First time, hubby who hates beach, help

I am planning on giving my husband a cruise for his 50th birthday which is next week. We will actually cruise this summer and no I haven't booked. I don't know where to start. It will be me, dh, dd (21) and dd (15). My girls and I love the beach my dh doesn't. Can you make suggestions as to where to go? Will dh like a cruise if he hates the beach?

Thanks so much!

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I don't think that you have to like the beach to cruise. My husband and I are not really beach people. We get bored very quickly and don't especially like swimming in salt water. What there is to do depends on the itinerary. I suggest finding a couple cruises you are interested in, and then head over to the ports of call section on CC. You will get an idea what activities there are to do. I also like to check out trip advisor to find my excursions, and I haven't been let down by highly rated activities. Have fun picking out your cruise!

Hi, congratulations to your husband on his 50th birthday - I don't like the beach or swimming in the sea, but love cruising, have been on 4 cruises, I am sure you and your husband will have a great time.

I am planning on giving my husband a cruise for his 50th birthday which is next week. We will actually cruise this summer and no I haven't booked. I don't know where to start. It will be me, dh, dd (21) and dd (15). My girls and I love the beach my dh doesn't. Can you make suggestions as to where to go? Will dh like a cruise if he hates the beach?

 

Thanks so much!

 

 

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Beaches and cruising are not joined at the hip. in fact we NEVER do beaches while cruising. far more interesting things to do in most ports than that.

you are far too vague as to what you want.. what DOES your family like? shopping? history? rum? furthermore you are cutting it damn close by waiting until the last minute.. ships sail full and prices usually go up the closer to sailing. you seriously run a risk of NOT being able to get anything you can afford( or a cabin configuration you want/need) the longer you wait.

How about Alaska? or Europe? Alaska has the wonderful natural beauty without the heat of the Caribbean. Europe has so much history and culture with some natural beauty thrown in.

we have been on 20+ cruises and never visited a beach. (ok one time we did the beach in Aruba) never laid out by the pool either on any ship

there is so many different excursions on each port to fit everyones needs.

For me, I dont see going to a place for the first time and sitting on the beach. I wanted to get out there and see the place.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Alaska -- so much to see -- whales -- glaciers.

Europe -- ruins, etc.

Not everyone who cruises go to the beach. I can't swim so we don't go to the beach.

How about Canada and New England? Not any beaches on this cruise.

And Welcome to the Cruise Critic!

SBtS

Our first cruise will be to the Mexican Riviera (someone else's pick) and I have zilch interest in beaches, but I've found plenty of interesting alternative activities for each port. I started by browsing the excursions page from the cruise line's website. There are obviously other things you can do each place as well but it was a nice jump-off. If you and your daughters do love the beach, you can definitely accommodate the whole family instead of skipping beaches completely.

You might consider Bermuda. There is plenty to do without going to the beach, but since you are there more than one day, the girls could go to the beach, too. EM

Get a guidebook on the ports you'll visit....that way, he can find things that will interest him....beaches are only a part of the Caribbean!!!

Aside from Caribbean cruises, beaches generally do not figure significantly in available activity. For Alaska, Northern Europe, Mediterranean or Canada/New England cruises they really are not even an option. If you are thinking of a shorter, closer to home itinerary, Bermuda or Canada/New England works if you live on/near the East coast, and Alaska is great if you are closer to the West coast.

Totally agree with the others who suggested Alaska. Its a wonderful experience and certainly a birthday your dh will never forget.

I agree with the others that you can skip going to beaches, even if going to a warm weather destination. You aren't even required to leave the ship until disembarkation day if you don't want to.

Definitely get going on deciding and booking a cruise as many summer ones may be sold out by now as a lot of families go on cruises when their kids are out on summer vacation.

You can select from many itineraries: Alaska, Eastern Canada/New England, Caribbean (even though many cruiselines move their ships away from the Caribbean for the summer due to hurricane season), European...

Maybe your family can have a family meeting (with or without hubby) and narrow down the choices. Just about every port now has a website that would be informative, as well as many tourism ones that will come up in a google search. You can look through the info and come up with a list of things to do or see, based on everyone's interests. If you feel you'll have to sell your husband on the cruise, this will definitely help. Also show him some of the cruiseline's websites (they'll have photos of the ships, maybe even of various category of cabins, plus list various activities that are on sea days as well as the types of entertainment).

After he's on board with the idea (pun intended:)), see a cruise specialist, a travel agent who's knows all about cruises. He or she can find what's still available at this time and help you book it. Once that's taken care of, if you need to fly to your embarkation port, it strongly advisable to go a day ahead of your cruise, so check out hotels in that area.

If you pick a cruise that does have beaches, it could be possible that he'll be willing to compromise (do a partial beach day where he can hang out at the bar nearby), but as it's his birthday cruise, maybe save the beach trip for another time.

I am planning on giving my husband a cruise for his 50th birthday which is next week. We will actually cruise this summer and no I haven't booked. I don't know where to start. It will be me, dh, dd (21) and dd (15). My girls and I love the beach my dh doesn't. Can you make suggestions as to where to go? Will dh like a cruise if he hates the beach?

 

Thanks so much!

 

 

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Alaska!

Another vote for Alaska! It's something you will all enjoy!

Alaska is great for scenery and nature. However, I have heard that Alaskan cruises are generally for an older crowd. My own Alaskan cruise I felt a little young at 32 when i went, but then again, I was also on Celebrity, which attracts an older crowd.

Here is something a lot of people haven't said. If the Caribbean is where you want to go, then try and hit Western Caribbean. Cozumel, Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, or Cartagena, Columbia are ports that are very rich in culture. As many times as I have visited Cozumel, I have not been bored yet. I found them to be moreso than the eastern and island nations like Grand Cayman and Jamaica.

Thank you for all the responses. I am glad to hear it isn't all about the beaches. I did think about Alaska but I know they are more expensive. Because we are in Alabama I was thinking Caribbean. Now just have to choose a cruise line.

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Thank you for all the responses. I am glad to hear it isn't all about the beaches. I did think about Alaska but I know they are more expensive. Because we are in Alabama I was thinking Caribbean. Now just have to choose a cruise line.

 

 

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You are lucky! You can sail round trip from New Orleans or one of the ports in Florida for your cruise.

I am planning on giving my husband a cruise for his 50th birthday which is next week. We will actually cruise this summer and no I haven't booked. I don't know where to start. It will be me, dh, dd (21) and dd (15). My girls and I love the beach my dh doesn't. Can you make suggestions as to where to go? Will dh like a cruise if he hates the beach?

Thanks so much!

Welcome to Cruise Critic! :)

If you and the girls would be all right with not going to a beach, Alaska would be a wonderful choice for your DH. Most people love Alaska.

You would find a good travel agent very helpful.

LuLu

~~~

I have to slightly hijack and ask: Why exactly is everyone so fond of Alaska?

I have to slightly hijack and ask: Why exactly is everyone so fond of Alaska?

You won't see that kind of scenery in the Caribbean.

Well, I was going to book by Monday. I just looked and am having a hard time finding anything for the month of June. Yes, I know I am last minute. Ugh!!! Really wanted to sail out of New Orleans since we live in Alabama.

My sister hates the beach and gets a panic attack if she has to be in water (beaches, not showers or baths) that is above her ankle. This as a result of almost drowning in Florida when she was 5 or 6 when seaweed got wrapped around her ankle and pulled her down.

But, she loves cruising. We have been on 16 since 2005 and have 3 more planned through December of 2015.

There is plenty for your husband to see and do while you girls enjoy the beach. He can walk around the port and see what type of gifts he can buy for you and his daughters :p. Sit in a bar, people watch and enjoyed a cold drink (beer, soft drink, etc.) while waiting for you to come back. Or, stay on the ship and enjoy the peace and quiet while more than 3/4 of the passengers are off the ship. etc.

Here's one of the things your husband might enjoy looking for if you go to Belize..

I hate the beach as well but still cruise ..