Cruised out?

[tlmlb]

I'm interested in comments on my malady.....I wonder if they vary among passengers of different lines...

Call it what you will, but with the way the cruiselines are going these days its hard to get excited about the average cruise. And all lines are becoming very average. You spend so much time embarking and disembarking that these trips to the usual cookie cutter ports are hardly worth it. Now, I find that it is much less stressful and more relaxing to go to a destination resort.

I wonder if some of you are going through the same transformation / travel migration that, unless the itinerary is stimulating or unusual, cruising is not worth the trouble or the cost. For just fun in the sun, the land resort is now much more appealing. Different cultures are impossible to experience in a short port call. Unless you can combine a cruise with a significant stay, the experience is, might I say, a bit watery.

Don't take this as sour grapes, I have had a good time in the past but cruising just isn't the same anymore. I mean, certain itineraries are exceptional. The Med, Baltic, Panama Canal, even extended repositioning jaunts are terrific, but the 7 day western or eastern caribbean are flat out a boring hassle. I would not recommend them to anyone.

[Orcrone]

Don't take this as sour grapes, I have had a good time in the past but cruising just isn't the same anymore. I mean, certain itineraries are exceptional. The Med, Baltic, Panama Canal, even extended repositioning jaunts are terrific, but the 7 day western or eastern caribbean are flat out a boring hassle. I would not recommend them to anyone.I think you sum it up well. In the past you had a good time, but find the typical Caribbean a boring hassle that you would not recommend.

At one point you obviously did enjoy it, but now you've done them so many times that one beach looks like another. However, it took you a number of cruises to reach that point. So if someone were looking for a recommondation it means that they probably have not been on a Caribbean cruise, so I would still recommend it. (At one point it held your interest). And if they've been there on a cruise, they should know what to expect, so I would still make a recommondation of a cruise line.

[dewhit6959]

Dear Tlmlb,

I have only begun my trip to boredom and hope it is a long one, but I can understand your feelings. If you were in a capacity to change any thing on the current Caribbean cruises and ships, what would you change ? What would the cruise lines need to do to entice you to take another Caribbean cruise?

[Budget Queen]

I'm jaded. :) I started cruising in 1983 and have seen a lot of changes with most for the worse. I'll be on cruise #32 in two weeks but I nowhere near take the cruises I used to and take far more land tours- lucky to have almost 8 paid weeks per year. :) Now I most only go on the big late booking discount cruises.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We are getting the same way. This cruise coming up - #49 - is a little different from most cruises. But all the other cruises we have booked in 2005 are the same old stuff.

So DH and I are looking to do something different in 2006. Don't know what yet. Lots of time to check out things.

[Orcrone]

I've only been on two cruises in my life (with cruise 3 and 4 currently booked). But hearing from others with many cruises under the belt I have one question. Why not do something totally different?

Land tours comes to mind. AI resorts can be very nice. They're more expensive than a cruise, but by the time you take tipping, drinks, excursions, etc. into account, the difference is not that great. I currently love cruising, but could see that if I took many cruises the lack of time in ports would be an issue.

We just received a brochure for HAL's 2005 European cruises. They look great and I'd love to take a med cruise. But spending 6 hours in Rome or Venice would just not do it justice.

Since some people take four cruises a year why don't you cut back and mix it in with other vacations? Maybe after a few of those the hunger to cruise will be back.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have done many land tours. Toured all over Europe for several years before we started to cruise.

And have done lots of "stay at the resort" for a couple of weeks.

So will be looking to the future.

[Candy]

After a dozen cruises, we see no time coming that we will tire of this vacation option. Our expectations have changed over the years, and we have eased into a very casual cruising style. We no longer feel anxious if we cannot play every game, see every show, try every excursion, attend every cocktail party, or visit every port. It doesn't bother us that we have to wait a little to board the ship (HAL's new boarding procedure has greatly improved this aspect) or to miss a port due to inclement weather. On the Norway, for instance, we never left the ship. The only port we planned to visit was the private island which was skipped because of a med-evac situation. We are still excited about each upcoming cruise, but we no longer pack 3 weeks ahead (3 days is more like it).We choose a medium-sized ship that is relatively new with decent-sized cabins, leaving from Florida (or pretty soon, Jax), and shipboard activities that we can at least plan to do :rolleyes:

We started out cruising once a year, and are now up to three (unless another Grand is on the way) and don't see us slowing down anytime soon.

[momrox1]

I agree with Candy. I will take my third cruise this year, on the Oosterdam in November. I mix it up-some with hubby, some with girlfriends and some with my daughter. That way each experience is different for me. We now pack the night before and no longer visit places like St. Thomas, St. Martin unless it is to visit a beach.
I just returned from my surprise 50th birthday gift which was a week on the American Orient Express and wow!!! On this tour, which was the National Parks of the West, you were off the train each day by 8:30 and on to the Parks to hike, explore or do whatever you wanted for the day. I thought I wouldn't like to be on the go as much as we were but we found we both loved it! Made me hunger for more active/adventurous vacations. (And I used to rent my home out every summer and travel to a different country with my hubby and kids, so I've been around a bit) We are now considering whether we want to save the cruising till we are a little less active. That would include cutting out our 20th anniversary cruise on the O next October and opting for some backpacking/biking etc, maybe in New Zealand or someplace a little more exotic than just the Caribbean. So I know how you feel.
Bottom line is, it's such a lucky dilemma to be in. :)

[jamesm]

We're leaving on cruise #14 in ten days. For me, it's just about being on the ship and away from pressures at work. Most ports we don't even get off - the ship is quieter and the pool less crowded. Have any of you ever done any of the Backroads trips? We have friends who are ecstatic about them. Something else to consider for the future.

[grandma bev]

If you refer to Backroads, the bicycle tour people, they appear to be high quality. I say "appear" because for 15 summers we traveled in the motorhome with our own racing bikes, dirt bikes and mountain bikes, and often ran into that happy tour group. We've cruised, land-toured, and been to destination resorts and loved all. But what we loved best was parking beside the mountain stream in our RV, staying as long as we wanted, and hiking, fishing, biking, etc. at our leisure. What luxury that was. These are truly the Golden Years. Over the Hill, and Ready to Roll!

Bev and Dale

[iluvcruzin]

tlmlb.. I can relate to what you are talking about - cruise burnout. I took 3 cruises in less than a 6 month time frame once and decided to take a hiatus for a few years. I did some land vacations for a variety. I did return to cruising this year. One can get burned out on the carribean. The itenerary for our upcoming cruise is a "been there done that many times" but what makes it different is my daughter hasn't visited these places so it's for her moreso than me.

Sounds like you've had enough of the western/eastern itenerary. There are so many more travel opportunities to experience. There's nothing wrong with burnout and being more creative in choosing how you spend your time and money on a vacation. Take a break and try something new. Try a different cruiseline/ship from the norm if you decide to visit these iteneraries again. Variety is good.

[uncialman]

I would really highly suggest trying a New England/Canada cruise if you haven't already. I do wish, however, that HAL would offer the 10-night out of NY as they used to only a year ago; that cruise by far was my favorite out of over 30 cruises.

You might also consider South America, Antarctica, a Crossing, Asia and using HAL's sister line Windstar. Using the same line year in and year out can get a bit tedious as well; consider Cunard, Crystal and Radisson Seven Seas.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We also wish that HAL would offer the 10 day Canada/New England out of New York. That itinerary had you stay overnight in Quebec City.

[HeatherInFlorida]

We could never cruise as much as many on these boards so we try to vary our vacations. Right now, because we're living in West Palm, we've taken a few cruises in a row...we love that there's no flight involved. But soon we'll do something different again. I'm already looking at places to stay on St. Lucia, Bequia, and Tortola. Once a year for a cruise is enough for us.

But I also think you have to enjoy the cruise experience itself. I go as much for the sea days as anything else. If you're going to "see the world" then as Orcrone says, a day simply isn't enough.

But we've cruised the Mediterranean, the South Pacific and the Caribbean. If you keep doing the same thing, whatever it is, I think you can suffer burnout or it just gets plain stale.

[SHayesShip]

I have been on almost 70 cruises now from 3 days to 100 days.
I am now 49 years old and do not plan stopping cruising anytime soon.
My first cruise was in the early 1960's. Things and times have definitely changed. However, the reason I cruise is to be on the water in a ship. The ports have always been secondary for me.
Since the ports are secondary, I do not have the same burn-out feeling that you have.
Ex: I am going on a 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise next month. I have done this itinerary probably 9 times over the last 13 or so years. HOWEVER, I am going on the Diamond Princess for the FIRST time. This makes it very exciting for me.

[DFD1]

We have done many land trips over the years, most often to Ireland and the continent just about every year in the late spring, but we almost always go back for a cruise after no more than a year or so.

There is something about being on board a beautiful sip at sea that no other travel experience quite equals. We both love ships, the sea and the relaxing pace. The ports, especially in the Caribbean, interest us less and less as time passes.

[dakrewser]

For some its the equivalent of the "week at the lake" that our parents dragged us to each summer. Its familiar, so its "safe". There's still quite a bit of pampering that you couldn't get on a visit to a "destination" (whether that's the Grand Canyon or the Grand Strand).


Fortunately, there are enough new destinations (for me) as well as new routes to old destinations that the sense of "been there, done that" hasn't set in.

I won't be flying to Florida for a 7-day Caribbean cruise anytime soon, but that's a finction of the irritation of flying these days. But give me a great price on a 12-14 day Baltic cruise and I'll grit my teeth and spend the 12 hours necessary to get to the departure point.

[tomc]

I space out my cruises --one a year, altho I would take two if it happened-- and my purpose is, like jamesm (who is also taking his 14th cruise) to be away and without responsibilities. I'm not even sure what ports I will be visiting this time on my yearly NE/C cruise. I get off the ship at some ports, wander around on my own, get back on and enjoy the view. Never bored. But that's me; if you are port-intensive, you can burn out fairly quickly, I imagine.

[Roboat]

We are far from bored with cruising.

We love being on the ship. Suzanne and I have only cruised a few times, and only in the Caribbean (except for a barge cruise in France, but that's a different animal) and we both love the days at sea. Beautiful sandy beaches in pristine azure waters all look the same to us: very nice to look at from the ship. OK, that's way over the top, but for us there is some truth in it.

The few shore excursions I've taken have been mildly interesting but I don't get the satisfaction from them that many people do. And there is usually a slight amount of hassle or planning or effort involved, sometimes even mild exertion! Plus I'm "fiscally conservative." ;)

Not that I am not easily amused. I will spend quite a while looking for flying fish, or just watching the wake or the bow waves. I like watching the little kids in the pool, especially those who can barely walk. A 1-year-old girl can spend a good 10 minutes trying to pick up water in her fingers to show to her Mom. Now that's entertainment. :)

We would like to cruise Alaska some day.

[jhannah]

We are also far from bored with cruising. We've really come to enjoy the ease of unpacking and repacking only once while getting to visit many different places. I can understand the Caribbean deal. We've been there more than once, and there's really nothing there to draw me back. Other places change seasons, so going at different times of the year gives you a different perspective. Overall, I'd say that if you're burning out, then try something different for a year or two. Then you might be reminded of what drew you to cruising in the first place.

[OCruisers]

No Burnout Yet!!!! :p

We been on 40+ (7 days or longer) which have included Baltic, Mediterrarian, SouthPacific/Orient, etc. Honestly, the more exotic ... the less we actually enjoyed. :o Glad we've done these but no desire to go back.

Never tire of going to the Caribbean -- cruise ships, land vacations, or on business!!! It's close and warm all year! Wow! Still excited and very much looking forward to our upcoming cruises to the Caribbean!!!!!

Maybe is just that it's "the devil we know best" :rolleyes: ... BUT we LOVE "this devil"! :D

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[TedC]

Back in the early or mid 1990s we suffered cruise burnout after taking two Caribbean cruises within four weeks.

We had booked one cruise for the Feb. winter break from school. Then my wife won a cruise at a charity raffle (see, she's not just lucky in love).

Great, we cancel the paid cruise and substitute the free one! Well, we couldn't work it out that way so were "forced" to take one cruise in late Jan. and the other two weeks later.

They were both on Celebrity but on different ships and different itineraries, except that both stopped at St. Thomas, of course.

We didn't cruise again for five years, but still traveled. After awhile we got sick of packing and unpacking and returned to cruising.

Our 18th cruise is coming up next month and we have two more booked for 2005. We vary our itineraries - we love Europe, Asia - someplace new.
And we also like longer cruises - nothing less than 10 days and preferably longer.

Two of our next three cruises are crossings - plenty of sea days but still with some interesting ports. We don't expect to be bored - or burned out.

[HeatherInFlorida]

We are far from bored with cruising.

We love being on the ship. Suzanne and I have only cruised a few times, and only in the Caribbean (except for a barge cruise in France, but that's a different animal) and we both love the days at sea. Beautiful sandy beaches in pristine azure waters all look the same to us: very nice to look at from the ship........

Not that I am not easily amused. I will spend quite a while looking for flying fish, or just watching the wake or the bow waves. I like watching the little kids in the pool, especially those who can barely walk. A 1-year-old girl can spend a good 10 minutes trying to pick up water in her fingers to show to her Mom. Now that's entertainment. :)
Ah, Roboat, if I were a younger girl and if I were single ;) , Suzanne would have to fight me off:D . I really love the way you think!

[fb0075]

Kinda sums up what we have been feeling lately--
After 48 cruises all over the world --the excitement seems to be twindling--we travel every 2 months or so and have planned some land stuff for awhile--
the decline in quality and rise in prices is a BUMMER!
FRANK

[imsulin]

I do at least one or two land tours (usually A/I) every year, and one cruise. I started cruising in the mid-late 70's, have been on about 25 cruises, and agree that the same old/same old itinerary can be...boring. I usually just shop a bit (know where to go), beach a lot (know where to go), and stay on the ship upon occasion. However, I enjoy the food and shows, the service and the ambiance, and cruising in general. I'm doing more and more solo cruises, though, and more family A/I land resorts. Works for me!

[Kami's pal]

but still enjoy using cruise ships to visit new places.

Coming up, Galapagos. Totally different type of cruise.

Next year, Barcelona, Florence, Athens. I do 2 day pre and 2 day post stays so I get some extended on my own time in a foreign city. That way, as a solo, I have the security of a well planned itinerary with as much challenge as I can handle right now.

If I had a partner, I can easily imagine flying to one area and exploring just that area for 2 weeks. I did that by myself for 10 years but I stayed in the USA. 2 weeks is just too much to do alone in a country where I don't speak the language.

So, change something. I certainly had enough of Caribbean after Panama, west and east Caribbean.

[dakrewser]

...except for a barge cruise in France, but that's a different animal...
We would like to cruise Alaska some day.
Which area of France? WE did the Loire on the Chanterelle 4 years ago and had a blast! Of course, it does make it amusing to listen to people here moan about the "tiny" cabins they are in :rolleyes:

We're off to Alaska next September - c'mon and join us! It'll be our third visit, I could show you how to spot eagles, bears, whales, orca, beaver and a whole lot more.....

[JohnR49er]

Sorry to see so many experienced cruisers are burning out.
I was starting to burn out from the posts that always had to include how many cruises they've been on, so many more booked, yadda yadda yadda............:eek:

[Roboat]

Ah, Roboat, if I were a younger girl and if I were single ;) , Suzanne would have to fight me off:D . I really love the way you think!
Suzanne could not fight very hard - she'd be balled up on the floor laughing!:D

[Roboat]

Which area of France? WE did the Loire on the Chanterelle 4 years ago and had a blast! Of course, it does make it amusing to listen to people here moan about the "tiny" cabins they are in :rolleyes:

We're off to Alaska next September - c'mon and join us! It'll be our third visit, I could show you how to spot eagles, bears, whales, orca, beaver and a whole lot more.....That'd be cool to go with you guys to Alaska. What cruise/line/date/days etc?

We loved our only barge cruise as well. We honeymooned 17-18 yr ago on the Esprit (French Country Waterways), 6 days through the canals from Strasbourg south through the Alsace-Lorraine area. First class operation all the way (and was priced accordingly!) Chef went to that fancy Parisian culinary school, name escapes me.

18 pax, Euro crew - nice kids. Pax were mostly older rich folks from Richmond, VA. Very nice group. We did hear a few complaints about tiny cabins (it being a BARGE and all :D) - and no fried eggs and grits. :eek:

[dakrewser]

That'd be cool to go with you guys to Alaska. What cruise/line/date/days etc?


Brand X, the Infinity out of San Francisco next Sept. 3.

-dave

[Giorgi-one]

Agree with most posters here who said that cruising is not just about the ports you visit. We just love trying new ships. Have done Alaska but all other cruises have been to the Caribbean. However, how can you get tired of the beautiful beaches in the Caribbean? Just grab a cab, forget the shopping (since you can usually buy anything cheaper in the U.S or over the Internet) and head for a beach. Never get tired of snorkeling. Or stay on the ship and get a chair around the pool without having to save it.

Our biggest kick is cruising with our family (two married daughters and one grandaughter) and friends but really enjoy taking friends who have never cruised before. You can almost relive the thrill of your first cruise through them.

Our biggest disappointment is the decrease in food and service quality on most lines. However, I understand the the food on most cruise ships is still far superior to most All Inclusive resorts.

I doubt if we will ever stop cruising, but we have talked about trying land vacations particulary to England and Italy.

[ekerr19]

I'm not tired yet... I do think that it is very hard for me not to have a cruise booked. It give me something to look forward to. However, the number of ships and the crowds are causing many Caribbean ports to loose their appeal for us. I wish we could do an overnight at HMC!

I love cruising in warm climates with beautiful turqouise water, so I am always drawn to the Caribbean. I would not book a 7-day anymore though. I like the itienaries that go far south, 10-days and longer. :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Suzanne could not fight very hard - she'd be balled up on the floor laughing!:D
:D LOL. I know the feeling, Roboat ... whenever DH comes home and tells me about some lady giving him the eye that's where I end up!!!