Ports versus Asea

[Brockwest]

Interesting poll: would you rather sail on a cruise that stays asea for the trip, or that stops in ports daily. Also, on port-stopping ships, do you value the asea days?

The value of asea days is that all shops, casinos, bars, activities are open and you have that wonderful moving motion.

My First ever cruise was Europe to America in the days it took over a week. I adored it (age 12), got my first kiss, and loved dressing in a Tuxedo even for breakfast and getting Lobster and Steak for breakfast. My first ever Port Cruise was only to the Bahamas. On the other hand, I've enjoyed swimming with stingrays, doing the jungle zip line, swimming with dolphins, riding jetskies without speed controls, seeing icebergs calf.

I DO remember one of the most emotional moments of my life, after three military years in Europe, coming back on the ship and entering NY Harbor at 6AM on a misty morning and going by the Statue of Liberty. Literally every passenger was on deck and literally ever passenger wept openly at the sight of the Statue of Liberty.

[BlueJacketsFan1]

My wife and I have loved all of our cruises. The first two were three ports in seven days. The last one was five ports in eight days, which seemed a lot busier. This time we will be doing three ports in eight days. It should be a little more relaxing. We don't think there is a right or wrong answer, it is whatever you like and feel like doing.

[salty dingo]

One of my favorite itineraries was the Southern Caribbean from San Juan. A different port each day. It is very cool to wake up in the morning, and each day you have different scenery.

 

Sea days are fine, but I think too many of them would have me itching to get off the ship and explore. Maybe I will try a transatlantic one day and see how many sea days I can handle!

[tnsunshine]

Too many ports wear me down. I should learn to not feel that I have to get off at each stop. Upcoming cruise has three stops in eight days and that is one of the reasons we booked it. It should be relaxing! I have heard from so many people that staying on the ship while in port is the way to go but I have yet to do that.

[Kurbanfan]

The more ports the better.......

[crazy cajun]

We enjoy the sea days, We would jump at a cruise that just got away from all land and cruised around in big circles for 7 days.

we just took the freedom western w/ 4 sea days and 3 ports.

We enjoyed it very much.

Like the 8 day itenn.

[Nuttycruisegirl]

I love sea days...I would want to do at least one stop...But I could do 7 or 8 days with only one or two stops and that would be perfect for me...:D

[G'ma]

I've been cruising for so many years that ports are not relevant to me at all. I enjoy going ashore to eat at a favorite restaurant or to visit friends but it's not something I plan.

 

Wouldn't bother me if the ship entered warm international waters and cruised "figure 8's" for a week.

 

As for having lots of port days, that doesn't bother me either. The ship is very peaceful when everyone is ashore......I love staying onboard....

[Skywench]

The fewer sea days the better for me. Last year I did the Southern Caribbean itinerary with a different port each day and no sea days. It was perfect for me. I loved it so much that I am doing it again this year. I wish Carnival had more cruises like that.

[gupebreedr]

A vacation to me is a time to relax and recharge. No running around and no clock watching. My vote is for more sea days! 2 ports on a 7 day cruise is just about perfect. IMHO.:cool:

[nanuak]

I love, love, love sea days. Don't mind port days, but prefer sailing the seas.

[caribbean dreams]

I cruise for the ports, i love waking up to a different Island every morning.

And i have an excuse to go on another vacation when it's over....I need to rest from the excitement of my last vacation:D

[Earthworm Jim]

It's not quite the same as a sea day, because as you point out not everything is open while you are in port, but you can always just stay on the ship for one or more of the ports if you'd like. I kind of like those days. Less daytime activities going but, but on the other hand the ship is almost empty and you have it to yourself. Get the deck chair in the location you like, take a dip in the pool without being elbow to elbow, no lines at the Lido buffet or the bars. It makes a very nice quiet day, and you'll save some money not going on an excursion to boot.

[dvan68]

Hubby tends to get a little antsy on the sea days - which causes me not to be able to relax as well. We tried the Southern Carib itin with a port each day - and it was simply exhausting to me. Now I book itineraries with only 2 sea days instead of the more popular 3 sea days. It's the best compromise that I could come up with!

[cruisin' again]

We enjoy the sea days, We would jump at a cruise that just got away from all land and cruised around in big circles for 7 days.

we just took the freedom western w/ 4 sea days and 3 ports.

We enjoyed it very much.

Like the 8 day itenn.

 

Ahhhh....a 7 day cruise to nowhere! Now there's an idea! :D

[Pegs222]

Sea days are great, but only if they break up the ports we go to.

[GottaLuvCruising]

Ahhhh....a 7 day cruise to nowhere! Now there's an idea! :D

 

Sign me up for that one, too! We just love sea days. My balcony, a good book and the ocean...perfect combination for relaxing.

[sappygirl]

I like both but would enjoy it more if the port days were not B2B. I get burnt out to easily. DH refuses to stay on ship on port days. I think that is why I like the 5 nighters better. I'm exhausted after a 7 nighter.:)

[Sangela]

Love the sea days....love the port days, too...:D

 

That being said, I prefer to have a higher ratio of sea days to port days. Our next cruise will be 3 port days and 4 sea days. I"m really looking forward to having more sea days.

 

For me, sea days are incredibly relaxing. It's weird as I am normally on the go all day, and I originally thought I would go insane on a sea day, but surprise, surprise, I have learned how to "let go" and do absolutely NOTHING but eat, drink, read, nap, get mesmerized by the ocean passing by and people watch all day and I feel NO guilt whatsoever about my, er, lack of productivity, LOL, it feels quite productive to me, thank you very much <grin>.

 

Now that's a vacation....;)

[MrPete]

I have found the "RIGHT" amount of port days for us on a 7 day cruise is 3, unless it was a specialty cruise to ports such as Bermuda or Hawaii.

[notawordok]

Sign me up for the 7 Day cruise to nowhere.

I like going to the ports and seeing the diffrent places and ways of life.

I love those sea days.

I want to do the Panama 8 day with the 4 sea days. I just think it would be great.

[Mich6674]

Don't mind port days but we prefer the sea days. Nothing like sitting on your balcony listening to the sea.

[Vanessa L]

7, 8, 9, 10 day cruise to nowhere.......Heaven!!!!!

[Vanessa L]

For me, sea days are incredibly relaxing. It's weird as I am normally on the go all day, and I originally thought I would go insane on a sea day, but surprise, surprise, I have learned how to "let go" and do absolutely NOTHING but eat, drink, read, nap, get mesmerized by the ocean passing by and people watch all day and I feel NO guilt whatsoever about my, er, lack of productivity, LOL, it feels quite productive to me, thank you very much <grin>.

 

Now that's a vacation....;)

 

Could not have said it better myself!!!

[danixbanani]

I don't mind sea days but I definitely prefer port days...especially if they are all new ports to me!

 

I get a little antsy if I have too many sea days in a row :o