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?

What MrsDrudge said... we went to the Caribbean with Celebrity Reflection and there was ACRES of space/gorgeous restaurants... was divine!

So my experience was different to yours and the tips were more than yours so obviously I'm so stupid I misunderstood or I'm lying. OK

No one said you are stupid or lying, just misunderstanding. . I just can’t believe there is any cruise line that requests tips of nearly $5000, that would be utterly bonkers.
What cruise line were you sailing with?

Odd how all the people who do love cruises are coming here to try and convert you instead of people actually giving you the info you want. If you don't want to go, don't: it's not compulsory and just because others enjoy it doesn't mean you will. I don't want to go skiing, I'm sure it's lovely for some but I know it's not for me. I don't have to try it to know myself.

A cruise is nothing like this. The ship is massive, we were still finding new places after a week,

What, like toilets you hadn’t come across before? Seriously what new unusual things were you discovering on a ship after a week?

What, like toilets you hadn’t come across before? Seriously what new unusual things were you discovering on a ship after a week?

Mmmmbrekkie have you been on one of the larger cruise ships? They are more like a small town than a hotel.

The last one I was on had 21 restaurants/places to eat, a similar number of bars, a theatre, 2 entertainment clubs, a spa, several pools, a library, card room, mini golf, go carts, laser tag, lounges, quiet decks and more. We certainly didn’t see all of it in 7 days , and were still coming across areas we hadn’t been to by the last day. Including toilets !

What, like toilets you hadn’t come across before? Seriously what new unusual things were you discovering on a ship after a week?

Now you're being silly.

a library

I love the ones where board games are set up and you just sit at a table and join in with whoever is there. Its amazing seeing how people bend the rules the world over.

I know I'd hate it. The thought of all those other people! I go away to get away from people.
And the thought of 'entertainment' makes me feel ill.
I would want to jump over the side.

The thought of all those other people! I go away to get away from people.
And the thought of 'entertainment' makes me feel ill

It’s true that there are a lot of people on a cruise ship. But there are always plenty of quiet spots - the pool deck is usually very busy, but there will almost always be quieter sun decks away from the hustle and bustle. Or quiet areas to sit in comfortable armchairs and read a book.

And you don’t have to go to watch the entertainment - nothing is compulsory!

The only time I really noticed lots of people was on the dockside at one of the busier ports - but it took no time to jump
In a taxi and find a quiet beach.

I thought I'd hate it. I was so wrong! We've been on many now. Love 'em. Royal Caribbean is my favourite line.

I think you get what you pay for. I’ve been on two. Both years ago. Enjoyed them both. One was an American line called Crystal. The others was Princess. Look at the ratio of crew to passengers. That will indicate how mass-market it is (ie more crew, fewer passengers)

Wonder if the OP is reconsidering a cruise to Norway

Exactly what I thought

At least it didn't end up like Carnival Triumph

www.cbsnews.com/pictures/aboard-the-carnival-triumph-cruise-ship/13/

Wonder if the OP is reconsidering a cruise to Norway

Very much so!

I wouldn’t be put off because of the Norwegian situation or the Celebrity one.

You wouldn’t get me on a 737 MAX though. You wouldn’t get my pilot son and engineer son on one either for the time being. But I’d go on another cruise anytime.

Very much so!

If you could be put off a cruise that easily then I doubt going on a cruise would be for you full stop.

I quite like the idea of seeing different places and taking your hotel with you but I'd want go out at night in the destination which cruises don't usually allow for. And there seem to be a lot of rules.

One friend is always trying to get us to book a shirt cruise for a girl's getaway but fortunately another member of the group went on the Hurtigruten northern lights cruise - loved the trip, hated the cruise element so has vetoed it. Hurrah!

I might like a European river cruise.

In the meantime... www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47685595

If you could be put off a cruise that easily then I doubt going on a cruise would be for you full stop.

So the OP not being keen on a cruise where the ship lost power in seas so rough that several hundred people had to be winched off by helicopter and sustained injuries including broken bones makes her unable to withstand the usual cruise rigours of finding her way to the pool deck and queueing for the buffet?

A short cruise not a shirt cruise whatever that might be!

Having been on a cruise, I see why David Foster Wallace titled his article about them 'A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again'!

Nothing about it was my idea of fun tbh.

I think I'd like a river cruise, don't fancy risking a rough sea :)

If you could be put off a cruise that easily then I doubt going on a cruise would be for you full stop

I just snorted reading this.

A cruise is a holiday, not military boot camp. I don’t need to display any level of resilience to be deemed worthy of a week on a floating buffet.

And there seem to be a lot of rules.

Not so as I've noticed other than being expected not to miss the boat and remembering to wash your hands.