If You Lived In/Near Embarkation Port?

[sail7seas]

If you happened to live reasonably close to an embarkation port, would you sail that ship/itinerary just because you wouldn't have to travel to join the ship? Would the ease of embarkation/debark be worth your cruising a ship/cruise line that was not necessarily on your 'must do list'?

[Druke I]

We used to live just across the bay from the Port of San Francisco, and loved to sail out of the City.

I do think that we were selective - but San Francisco is an unde-rutilized port for cruise ships, which did cut down our choices.

[knitlady037]

Weloved when HAL was sailing out of NY. When they left, we booked sailings out of FLL. Have no interest in the 7 day cruise to Bermuda or the 10 day cruise up the coast so do not know what we will book in the future.Our next cruise out of FLL will determine whether we book another HAL cruise. The other cruises out of NY might have to become an option, but we really do not want to switch cruise lines. Note to HAL-- PLEASE BRING THE NOORDAM BACK TO NEW YORK!!!!!

[suse]

We live near Boston and it is great to drive to the port. Been to Bermuda twice that way. Once to Canada that way, as well. Very easy. Park and ride.:)

[sail7seas]

Suse......."Yes, sir" :eek:
I'm a lady, not a gent. :D

How lucky New Yorkers were when they had the chance to sail the gorgeous Noordam on a wonderful 10 and/or 11 day itinerary. We are from Boston area but traveled to NY to sail it. You had the best going on...... A fabulous ship sailing from close to home.

We are in that same position with Maasdam. We really love Maasdam and the Canada/New England itinerary so get to board close to home for a ship and cruise we really love. We also travel to FLL to sail Maasdam (and other HAL ships) but it sure is better when we board close to home.

[cruzeluver]

We live in Charleston and sailed the NCL Majesty two years ago mainly because of convenience.

In March will be on the Celebrity Mercury when it home ports here for a brief time. This was a no-brainer as we love Celebrity.

Doubt we will book the Carnival Fantasy when it starts sailing from Charleston as we are kind of Carnival-ed out.:)

[suse]

Suse......."Yes, sir" :eek:
I'm a lady, not a gent. :D

How lucky New Yorkers were when they had the chance to sail the gorgeous Noordam on a wonderful 10 and/or 11 day itinerary. We are from Boston area but traveled to NY to sail it. You had the best going on...... A fabulous ship sailing from close to home.

We are in that same position with Maasdam. We really love Maasdam and the Canada/New England itinerary so get to board close to home for a ship and cruise we really love. We also travel to FLL to sail Maasdam (and other HAL ships) but it sure is better when we board close to home.
I was simply "out there" and not paying attention. Of course. I knew that. Sorry............:)

[alpal1993]

When we first started cruising we did many cruises to Western/Eastern Caribbean.Many on Celebrity Century.Now that there aren't that many cruises offered in Summer out of Port Everglades we have expanded our cruising to more interesting cruises that we have to fly too.We haven't done a Caribbean Cruise since 2002.
Looking into doing one next year though either on Oasis or Solstice/Eqinox

[Two@Sea]

Fortunately, we live in Florida, and HAL sails from ports to which we can drive. It may not make sense to some that we live in a sunny climate and take cruises to the Caribbean, but that's what we do. Airfare and additional travel costs would be prohibitive for us.

Would we take a "party" cruise from a port which is even nearer to us simply for the ease and convenience? Nope. Nada. Never.

[ctsally]

Knitlady037, I agree with you. HAL, bring our Noordam back to NYC for the Caribbean cruises...not Bermuda. The Veendam is no longer desirable for us since the ruination of the aft deck and the piano bar.

Yes, sail, if I lived near a port city I'd be on a ship every time I had a chance. When the Noordam was in NYC, HAL ran a bus from the Boston area through RI and CT to the NYC port and that was just great. Getting to Boston is dueable for us via bus, but there isn't much choice on cruises.

[madelinerose]

If you happened to live reasonably close to an embarkation port, would you sail that ship/itinerary just because you wouldn't have to travel to join the ship? Would the ease of embarkation/debark be worth your cruising a ship/cruise line that was not necessarily on your 'must do list'?

Not necessarily. I live 15 minutes from the Baltimore port, but I'm not sold on any of the ships that sail from here, although sometimes I think about booking. ;)

[sail7seas]

I was simply "out there" and not paying attention. Of course. I knew that. Sorry............:)


No problem, Suse.
I'm just having fun with you. :)

[Boytjie]

If you happened to live reasonably close to an embarkation port, would you sail that ship/itinerary just because you wouldn't have to travel to join the ship? Would the ease of embarkation/debark be worth your cruising a ship/cruise line that was not necessarily on your 'must do list'?

We live in New York City and have never even given though of taking a Carnival cruise from here. ;)

We did sail on the QM2 out of Brooklyn last September and it was nice not to have to deal with airports; a short cab ride and we were home. :D

[hal lover]

How I wish that Holland America would come back to Norfolk, VA! Only 2 times had that happen! Both times were on the MS Maasdam. Short 3 hour drive from home and it was great! Now it's RCL and Carnival-YUK!
A lot of money was put into the Norfolk terminal and now it's really a waste. If HAL is viewing this, PLEASE come back.

[mamaofami]

Sail, I'm doing just that. Just booked a cruise on RCL leaving from NJ. That's an hour ride for us, but it beats driving or flying to Florida right now.

I've never sailed any other line since my first cruise, but we got tired of waiting to see if we could get on a 2/3 cruise on the Noordam. It was getting too late for us to find air or hotels so RCL had a few cabins left and our friend who's a travel agent said they liked it, so we'll see. I know it's bigger, etc. but I need a cruise and this was easy. And, in some ways, it's exciting to explore something new.

I've been on the Noordam 2x out of NY and wish HAL would bring her back.

[RetiredMustang]

Sail,

To your basic premise/question, which I think is asking would I sail on something close to home just because it was close and not because I particularly wanted to sail that ship/line, I would say probably no. We live in the D.C. area, and could easily get to Baltimore for Carnival and RCCL cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean, but have instead consistently booked HAL for Caribbean cruises out of FLL or Tampa instead, because we prefer the HAL experience. But, we may find ourselves on an RCCL cruise out of Baltimore some day.

I do have to admit, though, that when we lived in Virginia Beach, it was nice to call a taxi to pick us up at home and take us to the cruise pier in Norfolk to board Maasdam when she sailed from there. So, the obvious solution is for HAL to put a ship in Baltimore, or back to Norfolk again! But, I suspect they left Norfolk for the same reason they left New York -- too costly for Caribbean cruises. The sailings out of Boston to Canada (and the annual North Atlantic round-trip) seem to be doing well.

Dave

[Krazy Kruizers]

Itineraries are more important to us.

It would get boring doing the same ship and same itineraries 3 or 4 times a year.

[sail7seas]

Itineraries are more important to us.

It would get boring doing the same ship and same itineraries 3 or 4 times a year.



[B] Same ship, same itinerary, 3 or 4 times a year. Yes, that would be too much even for us on our much loved Maasdam.
That's why we sail other ships on other itineraries in addition to Maasdam.

We very much look forward to our annual b-to-b Canada/New England. We love (most) of those ports.

[catl331]

Did the older RCI out of Port Canaveral and wasn't impressed. Not interested in Disney. Did a Carnival once and I don't fit in. Heading to Venice this summer for East Med. but really hate the plane ride. I think HAL is worth the drive to Ft Laud or Tampa. We have been on Noordam three times for the itinerary but are fond of her also. I wish I could afford to go wherever the Amsterdam goes!:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

[b] Same ship, same itinerary, 3 or 4 times a year. Yes, that would be too much even for us on our much loved Maasdam.
That's why we sail other ships on other itineraries in addition to Maasdam.

We very much look forward to our annual b-to-b Canada/New England. We love (most) of those ports.

But in actuality you do the same cruise over and over on the same ship.

Maasdam -- Boston to Montreal -- Montreal to Boston in June -- that 2 cruises.

Maasdam -- Boston to Montreal -- Montreal to Boston in August -- that's 2 more cruises.

Same ports for 4 cruises.

[innlady1]

Knitlady037, I agree with you. HAL, bring our Noordam back to NYC for the Caribbean cruises...not Bermuda. The Veendam is no longer desirable for us since the ruination of the aft deck and the piano bar.

Yes, sail, if I lived near a port city I'd be on a ship every time I had a chance. When the Noordam was in NYC, HAL ran a bus from the Boston area through RI and CT to the NYC port and that was just great. Getting to Boston is dueable for us via bus, but there isn't much choice on cruises.

We did that, also, two years in a row. Wish HAL would bring her back to NYC. But, unfortunately, I doubt that's going to happen. We're on the 2/3 and 2/13 sailing and the 2/3 sailing has been sold out for a while. I think that by now, the 2/13 is SO. Or very close.

Looking back at HAL's decision, I'm sure it's much more costly to steam ahead for two days each way to get from NYC to the Caribbean rather than just "puddle jump" around the Carribean for 10 days!

[sail7seas]

But in actuality you do the same cruise over and over on the same ship.

Maasdam -- Boston to Montreal -- Montreal to Boston in June -- that 2 cruises.

Maasdam -- Boston to Montreal -- Montreal to Boston in August -- that's 2 more cruises.

Same ports for 4 cruises.



Not that I need to explain myself or 'get permission'.......... :rolleyes:


When we sailed Maasdam last June, it was Boston-Montreal-Boston. In August, it was seven days Boston to Boston. Beats me why I am bothering to explain our cruising choices. :confused:

We also sailed Eurodam and Westerdam. Does that make it okay?

I'll be happy to explain further if necessary. :)

[mamaofami]

KK, we all do what works best for us. If Sail did do the same cruise over and over(and she doesn't) why should that bother you?

None of us has to explain how or when or why we cruise the way we do. Those are personal decisions. Vive Le difference !:)

[Jemima]

We love sailing out of San Diego which is a one hour flight and is our closest port. Unfortunately San Diego cruises go to mostly to Mexico and Hawaii, but my favorite cruising areas are Europe, eastern Canada and New England.

[Loreto]

We love sailing out of San Diego which is a one hour flight and is our closest port. Unfortunately San Diego cruises go to mostly to Mexico and Hawaii, but my favorite cruising areas are Europe, eastern Canada and New England.

Like Jemima, we enjoy sailing out of San Diego, which is a 2 hour drive from our home. Mexico is wonderful for a relaxing getaway, just to be on the ship! Nothing beats disembarking and getting in the car to go home, plus we do more shopping because it is easier to transport purchases!

We too prefer Europe, but hate the hassle of getting there...for example missing the sailing of the Noordam last June due to airline cancellation. Alaska is a 2 hour nonstop flight to Seattle and we used the airline miles Delta gave us as an apology for the cancelled flight to fly there. We are looking forward to our 14 day Alaskan Adventurer cruise in May.
Karen

[GmaPajama]

Since the ship is more important to us than the ports, YES - we'd sail the same itinerary over and over if we could drive to a port. So long as it's a HAL ship, we'd be perfectly happy.

[knitlady037]

The reasoning of doing the same ship and same ports getting boring does not make sense. Do you ask people that have time shares if they get bored going to the same place year after year? When I booked the same itinerary 2 years in a row on the Noordam my brother said "you're doing that again, won't you be bored" This after he just came home from his Aruba timeshare for the fifth year in a row. Believe me I wasn't bored-just spoiled and pampered.

[Tricia724]

I think I'm in the "maybe" or "it depends" category. If we lived close to a major port, I'd certainly take a good look at the offerings. There are times when there are some really good opportunities on some sailings, and if we were a few hours away, it would be great to throw some things in a suitcase and take a little spontaneous vacation.

For the first time, we drove to New Jersey for our September New England cruise, and I have to say that it was so nice not to have to worry about weighing the suitcases, going through airport security, paying baggage handling fees, and making sure that the liquids were packed properly. But that was a 400-mile drive for us, and still required some pre-planning and reservations.

Our next cruise is out of Miami in March, and I am disgusted trying to get any airline reservations that will work at a reasonable cost, and I'm really not looking forward to flying at all. The airfares and lodging expenses really offset a good price on a cruise. This is the time of year, for many reasons, that I envy the people who live in Florida.:)

We still choose our primary vacations by itinerary. I wouldn't sail a ship or cruiseline or itinerary I don't like for convenience, but I might consider a HAL, Celebrity, or Princess cruise as an extra little getaway if we were near and the price was right.

[bra1nchild]

Now that we are in South Florida full time, we love being able to drive to a port. As a family Xmas activity, we have taken the RCI Behemoth of the Seas to the Caribbean for three years; they offered 4 - 5 day 'quickies' to places we'd seen, but it was the family aspect that made it fun. This year it rained the entire cruise but we had a great time. Next year we're taking the W'dam for a longer cruise, but it's still out of FLL.

We have also taken longer cruises out of FLL. In 2008 we cruised on the Prinsendam r/t FLL on the Grand Med and Black Sea and are thinking about doing it again in 2011 if God and the Federal Reserve allow us to.

Another advantage: Parking for folks with handicap tags/plates is free at the Miami cruise facility [and Miami International Airport]. We're hoping the this spreads to FLL soon.

[bbro]

We are close (1/2 day drive) to Galveston. I've done Carnival and Princess from there, not Royal Caribbean. Galveston has older ships and they're all full of Texans (I'm one, I can say it). That being said...we've tried it and I'm not so sure we'll be doing it again. Wished we took advantage of the one year Celebrity sailed the Panama Canal, but oh well, not meant to be.

[IRL_Joanie]

If you happened to live reasonably close to an embarkation port, would you sail that ship/itinerary just because you wouldn't have to travel to join the ship? Would the ease of embarkation/debark be worth your cruising a ship/cruise line that was not necessarily on your 'must do list'?

Yes to all questions asked.

Joanie

[coffeeclutch1]

I live miles from a port but if I lived close I would cruise a lot more. Who cares where it's going. The fun is being on board and being pampered.

[Cruisin'Lady]

We would love to take a cruise from Anchorage/Seward ports round trip...but the fact is it would cost us about as much (if not more) for an inside cabin to do a b2b 14 day in AK as it does for us to fly to Ft. Lauderdale and take a 14 day in a veranda to caribbean ports. Our flights are always free (helps to have a cc from alaska airlines and put all our charges through it) and I do enjoy the warmth in the winter. Makes the winters shorter.

Thought of taking a transit cruise from florida to ak...but it would still cost two cruises to get all the way home. I may live in Alaska but have never been to Juneau, Sitka or Stagway and would like to see how the 'southerners' live!:D

[cruisinbulldog]

HAL, bring our Noordam back to NYC for the Caribbean cruises...not Bermuda. The Veendam is no longer desirable for us since the ruination of the aft deck and the piano bar.



Agree.. Would book the Noordam once a year if they came back..

HAL to date has been my favorite line.. But sence I perfer not to fly I am going to give Carnival Miracle a try.. The Miracle is very much the same design as the Vista ships..

I hopfully booked a week when there will not be to many youngsters.. I was able to grab one of the aft wrap suites to hang out in if things do get out of control.. :rolleyes:

Love being able to drive to port, and love sea days..

Bulldog

[Krazy Kruizers]

KK, we all do what works best for us. If Sail did do the same cruise over and over(and she doesn't) why should that bother you?

None of us has to explain how or when or why we cruise the way we do. Those are personal decisions. Vive Le difference !:)



It doesn't bother me -- sail started this thread because of a comment I made on this thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=22564311#post22564311

[sail7seas]

It doesn't bother me -- sail started this thread because of a comment I made on this thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=22564311#post22564311


:confused: Noooo, that is not why I started this thread.

You know what happens when we Assume? Your assumption, in this case, is incorrect.
I started this thread due to increasing inconvenience of air travel. We flew to FLL in November and will do so again for our upcoming Eurodam cruises and I don't look forward to it.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:confused: Noooo, that is not why I started this thread.

You know what happens when we Assume? Your assumption, in this case, is incorrect.
I started this thread due to increasing inconvenience of air travel. We flew to FLL in November and will do so again for our upcoming Eurodam cruises and I don't look forward to it.

NO comment.

[vickila]

:confused: Noooo, that is not why I started this thread.

You know what happens when we Assume? Your assumption, in this case, is incorrect.
I started this thread due to increasing inconvenience of air travel. We flew to FLL in November and will do so again for our upcoming Eurodam cruises and I don't look forward to it.

Yes, the flying problems (restrictions) is the reason we go mostly from NY/NJ -- do wish there would be more choices of itinerary. However, each cruise has different people and different feels. Just love to cruise. Vicki:)

[suse]

I met a lady in Boston who took the same ship, Norwegian Majesty, 9 times in a row to Bermuda.
I truly was a great fan of hers. Imagine that.
love to all,
Susie:)

[sail7seas]

Suse,

Maasdam is a very favorite ship of ours. We have sailed her so much and know, like and respect so many of her crew, that for us, the ship is the destination. It almost doesn't matter where it is sailing. Not everyone can understand that idea and no problem but for those of us who really love a particular ship (or in our case two ships - Noordam, as well), going to the ship is the primary point. IF we add to that an itinerary we actually like, all the better. :)

Sorry, but I'm not the 'group hug type'. I don't go for that whole bit. ;)

[suse]

and I cringe lately at the hold hands thing during prayer. Ah. Well, I hope to meet you someday on the Maasdam when outta Boston. That's how we say it. Outta heah and all that. What fun. I am so boring on cruises though. Head in a book and all that. Fun for me though!;) Have a good night, Sail, ttyl.

[Two@Sea]

Suse,

Maasdam is a very favorite ship of ours. We have sailed her so much and know, like and respect so many of her crew, that for us, the ship is the destination. It almost doesn't matter where it is sailing. Not everyone can understand that idea and no problem but for those of us who really love a particular ship (or in our case two ships - Noordam, as well), going to the ship is the primary point. IF we add to that an itinerary we actually like, all the better. :)

Sorry, but I'm not the 'group hug type'. I don't go for that whole bit. ;)



The ship is our destination, also. A ten day "cruise to nowhere" would be fine for us!

(I'm not a 'group hug type' either, but I don't mind watching one... from a respectful distance. ;) )

[RuthC]

I do live fairly near a port (Boston), and yet have only sailed out of there once. That was to take the 35-day Voyage of the Vikings. The two times I've taken the NE/Canada cruise it was out of NYC.
So, no, I guess I have to say I don't chose the embarkation port as a primary consideration when booking a cruise.

Much as I hate the ordeal of flying these days, I tell myself that, since I take longer cruises, it reduces the "ordeal per cruise day" factor. :D

[sandypaper]

Oh yes I just love not having to fly to get a cruise. I live in Vancouver and taxi to the cruise terminal and I'm gone. I don't like flying so that works out perfect for me.

[pris993]

We used to live just across the bay from the Port of San Francisco, and loved to sail out of the City.

I do think that we were selective - but San Francisco is an unde-rutilized port for cruise ships, which did cut down our choices.


San Francisco is our nearest port. I agree the port is under utilized, unfortuantely for many folks who like to visit the city. We have taken 1/2 dozen cruises to Mexico/Alaska round trip mostly on Princess and Celebrity. Would do more if there were more ships to choose from.

We have cruised for 30+ years. We enjoy taking a taxi to the ship after flying to Rome, London, Barcelona, Istanbul, and Athens to name a few ports. As flying gets more and more difficult and challenging, we long for more cruises from a home port. Next option will be cruising from other American ports, New York, San Diego and Ft. Lauderdale. Still means a day long travel day when going to the east coast.

[DizzyDallasDi]

We are close (1/2 day drive) to Galveston. I've done Carnival and Princess from there, not Royal Caribbean. Galveston has older ships and they're all full of Texans (I'm one, I can say it). That being said...we've tried it and I'm not so sure we'll be doing it again. Wished we took advantage of the one year Celebrity sailed the Panama Canal, but oh well, not meant to be.

I, too, live in Plano but won't take any cruises out of Galveston or even New Orleans. The ships and/or itineraries are not what I'm looking for in a cruise experience.

[Rhea58]

When my husband was alive it didn't matter. But now, the answer is yes.
We always flew in a day ahead which means outlay for hotel, meals and taxi to port.

As a single this is not fiscally feasible as I am already paying extra to sail alone in a cabin. THus, I took my first cruise out of home port (NYC)
on the Noordam which was so easy (train to NYC & cab to terminal).

Am seriously considering doing it again this Spring when HAL brings
the Veendam to NYC for their Bermuda sailings.

PS Hi to CTSally!

[Sage]

DH does not like to fly, so yes, many of our cruises are based solely on being close to a port. Luckily, we are within driving distance to several here in Florida, so our choices are not as limited as some.

[Djptcp]

DH and I live 50 miles from Jacksonville. We prefer 7+ day cruises, but it is so convenient to sail out of Jax, we did it twice last year along with longer cruises out of FLL and Tampa. Port Canaveral and Tampa are less than 3 hours away, so we do shorter cruises out of there, too -- next week in fact. The convenience of Jax is very appealing and even though it's the same ports of call for the 4 and 5 day cruises over and over, we love cruising:D I wish there would be 7 day cruises out of Jax and maybe someday there will be.

[baggal]

I know several people who live in the metropolitan New York area who ONLY take cruises that are round-trip from one of the NY/NJ ports. I can't say that I blame them -- other than the itineraries are really limited.

[COLLEYBERRY]

Can only wish for the day Hal sails out of Toronto:)

[GmaPajama]

Can only wish for the day Hal sails out of Toronto:)

Ohhh - if they can get that far, perhaps they can mosey on to Chicago!

[Randyk47]

Five to six years ago things looked really promising for cruises out of Galveston. It's only about a four hour drive for us and certainly, from that aspect, a whole lot less expensive than flying to Florida or California. We were really excited about the opportunity and, in fact, did a Celebrity cruise on the old Galaxy out of Galveston in 2005. Unfortunately the potential growth in Galveston didn't pan out and today there's only Carnival and Royal Caribbean sailing from there with very limited and mostly duplicate itineraries. Causes two problems for us. One, we don't prefer either line. Two, we're destinations or itinerary cruisers and are still working on visiting new and different places so repeating the same cruise frequently does not attract us. I imagine, since there are a few places we've not been in the Caribbean, we'd initially cruise more if we lived in Florida until we filled out that "bucket list". Hard to say what would happen after that.

[billroddy]

We live about 50 miles from SD and have taken HAL to four Mexico cruises, one Hawaii and one Panama Canal. It is a great port with inexpensive parking and free shuttle to pier about 3 miles away.
Bill
Ancient Mariner

[irishjim]

Can only wish for the day Hal sails out of Toronto:)

That would be great for me as I am only just over an hour to Toronto from
home.I am thinking;) Toronto to FLL. Toronto to Boston,TA to ROME ECT,ECT,OH WELL WE CAN ONLY DREAM .
Jim.

[babyher]

and I cringe lately at the hold hands thing during prayer. Ah. Well, I hope to meet you someday on the Maasdam when outta Boston. That's how we say it. Outta heah and all that. What fun. I am so boring on cruises though. Head in a book and all that. Fun for me though!;) Have a good night, Sail, ttyl.



*LOL*

Laughing at the "group hug' thing :)

My uncle (who can be a real card sometimes :)) always says "No way .....I had my wallett stolen during a group hug once ...NO MORE!!!!!" *LOL*

[suse]

You can catch a lot of germs with group hugs. Ick.:eek: Alot of churches are now discouraging it and I say yay for them. About time. Seemed fakey anyway. Hugging people you hardly know.
Well, back to topic..................:)

[CDRMark]

It would certainly make us think about it. HAL sailing from Norfolk got us interested in cruising, but ONLY after researching HAL and seeing that it seemed like a good fit for us.
That said, not even a great deal on some lines would make us look twice.
So, maybe.
Cheers
Mark

[NMLady]

If we lived near a port we'd do a lot more cruising but it would still depend on itinerary and price.

[sail7seas]

*lol*

laughing at the "group hug' thing :)

my uncle (who can be a real card sometimes :)) always says "no way .....i had my wallett stolen during a group hug once ...no more!!!!!" *lol*


rofl ..... :d

[celyvabeach]

How I wish that Holland America would come back to Norfolk, VA! Only 2 times had that happen! Both times were on the MS Maasdam. Short 3 hour drive from home and it was great! Now it's RCL and Carnival-YUK!
A lot of money was put into the Norfolk terminal and now it's really a waste. If HAL is viewing this, PLEASE come back.


Right on! We sailed the last round trip southern Caribbean cruise on the Masdaam 3 years ago. It was so neat to get to the terminal 20 minutes from home. Hope HAL will come back.

[sail7seas]

That itinerary was very ambitious and hard for Maasdam to do cruise after cruise. Conditions often made it very hard to stay on schedule and I can't imagine if it was really hard on the ship. It doesn't seem likely HAL will do that again.

[babyher]

Last year we did do a cruise out of NYC. A last minute trip to Bermuda we wanted to do with the kids.

It really was nice not to have to deal with flights and hotels and all that. Just a little over an hours drive .

On the last day we were off the ship at around 8:30am and walking in our front door at 10:30am.

[Two@Sea]

...

Much as I hate the ordeal of flying these days, I tell myself that, since I take longer cruises, it reduces the "ordeal per cruise day" factor. :D

"Ordeal per Cruise Day" factor... :D:D:D LOVE it!!!

[mudscraper]

Ohhh - if they can get that far, perhaps they can mosey on to Chicago!
Unfortunately for you and me it`s the Wendella boats and their exotic cruises on the Chicago river and Lake Michigan.
(No formal nights)

Rich

[cruisinjudy]

Well out of Portland we have jet boats and dinner cruise. So we do the 2 1/2 flight to San Diego for Mexico or Hawaii or we do the drive or train to Seattle or Vancouver for Alaska. Then every so often we just make that decision to fly and go to the east coast or Europe. 2009 it was Europe. 2010 it is Canada New England. Then we do the west coast departures in between. I really do like to avoid those flights but sometimes you just can't.

[Nancyquilts]

We're not doing long flights any more, so yes, I'd take just about any cruise - okay, any cruise - out of San Francisco. I'm not so much into itinerary as into the cruise experience. I'm not loyal and I'm not proud. Besides, HAL hasn't come here in years - caught the Prinsendam to Alaska a number of years ago. Actually, I'd fly a distance to take Prinsendam again.

[Gablin]

I live near Seattle, but I've only cruised once out of Seattle and once out of Vancouver. Also, I had two returns to Vancouver, BC.
I am more interested in new places than in convenience, although I recognize how great it is to get convenience.

[JDinWA]

We took our first cruise soon after we moved to the Seattle area, a round-trip out of Vancouver. I'll only cruise RT out of Seattle or Vancouver, because flying is so unpleasant. So, that's limited us to Alaska and Hawaii. (One year, HAL did RT Seattle-Hawaii, and it was wonderful!)

There are other itineraries I think I would enjoy, but not enough to fly.

[Tamaracboy]

Many who live in or have retired to FLL do so because of cruising.
I had been coming here every year since I was 5 years old, yet did not start cruising until after moving here.
So cruising was not part of the equation for the move.
Now, since I have started cruising I really love the short (20 min.) drive with only one stoplight to Port Everglades.
An additional side effect not mentioned, is that since FLL is a relatively small town compared to the amount of cruising that passes through here, cruising is a frequent topic of conversation with friends, neighbors and new meets. Since almost everyone here has at least "dabbled".
However it does quickly become more and more of the same old Caribbean.
When I lived in Barcelona I only took one quick cruise. (working then without the free time) Don't think I would now want to do Ocean cruises anywhere around southern Europe since I have spent so much time in all the ports during ground travels. Perhaps river cruises when I am over there already for other reasons.
I would do Baltic and North Sea and even put up with the flight to get there.
Especially now, every day flying gets less and less attractive.
So, my solution will have to be to find the $$$ to do longer cruises out of FLL with more interesting itineraries. Possibly with only a one-way flight home.
That being said, the idea of getting away anywhere on (almost) any ship is always tempting and far too easy from here, budget allowing. ;)
r.

[bob brown]

I do both. I am flying to Seattle for the first 14 day Amsterdam sailing round trip to Anchorage. I have flown to Fort Lauderdale to sail on the Ryndam one way to San Diego. I have flown to Montreal to sail the Maasdam one way to Fort Lauderdale. I have also flown to Fort Lauderdale to sail the Maasdam one way to Montreal.
I have sailed the Noordam round trip 11 days Caribbean from New York. Like others, I wish HAL would return to New York all year round. I'd like to try it again. Perhaps, they could vary the itinerary more than just 10/11 day as in the past. Run a short Bahamas and Bermuda intermixed with a long Western Caribbean or even a New York to San Diego and return. Lot's of possibilitied.
In the past three years, I have also sampled three NCL cruises primarily because of their extensive presence in New York. Their low fares were an added incentive.

[cruisecrasy]

We would love to take a cruise from Anchorage/Seward ports round trip...but the fact is it would cost us about as much (if not more) for an inside cabin to do a b2b 14 day in AK as it does for us to fly to Ft. Lauderdale and take a 14 day in a veranda to caribbean ports. Our flights are always free (helps to have a cc from alaska airlines and put all our charges through it) and I do enjoy the warmth in the winter. Makes the winters shorter.

Thought of taking a transit cruise from florida to ak...but it would still cost two cruises to get all the way home. I may live in Alaska but have never been to Juneau, Sitka or Stagway and would like to see how the 'southerners' live!:D

I definately do take the same cruise over & over although not always on the same ship or cruiseline..10 x to Alaska out of Vancouver with 11th comin' up!!

Cruisin'Lady - just luv your home state - such a majestic, wonderful place and those 'southern' places are great & Alaskans u haven't visited yet are such colorful & warm folks - well worth a visit!! :)

Happy cruisin'!

[sevenseasnomad]

How I wish that Holland America would come back to Norfolk, VA! Only 2 times had that happen! Both times were on the MS Maasdam. Short 3 hour drive from home and it was great! Now it's RCL and Carnival-YUK!
A lot of money was put into the Norfolk terminal and now it's really a waste. If HAL is viewing this, PLEASE come back.

Couldn't agree with you more. HAL did sail out of Norfolk before the new terminal was built. At the time HAL wasn't registering on our radar. We had yet to cruise with them. We never considered cruising out of Norfolk since most of the itineraries & Carnival didn't appeal to us.

A month after Half Moon Terminal opened, we sailed 7-day Bermuda on Empress of the Seas. Next year RCCI only offered 5-day Bermuda out of Norfolk. I also took Grandeur of the Seas on a 8-day New England/Canada. This year that cruise was completely cut from Norfolk & now sails from Baltimore. We can't figure out why RCCI cut back so drastically, as our TA told us those cruises sold extremely well from what she heard. We were onboard those ships and they were packed. It doesn't make a lot of sense to cut a market where the product is selling well. Can anyone here shed any light on that RCCI decision?

We noticed the 2010 offerings from Half Moon are slim and not very interesting (at least to us). So, no, we won't be using that terminal at all in the near future. IMO, Holland America should just take over that terminal (hey, guys, I know they can't), but with a terminal named Half Moon, wouldn't it be great? Sail out of Half Moon terminal, first port HMC!

Since we are so sold on HAL, we're willing to fly or drive a distance to cruise, but wouldn't it be fantastic if they sailed out of our backyard (Norfolk)? We'd be first in line. HAL, please, please.

[NiceFLGuy]

We live about 15 minutes from Port Everglades and have taken every cruise from there. We'd drive down to Miami if there was a cruise we really wanted to take, but we probably wouldn't fly to California or Seattle...

[kyriecat]

I live about an hour form Galveston but have only sailed from there twice. The itineraries and ships are so limited. I was considering sailing on RC's Voyager for my next cruise since I'm going with my mom. She's in a wheelchair and it makes it so much easier to travel if we don't have to fly. However, she wanted a southern Caribbean itinerary and not a Mexico one so we're flying to San Juan next weekend. Plus she was on a Voyager size ship a few years ago and thought it was too big. She'd rather have a smaller ship with a better itinerary.

The other problem with Galveston is there aren't any longer cruises - only 7 night or less. I'd rather take a 10 night or longer cruise so I don't feel like I just got onboard and already have to leave.