What Makes for a GREAT Cruise for YOU?

[Paulette3028]

1. The ports

2. The ports

3. The ports

 

 

In light of your list of things that make for a great cruise, I really believe that cruise lines need to change up their port of calls a little bit -- especially for loyal, repeat cruisers.

 

Even on short cruises, changing the one or two ports on the itinerary that go along with their private island would create added enthusiasm. I realize these cruises are always leaving full, but an itinerary change periodically would be nice as well.

[printingchick]

My list of items which turn a good cruise (because there are no BAD cruises), into a GREAT cruise:

 

1. The itinerary. I like my ports of call to be varied and plentiful! I prefer port-intensive cruises. I used to LOVE the sea days when I was a novice cruiser. Now, I want to hit as many ports as possible on a cruise.

2. Weather! A week of rain is a real bummer!

3. The Staff. A staff with a positive attitude who seems to really care about providing passengers with a great experience makes all the difference!

4. Fellow passengers. It doesn't matter how enthusiastic the staff is; if the passengers are ho-hum, it can stifle the positive atmosphere.

5. The Service. I don't eat out much and I don't have a house-keeper. Not having to lift a finger for a week is luxury beyond measure!!

6. The on-board entertainment. I'm a sucker for the FAMILIAR stuff. Give me the crew wearing tie-dye and leading the ship in a rowdy YMCA! Give me The Quest! I love it all!

 

 

And, in general, I love cruising for the escape. I never feel quite so removed from reality on a land-based vacation. There's no excuse on land not to check emails or phone messages. It's too costly and difficult on a cruise, so I don't. And I LIKE that!!

Edited December 4, 2013 by printingchick

[saurian]

Being at sea. my soul feels so much more at peace when I'm on the ocean, no matter the weather.

 

When I cannot be watching the ocean I also enjoy people watching with my husband.

 

When I go on a non-cruise vacation I cannot unplug. I still get loured into checking email, making phone calls, doing chores, etc. i have to stick myself on a ship in the middle of the ocean to let go.

 

not having to cook and clean are big pluses too. and sleeping in. We get an inside cabin so we can sleep anytime.

[tarajean1962]

What an awesome question!

 

When we took our first cruise, I had to literally beg my husband to give cruising a try! Now, we are going on our tenth cruise and it is our preferred way to see the world!!:D

 

What makes it great for us is a combination of no stress, meeting great people, getting to enjoy each other fully, only unpacking once, getting to see lots of great places in a week or two and of course, the awesome entertainment and food on board! In other words, we love the whole package!!

 

Tara

 

P.S. I forgot great weather is also a plus!:D

[Desert Cruizers]

For us, a wonderful cruise includes:

1. My DH

2. Wonderful crew

3. Meeting new friends

4. Ports

5. Relaxing atmosphere

6. On balcony at night listening to ship moving thru the water & seeing the stars

Edited December 4, 2013 by Desert Cruizers

[sealeggs]

Spending time with my beautiful wife and family. When we cruise we usually take an army of people with us. Our whole family loves to be on board. Last 4 cruises, average count was 15 family members. We are now spoiled though. We did a TA 3 years ago and now 7 days at sea seems so short. We will be booking our next cruise in a couple of weeks for the Panama Canal cruise in March 2014, 15 nights. We are also looking at another TA in October on Liberty from Barcelona back to FLL.

[rcclfanbp]

Wow, this is a tough question to briefly answer. My wife and I enjoy cruising for all of the reasons previously stated. We have come to expect a clean, well appointed ship with good food, entertainment, activities and a friendly, diligent staff/crew on all cruises. Sometimes we cruise just to enjoy all that the ship offers. At other times, we cruise primarilly to experience interesting ports of call in far away places - so it is more about the destinations. In any case, we always meet fun fellow cruisers who help to make an enjoyable travel experience. :cool:

 

Having said this, our "first" cruise on Monarch of the Seas in 1995 remains memorable. It was all new & exciting and the service (MDR & stateroom) was exceptional!

[dacsmom]

Every morning watching a beautiful sunrise with a cup of coffee in my hand.

[Paulette3028]

Anytime my countdown clock has struck zero. :D

 

:)

 

I believe that this is SERIOUS enough for me.....we have our countdown clock counting down to our next cruise -- on June 29, 2014 on Allure. I am even considering ziplining on the cruise....time will tell.

[Paulette3028]

I know this is a bit soppy but to be honest it's enjoying a shared love of cruising with my husband and having quality time together!

 

DH and I are empty nesters, but it is TRUE, that the time we spend together on a cruise, is wonderful -- and we spend lots of time at home together already -- on a cruise it is just like paradise with him.....it isn't soppy at all!!!!

[Paulette3028]

For me, the main thing is being at sea. I have basically shut out the real/outside world. I do not turn on the TV - but for muster drill. No news or movies. Also, no technology - no phone, no internet. I don't have to shop for food, cook food, or clean up after fixing/eating food. I don't do laundry or make my bed, or clean bathrooms. I do, however, keep my personal items under control.

 

I like the main dining room for dinner each night. I have never had a bad meal there; I do enjoy the service. I also like the nightly entertainment. Every night on the cruise is "date night". After 40 years, it is still fun to dress up a bit, have a nice dinner, and then see a show.

 

The last thing for me would be the daily activities, as well as time to mindlessly read a good book. I do a few of the activities, and will read a book or two while cruising, but what I really enjoy is an afternoon dip in the hot tub.

 

 

Wonderful feeling -- "Every night on the cruise is DATE NIGHT".

 

Love it.....too often with work and everyday family issues, we don't take enough time for date night. As we approach 40 years together, it IS nice to have something special EACH night to look forward to doing together.

[Paulette3028]

A week with very few kids on board.

 

Just depends on the choice of cruise you take...but every cruise has some....some more than others.

 

I love having kids on board....just my opinion, of course.

[sailnsee]

I can be brief....it's all about choices...you have soooo many on a cruise,from the dining to the shows...How you spend your time,when you get up/go to bed and where you are going...or do nothing! No big decisions, just doing what you want to do....

[cruiseathon]

The highlight of every cruise for me is discovering new destinations. Every morning (apart from those boring at sea days) you wake up to find yourself somewhere different, just like you've been teleported Star Trek style ;)

[dealer9296]

No requirements......always great. I think the only thing that can ruin a cruise is the wrong cabin partner. Had a bad experience 2 years ago. My last 17 cruises have been solo. I do have a friend that has been on those cruises with me as a solo also.

Edited December 15, 2013 by dealer9296

[legaljen1969]

I just enjoy being away from the normal rhythm of life. Usually cruise with family. So it is a good chance to get together and just have some time to relax. I like a fun sail away and maybe SOME activity at the pool- but generally prefer a quiet experience.

 

I am not a big party person, so a quiet but active cruise is fun for me.

[nednrom]

What makes a great cruise for me?

 

1. Being at sea (best reason)

2. Getting dressed up and going "out"to dinner every night

3. Having cleaning and room service

4. Beautiful Ships

5. Disconnectivity from the whole rest of the world

6. Meeting new people

7. In some instances visiting new places

[slm517]

- Not having to cook

- Coffee on the balcony with the hubby

- Lazy sea days with a mojito in one hand and a trashy novel in the other

[Paulette3028]

Husband

Flowrider

No Kids(usually)

Food.

In that order.

 

Some ships don't have flowrider and that won't stop me from having a Great Cruise....I love the flowrider, and wish it was on every ship, for sure.

[Minoushka]

I love comfy balcony cabins where I step out on day or night to enjoy the seabreeze and waves ...at night the moon and the stars

I love unpacking once

i love nice dinners in great company ...peop,e I meet here or travel with

i love visiting different places every day ..beaches in the south....snorkeling in calm clear seas .......famous cities in Europe

I love the grand selections for breakfast and lunchand leisure dinners

I enjoy good shows and comedy evenings

I enjoy Casinos with Games I know and who pay me back ....LOL?..non existent on Princess or Celebrity

I love the cruise atmosphere ..hopefully allows me to forget my daily worries and stresses

 

I think cruising is still the best vacation for me

 

Michele

[Paulette3028]

I love comfy balcony cabins where I step out on day or night to enjoy the seabreeze and waves ...at night the moon and the stars

I love unpacking once

i love nice dinners in great company ...peop,e I meet here or travel with

i love visiting different places every day ..beaches in the south....snorkeling in calm clear seas .......famous cities in Europe

I love the grand selections for breakfast and lunchand leisure dinners

I enjoy good shows and comedy evenings

I enjoy Casinos with Games I know and who pay me back ....LOL?..non existent on Princess or Celebrity

I love the cruise atmosphere ..hopefully allows me to forget my daily worries and stresses

 

I think cruising is still the best vacation for me

 

Michele

 

There are very few vacations that I have taken or that I plan to take, that would be better than a cruise, to me.

[JohnSnowGOT]

What makes a great cruise for me?

 

1. Being at sea (best reason)

2. Getting dressed up and going "out"to dinner every night

3. Having cleaning and room service

4. Beautiful Ships

5. Disconnectivity from the whole rest of the world

6. Meeting new people

7. In some instances visiting new places

 

OH YES I agree with you! Especially #5.

 

Now that the Beverage package is available on domestic travel...Love the

Premium Drink package.

 

Also we have 3 of our all time favorite waiters on the Allure...love seeing them too.

Its all good!

[reallyhooked]

I know this is a bit soppy but to be honest it's enjoying a shared love of cruising with my husband and having quality time together!

 

Like.

[balcony4u]

Like.

 

You summed it up perfectly! We just celebrated our 20th anniversary on Allure, and it could not have been more perfect! He is my best friend and time with him on the ocean is priceless!

[Paulette3028]

You summed it up perfectly! We just celebrated our 20th anniversary on Allure, and it could not have been more perfect! He is my best friend and time with him on the ocean is priceless!

 

We will be cruising on Allure in the summer of 2014, booked for the June 29 cruise as of now....we could consider that celebrating our 40th anniversary, even though our anniversary would have been in March. No way we can get away in March however....so summertime, is cruising time for us.