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

[ladylyn915]

My husband and I have been cruising for over 20 years.  We took a few years off to discover Europe.  Of late, our family has grown and we number 16 including the kids and the grandkids and every year we do a 'family' cruise.  This year didn't happen of course so now we are all booked for next July on the Brilliance.   I just want to go on a vacation!!  Cruising is my preference, but right now a week on an Island sounds very nice;  a week in Paris even better!  I just want to pack my bags and go somewhere!

 

Lyn

[John&LaLa]

Apparently my dipping my toes back in the water crapped out. The errant press release came to fruition. No Adventure in the Baltics

[crookedhalo]

3 hours ago, scottca075 said:

I readily admit I am perplexed by the notion of an RV trip as a replacement for cruising. It seems to me RV-ing is 180 degrees from the cruise experience.

 

If people said they were going to AI resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, I'd get it. AI resorts seem like land based cruises to me; all your meals, housekeeping, resort activities and day time excursions are extra and optional.

 

But RV-ing you have to cook your own meals, make your own bed, keep the RV clean on your own as well as driving to your camp site/park and doing your own set-ups and hook-ups. I'm not opposed to RV-ing, but it is a very different experience than cruising. I feel stress when I camp/RV. I never do when I cruise.

It's a new experience for us...I think we've done the bulk of our cruising, it's changed a lot since we started in 2005, and not for the better. On our last trip we both sort of looked at each other and were like "yeah, that really wasn't all that great". The food was mediocre at best (you almost felt forced to go to one of the specialties just to get a decent meal) and the dining room service was like going to Applebee's - they sit you down, want you to order everything all at once and literally were hovering waiting for you to finish one course so they could grab the plate and move you on.  Bar service in the DR was basically non-existant. If we spent more than an hour in the DR for dinner, start to finish, I'd be surprised. Never even saw our steward during the whole trip, the room was kept clean and nice but I had to leave a note to let him know (I think it was a him - couldn't tell by the name and since I never saw the person who knows) that I just wanted ice left every night. Just a very lack-luster the whole way.  Not cancelling my next trip yet, since I managed to grab a vista balcony in the Havana area on Horizon, but time will tell.

 

While you are right, camping isn't as do nothing for myself as cruising, I have my own space, my own mattress (and boy have the last few on the ships sucked) and I'm away from home relaxing with no time frames...nice change and DH helps with all the 'chores' so win-win I think 🙂

[mac_tlc]

37 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

Apparently my dipping my toes back in the water crapped out. The errant press release came to fruition. No Adventure in the Baltics

It was a great deal ..... for a few hours anyway....

[MISTER 67]

1 hour ago, mets07 said:

That would be tough for me, too. We returned to restaurants as soon as we could (mid-June, approx). We have stayed in a few hotels as well (brought our own cleaning supplies to "supplement" and just in case). So far, so good.

 

I hope things get a little different for you soon. I know everyone has to make their own decisions based on their personal situation and comfort level. 

 

Here is to future cruising! 

Thanks, there was a article today in the local paper that eating in restaurants is a good way to catch Covid. I do know quite a few people who eat out and have not caught the virus so I'm not sure what to believe. I did have a good friend who died from the virus about 6 weeks ago, his wife had no idea where he caught it, she was asymptomatic.

We will continue to play it safe.

Edited September 23, 2020 by MISTER 67

[John&LaLa]

28 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

It was a great deal ..... for a few hours anyway....

 

Apparently it's back, but on Jewel.😇

 

Press release didnt mention they were keeping the 10 and 11 night trips

 

Big question now is what category the VP transfers to🤔

[Keksie]

47 minutes ago, MISTER 67 said:

Thanks, there was a article today in the local paper that eating in restaurants is a good way to catch Covid. I do know quite a few people who eat out and have not caught the virus so I'm not sure what to believe. I did have a good friend who died from the virus about 6 weeks ago, his wife had no idea where he caught it, she was asymptomatic.

We will continue to play it safe.

We have been eating out since everything opened up here in May.  Sometimes we eat outside but not always.  We go out at least once a week.  I have felt just as safe in the restaurants as I have anywhere else here.

[EZ1]

3 hours ago, ladylyn915 said:

My husband and I have been cruising for over 20 years.  We took a few years off to discover Europe.  Of late, our family has grown and we number 16 including the kids and the grandkids and every year we do a 'family' cruise.  This year didn't happen of course so now we are all booked for next July on the Brilliance.   I just want to go on a vacation!!  Cruising is my preference, but right now a week on an Island sounds very nice;  a week in Paris even better!  I just want to pack my bags and go somewhere!

 

Lyn

Did you get that email today about Royal's Brilliance?  We had it booked for the 8nite July3'21. The email said they are cancelling it, but switching us all automatically to the Independence (a good ship, but not the older, more classic like the Brilliance). Also from Miami, same dates, etc.

Edited September 24, 2020 by EZ1

[NancyIL]

3 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Apparently it's back, but on Jewel.😇

 

Press release didnt mention they were keeping the 10 and 11 night trips

 

Big question now is what category the VP transfers to🤔

I hurriedly paid the deposit on the 8/5 Adventure  this afternoon, after the press release had been reissued. Supposedly Adventure’s itineraries will be the same on Jewel, but I’ll believe it when I see it.  Why would RCI mention only the ports of Helsinki, Tallinn, and Visby and  only 7-night cruises out of Copenhagen in the press release? 

[John&LaLa]

4 minutes ago, NancyIL said:

I hurriedly paid the deposit on the 8/5 Adventure  this afternoon, after the press release had been reissued. Supposedly Adventure’s itineraries will be the same on Jewel, but I’ll believe it when I see it.  Why would RCI mention only the ports of Helsinki, Tallinn, and Visby and  only 7-night cruises out of Copenhagen in the press release? 

 

Pretty much the limit on a 7 day trip. We did 4 stops on 7 day Serenade in '18 though

 

Stockholm

Tallinn

St Pete (no overnight)

Helsinki 

Edited September 24, 2020 by John&LaLa

[ladylyn915]

3 hours ago, EZ1 said:

Did you get that email today about Royal's Brilliance?  We had it booked for the 8nite July3'21. The email said they are cancelling it, but switching us all automatically to the Independence (a good ship, but not the older, more classic like the Brilliance). Also from Miami, same dates, etc.

Yes - We all received an email. There was also a posting earlier that indicated the different ports that would replace what we had, but it has been taken down.  

My theory is if you take the Brilliance max capacity of 2400 and put them on the Independence you have a 50% capacity - problem solved - but what do I know - just an (un) educated guess.  New cabin assignments will be done and communicated to us by Tuesday, September 29.   Can't wait to see where they put all 7 cabins that we have booked.  I already know we will lose our huge balconies, but we also had connecting cabins and were all very near each other.

 

Lyn

[alfaeric]

The RV appeal depends on what you want from a cruise. 
 

If you are looking for all inclusive or anything close to that, it’s less than appealing to RV. 
 

If it’s more about easily moving around and having the journey as a key part, it is. 
 

Can’t see live shows, have to do my own food and drinks, have to clean myself.

 

But you keep waking up in different places, most places have clear views of the sky, and seeing your home in a different light is a good thing. 
 

RVing would never replace cruising for us. Just an alternative. 

[lenquixote66]

On 9/21/2020 at 12:24 PM, HBE4 said:

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.....

I have no desire to go to a casino when I have to wear a mask and socially distant.There is plenty of time to make my donations.

[lenquixote66]

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 normally cruise 2-3 times a year.I miss cruising but I do not miss looking for my luggage .

[EZ1]

On 9/23/2020 at 11:24 PM, ladylyn915 said:

Yes - We all received an email. There was also a posting earlier that indicated the different ports that would replace what we had, but it has been taken down.  

My theory is if you take the Brilliance max capacity of 2400 and put them on the Independence you have a 50% capacity - problem solved - but what do I know - just an (un) educated guess.  New cabin assignments will be done and communicated to us by Tuesday, September 29.   Can't wait to see where they put all 7 cabins that we have booked.  I already know we will lose our huge balconies, but we also had connecting cabins and were all very near each other.

 

Lyn

Found out where the Brilliance is going:

• Initially scheduled to sail from Miami, Brilliance of the Seas will now homeport outside of Venice in Ravenna, Italy, offering 7-night roundtrip sailings that visit Greece, the Greek Isles and Croatia.

[cruiselvr04]

I think what the article about eating in restaurants was trying to say is that people who do are 50% more likely to get the virus simply because they take more risks?  At least that was my take a way. 

 

While it it would be nice to have an RV it sounds like work to me, just in a different location.  I would still be cooking, cleaning and “keeping  house”. The DH would be driving, setting up and taking down.  While fun for something different, for a while, it wouldn’t give me the true vacation feeling I’m after.  A big part of cruising for me is being waited on. I take care of others all day in real life and I look forward to someone taking care of me. ( I’m sure that sounds a bit selfish). We have not been going to restaurants, just take out and I’m so tired of doing all the dishes!

[ladylyn915]

9 hours ago, EZ1 said:

Found out where the Brilliance is going:

• Initially scheduled to sail from Miami, Brilliance of the Seas will now homeport outside of Venice in Ravenna, Italy, offering 7-night roundtrip sailings that visit Greece, the Greek Isles and Croatia.

Well I would be up for that!  We had booked a cruise on the Jewel out of Rome last year but had to cancel for health reasons.  I still have not been to Greece and I have tried twice.  Maybe the third time's the charm!  Thank for the info.

Lyn

[Mikew0805]

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😉

At my current rate of 6-9 times a year for the past three years, I can say that I miss it terribly. 

 

We needed a change in 2015, and moved to Florida primarily to be closer to cruise ships. There is a lot I tolerate in this state because of my love for being on these ships. March 16th will be one year since I have been aboard, and it is killing me.

 

I just had to use 100 hours of PTO (Currenlty on PTO until Jan 4) to stay home, or I would lose it at the end of the year, because I am only allowed to roll over 200 hours. Having this much PTO is ridiculous. Personally, if I am not on a cruise I want to work... so sitting at home doing nothing is making me long for a cruise so very badly. I am hoping that we can sail by June, but something tells me it may not be until September. I hope that RCI & CCL can come out of that. If the cruise industry should go under, it's back to Colorado for me. 

[eaflorida]

My wife and I would take anywhere from 3-6 cruises per year. Lots of Transatlantics and longer cruises. I miss it, but surprisingly not as much as I thought I would. Have been able to put that saved money into new home appliances and new air conditioner. 

 

My concern is simply that whenever cruising restarts, its going to be very short cruising in which I would have no interest. Had a Transatlantic on Celebrity booked for April 2021, but canceled it last week. It was a casino rate, so I got my full deposit back. Did not want to make final payment in January for a cruise that I know is going to eventually get canceled anyway.

 

My other concern for me going on these longer cruises, is what kind of restrictions will be in place in Europe once longer cruises get going again. Its a mess to put all this mildly. I have a transatlantic booked for later in 2021, but have some concerns about if that will take place. All of this is out of my control. I have nothing booked after the Fall of 2021 and probably will not book anything else for the time being. This Covid crap has certainly turned me into a cruise cynic to say the least. 

[Lady Hudson]

I do miss cruising a lot.  Before covid I was sailing 9 to 10 times per year.  I can't wait to get back onboard.  Love the transatlantics and sailing from Baltimore or Cape Liberty because of all the sea days.  Seven trips have been rescheduled so far but I am hoping for a May Oasis sailing.  Time will tell.  Katherine

[wolfcathorse]

I miss cruising because we had just turned Pinnacle January 2020 and haven't sailed since. I just want to experience being Pinnacle once, please, just one sailing is all I ask.

[EZ1]

On 12/30/2020 at 10:12 AM, Mikew0805 said:

At my current rate of 6-9 times a year for the past three years, I can say that I miss it terribly. 

 

We needed a change in 2015, and moved to Florida primarily to be closer to cruise ships. There is a lot I tolerate in this state because of my love for being on these ships. March 16th will be one year since I have been aboard, and it is killing me.

 

I just had to use 100 hours of PTO (Currenlty on PTO until Jan 4) to stay home, or I would lose it at the end of the year, because I am only allowed to roll over 200 hours. Having this much PTO is ridiculous. Personally, if I am not on a cruise I want to work... so sitting at home doing nothing is making me long for a cruise so very badly. I am hoping that we can sail by June, but something tells me it may not be until September. I hope that RCI & CCL can come out of that. If the cruise industry should go under, it's back to Colorado for me. 

Yep, us also-we were on Oasis till Mar15'20. Will never forget the captain on the speaker in our cabin on Fri Mar 13 (Friday the 13th!!!!), telling us about the virus & the coming shutdown-Could not believe it after all these years cruising- never would believe this could happen with all our modern technology etc.

[Lady Hudson]

19 hours ago, wolfcathorse said:

I miss cruising because we had just turned Pinnacle January 2020 and haven't sailed since. I just want to experience being Pinnacle once, please, just one sailing is all I ask.

I hear you.  We turned Pinnacle 9/19.  Luckily we/sometimes just I, were able to sail 5 additional times before the no sail order.  It was very nice, especially Grandeur’s Pinnacle dinner.  Can’t wait to get back to the High Seas!  Happy New Year.  🎉 Katherine

[LXA350]

You kind of get used to everything in life and the longer it goes the desire becomes less. I am sure this will change again once we are getting back to a more normal life and it becomes again realistic to book a cruise and look forward to it as it's realistic that it will actually take place. Hence, I hope by summer we will get a more realistic picture how things will look and then we might start to get into the cruising excitement for trips yet to be booked that might actually really occur in 2022 and later.

[mek]

Right now I miss any kind of travel.