I don't get it

I've been wanting to go on a cruise for as long as I can remember. I finally got the opportunity and booked a 15 night cruise. I booked 8 months in advance and was super excited and couldn't wait to go. Everyone around me told me how great my holiday would be. Embarkation went smoothly and I had a great cabin with balcony, but that's where my excitement ended.

I can't understand what people find so great about cruising. I know people will tell me that I'm boring, but, it was BORING. What is so exciting about lying around in the sun and reading books. I don't drink and gamble, and even if I did, I couldn't afford to drink on board, and the activities during the day were pathetic. I ended up watching TV in my cabin most days. If I could have afforded it, I would have left the ship at the first port and taken a plane to the final destination.

This was my first cruise, and I would say, will be my last.

I am curious what cruise you went on and who with?

 

Cruising isn't for everyone, it's a pity you went on such a long cruise with so few port days. In the Mediterranean you might only have one sea day.

 

What do you do on land holidays? Also there are cruise lines that offer drink package as part of fare.

 

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I went on The Queen Elizabeth from Sydney to Japan. There was no drink packages for this cruise.

Generally on holidays my wife and I would go overseas and hire a car and travel from town to town, but would only stay 1 night in each place.

I also love camping, but I know what to expect when I'm out in the bush. I think that everyone spoke so highly of cruising, I was expecting more.

your first mistake was booking a longer cruise.

 

the second was choosing one with almost zero port days.

 

otherwise, cruising is just like your land vacations: you wake up every day in a new place, only you don'y have to do the driving or worry about local driving rules.

The problem is, I like the driving part. You get to see so much more. On the ship I saw...water.

What exactly were you expecting?

That's the point. I didn't know what to expect, but everyone was talking up cruising so much and kept telling me how exciting it is. I just can't work out what is so exciting. If I wanted to sit around the pool and sunbake or read a book, I could have done that at home.

That's the point. I didn't know what to expect, but everyone was talking up cruising so much and kept telling me how exciting it is. I just can't work out what is so exciting. If I wanted to sit around the pool and sunbake or read a book, I could have done that at home.

 

I wouldn't describe it as exciting, but I find it relaxing and a good way to spend a few weeks a year. I'll admit that the onboard activities are lame, especially after what I've experienced at resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. A cruise is definitely a holiday where you're in charge of your own fun.

 

I'm self-employed and I enjoy cruising because it's the one time (or if I'm lucky, 2 times) a year when my clients can't reach me. We sail mostly Northern Europe itineraries, so there's not a lot of sitting around the pool, but we rarely get off in port and mostly just enjoy spending time together completely disconnected from everything, drinking gin & tonic and getting waited on.

I can understand some people that like to sit around and relax, but I feel like I'm wasting time and money by sitting around and doing nothing. Why would you want to pay to sit around and do nothing?

I think your second mistake was choosing the wrong cruise line for you. I would have been ecstatic with all the sea days, attending the enrichment talks and musical offerings. I'm sure there was lots of trivia, too, plus other daily activities and afternoon tea. On that type of cruise, I often have a hard time finding time for a nap. You needed a cruise line with more active things going on around the ship. If you choose to give it another try, I suggest Carnival or Royal Caribbean. EM

At this point in your life, cruising is not for you. Maybe in the future, it will be, maybe not. Simple as that. There is no right or wrong about it, just the way it is.

I can understand some people that like to sit around and relax, but I feel like I'm wasting time and money by sitting around and doing nothing. Why would you want to pay to sit around and do nothing?

 

Because after working 10-12 hours a day, 7 days a week for most of the year, it's nice to sit around and "do nothing." But I don't see it as doing nothing, I see it as spending time with my husband in a way we don't get to do at home and I have so many wonderful memories of "boring days" spent with him at sea (or in port).

 

Knowing your preferences, the QE probably wasn't your best choice of ship. What led you to choose that one?

Edited April 30, 2017 by ExpatBride

Agreed that your first choice was not the best choice.

 

I'm curious if you used a travel agent or just picked a ship on your own. If you used a TA, they should have asked you all kinds of questions about what you like to do on vacation and pointed you in the right direction.

 

At this point my husband and I end up duplicating some points when we cruise. On those days, we stay on board and enjoy the quiet ship. It's like having a resort to ourselves. The pool area is empty. We go to trivia. And we sit on our balcony and watch port activity.

 

BTW, you don't say how old you are. That would make a difference too as what ship might be better for you. For you, perhaps one of the very large RCI ships which are loaded with activities.

I'm not one lying around either. You basically went on the most boring cruise line you could have picked. I take it you're from the southern hemisphere? I'm not familiar with the different itinerary available to you.

I like to go walking and exploring the local area, so the Mediterranean is great as you can have 5 or 6 days in port every 7 night cruise. The same with northern European cruises. You usually have 3 sea days in the Caribbean.

I like to go on destination ships with all the bells and whistles like the new NCL ships. During sea days I spend it walking around I spend time on the rope corse, Pools & slides. I read a bit do the quizzes and take the dance classes. I love cruises.

 

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That's the point. I didn't know what to expect, but everyone was talking up cruising so much and kept telling me how exciting it is. I just can't work out what is so exciting. If I wanted to sit around the pool and sunbake or read a book, I could have done that at home.

 

To add a different perspective to your experience, IMO the QE and the itinerary you were on is not a cruise in the sense of what most of the CC members are on the boards discussing. It is more of a ship method of transportation to get from point A to point B, with very few sightseeing stops along the way. The ship's atmosphere itself is not oriented as much to providing entertainment and activities that would normally be associated with the more traditional shorter closed loop (same originating and ending port) cruises that are intended as short getaway vacations with a number of sightseeing ports of call. So IMO you weren't so much on a cruise vacation as simply an ocean voyage.

 

I also agree with the comments regarding using a cruise specialist travel agent and discussing your preferences and expectations regarding a cruise to best help make a selection that would meet those. I realize you had no pre-planned expectations but discussions with a TA in advance may have helped in preparing you for what the QE would offer in terms of a cruising experience.

 

That all a being said perhaps ocean experiences on ships is not for you and sorry you had to find that out on such a long first time voyage. But don't write of the cruise experience as a result without recognizing the difference between what is a more typical cruise vacation and the trip you took.

Some folks, especially retirees, don't NEED "relaxation"..they are pretty relaxed all the time...so long days with little to do don't interest them!

 

Folks who rarely get "time off" seem to enjoy the laid-back feel of cruising the most.

 

No worries, tho...cruising isn't for everyone!

I think it was risky to book such a long cruise as your first cruise. That was a huge commitment to something new.

 

When my husband and I cruise, we participate in many of the activities during the day. We see the shows and especially love the comedy shows and main productions. We go dancing at night. We get off at every port and either do excursions or explore the area. The majority of our time is not spent sitting there baking in the sun, although we enjoy relaxing in the shade listening to music or audio stories for our down time. I think a vacation is what you make it.

 

There's a lot going on during cruises and it's a choice to participate or relax. It's the best of everything, in my opinion. But I can see how some people would not like it. Now you know that cruises are probably not for you. Everyone has different ideas of what is fun. There's nothing wrong with you disliking cruising and other people finding them fun. People can explain for the next 100 pages why they like cruising, but it will mean nothing to you since you don't.

I love love love cruising, but the sailing you went on, I would have hated too. Too long for your first cruise, too many sea days, not enough ports, pretty boring cruise line.

 

 

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I can't understand what people find so great about cruising. I know people will tell me that I'm boring, but, it was BORING. What is so exciting about lying around in the sun and reading books. I don't drink and gamble, and even if I did, I couldn't afford to drink on board, and the activities during the day were pathetic.

 

There's nothing exciting about lying around and reading books. For me, that's kind of the point......I don't go on a cruise for excitement. For me, a cruise is about being calm and relaxed, not being excited and stressed (excitement is a type of stress, but a good type). I go on cruises to get a type of calm that I can't reach on land. Being at sea, without even seeing land, really allows me to separate myself from the "real world" when someone always wants something of me. YMMV.

 

 

If someone is looking for excitement, IMO a cruise (especially a cruise with lots of sea days) is the wrong type of vacation.

Close to 80 cruises under our belts and not a single was would we consider Exciting .

 

More like an adventure mixed with relaxation . Unpack once and see the world .

 

Not for everyone , most , but not everyone .

 

18 nights for a first cruise ? Way too long . Who recommended (sold) that to the OP?

The problem is, I like the driving part. You get to see so much more. On the ship I saw...water.

 

 

Cruising isn't for everyone and you now have learned that. However, you needed to do your homework and you didn't. You should have picked a more relaxed cruise line and a more intensive port cruise.

 

I agree, lying out in the sun and reading a book is boring. I have never figured out the thrill. BUT, I wouldn't do that at home either. When you drive (which I also love to do) you go to new places and YOU figure out what to do when you get there. The same thing with a cruise. You have to figure out what to do on the ship. Probably you didn't plan enough in that area. There are tons of things for people to do on a ship if you just spend some time looking.

 

 

One of the things my DH and I like about sea intensive days is sitting on our balcony and playing games like scrabble and dominoes. We are spending time alone together and just enjoying ourselves - alone. Like entering a new town, you have to go to dinner and then what do you do? Sit in your hotel room and watch TV?

 

Please give cruising one more try but this time pick a short cruise with intensive ports. That will give you time to explore new locations like you would if you were driving, it will break up your days and that way when you are at sea you will enjoy the rest more. For many of us, just listening to the sea is wonderful. I could stare for hours - just now a solid hour. But having those sea days kind of forces you to relax.

The problem is, I like the driving part. You get to see so much more. On the ship I saw...water.

Cruising isn't for everyone and you now have learned that. However, you needed to do your homework and you didn't. You should have picked a more relaxed cruise line and a more intensive port cruise. I agree, lying out in the sun and reading a book is boring. I have never figured out the thrill. BUT, I wouldn't do that at home either. When you drive (which I also love to do) you go to new places and YOU figure out what to do when you get there. The same thing with a cruise. You have to figure out what to do on the ship. Probably you didn't plan enough in that area. There are tons of things for people to do on a ship if you just spend some time looking. One of the things my DH and I like about sea intensive days is sitting on our balcony and playing games like scrabble and dominoes. We are spending time alone together and just enjoying ourselves - alone. Like entering a new town, you have to go to dinner and then what do you do? Sit in your hotel room and watch TV? Please give cruising one more try but this time pick a short cruise with intensive ports. That will give you time to explore new locations like you would if you were driving, it will break up your days and that way when you are at sea you will enjoy the rest more. For many of us, just listening to the sea is wonderful. I could stare for hours - just not a solid hour. A minute here and minute there but wonderful peace when we are doing it. But having those sea days kind of forces you to relax.

I've been wanting to go on a cruise for as long as I can remember. I finally got the opportunity and booked a 15 night cruise. I booked 8 months in advance and was super excited and couldn't wait to go. Everyone around me told me how great my holiday would be. Embarkation went smoothly and I had a great cabin with balcony, but that's where my excitement ended.

 

I can't understand what people find so great about cruising. I know people will tell me that I'm boring, but, it was BORING. What is so exciting about lying around in the sun and reading books. I don't drink and gamble, and even if I did, I couldn't afford to drink on board, and the activities during the day were pathetic. I ended up watching TV in my cabin most days. If I could have afforded it, I would have left the ship at the first port and taken a plane to the final destination.

 

This was my first cruise, and I would say, will be my last.

 

 

In all honesty, it sounds like you didn't do your homework.

 

Cruise ship cultures vary significantly from wannabe amusement parks to sophisticated living/learning environments. The challenge is to find the cruise line/ship that matches your means and preferences. This also includes considering a multitude of factors ranging from itinerary to duration.

 

One only needs to peruse the different cruise line forums on CC to begin to see the common experiential threads that define a line's culture. And, yes, they can be extremely different!

 

When we were young, with kid in tow (and Disney cruises didn't yet exist), Royal Caribbean was the answer - solely because it had a good kids' program. Also, because we were neophyte travelers, the whole new experience of "seeing the world," made the "sampler" concept of port intensive itineraries very attractive.

 

Fast forward a couple of decades and our means and preferences find us pursuing a different experience with that bottom line challenge being identification of cruise line(s) that "fit us" rather than our having to try to fit in - only then to find ourselves bored to death or otherwise sadly disappointed.

 

Our formula: the right mix of sea days and never-before-visited ports, high end cabin and common space amenities, food "to die for" and social interactions with other well traveled/accomplished passengers.

Our deal breakers: hordes of passengers, Appleby's/Olive Garden type food, art auctions, nickel/diming and, yes, the tired old Walmart parking lot of the cruise world- the Caribbean.

 

OP: I'm not trying to sell you into doing another cruise since plying the ocean on a ship may really turn out to not be your "cup of tea." Rather I am suggesting that you may want to more closely examine the different cruise line cultures before shutting the door on the whole concept.

 

 

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Looking at the QE's itinerary, you had very few port days... and as it was a section of a world cruise, you possibly didn't have a great cross section of ages on board? Some of those on the full world cruise would be appreciating all the sea days, before their next busy section started.

So sorry it wasn't right for you... a more intense itinerary another time!

That's the point. I didn't know what to expect, but everyone was talking up cruising so much and kept telling me how exciting it is. I just can't work out what is so exciting. If I wanted to sit around the pool and sunbake or read a book, I could have done that at home.

 

Like other posters, I don't cruise for excitement. I cruise to get away from the excitement (and stress) of my day-to-day life. To spend time with my husband without distractions. To not have to cook or clean for a while. Yes, I do like to sit around and read as well.

 

I love to cruise, but I don't think I would have chosen the one you did either, as it was mostly sea days.