I Was Wrong

[NotTooCritical]

Before I took my first cruise at the ripe old age of 36 in 2016, I had a thought that the foods would be more uncommon. Being as you're traveling to other countries and various islands, I thought there would be lots of exotic fruits and foods from different places. I was not expecting something so "Americanized". I was looking at the food thinking, "burgers, pizza, cantaloupe. I can get all of this at home'. Don't get me wrong, I like those foods and it's good to have when you want something familiar in between the new, but I was just expecting more cultural variety food-wise. I've only sailed Carnival because that was all my family had sailed, so I didn't know any different. Now that I have done more research on other lines, I'm looking to try something new.

 

What are some pre-conceived notions/thoughts/ideas you had about cruising that turned out to be wrong once you actually experienced it? It could be positive or negative. Cheers!

[crewsweeper]

The Carnival ships, as do nearly every cruise lines' ships leaving from a US port, will carry food most familiar to most passengers (mainly from the US). Carnival and other lines often do have special items on dinner menus reflective of the next port the ship is visiting.  And, once in port you can certainly look for and should try various local cuisines.

[klfrodo]

I was extremely concerned about the language barrier during our Med and Baltic cruise.

 

I was pleasantly surprised that in 90% of my situations, either the Europeans spoke great English, or good enough English, or enough body language and their broken English/my terrible broken (their language) to effectively communicate and have a great time.

 

Note: While Google Translate is not perfect, it comes in very handy.

 

Note to self: you should be ashamed of yourself for not learning a second language!

[sprint180]

For some reason I thought all the passengers would be looking to meet new people. Not sure why I thought that. It is a vacation like any other. I didn’t think that for land vacations. 

[Shaded Lady]

I like the menu variations on Carnival... in the MDR they do have the Port of Call variations, plus there's enough of a variety of things I don't eat at home that I enjoy it... but I also like me a Guy's Burger and fries, so like most other Americans sailing on their cruiseships, I like the option of eating my familiar foods too.

[dcwalker]

I had a very "Love Boat" preconception. I expected open air buffets; people staying in their swimsuits all day, more crew than guests. I thought people lounged in the sun for awhile, then still in their swimsuits went to the casino to gamble a bit. I also had the wrong idea about the pools - thought I would swim a few laps every morning. I was totally unprepared and so didn't really have a very good time.  When we got home I told my husband I didn't care for cruising, but after some consideration realized I just needed a redo. I did my research for the next cruise; and now . . .  10 years later, 8 cruises later, 2 cruises currently booked . . .. 

[dmdiver]

I had no clue what to expect.  Hubby's thought was that he'd be bored.  I remember being in awe of just how large a cruise ship is - and that was on Jubilee.  Hubby discovered that there is more to do on a cruise ship than you can actually do.  It was exhausting trying to do everything.  Now we are much more relaxed & figure we will just have to come back again if we didn't get to do everything.  We were also worried about getting seasick & outfitted the family with sea bands.  Now, I take a ginger capsule morning & evening just as a precaution.  Glad to be rid of the sea bands.  They just don't go well with formal wear.

[jmcancruise]

DH and I were looking for something special to do for our 25th anniversary when we set sail on the Glory back in '05.

We had never really researched cruising before we booked, but between the time we booked and the time we sailed we learned everything we could, much  of it on these boards.  I guess the main thing we were concerned about was fitting in.  Would we be dressed well enough?  Would we get lost?  Would we like the food? and so on.  What we discovered was that the ships are so big with so many people that you just go about your own vacation and no one could care less what you wear or what you eat etc.

 

Now 13 years and 14 cruises later we never give a thought to those things.  We know we can have a wonderful time no matter the ship or the itinerary or the food or the cruise director.  In just 13 1/2 months we will do it all again.  No worries just anticipating another amazing vacation.

 

 

[TNcruising02]

The good thing is that you can experience different food at all of the ports.

My first cruise was on Disney.  My husband and I took our son and two of his friends during their high school summer break.  I underestimated pretty much everything about cruising was was surprised how much I enjoyed it.  I had no idea everything would be so fun and how exciting it was to visit other places and learn about different cultures.  Every cruise is a new experience.  I get excited just thinking about my next cruise.

Some of my cruises were better than others, but I've never had a bad cruise.

[coevan]

7 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

The good thing is that you can experience different food at all of the ports.

 

 

This, enjoy the local foods, every island has their unique culture and dining options. A fresh Mahi sandwich, right of a boat is hard to beat, add a nice cold Carabe beer and you're in island heaven

[kona_wahine]

I thought I wouldn’t like it, especially the crowds. As long as i stay away from the Lido on a sea day I’ve really enjoyed cruising.

[Saint Greg]

I went in pretty blind. I didn’t know what to expect. I always wanted to go on a cruise and I booked my first one two weeks out on a whim. I guess I would say I had no idea the crew were from all over the world. 

[LoungingMcCoy]

I didn't realize that there would be so many activities.  I resisted cruising for many years because I didn't want to just sit on a ship with nothing to do.  I also had the impression that everything was very structured and scheduled.

[xDisconnections]

Just now, LoungingMcCoy said:

I didn't realize that there would be so many activities.  I resisted cruising for many years because I didn't want to just sit on a ship with nothing to do.  I also had the impression that everything was very structured and scheduled.

Depends on the cruise line as some are similar to retirement communities.

[Seago2]

OP, eat at ports of call. That’s the best way to get authentic food. The food you are eating on Carnival is not very adventurous- not very good any more overall. The “port of call” offering is usually terrible. It’s a real shame because the food used to be very good,

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, Homosassa said:

Carnival is geared to tourists that want to leave home but not eat or experience anything different from their everyday life. 

 

Try a different cruise line where you will be with travelers that are willing to try something new. 

....or stay on Carnival where you can FUN.  Seems like a no brainer to me....

[jimbo5544]

19 minutes ago, Seago2 said:

The first time I saw ribs on elegant night I couldn’t believe it. What masterstroke of planning created that mess?

Surveys from people who sailed....maybe you should have told them what they liked.... 

[Kristi Williamson]

When we first started cruising we went for the "fun" and just being off work because, frankly, we had the Americanized mentality that everywhere was unsafe and we rarely ventured out beyond ship excursions. Now, we get that everywhere IS unsafe. Miami and Atlanta can be as unsafe as Jamaica or Antiqua, if not more so, and we absolutely LOVE getting off the beaten path. We're leaving in a few weeks on the Breeze and I've been daydreaming about Mofongo in Puerto Rico and dirty rice in DR. We look for local places run by the locals so we are pouring into THEIR economy since it's their island. We rarely shop in port. If you want the "experience", you have to look for it and the awesome thing about cruising is that you can climb back onboard and be surrounded by the comfort we're used to in our country. It really is the best of both worlds but the cruiseline can only transport you. They can't really bring the adventure and unique experience to you. You have to leave your comfort zone and seek it out. 

Edited April 5, 2019 by Kristi Williamson

[SandiLynn]

I was worried about the crowds. I do not deal well with crowds in close quarters. The muster drill was almost enough to send me home. But after that it never seemed to crowded. Thankfully, that was the only muster drill we did that required being crammed into small area with too many people. Six cruises later, I love cruising.

[xDisconnections]

17 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Now see, you really need to cruise again, they have not had meatloaf in a while

Oh really? Good to know.

[scpirate]

5 hours ago, NotTooCritical said:

Before I took my first cruise at the ripe old age of 36 in 2016, I had a thought that the foods would be more uncommon. Being as you're traveling to other countries and various islands, I thought there would be lots of exotic fruits and foods from different places. I was not expecting something so "Americanized". I was looking at the food thinking, "burgers, pizza, cantaloupe. I can get all of this at home'. Don't get me wrong, I like those foods and it's good to have when you want something familiar in between the new, but I was just expecting more cultural variety food-wise. I've only sailed Carnival because that was all my family had sailed, so I didn't know any different. Now that I have done more research on other lines, I'm looking to try something new.

 

What are some pre-conceived notions/thoughts/ideas you had about cruising that turned out to be wrong once you actually experienced it? It could be positive or negative. Cheers!

Msc if you want uncommon foods to you they have many more foreigners cruising on that line.

[jimbo5544]

Just now, scpirate said:

Msc if you want uncommon foods to you they have many more foreigners cruising on that line.

announcements in 5 language was the highlight of each day....

[Steve551]

1 hour ago, Chervil said:

Which ones are those?
Because I have sailed Carnival, Princess, RCI and Disney and don't see much difference in what you are talking about....

Maybe he's talking about the selection of specialty restaurants on some cruise lines. I find the food in the MDR's to be similar on most of the "main stream" cruise lines. Except the onion soup....RCL knocks it out of the park when it comes to baked onion soup.

 

[coevan]

21 minutes ago, Steve551 said:

Maybe he's talking about the selection of specialty restaurants on some cruise lines. I find the food in the MDR's to be similar on most of the "main stream" cruise lines. Except the onion soup....RCL knocks it out of the park when it comes to baked onion soup.

 

 

 

The onion soup in the Steakhouse is excellent, nothing like the MDR

[Steve551]

1 hour ago, coevan said:

 

 

The onion soup in the Steakhouse is excellent, nothing like the MDR

18 Carnival cruises and we've never eaten in the steakhouse....maybe next cruise.