How Long is Long Enough For You?

[sail7seas]

For those who have sailed more than a seven day cruise, is there a limit as to how long you think you want to be aboard?

A World Cruise is not for everyone no matter how much they love cruising. Putting money/price aside, about how long do you think you'd be happy sailing? Would you want off the ship at 14 days do you think? 30 days? 45 days? 100 days?

Or could you sailaway forever? :D


The longest we have been aboard is 15 days and we definitely would have been happy sailing longer. (DH is not retired so he cannot sail any longer than that.)

[jimmy2x]

Guess I'd have to say about a month (hope to do the South Pacific round-trip someday). Did cruises as long as ten months in the Navy - they were a bit much!

[GmaPajama]

We did just one 7 day cruise, and knew right away that we needed more time. Most of our cruises now are between 14 and 20 days ... but I would love to slide into that 50-60 day range. More than that and I fear I'd get too lonesome for my grandkids and puppylove.

[SilvertoGold]

We have found about 5 to 6 weeks is perfect, although 9 weeks was not bad either!
We think it has a lot to do with how port-intensive the cruise is.

SilvertoGold

[ger_77]

The longest we've sailed is 14 days - I wasn't ready to get off . DH, on the other hand, said he just wanted to get off long enough to be able to mow the lawn, then he'd like to get back on again. Go figure.

I'd love to be able to sail a least 30 days, just to see what it was like, and build up to a World Cruise.

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

[waiting2retire]

I have done a couple of 7 day cruises, but prefer 10 to 14 days. My longest so far has been 15 days to Hawaii, and even that one wasn't long enough.

Sometimes I think I could pretty much live on cruise ships, much like Mama Lou -- do you think she would like a roommate? :D:eek: No, I didn't think so either :(.

Once I retire, I hope to have the means to start lengthening my cruises; maybe then I will find out how long it takes for me to want to come home.

Bonnie

[kalliekae]

We would love to do a Grand Voyage once dh retires. I really don't think we would get bored and want off the ship. For now, we have to settle for 10-14 day cruises which really aren't long enough.

[Kween Karen]

Longest I have done so far is 18 days and I wasn't even CLOSE to being ready to get off. Now I will be leaving on my 67 day voyage.......I can't imagine even that being too long......but will live the adventure prior to booking another one. (Pretty wise huh??)

[RevNeal]

Minimally Long Enough: 10 Days. Anything less than 10 days and I really haven't had time to unwind from being on-call 24/7. Once I can get myself into relaxation mode I'm fine, but it takes either 2 full sea days or a sea day and a few port days before I'm into that "zone." On a 7-day cruise I just barely reach the "zone" and am enjoying myself and WHAM ... it's time to pack and go home. I've not had enough time to decompress. A 10-day cruise gives me a full 7 days to decompress after getting into the "zone." Longer is better, but 10 days is enough for a cruise to work its "magic."

Now, on the other end, the longest I've done was 26 days. It was fantastic, and by the time I got off I felt like I had been on a journey, and enjoyed myself and relaxed and had good activities, too. I was ready to go home. That doesn't mean, however, that I couldn't just as easily have stayed aboard ship for another 26 days! Hence, I really don't know how "long" is "long enough" in the sense that I'm itching to get off and go home.

I find 15 days in the Hawaii cruise pattern to be about "perfect." I get 5 days to relax, unwind, relax, and enjoy myself and the ship. I get 5 days to wipe myself out enjoying the Islands. AND, I get an other 5 days to relax, unwind, and rest up before I have to disembark and return to the "real world." That's a FANTASTIC distribution of days, and I'm sorry that HAL is shortening the length by 1 day (and, thereby, ruining it with one less day in Paradise).

[wander]

I was on three cruises for 64-65 days each. I was never ready to get off, so I do not know how many days it would take to reach that point. Even when I was not ready to get off, once I was home I was glad to be there, well until the first morning that I had to cook, clean, wash cruise clothes, etc.

[2bout2c]

I've done several Grand Voyages and one World Cruise. I didn't want to get off. I would stay longer if I could afford it. On these longer trips I have made the comment I'd like an overnite "shore excursion" home. But just overnite.

[RuthC]

I've had several cruises in the 30-35 day range, and enjoyed the length very much. The Circle Pacific and Circle South America cruises in the 65-day range have always appealed to me, and I know I would be happy on those itineraries for that long.
The Grand World Cruise does not interest me, but not because of the length. It's the ports, with so many near the Equator, that I don't care for.

[tamsocal]

We have only cruised w/ small children. Longest was 14 days and was still not ready to get off. I agree 7 days is too short UNLESS you are cruising without highchairs for 2 infants... then 7 days is too long UGH!!! I digress.......
I would guess 30-60 days. We are hoping to book the +30day South Pacific next year with the kids. We have been out of the country with the family for 1.5-2 months and 2 months was pushing the limits for me on land- so likely would be reaching my limits on the ship too I think.

[tamsocal]

Also have to add....
RuthC-- just wanted to tell you that no matter what you comment.... you always bring a smile to my face seeing your picture next to your name. You look blissfully happy and your remarks are always cordial, informative, and many times funny

[OCruisers]

:) 20 days seems to suit us best!

It's not that I didn't enjoy being on a ship for 28 days ... but ... but ... but ... :o must admit, I was a bit HOMESICK that last week!

Actually, I'm glad I get HOMESICK after a while! There's nothing wrong with missing family, friends, and normal things at home! :)

[cruisequeen10]

7 days, just long enough
10 days, still not long enough
12 days, i think we are ready to get off
14 days, i know we should have gotten off at day 12

[TCF]

We don't do less than 10 -14 days now...we have done five weeks (36 days) and DW was ready to go for another 36.....me I would have gotten off at 4 weeks.

[alsas]

I've done several Grand Voyages and one World Cruise. I didn't want to get off. I would stay longer if I could afford it. On these longer trips I have made the comment I'd like an overnite "shore excursion" home. But just overnite.

The problem is should we go home for two weeks or do we do a b/back at home.....hmmmm selfishly we love being on board and love each adventure, but grand children make it essential to spend some time at home. The disease started many many years ago and we have tried everything but alas to no avail. We continue to struggle through this problem "Hope we never get better". we feel blessed . May you all have happy sailing Alsas

[arzz]

First we went from 7 to 10 days

Then from 10 to 14 days

Then we tried 27 days

Last fall we did 65 days

I have still not reached my limit for time on board ... Can't really afford my taste in cruise travel

But what the Hey ... I'll take any length cruise:D

[woody73]

We went on a 46-day. It wasn't long enough.

Then we went on a 70-day. Neither was that.

We were booked on the Grand World cruise, but something came up.

Woody

[clogaltocruise]

Our longest have been 15 (Panama SF-FFL) and 16 (NZ-Australia) days. They were great. Our next is 11. 10 is our minimum preference. Allows for some ship time along with port time. 7 days are so quick ... feels like you no sooner unpacked and it's time to pack again. With the hassle of flying, might as well make the cruise more worthwhile. Since I'm still working (fortunately!) we can't do much more than 2 weeks but would love to do longer some day. I hope to know sometime what my limit would be???

[durangoscots]

My longest was 77 days and I think that is just about it although I would be willing to try longer if the cruise was right. I don't think I would want to do anything under a 10 day .... but then if someone offered me a shorter one I am sure I would go. My feeling of sort of let down toward the end of the 77 days may have been due to the fact that I was headed home and the disemarkation port was closer to home than my embarkation port. Anyway ... I think I prefer between 21 days and about 70 days .... if I had my "druthers". Has anyone looked at the world cruise that is over 300 days (and an incredible amount of money?)

Susan

[shandryl]

The longest I have ever cruised is 15 days :D I luv to cruise and never get tired of it. When I have more time off, I too will take a grand voyage for 60 or more days!! What an adventure!! Excited just thinking about it!! :D

[mezza]

we are about to do 28 days on the Westy and I'm sure the longer we stay on, the more I will want to do more - so that's why I've added the second ship after that for another 7 days. I could just go on and on lining em up b2b :D

[PathfinderEss]

Great quesiton Sails, the longest we've been on is 23 days and still it was not enough for me. So I would have to say I'd love to try a world cruise, but alas, the money would be an issue. We are trying a 33 day cruise next year, and I know I will love it.

[JoKen1]

I've only done 7 day trips so far. Next week I leave for a 10 day one. But I'll be staying in NY for 4 days before so it will be a total of 2 weeks away from home.

I'm sure I'll miss being home by then. I love to go on a cruise and I love to go home. I miss my two puppies.

I would love to go for a longer cruise but since I travel solo I'm fine with the shorter ones.

Joanne

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We have done 14 days twice now and both times it went by far too quickly. In all honesty I think I could easily do several months.:D

[English_in_Spain]

Depends on the cruise. When we cruise in the Med then 7-10 days is fine. We don't have to travel far to get to the ship and we have visited most of the ports several times.

For the Caribbean, I like about 14-20 days to make the long flight worthwhile. Next year we are doing 20 days plus a 13 day transatlantic. That is more for practicality as we would rather cruise home than fly home.

If we were to go to somewhere like South America or the Far East then I would be prepared to do something longer because of the different ports of call. Even so I don't think I would want to do more than about 6 weeks.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The longest we have done so far is 26 days -- and we could have stayed on for more days!!

[luckycruzer]

big enuff closet space for my clothes to be nicely dressed for all the time I would be away..ohhhhh, about ummmm, lemme see, ummmmmm ..well, I could repeat some bottoms..so ummmm...gee, would I have to end it? Going about 8 times a year keeps me "cruze fed"..but it is a nice alternative to assisted living!

[operafan]

We've done several 14 day cruises in Europe. Not nearly long enough for me..........

[Soundsgreat6]

the longest so far is 7 days. Trying a 19 day next. But I don't think that's long enough. I love being on a Ship. My best cruise would be to never get off. LOL. If the Significant other is ok with 19 next will be longer I'm sure. Did the doc dance today so not long till we set sail. 46 Days and counting.

[catl331]

When we booked the 14 day Panama Canal cruise, I thought I would hate being on the ship for so long. Surprise, it was wonderful but I got TIRED of eating! We are "port" people and I don't know if we could do more than 3 days at sea. Have to say though, I would love to go to New Zealand. Maybe fly there and come back by ship. Gosh, I hate those long flights though. h-m-m-m.:confused:

[mamaofami]

We did a b2b in Alaska for 14 days and we were very happy. We've done several 10 day cruises and those were great too. We started with a 7 day cruise, but it's just not long enough . On the other hand, we did the 3 day Eurodam cruise out of NYC, and while it flew by, it was wonderful to be on a HAL ship and to be out at sea.

[kakalina]

We could easily live on board and never get off. The shortest we want to do anymore is 14 days anything shorter isn't worth the travel time to get there. Longest we've done is 44 days straight. We do a lot of 30 day cruises and that is a good length of time on board but we still don't want to get off when they are over.

[Cruising-along]

So far our longest was a 15-day Med cruise and I definitely was NOT ready to get off that ship! Haven't done a 7-day since our first cruise (Alaska) The only way we'd do another Alaska cruise is if we combined it with a landtour or a b2b. Loved Alaska, and no airfare, but 7 days just isn't long enough.

Our dream right now is to take a cruise somewhere in the range of 30-35 days after we've retired. I think that would be a perfect length of time, but who knows, it may not be long enough either! :p;)

[sail7seas]

Really fun reading responses.

We almost never are aboard less than 10 days but just booked our first Westerdam and because of timing, can only go for 7 days. I know that will be too short. We're also only on our next Maasdam cruise for 7 days but it is Boston to Boston and that is home for us so no travel. Strange for us to be doing two 7 day cruises within several months of each other.

[mancunian]

I feel the odd one out here. We generally do 14-17 nights though have done a couple of 22's and a 24. I think that really is my limit, and in the case of DH he really likes no more than 14. Anything longer than 28 would definitely be out. I say a 28 only in that we would like to do Australia and New Zealand and the airfares make it desirable to do longer but it would be a one-off I feel sure.

However, having said that we love to cruise and our ideal is three 14 night cruises a year. Sometimes financially it is only 2. It is just we like to come back home -no, not to mow the lawn, but to see family and friends.

[AlexandNessa]

I had enough of Royal Caribbean after about 2-3 days. :o

We've done 10/12 nights on HAL and are looking forward to 2 weeks on the Westerdam this fall.

We've had fun on Disney's 4/5 night cruises, but they are merely something to "hold us over" until our "real" cruise that year, and we always combine those "shorties" with the parks or something more active. We will be doing 2-weeks on Disney next year as well. :)

[earl_m]

I once cruise for 14 days on the Ryndam, I think I could have done 14 days more. 14 days is my limit also because of my work.

[PatsyAnne]

Our longest so far was 20-day Mediterranean, port-intensive, and that was a great length. In January we will go on the 33-day Hawaii, Tahiti, etc. that is heavy on sea days, so the jury is still out!

Trish

[alsas]

We are coming up for over 700 days with Holland. Obviously we love to cruise. The longer ones the better. We have done 4 whole World's and the rest partial Worlds. Our saying is there is only 7 sea days wish there was 8. Holland is our favourite,have sailed with Princess,Radison,Cunard,Celebrity,Silver Seas and always compare with Holland and think Staff,Service,and Value the BEST Alsas

[cruisencat]

For those who have sailed more than a seven day cruise, is there a limit as to how long you think you want to be aboard?

A World Cruise is not for everyone no matter how much they love cruising. Putting money/price aside, about how long do you think you'd be happy sailing? Would you want off the ship at 14 days do you think? 30 days? 45 days? 100 days?

Or could you sailaway forever? :D


The longest we have been aboard is 15 days and we definitely would have been happy sailing longer. (DH is not retired so he cannot sail any longer than that.)


We would love to make the cruise ship our retirement home. We do the 19-20 day cruises. We like to start and end in the states because of the airline prices. The Panama Canal seems to be the longest cruise that does that. Price wise it is great! Yes to live forever cruising the seas!!
Val:cool:

[Himself]

I have done many ten day and several 14 day and even 2 fifteen day cruises. My longest one was 17 and that was a re-location cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Vancouver. At the time I took it, I thought it would kill my desire for cruiseing. In fact, it had the opposite affect on me. It "wet" my appetite for cruising.

[cruisencat]

We are coming up for over 700 days with Holland. Obviously we love to cruise. The longer ones the better. We have done 4 whole World's and the rest partial Worlds. Our saying is there is only 7 sea days wish there was 8. Holland is our favorite,have sailed with Princess,Radison,Cunard,Celebrity,Silver Seas and always compare with Holland and think Staff,Service,and Value the BEST Alsas

:o I agree with you on Holland. They are wonderful! 4 world cruises??? Do you need someone to carry you drink??? lol Wow that is so wonderful. God had really blessed you to be able to do that. My DH and I would love to do one.
We have the time but not the funds and if you have the funds the time is not right. So happy for you and hope to meet you on board someday!
Valerie

[European_CruiseGirl]

I'm sure I could stay onboard for a whole year if I'd have time and money...and if there would be a miracle solution that would allow me to eat as much as I wish without gaining any weight. I'm sure I would be absolutely bloated even after a 60-day cruise. :D

[usha]

The longest we've cruised non-stop (so far:o) was 21 nights Hawaii b2b.
I'm not saying it was long enough, but at least I didn't bust out crying on the last night of that one.:cool:

[LAFFNVEGAS]

When we booked the 14 day Panama Canal cruise, I thought I would hate being on the ship for so long. Surprise, it was wonderful but I got TIRED of eating! We are "port" people and I don't know if we could do more than 3 days at sea. Have to say though, I would love to go to New Zealand. Maybe fly there and come back by ship. Gosh, I hate those long flights though. h-m-m-m.:confused:
As much as I love to eat, I too get very tired of eating :eek: But with having done so many cruises this past year I learned to pace myself. I have two extremely light meals and one regular meal but do not order everything :DI think after you have cruised a lot you have tried many of the items.

The stewards are so good at trying to get you to order more. They always ask "Are you sure that is all you want?"

[RuthC]

RuthC-- just wanted to tell you that no matter what you comment.... you always bring a smile to my face seeing your picture next to your name. You look blissfully happy and your remarks are always cordial, informative, and many times funny
Thank you for the aside. The avatar was taken on a -dam cruise (I forget which one) by my official photographer---RevNeal. So, of course I was smiling!

Now back to our regularly scheduled topic.

[ajmsta]

Money aside I think 365 days a year would be great! I love being spoiled. :D

[Druke I]

My wife has set her arbitrary limit of 30 days away from home.

We've done several cruises of 3 weeks to 27 nights, and have loved them.

I think I might enjoy one of those 100 night ( + or -) cruises, but am happy to stay within her boundaries.

[innlady1]

Our 1st cruise was 7 days...not nearly long enough.

Our next two cruises were 10 day cruises each...nice The second two were 10 day cruises...very nice, but they could have been longer!

Last year, we did a 20 day b2b...that was perfect....we were ready to get home to our grandkids and furpals!

This winter, we're doing another b2b on the Noordam for 20 days...and spending some time in Florida on either side...two days before the cruise...6 days after...so we'll be gone from 2/1 to 2/28. The whole month of February. We'll see how that plays out!

[cdkempton]

First cruise 8 days.... booked a 14 as soon as we got home. We only had 2 weeks off in those days. Many 2 weekers after that then an 18 day Panama that was delightful (included Havana, Cuba :D). Finally had the time and money to do a 34 day So.Amer. Wow! Then a 36 TA Barcelona to L.A. Then a 28 day Tri-Continent.... all wonderful. After the Tri-Cont. however, we were ready to come home. That was spring 2008, very port intensive, and, being a B2B, tons of people getting on in Lisbon carrying the germs from airports, etc and the sickies bit us a bit. We needed to get home and get well. HOWEVER, if I had my druthers (whatever they are:rolleyes:) I would live full time on board and be eternally happy. :D

[airlink diva]

I really want to sail on the longer cruises!! So far the 14 day that I did last year was magical!! It was nice not worrying about packing after a few days,getting to know the ship crew better, and my fellow cruisers!
Since I'm still a working person, I can only take so many days off. Right now I can likey take a twenty day cruise.
I want to be like some of the cruisers able to take 30,60 and 100 sailing days at one time. I would love to take the world cruise one day!!
Now, if I can only win the powerball :rolleyes:!! I would mark 2010 as a year of cruising!!!

[debshomespun]

We've done a couple 10 days, and then we did the Hawaii/Tahiti 30 day this past Jan. and loved it! I would now love to go on the 63 day to Austrailia and back. It hits the french polynesian islands, and several more that I would love to see, along with New Zealand. I think the 63 night would be long enough for me.

[RevNeal]

Thank you for the aside. The avatar was taken on a -dam cruise (I forget which one) by my official photographer---RevNeal. So, of course I was smiling!

Now back to our regularly scheduled topic.

http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/.Pictures/eurodam2008/ccers/ccers09.JPG

The Eurodam Inaugural ... taken in the Crows Nest around midnight as we were northbound off the shore of Norway, having drinks and waiting for the sun to set.

[bepsf]

For those who have sailed more than a seven day cruise, is there a limit as to how long you think you want to be aboard?

I think that a large part of the answer would have to be the particular ship and the itineraries.

If it were a ship that did the same 7-day cruises week after week after week - and I were shoved into a small cabin - I'm sure I'd be ready to go home sometime after the middle of the second week...

...However if it were a ship that was doing a series of Grand Voyages - no repeat ports/itineraries - and the service were good, the menus were varied, the company were pleasant, and I were in a Minisuite or better - I believe I'd be happy to remain aboard for as long as they'd put up with me.
(assuming I could get some good sushi and/or Thai food in port once in a while)
;)

[janisutx]

My longest was 49 days and I enjoyed every day. Getting to know our waiter Luis so well was wonderful. The only bad day was the day I was laid off while sailing off the coast of Brazil. The up side was I did not have to fly home from Santiago after 31 days as planned. I was able to stay on board for the 18 day Santiago to San Francisco segment thanks to my generous boyfriend. We love cruising but prefer as many days as our schedules allow.

[cruisinjudy]

Our longest was 21 days B2B Hawaii. We loved it. Our constraints now are an aging mother, an aging dog and grandchildren. We will be gone almost three weeks in November and that is a worry. Then a 15 day Hawaii in February, but that is just the cruise, We still have to get to San Diego and back and we never just fly in and out of San Diego, we always stay for four days or so.

Anyway as long as we have the aging mother and aging dog and the grandkids are still small we won't be doing any longer trips.

[Sissy Ruth]

Now that we are retired, time is not an issue, except for our furry little
ones that break my heart when we leave them. We took our first cruise
in '73, but haven't been as consistent in our cruise travel as many others,
but every cruise seems to get a little longer. Anything less than 10 days
is way too short, 14 is great and last year, our first TA of 18 days was
wonderful. We did 14 days roundtrip to Hawaii 4/09 and we're booked
for 28 days on Statendam 10/30/09 SD to SD , so "how many days is too
many"?? well the jury is still out, but we looooove sea days, never too
many of those!:D
Cindy

[JimVrhovac]

Our longest cruise has been 40 days.

As far as Ruth is concerned they are never long enough. She wants to do the world cruise but I become a backet case after 20 days on a ship.

Ruth & Jim

[Kween Karen]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.......a World Cruise!! Such a dream.........yes I would go in a minute as far as the length of it. Sometimes the world cruises go to ports that I don't really want to visit right now.......and then of course there is the cost.........but I need material for my dreams!!