What Makes for a GREAT Cruise for YOU?

[samzgirl84]

A great cruise for me:

1. Leaving the frozen north--just being in warm weather and enjoying the sunshine when I know it's freezing back home

2. Being at port and looking at lovely flowers and palm trees and green grass when I know I will see only snow at home

3. Spending time with my DH and know that he is getting time off from work and relaxing and having some spare time to do whatever he wants

4. Not having to clean or cook or make beds for a few days

5. Nice food and being waited on

[luvscruising2007]

The weather can make a huge difference, the entertainment is also a big part of what is enjoyable about a cruise. But, tablemates that are fun and great conversationalists really enhance the cruise experience.

[At Sea 4Ever]

For me it's being able to spend every moment for a week with my husband just relaxing without any interruptions from the outside world. Laying in the solarium reading a book and drinking a tropical drink is pure paradise, doesn't matter what the weather is! For us being able to sit down and eat a meal together is a rarity because of our crazy careers so lunch in the WJ or getting dressed for the MDR dinner is just wonderful!! We treasure every moment of cruising together.

[CruiseAddict1982]

For me it's a combination of the great weather, the other travellers we meet on board, the staff, not having to cool for clean for the length of the cruise and just not having to hear or deal with real world issues. It's very relaxing for me and therapeutic. I have to get my cruise fix at least once a year. If it was up to me, I would go twice a year. Been on 8 or cruises so far and I've loved them all. Going to Bermuda in May! Can't wait.

 

Oh yea can't forget the premium drink package. Trying any drink I want not having to worry about price since it's already paid for. On my last cruise I have a few martinis. Not too impressed with them, but it was included in my plan so I thought might as well try it.

[Worn out mailman]

For me it is first and foremost the weather:D We have had a few cruises with rain here and there and that can put a damper on things. Being from the Northeast we are escaping cold, cloudy weather and hope to avoid it at all costs! When the weather is sunny and warm things seems to fall into place!

 

Really has nothing to do with the cruise, ship, destinations, crew or fellow passengers- just give me a bright sunny day and I'm happy!

 

That was the first thing that came to mind for me as well. It's especially a factor when you're at a beach and can't see the wonderful color of the water, which for us is the big draw to the Caribbean.

[SamFritz]

Different cruises have been memorable for different things. I remember our first time on the Jewel for Rohn, our stateroom attendant and the Oceanview window i could sit in to read. Legend for Harry our waiter and awesome evening shows. Splendour was our first. Enchantment for the upgrade to an Owners Suite and for meeting Aquahound. Navigator for the incredible table mates. Freedom for our first experience with a Diamond lounge. It's always something. Part of the fun is finding out what it will be next.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk, please excuse all the typos.

[aubreyc1988]

For me it's weather, ports, and entertainment on the ship. I'm not a huge picky eater and while I enjoy a great meal, I'm fine with a decent one. As long as it's sunny with a bit of wind, great ports of call with good beaches, and logos entertainment for the nights on the ship, I'm good to go

 

 

 

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[rraider1961]

So what does make a cruise great for you? Is it the food, the accommodations, the friends you come with or those you meet on board? Is it the ports of call, or the service (from wait staff to housekeeping) -- what exactly is it for you?

 

Before we started cruising in 2004, I would have said - "the whole experience', 'the elegance I have heard others talk about'.

 

Now years later, and having gone on over a dozen cruises (many people have done more)....I know what makes a great cruise for me....it is the Entertainment Staff.

 

From the Cruise Director to the Activities Director to the newest member of the entertainment staff....they make the cruise Rock. From the cruise directors' planning with the Miami home office to the execution of the smallest detail (like the Karoake machine working), it all has to go smoothly for that wonderful cruise for me and DH. And, they do it, and do it and keep doing it....like energizer bunnies.

 

Just came off of another cruise on Majesty....and Mitch and his team with Mo (Activities Director) where outstanding. To Mitch and Mo -- enjoy your own upcoming vacations.....you made our little weekend getaway -- outstanding.

 

We have had great experiences with Dennis (Cruise Director) and Elvis (Activities Director)....and many others.....the entertainment team, makes a cruise great for us.

 

I always like a list, so here goes:

 

1. I still love leaving the home port. There is just something about the excitement of knowing you are leaving on what I think is the greatest way to vacation.

2. Night on the balcony, listening to the sea, looking for distant lights, and enjoying a glass of wine with the wife.

3. Formal nights. I love putting my tux, getting our picture taken, and then hitting the casino and Crown room. It is probably a James Bond thing.

4. Nothing beats a sunrise and sunset on a cruise.

5. Relaxing in the Connoisseur Club with a fine cigar and a glass on VSOP Cognac.

 

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[hazeleyez3]

1. The ports

2. Spending time with my husband without any work interruptions.

[Hoopster95]

Now years later, and having gone on over a dozen cruises (many people have done more)....I know what makes a great cruise for me....it is the Entertainment Staff.

 

For me, after 20+ cruises it's the staff as well. I just went through my head every trip thus far, and the best memories have been those with the best staff: I have the best memories of Mike Szwajkowski (Voyager and Freedom), Anna Bass (and Becky&Amanda) on Adventurer, and most recently the most visible and interactive group of officers and staff I have ever had the pleasure to be taken care of: Capt Srecko Ban and Cruise Director Rico Du-Breil (Carlos enertainment staff and Efren awesome diamond concierge!) on the Vision.

[meatloafsfan]

For me, it's:

 

1. Good food (it doesn't have to be the best thing I ever put in my mouth but consistently good meals that I enjoy).

2. Pleasant Service (again, I don't need the most amazing servers in the world but personable, attentive and competent).

3. Enough activities to keep me entertained through most of the day (whether it's movies, crafts, trivia, etc) so that I'm distracted enough not to think about work.

[hicksze]

For me, it's:

 

1. Good food (it doesn't have to be the best thing I ever put in my mouth but consistently good meals that I enjoy).

2. Pleasant Service (again, I don't need the most amazing servers in the world but personable, attentive and competent).

3. Enough activities to keep me entertained through most of the day (whether it's movies, crafts, trivia, etc) so that I'm distracted enough not to think about work.

 

For Me it is just spending time with my wife and enjoying our time together

[Paulette3028]

For me, after 20+ cruises it's the staff as well. I just went through my head every trip thus far, and the best memories have been those with the best staff: I have the best memories of Mike Szwajkowski (Voyager and Freedom), Anna Bass (and Becky&Amanda) on Adventurer, and most recently the most visible and interactive group of officers and staff I have ever had the pleasure to be taken care of: Capt Srecko Ban and Cruise Director Rico Du-Breil (Carlos enertainment staff and Efren awesome diamond concierge!) on the Vision.

 

A resort is a resort, and cruise is an activity planned event. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do, but there is plenty to choose from if you choose to. Since no one can control the weather, I don't concern myself with it -- it is just something that will have to be dealt with along the way. If a port can't be reached, the cruise line will adjust its itinerary and viola......a little different vacation.

 

DH and I love the time we spent together doing things we would may not do at home. I love the sun and pool, he loves the trivia games; we both love the Karoake (what entertainment can be found among your fellow cruisers).

 

If you want quiet time, you can find it; if you want activities, you can find it. What pulls it all together is the Entertainment staff -- it is a partnership between the cruiser and the staff...and it can always work out perfectly -- as long as you are open to the onboard adventure.

 

I go with the attitude: I don't have to food shop, or clean the house, or go to work, so ENJOY! It is fun to be pampered, but it is just nice to enjoy!

[mjldvlks]

Very intersting to read some who see things as critical that I consider trivial. Obviously no wrong or right answer. But anyway, for me the two most important [which one takes precedence depends on the specific circumstances] are where we are going and who we are going with. To me, where we are going does matter. We started cruising because of specific places we wanted to go and the cruise was a pleasant way to get there. But I could easily be persuaded to go places I have been before or places I am not particularly interested in if the right people are going. To be honest, that is how I ended up in Ensenada 3 times.

 

For the most part, I couldn't care less who the CD, Capt or entertainers are. I enjoy going to the shows, but never check before booking or anything like that. I expect a certain minimum courtesy, food quality and so forth, but have a pretty low maintenace attitude. As long as the staff are reasonably competent and the food is tolerable, I am pretty easy to get along with. Just like being at sea with friends.

Edited December 3, 2013 by mjldvlks

[yj2cute]

For me, it's service, the ship and entertainment. I love live entertainment, especially in the evenings, which is one of the big reasons I am partial to RCI.

 

Additionally, I prefer a well behaved and courteous crowd, which is becoming a rare occurrance these days. But when it does happen, it makes a world of difference.

 

 

Totally agree, Paul! Especially about the fellow passengers. I was on Breeze 2 weeks ago and the lack of a Caribbean band at the pool was a bummer for me. Also the DJ playing in the atrium during boarding, or should I say blasting, was a bit off putting. I would have preferred Royals classical duet. Also, the rude passenger who got off the elevator and right in front of me while trying to debark in Jamaica was the pits. I nicely pointed out to him and his wife that the end of the line was behind me, as well as behind all of the other folks behind me. He told me "call security" as he got in front of me anyway. Nice.

[BonnieSte]

a week with my husband

sitting on the balcony watching the ocean

an umbrella drink/glass of wine

someone else cooking and cleaning

beautiful weather and beaches

 

in that order

 

perfect!

[Summerl30]

Food

Great itinerary

No kids (just hubs and I)

[Paulette3028]

One of the things I can't control is the weather.....so I just don't concern myself with it. I hope it gives me sunny days, of course, since I enjoy lounging at a beach or poolside. Destinations (of themselves) mean little, since we have been to Nassau (as one example) many times, and don't get off the ship when docked (although we are happy that others get off the ship, so we can have the pool as 'quiet time'), fellow passengers can have a wonderful impact on our cruise time -- with good conversations or simply just the fun of meeting new people...but then there always is the ship herself and her crew -- to add to the ability to have a wonderful escape into 'fun time' and away from the day to day activities of normal life.

[liberiben]

Husband

Flowrider

No Kids(usually)

Food.

In that order.

[G85 SS]

Anytime my countdown clock has struck zero. :D

 

In all seriousness, all things considered:

 

-Staff (both port side at the terminal as well as shipboard...let's not forget the embarkation phase)

-Food, whether it be Main Dining Room, Windjammer or somewhere in-between

-Stateroom, Having been in every category(minus a suite, which will be struck off in 13 days) every time I have gone up in a stateroom category, it has enhanced my cruise experience. After booking a Balcony in 2011, I vow to never go back unless it's a weekend get-a-way to the Bahamas.

-Entertainment; What good is the best food, fanciest rooms and nicest staff if there is no entertainment? Comedy shows always deliver a good laugh and the Love and Marriage Game Show is always a must see.

-Ports of Call. New destinations always add a level of excitement as it is a new culture experience as well as a new sight seeing opportunity.

 

Mix all of that together with the best person in my life to spend a week with enjoying it all, and there's nothing that can top all of those factors making it a GREAT cruise for me. :)

Edited December 4, 2013 by G85 SS

[readytolose]

1. Since I'm in the restaurant business I love just relaxing and having someone else wait on me for a change!

 

2. I love the alone time a cruise affords my husband and I. We are both so busy in our everyday lives that being able to stay up late and also sleep in late while spending quality time together is priceless to me.

 

3. Weather! Since we usually are leaving cold weather having bad weather would really be a bummer!

[CruiseAddict1982]

I don't mind when there are other kids on the ship. On my honeymoon with the wife we were asked by some teens to be on their dodgeball team and it was the most fun I had on a cruise ship. We were 24 when we were there. Since then we've gone on a cruise every year.

[foxgoodrich]

What makes a great cruise? Wow - what a question!

There are so many little things, and big things, but here's our list…in stream of consciousness fashion, and not necessarily in order of importance:

• an easy embarkation experience
  
• finding a table for lunch on Day 1 in the FoodCrammer….I mean WindJammer :p
  
• entering a lovely clean cabin
  
• getting our luggage before sail away
  
• meeting our cabin steward, hopefully a person with a great attitude and a big smile who's willing to bring ice twice daily in return for a generous tip:o
  
• a lovely Sail Away on the pool deck, with a great Mojito, accompanied by a beautiful sunset…oh yeah...:D
  
• a couple of good shows
  
• a couple of venues with some great music
  
• prompt room service delivery of decent coffee every morning
  
• great waiters in the MDR and tablemates who are fun to be with
  
• decent food in the MDR
  
• cabin steward (I know…I already covered the ice part) who replaces the bathroom toiletries daily
  
• a captain with some personality and a sense of humor
  
• a cruise director who's fun and enthusiastic, without being obnoxious or totally full of himself/herself
  
• a smile and a 'can do' attitude from the Guest Services person that we seem to always need to talk to for some little thing or another on every cruise ;)
  
• some lovely, lazy sea days
  
• finding loungers or chairs in the Solarium whenever we go in there
  
• finding a hot tub that's hot
  
• finding a bartender who makes a great Mojito
  
• some moonlit evenings with lots of stars
  
• all our OBC showing up on our account on TV on the second day
  
• finding a place to sit in the DL/CL for a drink & hors d'oeuvres before dinner
  
• an active and fun roll call with a few cool activities planned
  
• coming out ahead on the slot pull :D
  
• a ship that looks good, looks clean, and is well tended by staff
  
• a couple of good ports
  
• a general attitude of friendliness among the crew
  
• an easy disembarkation experience :)
  

[OCruisers]

Our fellow passengers are a big factor to us. :)

 

LuLu

~~~~

[blueblock]

1. The ports

2. The ports

3. The ports