My wife really wants to go on a cruise

[mr green]

and I really can't think of too many things that I would want to do less.. :confused:

 

I'm not a fan of go here do this so any cruise we take would have to have an open structure to it to even consider it.. I really hate lines, I grocery shop at 2am at the 24 hour store just so I don't have to stand in line.. And she wants a tropical cruise and if I were to go I would want to go to Alaska or Antarctica..

 

So how do we find a compromise where she gets her cruise and I don't end up angry the whole time?? Typically my idea of a great vacation is staying at a B&B on a lake near a casino with friends and the wives go to the casino and shopping and the guys stay at the B&B and sleep and fish.. I'm concerned that being stuffed that close together with that many people will be a 'bad thing' for me..

 

Everything has its drawbacks. I don't like crowds, and I dislike line ups, but I like cruising, go figure.

Try it once, at least, a smaller ship, 2,000 max, and not during 'schools out' time. I see that you are in the jewelery trade, so try Princess or HAL, the folk might be more to your liking, some cruises have basic talks on jewelery, [i learned to clean gold, silver and some stones on a cruise ship in vodka], I also learned to steer clear of Diamonds International.

In my opinion its PEOPLE who make the cruise, not where you cruise to.

Good luck, and enjoy.

 

john

[cruznjan]

My father-in-law swore up, down and sideways he would never go on a cruise. His frame of reference was being on WWII troop transfer ships. We talked him into going on a cruise to Bermuda. He was hooked on cruising after that. Try it. You might love it!

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

OP, show this post to your wife.

 

Alaska is a great place to go on a cruise. The scenery alone is inspirational. Lots of very friendly people up there and lots to see and do.

 

Your husband will have a great time too, because a cruise is what you make of it. You don't have to stand in any lines or do anything else.

 

And here is what both of you should know. A cruise is about being together, with romance (this is a family oriented website so...) a possibility 24/7 without any interruptions.

[sarbah77]

If you do cruise, you might want to consider the expense of a balcony, too. It was nice (even in Alaska!) for us to go sit on our balcony and watch the world go by. It's certainly not 100% alone but it's often quieter and not as easy to see other people. Our cabin was our solace, as I'm either a people person or I need to hide from all of them. Being able to use the balcony made my room feel bigger and made me feel less like I was hiding. :D

[Evil Scotsman]

Steve, I have to tell you, I have NEVER EVER had ANY want/need/desire to go on a cruise. I thought, stuck on ship (I was in the Navy too) nothing to do but gamble, BORING! My wife had talked about cruises for years, always managed to dodge the bullet. Last year after my mother and father retired, they decided that was the Christmas present for the kids, they would take all the kids (47/44/36) and their spouses on a cruise. I LOVE IT!!!!! Plenty of variety, food, booze,(if you like) lots to do. REALLY REALLY a good time. It went so well that that is what we get for Christmas every year now, (until the inheritance is gone they say haha) 11 days we are all going to Hawaii, rumor has it next year is out of Puerto Rico and their 50th Anniversary we are going to Alaska!!!! Give it a shot, it will make your wife happy, and if you are miserable you don't have to go any more!

[walleye2]

I totally understand. I fish tournaments and that is alot. I hunt alot and cannot stand to sit at a red light for more than 1 minute. That being said......GO ON A CRUISE!!!! And not a 3 day cruise. IMHO, 7 days is not even close to being enough. I arrainged for 4 of us to have a boat waiting for us on Jamaica. It picked us up at the cruise pier and took us to their dock and we ran out about 1/2 mile (only) and set up trolling. Within 30 minutes we boated a 7 1/2' sailfish! We fished for 6 hours and also put a wahoo and some reef fish in the boat. It cost us less than $100/person!! Cruising is what you make it. research where you will be going, its half the fun I think. The food is incredible. Want to lay in the pool instead of going ashore..no problem. The ships are awesome and they never say "no". But, be warned......it is addictive and I have it BAD!

[Annieeee]

and I really can't think of too many things that I would want to do less.. :confused:

 

I'm not a fan of go here do this so any cruise we take would have to have an open structure to it to even consider it.. I really hate lines, I grocery shop at 2am at the 24 hour store just so I don't have to stand in line.. And she wants a tropical cruise and if I were to go I would want to go to Alaska or Antarctica..

 

So how do we find a compromise where she gets her cruise and I don't end up angry the whole time?? Typically my idea of a great vacation is staying at a B&B on a lake near a casino with friends and the wives go to the casino and shopping and the guys stay at the B&B and sleep and fish.. I'm concerned that being stuffed that close together with that many people will be a 'bad thing' for me..

 

 

Hmm, she goes on the cruise of her choice, and perhaps you can stay home. How is that for a compromise? Surely she has a friend or two that would like to go on a cruise with her.

Annieeee

[janetz]

I am a lot of fun as long as I don't have to mix with "people" :)

 

I'm thinking that a 'short' cruise somewhere she wants to go might be reasonable, maybe 3 or 4 days.. I could survive a crowd that long.. I was thinking about going on one till a friend got back from his, they took their young daughter, and started telling me how terrible it was.. that put me right back in to the I'm going to Canada fishing you go wherever you want mode..

 

If we do go I think I would have more fun on a smaller cruise with fewer people.. As long as I can get some fishing in it should be bearable.. And for the record, this is my research :) I'd rather chat on a forum that read a book or article on some web site..

 

 

Shorter cruise would mean more party people. I suggest 5 night Celebrity Century. A little more sedate but a beautiful ship with excellent service.

[rian90]

Steve, I am not a crowd person either and while I like people, I have found many people on cruises to be pretentious and too concerned with status and how one is dressed. I have met some wonderful people too but it all depends on what we do.

 

On a cruise to Mexico we went on a river boat ride to see some ruins. Lots of people here hated that excursion..We loved it! We met lots of people like us on that boat ride, people who love ruins, outdoors, history, learning about things and could care less if their hair was blown by the wind and they had mud on their shoes.

 

I have to admit, I would love a trip to a cabin in Canada and I think my husband feels the same...although we would hike rather than fish. But we also enjoy cruising. Usually we find a secluded place on the deck, some place no one else likes because it isn't sunny enough or near enough to the pool or a close enough to the bar and we sit and read or stare at the ocean.

 

You might enjoy a trip to the Caribbean with an excursion to a ruin or a deep sea fishing excursion or even snorkeling offshore in a boat. One thing I want to do someday is go kayaking on the sea. When we went on a short cruise out of Port Canaveral, we spent our time on the little private island RCCL owns geocaching rather than sitting on the beach. We had a nice time hiking on the island.

 

I consider the ship just a luxurious method of transportation and while I like relaxing on sea days, my favorite times are when I get to see new places, some places I probably wouldn't see if I chose a land cruise. We want to try an Alaskan cruise as well but decided on a port intensive Med cruise this next time. But if we go to Alaska next time I will probably spend my time hiking away from the crowds and with only my family, not on a shore excursion. I would go on a cruise to Alaska for the magnificent scenery from the water, the bays and glaciers, not for the cruise ship amenities.

[ehfl]

I don't think you should go....just send your wife with her friends. If you've made up your mind that you will not have a good time, it's not likely you will. Let the more flexible members of your family go and enjoy the cruise, while you take whatever type of vacation you always take.

[WeBeGone]

Steve, put on your big boy pants and go with your wife since it means so much to HER. Remember, you get what you give. Give her a wonderful, romantic cruise, and she'll return the favor the next time you want to drag her fishing. :D

[madelinerose]

Steve, get a balcony cabin and request a two-top for dinner. Your balcony is your private getaway and there would be no contrived banter with dining table strangers.

 

There's nothing you have to do on any cruise. Look at the Ports of Call board here and find some photos of the Alaska cruises to show to your wife. She may be surprised.

 

Hey, if you can't do the cruise compromise thing, it certainly isn't the end of the world, right? To be able to vacation at all is a real treat.

 

I do believe, however, that people shouldn't have to be convinced to do any type of vacation, land or sea. Congrats on your anniversary. Good luck. ;)

[maureencruiser]

I was thinking about going on one till a friend got back from his, they took their young daughter, and started telling me how terrible it was.. Hello again, what ship was he on and what were his specific complaints? Things that bothered him might not matter to you and his cruise was "complicated" by having a young child along. Having said that, you mentioned August--at that time of year, there will be more children onboard which can rack the nerves and cruises are more expensive then because that is when families have to travel. If you postponed to September, maybe the price savings would make it worth your while. You could probably get a 7 nighter for about $500.00 each. That's like 142 a day for your "hotel", all food, entertainment, transportation, etc. I agree with the poster who suggested Celebrity- they are a little "tamer" than RCI so there isn't so much hub-bub. I did a Celebrity 5 nighter last year for $50.00 per person per day- our local sh*thole motel costs more than that and doesn't include food, entertainment, etc. I had suggested the website because you can look at the pictures of the public rooms, the cabins, the food, etc and see if you can picture yourself enjoying them. Keep us posted-I'd love to know if you end up going and how you liked it.......Maureen

[happy cruzer]

Continue your research in earnest.

 

Look at particular lines and ships. Look at space ratios, tonnage divided by passengers.

 

In my opinion, Princess may be the best. Get a balcony cabin, they do some extra charge meals on your balcony you might like. Their ships have good space ratios. they have some smaller ships.

 

Research NCL's villa cabins, they have areas dedicated to the villa cabins only.

 

Celebrity's newer ships have Aqua class that you might like.

 

Oceania is a small ship with no lines. Premium prices though.

 

It will cost a bit more for more space and privacy but you might want to pay it, many other cruisers do.

 

With all the cruising options out there, surely one is a fit.

 

Good luck.

[supermansgirl]

You pay and I'll go with her :)

[CowPrincess]

DH & I are not big "joiners", and we loathe crowds. DH finally agreed to a cruise in May/08 to Alaska. The 3rd or 4th day onboard, he threw himself on the bed with the biggest grin I've ever seen and said "Wow, this is the only way to vacation". We've done 2 more cruises since then, and have another booked.

 

You can be as busy or as unbusy as you wish, as social or as unsocial as you wish, as "herded" or "unherded" as you wish. We never participate in organized activities onboard, preferring to enjoy the deck areas and the sea air.

 

As for line-ups, someone else mentioned the tender line-ups. You may end up lining up at the buffet if you hit it at prime time. If that is the case, it will not be more than a couple of minutes.

 

We travel Holland America, despite the rep it has for being for "old people", because we like the passenger to space ratio, lack of forced gaiety (no hairy chest contests at the pool), and the overall sedate/relaxed atmosphere.

[maureencruiser]

Steve, Come back and give us an update-cruise or no cruise- I went to your website and I liked the cat jewelry-You know, a cruise is a good place to meet future customers!!;);)...Maureen

[JewelerSteve]

We've decided to comprimise this spring and go stay on Marco Island for a week of fishing and relaxing. But, we are thinking that an August or September cruise somewhere I want to go would be a good start..

 

And thanks for the compliments on the jewelry.. Our biggest goal there is to donate as much money to animal rescues as possible.. It has been so much fun writing those checks every month.. That always makes my day.. :)

[owt205]

For years my DH would not agree to a cruise, until close friends convinced us to go with them to Alaska. On the last evening, cruising back to Vancouver through the inside passage, right past our house (yes, we watch the ships nightly, wishing we were on them), DH said "We can NEVER do this again"...I was shocked, as I thought we had a wonderful time. When I asked why? he said.....beceause this was the perfect vacation, and we could never top it!

Now heading on our 5th cruise, wishing it was our 5oth! Dh is always looking for deals, and can't wait to go again.

By the way, August in Alaska is warm, and beautiful.

[IAMAMT]

I would love a trip to Alaska or the Antarctic, but that's a no go for my wife.. I'm willing to give a cruise a shot, and while my crowd skills have gotten rusty since I work alone at home, I do get along with just about everyone.. Just as long as I have a bit of personal space where I can go hide when I get too crowded..

 

This spring we are traveling to Marco Island with another couple and spending a week together.. But I'm thinking about this fall, our 23rd anniversary is in August and to celebrate her retiring from the USAF after 22 years, would be a good time for us to go somewhere with just the 2 of us..

 

Try the MR out of San Diego or San Pedro to Cabo and on to PV. You could do some deep sea fishing off Baja or Zip lines in the jungle. No lines and great fun. Also I like to stay on board when everyone else gets off. I have the pool to myself and just relax. Also we do late dining and miss most of the crowds. Do the later shows and spend the busiest times sleeping. If there is a line I go do something else. We found that Late Sept. to Early Dec. there is allot of good prices and the ships are many times less crowded and less kids.

[flvol77]

and I really can't think of too many things that I would want to do less.. :confused:

 

I'm not a fan of go here do this so any cruise we take would have to have an open structure to it to even consider it.. I really hate lines, I grocery shop at 2am at the 24 hour store just so I don't have to stand in line.. And she wants a tropical cruise and if I were to go I would want to go to Alaska or Antarctica..

 

So how do we find a compromise where she gets her cruise and I don't end up angry the whole time?? Typically my idea of a great vacation is staying at a B&B on a lake near a casino with friends and the wives go to the casino and shopping and the guys stay at the B&B and sleep and fish.. I'm concerned that being stuffed that close together with that many people will be a 'bad thing' for me..

 

I hate lines also, they drive me nuts....But, I love to cruise, and I love to fish, and sleep......

 

You can do whatever you want on a cruise, will there be some lines? Maybe for the buffet at peak hours and when you are getting on the ship, other than that you can avoid people for the most part. My wife and I never go to any of the shows, we eat good, sleep a lot, work out a lot, lay in the sun on our balcony and we basically chill all week. My wife and I work 60+ hour weeks and we are busy ALL the time, we have found cruising is a great escape for us.

 

No work, no one telling us what to do, and with the cruiselines adding anytime dining no one tells you when you need to eat anymore.....what is great is if you are going to the tropics do some research and book a fishing excursion....if you have never been deep sea fishing you may never go back to freshwater fishing again, believe me I haven't. Whatever you decide good luck.

[flvol77]

We've decided to comprimise this spring and go stay on Marco Island for a week of fishing and relaxing. But, we are thinking that an August or September cruise somewhere I want to go would be a good start..

 

And thanks for the compliments on the jewelry.. Our biggest goal there is to donate as much money to animal rescues as possible.. It has been so much fun writing those checks every month.. That always makes my day.. :)

 

I haven't been able to fish Marco Island area yet, but the west coast of fl has some awesome tarpon fishing....I will never forget hooking into about a 75 pound tarpon, awesome fight.

 

Check out http://www.floridasportsman.com/ for some info on fishing in fl.....tons of info on the site especially the message boards.

[Cruisin' Chick]

We've decided to comprimise this spring and go stay on Marco Island for a week of fishing and relaxing. But, we are thinking that an August or September cruise somewhere I want to go would be a good start..

 

And thanks for the compliments on the jewelry.. Our biggest goal there is to donate as much money to animal rescues as possible.. It has been so much fun writing those checks every month.. That always makes my day.. :)

 

So if you're going where you want to go for fishing and then where you want to go on the cruise, how are you compromising? It sounds like your wife is doing all the compromising.

[JewelerSteve]

The comprimise is going at all.. :)

 

My wife enjoys fishing almost as much as I do.. We are heading to Marco with another couple that likes to fish and boat as much as we do, so it really is a comprimise to even get me to go on vacation to begin with.. And the girls picked Marco Island, not the guys.. The guys said yes to a spring vacation on land, the girls chose Marco.. Then we agreed to a fall vacation and we agreed to a cruise as long as it was heading north..

 

Sounds like a great comprimise to me :)

 

@flvol77: thanks for the link.. Now I won't be getting any work done today :)

[Liz54]

On our most recent cruise with some first timers, my friend commented that we seemed to be on a whole different cruise than everyone else.

 

We did not participate in many on board activities. We did not do shore excursions organized by the cruise line. We had a great balcony and we had before dinner drinks on the balcony every evening. We took binoculars and got up at sunrise to watch ourselves coming into port. We did the same at sailaway each port.

We made a point of going ashore about an hour after the first people were allowed ashore on port days.

 

We had late dining so we were able to use the adult spa pool and hot tub from 5-7. Most nights our foursome had it to ourselves.

 

It was a fantastic vacation and we never once lined up for anything nor were we herded about.

 

I think a cruise can work for (almost) everyone!