Trying to find a good fit--having a hard time

We have been on two cruises, both with different cruise lines. One was with HAL to Alaska, and the other with Royal to Eastern Mediterranean. There were differences that we noted on both trips, but essentially, much of the activities on board were the same--and not especially ones we enjoy. We like the idea of a cruise that takes us to many ports, as we feel it is a comfortable way to travel and see places without dragging around luggage and making transportation arrangements in foreign countries. However, both times we found the at sea days to be boring and confining. Yes, we walked around and around on the decks outside, but that has its limits. Our recent cruise with Royal dropped two ports (very disappointing) and consequently added a sea day. Most people seemed happy to lie around in the sun, drink, and eat. We are not tanners or big drinkers. We are also not gamblers, making a smoky casino not at all inviting.

Can anyone recommend a cruise line that would have enrichment activities such as lectures on the ports--flora and fauna, history, archaeology, art, etc.? We went to what we thought would be a lecture on our upcoming ports in the Mediterranean; however, Royal simply used this as an opportunity to try to sell their excursions. There was little actual interesting information given. Do cruise lines offer actual enrichment talks? Is there one that has more refined entertainment for the evening? We liked the options on HAL better than with Royal. Is there a line that doesn't try to sell you art, jewellery, and specialty dining everytime you turn around?

Or are we just not really cruise people?

Try Celebrity. A friend of ours is a lecturer. I know Celebrity has lecturers on its Med and Asian cruises.

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I never considered an ocean cruise vacation, based on the crowds of people, the casinos, the "party" atmosphere, and some of the other things you mentioned. After our first Viking River cruise (which we greatly enjoyed), we learned that Viking was expanding into the ocean market, with new ships built for them. There are just over 900 passengers, no casino, virtually no children, all cabins with a balcony, with an unofficial motto of the "thinking man's cruise". There is a resident historian, and several guest lecturers who travel on the ships, and true enrichment lectures are offered daily. In addition, there is a port lecture for every port. There is classical music live in the atrium, small scale shows in several venues, and sometimes movies under the stars.

Pricing is pretty inclusive, with an included excursion in every port, wine and beer at lunch and dinner, and no additional charge for the specialty restaurants. We sailed with them this April on the Empires of the Mediterranean itinerary (Athens to Venice), and have discovered that, based on the Viking version, we are cruise people after all !

I agree with SadieN, try Celebrity. It is a step up from Royal, plus they have no smoking indoors - that means an entirely smoke-free casino for your whole cruise. It is wonderful.

Regarding the sales pitches, well, that's how the lines make money. A polite, firm "No thanks." should do it, but on the mainstream lines, you're more likely to find this. You should also know that lines have the right to revise an itinerary for whatever reason. I'm not sure what happened with you on Royal but just know that it could have happened with any line.

You might want to consider Celebrity. More refined atmosphere and non smoking policy. Some enrichment program speakers are better than others. The annoying sales pitchs are common on all mainstream cruise lines.

Perhaps if you move to the more expensive luxury brands you will find a more comfortable fit. Cruising is like everything else in life -- there is no perfect experience.

Hey rose6, we said the same thing at the same time. :D:D:D

Langley Cruiser

Great minds think alike. Hope to meet you on some future Celebrity sailing.

Maybe a premium or Luxury line would be a better fit

Most ships no longer have smoking indoors sometimes just 1 location which can be avoided

Take a look at Crystal Cruises. They will have lots of lecturers on not only the ports but a wide range of topics.

While not as extensive Celebrity as mentioned is a good option.

Keith

You don't say what are of the world you are looking to cruise in or when, but look at Azamara Cruises.

Viking Ocean doesn’t have casinos and the onboard ship is tiny. It’s lectures are good and it prides itself on staying in ports longer than other cruise lines so passengers get to experience more. It’s a bit pricier but an excursion is included at each port (Viking’s choice, not yours) as is free soda/wine/beer at lunch and dinners. There are no art auctions or photographers on board!!

Crystal, imo, consistently has the best and most varied lecturers and entertainers on their cruises.

Here are links to the scheduled enrichment on a Caribbean cruise and an upcoming Asia/Australia cruise.

These examples are representative of the enrichment on all Crystal cruises.

Crystal never tries to sell you anything on board, including the specialty restaurants. You have two complimentary dinners at either the Nobu Japanese/Sushi restaurant or the Italian restaurant. Port information talks are listed as port information talks.

Another idea would be something like National Geographic Expeditions. There are other companies with similar offerings.

What about a river cruise?

Roz

I would try Crystal, Azamara or possibly Celebrity.

Try long cruises. Those are the only cruises that I’ve seen lecturers on and additional sea day activities.

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We have been on two cruises, both with different cruise lines. One was with HAL to Alaska, and the other with Royal to Eastern Mediterranean. There were differences that we noted on both trips, but essentially, much of the activities on board were the same--and not especially ones we enjoy. We like the idea of a cruise that takes us to many ports, as we feel it is a comfortable way to travel and see places without dragging around luggage and making transportation arrangements in foreign countries. However, both times we found the at sea days to be boring and confining. Yes, we walked around and around on the decks outside, but that has its limits. Our recent cruise with Royal dropped two ports (very disappointing) and consequently added a sea day. Most people seemed happy to lie around in the sun, drink, and eat. We are not tanners or big drinkers. We are also not gamblers, making a smoky casino not at all inviting.

 

 

 

Can anyone recommend a cruise line that would have enrichment activities such as lectures on the ports--flora and fauna, history, archaeology, art, etc.? We went to what we thought would be a lecture on our upcoming ports in the Mediterranean; however, Royal simply used this as an opportunity to try to sell their excursions. There was little actual interesting information given. Do cruise lines offer actual enrichment talks? Is there one that has more refined entertainment for the evening? We liked the options on HAL better than with Royal. Is there a line that doesn't try to sell you art, jewellery, and specialty dining everytime you turn around?

 

 

 

Or are we just not really cruise people?

Consider Oceania, which has absolutely first rate lecturers (often retired university professors, e.g., an archeologist specializing in canals when we did the Panama Canal). Also, on their two "larger" ships, Marina and Riviera (1100 passengers), there is Jaques Pepin's bona fide cooking school in a dedicated state of the art facility (not an occasionally converted ball room like some other lines may have) and an art studio with lessons and project help. Add wine and spirits tastings, culinary demos, afternoon tea, fitness center activities and some other unique things (one of my wife's favorites is what's lovingly referred to as "stitch and bitch") as well as the usual pastimes like trivia and you'll never be bored on a sea day again.

Note too that there'll be no art auctions, nagging photogs, hordes of pool chair hogs (if you ever find time to even go to the pool).

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Consider Oceania, which has absolutely first rate lecturers (often retired university professors, e.g., an archeologist specializing in canals when we did the Panama Canal). Also, on their two "larger" ships, Marina and Riviera (1100 passengers), there is Jaques Pepin's bona fide cooking school in a dedicated state of the art facility (not an occasionally converted ball room like some other lines may have) and an art studio with lessons and project help. Add wine and spirits tastings, culinary demos, afternoon tea, fitness center activities and some other unique things (one of my wife's favorites is what's lovingly referred to as "stitch and bitch") as well as the usual pastimes like trivia and you'll never be bored on a sea day again.

Note too that there'll be no art auctions, nagging photogs, hordes of pool chair hogs (if you ever find time to even go to the pool). AND no smoky casino (highly restrictive smoking policy on all Oceania ships.

 

 

 

 

 

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Cunard has enrichment cruises; Voyages to Antiquity are known for them, and some Fred Olsen have speciality cruises. Also try Saga, especially with the brand new ship arriving in 2019- but you have to be 50+ years old...

Cruise with very few sea days don't often have that sort of activity on board; try a transatlantic for more lectures and activities.

Cunard has enrichment cruises; Voyages to Antiquity are known for them, and some Fred Olsen have speciality cruises. Also try Saga, especially with the brand new ship arriving in 2019- but you have to be 50+ years old...

Cruise with very few sea days don't often have that sort of activity on board; try a transatlantic for more lectures and activities.

Which is one reason I mentioned Oceania. All activities cited are available on sea days whether on port intensive cruise or transoceanic or extended voyage.

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Fred. Olsen is definitely worth a look. They have guest lecturers, some (or hopefully all) of whom will surely be of interest.

Hi there

What I read in your post suggest that you do not really like the "cruising" aspect of this mode of travel.

Many of us very much enjoy the lying around on deck (or your balcony) maybe sipping a drink, reading a book, listening to some music. You know, just relaxing, for hours at a time for many days.

I truly do understand your appeal of how the ship can allow you visit many different locations with little effort on your part. That was definitely something that was immediately evident and a major plus for cruising after our first cruise, but a true love of just being at sea was also significant.

The idea that some sort of enrichment lectures and other entertainment will keep you amused will only work for a short time.

If you can't be happy with just "lying around in the sun, eating and drinking", and you haven't found ways that would make you feel the down time is what you are looking for, this would be the reason I suggest cruising might not be your cup of tea.

That being said, since you mentioned that you do like the fact that cruising allows you to see many locals, I can only suggest that you find "port intensive" cruises and plan ahead on what you can do for your sea days that you would enjoy on your own.

There are of course some of the larger RCCL ships where the ships are considered the "destination". They have zip lines, rock climbing walls, ice skating, flow riders, bowling alleys...whatever you want. If this would keep you interested, you could check them out. I personally don't consider that an aspect of cruising. Otherwise, if you are relying on the cruise line to entertain you on those sea days, and after your two cruises you haven't found that to be the case, it likely won't change no matter what cruise line.

hope this helps

Another idea would be something like National Geographic Expeditions. There are other companies with similar offerings.

I'll second this suggestion. The lecturers are top notch.

Hi there

 

 

 

The idea that some sort of enrichment lectures and other entertainment will keep you amused will only work for a short time.......

 

 

 

........If you can't be happy with just "lying around in the sun, eating and drinking", and you haven't found ways that would make you feel the down time is what you are looking for, this would be the reason I suggest cruising might not be your cup of tea........

 

 

 

........There are of course some of the larger RCCL ships where the ships are considered the "destination". They have zip lines, rock climbing walls, ice skating, flow riders, bowling alleys...whatever you like.....

So wrong! There are ships (yes, they're in the premium/luxury segments), where the ship, in and of itself, is a destination resort (and I'm not talking about Vegas "wannabes" or rock climbing (gimme a break!).

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I would strongly recommend working with a good TA. It's their job to understand you wants and needs and to then suggest the options that best fit them.