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?

DH and I have differing approaches to holidays, and find that, actually, cruising suits us well. I want to do everything from the salsa class to the poolside quiz to the evening show-he prefers to find a quiet spot to read. Some cruise lines are more formal than others. Why don't you try it with an open mind?

I expected to hate it.
I loathe formality, tipping and dress codes and poncy pretensions. We went on a casual AI cruise and avoided the one "formal" evening.
Went with older teens and was completely surprised at how much we loved it. But we did hit some horrendous weather one night. Everyone vowed never again but we went again the next year.......

I am as far from the “all inclusive egg and chips” type and I love Cruises.

For me p and o get it right but the variety of lines means there is a whole host of options

Try a river cruise if you want to try a less "full on" cruise experience or try something different to the cruise you're already looking at. My mum & aunt just did the Danube with Riviera Travel and loved it. It was small and friendly and they were very well looked after.

If you know what port you want to sail from you can go to www.cruisetimetables.com and search by date and departure port and see almost every cruise available. Some of the more niche cruises aren’t on there though.

We cruised fairly frequently between 2007 and 2013 (stopped when we had a young child, as for us these are not ideal environments for little ones). There have been a few changes in the industry throughout that time; the most frustrating of which is a newish tendency to leave the ports a lot earlier than they used to, thereby giving a lot less time to get out there and actually explore the place. This is done by even the more prestigious cruise lines, like Cunard, for cost-cutting reasons.

The cruise itineraries, and the appeal of visiting as many places as possible in relative luxury and without having to unpack, were their major draw for us; much more so than the 'being on a ship' experience. It's jaundiced me to the extent that I'd think twice about doing again when DC is older.

Thanks @Iruka, I’ll check out that link.

@AcrossthePond55 , the chap at the neighbouring table on our last cruise had coeliac disease .
Every night before they left the dining room the waiter went to their table with the next nights menu , and they went through it together discussing what he could have
He had a basket of special bread every night , then his 3 course meal , he was very happy with the care shown

Been on several and absolutely love them. P&O are abandoning auto tips with effect from April. Ironically, the huge ships allow for plenty of anonymity as well as flexibility. On P&O there are formal nights but if you don't want to participate you can head for the buffet. I was surprised at how much I loved just being at sea, sitting on the balcony with a cuppa, just fab and so relaxing. I do think a balcony is essential I must admit. The only regimentation is the times you must be back in the ship. Also on the big ships you get the biggest age ranges and family groups as well as couples especially in school holidays. Had some amazing food, guinea fowl, lobster, caviar, venison, lots of fantastic fish. Also worth adding you can the most get the most amazing bargains if you book a saver fare, this is where you specify a grade of cabin eg balcony but don't get the exact cabin until nearer the time. We had a week in Norway in a balcony cabin for £700 each. Would it be worth a try for that sort of price?

We hated it. I wonder if it was the particular cruise line as others rave about cruises.

• very old passenger demographic, we were the youngest by far
• really poor entertainment on board, live shows were poor, they only showed films when in port (ie not at sea when you need something to do), the library was behind glass doors which were unlocked for one hour each evening, the only daytime entertainment was a casino
• the food was salty (in every one of the restaurants) and poor quality
• the trips were very expensive, even those that were basically just a bus from the port to the town. They gave absolutely no information about the port prior to arrival

Never again

My sister has a nut allergy and they went above and beyond to make sure all was safe.

Ds has a restricted diet and they made sure he always had access to safe foods

Never again. We did 7 days which broke down into 4 days of sea sicknesses (despite being assured that the ship was far too big to feel anything) broken up by 3 days of norovirus.

I felt anxious on the port stops because of watching the clock. We were too far from the really interesting places and the closer ones were mobbed by cruise ship passengers.

The pollution and environmental impact is huge.

This essay is brilliant if you have time for a read

A lot of companies do a few very short cruises at some point during the season

I think quite a few attract stag/hen groups though, especially out of Southampton? As always, it's best to research the ships carefully ...

The cruises I’m looking at are with Celebrity and considering Dublin to either Iceland or Norway in May for 10 days, or so

Those will almost certainly be on Silhouette then - a really excellent choice. If seeking a balcony cabin, look for those right at the edge of the "humps" on the decks plans. They look triangular but are actually a normal balcony with a big extra space (though they might be booked up by now). Be aware, too, that many suites are at the top of the ship, heavily shaded by the massive overhang of the public deck - not a problem with cooler climes perhaps, but it can matter on a sunshine cruise

There's further good news on tables for two with Silhouette, in that they have a lot and they're in rows with other "twos". This is ideal since you can keep to yourselves if you prefer, but you're in easy reach of the next couple when feeling more outgoing

We’ve been on four now, encouraged by my parents who love cruises and we’re off on another one in the summer. We’ve really enjoyed all of them. The children have loved the kids clubs and will often choose to go to them rather than stay with us on sea days. We’ve visited lots of really interesting places that we just wouldn’t have gone to otherwise because the organisation would have been too difficult. Food has always been fantastic, as formal or relaxed as you want. Even on the big ships it’s possible to find quiet spaces and it never really feels busy. I like not having to live out of a suitcase whilst touring an area.

However, we’ve only done ‘high-end’ cruiselines, (when they’ve been in the sale!) so can’t vouch for the quality of others.

Here you go, OP ... that price for a balcony on 16 May is insane, and I see they're still including a drinks package and the gratuities and some onboard spending money. It's on Reflection (sister ship of Silhouette) and while I prefer the second one I'm not sure I could turn down a price like that!!

www.cruisekings.co.uk/search/results/?sid=585203

Silhouette in the Fjords last May

However, we’ve only done ‘high-end’ cruiselines, (when they’ve been in the sale!)

I used to do the same with Oceania, Paquita - but now NCL have taken them over they've doubled and sometimes nearly tripled the prices

WAAAHHH!!!

I didn't like our Alaska cruise (loved Alaska, didn't like being on the ship).

It felt very crowded everywhere we went.
The queues at reception (pursers desk/excursions desk etc) were always horrendous.
People were almost aggressively pushy and entitled, over seating, presentations, shows. All barging about like human bumper cars.
On our cruise line, if you wanted tea or coffee in your room or on your balcony you had to call for room service. I'm not s lover of the room service palava, would prefer the ability to make my own (having said that, other cruise lines do have tea and coffee in-room).
As it was such a busy, excursion-heavy cruise we opted for the free and easy buffet style eating. But people were disgusting, helping themselves to huge mounds of food and leaving it, double-dipping like there was no tomorrow, not using the anti-bacterial gel provided, one woman even had her main course and dessert on the same plate (must have been scared the lemon mousse would run away).
The only peaceful place was my balcony but if I fancied a cup of tea....well, you get it.
And I didn't like queuing to get off at the ports of call. If it says Ketchikan 10am-6pm then I want 8 hours in Ketchikan.
It's put me off cruising although my sister and bf love the whole scene.

I didn't like it. But some things were good so I'll start with them. We had a suite which was lovely. I'd have hated to be in the tiny cabins I saw some people in. People said they didn't mind because they didn't spend any time in their cabins but I liked having some relaxing time away from everyone in our suite. Food was good. You don't need to sit with strangers. You don't need to get dressed up if you don't want to. Entertainment was ok. Excursions were good and interesting. But the thing I didn't like was that I found it very tiring. I've got a very stressful job with long hours and I don't like getting up early on holiday to go on trips. I didn't like the bloody stairs everywhere. I didn't like the pool that was jam packed. I didn't like how many people there were everywhere. We might go on another one when we're older and retired and can have a rest when we get back but we'd pay a bit more (the one we went in was by no means cheap!) see if it's better.

reckless youre missing out nothing like butlins

@Puzzledandpissedoff Look at this one for Norway.
www.cruisekings.co.uk/cruise-details/celebrity-cruises/celebrity-reflection/norwegian-fjords/depart-26-may-2019-for-8-nights/1262103/#modal-general-enquiry

It’s a bit weird the way you can’t book online. I’d love to see the price options for room upgrades.

We've done 15 cruises so obviously we love it. However we make it our own. We don't go ashore at every port because some are boring/uninteresting so we enjoy quieter time on the sun loungers. We don't dress up for every formal night We dine in the alternative restaurants several times during a two week cruise and on the main dining room other nights. We always have a balcony always book deck C midships which cuts down any rocking and rolling in a rough sea.
On family cruises were there are children I have to say that they are hardly ever seen because they are having such a great time in the kids clubs. The crew are lovely and nothing is too much trouble for the cabin stewards. Iv talked to people who won't cruise because they think they're going to be cooped up while at sea. It's not like that a all. We've met some lovely people, made done great friends and laughed ourselves silly at times.

Absolutely hate everything about it. Hate the poor food even in the ‘specialty restaurants’, crap entertainment, sight of people swigging champagne for breakfast because it’s “included in their package” (uggh), the fact that you rarely get much time to see any place in depth, just hate the whole thing. And the spa treatments are usually crap. I’d much rather be at home.

I can’t think of anything worse.
Days Cruising on a ship, an environment which lacks any natural features like trees, proper grass etc. A set itinerary of day trips to places big enough to take a massive cruise ship, and you are ruining the view for everyone else by being there.

Cruise ships are wrecking Venice.

I went on royal Caribbean with my mum and kids and loved it. Kids had freedom. Loads to do and we didn’t go on the formal night every night. I think we went 3/7

I’m trying to persuade dh to try it one time

However I also went on a Cunard 3 nighters with just my mum and hated it. Too formal and too old. I’m near 50 but the activities were aimed at 70+