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?

They seem a bit prone to norovirus epidemic, mind you I always get a cold from recycled air on planes. Train sounds nice.

ive been on two firs tone was 20 years ago went through a force 9 storm disaster-i did enjoy the places we visited though

second was about 16 years ago on norwegian cruise line-much more relaxed dining eat when u want no need to dress up the shows were pretty good too and no storms! you can pay as u go or get a drinks package up to you

i actually wouldnt go on a smaller cruise as they seem to be more regimented with their dining times

and u dont have to sit with anyone u dont want to either on the larger cruise lines

You don't have to sit with strangers for meals. We've been on five cruises and have never sat with strangers. You can also set your own itinerary to a certain extent. Obviously you can't change which places you dock at but you can choose to go onshore or stay on the ship; you can book a guided tour with the ship or independently or just wander around on your own. You can eat and drink whenever you want (there's usually a 24-hr buffet).

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

True, but some ports aren't near anything of interest and may be difficult to find something to book independently. Also if you are on a cruise booked excursion, they will wait for you if the bus back is late, but not if you have done your own thing.

Cruises are FANTASTIC!!! Look at YouTube videos of Anthem of the Seas and possibly Harmony and Symphony if there are any on there.

You will never be able to compute how large these ships are till you see one and the facilities onboard are unbelievable. The entertainment on RCI ships is outstanding. I’m struggling to even convey my enthusiasm for cruising.

Give it a go. You won’t look back.

Went on one and it was the worst holiday.

• if you are bored , theres no where to go!
• if the food is crap, that's it
• entertainment is on repeat
• pools and public facilities can be overrun with kids.
• if you feel seasick, its hell

I wouldn't go on one even if it was free

We did a Hurtegreuten 'cruise' a few years ago, and it was very informal. No dancing, no dressing up and no compulsory drinks package. They pull into the towns, so expensive excursions are not necessary either (although encouraged). Very relaxed.

A friend (in her early 60s) went on one and hated it because everybody was really old, ie 80+ and it felt like an ocean-going old people's home.

She said that afterwards someone advised her that if she ever went on one again to choose a "family cruise," the idea being if there are potentially kids there it puts off the very elderly customer.

I'm following this. We always dismissed cruises as I don't like all inclusive holidays and don't want to use kid clubs etc but a friend was forced into going on one with her in laws who are big cruise fans and she actually ended up loving it.

I don’t like regiment and prefer a holiday where we can set our own itinerary

I used to feel just the same, but found this couldn't be further from the truth and have now done 14. The big ships really are big and you really can choose exactly what you want on them, from joining everything to spending all day in bed!! Personally I avoid overpriced ship tours and do my own thing, so that's one more way to avoid going with the herd

I agree with a PP about avoiding fixed time dining, and of course you can ask for a table for 2 on "freedom dining" or just use the buffet if you want to be casual. But I honestly would try sharing a table sometimes; IME cruisers are extremely friendly and you can use the fact it's your first as an icebreaker by asking for tips ... it's a subject guaranteed to get everyone talking!!

If you'd rather avoid flying, I see Celebrity are using Silhouette out of Southampton this year. I was on her last year and she's superb - and their competitive packages often include a drinks package with your fare too

To the poster that complained about crowds descending on a city, I can see how this might be annoying for other tourists but the cruise passengers are valued by most locals for their contribution to their economy. Particularly in smaller locations/islands.

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.

I haven't done a cruise myself but this is exactly what PIL said they hated about their cruise. It was also a Norwegian one though. I'm not sure if table-sharing is specific to those cruises or is a general cruise thing?

We went on a Nile Cruise years ago (pre-DC)

Plus points-
very smooth as its a river, no tides
smallish boats so you get to know people , we were on a table of 12 ,
good entertainment
good food (DH and I are vegetarian so we thought it would be a struggle but it was fine)

Minus points -
the order or trips can change according to the water levels - we did 3 excursions on Day 1 , we were knackered
we all got Montzumers Revenge (but you're aware of this , it's a given)

And it's in Egypt , I could happily spend the rest of my life never setting food on their soil again. . If you like animals (donkeys, horses, cats, dogs) , then do not go , the level of abuse is heartbreaking .
There is a charity called Brooke who do sterling work (we gave a donation) but they are up against it/

And the non-stop pestering and demands for money

Dilly’s right - especially in the Caribbean where they tend to make a lot of money from the cruise passengers.

Not what you asked for, I realise, but like you, I had always hated the idea of a cruise. However, when I was fortunate enough to win one, I decided I had nothing to lose, and if I hated it at least I'd know never to book and pay for one myself.

For me it was the idea of being "stuck" in one place (albeit a moving ship) that I didn't like in particular. In the end I opted for the cruise that involved the most stops, for that very reason. If I were able to afford to take another, next time I would choose one that involved places or activities that I was particularly interested in. There was a photographic one to a land of icebergs etc, that really appealed to me, but I wasn't sure about the idea of not setting foot on land for days on end.

There is a great deal of choice in terms of food, socialising (or not), educational sessions (dancing, photography etc) and obviously you have the opportunity of days out. I went alone in the end, and it was truly a lovely holiday. The only issue I had was in so many people wanting my company (to break the monotony I guess), and that was managed by not telling anyone my cabin number. That and avoiding the photographers every time I disembarked etc. Formal dress is something that may or may not be required on occasion, depending on who you travel with.

I would certainly recommend it, and if you've seen one that covers an area or place that you have a particular interest in, you can probably find out a bit more about what to expect by reading reviews that specifically relate to that particular itinerary.

I went once as a teen with my grandparents. It was a free holiday but I wouldn't go again until I'm much much older and not willing to travel independently abroad, we always hire a car and often stay in more than one location in each country. DH likes to think he's on some kind of top gear special (I still have nightmares about our road trip across Morocco). If your level of independence on holiday runs only as far as going on coach trip to various sights and places of historical interest I think you'll be fine. DH genuinely wants to book a tour of Vietnam and Cambodia for later this year getting from place to place ourselves with a ten month old, so I do realise we are probably at one end of the holiday type spectrum.

Nothing about cruising is regimented or compulsory

Let’s be honest. A lot is. The time you arrive at from a stop, the time you need to return. The fact no matter how much you were enjoying yourself, you must return by 4pm.

How about a river cruise? I much prefer them to sea cruises. The boats are much smaller, you get off them every day, excursions are usually included in the cost, & often drinks & tips are as well. All cabins have a river view. You can choose where you sit in the dining room - alone or with others. The entertainment is small scale, but I find it much more enjoyable.
The only sea cruise I really disliked was because of the fellow guests - but if you go with a company renowned for its cheap holidays you get what you pay for.

afaik norwegian cruine lines were the first to introduce freestyle dining-when did your pil go dippy

Actually DillyDilly that's not strictly true. Many locals hate cruise ships precisely because they cause vast crowds while contributing little to the economy. Cruise tourists might buy the odd souvenir, lunch or ice cream but most of their money is going to the cruise operator. Locals would much rather tourists stay in the local hotels, eat dinner in the local restaurants, etc. I believe Venice is actually going to ban the largest ships for this reason.

There are different types of cruises. There are the cruises aimed at people who like resorts - usually to the Mediterranean. And there are cruises going to amazing places run by companies like National Geographic.
Look at the reality of the cruise you are interested in. Can you have your own table for 2? Do they have formal nights, not all do. And if they do, are they sold as a big feature of the cruise? What kind of trips do they have at ports? Or can you do your own thing? What is there on board the ship to do? How many days do you have at sea?
You can tell from what they emphasise in their publicity, what market they are aiming at. So I have went on ones where they emphasised guest speakers talking about wildlife. I would not o on one emphasising the formal nights and dressing up.

I went on a med cruise when I was about 15. I hated it just because I was that age, too old for kids stuff, too young for drinking.
I would be a lot more open to the idea now though, though tbh I would prefer spending multiple days at destinations rather than a few hours, so still not sure I would like it

I have heard it is fun, food and lots of drink if you want it. It sounded nice to go in a group. My SIL used to work for P and O and she says it is fantastic.
Only thing would worry me , I get motion sickness very easily.

I absolutely hated it... trapped in shit hotel with no escape! I went because my exs family wanted to. Never again. I've never been so bored in my life. Had a couple of interesting day excursions, but anything to do with the boat was horrendous. The food was awful.... the bloody poker and card games, not for me.... the 'entertainment' made me want to kill myself. The cabin was tiny and had no windows... never ever again. And it was apparently very very expensive... God knows why!!