Anyone Taken a First Time Cruiser Who Hated It?????

[CruisinIsGreat]

My BF and I will be sailing on VOS in October. It will be my 5th cruise and his first. I LOVE cruising and he has no desire to go. I'm trying my hardest to convince him to go with an open mind and he says that he will. He tells me that he is sure that he will enjoy it once he gets there. Has anyone ever cruised with a first timer and they ended up absolutely hating it? This is my biggest fear and I want him to enjoy cruising as much as I do so that we can continue to cruise together...and enjoy it. :D

[erries]

Can't answer your question -- yet! -- but we're sailing on the Allure in three weeks with my parents, who have never even been to Florida before, let alone sailing the Caribbean on the world's largest cruise ship. It'll be our sixth cruise, second on the Allure, and I can't wait to see what they think. I certainly hope they don't hate it!

[Ocean Boy]

I have not personally cruises with someone who hated it but I have a friend who tried it and will never step foot on a cruise ship again.

[emilygrace]

Not exactly the same situation as you, but last year a group of us did an Alaskan cruise on the Solstice. Among the group were two couples who had never cruised before. One of the couples were close friends that we had been trying to get to cruise with us for years. The other couple were friends of someone in the group.

 

Toward the end of the cruise I ran into the couple that were not close friends and I asked how they were liking it and would they book another cruise. Definitely not!!! The wife hated shipboard life and felt they were being ripped off with all the add ons. I kept my mouth shut, but in my eyes all the add ons are choices (except for the daily service fee). No one is saying you HAVE to have 3 drinks every night, or buy the ATT package, etc. So they will definitely not be cruising again.

 

The other couple has already gone on their second cruise and is probably researching their third! In spite of her getting very seasick the first night they went on to have a great time and she has learned to take preventative measures before the ship even leaves port the first day. And these were the people that were like your BF, they had no desire to cruise. As we didn't, 12 years and 23 cruises ago!

[PuterMonkey]

I think it just depends what kind of vacationer they are. If someone's idea of a great break is either sitting quietly at home or taking a drive up the country the old school way, they might not get into the cruising (or spend their whole time gasping at the cost).

[ryano]

I have not personally cruises with someone who hated it but I have a friend who tried it and will never step foot on a cruise ship again.

 

Same here. Two actually. Both of them went on one of Carnivals oldest and smallest (Fantasy class) ships, had terrible service, mediocre food, bad entertainment and now as far as they concerned ALL cruise lines are the same.

 

Ive stopped even trying to to talk to them about cruising at this point.

 

Their loss not mine.

[gms5002]

It'd be pretty hard to hate it just based on the fact that it's a cruise. It's effectively the same thing as going to a resort for a week. Whether or not he likes the "resort" is another story, but if you think about it you're basically doing the same things you would be doing on land (Going out to dinner, lounging by the pool, site seeing, etc). The only major difference is that you wake up in a different place each day.

[Ocean Boy]

It'd be pretty hard to hate it just based on the fact that it's a cruise. It's effectively the same thing as going to a resort for a week. Whether or not he likes the "resort" is another story, but if you think about it you're basically doing the same things you would be doing on land (Going out to dinner, lounging by the pool, site seeing, etc). The only major difference is that you wake up in a different place each day.

 

I have never heard of a land resort where if you are not there by a certain time then it won't be there when you show up.

[LuvBNatC]

I have not personally cruises with someone who hated it but I have a friend who tried it and will never step foot on a cruise ship again.

 

My sister already had preconceived negative notions about cruising, and I made the mistake of taking her, as her first cruise, on a 2-night cruise to "nowhere" on Carnival Victory.

 

It seemed no sooner had we set foot on the ship than they were providing instructions on debarkation. In the same breath they welcomed us onboard, they were saying goodbye -- and we'd barely left the pier! :mad:

 

Two nights simply wasn't enough. Carnival only reinforced my sister's impression that cruises are crappy, passengers are treated like herds, and she'll never take another one.

 

If your boyfriend can relax and get into the groove of carefree shipboard life and enjoy a few great meals, he may convert. Got my fingers crossed for you! :D

[BillOh]

My BF and I will be sailing on VOS in October. It will be my 5th cruise and his first. I LOVE cruising and he has no desire to go. I'm trying my hardest to convince him to go with an open mind and he says that he will. He tells me that he is sure that he will enjoy it once he gets there. Has anyone ever cruised with a first timer and they ended up absolutely hating it? This is my biggest fear and I want him to enjoy cruising as much as I do so that we can continue to cruise together...and enjoy it. :D

 

My wife begged me to go for 5 years, then I finally did and was hooked! But to answer your question, I only know of one person I worked with who came back from one cruise and hated it, but he did become an instant cruise expert. :rolleyes: He went on a Vision class ship for 9 days in January about 7 or 8 years ago and now he tells everyone that Royal Caribbean is a cruise line for retired old folks who like Bingo and buffets.

[JemzRoo]

My BF and I will be sailing on VOS in October. It will be my 5th cruise and his first. I LOVE cruising and he has no desire to go. I'm trying my hardest to convince him to go with an open mind and he says that he will. He tells me that he is sure that he will enjoy it once he gets there. Has anyone ever cruised with a first timer and they ended up absolutely hating it? This is my biggest fear and I want him to enjoy cruising as much as I do so that we can continue to cruise together...and enjoy it. :D

 

Yes. My cousin, 25 year old male, also from Rochester, NY!

 

He was very adamant that he had no desire to go at all and I was only able to talk him into it because it was super cheap. It was the Jewel out of Tampa to Mexico. I did my normal routine; I went to all the shows, got dressed up for dinner, hung out at the pool, had drinks and generally enjoyed myself. He went to the first show, decided meh, had no interest and spent every subsequent night sitting in the room reading. He never once stepped foot in the pool or anything. He really enjoyed the excursion in Mexico but said he'd prefer to just fly to Mexico and cut out the cruise. He participated in Quest and I think he enjoyed that. I also think he liked the rotating bar nightclub. Overall though he said he'd rather just sit home and read than waste the money to come sit on a ship and read. I sometimes wonder though if he purposely acted miserable and tried to have a bad time. He later that year turned down going on a cruise for my birthday at the same price point.

 

However, he's generally also the type of person who'd rather sit home on the computer and/or read than attend any form of social function. He generally doesn't like interacting with people at all. I say it comes down the personality type. If your boyfriend is a more social outgoing person and generally likes to have a good time you should be in the clear. Best of luck!

 

Edit: Also, my former roommate was begged to go on a cruise by his girlfriend and they finally went on a Bermuda trip via NCL. He absolutely hated it, did nothing but complain after he got home about how terrible it was and he'd never go on another cruise ever again. He hated the staff, he hated the food, he hated the children everywhere. He said it was like going a casino resort that he hated and wasn't able to check out of. He's 34 and is the opposite of my cousin, being super social and loves to party. After going on a cruise on NCL I tried to convince him to try RCCL as I had similar experience with food/staff on NCL.

Edited April 29, 2014 by JemzRoo

[BamaGuy44]

My BF and I will be sailing on VOS in October. It will be my 5th cruise and his first. I LOVE cruising and he has no desire to go. I'm trying my hardest to convince him to go with an open mind and he says that he will. He tells me that he is sure that he will enjoy it once he gets there. Has anyone ever cruised with a first timer and they ended up absolutely hating it? This is my biggest fear and I want him to enjoy cruising as much as I do so that we can continue to cruise together...and enjoy it. :D

 

Like any other type of vacation, it's not for everyone. But if he feels like he will enjoy it once he gets there, then he probably will. Sounds like he's keeping an open mind. Hope you both have fun! :D

[Sitzmark]

The wife hated shipboard life and felt they were being ripped off with all the add ons. I kept my mouth shut, but in my eyes all the add ons are choices (except for the daily service fee). No one is saying you HAVE to have 3 drinks every night, or buy the ATT package, etc. So they will definitely not be cruising again.

 

 

While I get your point, it's not entirely the same thing. If you're used to going on land vacations while paying a fraction of the cost for equally nice surroundings, I can see where these things can feel like a rip off. For instance when I stay in a nice vacation home rental, I can choose what bar to go have a drink at, and if I don't like the price or selection, I can go to a different one. If I choose to do so on a land vacation I can buy a case of my favorite craft beer and stock my fridge, instead of the only option being bud light at a premium price. Land resorts often have high speed internet available for free or at least at a reasonable cost and it's generally reliable.

So yes these are choices you have on the cruise, but it's a choice of this or nothing, and for some people, that may be a deal breaker.

[Ocean Boy]

My wife begged me to go for 5 years, then I finally did and was hooked! But to answer your question, I only know of one person I worked with who came back from one cruise and hated it, but he did become an instant cruise expert. :rolleyes: He went on a Vision class ship for 9 days in January about 7 or 8 years ago and now he tells everyone that Royal Caribbean is a cruise line for retired old folks who like Bingo and buffets.

 

I like buffets. Bingo not so much. Retirement is not anywhere in the near future.

[Ocean Boy]

My sister already had preconceived negative notions about cruising, and I made the mistake of taking her, as her first cruise, on a 2-night cruise to "nowhere" on Carnival Victory.

 

It seemed no sooner had we set foot on the ship than they were providing instructions on debarkation. In the same breath they welcomed us onboard, they were saying goodbye -- and we'd barely left the pier! :mad:

 

Two nights simply wasn't enough. Carnival only reinforced my sister's impression that cruises are crappy, passengers are treated like herds, and she'll never take another one.

 

If your boyfriend can relax and get into the groove of carefree shipboard life and enjoy a few great meals, he may convert. Got my fingers crossed for you! :D

 

This is why I cringe when I read posts where people offer advice that first timers should try a shorter cruise first to see if they like it. I feel a week long cruise is best to start with. It gives you time between moving in and moving out to experience what cruising is all about.

 

On our last cruise on Allure we arrived at St. Thomas a half hour late. Everyone wanted off of that ship at the same time. It was a total CF with 5000 people wanting off. Talk about herds of people. If that had been my first cruise it would have made a very negative impact on me.

Edited April 29, 2014 by Ocean Boy

[CruisinIsGreat]

My sister already had preconceived negative notions about cruising, and I made the mistake of taking her, as her first cruise, on a 2-night cruise to "nowhere" on Carnival Victory.

 

It seemed no sooner had we set foot on the ship than they were providing instructions on debarkation. In the same breath they welcomed us onboard, they were saying goodbye -- and we'd barely left the pier! :mad:

 

Two nights simply wasn't enough. Carnival only reinforced my sister's impression that cruises are crappy, passengers are treated like herds, and she'll never take another one.

 

If your boyfriend can relax and get into the groove of carefree shipboard life and enjoy a few great meals, he may convert. Got my fingers crossed for you! :D

 

Thank you!!! Me too!!!!!!!!!

[gms5002]

Out of curiosity, what does he think he won't like?

[martinm]

MEEEEE I HATED my first cruise...

 

I went on a 5 day to Jamaca that never made it to Jamaca.

I took my father who was terminally ill on a Company trip.

 

Now that I've had lots of time to look back I could have had a better time and I was pre disposed to no liking it.

About 10 years later I did another 5 day on Disney with my wife and daughter... A momster was created:)... and I liked it too.

 

Now I am the cruise nut... I love to look up Iteneraries and the differences in the ships... I'm trying to talk her into a 2015 PC repo...

[LucasLounger1]

Yes. Our last cruise was with four other couples and one of the wives hated it. Unfortunately her husband was therefore not allowed to enjoy it either. There was always an excuse: sea sick, booze prices are a con, something not to her liking. She even hissed to me "we don't do shows!" When I suggested her hubby join us for The Quest.

 

I knew they were inexperienced travelers because all their holidays have been back to England to visit her parents but I expected them (her) to try to have fun.

 

We've booked with one of the other couples for next winter and she is not impressed because as much as she doesn't want to go she doesn't want us to go without her! I think she's waiting for us to cajole and beg but frankly we're not interested.

[whogo]

I know one woman who was seasick the moment she stepped aboard and debarked for home at the first port. She will never cruise again.

 

I would never talk anyone into taking a cruise. Friends and family know that I enjoy cruising, but I would not think of suggesting that they take one.

[tigercat]

On our first cruise my husband didn't want to go. He wanted to go camping like usual. However, it was our 25th anniversary and he had promised me when we went camping for our honeymoon that I could decide the 25th trip. He was sure he wouldn't like it at all. 24 hrs after being on the ship he was looking at cruise books at the different places the ship went to. We have been on several cruises now and he can't wait for our next one.

 

On our last cruise in Sept. we went with another couple and a friend of ours. The 3 of them had never cruised before. The friend liked it and said that she might go again if she had the money. The couple have already been on another cruise and will leave for their 3rd in May. The wife had been unsure and was going on the cruise because her husband had really wanted to do one. They both had a good time.

 

I did have another couple go on a cruise and the wife was really looking forward to going. However, the husband told me 2 days before they left that he was going to make it a miserable trip for the two of them because he didn't want to go on this one and wanted to make sure they would never take another one. He did just that.

 

tigercat

[CruisinIsGreat]

Out of curiosity, what does he think he won't like?

 

Well, in his defense, he was stationed in Iraq for a year and has this thing about being below ground level. Normally, I just book the cheapest room. I upgraded, slightly, to a large oceanview stateroom in hopes that he doesn't feel so confined. He also has to stand/sit some where that gives him the best vantage point of the people/area around him. He is concerned about feeling "trapped" on the ship. I told him that they are so large that you don't get that feeling.

 

He also admitted that going on a cruise is nothing that he has ever wanted to do. He wanted to go to Biketoberfest in October.

[alexxandraa397]

I took my then-BF and he hated it. Needless to say he is now an ex-BF. Took a different BF last year and he loved it. Now we are engaged. Coincidence? I think not ;)

[Aquahound]

Well, in his defense, he was stationed in Iraq for a year and has this thing about being below ground level.

 

First of all, thank you. Second, I have a similar background as your BF and I'll tell you what my number 1 issue is with cruising. It's crowds. There are choke points on ships, whether its the muster drill, getting out of shows, buffet, etc. Because of a few specific experiences I had in my past, I do not do well in crowds and have to take certain steps to avoid them or wait until they disperse.

 

If this is something that is of issue with him, you are choosing a good ship. VOS is a great ship that has mininal crowded moments, but the feeling of being confined on the ship could still be an issue.

Edited April 29, 2014 by Aquahound

[CowPrincess]

Well, in his defense, he was stationed in Iraq for a year and has this thing about being below ground level. Normally, I just book the cheapest room. I upgraded, slightly, to a large oceanview stateroom in hopes that he doesn't feel so confined. He also has to stand/sit some where that gives him the best vantage point of the people/area around him. He is concerned about feeling "trapped" on the ship. I told him that they are so large that you don't get that feeling.

 

He also admitted that going on a cruise is nothing that he has ever wanted to do. He wanted to go to Biketoberfest in October.

 

Getting the oceanview room is a good idea, IMHO. My DH is claustrophobic, I will not put him in an inside room.

 

I am firmly with your BF about crowds. Have a look at the deck plans for your ship, and see if you can find a nice out-of-the-way outside place, where he can feel uncrowded. So he can retreat there if necessary. If you can't find one on the deck plans, make that a priority once you are onboard.

 

Consider not going to the buffet during peak times. If you go to a show, wait for the crowd to dissipate before you leave the theatre. Other possible times for crowding will be embarking and disembarking. In ports, maybe wait for the rush to get ashore to be over before you go ashore.

 

I loathe crowds, and still manage to enjoy our cruises. It might take a bit of strategy, but with a bit of work, you and your BF can find a "favorite spot" that is away from the crowds.