Cruising...A Love Story

[rayison]

Hello everyone. This thread is meant to be all the reasons most of us cruise. While complaints and negative posts can be helpful in avoiding issues, I want this thread to help new cruisers understand the pure joy of a cruise vacation. So many of my friends don't understand our passion for cruising. Yet, they have never taken one.

 

We have cruised many different lines, but come back to Celebrity for most of our cruising. This will always be a personal choice for each cruiser. Can there be improvements, yes, but it is still and will always be an amazing adventure. This is what keeps us coming back!

 

*The joy of embarkation day. You cannot duplicate the feeling of getting on the ship on day 1.

*Getting your first drink and walking the upper decks before sail away.

*Meeting with fellow Cruise Critic members for sail away. These are people we have communicated with for months and we finally get to meet!

*Watching the ropes fall into the water and the tug boat guide us on our way. We are at sea!!!

*Grabbing a drink and enjoying our first sip on our balcony. Yes, OUR balcony!!!

*Meeting new friends at dinner or a show. Funny how you run into the same people all cruise long. We still have friendships from cruises we have taken years ago.

*We like to get up and watch us arrive in port. New places to explore are just ahead!

*Whenever we are done with our explorations, we can count on Celebrity to greet us with a nice cool towel, a smile and a welcome back.

*As we leave each port, it is another "sail away". We toast each port and file the memories into a wonderful place.

*Find your favorite space and visit it often. For us, the Martini Bar and Molecular Bar! Chances are you will meet like minded people and laugh for hours

 

Cruising has taken us to places I only dreamed about growing up. I have learned that experiences mean far more than material things. I have learned how much it means to truly relax and not take things so seriously. My motto: Cruise and Cruise often!

 

Please contribute your reasons for cruising and lets Celebrate our "Love Story".

[Caribbean Chris]

Lovely thoughts! I'm in a dreamy mood after just disembarking yesterday from Constellation. Wonderful ship.

 

-Love being slightly rocked to sleep when the ship is far from shore out in the ocean. A little creaking noise along with the rocking on some ships is a lullaby!

 

-The pleasure of seeing some of your past favorite staffers on board, knowing you'll be cruising again with true professionals

 

-Having a photo taken that makes you look better than you ever do at home. (Special wrinkle removing filters? Sea air?)

 

-Delicious food. Lobster flamed table side in Ocean Liners - unforgettable.

 

-Caffe Mocha at Al Bacio with whipped cream on top brought to your table by a smiling young woman in minutes, and sipping it with a view of the sea.

 

-The T pool. Especially on a day when the sea is rocking a bit. Where else can you float back & forth as sea water massages you?

 

I could list 20 more...

[LPYRCRUISER]

I can't really add much to your list. It sums up why we love cruising so much. DH spent some time in the Navy and swore he would NEVER set foot on a ship ever again. When I mentioned trying a 3 day cruise 30 years ago, I was a long time convincing him.

He LOVED it. We have been on several cruises over the years and have never had a bad one. We would love to go more often if schedules and finances weren't a factor.

 

Nothing beats the feeling when you see your ship for the first time and go through the boarding process. I know some people find it tedious, but I'm like a little kid at Christmas. I can barely keep from jumping up and down.

We're set dining people and love going to our table and having the smiling wait staff ready to serve us. We so enjoy getting to know them through out the cruise.

 

We're not big on excursions though we usually do go off the ship at ports we may not have been to before. There is nothing better than spending a day on the ship when everyone else is in port. I can sit wherever I'd like, read, relax and enjoy a cocktail or two!

 

As I tell people, I would go on a cruise anytime and anywhere!

[h20cruzer]

You hit the nail right on the head. Love everything you said, I see your first cruise was the Song of America, I loved, loved, loved that ship, was very sad to see it leave the fleet. Like you Celebrity is my choice now most of the time.

The only thing I think I could add is arriving at the port and seeing the ship for the first time, now that really gets my heart thumping:):):)

Norma

[sunshine nana]

DH and I have often commented-did you ever think you would see Istanbul/Rome/Ephesus/ my grandmother's home in Ireland etc? Cruises are perfect for us since we love to see historical and cultural places, but also love to relax each night with a glass of wine on the balcony, a wonderful dinner and show without worrying about travel problems. We also like to be able to do separate activities on the ship (me the pool, shopping DH watching the port activity and reading on the balcony.)We have been on 10 cruises on 3 different cruise lines with 2 more booked. It's great!

[akowilm]

*visiting a different country everyday, but only unpacking once!

 

*spending time in the steam room in the Aqua Spa after a long day of hiking/swimming/diving/shopping

 

*second vote for that Lobster in Ocean Liners/Murano

 

*the fun to be had in the Lawn Club Grill making pizza or watching others do the same

 

*Tanned Russians at the MB

 

:Dsailing Reflection in 18 days!!!!!

[ladylemondrop]

Love this post!!! Yes! Cruising is wonderful, we have seen so many places, met so many lovely people along the way, dined on our balcony overlooking the sea, cried listening to classical music while sailing away in Venice, laughed with staff who love to share a joke, it truly is a magical thing and I always say the only negative thing about cruising is the fact that it is highly addictive!

 

Happy Christmas everyone x

[OkanaganRon]

Great Post..I love the positives!

I will never forget my wife and I being entertained in our cabin by a wonderfully enthusiastic Cabin Steward singing a love song in a foreign language for our entertainment. Thank you Celebrity!!

[budisal]

Visiting different ports almost every day, but thoroughly relaxing and letting my troubles just wash away on those great sea days.

Great food - even 'just' in the MFR without having to spend extra for specialty dining.

Being waited on hand and foot every day.

Being treated as someone email.

Having my bed made twice a day.

How could anything be better?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[NLH Arizona]

Thank you so much for starting this positive thread.

 

I'm thankful that I can cruise, when so many people only dream about it. We should all remember how fortunate we all are to be able to cruise, when everything doesn't go 100 percent the way we want!!!!!

 

Happy holidays to all.

 

Nancy

[NorthCarolinaBelle]

I love this thread! I agree with all y'all have said, and I'll add a few:

 

1. A smoke-free casino on Celebrity ships has made it fun for me to dabble in the slots, something I would have never done otherwise!

2. The rainbows at St. Thomas and other islands are breathtaking.

3. Breakfast in my Celebrity robe on my balcony, delivered by a smiling person.

4. Dressing up for formal night. I adore my husband in his tux, and I enjoy getting dolled up, too! I sip champagne, he sips his Manhatten.

5. Meeting nice people from all over the world. I always say cruising is a little like summer camp for adults.

6. That feeling when they announce that we can board...I have trouble not doing the happy dance!

Edited December 23, 2014 by NorthCarolinaBelle

[rayison]

Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments. I knew I could never capture it all like you have. Don't you just want to go on a cruise right now!!! Luckily, I leave on one in 25 days, 15 hours, 1 minute...but who's counting.

 

Have a wonderful holiday season and a magical new year! Ray