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?

but the cruise passengers are valued by most locals for their contribution to their economy.

While this may be the case in some destinations, there have been protests by locals in Venice and Palma for example against cruise ships. The number of locals likely to benefit is also smaller than with other visitors, as while cruise ship visitors may spend money in souvenir shops and on tours and excursions, they obviously don't spend money on evening meals and overnight accommodation, which tend to be the biggest expenses. There are also conflicting reports on how much they spend vs other day trip visitors with some saying they spend very little (and even get packed lunches) while other reports say that as they tend to be from a more wealthy demographic they spend more than other day visitors.

Thanks to everyone who has posted here - it makes very interesting reading. I love boats and always like a boat trip of some sort whilst on holiday. I have often wondered about cruising and imagine it to be a bit like Butlins-On-Sea which would represent my worst nightmare. From reading the above I'm pretty sure I'm about right and won't be going on a cruise any time soon.

Anyone else on this thread getting recruitment ads for the Royal NAvy?!

no matter how much you were enjoying yourself, you must return by 4pm

This is true - at least unless it's an overnight stop - but if what's wanted is an extended visit to somewhere I wouldn't use a cruise in the first place. For me, it's more about getting a taste of destination; I then choose which ones to return to on land holidays and which to forget completely

And even at an inaccessible port there are always local tour companies you can use in place of the ship tours. IME they tend to have smaller groups, are much cheaper - and yes, they do get you back on time (they know very well that if they didn't, the disaster would be plastered all over the net and they'd be out of business fast)

Some are like Butlins on Sea.
But there are cruises to Galapagos, to Antarctica, to Falkland Islands, in China. There are places you can not get except by boat.

I’ve never fancied the big cruise ships, too many people in one place. However I’ve done two river cruises on very small vessels (30-40 people), one in Russia and one on the Nile, and both were great. We seemed to miss the big crowds and it was all very relaxed. I liked not having to think too much and they were a good way to get round places that are pretty difficult to see independently.

We went on a 12 night cruise for our honeymoon. In lots of respects it was absolutely amazing, the food was out of this world, facilities good, entertainment great, staff lovely, excursions really enjoyable. HOWEVER we did Norway/Northern Lights in November/December, and the weather was horrendous whilst we were at sea. I don't usually suffer with seasickness (in fact I very rarely suffer with nausea or sickness even if I have a bug) but I was very poorly a lot of the time, was okay when I was looking where I was going but we stupidly booked an inside cabin having never cruised before. I 100% would book a cabin with a window when I cruise again. Quite a few people on the boat had cruised multiple times and said it was by far the worst crossing they'd ever experienced, so was possibly a bit of a fluke. One night it was so rough the swimming pool water was tidal waving everywhere and we couldn't use it

I have been on a few cruises with my Mum. I don't love them and they wouldn't be my chosen way to travel. I don't like the disconnect from the places we are visiting. You are just stopping by, get to see a few things and then are on again. No time to really see or feel the local culture. I hate the planned entertainment and shows. Some people love them, but they just aren't my thing. I'm not particularly social and don't want to make friends on the boat. I really hated the way spending money and endless shopping was pushed down your throat on the last cruise we went on.

DH and I think about this every so often. We're in the US and we'd like to cruise to Alaska.

My main concern is that I have Coeliac Disease. I know many cruise lines say they can accommodate dietary restrictions, but often 'accommodate' means plain chicken or meat, plain veg, ice cream for dessert, no good snacks, no buffets, etc. Then there's the whole contamination issue. I don't want to pay cruise prices for shitty bland food or spend 2-3 days in a cabin being ill.

Agree with DoILookLikeATourist. DH & I have been on a couple of not-so-great cruises (with the old Ocean Village line; aimed at 30s to 50s but full of 80 year olds) but also several fantastic cruises with Royal Caribbean & Celebrity (the latter being less aimed at families with small children).

Celebrity have been my favourite but on both RC and Celebrity you can do flexible/anytime dining, have a table for two, chill in the adults-only indoor pool/solarium, use the gym/spa, theatre’s great, there are spaces on most ships where you can have peace and quiet.

Formal nights aren’t obligatory as there’s a buffet restaurant you can use if you don’t fancy the main dining room.

Lots of cruise lines include drinks packages anyway now and it does mean no nasty bill at the end of the holiday.

It’s a great way of getting a taster of cities and destinations that you want to return to for longer another time.

If you’re worried about committing to a lot of money for something you might hate, several lines do short cruises from Southampton - or even day visits to ships when they’re in dock.

I would be happy to never have to go on a cruise again.
I liked the travelling to different places part but thats more easily accomplished by other means.
I hated the never ending queuing . From getting on board ,although usually very efficiently done its still much the same as airport queuing, , to waiting for lifts and getting into the dining rooms.
I felt like I was in a low rent holiday-camp-at-sea most of the time with hordes of hen/stag groups who all moved as one and made a lot of noise about it.
Even though you arent flying you are prevented from bringing drinks on board . The cost of on-board drinks is huge in most of the bars and astronomical if you go to a cocktail or live entertainment type bar.
If you have to leave the ship via tender the queues are usually enormous and unless you have done it before you need to know the ropes unless you relish waiting for hours to get off and then back on again.
However, you dont have to do formal dining or sit in a particular place each day if you dont wish to. There are plenty of casual dining places if you just want to eat and go.

I went on a Nile cruise a year ago and loved it.a week, with loads to stop and see.

Went on a 3 night carnival trip in the states with 2500 people recently and absolutely loathed it. Had to be back a certain time, awful entertainment, casino, food was dire. The worst bit was the inside cabin.

I hate AI hotels, having to be places at a certain time,.....it’s not for me.

Trains through Europe or a river cruise, v different....

We did a p&o trip to Russia for our first cruise (me 43 him 36) youngest on ship by miles.
Evening entertainment was not our cup of tea but with a huge itinerary we were up and off boat by 8.40 with full day touring and then drink dinner then bed!
We did our own thing in most ports or organised a local tour guide.
We have done 3 other cruises since and enjoy it for the varied ports, always accepting we may not be fussed by ship entertainment.

If so many people you've spoken to have loved it, why don't you try it? With anything you'll find always find some people who hate it, but that's no reason not to give it a go.
There is loads of flexibility on cruises...nobody HAS to dress up. Yes there will be dress codes if you're eating in the dining room (no shorts/flip flops etc) but on most cruises there are only a couple of full on formal nights per cruise. On those nights, you can eat in the buffet restaurants instead.
I do think it's important to do your research and choose the right cruise line to suit your preferences, but having been on many cruises I can honestly say there isn't one I haven't enjoyed.
What have you got to lose by trying it? (Obviously you'll be paying for it but equally you could pay for any holiday, have a crap hotel and feel like you've wasted money)

We went on Royal Caribbean. I would never ever go on another. The food was awful, mass produced the only healthy choice was the salad bar or occasionally grilled fish.

Everywhere was crowded at lunch time etc, cabin was small and we had a balcony. If you like cabaret shows then great but we found very little to do in the evenings as the entertainment was dire.

Offshore excursions were so expensive so you have to do your homework if you want to do things separately which we did.

Basically a overpopulated package holiday, never again.

I am booked for my 5th p and o cruise next year and love it, I wasn’t sure when we went the first time but soon realised its great for us

Ds is autistic and the staff are amazing with him

If so many people you've spoken to have loved it, why don't you try it?

I think because the people who recommend it are people who like very different holidays to us- picture all-inclusive tacky resorts with egg and chips on demand.
(I swear I’m not a snob- I just like seeing different things and trying different food).

I’m edging towards giving it a go but, if I hate it, I have that niggling “what did you expect?” voice at the back of my head.

The cruises I’m looking at are with Celebrity and considering Dublin to either Iceland or Norway in May for 10 days, or so.
Will be able to upgrade to a bigger room/suite with balcony.

I think because the people who recommend it are people who like very different holidays to us

Just to clarify, I mean people I know in real life. Didn’t mean people on here who are recommending cruises.

A lot of companies do a few very short cruises at some point during the season. So you could try a three day or so cruise before committing to anything longer.

My job takes me onto a lot of ocean cruise ships and they vary hugely. Some are as small as only 50-90 passengers to 4500 and more. I love the tiny ships but they tend to be very expensive. All the bigger ships have more than one restaurant with one being more casual buffet style. The massive ships have lots of different ones. I don’t get to see the entertainment so I can’t comment on that.

Someone mentioned norovirus above and it does happen, usually down to someone already sick coming on board and then it’s a closed environment so it spreads. But there seem to have been a lot less breakouts in recent years, in ships visiting the UK anyway. Still seems to be a lot out in the Caribbean/USA.

And they will leave without you if you don’t get back to the ship on time 😂

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 Not on all cruise liners. P&O do not charge for tips on top of each drink even without drinks packages.

Not all routes get that rough, be careful with time of year you pick.

If you fancy the trip, go for it. If you go with a positive outlook then I am sure you will be fine.

I think because the people who recommend it are people who like very different holidays to us- picture all-inclusive tacky resorts with egg and chips on demand Well cruises are the complete opposite to that so maybe you have nothing to worry about

Although actually saying that, that could depend on the cruise liner to be fair

zany. Definitely depends on the ship 😂😂

But most are not like that, celebrity aren’t.

I have often wondered about cruising and imagine it to be a bit like Butlins-On-Sea which would represent my worst nightmare. From reading the above I'm pretty sure I'm about right and won't be going on a cruise any time soon. You couldn't be more wrong about cruises, there are some great 4/5* liners and it is nothing like Butlins. I can honestly say Butlins is my worst nightmare, cruises are wonderful if you pick the right cruiseliner/ship.

Iruka A friend of mine when on a Thomson cruise and said it was like Butlins at sea so definitely need to go on a higher end ship for sure.