To ask if you’ve been on a cruise and hated it- why?

[BoomTish]

It feels like everyone I know who has cruised has loved it and they’re always telling me how great it is.

I’ve always thought it’s not for me. DH and I are mid 30s/early 40s, no kids, decent holiday budget and annual leave allowances. However, I hate flying. We’ve travelled a lot but haven’t done as much over the past few years and have stuck closer to home or opted for destinations that are short flights or accessible by ferry.

A local travel agency is advertising a cruise to somewhere that interests me so I’ve been thinking about it but I just don’t know if we’re cruise people. I don’t like regiment and prefer a holiday where we can set our own itinerary. Also, I’m quite shy so would hate to have to sit with strangers for meals.

On the flip side, I’m wondering if I’m ruling out a way of holidaying that would be perfect for us, but letting my own preconceptions get in the way. I’ve had so many people tell me they love it, but they tend to be people who like resort/all inclusive holidays anyway, whereas I like having more variety.

So, if you’ve been cruising and didn’t love it, why?

Very interested in responses as we are thinking of booking a cruise

I admit I've not been on a cruise BUT I know 3 people who have vowed never to go on a cruise again because it's not always the lovely calm seas you see in the commercials! Apparently it can get really rough 🤢

I've not been on one but think I would hate it, I don't like dressing up and there are formal nights I understand. Drinks packages, why ? Can you not just order what you fancy and pay for it. Tipping seems to be nailed down also, pay them proper money and include it the price of the cruise, I will tip good service but hate the fact that's the only reason they are being nice to me.

I have never been on one but cruise ships are very disruptive to a lot of the places they visit, hundreds or even thousands of people all turning up en masse and at the same time to a small, historic city centre can be unpleasant to an extent that has made me plan my visits to certain cities based on the cruise ship schedules in order to avoid the busiest days.

I have also heard that they are highly polluting.

Not quite what you were asking, but the potential effect of your holiday on other people and on the environment is possibly another aspect to consider?

We did a 12 night cruise for our honeymoon. The ship was nice and we did a couple of good trips. The food was lovely and the facilities were pretty good. However, the entertainment was for a much older audience so we didn't really utilise it. We also had several days where the sea was too rough to use the top deck, sleep at night or do much on the ship. Those bits were rubbish. Weve agreed that we would rather get a nice villa somewhere next time so we still have good facilities but can get in the pool whenever we like without fighting for space or having areas out of bounds for safety.

I would say dont rule it out but be careful which ship and route your choose.

I thought I'd hate it but did a long weekend for a friend's big birthday. I was pleasantly surprised as I hate package holidays/all inclusive hotels. I'd actually consider going again. It's a great way to see lots of places and ideal as you get older imo. I found it really relaxing and there was plenty of space.

Hated the first cruise we went on because the sea was so rough (we knew it was a possibility due to where we were and potential weather conditions). The food, entertainment and stops were amazing but I was always rocking and had an underlying sense of nausea 😂😂

The last cruise I went on was just amazing - food, drink, entertainment, stops and no rough seas!! Our room was amazing and the boat pretty fantastic. We did sit on a table with others and have made some good friends over the world.

You don’t have to sit on big tables - my pil go and have a table for two, they independently plan their trips and don’t do much of the entertainment (although do gonto the theatre).

I would recommend it but would suggest it depends where, when and with what cruise line!

Cruise negatives:

• You may have to get back on the boat incredibly early (4pm) as it needs to go to the next destination
• Tours start early (8am)
• There can be a lack of entertainment (repeated shows, things that you want are only during daytime when you aren't on the boat)
• Dressing up for dinner (though some boats have a more relaxed canteen place to eat too instead of just the posh stuff)
• Casino on the boat when you don't gamble
• Harder to get away from your nearest and dearest (you don't want to always be joined at the hip)
• Non auto included drinks like alcohol can be expensive (though there may be drink plans)
• automatically tipping the staff daily (though you may be able to opt out)
• onboard shops are really expensive

All that aside, it can be a good way to get tasters of many different places.

Not a cruise but we’ve taken the train to Italy and other European cities and it was fantastic

We've been on 3 so far. We liked Fred Olsen best. It beautifully fitted and kitted, the food is excellent and plentiful (!), the staff are very polite and friendly, and there are lots of places where it's quiet - there's a library, plus a "Crow's nest" place where you can hide away and not many people go. There are quiet spots on the decks, and good evening entertainment, including theatre, cabaret, and maybe guitar singers in different bars. FredO ships hold about 800 people compared with the bigger ships of 2000, up to 5000.

I’ve been a few times and love it. The only “regimented” thing is the ports you visit. Everything else is chilled out and you make your own choices. There’s lots of entertainment, so even when you’re on the ship you have stuff to do. It’s literally a floating hotel resort. Some have water slides and outdoor cinemas.

I don't like dressing up and there are formal nights I understand

Not mandatory. Some people don’t ever dress up. The only time you’d have to is if you go for the dining/waiter service rather than buffet meals.

Drinks packages, why ? Can you not just order what you fancy and pay for it.
You can do either. Some lines give you the drinks package for free when you book.

Tipping seems to be nailed down also, pay them proper money and include it the price of the cruise, I will tip good service but hate the fact that's the only reason they are being nice to me.
You can opt out of the service charge, but if you pay for drinks separate then you pay a tip on top of the drinks charge.

@Accountant222 you don’t have to dress up. Even on formal night, you can choose to eat at the buffet which just expects its customers to wear clothes rather than swimwear. You’re very outdated in your thinking, dining on ship is as casual as dining on land if you want.

And no, I don't work for them!

My husband thought he would hate it as I had cruised before I met him. Turns out he was wrong and he loved it, as do our children.

Our first cruise as a family was amazing - we went to Greece and saw the Parthenon etc, Venice on a gondola, Croatia for the Game of a Thrones scenes. Honestly I would do that med cruise again a thousand times.

What I would say is research the ports first. We didn’t once and ended up on a load of beach resort ports which was ok, but we like to see historical/interesting things as well.

Agree with maderiacycle - go on holiday on the train. Over the years we have been to France (lots), Italy (lots), Slovenia, Berlin, Prague all on the train. Have a look at seat61.com to get some ideas - overnight trains are very time efficient (and save on a night's accommodation), they are also really fun! I also like the day trains, eurostar etc I love everything about it. I can't recommend it enough!!!

“Game of Thrones” dunno where that rogue A came from.

Nothing about cruising is regimented or compulsory. As pp have said you don’t have to dress up for formal nights or do the fine dining option every night p, there are lots of options.

We don't like all inclusive, lie on the beach type holidays but have done 2 cruises and loved them both. (Both Royal Carribbean Cruises). Dress code is just suggested, there were people wearing t shirts on formal night in the main restaurant and that was fine.

You don't have to sit with strangers for meals, you can get a table for 2 in the main formal restaurant, or buffet restaurant or speciality restaurants.

We found it great for seeing different places...will definitely go back to some for a proper holiday, and others, 1 day was long enough

All of the above comments are right and wrong at the same time. It all depends on your budget. I love cruising, but with a massive caveat, i dont and wont cruise with any line that offers fixed timed dining, I don't want to eat with random strangers either. I don't want to be seasick,which is why i only fly cruise, i dont do busy or queueing, 500 people maximum generally. My idea of cruising hell would be on a large cruise ship, but that comes at a hefty price.

We did the Hurtigruten - smaller ships, about 600 people, and no formal entertainment. Slightly different in that it's about the birds, and the wildlife and spending hours just watching the scenery. We were lucky as knabbed one of the few tables for 2 for dinner on the first night, so kept it for the whole cruise - it's the main thing that puts me off cruises, the thought of having to share a table at dinner every night with the same people.

The cruise was OK, but the weather was bad (Norway in the middle of June!) which spoiled it rather, as we'd seen pictures of the views we should have had which looked stunning.

Sea was also very rough through Barents Sea - so much so that you couldn't stand up in the corridors. Luckily neither of us were seasick, but lots of other people were - felt so sorry for the cabin stewards......... And the drinks were feckin' expensive - no drinks packages available. And, it being Norway, there was a LOT of fish on the dinner menu. Other meals were buffet style and delicious - seafood, salads, cold meats etc.

I'd do it again if I could be guaranteed good weather and a table for 2 for dinner. And I'd sneak in an extra bottle of duty free gin - 2 wasn't enough!

You may have to get back on the boat incredibly early (4pm)

The bit I hate most about a holiday is having to be at the airport at a specific time and worrying about delays etc. The thought of repeating that experience by having to be back to the ship at designated time every time the ship is in port would be the negative for me.

It's a pity, as my partner doesn't drive for medical reasons, and I'd love to have a holiday seeing new things everyday but without having to do the driving.

First cruise we did , we 'saved money' by booking an internal room - no window to outside ... hated it as no sense of time or weather . Next time we booked a room with a balcony, much better and felt as though it was so much more worth it ! Now we go all out and book a rear suite, as it's really nice to have a bit more space.

We’ve been on 3 cruises , from Southampton, so no flying
Loved them

We always book a table for 2 ( early seating , as it’s not so busy ) ok , you are close to other tables. But apart from saying hello , you don’t have to speak to them

Have a balcony , then you’ve got your own space

Don’t book excursions , just get off the ship and do your own thing

We’ve been on Celebrity , you don’t need a dinner suit and long dress any more , just smart clothes ( evening chic ! Is their phrase )

I’d recommend you give a cruise a go

You can keep yourself to yourself if you choose , there are loads of seating areas on board to relax

I don’t do dancing , but have never laughed so much ( or danced so much ) at the silent disco , DH still can’t believe what he saw 😀
Wine might have been involved !

I went on a cruise because family members were going. İt's not for me. Was a very big ship but still felt confining to me. Plus cabin small of course. I don't like things like Centre Parcs either.

I do get travel sick, but that wasn't an issue at all on the cruise.

These are some of the things going on:
Pilates/yoga/Stretching/fitness/salsa dancing/making sushi classes
Quizzes
Tequila tasting
Shows/musicals/comedians
Casino
Couples games (you can just watch, they were hilarious)
Bands/singers

I like that you can pay the tips in advance, just part of the price of the holiday, and forget about it then

In port, you can do your own thing...hire a car, arrange your own excursions locally

I did feel a bit bad for some of the staff, they work so hard. But lots were on their 5th contract so choose to keep coming back. And there is an environmental cost, like most holidays.

We don't get seasick so that helps too