JamieEve

I have never been to Cocoa Beach pre cruise, but I have visited many times. The only hotel that I stay at and have stayed at for the past 14 years is the La Quinta Oceanfront. It has everything you need and so conveniently located. On my last trip, we actually just walked everywhere we needed to go. I love that it is so close to Cocoa Beach Pier and is a short distance to the beach. I have never stayed in an oceanfront room, since I would hate to have a room on a lower floor with the bushes blocking the view, but I like the ocean view rooms, not the obstructed. We have been staying at this hotel since I was 13 and I wouldn't ever stay anywhere else. I also believe they have a shuttle to the port for a small fee.

Wait, your dad is 65 but retired 25 years ago? He retired at 40? Did you guys win the lottery or something?

Haha I wish. He worked for the railroad and was on disability for years and he has recently received the title of retired.

Sorry to hear about the travel experience with your Mother. I can't travel with my Mom either. She makes me want to pull my hair out!

Maybe you can get your Dad to compromise with you about the ports. Hopefully in your research, you can find something that interests him enough to get off of the boat. If not, then book a tour and go yourself. It will still be a great time to have with your Dad even if you don't end up enjoying the same things. My Dad passed away when he was 49 and he loved to travel...always said I got my "happy feet" from him.

Keep the suite....it will give you more room and he doesn't have to go out on the balcony...like you said.

I think this can work out....just enjoy your Dad for who he is and know that he loves you.

My dad is secretly excited about his trip, I know it. He is just a simple man who doesn't want to be a burden on anyone. Funny thing is, the reason why I am taking him on this cruise is my grandpa said that, before he died, Belize was a magical place for him and my dad always made it a point to get there. Well I am just making it happen now lol.

First off if your Dad is afraid of heights, then you may want to reconsider a stateroom that doesn't have a balcony.

Next it sounds like you need 2 more people to go with you. One that enjoys exploring new places and be your travel buddy while in the different ports. Then another person that likes staying on the ship that will keep your Dad company while you are off of the ship.

Good Travel companions are Gold! Just because you love someone it doesn't mean you will be good traveling together. Maybe a cruise vacation for your Dad and yourself just isn't the right type of vacation. Maybe you can explain why your Dad has no interest in getting off of the ship. Does he have mobility issues or is he uncertain about the safety of the ports?? You need to know what it is that has him in this mind set.

I have totally experienced the not good travel companion thing with my mother recently. We were in France and she wouldn't talk to anyone even if they spoke English, really ruined my trip. About the heights, I didn't think about that when booking the room, but he doesn't have to go out there. I hope he can appreciate my efforts. After I got back from my travels, he was all about going overseas.

It sounds like this is your Dad'd 1st cruise....if so, I ran into similar issues with my dad. My family cruised yearly and always asked my parents if they wanted to join us....Always got the answer....not interested, nothing to do, etec etc....My mother really wanted to go...but Dad always said not interested. I fixed that by taking them on a 40 year anniversary cruise.... Had no choice since i paid for it.

 

After that cruise...my dad turned into a cruiseaholic and immediately booked a family cruise the following year....and then for next 10 years my parents cruised twice yearly (lol).... even progressing to a 10 day cruise.

 

So be prepared for the aftermath..... Seriously... To get your dad interested I would suggest you review some of these forums with him. Especially the excursion forums. That may peak his interest in doing things at your port of call

That is so my dad. My stepmom is always for everything and she eve oked my dad for this cruise saying that he just needs to get away after being being retired for 25 years and never really going anywhere except Branson every year. I recently went to Paris and London, telling my dad he should go to Germany some day. Funny thing is, my dad has always been reluctant until I went on my trip. He may be reluctant to a cruise, but I think once he finishes this cruise he will be addicted.

Hello! I am not actually cruising on Glory for over a year. I have issues and I am a major planner. I am to the point that I want to have everything mapped out for this vacation like yesterday. It is a major fault and causes issues most of the time. My father and I are doing this cruise in a suite and any advice is welcome. We will be flying into FLL 2 days before the cruise and leaving out of POM. We are doing a western Caribbean itinerary with ports in Grand Cayman, Mahogany Bay, Belize, and Cozumel. Mind you my dad is 65 and totally opposed to actually leaving the ships while they are in port. I am definitely hoping to change his mind about all of this. Thank you in advance for any advice you may have!

Jamie

(FYI, my dad is scared of heights}

I would just like to say that I haven't cruised with Norwegian, I actually haven't cruised at all, yet. I have booked a couple cruises with Norwegian. One being a cruise that got cancelled after being turned into a booze cruise and another that I just can't afford. A point that I would like to make is NCL customer service is like the nicest ever. I haven't dealt with other lines and their customer service though. The first time I ever called NCL customer service, I actually got a gentleman that was born in the town I live in. We talked about the weather and a few other things. I felt that it should be noted that they are always there to help and are very kind. This is hard to find with everyday businesses.