Why I DO NOT LIKE cruising!!

[Hula Hips]

Hubby and I just returned from RC cruise to Sicily, Turkey and Greece. We did enjoy the countries but wonder if cruising is for us. Seems all there is to do is EAT, EAT AND EAT!! Not enough activities to keep us busy. We tried to get to pool, all seats taken. No lounges with quiet space on deck 4, only chairs. They had ice skating and rock climbing but we're 60. We don't do either. What I would like to have seen is MORE activities on sea days, not just a quiz in a bar. Casino's too smoky !! Can't breathe. Not enough dancing at night. Disco doesn't open till 10-11 (too late) and no country, blues, variety of music. Only listening type in lounge. My husband likes softball and golf. Would have been nice to have batting cage and golf range. I love dancing. One belly dance class one day for 15 minutes. Nothing else?? Don't want to play bingo, don't want to learn how to napkin fold. Would have enjoyed art classes, dance classes, cooking classes, educational classes etc. (not spa selling classes) Everything geared to get you to bar to drink. 10 min quiz what's that tune in bar? Disappointed in lack of activities. Don't know how people find EATING all day and sitting around fun?? Shows were disappointing at night. Only two good ones at end of cruise. Not enough. Every night should be great!! Glad we're home and can return to our normal activities. Now we have to lose the 5 lbs we gained even though we walked much more than we normally do.

[jpr1908]

Hmmm...maybe land-based vacations will be more appealing to you in the future. Cruising isn't for everyone. We enjoy it but we are in our 30's and having a week to "sit around" is EXTREMELY appealing with the lifestyles we lead right now :)

 

Hopefully you will find what "floats your boat"!

[NorbertsNiece]

Sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise. I too am in my 60's and there's not enough time in a day for me to fit in all the activities on offer.... horses for courses I suppose.... I can't wait to get back on board!

[Room Service!]

Hubby and I just returned from RC cruise to Sicily, Turkey and Greece. We did enjoy the countries but wonder if cruising is for us. Seems all there is to do is EAT, EAT AND EAT!! Not enough activities to keep us busy. We tried to get to pool, all seats taken. No lounges with quiet space on deck 4, only chairs. They had ice skating and rock climbing but we're 60. We don't do either. What I would like to have seen is MORE activities on sea days, not just a quiz in a bar. Casino's too smoky !! Can't breathe. Not enough dancing at night. Disco doesn't open till 10-11 (too late) and no country, blues, variety of music. Only listening type in lounge. My husband likes softball and golf. Would have been nice to have batting cage and golf range. I love dancing. One belly dance class one day for 15 minutes. Nothing else?? Don't want to play bingo, don't want to learn how to napkin fold. Would have enjoyed art classes, dance classes, cooking classes, educational classes etc. (not spa selling classes) Everything geared to get you to bar to drink. 10 min quiz what's that tune in bar? Disappointed in lack of activities. Don't know how people find EATING all day and sitting around fun?? Shows were disappointing at night. Only two good ones at end of cruise. Not enough. Every night should be great!! Glad we're home and can return to our normal activities. Now we have to lose the 5 lbs we gained even though we walked much more than we normally do.

 

Am I right in assuming this was your first cruise? If so, nothing lost. Cruising must have been something you thought you'd like to try. You did, and discovered it's not for you.

Next. ;)

[Izzblizz]

I am going on that cruise next June! I thought it might be too port intensive, but sounds like you didn't have enough to do on the two sea days? This will only be my second cruise.

 

We thought we would like this better than our last Caribbean cruise (mom chose and booked it). I felt like I was always just lounging at the pool or at the beach on that one.

 

I thought I would kind of like a down day here and there on the East Med. cruise (especially since we are spending almost a week before and a week after around Italy/France). Hoping I don't regret it!

[DrD]

yep. I love cruising because I love to relax and not do too much. Port days are pretty busy, sea days I like to lay around and read and eat.

 

Shame you didn't do more research first. One can easily view the whole list of activities available before you book. Or ask here.

 

Also I love the ocean, so just walking around and seeing that blue water is enough for me.

[Starry Eyes]

I suppose they could have opened the disco before 10 pm, but you likely would have been the only ones there. Especially on a European cruise...Europeans have a reputation for starting dinner and fun later.

 

I have seen golf practice cages on ships, but rarely see anybody using them. I do not recall batting cages. Maybe too small a niche or too attactive to small children?

 

I hope life back in FL and your future land vacations suit you better.

[BecciBoo]

I'm with Linda...we go go go so much we practically fall into bed before 10:00....this next cruise we promised ourselves to try to stay awake longer (of course we promise this every cruise). We do eat a lot more but there is so much to do besides eat not the least of which is just relaxing....do you read? I could spend hours just sitting watching the water go by and daydreaming! The 6 weeks before our next cruise can't go by quick enough....:p

[Aquahound]

In your report, you said there was nothing to do but eat, but then went on to name a bunch of things to do and say they didn't interest you.

 

Truth is, being stuck on a cruise ship on sea days and between ports is not for everyone. Cruise activities didn't interest you. That's fine and perfectly normal. Now you know, and you can plan your future vacations accordingly. Sorry it didn't live up to expectations. That's an expensive way to find out.

 

One more thing, it sounds like you were on a Voyager or Freedom Class ship. Wasn't there a gold simulator? :confused:

[poncho1973]

Seems all there is to do is EAT, EAT AND EAT!! Not enough activities to keep us busy.

 

I snipped the rest, but re-read what you wrote. There were plenty of activities on the ship. None that personally interested you, but plenty of options.

 

I don't care for Asian food. Just because an Asian buffet wouldn't have much of anything that interested me, doesn't mean there was nothing to eat on the buffet.

 

As another poster said, a little research could've gone a long way with you. There are a lot of compasses posted and the general activities remain fairly consistent. I'm sorry cruising isn't for you (it certainly isn't even my favorite way to travel, but I've come to really enjoy it for what it is) and I wish you many good travels in the future.

[Beachdude]

I'm impressed, we've only been told that Mediterranian Cruises are so port intensive that the ship only used for sleeping and getting rested for the next day.

 

Burt

[reallyitsmema]

In your report, you said there was nothing to do but eat, but then went on to name a bunch of things to do and say they didn't interest you.

 

Truth is, being stuck on a cruise ship on sea days and between ports is not for everyone. Cruise activities didn't interest you. That's fine and perfectly normal. Now you know, and you can plan your future vacations accordingly. Sorry it didn't live up to expectations. That's an expensive way to find out.

 

One more thing, it sounds like you were on a Voyager or Freedom Class ship. Wasn't there a gold simulator? :confused:

That is what I was thinking too. From their prior posts, i would say they were on the Navigator. That ship has a full sports court with a lot of adult activities on the basketball court.

 

Sounds like cruising isn't for the OP, they didn't like HAL either.

[wolfganghowell]

Kind of confused. You have been a member here since 2007 and just now have decided cruising isn't for you? Maybe it was at one time and your needs have changed. It's always been my assumption that Med cruises are more like a floating hotel anyway since there is so much to do in port. Sorry the pools were always crowded. To me, you listed a lot of activities - you just didn't like ANY of them. If they had ice skating, then they had mini golf.There's plenty of dance options other than the disco. Maybe I'm missing something but what activities do you want? And yeah - plenty of 60 yo's ice skate and rock climb. 18 cruises I've never had a problem and never been bored.

 

I hope your future vacations meet your needs better.

[thewebbys]

The Reasons I Don't Like Cruising:

 

Too Much To Eat without having to Cook

Can't make up my own bed and clean the bathroom

Too Many people smiling and trying to make day wonderful

Too much food to eat without having to cook

Too much to drink

Too many activities for one person to enjoy in a week

The Main reaon I don't like cruising

 

Having to get off the ship at the end

[artypharty]

Hubby and I just returned from RC cruise to Sicily, Turkey and Greece. We did enjoy the countries but wonder if cruising is for us. Seems all there is to do is EAT, EAT AND EAT!! Not enough activities to keep us busy. We tried to get to pool, all seats taken. No lounges with quiet space on deck 4, only chairs. They had ice skating and rock climbing but we're 60. We don't do either. What I would like to have seen is MORE activities on sea days, not just a quiz in a bar. Casino's too smoky !! Can't breathe. Not enough dancing at night. Disco doesn't open till 10-11 (too late) and no country, blues, variety of music. Only listening type in lounge. My husband likes softball and golf. Would have been nice to have batting cage and golf range. I love dancing. One belly dance class one day for 15 minutes. Nothing else?? Don't want to play bingo, don't want to learn how to napkin fold. Would have enjoyed art classes, dance classes, cooking classes, educational classes etc. (not spa selling classes) Everything geared to get you to bar to drink. 10 min quiz what's that tune in bar? Disappointed in lack of activities. Don't know how people find EATING all day and sitting around fun?? Shows were disappointing at night. Only two good ones at end of cruise. Not enough. Every night should be great!! Glad we're home and can return to our normal activities. Now we have to lose the 5 lbs we gained even though we walked much more than we normally do.

 

 

Hmmm... you weren't happy with your LAST cruise. You weren't happy BEFORE you went on this cruise. You weren't happy with THIS cruise. Perhaps cruising is NOT for you?????

[CRUMB]

The cruise compass is full every day, how much do you want them to fit into one ship? I was on this same cruise and wasn't bored for a minute although I am in my 30s if that makes a difference. My parents cruise and are in their 60s and the same applies to them. As the other poster said, it's not for everyone but it's rare to hear someone dislike it this much :rolleyes:

[funfamilyof6]

Not everybody eats, eats eats LOL. Cruising is not for everybody (just like Disney, All Inclusives, etc) and it probably isn't for you.

 

Our family loves cruising, even our teens, and everybody knows how hard to please they are! :)

[setsail]

I agree with the OP

 

"Why I DO NOT LIKE cruising!! "

 

I read over your 25 post and it appears you have had numerous problems pre cruise/during cruises/ and post cruise.

 

We tend to NOT spend hard earned money on things that upset us.

[larka]

The only reason I hate to cruise is having to leave the ship afterwards.

[Hula Hips]

NO this wasn't our first cruise. I didn't want to just try one or two and form an opinion quickly so we gave it a fair chance. This is probably our 5th cruise. Yes the ports in Western Med were exhausting so relaxing on ship is a plus for many. I can understand folks who are still working and just want to relax also. Completely. Just for us, since we are retired and live in an extremely active community we found ourselves BORED. I listed activities they have such as gambling (but it's smoke filled rooms) bingo (not our interest) napking folding (not for us) name that tune in a bar for 10 min (nope) We LOVE to read!! Problem is no lounge chairs to do it in. Only 4th deck had quiet for reading but chairs ONLY (no lounge ones) top deck is all sun and pool area , well just NO LOUNGES available at all!! WE LOVE DANCING but they ONLY have the slow cocktail music more for listening and NEVER a variety of music!! Would love to hear some blues, country, disco, etc... but just not on these ships!! Would love to see some great shows but for 7 nights not only two. Last two shows ONLY were good!! We love so many activities but found sea days boring. I would have LOVED it IF they had classes all day for example, drawing, art, cooking class, dancing such as belly, hula, country, salsa, ballroom, etc.. and on and on. Nope. One day belly for 15 minutes. Lots of saloon type talks though to get you to purchase. Just need more activities. Batting cage for softball players would have been nice for hubby and maybe place to practice golf swing. Maybe some of you know a ship like that?? More active?? If so your experience would be appreciated. I can understand why some enjoy the relaxing but for us, I think traveling around and in the US is probably better suited. Maybe if in the future things change we would try again.

[bajathree]

This simply sounds to me like you picked the wrong cruise-line/ship for your likes...not sure if you used a TA or not but sometimes a "good" TA can be priceless.

If your in your 60's and don't like rock-climbing walls and ice-skating rinks....why did you pick a cruise-line that caters to family activities:confused:....this one comes down to poor planning. Sounds to me like you would have been a MUCH better fit for Celebrity;)

[Hula Hips]

ONE NOTE to help all cruisers We took the land/sea pkg and I would NEVER RECOMMEND IT. You get NOTHING for your money on land!! One dinner, walking tours, but it was a ton of money to add to sea. Stick with sea only. You'll be happy.

 

ps we also had awful experience with airline. Everything went wrong. Luggage is lost, and we almost missed connecting flights as hubby had to drag four suitcases through airport. It was terrible and flying from Rome back to NY and then Fla is a nightmare. No sleep. Just exhausting.

 

would be happy to tell you about land portion of trip if interested.

[Hula Hips]

we picked this one because of the western med only. wanted to see Italy, Greece and Turkey and happy we did but nothing like the good old U.S.A. Makes you appreciate HOME!!

[star cruiser 1]

I am going on that cruise next June! I thought it might be too port intensive, but sounds like you didn't have enough to do on the two sea days? This will only be my second cruise.

 

We thought we would like this better than our last Caribbean cruise (mom chose and booked it). I felt like I was always just lounging at the pool or at the beach on that one.

 

I thought I would kind of like a down day here and there on the East Med. cruise (especially since we are spending almost a week before and a week after around Italy/France). Hoping I don't regret it!

 

You will have a great time in the med. It is port intensive but if you plan ahead of what you want to see and do, even do half days when in port and rest and relax on your sea days you will be fine. I am certain you won't regret it, you are in for a treat. ENJOY.

[bajathree]

we picked this one because of the western med only. wanted to see Italy, Greece and Turkey and happy we did but nothing like the good old U.S.A. Makes you appreciate HOME!!

 

OK.....that paints a much clearer picture....so it's not only cruising you hated....some people just aren't meant to travel abroad.