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Why cruise?

cathj003

By cathj003,
in First Time Cruisers

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cathj003

cathj003

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I have my booked my first cruise and have been reading all the great information on this site. I have learned so much! I have also read a lot of negative things that make me a bit nervous about our cruise. I notice that most everyone here has been on lots and lots of cruises - I love seeing the list in your signature lines. So, I would like to hear why you love going on a cruise so much. What are some of the best things about vacationing this way?

 

Thank you!

Cath

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cruiserking

cruiserking

Posted
Posted (edited)
I have my booked my first cruise and have been reading all the great information on this site. I have learned so much! I have also read a lot of negative things that make me a bit nervous about our cruise. I notice that most everyone here has been on lots and lots of cruises - I love seeing the list in your signature lines. So, I would like to hear why you love going on a cruise so much. What are some of the best things about vacationing this way?

 

Thank you!

Cath

 

Hello Cath,

 

Which are ship are booked on and where are you going?

 

We love cruising for the simple joy and spending time on a ship. It's very stress-free and easy, as soon as you walk up the gangway you're on vacation.

 

We love the ability to visit multiple destinations without having to pack, unpack and fly somewhere else. There are always a wide variety of events to take part in throughout the day, we particularly enjoy trivia.

 

All the ships we have traveled aboard are beautiful and well-maintained. There is nothing quite as wonderful as watching the waves wash by as you enjoy your breakfast in the Main Dining Room with a relaxing day ahead and the excitement of a new port the next morning.

 

Cruising is the only way to travel, Prepare to be hooked.

 

Jonathan

Edited by cruiserking
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bearwholovestotravel

bearwholovestotravel

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Cruise is the best...you get food, accommodation, entertainment all in one...

You get to relax with the nice music, dance on the ship, etc...

You get the sun, and smell of fresh ocean air...

You meet people from all walks of life...

It's economical...

You get to go a few places depending on the length of the cruise you choose...

You have fun...and only fun, sun and relaxation...

Clara

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Host Walt

Host Walt

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Cruising has so many positives compared to other leisure activities that add to the uniqueness of the cruising experience.

 

Positives

 

- Unpack and pack just once.

- Economical (full board dining plan, room, entertainment, casino and other activities at ridiculously low per diem rates.)

- 24 hour services

- No transportation planning to/from each port city (and the associated complications and frustrations of arranging the transport modes).

 

Uniqueness

 

- Ability to sample several destinations that could be future destinations for longer stays.

- Floating on the open sea with all the work being done by the Captain and crew.

- Enjoying the social opportunity of experiencing different activities with new friends.

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Keith1010 "Live from...." Rare

Keith1010

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Host Walt has hit so many of the positives that are on our list.

 

I would just add to it that it requires little thinking.

 

Often when we are on land we have to figure out things as basic as where are we going to eat and are we going to like the restaurant and how do we get there and on and on and on.

 

On a cruise it's all there.

 

And through cruising we have seen so many places that we would never have gotten to unless we cruised.

 

For most people the big decision is whether or not to cruise in the first place but for the majority of people who cruise that first time they love it so much they can't wait to cruise again.

 

Keith

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ptsaint

ptsaint

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Greetings from Sunny Ecuador

 

When someone asks me why we cruise I say to them - how hard is it to have someone cook, make your bed, do your laundry for you?

 

We have traveled (blessed I think) on many cruises seeing amazing places. My husband says it is like a broad brush to see what a place is like then if you love it make plans to go back and stay on the ground.

 

Once you cruise you will be hooked!

 

enjoy, safe travels

 

Patrice

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kelkel2

kelkel2

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I have my booked my first cruise and have been reading all the great information on this site. I have learned so much! I have also read a lot of negative things that make me a bit nervous about our cruise. I notice that most everyone here has been on lots and lots of cruises - I love seeing the list in your signature lines. So, I would like to hear why you love going on a cruise so much. What are some of the best things about vacationing this way?

 

Thank you!

Cath

 

Well, for one I love being on the ocean and I love the islands. It's like a slice of paradise. But I also like that every day it's something new.

Cruising is so worry free. All you have to do is worry about getting yourself to and from the ship and the rest is taken care of. All your meals, your accommodations for the week, your transportation to the islands. All you have to do is rest and relax and show up at your destination.

Last year we priced out where we used to go when I was a kid to Florida, but it wasn't price wise worth it to us. To stay at a beach condo for 5 days, fly there, and rent a car at the airport for the time while we are there, it was going to be way more expensive. None of the meals are included. Even a 7-8 day cruise as going to be cheaper or about the same cost.

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Sixtytwo

Sixtytwo

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Welcome to Cruise Critic and cruising!

 

Lots of great reasons to cruise, huh? I can only think of one bad thing...that last night aboard when you have to pack up and prepare to disembark for the last time! :( Yes, it is addictive, so be prepared!

 

Enjoy your cruise! :D

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George C

George C

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I love most things about cruises, the pack once is one, but I love entertainment, live music, comedy shows etc etc, you get all this at a bargain rate, also that most things are included in one price, I now also add the drink package so only thing we need to pay for is the tips. Also love just looking at the ocean from my balcony or from pool deck. Been cruising since 1975 next cruise will be #58. ( we still do AI Caribbean vacations and also NYC trips but cruise is best overall vacation). There is always something to do or you can just relax and do nothing

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Sauer-kraut

Sauer-kraut

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Oh, you get to be on a new ship! You will have so many entertainment options and if you don't want to see them you can sit somewhere quiet and just relax.

 

My Granny gave me the cruising bug, we were on a container ship going to Fiji when I was 13. I had always talked about wanting to cross the Equator (unfortunately we crossed past midnight and I was asleep! Although I still have my passport from King Neptune :D)

 

It was many years between then and my first 'grown up' cruise and that was wonderful to the Southern Caribbean and I loved Barbados and Martinique!

 

I just love the connection with the ocean, being a water baby there is something magical about it. My mom used to have to drag me out of the ocean to rest as I never wanted to come out.

 

I hope you will have a wonderful time, go in with a good mindset that it will be fun and relaxing time. Enjoy!! :)

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NMLady

NMLady

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I have my booked my first cruise and have been reading all the great information on this site. I have learned so much! I have also read a lot of negative things that make me a bit nervous about our cruise. I notice that most everyone here has been on lots and lots of cruises - I love seeing the list in your signature lines. So, I would like to hear why you love going on a cruise so much. What are some of the best things about vacationing this way?

 

Thank you!

Cath

 

We love cruising because it is a relaxing way to visit a variety of ports, only having to unpack once, meals are provided and so is nightly entertainment.

Besides that there are a variety of activities from which to choose and lots of fellow travelers to trade travel experiences with.

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Lisl123

Lisl123

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I have my booked my first cruise and have been reading all the great information on this site. I have learned so much! I have also read a lot of negative things that make me a bit nervous about our cruise. I notice that most everyone here has been on lots and lots of cruises - I love seeing the list in your signature lines. So, I would like to hear why you love going on a cruise so much. What are some of the best things about vacationing this way?

 

Thank you!

Cath

 

We love cruising for several reasons - the main being that it is similar to an inclusive resort vacation, but we can go to many locations without sacrificing the consistency of comfort and service. When you go to resorts it can be a hit and miss affair. While some cruises are better than others, they are all generally very clean, service is good to excellent, prices are consistent from trip to trip ...

 

Having a younger child, I find the child care to be much better on Carnival cruises than I have found at resorts, and it is included in the price. You get a full sit down meal every night for dinner, and lunch and breakfast as well if you choose to go that route rather than the buffet or one of the included specialty options.

 

Also, while there is the drawback of not having tons of time in any one location, this can be an advantage in that you don't have to spend a fortune at port - you can just get off the ship, go to the beach, shop a little and hang out ... we like the relaxing quality of cruising ... I don't have to put any real effort into planning extensive tours ... we just get off the ship and explore - maybe take a cab or bus somewhere close.

 

So yeah ... we like cruising and when you get a good price, it is very worth it!

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OCruisers

OCruisers

Posted
Posted
I have my booked my first cruise and have been reading all the great information on this site. I have learned so much! I have also read a lot of negative things that make me a bit nervous about our cruise. I notice that most everyone here has been on lots and lots of cruises - I love seeing the list in your signature lines. So, I would like to hear why you love going on a cruise so much. What are some of the best things about vacationing this way?

Thank you!

Cath

 

Cath, PLEASE tell us what negative things you've read that are a big concern to you. Maybe, we'd be able to ease your mind. :)

 

LuLu

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lamchops

lamchops

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We love cruising because it is a relaxing way to visit a variety of ports, only having to unpack once, meals are provided and so is nightly entertainment.

Besides that there are a variety of activities from which to choose and lots of fellow travelers to trade travel experiences with.

 

DW and I are not yet retired and I find that cruising is the only vacation that forces me to relax. Before discovering cruising we would go on land vacations and run around from 8am to 10pm daily to see "everything". I would return to work from a vacation, needing a vacation. We use the ship as a floating hotel and try to pick cruises with many ports of call. We still try to maximize our time on shore but we get to "chill out" nightly when we return to the ship. We love Europe and the cost of cruising (deals & specials) is much cheaper than hotels and meals on land.

Edited by lamchops
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cathj003

cathj003

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Cath, PLEASE tell us what negative things you've read that are a big concern to you. Maybe, we'd be able to ease your mind. :)

 

LuLu

 

I really appreciate all the replies - you all are helping to ease my nervousness.

 

The negatives I've read are:

 

1. It is crowded around the pool and hard to get a seat.

2. You buy the drink package, but then you can't find a bartender and have to wait for a long time to get a drink.

3. The ports are dirty/dangerous - especially Nassau.

4. Excursions are expensive/not worth the money.

 

I have also read many positive reviews and have decided to stick with those for awhile. :) I know that like most things in life, our cruise will be what we make it!

 

Cath

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Sauer-kraut

Sauer-kraut

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I really appreciate all the replies - you all are helping to ease my nervousness.

 

The negatives I've read are:

 

1. It is crowded around the pool and hard to get a seat. Right directly by the pool might be tough, but go up a flight of stairs and you'll have seats to spare! Also on sea days it will be busy, but I' sure you can find something if you keep looking.

 

2. You buy the drink package, but then you can't find a bartender and have to wait for a long time to get a drink. Well, there are at least 12 bars on a ship....if one is crowded go to a different one or wait for the waiter to walk by.

 

3. The ports are dirty/dangerous - especially Nassau. Well Nassau is no big deal, its safe to walk around Front Street, you can walk to Senor Frogs, go to the Straw Market, take a taxi tour around the island. The Caribbean is not Chicago, just go with an open mind and have a good time. The terminal building also has some fun shops in it you don't even have to leave the dock area. Hop in a cab and go to Cabbage Beach, pretty lovely white sand and turquoise water.

 

4. Excursions are expensive/not worth the money. Ship excursions do tend to be a bit more money than those you book on your own. This is where doing your homework comes into play. Read guide books, go to the Cruise Critic PORTS OF CALL boards and read what to do there. You might find someone did something on their own tha was just fantastic, and they'll tell you how to do it too. Don't stress this, its easy. :D

 

I have also read many positive reviews and have decided to stick with those for awhile. :) I know that like most things in life, our cruise will be what we make it!

 

Cath

 

Go with an open mind, you make or break your cruise, its all based on your attitude.

Edited by Sauer-kraut
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