What Is The "Cruise Hook' For You?

[advocado]

To some, cruising is an addiction. Time is measured from the date of the last cruise to the date of the next. This is borne out by the many posts I have read on this forum (countdown clocks, included) and by the numerous books published on the subject. This realization gave me pause. What is there about cruise life that can make it so compelling to so many diverse people? In my view, it is not simply the opportunity to visit exotic ports of call. Indeed, there are other, usually less expensive ways to get to those places. Moreover, many port stays are of such short duration that you can barely get a taste of the place before you must get back aboard your ship. Certainly, some places -- such as Alaska and Panama Canal -- practically require a cruise ship to experience in only a week or two. Those, however, seem to be the exception. While satisfactory to many, I suspect that for most, the ports of call are but a small part of the "hook".
For me, cruising represents a complete abandonment of responsibility while simultaneously enjoying the pleasure of being pampered. Often, the toughest decision of the day is "What am I going to have for dinner?" Someone else cleans your room and does your laundry. Another brings meals to your cabin. If you want to stash away your alarm clock and sleep in, you do it. On formal nights you play dress up and put on your fanciest clothes. You look your best. All the while, you are blessed with ocean vistas and the beautiful sunsets. That's the "hook" for me.
I was wondering how others felt. Have I just stated the obvious, or is there more to it?

[Krazy Kruizers]

It took me years to get DH to go on a cruise. We did all those bus, train, plane etc tours through Europe, Hawaii, etc. I got sick of living out of a suitcase!!

Once I got him on a ship he was sold!! Unpacked once, visited many places, didn't have to try and hunt a place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Didn't have to worry about setting a clock to get ready for the next day's travels.

As far as dressing up - we always had to before we retired for many functions and we still love to dress up.

[tapdancemom]

I just love being taken care of. No cooking, cleaning, laundry - Yipee!

You get to see so many differant places, you only have to unpack once and you're good to go.

My husband wasn't too interested, but changed his mind after our first cruise to the Caribbean. Sitting up on deck at midnight having a goodnight cocktail under the stars. That's how we celebrated our twentieth anniversary. After that he was sold.

[eh2zed]

Where else can you unpack once, get waited on hand and foot, eat like a king or queen and be delivered to exciting exotic ports. Only cruising I say!!!!:D :D :D :D

[prescottbob]

Ahoy,
I agree with your intial assessment overall but our 'main hook', as it were, is the number of sea days available during a particular cruise. The first thing I do is count the number of actual sea days and it's offspring, i.e. the so-called crusing rivers days, fjords, crossing the equator days, etc. We prefer longer cruises anymore but try to avoid those that have several port days in a row (it becomes a little to 'busy' for us regardless of the itinerary). My 'dream' cruise would include 3-5 sea days, #2 ports, 1-2 sea days, #2-3 ports, 2-3 sea days, etc. I'd also like to stay in a port for more then 8 hours in some cases as expressed in an earlier post.
Just my opinion.
In any event, HAVE A GREAT CRUISE!

Bon Voyage and Good Health!
Bob:)

[Joanne G.]

For me, the hook is what I call the "forced relaxation" of a cruise. On a land vacation, I usually feel compelled to fill every waking minute with sightseeing. On a cruise, I have to be back onboard for a relaxing, leisurely dinner. And then there are those sea days for more forced relaxation.

And - you can't beat a cruise for getting away from it all. When at sea, I don't know exactly where I am - and I don't care. I'm reachable in a genuine family or work emergency - but it's not easy. Perfect! :cool:

[O2B@C]

For me it's the combination of all of it: the pampering; the relaxing effect of being surrounded, and gently rocked, by the ocean; the convenience of only having to unpack once; the guiltless leisure of sea days; the civilized, convivial atmosphere; and the convenience of having all of one's meals - including room service breakfast! :D - included in the price.

[kakalina]

Exactly what you said. Did you know you could get so used to pampering so fast?

[Copper10-8]

Having a home away from home to come back to every day in the process of seeing the world!

[CDRMark]

We talked about "taking a cruise" for a while, but I was the wet blanket (time on a ship? got the tee shirt).
Thought to surprise DW with a cruise for her 50th our 25th as Maasdam was sailing from here and prices/itinerary were amazing.
We loved the whole (imperfect) experience and have added it as another arrow to our vacation quiver. So far one a year, but maybe 2 next year.
Cheers
Mark

[HeatherInFlorida]

For me ....

the #1 reason I love to cruise is that I am always and forever drawn to the sea.

#2 is all the amazing friends we have made over our 25 years of cruising who are part of our lives to this day (and almost all of them met when sharing a table during "traditional" dining:) )

#3 is the ease of travelling from one place to another without packing a single thing.

#4 is the peaceful feeling I experience watching the the bow cutting through the water toward the horizon beyond and the magnificent dome of sky overhead.

There's just nothing like it.

[jhannah]

Yes. All of that, with a special focus on the complete relaxation. Away from the telephone (and I do sincerely hope it will stay that way.) No worries. Doing something every other kid on the block doesn't do.

[Tricia724]

For me ....

the #1 reason I love to cruise is that I am always and forever drawn to the sea.

Heather.....I was searching for the words until I read your post.....you have said perfectly what I feel.

I love to sit on the balcony or stand on the deck and look out to sea. There is something in that vast expanse of blue that always seems to calm me and make me realize just how small my problems really are. I never tire of it.

I love the convenience of unpacking once and seeing new places, but it's floating around at sea that gets me the most. It's almost like being in a time warp.....the whole world goes on about it's business while we sail off into a fantasy and leave reality behind.

It might not be for everyone, but it works for me.

[jocelysue]

All of the above! Relaxation, sea, great meals, etc.

For years and years, DH and I travelled all over Europe, Northern Africa, , the United States and Canada. We camped in a tent, in a trailer tent, in a 25 foot Airstream, in a 35 foot Airstream. We stayed in B & B's, "pensions", motels, hotels of the 2,3,4 & 5 star variety. We have taken all inclusive vacations to Bali, Thailand, etc. In short, we've done a lot and enjoyed it all for various reasons.

But the hook that has us love cruising, apart from all the goodies you stated is that we can be apart and we can be together. We can each do our own thing on our own time. DH can get up early, have a swim,go up to the Crow's Nest to enjoy the view ; I can lie abed, have breakfast served to me, go for a cooking lesson , knit a bit. We can meet up for lunch in the Lido if we choose. Otherwise, one of us can go to the Lido for lunch while the other goes to the dining room. Or we can have lunch served to our stateroom.

We can even choose our excursions separately. For example, DH dearly wanted to go over a glacier in a helicopter and stand on the top of a glacier. There's no way I want to pay extra for snow. Hey, I have more than enough of it around here. So, in Alaska,he flew over the glaciers while I attended a lecture by Susan Butchard, a winner of the Iditerod. Both of us were thrilled with out day.

Don't take all of this to mean that we do not enjoy each other's company. We do. We always request a table for two---not that we aren't sociable but we do love to share our day's experiences with each other over a long, languid meal. That's why we always request late seating. It suits our style.

And of course we do lots of things together; we tangoed in Buenos Aires, visited each of Pablo Neruda's homes in Chile, etc. The point is that cruising allows us the freedom of choice.

Plus, another hook is some of the ports: there aren't too many opportunities to stop in Gambia and Senegal otherwise thanon a cruise (and we really don't want a prolonged land tour to Africa--Kenya excepted).

This is a fun thread. So many reasons for cruising, each of them a winner. Guess that's why there are so many cruise lines with so many offerings. Different strokes.....

And each person's reasons are the right ones. This is a win-win thread....at last!

[Dena]

that vast expanse of blue.


That's it!

An added bonus. Freedom from the automobile.

[luvcruisn']

As a solo traveller, cruising offers the chance to see wonderful ports during the day, usually on my own, and then to come back and have company for dinner. I have done some land touring, but it does get lonely at mealtimes. Also for me, the sea is a great draw - I even enjoy the 1 1/2 hour ferry trips to Vancouver Island.

[diveoz]

I love the ocean, tropical warm places, traveling in comfort, reading a good book in the shade, good food, waking up and watching the sun rise over the ocean, gliding along in tropical water next to a seaturtle, diving in the tropics in general (California water is sooooo cold), being on boats (I know - it's a ship, but it'll do!), planning an exciting vacation and so many more things that cruising fits neatly in with.

We took our last cruise 10 years ago on Carnival Holiday and while I had a great time my then pregnant wife did not, so I am so excited to reintruduce her to cruising in comfort and style! Hopefully it takes!

[spacecat]

Having only one cruise under my belt, at this time I would have to say that my FAVORITE part was the total lack of having to make any decisions. It was truly the most relaxing vacation I have ever had. No traffic or parking problems....no maps to read....the only thing to even think about was what to do at meal time. All the "hard" work was being done for me!

Shari

[O2cruise]

I think the "hook" for us was the dining issue. My mom, my sister and I travel together at least once a year. Until we discovered cruising dinner was always such a huge ordeal. My sister is vegetarian, with other diet restrictions as well, and it seems we spent hours researching where to dine, checking out the menu, only to discover that half the time it was certainly not our definition of a good dining venue. Enter cruising - oh yeahhhh!! Dining is taken care of, she always finds wonderful things to eat and the waiters spoil her to death. That means the rest of the vacation is -- well, a vacation. To sit on the balcony and see nothing but water or at times a faint little speck that you know is a tiny island, or sitting on the balcony as we sail into a new port early in the morning - now that's a "hook"

[nobbync]

For me this answer is very simple. Cruises get me away from the hustle of my everyday life. No other vacation gets me away like a cruise does. I LOVE the ocean and to sit in the middle on a ship watching the ocean go by is as relaxing as can be. To be honest I really do not care too much for the places it goes, my main interest is the ship itself so the more sea days the better. Now that doesn't mean I don't enjoy the ports because I do and many are exciting as well but first is the ocean and to get away. I get home as relaxed as can be.

One cruise on the Oosterdam my DW and I had a verandah cabin. I think I sat on the verandah every chance I got. One night my DW comes out at 3 am wondering what happened to me. I was sleeping like a baby out there with the wind and moon and ocean... Now that was heaven for me. She thought I fell off...

Nobby

[ekerr19]

I love being on board a ship. :)

[MrsMuir]

I love being on board a ship. :)
Simply and truly expressed, Ekerr. Ships delight my senses. I love the look and sound and feel of them, whether they're sailing ships or grand liners. I like to learn their specifications and histories like a sports fan learns baseball statistics. Best of all is being fortunate enough to actually sail on a ship; to lean on the railing and just revel in the moment.

If I had read this thread yesterday, it would have been too much to bear, because for about 18 hours it looked like I would have to cancel both of our upcoming cruises. But the crisis has passed, and I can happily respond to this happiest of threads.

[caviargal]

Cruising has always represented a return to earlier times for me. Being at sea, the smell and feel of the ocean, the peace and quiet while on one's balcony can be sheer bliss.

Dressing for dinner and other time honored traditions of cruising have always been special to me. This is, sadly, changing, and I am afraid cruising is no longer the total pleasure it once was, at least for me.

[advocado]

Cruising has always represented a return to earlier times for me. Being at sea, the smell and feel of the ocean, the peace and quiet while on one's balcony can be sheer bliss.

Dressing for dinner and other time honored traditions of cruising have always been special to me. This is, sadly, changing, and I am afraid cruising is no longer the total pleasure it once was, at least for me.
I agree. Though I have not cruised extensively, I have done so enough to recognize the changes. I remember when formal nights were just that. Formal. Almost without exception, every passenger dressed for the occasion. No one viewed it as a chore. I remember tours of the engine room and access to the bridge. I recall the questionnaire before departure asking how you wanted your bar stocked. As time progresses it seems that we find ourselves compromising more and more. Heck...look at flying (and I'm not talking about the post 9/11 misery we must go through to get on a plane). I'm certain many of us old geezers remember when flying commercial was a dress up occasion and lost luggage was a rarity. Notwithstanding, I still love settling in to my cabin, popping the cork on the champagne and being thoroughly content as we sailed away. My only real complaint is that someone is annually shrinking my tuxedo... ;)

[Love Cruises]

We just love being on a ship! We especially love the days at sea just sitting on deck watching the water go by. Time for lots of reading and relaxation. You unpack once and just enjoy every minute on board a HAL ship. You can't beat the pampering by the wonderful staff. Nothing like it!!!!

On a couple of repeat cruises we have taken, we actually didn't even get off the ship. Just enjoyed all the activies and amenities the ship was offering. Now we are seriously contemplating what other cruises we want to schedule for 2008 besides the Amazon Adventure in November.

[mamaofami]

I love being on the sea, on the beautiful sea. I'm so excited to have an aft cabin for the first time so I can just watch the wake. I fell in love with the motion of the ocean a long time ago and feel so lucky to be able to indulge in this pastime. Sea days are wonderful for me because I can relax without feeling the pressure to go and explore.

I love being on the ship and feeling the excitement as she pulls away from the pier. It's a sense of adventure and relaxation at the same time.

[Sky Sweet]

Cruising evokes wonderful childhood memories because I grew up in house on the North Shore of Long Island, with frontage on the Long Island Sound, and our family spent many happy hours in my father's cabin cruisers during my youth.

[Cruising-along]

The same thing everyone else has already said. The total relaxation, pampering, only unpacking once, pampering, everything taken care of for you, seeing new and exotic ports, pampering, the fact that you get SO much for one, inclusive price, (oh and did I say the pampering???) :)

[WehoAtlantis]

Just like a hotel and their service is addictive. Now add movement, excursions, destinations and 2000 people along with drinks and eat...=addiction.:)

[alsas]

What a delight it is to write on this subject. Love the ocean...Love the ease of travel...Love the romance...Love the staff (we are all so blessed) I love it all...Happy sailing ALSAS

[Solo Cruiser]

My father used to say they named me wrong as my middle name should have been GO. That was his fault though. I lived in 13 places before I finished high school (yes he was a career member of the Armed Forces). Any chance I have for getting to as many places as possible in the short amount of vacation time I'm allotted is a chance I'll take. That is what first attracted me to cruising. Once I was aboard however that seemed like a secondary reason. The self contained community that is a cruise ship, is perfect for someone who wants to travel but finds themselves doing it alone. I've made friends from strangers at a dinner table, enjoyed seeing new things on excursions with other shipmates, cheered on folks in a casino who I didn't even know the day before and given myself over to the total relaxation of watching the hypnotic ocean. This is my vacation of choice for the rest of the days I'm able to board the ship.

[serendipity1499]

The Cruising Hook is a large one-We've traveled all over the world by air both for business & pleasure.. We've lived in apartments & homes on the water for our entire married life..For us just staring out at the water is very peaceful..We love sea days & it's wonderful not having to pack & unpack in every city...

In addition we've sailed thousands of miles & have spent up to five continuous months aboard our own boat...We had a wonderful time, especially because we had friends (in their boat)with us...But maintaining a boat is both time consuming & never ending...;) ;)

I don't miss having to wash clothes in public Laundromats, don't have to clean the head each time we take a shower or shower in a Marina (with water shoes on)..Now don't have walk to the supermarket for supplies or cook for ourselves if we can't find a restaurant close by..We no longer have wet bunks from being swamped by another boat because the Captain did not watch his wake! We don't have to get up every hour to check the anchor..And we don't have to constantly clean the boat inside & out!

And best of all DH no longer shouts because I've missed a dock piling, or can't understand his crazy hand signals when he's trying to anchor, or can't keep the boat turned into the wind when he's dropping the sails!! ;) Men do that you know! And when some DH's get excited, their orders are often unclear such as "Turn the other way" instead of turn to port or starboard..Of course, I always turn the wrong Way! LOL

We do miss the fun we had with our friends, but we now have the best of both worlds..Our friends also love to cruise with us...We all love being wined, dined & pampered!:)

Give me a cruise anytime & I'll be content..:) Cheers..Betty

[Bramcruiser]

Some good food for thought. While I must admit that a complete abandonment of day-to-day responsibilities is a reason I rather choose a cruise over spending my vacations at a cottage I have to say its the utter sense of relaxation I get from a cruise. I book seeking at least a few at sea days and if I don't want to get off the ship then I know I'm at peace and rather not go back to the hectic real world.

David

[advocado]

Some good food for thought. While I must admit that a complete abandonment of day-to-day responsibilities is a reason I rather choose a cruise over spending my vacations at a cottage I have to say its the utter sense of relaxation I get from a cruise. I book seeking at least a few at sea days and if I don't want to get off the ship then I know I'm at peace and rather not go back to the hectic real world.

David
I agree. When choosing the Panama Canal (Maasdam, Jan.'08) I selected the itinerary that provided the most days at sea. While the Canal is certainly worth the price of admission, as for the ports...I could care less. I wouldn;t care if we docked at a tire dump. The cruise -- the sea -- is the thing.

[lishka]

I agree with all of the reasons stated...
I could just stare at the wake for hours. I love my aft cabins, but I guess my very favorite thing would have to be that my cell phone isn't ringing every five minutes like it does on dry land!
It is so nice not to be reachable!
Just peace and quiet and the wake...ahhhhh:cool:

[Sky Sweet]

I agree with all of the reasons stated...
I could just stare at the wake for hours. I love my aft cabins, but I guess my very favorite thing would have to be that my cell phone isn't ringing every five minutes like it does on dry land!
It is so nice not to be reachable!
Just peace and quiet and the wake...ahhhhh:cool:


I agree about the special nature of a real vacation from everyday life without being reachable by cell phone. For the same reason, I never use a computer during a cruise either.

[amusea]

I always choose the ship for the itinerary and if I am lucky the ship will be void of canned music everywhere so that I can hear the sounds of the sea rather than some inane warbling.

[ANSalberg]

The "Hook" for me was different when I was working/younger. I NEEDED to get away from reality for a short bit of space/time. Now that we're retired the draw is entirely different; the pure adventure of seeing this wonderful world we live in and to find that people are the same ALL OVER THE WORLD! Its simply one GREAT adventure!
I was a library Director in a small public library [ read -I cleaned the toilets also] and raising a family and contributing to our community. I retired 9 years ago -and we have since gone on several crossings into Europe or from Europe; we've done the Asia/Pacific cruise twice -and will do it again 2008 [ a 2 month cruise] and this last winter we did the 3 1/2 month "Grand" World cruise.....ALL on Holland America. I can't TELL you how exciting it is to go to some of the more different, culturally, parts of our world! From Japan & China to INDIA....Egypt, Israel, Croatia, Turkey, Dubai......To reassure the faint of heart- I NEVER feared in ANY of the places we've been [ however, to contribute to the previous posts; we skipped ports in places because of political unrest - like Indonesia -where we were ABLE to visit THIS year! AND to meet families of our VERY VERY special HAL crews]
I hope YOU all have the opportunity to do as we have and embrace the peoples of the world as we have - Before????? I only read about it in books! NOW I can GO to sea and find the Adventures..........
Anne

[advocado]

ANSalberg -- What a wonderful post. Since I started world traveling about 35 years ago I have come to realize the travel (as you have described it) is the "dessert of life". I could not have expressed better than you just have.

[fcorey]

The "Hook" for me was different when I was working/younger. I NEEDED to get away from reality for a short bit of space/time. Now that we're retired the draw is entirely different; the pure adventure of seeing this wonderful world we live in and to find that people are the same ALL OVER THE WORLD! Its simply one GREAT adventure!
I was a library Director in a small public library [ read -I cleaned the toilets also] and raising a family and contributing to our community. I retired 9 years ago -and we have since gone on several crossings into Europe or from Europe; we've done the Asia/Pacific cruise twice -and will do it again 2008 [ a 2 month cruise] and this last winter we did the 3 1/2 month "Grand" World cruise.....ALL on Holland America. I can't TELL you how exciting it is to go to some of the more different, culturally, parts of our world! From Japan & China to INDIA....Egypt, Israel, Croatia, Turkey, Dubai......To reassure the faint of heart- I NEVER feared in ANY of the places we've been [ however, to contribute to the previous posts; we skipped ports in places because of political unrest - like Indonesia -where we were ABLE to visit THIS year! AND to meet families of our VERY VERY special HAL crews]
I hope YOU all have the opportunity to do as we have and embrace the peoples of the world as we have - Before????? I only read about it in books! NOW I can GO to sea and find the Adventures..........
Anne

What a great post. Michelle is also a Library Director in our small town.....she read your post over my shoulder and said she can definitely relate :)

[ANSalberg]

I get so TIRED of the constant question by NON-cruisers "Don't you get BORED?" And to exclaim "NEVER" seems over-bearing. And maybe it IS the tie-into Libraries - MAYBE we are the Aladdin's of OUR day.....With WONDER we open those doors to the world at large. Just as WE ALL opened doors thru books for our children as we read aloud to groups of eager kids.......
I guess as I BEGAN cruising [ Alaska/"Princess"/1978] with all kinds of "things" going on at home- we began again in the mid-1990s to cruise on HAL. "Bored" just was never in my vocabulary....
Library's don't pay well [ I bet your Michelle can identify] but BANKING does and that's what my husband did. I JUST feel so BLESSED to have the time and energy and curiosity and the money to do what I'm doing NOW! And when people say "Don't you get bored" I NEVER got bored....I just do NOT have time!We just LOVE doing what we are doing Anne

[localady]

I get so TIRED of the constant question by NON-cruisers "Don't you get BORED?" And to exclaim "NEVER" seems over-bearing. And maybe it IS the tie-into Libraries - MAYBE we are the Aladdin's of OUR day.....With WONDER we open those doors to the world at large. Just as WE ALL opened doors thru books for our children as we read aloud to groups of eager kids.......
I guess as I BEGAN cruising [ Alaska/"Princess"/1978] with all kinds of "things" going on at home- we began again in the mid-1990s to cruise on HAL. "Bored" just was never in my vocabulary....
Library's don't pay well [ I bet your Michelle can identify] but BANKING does and that's what my husband did. I JUST feel so BLESSED to have the time and energy and curiosity and the money to do what I'm doing NOW! And when people say "Don't you get bored" I NEVER got bored....I just do NOT have time!We just LOVE doing what we are doing Anne

I could not have said that half as well Anne!!!
There is a whole wide world out there to experience, and we are blessed to be able to explore it!:D :D

[2bout2c]

The "Hook" for me was different when I was working/younger. I NEEDED to get away from reality for a short bit of space/time. Now that we're retired the draw is entirely different; the pure adventure of seeing this wonderful world we live in and to find that people are the same ALL OVER THE WORLD! Its simply one GREAT adventure!
I was a library Director in a small public library [ read -I cleaned the toilets also] and raising a family and contributing to our community. I retired 9 years ago -and we have since gone on several crossings into Europe or from Europe; we've done the Asia/Pacific cruise twice -and will do it again 2008 [ a 2 month cruise] and this last winter we did the 3 1/2 month "Grand" World cruise.....ALL on Holland America. I can't TELL you how exciting it is to go to some of the more different, culturally, parts of our world! From Japan & China to INDIA....Egypt, Israel, Croatia, Turkey, Dubai......To reassure the faint of heart- I NEVER feared in ANY of the places we've been [ however, to contribute to the previous posts; we skipped ports in places because of political unrest - like Indonesia -where we were ABLE to visit THIS year! AND to meet families of our VERY VERY special HAL crews]
I hope YOU all have the opportunity to do as we have and embrace the peoples of the world as we have - Before????? I only read about it in books! NOW I can GO to sea and find the Adventures..........
Anne
I love the quote"The World is a book and those that don't travel read only one page". I want to read the whole book and a cruise ship is my choice.

[Fisherlady48]

what a wonderful thread...

I started with hubbie cruising, then stopped for a couple years after he left us, but after my first cruise alone (that was a joke), but the itinerary (I got to cruise up the Mississippi River to New Orleans!!) was great. I found Cruise Critic so my last cruise felt like it was with friends!! My 11 night cruise next February on my favorite ship, the Nordic Empress, now the Empress of the Seas is very port intensive but has 2 days at sea. I love at least seeing the ports and getting a feel for whether I would go back and spend a week. So far, Grand Cayman is the only island I would stay at, and of course Aruba for me is an annual trip. (which Im trying to make a semi-annual!!) Since our first cruise, on the Holiday when she was new, and for a week, no one told or said to me the WORD NO, I was hooked. Thats really it for me, I am never told no.. its always please and thank you!!

[SHayesShip]

The draw for me is being on, near or in the water.
Being on a ship with the bow cutting through the swells totally rejuvenates my well being.
The ship and the sea literally overwhelm me and take over all of my thought processes and squeeze out my day to day pressures of life.
It is utopia for me plain and simple.

[doorcountydi]

The hook of cruising?? Many!

* the away-ness of it... the total Stepford-ness (if you
have seen The Stepford Wives, you know what I
mean--the crew aboard any HAL ship is HAPPY,
accommodating, they remember your name and your
preferences--it's the way the rest of the world should
be)

* the pampering. The only thing better would be that
someone would carry me around the ship. :p

* I LOVE that phrase "The world is a book and those
who don't travel read only one page" ! Excellent!! At
my almost-retired stage of life, I am revelling in
wandering the earth.

* the ships themselves. I would love to meet the
people who think up the decor.

* BORED? Egads!!? The days at sea are heaven.

Diane

[ANSalberg]

I know; Days at SEA.......pure HEAVEN!

[fcorey]

I get so TIRED of the constant question by NON-cruisers "Don't you get BORED?" And to exclaim "NEVER" seems over-bearing. And maybe it IS the tie-into Libraries - MAYBE we are the Aladdin's of OUR day.....With WONDER we open those doors to the world at large. Just as WE ALL opened doors thru books for our children as we read aloud to groups of eager kids.......
I guess as I BEGAN cruising [ Alaska/"Princess"/1978] with all kinds of "things" going on at home- we began again in the mid-1990s to cruise on HAL. "Bored" just was never in my vocabulary....
Library's don't pay well [ I bet your Michelle can identify] but BANKING does and that's what my husband did. I JUST feel so BLESSED to have the time and energy and curiosity and the money to do what I'm doing NOW! And when people say "Don't you get bored" I NEVER got bored....I just do NOT have time!We just LOVE doing what we are doing Anne

We can sympathize with the library pay, I find it odd that my wife has a double bachelors and 2 masters degrees (English and MLS) yet my field pay more for a bachelors... she's definitely the brighter half of the couple :D For me the best part is being at sea, I guess i am missing my time aboard ship for uncle Sam. Michelle also loves sea days reading on the veranda

[Newfies]

The true hook for us are the sea days. My hubby, son and I prefer the sea days. And it sounds like there are many who love the sea days, too. Can y'all, the more experienced cruisers, share with us the cruises that have more sea days than not? I've heard of "relocation" cruises. Anyone been on those?

[ANSalberg]

The true hook for us are the sea days. My hubby, son and I prefer the sea days. And it sounds like there are many who love the sea days, too. Can y'all, the more experienced cruisers, share with us the cruises that have more sea days than not? I've heard of "relocation" cruises. Anyone been on those?

"Repositioning" cruises GENERALLY have at-sea days - simply because they are geared to move ship from point A to point B - As in Alaska to Caribbean; Europe to USA....or back again. They are often seasonal [ spring/fall]

The other with at-sea days in abundance are MUCH longer cruises -such as the "Grand" cruises; Anywhere from 60-days to over 100 days [ You do those if you are retired or VERY VERY RICH; in our case- we're retired!]

And I also think your personality is the success story; If you can self entertain/read/visit with people/ Go-with-the-flow.......If you are CONSTANTLY critical of food/programs/shore details/dining times/SPACE.....in other words NOTHING pleases you; cruising isn't for you- it just ISN'T! If you are driving YOURSELF nuts -you are CERTAINLY driving OTHER people crazy too!
If you are using life's LEMONS to make MARGARITAS -cruising is for YOU!
Anne

[SHayesShip]

As mentioned in prior post the repositioning cruises are great for sea days. I live in Los Angeles and like to do the "Coastal Cruises". These are generally 2 to 6 day cruises from/to Vancouver/Seattle - from/to Los Angeles/SanDiego. Spring Time - I usually either take a ship one-way from Los Angeles to Vancouver drive to Seattle - spend a day or more and fly one way back to Los Angeles. Fall Time - I do the reverse.

There are longer extentions of these Coastal Cruises in which the ships go from Vancouver/Seattle to Caribbean by way of Panama Canal. These are generally 14 to 17 days. They have 2-3 sea days at a time mixed with a port stop.

The true hook for us are the sea days. My hubby, son and I prefer the sea days. And it sounds like there are many who love the sea days, too. Can y'all, the more experienced cruisers, share with us the cruises that have more sea days than not? I've heard of "relocation" cruises. Anyone been on those?

[Newfies]

Thank you both! We love cruises, and we love them not for where we are going but much more for the shear fact we are on a ship! We love being alone as much as meeting new people and making friends. Unfortunately, my hubby and I both have demanding careers, and fortunately, we were blessed with our miracle baby very late in life (he's 11 now) - so we're limited on time, but all three of us love cruising. Our goal is to get to 3 cruises a year, then to 4. Ultimately, my hubby and I want to go on a grand cruise.

Guess we'll have to wait on the repositioning cruises - timing probably isn't good for us. May be in a few years . . .

Thanks for your feedback!

[Seasongs]

Why cruising is the best? Time alone with DH, popcorn while watching movies, walking on the teak promenade deck, seeing the ocean, eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner in pajamas in our cabin "home", inhaling the sea air, no dishes, chocolates on the pillow, sleeping in. To name a few reasons.

[Pug Mom]

At first it was the lure of the "Love Boat". Reality....everything posted on this thread plus at my age it is the closest that I've come to being a kid again with little or no resposibilites for the duration of the trip! Someone else picks up after you, cooks for you and entertains you!

[advocado]

At first it was the lure of the "Love Boat". Reality....everything posted on this thread plus at my age it is the closest that I've come to being a kid again with little or no resposibilites for the duration of the trip! Someone else picks up after you, cooks for you and entertains you!

AMEN!!

[RuthC]

Since birth I've had salt water flowing through my veins. When I'm at sea is the only time I truly feel "I'm home".

On my first cruise there was no TV or newspapers, cabin phone only reached other placed on the ship, there was no Internet or cell phones. I quickly realized that the entire world could end and I still wouldn't have a care. Even though there is now easy contact with the outside world that sense is still with me when I'm on a ship.
At sea is the only place I have ever known serenity.