Would you go on a cruise??

Bone Cancer

I turn 48 in a couple of days and the missus wants to go on a spring cruise as my present (to her..)
I'm not sold on the idea, would much prefer a city break compared to being stuck on a boat with thousands of people eating bland food, watching low quality entertainment and staying in dingy quarters.

alchemist33

Never -- Seasickness

Stravos Murphy

There are loads of lovely girls on the boat.

nullzero

Let's be honest OP, if your wife wants to go on a cruise you'll end up going or you'll pay the price.
Maybe Jim Davidson will be doing stand up.

Masala

I would love to go... Especially on a Sun cruise

Am in my 50's myself and its on my bucket list. Would love to just chill on deck all day and dress up for dinner later. No cash needed as all paid for.

Aaahhh....... Can't wait

frozenfrozen

Would rather go on the titanic

Bone Cancer

nullzero wrote: »

Let's be honest OP, if your wife wants to go on a cruise you'll end up going or you'll pay the price.
Maybe Jim Davidson will be doing stand up.

I fear she has already booked it and is just trying to convince me before I get the ticket for my birthday. I suppose I'll just get blind drunk for the duration.

tomwaterford

No....i seen titanic when i was growing up

Stravos Murphy

frozenfrozen wrote: »

Would rather go on the titanic

That sank.

Gwynplaine

Was on one last year. Amazing. Best holiday ever. Will go again in a few years.
Fort Lauderdale - Haiti - Jamaica - Mexico - Fort Lauderdale. Then on to New York for 3 nights.

Marcellus Wallace was right.

tomwaterford

Gwynplaine wrote: »

Marcellus Wallace was right.

elperello

The modern version of upstairs downstairs.
You will be upstairs suited and booted wining and dining and the crew (probably Filipino) will be working downstairs for poor pay and
conditions.
If you think your cabin is small you should see where they live.

Arghus

Not since I read A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again by David Foster Wallace.

Atlantic Dawn

Go on a daytrip to Holyhead first to see if the sea is for you.

honeybear

I'd love to go on a cruise!

wandatowell

ya

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

I almost went working on the ships back in 2012. God knows what I was thinking though. Large bodies of water (the canal) makes me feel nervous and I can't describe how unsettling I find boats/ships just to look at.

I'd rather spend dolla on an all inclusive in a 5* in Mexico.

twill

If it's booked and non-refundable, I suppose you could treat it as an opportunity to laze around and do nothing for a while. Personally, a European break with really good accommodation would be more to my taste.

Ave Sodalis

I went on one a few years ago. My grandmother saved for years to go and my grandfather was completely against the idea of going, so I went with her. It was fanastic! All you can eat food (it was far from bland), multiple swimming pools, nice weather, seeing various countries in one trip (like tasters so you know which ones to go back to), stunning uninterrupted sunsets. I would definitely go back again.

pa990

A cruise is a fantastic holiday.

I've been on a few, and for the first one, I really didn't want to go... But have been on more since.


Wake up every morning in a new city.
Lots of booze, crazy amount of entertainment and activities on board.

Lots of places to eat, great variety.

Outlaw Pete

Sure, if he was stung by a jellyfish I'd be glad to help.

Ferrari3600

Probably not, but maybe if Echo and The Bunnymen were the ship's resident band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhYAWSjFk4M

faceman

I've been on a cruise. It was great! Researched the whole thing like mad on the Cruise Critic forums so I knew the most cost effective ways to tackle each city I landed in.

Get your drinks package upfront so you don't have a bigger bill at the end.

Food was great.

Enjoy!

Mountainsandh

That's not normally my kind of travel but I'd love to try ! Not a rough, gambling ship though, more like a quiet European one. I would read, stare at the sea, eat, read, stare...

mzungu

A cruise would not be for me.

Vincent Vega

Never.

I may be wrong, but I've always considered them as being sorta scammy.
Sort of like a hostage situation where you end up spending much more money than you'd planned, to 'get the most out of' your experience.

I also find the whole packaged nature of it odd, and can't see how anybody would prefer it to having a holiday with a more flexible itinerary.

I think you'd be dead right to push for the city break.

adam88

I'm 28 and would be known as your typical Santa ponsa holiday goer.

I'm just back from a cruise in the Middle East. Brilliant craic was had, so much so we've booked another one for May in the carribean. They're brilliant craic, you can realistically get away with spending not one penny on them or spend loads as I did.

MuffinTop86

I'd like to go on one to see if the experience is worth it. You get to hop off and see a few cities or towns you wouldn't think of going to. Might give you ideas on where to go back to for a longer holiday.
I saw pictures of a blogger who was on Harmony of the Seas which is probably very expensive. The only downside seemed to me that they were all packed like sardines at the pool area which I'd hate.
At 48 you'd probably be in the younger demographic but maybe try it out once, it might be a great experience.

faceman

MuffinTop86 wrote: »

At 48 you'd probably be in the younger demographic but maybe try it out once, it might be a great experience.

The age thing no longer a thing. There is a wider age variety on cruises nowadays.

endacl

Bone Cancer wrote: »

I turn 48 in a couple of days and the missus wants to go on a spring cruise as my present (to her..)
I'm not sold on the idea, would much prefer a city break compared to being stuck on a boat with thousands of people eating bland food, watching low quality entertainment and staying in dingy quarters.

I was of the same opinion when it was suggested to me. So...

1. 'Stuck on a boat' doesn't really describe it. I did a 14 day cruise and was still finding new bits of the ship on the last day.

2. Food was great. Even the buffet stuff. 'Sit down' dinners were outstanding.

3. Won't argue with the entertainment. Not really my thing anyway, and easily avoided.

4. Quarters were far from 'dingy'. As good, if not better than many a hotel I've stayed in. Pay the extra for a balcony though. Balconies are worth it.

5. You didn't ask, but I'll answer anyway. Yes. If you order a club sandwich to your room at 4am, it'll arrive about 20 minutes later. On a big ol' tray with a plate of chips and a side salad.

endacl

frozenfrozen wrote: »

Would rather go on the titanic

You'd rather go on a boat that would definitely sink, than on a boat that probably wouldn't?

OK...

Bone Cancer

endacl wrote: »

I was of the same opinion when it was suggested to me. So...

1. 'Stuck on a boat' doesn't really describe it. I did a 14 day cruise and was still finding new bits of the ship on the last day.

2. Food was great. Even the buffet stuff. 'Sit down' dinners were outstanding.

3. Won't argue with the entertainment. Not really my thing anyway, and easily avoided.

4. Quarters were far from 'dingy'. As good, if not better than many a hotel I've stayed in. Pay the extra for a balcony though. Balconies are worth it.

5. You didn't ask, but I'll answer anyway. Yes. If you order a club sandwich to your room at 4am, it'll arrive about 20 minutes later. On a big ol' tray with a plate of chips and a side salad.

Well I wont lie, you're selling me quite a bit on the idea.
How was the hygiene? I read about these outbreaks of the norovirus and such and would worry.

Cake Man

Bone Cancer wrote: »

Well I wont lie, you're selling me quite a bit on the idea.
How was the hygiene? I read about these outbreaks of the norovirus and such and would worry.

They have stations located all over the ship that dispense alcohol gel that you rub into your hands and you have to do this before entering any of the buffet/eating areas.


Would recommend, just went on my first one over Christmas (Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia) and enjoyed it. Someone earlier mentioned grubby food - couldn't be further from the truth, IMO the food was the best part! The rooms are small but they're well kept with the stateroom staff cleaning it twice a day for you. Entertainment is generally quite good. Someone else also mentioned seasickness - didn't get this or even heard of anyone who did. The ship's so big you'd kinda forget after a few days you're even on one.

IvyTheTerrible

Stravos Murphy wrote: »

That sank.

WHAT?! Have you informed the newspapers?

biko

Bone Cancer wrote: »

eating bland food, watching low quality entertainment and staying in dingy quarters.

Maybe you should go on that cruise as you seem to have some pretty bad preconceived notions of what is it like.
Cruise racism like.

4976340

A very well travelled friend of mine went on a cruise three years in a row with teenagers and younger children and the two parents, they all loved it. Their typical family holiday was Florida or other places in America, always carefully planned. He had actually lived Arkansas when he was younger. I was so surprised when he told me that I really wanted to go but my husband says no. I would go but make sure you are happy with the length of it and are inquisitive enough to get off and enjoy every port.
Good luck

The flying mouse

I have been on a few cruises, At first I also had a lot of misgivings about them , When I got one as a surprise birthday present I had no choice but to go, And wow was I surprised, A floating 4star hotel with everything you want right there, Shops, casino,bars discos,singalong restaurants ,they also had outdoor sports on board, absolutely brilliant,after the first one I went on another 3 over the years, definitely recommend them. Plus most days you stop in a different port/country where you can leave the ship if you like. OP go for it.

KERSPLAT!

Have never been on one but I'd definitely be up for it

Canis Lupus

Quick question from me. What's it like in terms of crowding.

Is everywhere mobbed? Like when it's time for food are there crappy queues around the 'normal' times for dinner? Are all the pools crowded out all the time?

Odyssey 2005

Go for it. Been on three and going again very soon. Get a balcony cabin,costs extra but so worth it. Entertainment and food far from bland and 2nd rate. Cruise companies aren't spending billions on ships to provide bad experiences !

Brian?

Canis Lupus wrote: »

Quick question from me. What's it like in terms of crowding.

Is everywhere mobbed? Like when it's time for food are there crappy queues around the 'normal' times for dinner? Are all the pools crowded out all the time?

Not at all. There so many places to eat, I never had to queue. Plus it's "time for food" 24hrs a day.

I don't think I was in the pool. Left the boat everyday. It was a cruise around the med.

Never thought I'd be into it, but my wife was pregnant and we wanted a mix of relaxation and seeing places we'd never been. It was ideal.

metaoblivia

Been on one and it didn't do much for me. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't that entertaining either. I wasn't really interested in any of the boat activities; I just wanted to explore the port destinations. I would do it again because I believe in trying something at least twice before you make a decision, but it's not on the top of my list.

Irish Stones

If you go on a cruise just make sure that the captain of the ship is not Italian

padd b1975

Cruise ship passengers fall into three categories.
The newly wed, the overfed and the nearly dead.

Not for me at the moment.

razorblunt

My Dad was on a 12 day one around the Caribbean and loved it, the food is incredible, the rooms are hotel standard and there's a great selection of bars. He said he didn't bother with the entertainment shows, not his cup of tea.

It's broken up really well, so you could to see a lot of places on your journey.

He's currently looking into a Med cruise for the summer.

gumbo1

I seen an ad in one of Saturday news magazines for cruises. 120 nights for 46,000! Now that might be a cruise I'd go on!

BrokenArrows

Bone Cancer wrote: »

I turn 48 in a couple of days and the missus wants to go on a spring cruise as my present (to her..)
I'm not sold on the idea, would much prefer a city break compared to being stuck on a boat with thousands of people eating bland food, watching low quality entertainment and staying in dingy quarters.

Id go.
I see it as an easy holiday. You're limited in choice so there is no discussions of "where do you want to go for dinner" or "what will we do tonight". You eat and do whatever is on the ships menu for the night.

Crimson King

My parents first went on one (East Med) about 7 years ago and since then its been their choice of holiday, and believe me my dad is a very hard guy to please. They have done the East and west Med now and late last year they went to the Caribbean.

They say its not at all just 'old foggies' and quite a mix of people, and its as relaxing or as hectic as you want it to be, plenty of activities to keep you occupied between ports. They also love the food. My mam has quite strict dietary needs, due to her being a Celiac plus diabetic and she was anxious at first but once she specified this requirement she was impressed at how accommodating the staff are with choices.

So all in all they say its not for everyone as some people can't take to boats at all but they love it and recommend I try it at least once.

Exiled1

Have been on two in recent years. Great experiences on both occasions. Can be expensive if you let rip with on board purchases, you have to resist the hard sell that is inevitable.
However I cannot think of any other negatives. Quality food, some great stopovers and a vast array of entertainment options.
Just be a bit cautious about some 'bargains' in the Med during the shoulder seasons as they are the poorest value. Otherwise go for it!!

biko

Canis Lupus wrote: »

Quick question from me. What's it like in terms of crowding.

Is everywhere mobbed? Like when it's time for food are there crappy queues around the 'normal' times for dinner? Are all the pools crowded out all the time?

How long is this piece of string?




You need to look at reviews
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/cruise-ships/

There are even some on yutube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7UPMSUxqhc

schemingbohemia

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Id go.
I see it as an easy holiday. You're limited in choice so there is no discussions of "where do you want to go for dinner" or "what will we do tonight". You eat and do whatever is on the ships menu for the night.

Just in relation to that, most cruises have a number of restaurants to choose from, you may have to pay extra for some of the specialty restaurants but there is a very good selection on most.

We went on a cruise to Alaska from Vancouver, was amazing, thought I'd hate it but it was superb. Lots of great activities/excursions and the ship was very comfortable with lots of options and we even found the entertainment pretty good - very funny comedian one night and a couple of the dance/musical shows were really good.

Ships are so large it never feels jammers.