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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you get jealous of people who go on cruises

849 replies

Sportslady44 · 19/02/2022 16:37

Feeling very envious today. Friend is about to set off on a cruise for 14nights.

Cant stop thinking about it and them.

Can you put me off please?

Tell me some downsides of cruises.

OP posts:
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5
xumaix · 21/02/2022 18:15

Not on my list at all, for all the reasons mentioned by others already.

I prefer train journeys. First Class/luxury sleeper. I decide the itinerary and can stay longer or shorter in different places. Europe only so far and it has been surprisingly good value and easy to book etc. The Canadian Rockies train is next on the list, together with the South African Blue Train, and I would slum it for the trans Siberian if I had to. That bloke "Bald and Bankrupt" on YouTube has been on some hilarious train trips throughout Ukraine and Russia. Bet he's glad he did it already now.

CraftyGin · 21/02/2022 18:16

@Larryyourwaiter

I’d hate to only visit somewhere for a few hours, what’s the point. All that time stuck on a boat for hours or days, how very dull and I absolutely hate ‘entertainment’.

Saying that when I am older I might fancy a river cruise as I imagine you could sit and watch the view go by at least.

This is not my experience.

The cruises I have gone on in recent years have had just one day at sea - and that day is the chance to do lots of fun things, eg choir, wine-tasting. I also like to have a pedicure. And it's the day of the dress up dinner, so that's fun too.

Some places you only really want to visit for a few hours, but the cruises I have been on, the minimum port time has been 8 hours, more like 12.

Entertainment comes in many forms. No one is forcing you to do anything, although it's a shame to be so open-minded about wanted to spend hours in port, but have no interested in the big show at least once. There are also piano bars, jazz quartets, and vocal ensembles. Or you can go somewhere with no entertainment at all.

Entertainment is not dull unless you are looking in a mirror.

CraftyGin · 21/02/2022 18:20

@xumaix

Not on my list at all, for all the reasons mentioned by others already.

I prefer train journeys. First Class/luxury sleeper. I decide the itinerary and can stay longer or shorter in different places. Europe only so far and it has been surprisingly good value and easy to book etc. The Canadian Rockies train is next on the list, together with the South African Blue Train, and I would slum it for the trans Siberian if I had to. That bloke "Bald and Bankrupt" on YouTube has been on some hilarious train trips throughout Ukraine and Russia. Bet he's glad he did it already now.

You can decide the itinerary on cruises. There are so many cruises, you pick the one that works for you.

I would only go on the trans Siberian if I had won the jackpot on the lottery and need to 'disappear' for a while.

CraftyGin · 21/02/2022 18:27

@daimbarsatemydogsbone

I'd rather set fire to my hair than go on a cruise, so no.
Weirdo
CrimbleCrumble1 · 21/02/2022 18:42

I think I’m going to book the new Butlins resort that’s just like being on a luxury cruise ship going to hundreds of different places. It sounds amazing, I’m going to book a balcony room. I hope the room service breakfast is as yummy as being on a cruise, I do enjoy my morning tea looking out at sea from my peaceful balcony.

Notreallyhappy · 21/02/2022 18:44

It's a lot if money for not all that.

You can't get by the pool let alone in it.
The Jacuzzis are tiny so your upclose with two strangers.
The sunbeds are fag paper close to each other
The food is OK, but not all lush and lobster unless you pay extra for some restaurants.
Entertainment is mostly theatre style so sat for an hour then off you go.
Unless you want to go and see pics or Florence of a football stadium just once, getting off at port is pointless...if you've paid for a drinks package it's sort of worth the money, but I've did struggle to drink 15 glasses of wine a day 🤣

I've been with p&o twice..12K I'll never get back

Franticbutterfly · 21/02/2022 18:44

Have a word with yourself. Build yourself up, don't try to mentally pull people down, it won't make you happier!

mizzo · 21/02/2022 18:49

I probably would go on a very short cruise if it was free, but just so I could store up anecdotes of how grim it was to share with the family

Yes! I might go on a cruise just so I can officially say that I don't like cruises.
I don't enjoy hotels, buffets, the vast majority of shows, having to share a pool with strangers on holiday or having to be stuck in my room or on a balcony in the evening because the children are asleep.
I think I can confidently say I wouldn't enjoy a cruise but cruise enthusiasts never seem to believe me.

Turningacornernow · 21/02/2022 18:56

I’ve been on cruises and don’t recognise the picture being painted by many posters (who obviously haven’t cruised, so don’t know what they’re talking about).

It’s just a holiday, why the vitriol? The guests are mainly well heeled as you need to be to afford a cruise. It’s the same sort of crowd you get at Centre parcs which is beloved by mumsnet! Fairly middle class holiday, nowt like Butlins!

HootOwl · 21/02/2022 18:57

@EdithRea

I have never once even thought about people on cruises.

I might get jealous of people who go on real holidays, but if I wanted to stay in a windowless room and then hang out with people without personalities, I'd sleep in my bathroom then have dinner with my parents.

🤣🤣🤣
Turningacornernow · 21/02/2022 19:00

@Notreallyhappy I hated cruising with P&O. Only line I’d never sail on again. Loved Norwegian, Celebrity, MSC and Costa though. So don’t write off cruising on the experience with P&O as it’s a very different product to the other lines.

Flingingmelon · 21/02/2022 19:04

Just back from my first - and last - cruise.

There's no escape!

Puzzledandpissedoff · 21/02/2022 19:09

It’s just a holiday, why the vitriol?

I've often thought there's a bit of a hangover from the days when it was mainly for the posh and/or very rich
It's not any more - in fact with a decent deal you can spend less than on a land based holiday when you consider what's included - but still the image persists in some quarters

It's probably also why you get so much fnarr-fnarring over the occasional noro outbreak, when you'd never hear the same about affected hospitals, jails, etc.

mizzo · 21/02/2022 19:23

It’s the same sort of crowd you get at Centre parcs which is beloved by mumsnet!
This isn't selling it!! Centre Parcs is like stepford holidays, but at I suppose least there you only pay for the bits you want to do and you don't have to go to a buffet.

CounsellorTroi · 21/02/2022 19:29

[quote Turningacornernow]@Notreallyhappy I hated cruising with P&O. Only line I’d never sail on again. Loved Norwegian, Celebrity, MSC and Costa though. So don’t write off cruising on the experience with P&O as it’s a very different product to the other lines.[/quote]
I went on the Oriana 20 years ago and it was great. Lovely spacious ship with loads of public space. But then they took out a lot of space to shove in more cabins and a Marco Pierre White restaurant. Nowadays I prefer smaller ships with around 800 passengers. I wouldn’t go on a floating apartment block with thousands of passengers.

CounsellorTroi · 21/02/2022 19:31

@mizzo

It’s the same sort of crowd you get at Centre parcs which is beloved by mumsnet! This isn't selling it!! Centre Parcs is like stepford holidays, but at I suppose least there you only pay for the bits you want to do and you don't have to go to a buffet.
You don’t have to go to a buffet on a cruise either.
BatshitCrazyWoman · 21/02/2022 20:12

To those saying there's no seasickness - I feel sick on any kind of boat, even the thought is making me 🤢🤢

Original poster
Sportslady44 · 21/02/2022 20:48

Yep imagine being sick and nor being able to get off.

OP posts:
Fizbosshoes · 21/02/2022 20:51

Nowadays I prefer smaller ships with around 800 passengers. I wouldn’t go on a floating apartment block with thousands of passengers.

I find the idea of 800 passengers pretty mind boggling in itself! (But I guess they're fairly spread out......)

milkyaqua · 21/02/2022 21:13

You really need to watch the original 70s movie, The Poseidon Adventure.

GettingStuffed · 21/02/2022 21:21

DH has always wanted to go on a tall ship cruise I might possibly agree with him.

DolphinFC · 21/02/2022 21:40

I've been on a few cruises.

I've throughly enjoyed them and am keen to do more!

I like the food, the environment, we pick and choose which entertainment we see and enjoy seeing a little bit of other countries.

cakewitch · 21/02/2022 22:00

No, I do not. I've been on a short one and I'd never do it again. Especially now.

PinkPiranha11 · 21/02/2022 22:05

Urgh you’d have to pay me to go on a cruise. Someone I know on FB is always on them and they have these awful tacky professional photos done before dinner. In one she had elbow length white gloves on and the baby was wearing a mini tuxedo 🙈🤣

HootOwl · 21/02/2022 22:08

@PinkPiranha11

Urgh you’d have to pay me to go on a cruise. Someone I know on FB is always on them and they have these awful tacky professional photos done before dinner. In one she had elbow length white gloves on and the baby was wearing a mini tuxedo 🙈🤣
Oh wow! 😆😆😆😆 And it wasn't an ironic joke?

Who is manufacturing tuxedos for babies? 🙈 Niche market I would never have known existed if not for your post. 🤣