flagger Posted December 24, 2004 #1 Share Posted December 24, 2004 As we are about to take our first cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas(second cruise ever), we both have noticed there are several people on this board who have cruised on that particular ship many times this year alone. I just saw a siggie where someone was about to take another trip on her in two weeks. We are wondering what is the appeal to go to the same places or to go on the same ship. Hope you will share your thoughts about the appeal of such ventures. Is it because it is close and any cruise will do? Is it because of the price? The crew on board? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marysunshine Posted December 24, 2004 #2 Share Posted December 24, 2004 Speaking only for myself, I love the southern caribbean. I've been on the eastern, to Alaska, through the Panama Canal. While I enjoyed them all, I've done southern several times. The cruise is not only about the destination, it's about the journey, and with wonderful weather, beautiful water, lovely surroundings and great choices, I'm sure I'll do it several more times. That's not to say I don't go other places: I do: Las Vegas: Florida: Italy, etc. But the cruise is a very relaxing and serene vacation. JMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyB84 Posted December 24, 2004 #3 Share Posted December 24, 2004 For us, we would do the 11 night Ultimate Caribbean on Brilliance again in a heartbeat. We just didn't get to do everything the first time. However, we wouldn't sail Carnival Triumph again or the Eastern Caribbean route. We liked the ship and the ports but wouldn't go there again!!!! For us it is about the ports of call and the ship!!!!! If it means sailing the same ship more than once.... so be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chgocruiser Posted December 24, 2004 #4 Share Posted December 24, 2004 Ports times are short. Even if you are somewhere for a whole day. There is so much to discover, if you do a shore excursion your whole day may be gone. If we hit the same port again and did an excursion before, we go off on our own and explore. Cancun and Cozumel is great for renting scooters, in Cozumel we took the scooter and rode along the ocean, some small local resturants and bars on the water a great way to meet the locals. The more times you visit a place you find your spots. It's like having a winter home in the islands, without the costs. Plus, if your from somewhere cold as long as your somewhere warm and the sun is out, who cares if you have been there before. Any cruise any island is better than the 6 degree 20 below windchill outside my front door now. Cruising in a month, can't wait Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpear1600 Posted December 24, 2004 #5 Share Posted December 24, 2004 For us the ship is the final destination. If we like a ship we will sail on her many times, at least until something else is more appealing. We have been to the islands of the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii on cruises and land vacations for years. The ports mean nothing to us and we stay on the ship at most of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidaperryman Posted December 24, 2004 #6 Share Posted December 24, 2004 We can drive to Galveston in about 1 hour. The Rhapsody is a great ship with a great crew and friendly passangers. As many times as we have been to Cozumel, Key West and Cayman Island we still enjoy it. Sailing out of Galveston we have also been to Roatan, Costa Maya, Belize, Playa del Carmen and Montego Bay on other ships. If we were to fly to another port to cruise it would double the price for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sross6019 Posted December 24, 2004 #7 Share Posted December 24, 2004 We have been on the Rhapsody twice and plan on being on her again next, Christmas 2005. So far, she is the only cruise line we have been on. We have been asked your question quite often, Why only the Rhapsody and the same ports? We like her because it is a 12 hour drive vs. flying and/or more hours driving, she is a beautiful ship, the staff is great, and so far some of the ports have been the same and some have been different (always Key West and Cozumel).Difference ports: Belze, Grand Cayman, and next year Costa Maya and Mo'Bay. Like some of the posts have said, you can't see and do everything in the short amount of time you are in port. I also, compare it to like going to snow skiing, I know people that go to the same place to ski, stay in the same hotel/lodge, eat at the same places, etc. and never question going someplace different. You will enjoy the Rhapsody, wonderful experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemcat Posted December 24, 2004 #8 Share Posted December 24, 2004 For my family, it is the ship itself and the convenience of the Galveston port. The Rhapsody is a great ship with a terrific crew and staff. Since I abhor the miserable experience that flying has become in the last few years, I love being able to drive the the port. Plus, by driving I can take more clothes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasTwoSteps Posted December 24, 2004 #9 Share Posted December 24, 2004 We are going on the Rhapsody in two weeks as well and this will be our 13th cruise with all but one two the carribean. While we have been to many of the same ports a number of times, you cruise your first times to see the ports and you later cruise to cruise no matter where you go to enjoy the cruise and island combined experience. No two trips to the same island are ever really the same and you uncover new places in each, every time you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsPete Posted December 24, 2004 #10 Share Posted December 24, 2004 I can only speak for myself, but Mariner is the only RC ship sailing out of Port Canaveral. Since we can easily drive to Port Canaveral, but Fort Lauderdale and Miami are considerably farther, we'll likely sail Mariner multiple times. If we lived farther away and were forced to fly, we would probably cruise less but choose a different ship each time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folgy Posted December 24, 2004 #11 Share Posted December 24, 2004 We took the Rhapsody twice. Once to Alaska (my favorite destination) and once to The Mexican Riviera. I love the ship and the wonderful staff. I would sail on the Rhapsody again even if it was the same itinerary as there always seems to be something new to see each time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougp26364 Posted December 25, 2004 #12 Share Posted December 25, 2004 We did Alaska twice because there was so much we didn't get to do the first time around. We did take a different ship and did the RT from Vancouver rather than the Northbound from Vancouver to Seward, so it was a little different experience. We loved Alaska and will do it again in the future as we like cool weather climates for our summer vacations. On the other hand, I like to see different places as well and our next four cruises will take us on different ships to ports we've never seen. I do have the Monarch booked twice. The reason for this is it's an inexpensive short weekend getaway to a warmer climate than what I live in. I'd like to be able to make that short getaway a yearly event, not for the ship or the ports but for the service and the warmer weather. I'm not sure we'll keep the second Monarch cruise but might instead go with the Soveriegn out of Miami to Nassua and CoCo Cay. It's litte more expensive but, if we do the Mexican Riviera in October of 2006, I'm not sure I want to go back to Ensenada in January of 2006. It might be nicer to do a little snorkeling in Nassua instead. Whatever we do, it will be a return to a port we've seen once. CoCo Cay would at least be a new port and Soveriegn would be a new ship for us as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobert Posted December 25, 2004 #13 Share Posted December 25, 2004 As I look at the responses, they all seem to be about geographic convience. While we have not been on the ship most of you are talking about, my family has been on the same three ships out of Miami several times and all on one of two routes. For us it is about convience and enjoying the experience more than the specific ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted December 25, 2004 #14 Share Posted December 25, 2004 Mariner is the only RC ship sailing out of Port Canaveral. Sorry, but you are wrong. Sovereign of the Seas also sails out of Port Canaveral. However, Mariner is the only RCI ship doing 7 night cruises out of the port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tawcat Posted December 25, 2004 #15 Share Posted December 25, 2004 we have the sailed the same ships going to the same destinations. someone has said "you cruise the first time for where it goes, the next time it is to cruise." we have enjoyed sailing out of galveston and houston as it is an 8 hour drive. today flying would take us just about the same amount of time and about double our vacation cost. and besides, you already know your way around the ship! happy sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin Rick Posted December 25, 2004 #16 Share Posted December 25, 2004 We've taken the same cruise destination before and have been on Vision twice. It's a sister ship of Rhapsody so it's almost like three times. I do admit that going to a new destination is always a little more exciting because of the new things to do a places to explore. However, your port time is limited to say the least. On a cruise, the most fun is right on the ship. If you're sailing on a ship you find comfortable , enjoy the entertainment, food, service and other amenities, you're certain to have a great time. Just getting away and enjoying all there is to offer is a good thing for us. So while I have to agree that going on a new ship to a different destination would be number 1, there is other considerations. We're going on another cruise to the Mexican Riviera soon. We've done it before but the nice thing about it is that we're provided a 2 hour bus trip to the pier and it's a round trip cruise. No airfare expense or the hassle of a grueling air travel day before the cruise and a grueling day back. It's very convienient and the cost can sometimes be bargain rates. A couple of years ago, we were scheduled to go to Alaska but we had some time to wait. A cruise to Mexico came up and was 7 days for $500/including fees. We WERE THERE! lol Anyway.... it's all good.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefast Posted December 25, 2004 #17 Share Posted December 25, 2004 We have been on the Rhapsody twice and have booked her again for next fall. We love the ship, love the water, and wouldn't care if we stopped anyplace or not. It is very convenient to where we live and is a very pretty ship with good food and plenty to do on board. We have been on Princess, NCL and Royal Caribbeain, and would take any of them again in a hearbeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrislc Posted December 25, 2004 #18 Share Posted December 25, 2004 I do have the Monarch booked twice. The reason for this is it's an inexpensive short weekend getaway to a warmer climate than what I live in. I'd like to be able to make that short getaway a yearly event, not for the ship or the ports but for the service and the warmer weather. I'm not sure we'll keep the second Monarch cruise but might instead go with the Soveriegn out of Miami to Nassua and CoCo Cay. It's litte more expensive but, if we do the Mexican Riviera in October of 2006, I'm not sure I want to go back to Ensenada in January of 2006. It might be nicer to do a little snorkeling in Nassua instead. Whatever we do, it will be a return to a port we've seen once. CoCo Cay would at least be a new port and Soveriegn would be a new ship for us as well. I cruised the Monarch three times this year for a number of different reasons. The first was to "repropose" to my wife as I had proposed to her when the Viking Serenade was doing the same route 10 years ago. The second time, I got a very good "happy hour" rate and thought it would be a good way to introduce my mom to cruising. The third time, I had a coupon and another good rate and it provided the means for a long time friend to cruise for the first time and for a little reunion. For the Monarch, the destination is not the reason to cruise her. I go to Mexico monthly, so the last two times I didn't even get off the ship to go into Ensenada. However, the food, entertainment, ect. are enjoyable, the movies are good, the port is convenient, and the price is right. Thus, it's a convenient getaway. Nevertheless, I would not give up another cruise to go on the Monarch again. The other benefit of doing the same ship/route a second time is that you can do everything better and more efficiently. For instance, you already know the ship, so you don't need to learn the layout again. For the ports, you've already done somethings, so you can try new/different things. This is why we plan to cruise Alaska again--to be able to do things we missed or didn't have time for the first time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamingosun Posted December 25, 2004 #19 Share Posted December 25, 2004 We'll soon be sailing the Sovereign for the eighth time. We love the ship and adore spending a day on CocoCay. And, yes, convenience IS a big part of it. 12 minutes from our driveway to the pier is hard to beat. Don't even have to pack till the morning of! But, we also love the ship and crew. The Mariner, out of the same port is another convenient option for us, and we'll probably do it again sometime soon. When we go to the trouble to actually travel to a port, it will be specifically to do a different ship/itenerary. (We're doing the Southern on the Serenade out of San Juan next fall) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blizzard54 Posted December 25, 2004 #20 Share Posted December 25, 2004 If we were to not repeat ships and ports we would have to go to europe and that is not in our current buget. We only have convient ships a few months of the year and have done Alaska 8 times. We go to the west coast of Mexican almost every year. Sometimes we have to take the long flights to the Caribbean cruises. We do enjoy RCL and sometimes sail on a ship we have not been on before. So far we have been on 28 ships with a total of 44 cruises. Island Princess (2), Cunard Princess, Festival, Starward, Nieuw Amsterdam (3), Pacific Princess, Costa Riviera, Regent Sea, Queen of Bermuda (2), Southward, Enchanted Isle, Regent Sun (3), Fair Princess, Tropical, Regent Star (2), Nordic Prince, Celebration, Song of Norway, Westerdam, Song of America (2), Viking Serenade (2), Rhapsody of the Seas (2), Radiance OTS (5), Vision OTS (3), Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Sun, Mercury, Explorer OTS For us the ship is the destination. The ports are a time for the ship to clear out we relax. We do go ashore sometimes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubia_Boricua_PR Posted December 25, 2004 #21 Share Posted December 25, 2004 For us the ship is the final destination. The ports mean nothing to us and we stay on the ship at most of them. I would just go on them just for the heck of it. I am not crazy about sightseeing, i just love spending time on the boat. We do get off on the islands and may go somewhere and enjoy but i am definately looking forward to get back on my big home. I wish i could afford to cruise every few months or so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SherriZ366 Posted December 25, 2004 #22 Share Posted December 25, 2004 We did Grandeur -- Eastern Carribean two times and the second time felt different than the first because of different cruisers and staff. We liked the ports and ship so we repeated. I met two people on the second Grandeur cruise in 1999 that I still keep up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol Anne Posted December 26, 2004 #23 Share Posted December 26, 2004 For us there are certain ships that we return to the way others go back again and again to the same land based resort. I think that we sailed Sovereign Of The Seas 6 times before she started to do shorter sailings. Then their are others that we didn't care for and only did once. Also you can find yourself on the same ship a second or third time because it is doing a different itinerary. I think that as you do more cruises you too will find certain ships and lines that you will go back to over and over. With some ships it feels like your going back to see an old friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Dymnd Posted December 26, 2004 #24 Share Posted December 26, 2004 I've done different ships to the same ports within 6 months of each other. My first trip on HAL had terrible weather, in May the weather was beautiful on the Grandeur. Key West, Cozumel, Belize, Coco Cay with RCCL. HAL was Guatemala. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpear1600 Posted December 26, 2004 #25 Share Posted December 26, 2004 I would just go on them just for the heck of it. I am not crazy about sightseeing, i just love spending time on the boat. We do get off on the islands and may go somewhere and enjoy but i am definately looking forward to get back on my big home. I wish i could afford to cruise every few months or so... If we're docked we'll probably get off and walk around some and if we're in St Thomas we'll probably take the tram and have a Bushwhacker or two or three. We've done all the island tours in the past. How's everything up in CT? We're originally from South Windsor. Are you at Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun and are the casinos busy this time of year? Just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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