Anything but relaxing...???

My husband was a skeptic but once on board said he didn't have to worry about driving or reservations etc and enjoyed. a 7 day break .

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I went on my first cruise last month - to Alaska on Crown Princess.

I am a TYPE A super + and really never wind down. I absolutely loved the cruise.

It was the first time I was relaxed (not bored, but relaxed).

Had balcony room - so on sea days, I was out there just relaxing.

I did not do any photo op and did a few activities.

-Casino (wish I didn't :rolleyes:)

-Comedy Shows

-Bingo

-Swim

-Worked out every day.

Loved it so much that we are planning our next cruise next year.

Hope you try it at least once.

Besides the casino and bingo - I did not spend a dime on the boat.

Sounds like you would like the Select Dining where you don't have to have dinner at a certain time. We first tried it 2 cruises back and will probably never go back to an assigned seating time. I didn't like having to be at dinner at a certain time. If we got back from a tour or just out own such as walking around the island and if I wanted to just relax before dinner there usually wasn't much time. Often for us we felt rushed because we would usually stay on the island for most of the time.

I do miss being seated with the same people and getting to know them better, but I still like the flexibility even better. With Select Dining you get to know more people, but usually not as well.

Sounds like you would like the Select Dining where you don't have to have dinner at a certain time. We first tried it 2 cruises back and will probably never go back to an assigned seating time. I didn't like having to be at dinner at a certain time. If we got back from a tour or just out own such as walking around the island and if I wanted to just relax before dinner there usually wasn't much time. Often for us we felt rushed because we would usually stay on the island for most of the time.

 

I do miss being seated with the same people and getting to know them better, but I still like the flexibility even better. With Select Dining you get to know more people, but usually not as well.

Hi Renee!!!! To the OP - I can understand your concerns. I loved AI vacations when my husband was still working and traveling internationally - it was so easy and relaxing, now cruising fits us better as he is retired and we can relax everyday if we wish too. :)

You can have a ship full of people and each of them is going to have a different experience because you tailor your activities to those things that you enjoy. You can stay as busy or not as you wish. Want to sleep till noon, fine - get up and workout before dawn, fine. Go at your own pace. Give cruising a try - I think you will love it! And you'll meet some great people along the way - thats how we know Renee and Mike! :D

My husband and I have booked and cancelled a couple of cruises, and we have now once again, moved our deposit to another cruise. We are booked on Celebrity Shiloutte for April. We have, up to now, always done the all-inclusive land vacation, primarily in Mexico. I am most likely condeming something I have never done, but cruising looks anything but relaxing to me and thats what often gets us. That and the seemingly endless "extras" that make it cost so much more. It appears, looking in, that everything is so scheduled and you would be looking at your watch all the time, making sure your where you should be, ie back on the boat on time, getting off on time, eating on time, ect. And it always looks so crowded and congested in every photo I look at. Those two things, plus the constant extras, seem to inflate the price so high. Am I being totally ridiculous?? I love the whole idea of cruising, the romance of it all, and thats what we were feeling when we booked it, but we just cant seem to make ourselves actually take the cruise. I am beginning to think I must have been on the Titanic in another life. HELP!!!!:confused::confused::confused::confused:

Take a look at Oceania Marina -Valparaiso to Tahiti -Jan 7, 2016 for 18 days including about 9 at sea. Pretty much all inclusive (except alcohol and excursions) and a couple of island overnights on a ship with only about 1200 passengers.

Yes...you are overthinking it;)

We spent years doing all inclusives in the Caribbean and mexico. Eventually got bored. Took a carnival cruise and felt nickle and dimed! Now we take the most all inclusive ships or river lines we can get. Now we travel and get a taste of other parts of the world and only unpack once. As of now Crystal is our cruiseline of choice. You will never know until you try:rolleyes:

Also.....assigned dining does not bother us as well as the bigger the table the better:D

We have met some fabulous people who we can get traveling ideas from and we are still in contact with. Except for a couple on one cruise who were just drunks! It gave the rest of us something to laugh about still to this day!

Never felt trapped or bored and had the choice to be leisurely. Nothing liked sleeping to the lazy rocking of a ship:)

Take a look at Oceania Marina -Valparaiso to Tahiti -Jan 7, 2016 for 18 days including about 9 at sea. Pretty much all inclusive (except alcohol and excursions) and a couple of island overnights on a ship with only about 1200 passengers.

Really? For someone who doesn't even know if they'll like cruising, 18 days could seem like an eternity. Even if they go on the present cruise and decide they like it, that many days is still questionable and many long time cruisers don't like lots of sea days.

I know you always recommend Oceania saying, in reality, it is not more expensive. I've done comparisons and there is no comparison. However, the overnights and 1200 pax is a big bonus. :)Sure there can be bargains but not always when someone wants, or can, go.;)

HeatherRN53, I'm not one to try to talk someone into something but I agree with what so many have said. You're overthinking and a cruise can be what you make it.

Really? For someone who doesn't even know if they'll like cruising, 18 days could seem like an eternity. Even if they go on the present cruise and decide they like it, that many days is still questionable and many long time cruisers don't like lots of sea days.

 

 

 

I know you always recommend Oceania saying, in reality, it is not more expensive. I've done comparisons and there is no comparison. However, the overnights and 1200 pax is a big bonus. :)Sure there can be bargains but not always when someone wants, or can, go.;)

 

 

 

HeatherRN53, I'm not one to try to talk someone into something but I agree with what so many have said. You're overthinking and a cruise can be what you make it.

OP said "relaxation, no nickel/diming and no crowds." This itinerary fits that bill and 18 days is not really a long cruise

.

As to cost comparisons, you are correct that O "cabin" costs may be higher than what you're used to. But, the more accurate comparison is "daily" costs, which compares all expenses you'll incur (airfare, tips, beverages, excursions, specialty restaurants, etc).

Let's use this Valpo-Tahiti itinerary as an example: cabin cost for an extended balcony cabin is $5800/person. At 18 days, that is $320/person/day.

However, let's subtract the value of a few things O (and TA) include (per person) for this trip to make a fair comparison to most mass market lines:

Air credit= $1200

Tips= $ 320

Internet= $ 300 (unlimited)

Beverage pkg. $ 200 (non-alcohol)

6 Special rest. $ 150

O OBC. $ 200

Avg TA OBC. $ 250

TOTAL O Savings you'd be charged for on other lines: $2620

"Daily" cost: $5800-$2620=$2180/18= $121/person/day.

Only extras are booze and excursions. And with O's new "O Life" program, this itinerary in the future will include 5 free excursions.

So, for 1200 passengers, some overnights on islands, superior food, service and amenities AND no nickel/diming (plus an extended balcony cabin), you're looking at under $250 day per couple*. You'd be hard pressed to find a top quality all-inclusive land resort at that price. I'd say that's worth a "look see" by folks who generally cruise Celebrity or HAL.

*check out O Caribbean itineraries too, which are much less expensive.

We're on the opposite side of the I Love Cruising crowd ..... we cruised once so far, (admittedly went under huge pressure from some family members), and we really did not care for it.

I would agree that you can do as much or as little as you like, so the relaxation part is totally up to you.

We like you, had only ever gone to all-inclusives and other type of land-based resorts before this trip. We did in fact go with an open mind, (even though we were cajoled into going) :) , but it simply does not seem to be our "cup of tea"

For us it was very crowded everywhere, we don't care for "hit and run" traveling by spending so little time in port, and the food while acceptable is "banquet quality" (except some of the specialty restaurants), and the cabins are TINY compared to most hotels and resorts we have frequented.

We're already getting pressure to try another cruise line (although we were on RCCL, who seemed to be a decent line?) Anyway, I have no intention of bashing cruises or people who like them...it just looks like it is not our type of vacation.

However...you will never know for you unless you try ...... then you can make your decision.

Well we are off on our 1st cruise aboard the Celebrity Solstice in 8 weeks. So excited and don't care how many sea days there are. We are outgoing and want to enjoy every minute.

Any tips or advice from anyone who has travelled on the 18 night Tahitian cruise to .ssydney? Thanks :D

Well we are off on our 1st cruise aboard the Celebrity Solstice in 8 weeks. So excited and don't care how many sea days there are. We are outgoing and want to enjoy every minute.

Any tips or advice from anyone who has travelled on the 18 night Tahitian cruise to .ssydney? Thanks :D

I see you've already done the first thing, you joined the roll call for your cruise.

Celebrity, and especially the Solstice, offer a wide range of activities for all of your sea days and you'll already have met a number of your fellow cruisers. The Solstice is a fabulous ship so it's really up to you as to how to limit your activities so you get a few hours of sleep every night.:)

Once you sail fom Lahaina, you and all your new acquaintances have several days to consider all the Tahitian activities. The good part is you'll meet many on your roll call who have already been there. Then you'll have the same opportunity to chat about all that you'll be experiencing in New Zealand and Sydney.

The one added benefit is that your days will mostly be 25 hours long as the clocks are adjusted for time zones. And plan for both interesting events; crossing the International Date Line and crossing the Equator.

My husband and I have booked and cancelled a couple of cruises, and we have now once again, moved our deposit to another cruise. We are booked on Celebrity Shiloutte for April. We have, up to now, always done the all-inclusive land vacation, primarily in Mexico. I am most likely condeming something I have never done, but cruising looks anything but relaxing to me and thats what often gets us. That and the seemingly endless "extras" that make it cost so much more. It appears, looking in, that everything is so scheduled and you would be looking at your watch all the time, making sure your where you should be, ie back on the boat on time, getting off on time, eating on time, ect. And it always looks so crowded and congested in every photo I look at. Those two things, plus the constant extras, seem to inflate the price so high. Am I being totally ridiculous?? I love the whole idea of cruising, the romance of it all, and thats what we were feeling when we booked it, but we just cant seem to make ourselves actually take the cruise. I am beginning to think I must have been on the Titanic in another life. HELP!!!!:confused::confused::confused::confused:

Cruising and all inclusive vacations are like an apple versus orange comparison. Some people like both and sometimes only one or the other.

I think of cruising like a moving las vegas all inclusive hotel. You got a few additional perks like free shows, gambling ( you will lose ), shops ( far fewer and limited in stuff ), pools, etc. etc. There is the included buffet ( think just like Las Vegas crowds, main dining included ) and just like hotels you get the high end stuff you need to pay for.

What is nice, no planning if you do it up front on what you do in every port. I have yet to go to land destination that offered the turnkey activities like meals, shows, daytime and night time entertainment with the plus of every other day or every day a different port and somethign different. With choice comes some decision. For some I guess decisions are stress...

I have a very good friend who loves land vacations / resorts and we vacation often. They give cruise a go, hated it. Life is short, you should try it at least once.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer all my questions. You have all given me a lot to consider and I agree. I am totally "over-thinking" this. I feel much better. I appreciate all your responses. :):)

Your Welcome! I hope you have an amazing cruise!

So Host Wait, do they have special nights for these occasions? Thank you for the feedback :)

On one cruise we met a couple who were on their 3rd cruise. They said they didn't think they would like cruising for the very reasons the OP has stated - too regimented, always checking the clock, etc. They went on their first cruise and got off at a couple of ports, had assigned dining, etc., but tried not to over plan their days. The second one was similar, but they only got off at 1 port. On our cruise, they decided they were treating the ship as a floating hotel with all the food they could eat whenever they wanted, swimming pools, entertainment, reasonably priced drinks, and likely the most relaxing atmosphere anywhere.

You don't have to take part in the wine tastings, purchase photos, trinkets, or drinks of the day in special glasses. You can have as you wish dining and plan your days with as much or as little as you choose. A word of warning though, cruising can be addictive! I hope you have fun. Please come back after your cruise to let us know about your experience.

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

So Host Wait, do they have special nights for these occasions? Thank you for the feedback :)

Normally you'll learn about those events once you are on board.

You don't have to go to all of the events planned each day aboard ship, just the things that appeal to you. This is one of the great things about cruise travel that there are interesting things to keep you busy. Where as at a resort there is often not much more than the pool, putting green and meal times to entertain you.

As others have mentioned you can choose Any Time Dining and dine in a open-ended time frame or go to the ship's buffet every night. But, it's more fun to sit at a large table and meet new friends.

The chance to visit new ports each day or so is one of the highlights something you don't experience if you're visiting a land resort. You can choose to keep busy every minute, run around in port all day or relax by the pool.

Cruising is as relaxing or as taxing as you want it to be.

Jonathan

Yu will never really know if you can enjoy it until you go on a cruise.

I think cruises are what you make them. You choose the pace based on your needs and wants. You are paying for it...so you do what you want to do. DH and I never watch the clock (except to make sure we don't miss sailing) and never feel worn out. We go with the flow, book what we want and enjoy our time.

My husband I love the Sandals all inclusive resorts and have done those for most of our vacations alone and with other couples. We took our first cruise in 2002 -10 days in a balcony cabin on Celebrity. Did I mention during hurricane season? It was okay but too long especially as we missed 2 ports because of weather and had one very bad night as the Captain tried to get us away from the storm. There wasn't enough activities on board or enough pools. We vowed never to cruise again. Well 13 years later we took a 7 day cruise on Holland America (Eurodam I think) for the Soul Train cruise. I relaxed on the balcony, by the pool, on the sun deck..you get the point. My husband went to jam sessions, interviews, played basketball etc. We took our alloted wine bottles on board and used RRs to take on other libations. We had such a great time that we are sailing in 5 weeks on Carnival for our anniversary, and have already planned to take the kids on a cruise next June 2016. We would never do a long cruise again (more than 7 days) and there are some things I still prefer with the all inclusive. However cruising is a great option especially with the Baltimore port so we don't have the cost of airfare to worry about. Give cruising a try and then you can decide if it's for you!

First off, there is no way you can possibly do everything that they have on the agenda for the day. I always look at the next day's activites before I go to bed and decide what will work out. I always do the anytime dining. This frees you up a little better to do the evening events. I have to be careful not to over do it. If I have a shore excursion that is going to have a lot of walking involved, I try and put those next to sea days so I will be more rested. Everyone is different. Some people perfer to just sit by the pool all day, and that's alright too. :)

So how do you register for anytime dining? And we would like to meet people so would love to be at different tables.

We have done both AI's and many, many cruises (leaving next sat for #2 this year :D), we enjoy both. I will tell you that even on a land vaca if you want to do something extra you gotta pay or you stay put at the resort.

One of the best things about cruising is you let someone else do the driving and you get to see 3 or 4 different places in a week. Just sit back, read a good book and relax. Do nothing or do everything, do what you want.

We have taken 4 cruises to 1 AI in last few years, its good to have options...

So how do you register for anytime dining? And we would like to meet people so would love to be at different tables.

You select this when you book your cruise.