Cruising - Attitude is everything!

[tjcletsgo]

Hello. I just got off the Volendam's 5/20 cruise to Alaska. In preparation, I read these boards like the bible, and really learned a lot about what makes a great cruise vs what is a deal breaker. Here's what I learned:

It's all about attitude. If you generally see the glass as half full, if you generally try to make lemonade out of lemons, if you can't get something you want (sourdough bread for example) but quickly move on to what you can get, 9 times out of 10 you'll have a great cruise! I can't believe the crap people choose to whine about!

My cruise buddy (and best freind for 40 years) swears she had a great time, but you wouldn't know it by the intense amount of complaining and whining she did! Sourdough bread, salted butter, small prawns and on and on. She actully sent our waiter to go see if they had salted butter in the kitchen! Of course they didn't (or maybe he didn't know what she was whining about) have salted butter. I, too, prefer salted butter on my bread so I used the salt shaker. There ya go, salted butter.

Frankly, she was such a pain that I'm now looking for a new travel bud and won't travel with her again. So, there ya go. I'll be off seeing the world, and she will be home watching Oprah.

That's my 2 cents!

Bon Voyage
Janie

[lorekauf]

This is why I like to travel on my own. I get enought stress at work....don't need it on my vacation.

[mudscraper]

Amen Janie


Rich

[tjcletsgo]

lorekauf,

I'm a slow learner! I finally ditched her on Glacier Bay day because I didn't want her to ruin it for me. Live and learn, we've taken many trips together and she's complained though all of them. So, trip-wise, she's banished.......I am now a solo traveller!

I life is so much easier and more pleasant when you wake up looking forward to the day, and what treasures the day may bring, don't ya think?

Bon Voyage!

Janie

[unklez]

I guess your cruise was made slightly less than a perfect 10 due to her. I can see why. People who whine suck away all the energy even from happy people. Good that you know her true colors now.

[Copper10-8]

Great post, Janie! :)

[SarasMommy]

lorekauf,

I'm a slow learner! I finally ditched her on Glacier Bay day because I didn't want her to ruin it for me. Live and learn, we've taken many trips together and she's complained though all of them. So, trip-wise, she's banished.......I am now a solo traveller!

Reminds me of a story. My mom (widow since 2001) decided about three years ago to invite a lady who had recently been widowed (her husband and my dad worked together many years ago) on a cruise so that they could both save on the single supplement. My mom warned her before they booked that she snores loud, and her friend said that was fine because her husband snored and had sleep apnea, so she was used to it. Well, while on the trip, she constantly complained to everyone in their travel group about my mother's snoring. Thing is, the group was comprised of my mom's friends! As if that wasn't bad enough, one night she took her pillows and blanket into the bathroom and tried to sleep in the tub! :eek:

Yes, I realize being kept awake by a snorer can be a drag, but really, those actions are just plain insulting! So now my mom travels solo, and willingly pays the single supplement.

[Lurker1]

Great post. Life itself is all about attitude.

Personally, I nver complain on a cruise except:
a) when there are no trays in the Lido, or
b) there are trays in the Lido . . . :D:D

[suse]

Seriously, I would do anything to avoid watching Oprah.:eek:

[tjcletsgo]

SarasMommy,

Great one! My travel monster would never do that, no one would be around to see how put out she was! She'd be loudly sighing hoping to wake me so that I could know how offended she was, and complain all the next day about how tired she was!


unklez, we were in a DELUXE VERANDAH SUITE, what could anyone have to complain about????????:D

[Jewel99]

I totally agree. I'm a big believer in complaining when it is appropriate and when there's something that can be done - but only if doing so won't ruin the experience for yourself and everyone around you. I'm also a believer in commending people for a job that's done well, or with a good attitude, etc., so I am often one to send letters to thank people or mention a specific person that did a great job, or ask to speak to a manager to say how wonderful someone was to deal with.

The same holds true for vacations - or any big event. Things are bound to go wrong - and only you can decide if that's what you focus on or if you focus on the positives.

When I got married, I think everyone was scared I'd melt into a puddle of goo if something went wrong as I'd planned so many details of the wedding, but I had decided long before the day that I was the only person that could ruin my own wedding, and I wasn't going to do that. There were lots of little mistakes, but I didn't let them bother me at all and I had a great time and so did my husband (and so did our guests). For example, it didn't matter that the flower girls had the wrong colour flowers - they were absolutely adorable and the flowers the florisit did send still looked amazing.

I think that's also why I'm so excited to be cruising with our son this October. Kids just have a great way of looking at things - and they get excited about so many little mundane details, and I try to have that same outlook and just have fun and get excited about all of the fun things we'll experience, and just try to let the rest of it slide.

Now I know it's hard when something MAJOR goes wrong and it truly does impact your ability to enjoy yourself, but for all of the minor stuff... I do agree that having a positive outlook and being open to new experiences goes a long way to ensuring a happy and fun vacation for all.

[Sailorgirlseattle]

Sing it, Janie! :p Seriously, we just got off of maybe the funnest cruise we've had yet ... and was it perfect? No, there were little things that were a bit off (yes, one of our robes had yellow streaks across it, among other things). But did we care? Phphphtttt! Little things happen all the time, at home, on vacation, wherever. Keep your focus on the big picture and you'll probably be a lot happier.

[DizzyDallasDi]

Hello. I just got off the Volendam's 5/20 cruise to Alaska. In preparation, I read these boards like the bible, and really learned a lot about what makes a great cruise vs what is a deal breaker. Here's what I learned:

It's all about attitude. If you generally see the glass as half full, if you generally try to make lemonade out of lemons, if you can't get something you want (sourdough bread for example) but quickly move on to what you can get, 9 times out of 10 you'll have a great cruise! I can't believe the crap people choose to whine about!

My cruise buddy (and best freind for 40 years) swears she had a great time, but you wouldn't know it by the intense amount of complaining and whining she did! Sourdough bread, salted butter, small prawns and on and on. She actully sent our waiter to go see if they had salted butter in the kitchen! Of course they didn't (or maybe he didn't know what she was whining about) have salted butter. I, too, prefer salted butter on my bread so I used the salt shaker. There ya go, salted butter.

Frankly, she was such a pain that I'm now looking for a new travel bud and won't travel with her again. So, there ya go. I'll be off seeing the world, and she will be home watching Oprah.

That's my 2 cents!

Bon Voyage
Janie

Hi Janie - I feel your pain as I also have past experiences traveling with a friend that are very similar to yours. Not only did I have to endure her berating the staff and complaining about things I didn't even notice, she continued this rampage for weeks after we got home by rehashing all the "wrongs." Whew, she wore me out!

After a particularly tryiing trip to Mexico with her a couple of years ago, I vowed to never make that mistake again and have traveled solo ever since. I now return from my vacations relaxed and happy with great memories of the wonderful time I had, the fabulous sights and the fun people I met. :D

Yes, Janie, attitude is everything! If one is prone to dwelling on mishaps and things that aren't "perfect," then it's a given they will not enjoy themselves and will probably ruin the enjoyment of those they are with. I hope your future trips are funfilled and lighthearted! :)

Diane

[world~citizen]

Hello. I just got off the Volendam's 5/20 cruise to Alaska. In preparation, I read these boards like the bible, and really learned a lot about what makes a great cruise vs what is a deal breaker. Here's what I learned:

It's all about attitude. If you generally see the glass as half full, if you generally try to make lemonade out of lemons, if you can't get something you want (sourdough bread for example) but quickly move on to what you can get, 9 times out of 10 you'll have a great cruise! I can't believe the crap people choose to whine about!

My cruise buddy (and best freind for 40 years) swears she had a great time, but you wouldn't know it by the intense amount of complaining and whining she did! Sourdough bread, salted butter, small prawns and on and on. She actully sent our waiter to go see if they had salted butter in the kitchen! Of course they didn't (or maybe he didn't know what she was whining about) have salted butter. I, too, prefer salted butter on my bread so I used the salt shaker. There ya go, salted butter.

Frankly, she was such a pain that I'm now looking for a new travel bud and won't travel with her again. So, there ya go. I'll be off seeing the world, and she will be home watching Oprah.

That's my 2 cents!

Bon Voyage
Janie

I have seen people start complaining before they even boarded the ship. Bet they had a wonderful time.:eek:

[Gsel]

Thanks for this, I have been saying for a long time that every trip is what YOU make of it. Those that complain constantly usually made their own misery. My Dad always said "laugh until you cry or cry until you laugh, it's what makes life complete".

[nealberk]

Well, I was happy before the 12/7 Noordam cruise and even several days into it despite a few hiccups. Then I got Noro and was confined to the cabin for three days. Maddening but I lived through it (although I would have appreciated if the captain could just once have our room face the port. I got very tired of looking only at water)

Then my first day after being released after Noro the ship hairdryer exploded in my hand showering me with burning metal. Second degree burns, possible fire hazard in the room and after calling 911 to report the burns and possible fire from the still burning embers all we got was a new hair dryer.

That made it a bad cruise from that point on.

[78232]

I love this thread....it expresses my feelings completely. I hate listening to people complain. My husband and I will change deck chairs or do whatever it takes to get away from complainers. We want to be happy and have a good time on vacation.
Marcia

[happy cruzer]

If you have your health, time and money to cruise, I'm not sure there is much to complain about. Don't sweat the small stuff.

And I agree, complainers suck the energy out of everyone around them.

[brucory]

Complainers can be hard to avoid, but not impossible.

We sat next to some people at a Mariner's lunch who could only complain about how HAL was not Princess - very loudly.

The food was terrible, they said, but not even a scrap was left on any of their plates - They must have been starving.

I really wondered why they had come back... :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Duck Duck Cruise]

lorekauf,

I'm a slow learner! I finally ditched her on Glacier Bay day because I didn't want her to ruin it for me. Live and learn, we've taken many trips together and she's complained though all of them. So, trip-wise, she's banished.......I am now a solo traveller!

I life is so much easier and more pleasant when you wake up looking forward to the day, and what treasures the day may bring, don't ya think?

Bon Voyage!

Janie

BRAVO! Janie,

You are taking care of YOU! It is so nice to find people that know how to change their circumstances to be better for them.

"Remember to always take care of yourself, because those that matter don't mind and those that mind don't matter"

[LHC]

Hello All,

My upcoming cruise for the Holidays is the first solo for me. I normally travel with my DD for extended holidays or travel but this one did not work out that way...that said if I am miserable it is what I do to myself.
I am happily reading the boards, deciding what excursions I want to do and since I like my rose color glasses think it will be fabulous.

Linda

[RuthC]

Several years ago my husband and I traveled all day to get to Toronto, so we could fly all night to Rome, so we could take a cruise on the Rotterdam. After we got to Rome, he dropped dead.
Ruined the cruise for me, as I did not sail (natch).

Since then, there's pretty much nothing that's happened on a cruise that could come close to being bad enough to make me miserable.

[DKNYC]

Well Ruth from a positive attitude standpoint there is no place but UP for you.

That is arguably the worst that could happen on vacation.

Denise

[Two@Sea]

Several years ago my husband and I traveled all day to get to Toronto, so we could fly all night to Rome, so we could take a cruise on the Rotterdam. After we got to Rome, he dropped dead.
Ruined the cruise for me, as I did not sail (natch).

Since then, there's pretty much nothing that's happened on a cruise that could come close to being bad enough to make me miserable.

Ruth, I knew about your husband through previous posts, and extend my sympathy. But, I am fairly certain that your wonderful attitude preceeded your terrible loss... some people are just born knowing instinctively how to live.

(And, most of them love chocolate!)

[RuthC]

Well Ruth from a positive attitude standpoint there is no place but UP for you.
There's a lyric from an old song---

Well, I'll be up, like a rosebud
High on a vine.
Don't thumb your nose, bud.
Take a tip from mine:
I'm a little bit short of the elbow room,
But let me get me some,
And lookout world,
Here I come!

Denise, I've been the Merry Widow for quite some time now. ;)

[DKNYC]

Cool. I'm happy for you.
Whatever floats your boat...pun intended.


Denise

[tjcletsgo]

Here's to the folks who see the glass half full! And if anyone is looking for a glass-half-full travel bud, contact me! I can be found at tjcletsgo at hot mail dot com!

DizzyDallasDi, I'd love to sail the western caribbean from Galveston!:D

Bon Voyage!

Janie

[lorekauf]

Here's to the folks who see the glass half full! And if anyone is looking for a glass-half-full travel bud, contact me! I can be found at tjcletsgo at hot mail dot com!

DizzyDallasDi, I'd love to sail the western caribbean from Galveston!:D

Bon Voyage!

Janie
Seriously....go solo if you can afford it...even if you can't:D. I do from time to time have friends on a ship and I do enjoy that....but I don't want them in my room:D. I really need alone time to recharge even though I would consider myself fairly outgoing. I bet if you try solo you won't go back.

[DizzyDallasDi]

Here's to the folks who see the glass half full! And if anyone is looking for a glass-half-full travel bud, contact me! I can be found at tjcletsgo at hot mail dot com!

DizzyDallasDi, I'd love to sail the western caribbean from Galveston!:D

Bon Voyage!

Janie

Janie - As close as I am to Galveston, I have yet to find a ship I want to sail on that departs from there. Although, I love the Western Caribbean -- Roatan and Belize are my favorite ports there. I really think I need to broaden my horizons and consider Carnival or RCCL so I can take advantage of the low air fare between Dallas and Houston. Maybe I'll do that in November after hurricane season has subsided. ;)

Diane

[TCF]

I think it was two cruises ago....but one of the longer ones...and within a week or so we started hearing stories about a woman who complained about everything on the ship! She did her complaining to her husband...but loud enough for the closest thirty of forty people to her to hear!!

With whatever luck we had we didn't run into her until about 3/4 through the cruise. When we did it was returning to the ship on a tender that was full to the roof. She was about four rows in front of us and she was carrying on something awful about roughness of the water and the bouncing around of the tender...loud enough for everyone in the back half of the boat to hear!! (I am sure I don't have to remind those who have had the joy of tendering of the cacophony enjoyed in the average tender while under way!!LOL!!)

All of a sudden another voice....a woman's voice....rose above the noise and floated across the tender...."Will you just shut up! I've been listening to you whine and carry on and complain about every damn thing for the past three weeks and if you don't shut up right now I swear you'll swim the rest of the way to the ship!!" The roar of laughter and applause from the back half of the tender drowned out all the other noise....and "the complainer" as she had become known...was so stunned she just shut up for the rest of the trip to the ship! (I was told...but did not see it myself....that even her long suffering husband had a smile on his face!)

There are no bad cruises....just better ones!

[donaldquackers]

A few years ago I was attending a play. I had very good seats that I paid extra for. We got there early so we could enjoy them.. Then right behind me sat down Miss Complainer. She didn't like how close the seats were to the stage, or how loud the orchestra was and any number of other things. I didn't want her to ruin my night out. I turned to her and started a friendly conversation. I first offered to help her exchange her seats with another couple who would love to switch. I also started talking about why these seats were so awesome. Each thing she complained about, I turned to something positive. I got up and talked to the usher to see how easy she could exchance her seats. When I came back she let me know that she wanted to stay where she was because I was so nice and friendly. I had started out wanted to get rid of her and ended up having a nice evening with her. After the play, she agreed with me that our seats were the best place to sit. She even emailed me for several months after.

[Copper10-8]

...................All of a sudden another voice....a woman's voice....rose above the noise and floated across the tender...."Will you just shut up! I've been listening to you whine and carry on and complain about every damn thing for the past three weeks and if you don't shut up right now I swear you'll swim the rest of the way to the ship!!" The roar of laughter and applause from the back half of the tender drowned out all the other noise....and "the complainer" as she had become known...was so stunned she just shut up for the rest of the trip to the ship! (I was told...but did not see it myself....that even her long suffering husband had a smile on his face!)

There are no bad cruises....just better ones!

That's a classic!! Awesome job by that 2nd woman pax!:D:D:D How 'bout getting stuck with someone like that (the complainer) at your dinner table? That wouldn't last very long!

[DizzyDallasDi]

A few years ago I was attending a play. I had very good seats that I paid extra for. We got there early so we could enjoy them.. Then right behind me sat down Miss Complainer. She didn't like how close the seats were to the stage, or how loud the orchestra was and any number of other things. I didn't want her to ruin my night out. I turned to her and started a friendly conversation. I first offered to help her exchange her seats with another couple who would love to switch. I also started talking about why these seats were so awesome. Each thing she complained about, I turned to something positive. I got up and talked to the usher to see how easy she could exchance her seats. When I came back she let me know that she wanted to stay where she was because I was so nice and friendly. I had started out wanted to get rid of her and ended up having a nice evening with her. After the play, she agreed with me that our seats were the best place to sit. She even emailed me for several months after.

Bridezillas step aside...Cruisezillas rule! :D;)

Diane

[nitnyleo]

It isn't so much the whine as the loud, screechy voice that they all seem to sing it in.

Nice post, Janie

[rmmm]

I once went to Disney World with a single friend from work. I didn't pay attention to the old saying that you never know someone until you have traveled with them. This woman hated EVERYTHING about the happiest place on Earth. It was too cold, it was too crowded, there weren't enough pillows in the room, the rides were too scary, she didn't like the food, my shoes squeaked when I walk (I had purchased new sneakers), and worst of all needed to be back in the room by 9:00 so she could watch her shows. We ended up going our separate ways because I was determined to have fun and she was determined to be miserable and hate everything she saw. Since then I only travel with family members or by myself.

[Wild Thing ~T]

Sing it, Janie! Seriously, we just got off of maybe the funnest cruise we've had yet ... and was it perfect? No, there were little things that were a bit off (yes, one of our robes had yellow streaks across it, among other things). But did we care? Phphphtttt! Little things happen all the time, at home, on vacation, wherever.

Hi Sailorgirl! BINGO! We enjoyed being onboard the Westerdam with you so much! Yes, we had the same yellow stained robes, so what! I did not even give it a second thought! LOL!! :rolleyes: I had more fun on that cruise than words can describe! We had nothing but fun! :D We loved the entire crew, from Capt. Harris on down! They are a happy bunch!

The woman in the tender story is PRICELESS! I wish I could have been there! I would have started the cheer! ;) I think she was at our dining room table onboard the Mercury in 2004! Four of us asked to move away from her the first night of the cruise! Problem solved, however we felt very sorry for the waiter at the table, she had him near tears. People like her should order room service IMO!!:rolleyes:

I have sailed two cruises without my DH and have had a fantastic time as well, and yes, one of my cabinmates snored LOUD. That is what ear plugs are for, and trust me, she never knew I used them. :p

I love my glass half full and lots of chocolate to go with it! A chocolate on my pillow at night is a good thing also!!

I would sail with ALL of you positvely FUN cruisers anytime!:D
Teri