I don't want to hear about cruise ship holidays.

[CruisingBob]

My parents worked very hard, retired and like to go away on cruise ships.

For the last 15 years they have probably gone every nine months for at least a fortnight, often six weeks even did the epic round the world.

Some have been a bit miserable with norovirus and other flu type bugs. The round the world one lost it's novelty. On the whole they have really enjoyed them, the social side, the whistle stop tours, the food.

We are happy for them, their money, they worked hard, their choices.

But AIBU I don't want to hear any more about them, it's just making me angry.
I have two teens sharing a bedroom, we are working hard, our modest holiday plans were torn apart last year. I just want my kids back in school and free to see their friends.

Everytime I speak to my parents, cruises get mentioned. They've missed two during covid. First it was "wasn't it awful Australia refusing entry to the cruise ship" then worried about deposits, terms and conditions and refunds, then new dates being released, it just goes on and on.

I've said " look for a new type of holiday, you've had a good run, something different"

Their vaccination has just given them fresh fuel along with the relentless marketing from the cruise companies.

AIBU to just not want to hear anymore about bloody cruises?

@CruisingBob forgot to tag you

YANBU.

It is not unfair that Australia did not allow cruise ships to dock and anyone who thinks it was is still confused about the severity of Covid. Clearly for some people getting on a big ship and chugging around the world polluting the planet while stuffing their faces and watching cringey cabaret shows is really what life is all about. I do not understand it myself and after everything that has happened last year - and is still happening now - I cannot fathom how a foreign holiday is a priority for anyone, let alone a big ship filled with strangers where if one person catches something then it can spread like wild fire.

The whole "well I am vaccinated now so I can go back to my old way of living" is just rubbish. You can't and shouldn't go back to your old way of living. There are other ways to holiday if a holiday really is your priority.

YABU

YABU!

My Mum is in her 70’s snd if she wanted to cruise and talk to me about it, I’d absolutely love it!

Your parents have worked hard! Stop being such a dick!

Sorry, but I have one parent left, my Dad died before he retired, he never got the chance to enjoy his retirement years! Be thankful your parents seem to be loving life, love their cruises.

I bet they’d be crushed to hear you don’t want to hear about it!

I’m the same as you BTW. We hardly go on any trips abroad etc but I wouldn’t feel the same as you about this situation!

Good luck to them
I'd persuade them to take the kids for the 6 weeks holidays!

Given what other people are going through this obsession some people have with holidays (and cruising in particular is v annoying).
I just want my daughter who works for the NHS to be safe and my elderly, vulnerable parents to survive this and see their grandchildren again.
I want to see my niece back in school and not missing out and missing her friends.
I want my students (I am a teacher) to feel better and that they will be able to catch up.
The constant bleating about holidays is something I don't have the headspace for.

oh and yanbu

@happilybemused but so what! Surely they want something to look forward to, much like all of us! Why shouldn’t they talk about it. We all seem to be able to vent on here. Why not to our nearest and dearest!

@Deadringer

What would you like them to talk about?

Just something else, I guess.

Lockdown has been a very long period of time. Where we have all done a lot less than usual. So have a lot less to talk about.
I'd rather hear about cruises than my DH boring me to death about how long the underfloor heating pipes are in his new renovation project.

Grin and bare it or gently try and change the conversation.
Good luck.

I don't really understand what the problem is - it's not like you're spending all your time with them is it?

I don’t think it’s a Malaysian thing. I think it’s an Asian obsession (pretty sure other cultures are obsessed about some aspects of cruises as well). I remember my mom told me that some cruise companies have packages just for Chinese customers. And I remembered meeting a few Indian family tourists who are obsessed with them as well.

I guess the fact that they have a vacation planned out for them, non stop buffet food with tonnes of seafood, constant entertainment and that some cruises have casinos, really makes it the perfect Asian family holiday.

Do note that one of the cruise players is run by a Malaysian conglomerate (genting).

Nonetheless you have folks like me who hate cruises. My parents took me to a cruise twice when I was a kid. Never liked it. It’s so weird to be stuck on a boat.

There’s nothing more tedious than people who are jealous of others. They have worked hard, let them enjoy their retirement. It’s nothing to do with you.

I can't really sympathise with this, although in their position I would be helping your sort out the bedroom situation, that sounds tough.

But if they weren't talking about cruising, they'd be talking about Sandra who works at the Spar; or the minute problems with their new double glazing; or the fact that they can't wait to go for a nice cup of tea and a scone in Llandudno once we get back to normal.

Seriously, just nod and smile. If you love them, you'll just let it wash over you.

Good luck to them, however I bet it’s as boring as to listen to

I for one wouldn’t wanna be stuck in an outside sardine tin sitting in the middle of an ocean with this pandemic around even with a jab. Doesn’t mean your are immune just less likely to be hospitalized if you get it. Fancy that, spending thousands on a fortnights cruise only to catch the virus two days in and be confined to a six by six room with no one to talk to but the person you’ve spent the passed 12 months being locked up with.

Not for me, I can see why older people enjoy them as they see lots of places without having to put too much effort into it

My Dad is exactly the same! It's all he can talk about every time I call him up, whether his 2022 Cunard Round The World will happen or not. I care about it as much as he cares about his 1 month old first grandchild - not at all.

A bit insensitive of them no question

I would just be thankful to have parents who are still alive and able to enjoy their retirement. Fair enough if cruises don't interest you but one day, you will wish you could go back in time and hear just one more cruise story. I don't mean to sound patronising but I know from experience that these minor annoyances take on a totally different flavour when you lose your parents.

I think the point is that OP's parents just seem very self obsessed. The cruises/holidays are just a point of conversation or fuel for this. Anyone would be fed up to hear the same stories over and over. I get you, OP.

YANBU. It happened to me with my parents constant talk about going on holiday. They didn't have much money, saved all year etc I had no problem with it. But they went on about it all the time, same with the in-laws. I was on my knees with toddlers, working, living on the breadline, couldn’t afford anything other than a weekend away using Sun vouchers, no expectations of a handout and never inherited anything. It’s just the constant lack of awareness that is grating. And unnecessary.

Especially since it's very much a ''first world problem'' - especially when so many people are suffering. Some people find it easy to lose perspective of how fortunate they are to have able to afford holidays in the first place.

Cruising is definitely not a butlins well not the ones I have been on and paid a lot of money to do so, I am in my 30s and love them, the way the service is set up as being top end, and the fact you see so many different destinations makes all hard work and long hours feel worth it being able to afford and enjoy that little bit of luxury. Btw I also do less extravagant breaks camping, caravan etc cruising is what we save for.
This could why op parents talking about them so much, cruising offer a comfortable way of travelling and seeing the world. Maybe look at it from a different perspective cruising is probably there way of feeling freedom and rewarding there hard work in earlier years. So booking cruises even in lockdown is their way of having sanity knowing they will feel that free again, talking about that keeps them in that bubble.

@Binkybix

People are being harsh - talking endlessly about something the other person isn’t interested in is boring.

I agree.

If I was boring my parents they would tell me. Probably say it in a joking way but I'd get the message. So I would them.

My mother has earned the right to travel and use her money in any way she wishes to. You sound very unpleasant, op.

YANBU listening to cruise ship woes
YABU because your finances are different to theirs kids sharing a bedroom etc
They most probably had money issues when you were growing up. They don’t owe you a living . Be happy for them but live your own life