Life after cruising. AKA Who is realizing they don't miss cruising that much after all?

[KeepCalmBearOn]

It is one of three things I think about constantly and the more I can't do it, the more I want to.

[flyguyjake]

What we don't miss is having to fly from the West Coast to the East Coast in the wee hours of the morning the day before sailing and the cost of the hotel stay. But even with that being said we do miss cruising and hope to sail may 2021 on SOS. We do have a New Years cruise booked for end of year but final is due in a few days so I'll probably have to cancel since RCL hasn't yet.

[Luckynana]

 

We are fortunate that the only time we have to fly for a cruise is when we head over to Europe.  After our Nov 2020 TA  out of Southampton was cancelled, we booked a July 2021 out of Bayonne with our FCC.  I sure am hoping to be on that cruise!  If we have to wear a mask, so be it.   We also have a cruise out of Venice in Oct. 2021, and pretty much plan on cancelling that one, since we do not/will not want to wear a mask for the long flight over.  For that one, we'll more than likely book a cruise out of Florida in 2022.

 

In the meantime, we look forward to our Winters in Florida.

[John&LaLa]

Enjoying all the replies

[Kbonner]

We cruised typically 12 weeks/year with RCI. And now- we do not miss it at all. A lot of land-based resort- and cabin vacations more than substitute cruising.

Plus-- our last cruise was with Majesty. RCI made it very easy for us to not shed tears over stop-cruising. We did not enjoy at all the MJ slimmed-down "C&A program" further torpedoed onboard by RCI and the executing hotel director (discussion was on MJ thread here). It was a waist of money, and---

RCI made a strategic mistake with all of our refund diatribes , waiting up to 115 days after incremental reimbursements. Coupled all communications with lies, deceptions and other cheap excuses.

We are off to board TUI in Hamburg and Crete. We observe RCI on their moves to get us hooked again...

[2chiefs]

On 9/19/2020 at 5:43 PM, scorpluvsdolphins said:

I’m the opposite. I lose weight on a cruise. I eat healthier, don’t eat desserts, use the stairs as much as possible and don’t eat junk food like I do at home. I rarely drink unless I’m cruising with certain friends. 
I need 2 cruises ASAP to lose 10 pounds a cruise. 

We're in another group. We both typically don't gain weight. We overeat but we also over exercise in that we walk a lot and try to take the stairs as much as we can.

 

[CaribbeanCrushed]

On 9/19/2020 at 3:06 PM, Arzeena said:

I miss it😭 REALLY REALLY much!

 

Since our first cruise we've probably average a cruise every three years. We always miss it during the time in between. 

[firefly333]

On 9/20/2020 at 7:57 AM, John&LaLa said:

 

That rate I used was for last 3 years, we wete closer to 4-5 previously.

 

New philosophy will be 'less is more'

When I get to pinnacle then me too lol.

[travelingbums]

We really miss cruising. We usually average 3-4 per year. We have had all of our cruises cancelled this year. Our next one is schedule for January 2021, and I really hope it goes, mask and all.

 

I miss all the friends you meet . I miss the wonderful ocean smell, the crashing of the waves, the rock and roll of the ship (ha ha).

I miss washi, washi....... and so many more.😊

[firefly333]

I saw a post saying how are things where you live, which I cant find now but Galveston ezcruise parking guy yesterday was posting pics of the fishing pier at 61st being torn up. I see cnn is covering it too. Storm beta hit. 

 

I'm booked next year sept 11th and watching all the storms and thinking omg. Mistake. Bad year for hurricanes and storm. Houston also seems to be flooded and hardly hit the news.

[Rocket3D]

7 hours ago, Kbonner said:

>>>>>did not enjoy at all the MJ slimmed-down "C&A program" <<<<<<<<

 

Yes.  Good point.

 

We were on the MJ cruise when Vernon first announced that  'shoreside changed the policy' and

no more C&A events, or the nightly D and up... happy hours would not take place on following MJ

cruises (still put 3 drinks on SeaPass card daily, D and up).

 

Navigator adopted same 'no event policy' for their 3 and 4 nighter Coco/Bahama cruises... I heard.

 

Anyway, as local frequent floaters we (also) decided to never book MJ or NE

because of their new reduction policy.

 

Ironic dichotomy is that Allure still retains the nice DL which many of us enjoyed since they did not

'Amp up' the DL on deck 11 with those new anti-social distancing cabins that were planned in dry dock.

 

But whether we actually get to use that nice AL DL again (or go on any Royal cruise) will be

determined by unknown future health protocols..... and if we feel safe booking a cruise. 

 

Miss cruising, sure.

 

Go cruising again, sure, if safe, and fun again.

 

Meantime, saving  money,  lol.

....

 

 

 

 

Edited September 21, 2020 by Rocket3D

[Norwich Cruiser]

Our family all miss cruising

[TheMastodon]

I really really miss it now.  

 

We do enjoy high end all inclusive resorts but enjoy cruising more.  

[Got Out There]

On 9/19/2020 at 2:53 PM, John&LaLa said:

We typically sail 15-20 times a year.

Starting to realize I dont miss it as much as I thought I would. Anybody else?

 

Of course, ridiculously low prices will lure me back😉

Yes and No, as far as if we miss cruising...

 

We typically cruise 3-5 times per year, all booked relatively last minute (two weeks out), so typically we are not looking forward to our next booked cruise since we book last minute.  

 

Last month we travelled to Cancun and stayed at Excellence (PM) AI resort,  we generally try not to stay at AI resorts unless they are 5 star rated.  This was first time at an Excellence resort and we completely enjoyed it, outstanding service (best we have ever had on any vacation) and the report was impeccable.  We are already looking to squeeze another trip back within the next 60 days, it was that good!  Felt very safe with Covid protocols in general......with two exceptions, the flights and other quests at resort.  We were in fist class, however both flights were oversold and the thought of all of us on a plane (with masks) for 2+ hours was not comforting.  Additionally, at the resort pretty much all gusts did not wear masks.  Fortunately the resort occupancy was capped at 30% (I think it was actually closer to 50%), so we were able to social distance.  We sat on the beach all day and were socially distanced from others.  We missed having drinks at the bar with others, but felt it would be safer to stay clear of the crowds.  We both agreed it was an excellent vacation and we were able to leave everything behind and just relax and enjoy each other.

 

While we were at Excellence we discussed how we really were not missing cruising as much as we thought we would.  However, this changed when I read a post here on Cruise Critic that there were rumors of staff and crew being called back to re-staff the ships!  I guess this stoked the idea that cruising would be possible again in the near future...this lead us to begin to miss cruising again!

 

It will be interesting to see what happens when they actually do start sailing again.

 

[HBE4]

I've been so busy planning land vacations that have a pretty good chance of happening, I haven't even had a chance to think about cruising,much less miss it.  Heck, I've barely had time to come here on CC to antagonize people about wearing masks, spiking convid-19 cases or DL access.  😉

 

Seriously, cruising is just one of many types of vacations I enjoy throughout the year (Vegas, Nashville, Islands, National Parks, etc). While I miss them all equally, cruising will probably be the last one I  will return to.  Just my opinion, but I think it take the longest to return to normal or whatever the "new" normal will be.

 

And while I've kept my busy with local overnight road trips to beaches and wine country, that will change once the cold weather sets in and limits outdoor activity.  At least casino's are reopening in the NJ, CT, PA and NY although I'm a bit hesitant  to patronize them just yet.

 

Actually, what I miss the most are the everyday entertainment options - concerts, shows, attending major league baseball and hockey games, festivals and fairs, etc. I'd take those back before cruising, Vegas, etc.....

[KeepCalmBearOn]

I suppose everyone has their own reason for cruising. For me it is the one place I can truly unplug (for the time being), which is one reason I am violently opposed to "the Internet at sea".

 

I've been traveling since I was a toddler and there is virtually no place I haven't been that I need or even want to go. When I fully retire I might do things like a month in Tuscany or a month in Nice, but until then cruising is my haven of serenity. I don't even care that much where the ship is going.

[Hoopster95]

On 9/19/2020 at 12:53 PM, John&LaLa said:

We typically sail 15-20 times a year.

Starting to realize I dont miss it as much as I thought I would. Anybody else?

 

Great thread John 👍 

 

At first, and perhaps because I was mentally prepared, I didn't miss it. However I've recently done some travel within beautiful British Columbia over the last 2 months, including ferry crossings and a couple of boat excursions....

 

Standing top deck forward on one of our BC ferries, watching the view and the sea go by, I realized how much I missed being on the water. However, I also loved my main part of my vacay when I was on land as well. Anyhow, I'll share a few photos of what got me missing cruising....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 21, 2020 by Hoopster95

[cruisequeen4ever]

I can’t wait to cruise again and love it every bit as much as ever! I’m actually surprised that so many have lost interest. Maybe when cruising successfully resumes, everyone will flock back. 
 

The only thing that would reduce my ability to cruise would be if cruise lines require all shore excursions to be booked through them. My husband cruises for the experiences in new places around the world much more than he does for the cruise experience. If he can’t achieve his specific goals for a port, he won’t want to cruise as often. We enjoy cruise line excursions; they just don’t always offer what we are seeking, so we need the freedom to choose. 

Edited September 21, 2020 by cruisequeen4ever

[John&LaLa]

21 minutes ago, cruisequeen4ever said:

I can’t wait to cruise again and love it every bit as much as ever! I’m actually surprised that so many have lost interest. Maybe when cruising successfully resumes, everyone will flock back. 
 

The only thing that would reduce my ability to cruise would be if cruise lines require all shore excursions to be booked through them. My husband cruises for the experiences in new places around the world much more than he does for the cruise experience. If he can’t achieve his specific goals for a port, he won’t want to cruise as often. We enjoy cruise line excursions; they just don’t always offer what we are seeking, so we need the freedom to choose. 

 

We almost exclusively do ships excursions 

 

But we do get off and walk around on our own if the port is convenient 

[Luckynana]

Beautiful pictures, Hoopster!!!

[dani negreanu]

2 hours ago, Hoopster95 said:

However, I also loved my main part of my vacay when I was on land as well. 

 

Canada is soooo beautiful 

🌺

 

32 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

Beautiful pictures, Hoopster!!!

 

Indeed, amazing views.

[Hoopster95]

42 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

Beautiful pictures, Hoopster!!!

 Thank you Luckynana & Dani. I am very blessed to live in a very beautiful part of the world.....

These are only a few of hundreds of photos I took over the last month on my road trip(s)

 

Kaslo, BC (close to Nelson)

 

Hawaii?  Nope... Brandywine Falls, about 15min south from Whistler, BC

 

Napa Valley winery ... er ... nope! We have a desert in BC. This is Nk'Mip winery & resort in Osoyoos. OUr wines are equal to, and some times better, than Napa wines.

 

Penticton, on Okanagan Lake

Edited September 21, 2020 by Hoopster95

[dodgestang]

On 9/19/2020 at 3:53 PM, John&LaLa said:

We typically sail 15-20 times a year.

Starting to realize I dont miss it as much as I thought I would. Anybody else?

 

Of course, ridiculously low prices will lure me back😉

 

We sail 4 times a year.....we are missing it more than ever.

We have tried 'other' things

 

1. Putting in a pool at the house for the kids.  Took two months to get estimates, signed a contract on July 1st.  Still no pool, expected not to be in till April 2021 now

2. Tried going to all inclusive for long weekends.  Went to Pocono Mountains (Camelback)....had a nice water park....food was mediocre and most eateries were still closed.  Lucky we were only there for 3 nights because any longer and we all would have gone crazy

3. Took a couple weekend trips to Ocean City, NJ.  We owned a house there till last year, but opted to stay at fancy hotel.  It was just sad, managed to have an 'okay' time

 

So......we are paid off and check in for Christmas cruise and hoping the submission today to CDC helps tip the scales in our favor.  I'm not confident with all the media fear mongering firing up again about second wave this and that.  I am still waiting for positive news out to EU with the cruises that started up 2 weeks ago....haven't heard anything negative yet...but that isn't the same as positive news.

 

As for low prices......that's going to be questionable for a while.  Decided to try and trade in my 'free cruise' to pay for my Alaska cruise I lifted and shifted into Aug next year.  After applying discount, it was $300 more.

[Luckynana]

You certainly do live in a beautiful part of the world, Hoopster!  Awesome pics!

[Ashland]

2 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

We almost exclusively do ships excursions 

 

But we do get off and walk around on our own if the port is convenient 

Really...I'm a bit surprised that you don't do more private tours