Why do YOU cruise?

[buckirj1]

I value the times when I'm completely out of touch with the stresses in my life, so I cruise to get away from my work and my family. Keeps me sane enough to deal with them the rest of the time. Always lookin' out for my health!

[tizbo1423]

Like a lot of other people have mentioned, I cruise for the escape. It's a very strange phenomenon for me, I am literally scared crazy of the idea of being in the middle of no where and helpless if anything were to go wrong (it's taken me years to agree to go to Bermuda, we're going this summer!) but I just LOVE being on a cruise. Something about being on a ship that's taking me to a gorgeous island where I can get on a catamaran and sail the clear water, have my toes on soft white sand and really just be away from all things New Jersey!

 

And of course, the convenience. I don't have to worry about finding and paying for food, cleaning up or making my way to a show/nightclub/activity. And I don't have to worry about finding my way around an island I'm not familiar with for a week's vacation on my own. They pick you up, drop you off, and give you a glimpse of a great little island without having to figure it all our on your own.

[divingmedic]

Wet blanket;).

Just the truth. I get the same things, some times even more. I get a room with great view. I get waiting on hand and foot just like a cruise. I get three meals a day. In fact some AI resorts I have stayed at have at up to 5 speciality restaurants at no extra charge. I never have to pay for soda or alcohol either. My room gets cleaned every day, granted they do not turn down my bed at night or make little animals out of towels, but hey I am a big boy and do not need those. I can sample the night life of the town the resort is at, can never do that on a cruise ship. I can dawn, dusk and night dive while staying a resort in the Caribbean, can never do that on cruise ship either. I get unlimited time in town, never have to rush back to make it to a ship. I also get to meet people from all over the world.

[simplelife]

DH and I have found cruising to be the best value for our vacation dollar. And cruising provides the opportunity to truly get away from the stresses and responsibilities that characterize our "regular" life. I love the fact that absolutly no one but myseld is depensding on me making a decision.

[sparks1093]

Just the truth. I get the same things, some times even more. I get a room with great view. I get waiting on hand and foot just like a cruise. I get three meals a day. In fact some AI resorts I have stayed at have at up to 5 speciality restaurants at no extra charge. I never have to pay for soda or alcohol either. My room gets cleaned every day, granted they do not turn down my bed at night or make little animals out of towels, but hey I am a big boy and do not need those. I can sample the night life of the town the resort is at, can never do that on a cruise ship. I can dawn, dusk and night dive while staying a resort in the Caribbean, can never do that on cruise ship either. I get unlimited time in town, never have to rush back to make it to a ship. I also get to meet people from all over the world.

 

I don't disagree, but that wasn't the question. The question was a simple "why do you cruise" to which you could have responded "because I like variety".

[lulabelle522]

We cruise because we love traveling to new places, meeting new people, trying new foods, and for me mainly not having to cook, clean, or do much of anything while I'm sailing :) I would love to have my own boat, but alas I get sea sick on smaller boats. If I really miss the sea, I can just drive to the coast for the weekend.

[rnvattes]

I am the one you mention, OP -- I have a love affair with the sea, simple as that.

 

I can't afford a boat, and if I could I know I would not make the time to get out that you make when you plan a vacation. My other most favorite vacation spot is the beach, and I get out to the sea whenever I can (I live relatively close to the ocean; I'm so lucky!).

 

I do a lot a lot a lot of preplanning and research -- and quite frankly I think I love that almost as much as the vacation itself. But by doing all of that up front, I step on board and I don't have to do another single thing. I don't have to worry what to eat - there's always something. I don't have to make a drink - there's always someone there to get one for me. I don't have to decide where to go - the ports are predetermined. I don't have to make my bed or clean my room - my beautiful room steward will take care of that too.

 

And cruising is hands down The. Most. Affordable. Vacation. -- and I get to be on the sea, too.

 

What's not to love?!

[jules815]

Because it's the most relaxing vacation ever, but never boring. Even if we're repeating ports or sailing the same ship, every cruise has been different.

 

We started cruising in 2006 and are sorry we didn't do it sooner. So far we've only sailed with RC and Carnival and love them both.

[jules815]

DH and I have found cruising to be the best value for our vacation dollar. And cruising provides the opportunity to truly get away from the stresses and responsibilities that characterize our "regular" life. I love the fact that absolutly no one but myseld is depensding on me making a decision.

 

 

YES!!! We love turning off our cell phones and putting them in the safe. You're truly away.

 

Prior to cruising we would rent a condo in Florida for a week. While I have fond memories of those vacations, it still was work for me. I would still go up and make sandwiches for everyone at lunchtime, planning dinner, doing laundry, making beds. My parents would spend the days with us (they live in FL), so I was entertaining them. I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, because I'm grateful to have gone on any vacation, but cruising is like a real vacation for me.

 

When we cruise, I'm sad to leave the ship and can't wait to book the next one. I get butterflies in my stomach when I think about our upcoming cruise vacations.

[finsupcruiser]

I cruise cuz I'm a Parrothead and WE belong on the ocean :D:cool:

 

 

I agree!!!! Going to your city to see "Bubba" in June:D:D

[Mad Capn Bob]

I'm a part time librarian...I can't afford me own vessel. So for a week, I borrow one of Carnival's. Give me lots of sea days...I stand at the rails, gazing along the horizon for any other ships, wondering where they've been, what they've seen...and how much money is stashed away in the purser's office. Y'see, I'm also a pirate...which is another reason to cruise.

 

Now...where be me DoD? Wi' double rum, by the powers!

[buddylover]

We cruise because we get to see so many different places, and our "hotel" moves with us. Would never be able to travel to as many destinations as we have seen if we had not cruised and taken land based vacations instead. We just love it!!

[ccruisequeen]

Getting away from it all. Once I'm on the ship, I don't leave. I love meeting new people, eating things I can't get at home (lobster, cherry soup, WCMC), playing trivia, and just relaxing in a sunny window and reading or people-watching. Also love losing money in a casino!:eek::cool:

[xo101]

Perhaps I love to cruise because seems like everyone I meet is "dreaming" of taking a cruise .... but realistically I cruise because I feel safe. It's typically just me & my kids, or just me & my daughter. We can visit different countries on the same trip without having to pack/unpack, worry about where we are going to eat or what we are going to do in the evenings, or how we are going to get to wherever we want to go. I love the all-inclusive ... we can do something or nothing .... and while I am sure crime happens while you are on a boat, I just feel safer overall.

[rtw68]

I cruise because the only way I can get away from the work phone and computer is to leave the country.

 

That's a part of it for us. I can truly get away and not spend my vacations working.

 

The whole experience of having my "hotel" taking me to many beautiful places, the food, the views of the ocean and the relaxation of it can't be beat!

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[GRAMMYTAN]

We love unpacking one time, seeing other countries at a much better price than flying, a variety of activities to suit almost everyone, and we feel a bit more secure on a ship than a land vaca. We also feel that we get more value for our vacation dollars.

[mamaskittles]

Well ok, some pretty interesting answers. :D

 

I always wanted to take acruise from when I was a kid watching LOVE BOAT on tv.

 

When I finally got to do it some years ago, I was hooked. I have been on other vacations and there is nothing like a cruise for me. I am sure an AI is wonderful. It just won't give me the waking up in a new place feeling every morning that I get from a cruise.

 

My last cruise was western. I finally climbed a restored Mayan pyramid, felt the summer heat of the Yucatan.

I was entralled. Of corse some have said if you love Mexico so much just fly down and stay in a hotel. My answer "If I did that I would miss the wildlife of Belize and the beauty of Gautamala."

 

As far as being on a cruise for the ship I love it. The food ummmm. I like food. I like it a lot. I have never found Carnival food to be bad. It is not gourmet by a long shot but it is usually pretty good. I very much look forward to some nomnoms in 3 weeks.:p

 

I like the shows, the drinks, the casino, people watching, all of the stuff on a ship. I do like looking at the ocean but in reality many other vacations could do that for me. My late DH owned boats most of our life together so being on the water is something I am more used to than a cruiser from Nebraska. :eek:

 

Well fellow cruisaholics cruise on my darlings cruise on.....

 

So I can only assume based upon all of these answers that if a poster comes on and complains about icky food, bad service, missing ports or boring shiplife, all of you will cut them a break because we all cruise for the goodies a cruise gives us.( Except the Merfolk that is );)

[PunkinsDad]

Why do I cruise?? Several reasons come to mind.

 

To spend time with my family, away from all the frantic activity of everyday life.

 

I too am a sailor, 10 years United States Navy. I love being on a ship at sea. (I really like it when the seas are rough!!)

 

To visit beautiful locations.

 

To meet new people and perhaps make a friend or two. I particularly like to get to know the crew and staff. Some of thier stories are amazing.

 

Total relaxation. No cooking, cleaning, laundry, traffic, schedules to keep...that sort of thing.

 

And just about the best part for me, is that I can choose to be completely "off the grid" disconnected, off-line. As an IT professional I'm pretty much available 24 x 7, email, VM, Text Messaging, Cell phone always follows me wherever I go. When I cruise, I can "opt out" of all that by not getting an internet package, and putting my trusty iPhone into "Airplane Mode". Family and work know how to contact me via phone on the ship in the event of a real emergency, but they never have. On a cruise, I don't have to think or worry about any of that. It's vital to me and cruising is just about the best way to experience that freedom.

[hankandteri]

I cruise to chillax and escape for a few days. All the other good stuff that comes with cruising is just a bonus.

[BeermanChad]

I cruise to get away from work and the everyday BS I have to endure. Plus.... we don't have to worry about drinking and driving :D:beer:

[BenjiRodney]

Because its easy and for the most part affordable. And I like to travel.

[askimdog]

I like the price and ports. I can care less what the ship offers as extras like shows, casino etc. I like seeing different ports and cruising for a week is a cheap way to see 3-4 islands or places that are hard to drive to. We tend to buck 7 night cruises and only those we can grab at under 350.00 a week. We save up 12-16 months and 3 of us go (49,37 & 8). We can fly, cruise and be back in 10 days for 2k.....not too bad.

 

Meals are included, no one has to drive. On board, I am pretty anti-social and read and relax. I work in the tourism industry dealing with tourists everyday, on vacation I try to stay clear of vacationers, even though I am one of them :)

 

I might add, we tend to cruise in Winter, with snow falling in November, and here it is May 13th with still snow in my yard unmelted still, I want to feel warmth in the middle of the season.

[Velvetwater]

First cruise soon so I cant say much but I booked because:

 

I love the sea (boats are expensive dontcha know)

Flying is something I am not comfy with but will do when pressed

I like holidays with different places each time (I get restless seeing the same sights)

The crazy chow down on ships appealed to my gluttony

A new holiday experience.

[kybluecruiser]

RELAXATION!!!!! All the other cruising amenities are just a pleasant bonus.

[keepthelobstercoming]

I would go even if the ship never left the dock...I love the whole on board experience!