Do you get jealous of people who go on cruises

[Sportslady44]

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.

[quote EpicGem]@CounsellorTroi I think the problem is that the more "naff" ones are the ones that advertise the most on TV. P&O seem to be the worst offender in that department. Their ads do make it look how people think cruising is. And once you've got that stereotype in your mind, why would you want to discover whether it's true or not?
If all I knew about cruising came from P&O adverts, I'd have never booked my first one.[/quote]
Yes you’re right. Royal Caribbean also advertise a fair bit and they tend to have the floating apartment blocks.

@buddylicious just about the only main cruise line which still offers only fixed dining in the main dining room is Cunard, and yes they allocate tables, so if you opt to share you'll be with the same people

Frankly I'm amazed they've not yet changed to a version of "freedom dining" where you turn up and sit when and where you want, but anyway it's not a problem if the company's poor - you just have a word with the Maitre d' and they'll move you

That said, in hundreds of meals I've only had to do it once; people are various, but most are there to enjoy themselves and it shows

Last one I was on (and I tend to use that line again) only family and friend groups were sharing tables in the main dining room, most of the tables were for two and you could wander in when you wanted. It was the first time we actually went to the buffet a few times as well, because that was fabulous too.

On our first cruise (Norwegian, Caribbean, 1990), we were on a table with 3 other couples, also in their early 20s. We had a great time. It wasn't forced or awkward. We didn't do anything else with them on the cruise.

On our Med cruises, we have filled a table with just our family, so didn't sit with others for dinner.

On the odd times we had lunch on board, with the girls doing their own thing, we did sit with other people. I remember a lovely, gentle, Geordie couple in their 90s - I love old people and their wisdom and history. They stayed on the ship, because of mobility issues, but also because they had been in all the ports before. They loved sitting with us too.

@DetMcNulty

Yes, and thought it was a lot of whataboutery. Why add to something we know is a problem ( global supply chains) with a wholly unnecessary industry. I don't love in uk, we don't tend to import out of season food, and I try to avoid imported goods, but there's a limit what one can do as a consumer, going on a cruise is hardly a necessity.

Planes are bad too, but not on same scale per km and I'm all for reducing air travel too.

The fuel oil that ships use is in surplus.

I'd hate it OP, all I can imagine is one person with noro or COVID or whatever touches one thing in the buffet, and they take everyone else down with them...crowded, plus you can't get away from everyone else. I'd love to be out on the sea though.

I’m not sure if anyone has made the point about cruises being a great holiday for extroverts but not for introverts (like me!). I enjoy peaceful, quiet holiday locations, which include a quiet, spacious room to watch tv and eat on my own in the evening I know that a cruise holiday would be a complete sensory overload for me to deal with, but I completely understand why others enjoy them so much.

A cruise would be my idea of a holiday from hell. Would much rather go camping to be honest.

@Knittingchamp

I'd hate it OP, all I can imagine is one person with noro or COVID or whatever touches one thing in the buffet, and they take everyone else down with them...crowded, plus you can't get away from everyone else. I'd love to be out on the sea though.

I think if there is Norovirus on board, all the food in the buffet is served by crew.

I don't get this idea of crowds. Maybe I am just good at avoiding them.

@Crumbleburntbits

I’m not sure if anyone has made the point about cruises being a great holiday for extroverts but not for introverts (like me!). I enjoy peaceful, quiet holiday locations, which include a quiet, spacious room to watch tv and eat on my own in the evening I know that a cruise holiday would be a complete sensory overload for me to deal with, but I completely understand why others enjoy them so much.

It doesn't have to be.

There are plenty of opportunities not to engage with others.

I am fairly introvert, and I am most content with my Kindle and a mojito on the promenade deck.

@UnUdderOne

Urgh, I'd rather stay at home.

We'd prefer that too. ;)

God no!! It would be the last holiday I would go on! Too many people in too small a space. Limited freedom to do what you want, to wander off and follow a whim - down that pretty street, into that interesting restaurant. No chance to properly explore and get to know a destination at all.

Clearly some people like them though!

Unless it's a pollution free oil, that somehow helps the ships avoid turtles and dolphins, not sure why that matters.

@halbejqgwjdhsjshdkdhdj

Cruise ships are destroying Venice. The 3xcess water pushed through the canal system when the massive ships come in is causing Venice's beautiful buildings to basically waste away. There is a really good documentary on it. Many homes and buildings first floors are unusable as they flood frequently and are unsafe. Draining a canal and fixing the buildings will cost a ridiculous amount of money, but tourism is Venice main source of income so what is there to do?

The tide comes in and out twice a day in Venice. The canals are not by any means stagnant.

Venice floods regularly - it is called acqua alta. It's been happening for centuries.

The giant cruise boats are not allowed into the Guidecca, and even the smaller ones adhere to a strict speed limit and use pilots, to minimise draft.

This thread is weird. Why are loads of people posting inaccurate information about an experience they’ve never had. I don’t recognise most of the cons on here, as a sometime cruiser.

Would you ask someone who’s never set foot in your town for a local restaurant recommendation? Or someone who has never visited a spa their reflections on pros and cons of different treatments.

Such extreme reactions against what is basically just a floating hotel, with OPTIONAL activities/ crowds/ group tours.

Here’s my list of (informed) negatives of cruising....

• Small size of cabins
• Small size of swimming pools (but some ships have many to choose from and don’t get too busy)
• You’re encouraged to spend more on speciality dining to get the nicest food
• Price can be high, especially in school holidays
• If you’re scared of water, obviously you can’t escape it and a cruise would not be enjoyable. But I’ve never experienced seasickness (and I always do on ferries)
• I don’t like ports with tenders or industrial locales, so try to avoid
• All the shops/ cheesy activities/ casino don’t do anything for me, but they are easily avoided
• Queues in buffet at breakfast (only) but we get room service
• Annoucements in multiple languages on some ships (Italian lines)
• The lifeboat drill after boarding is annoying, but absolutely necessary and the kids think it’s fun.

As for the person saying they’d rather set fire to their hair than go on a holiday, get a bloody life! Bit extreme and ridiculous.

The giant cruise boats are not allowed into the Guidecca, and even the smaller ones adhere to a strict speed limit and use pilots, to minimise draft

Are you sure about the Guidecca, CraftyGin? I know there have been noises about this for a while, but didn't realise they'd actually done it?

I had to smile about even the smaller ships "sticking to the speed liit" though - it's a damned sight more than many locals do!!

@Sportslady44

what about all the good things though lol the entertainment, the being at sea, the different countries!!!

The Entertainment is shite......at least it was on the short Cruise I went on, never again, thank fuck mine was only 3 days. I hated it

Just thinking actually the only time we were ill on holiday it came from a little restaurant with a terrace in Taormina; never once have we gone on a cruise and been unwell. 🤷🏻‍♀️

No, the thought of being stuck with lots of people I'm not keen on and no way to escape is my idea of hell.
I prefer to travel independently.

A previous poster put it very well I thought, cruises and communal activities really suit extroverts, introverts not so much.

I'm the person who would not sit on a sunbed around a pool to save my life. Either I am shy and worry about what everyone might think of my wobbly bits ( I know they don't care..), or I cannot bear the competition for the best seats and being seated next to the family from hell. Probably both.

When people like me say a cruise would be their worst nightmare, it usually is true. That has nothing to do with the format, the food, the entertainment, the ports, whatever. It has a lot to do with the feeling of being herded together with others all day every day. I do realise that is optional, but a cruise to me is all about joining in and experiencing everything on board. I would have to hide in a cupboard somewhere!

So avid cruisers, please do not take it personally when people say they would not like a cruise even if they haven't experienced one. For me it is true, just the thought of it makes me unsettled. No point in going on a cruise if I have to work hard at trying to enjoy crowds and so on.

Good luck to those who really enjoy them. I wouldn't.

@Craftygin

The giant cruise boats are not allowed into the Guidecca, and even the smaller ones adhere to a strict speed limit and use pilots, to minimise draft.

Rather disingenuous as the Guidecca ban only happened this year.

@Truegreen

This thread is weird. Why are loads of people posting inaccurate information about an experience they’ve never had. I don’t recognise most of the cons on here, as a sometime cruiser.

Would you ask someone who’s never set foot in your town for a local restaurant recommendation? Or someone who has never visited a spa their reflections on pros and cons of different treatments.

Such extreme reactions against what is basically just a floating hotel, with OPTIONAL activities/ crowds/ group tours.

Here’s my list of (informed) negatives of cruising....

• Small size of cabins
• Small size of swimming pools (but some ships have many to choose from and don’t get too busy)
• You’re encouraged to spend more on speciality dining to get the nicest food
• Price can be high, especially in school holidays
• If you’re scared of water, obviously you can’t escape it and a cruise would not be enjoyable. But I’ve never experienced seasickness (and I always do on ferries)
• I don’t like ports with tenders or industrial locales, so try to avoid
• All the shops/ cheesy activities/ casino don’t do anything for me, but they are easily avoided
• Queues in buffet at breakfast (only) but we get room service
• Annoucements in multiple languages on some ships (Italian lines)
• The lifeboat drill after boarding is annoying, but absolutely necessary and the kids think it’s fun.

a. We’ve all been on ferries though and cruise ships are basically just larger more luxurious versions of ferries. Bigger cabins, better food, more entertainment etc.

b. We’ve all got friends who decided to defy their expectations and try it, and it was every bit as ghastly as they thought it would be, if not worse.

A cruise liner is nothing like a ferry though!

a. We’ve all been on ferries though and cruise ships are basically just larger more luxurious versions of ferries. Bigger cabins, better food, more entertainment etc.

Bit like saying you know what the Orient Express would be like because it’s just a bigger more luxurious version of Network Sourh East.