him into wearing a tux but really, even the jacket and tie was pushing his limits.

 

Room steward kept wanting to come in and clean up or turn down the beds. (He did like the towel animals though and he'd carefully pick them up and move them off of the bed. By the end of the trip there was a little zoo at the seating area.)

 

He couldn't eat dinner in the main dining room when he wanted. (Although he also never made a reservation at the Pinnacle Grill and complained about having to dress up anyway.)

 

The cookies at the buffet were horrible. (In all fairness, they really were very bad but still...) :rolleyes:

 

But what I think it really comes down to is that he feels out of control and is uncomfortable with relaxing. He's not a "go with the flow" kind of guy and he needs to have a lot of external stimulus to be entertained. All the sitting around, being waited on, beautiful scenery and leisurely activities were wasted on someone of his nature. Personally, I just can't get enough of all that. ;)

[Seago2]

I would say that my Mom is not too thrilled with cruising. She loves to spend time with me and the kids so she went along twice. The best thing about cruising with family is that you can be together as much or as little as you desire, so it's great for just chilling out with kids. She is not too fond of being right on top of so many people and she likes the shade. A cruise ship buffet is tailor made to make her go crazy for about ten reasons.

 

Growing up we cruised the QE2 and I think that set the tone for her... she's also from Cuba and sailed many times to NYC on the full service lines that were in operation back then. She also hates waiting in line. And noise. And "dry" cabins that make her stuffed up the next day. And starchy linens.

 

I love being able to unpack once. That is key for me. I also love the thrill of being at sea. I love high seas and banging into walls when I walk. That, to me, is completly thrilling. I love getting to meet new people, and especially speculating about their marriages, sex lives, etc with my DH. I love being alone with DH for days on end. I love bringing the kids and watching them have the freedom to come and go on their own- a freedom severely limited these days. I love the games and nerdy things that go on- things I would never do on shore.

 

I can't say I'm too thrilled with Caribbean destinations right now- seen one straw market, seen them all. If I never see Nassau or Grand Cayman again I will be quite content. But give me Belize and Roatan any day. Very exciting, "authentic" places IMHO.

 

After reading all these posts I'm kind of worried about DH's reaction to four sea days! I'll be fine with it but he might go nuts. We'll see!

[cruizinrican]

I personally love to cruise that is why have completed 19 cruises in 7 years! I love it and plan on dying on a cruise ship! LOL But on the same token, we finally talked my ex-inlaws into trying it after much rave reviews fom us, they tried it and they hated it!! LOL I booked them on a 3 night cruise to the Bahamas on the Sovereign of the Seas and they could not wait to get off! They said after the first night they were ready to get off! They also said that there wasn't enough to do?? Well, all this coming from 2 couch potatoes?! I figured they would enjoy just sitting in the shade somewhere and reading or napping (what they do at home anyways), who knew they were looking for action?

 

We all know there is plenty to do onboard so I am just assuming that they were already looking for something to complain about when they boarded!

 

So I guess cruising isn't for everyone but I think my in-laws are aliens anyways and not from this world! LOL That would explain their not enjoying cruising thing!!