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.

We were in Antigua recently and the cruise people literally just hung out by the port was so weird, didn’t actually get chance to see the beautiful island. Just don’t get it at all. Pick a country and visit it! Also agree with the “floating shopping centre” post. And the rooms are tiny and grim

The one thing you can guarantee with a cruise ship is your timetable is not your own, your ability to be spontaneous is limited and when you do make landfall its always going to be busy due to everyone else on your boat doing the same
See, this is very wrong. I never go on outings with the cruise company. I do my own. We've taken the local buses on Carribbean islands, went with the locals and loved it. I always do my research before and go to places which are tourists trapped. Yes you have to go back at a certain time but that's the compromise to being able to see many different places I wouldn't otherwise. I've gone back to the island I preferred for a week.

But if something doesn't appeal at all why include it in that variety
You absolutely don't have too. The issue is the reasons people are giving which are stereotypes and not representative to the deity at least it doesn't have too.

I hate crowds, I hate mass tourism, I hate being told what to do. The point is that my experience of cruising hasn't involved any of it.

I've not experienced any of the issues people raised as why they wouldn't go.

Of course there will be people who have gone and not like it for various reasons, who might have enjoyed another type of cruising or not at all.

But the majority of posters coming up with why they know they'd hate it are oy going my stereotypes that are just that,very remote from the reality of cruising.

As for luxury, it's like everything, you need to look for good deals. Most of my cruises has coated less than a similar holiday in one place when adding everything up at the end.

I have been on a charter a few times and also a private jet. Never felt jealous or wanting, just grateful. Holiday wise I couldn't think of anything worse. Its a package holiday on a boat.

It’s a ship not a boat.

I love a cruise. I book excursions direct with local tour guides. Never had a problem getting back to the ship on time. Never had noro. Have had lovely clean and modern cabins. Food has been excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed myself and I have never felt cramped or crowded. That said, I do book smaller ships, not the mega cruise lines.

Boat shmoat

@Hillarious

I absolutely love the idea of visiting different places/cities with all the responsibility for the organisation and travel being done by someone else. I just don't fancy spending two weeks in an enclosed space with the kind of people who go on cruises.

What? People like me and my family? Responsible adults with good kids. A family who work full time, have a mortgage, kids in school and enjoy a holiday when they can save for it? May be a a bit like.....you?

There is very little alternative to being at sea where you won’t be in a confined space. That’s just boats for you.
At least a cruise ship does offer space to move around.

People have even been sneery at hotels as clearly camping in the wild is the only acceptable way to be an independent traveller. How does that work if you wanted to see what Barcelona or Rome offer?
Yes a villa and private pool make for a brilliant holiday but you are still stuck in one place. And it’s expensive, you need to get food in or pay for meals out etc .Pros and cons to everything.

Other people’s choices are just that. A cruise can be Butlins as sea or just a way to get some sun and see the major sights. Have the sneery people not seen Big Ben, Eiffel Tower, Sangrada Familar, the Colosseum, Pompeii etc because they are tourist traps?

I loved the cruise we went on. My kids had an amazing time and it was great for me given my anxiety. We cant wait to go again

I don’t recognise the stereotypes of cruise passengers on this thread

FWIW, I’m a Cambridge educated, well paid senior manager in the civil service and I enjoy cruises. I’m into culture and seeing ‘real places’. I have also enjoyed backpacking in Asia/Africa/ South America. Very well travelled and hate holiday resorts.

I appreciate lots of people wouldn’t want to go on a cruise, but so many people posting on this thread are wrong about the average person who goes on a cruise and what the experience is like. Also if you haven’t cruised in the last decade, or only went on one line, I don’t think you can extrapolate from your experience.

The only thing I do feel guilty about is environmental impact and for this reason, I don’t go on holiday often (every 3 years).

I don’t recognise the stereotypes of cruise passengers on this thread

IME it can depend where you go from; Southampton departures really can be "resthomes at sea" with some lines, not least because the very aged and sick either can't or won't fly, and double that if it's a cruise around the British Isles

Which is at least partly why I prefer fly cruises ...

@Puzzledandpissedoff

I don’t recognise the stereotypes of cruise passengers on this thread

IME it can depend where you go from; Southampton departures really can be "resthomes at sea" with some lines, not least because the very aged and sick either can't or won't fly, and double that if it's a cruise around the British Isles

Which is at least partly why I prefer fly cruises ...

Me too.

Ah, good work, even more environmental impact in one go, so now even less sure about your previous post and reference to the impact of flights.

@DetMcNulty

Ah, good work, even more environmental impact in one go, so now even less sure about your previous post and reference to the impact of flights.

It's called a fly cruise because the cruise lines typically want you to buy flights to the start of the cruise with them. If you're cruising from mainland Europe, there's nothing stopping you getting a train instead. There's also a time element, if all Caribbean cruises departed from non Caribbean ports (Southampton for UK cruisers), only the super rich would be able to go on them as it would be 2 weeks just getting to and from the cruise destination, the cost would be astronomical, and you'd have a heavier environmental impact than flying passengers to and from the Caribbean for a weeklong cruise. Doing fly cruises in the Caribbean also enables cruise lines to cater to a larger market of travellers, they aren't limited to, say the UK market. Because who in the US want's to fly to the UK to start a cruise to the Caribbean, when there's a line offering the same cruise with either no flight (US departure) or a shorter flight? Same with a Med cruise, why would any European want to fly to the US to start a cruise when there's European lines offering departures from Barcelona or Civitavecchia?

Kind of glad to see this thread - if so many people hate the thought of cruises, they might become cheaper for those of us that love them!

I completely understand those who say they hate the thought of being "trapped" on water/ have a fear of deep water - there is admittedly no getting away from that, as you will likely spend your nights at least travelling over the water. Equally I understand those with a really strong fear of seasickness - although imo it's much less likely than you might think, it's obviously always going to be a risk just like turbulence on flights (although anecdotally I often struggle on ferries but I've been on lots of cruises to different places and only had seasickness once - was unlucky with very bad weather that night).

But as for the rest... A small ship with less than 100 people spending a full day, everyday visiting small islands/obscure ports which can't be as easily accessed in other ways is going to be a very different experience than a 3000 plus person "all singing, all dancing" (climbing walls, ice rink, surf pool, waterslides, aerial shows etc) ship that is supposed to be an "experience" in itself so might have lots of sea days.

Most people wouldn't compare the experience of staying in a tiny "exclusive" boutique hotel/B&B in the middle of countryside to a huge mass market chain hotel in a big city would they? I think with cruising there can be something for everybody - both destinations and cruise line/ship wise. It is just dependant on getting your research right (and admittedly your budget!)

[quote Turningacornernow]This is a fairly accurate account of a modern cruise, from blogger on ship right now. It’s on MSC on a big ship, family friendly, mid market. International crowd and kids sail free.

boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2830872-cruise-critic-heading-out-on-seashore-on-219-what-do-you-want-to-know/[/quote]
Lol, those "daily programmes" sound horrific. Not a single thing on there I'd want to be involved in. And compulsory briefings at 10am?!? On holiday? Nope.

The beach photos look nice but then that is what people could be doing for their whole holiday if they were not on a ship in the middle of the sea.

The food looks average and rather boring.

@vivainsomnia

Am I right in thinking that you have to share a dinner table with others (the same people every night) Of course not, at least not on any of the cruises I've been on. They do what you ask. A bit table, a small table, by a window, by the door. You decide. I would never want to eat with strangers.

This thread is a tally really good. It shows how ignorant people are about cruises. Almost all the reasons cited are not relevant.

This is fine though, there are enough people cruising already and living it, we don't need anymore to make prices go up.!

They do what you ask? So they'll take me to a secluded cove to sunbathe and swim without other tourists there each day? And keep everyone else on board then let me go back to my cabin at midnight each night having had a nice meal out in a local restaurant?

Doubt it. 🤣

Lol, those "daily programmes" sound horrific. Not a single thing on there I'd want to be involved in. And compulsory briefings at 10am?!? On holiday? Nope.

The daily programme only lists what's available that day. None of it is compulsory. The "compulsory daily briefing" is only for those who missed the muster drill on embarkation day. If you were at that, you don't go to the daily briefing.

The beach photos look nice but then that is what people could be doing for their whole holiday if they were not on a ship in the middle of the sea.

Not everyone wants to spend their entire holiday at the same beach/resort. Not all cruises go from beach to beach. As I'm not into beach holidays, I don't do Caribbean cruises as most lines (MSC included) include at least one day at their own island/resort where all there is is a beach or a bar. It's also usually the only port that isn't a tender port and if I'm getting off a ship I want to go sightsee, not sit on a beach or a bar.

The food looks average and rather boring.

It's MSC, you don't cruise with them for the food. You cruise with them because they're cheaper than other lines on the same route.

Also, MSC are bargain basement. Equivalent of the cheaper end of package holidays. You cruise with them because you can't afford the more expensive lines. They aren't mid market (though they claim to be). For those confused, let me explain:

Lower cost major cruise lines: Costa, MSC, Carnival. Probably a few more, but these are from experience and where I'd put them. Aimed to the lower end of the market, usually large mid to large ships. You'll find a mix of families and young people (think US college age) on these cruises. The quality of the food ranges from abysmal to average at best.

Mid range major lines: P&O (Australian and UK), Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America. These lines cost more, usually have more activities onboard and a mix of mid to large sized ships. The food is (usually) better than the cheaper lines, you won't find abysmal here. Some lines have Broadway quality entertainment. You find a mix of families and people around 30+ on these ships in general.

High/luxury end major lines: Regent, Seabourn, Oceania. These lines have small ships (under 1,000 passengers), you won't find a room category below a suite on these ships. There isn't much in the way of entertainment, though you'll find lectures on various things. As the ships are smaller than other lines they can dock in ports the larger ships can't. The food is (usually) amazing. Also, you'll normally find an older demographic on these lines, think 50+ and you're unlikely to find families with young children as these lines don't offer anything aimed at children.

Cunard ships aren't small enough to really fit in the luxury/high end bracket, however the experience (and some of the pricing) is above mid range, so they kind of have their own little niche of the market. Not expensive enough for luxury, but too luxurious for mid range.

This list is from my own experience (and research) and others might disagree with it.

That's a really good summary of some of the biggest/major lines imo @EpicGem - thank you.

Obviously if people have the budget you can find really small ships/boutique lines too - think ones specialising in going to places like the the Galapagos' or the Hebridean line to travel round the Scots isles, or there are also things like Clipper style boats doing med island tours.

But even on the major mid budget lines there can be big differences depending on time of year/ship/destination - you just need to have a hard think what would suit you best. For example, while I've been on a few different mid budget lines, lots of people here have said they hate P and O for some reason? A trip on big family friendly Britannia/Ventura/Azura in the summer holidays to the Med with lots of sea days would be a very different experience to an end of season trip on Arcadia/Aurora around the Baltic or especially the Fjords - not near as many people, usually only a couple of sea days, many ports generally walkable from ship (so often no need for a shuttle, let alone a ship's tour) and personally like lots of others here I prefer to wander on foot or go on public transport around the villages/town, having lunch locally and visiting museums, churches etc.

Thankfully things like sailaway parties, bars, overpriced shops, the entertainment etc aren't mandatory - we rarely do them. Instead we have a late afternoon/eve swim on board after the usual 7/8 hours or so of exploring around the town (sunbathers have usually gone by then) then a leisurely late dinner (on a table by ourselves if we want, and no dressing up if we do the buffet on "formal" night instead), then a drink on the balcony planning what we want to see at the next destination while watching the cliffs and waterfalls go by before bed.

I probably don't want to encourage people as I'd love the costs to go down - especially as we basically use the ships as a base to sleep, have breakfast/dinner and swim or maybe use the library on sea days - but just an example that you can make a cruise holiday suit your own tastes, even on a major/mid budget line!

@EpicGem

Lol, those "daily programmes" sound horrific. Not a single thing on there I'd want to be involved in. And compulsory briefings at 10am?!? On holiday? Nope.

The daily programme only lists what's available that day. None of it is compulsory. The "compulsory daily briefing" is only for those who missed the muster drill on embarkation day. If you were at that, you don't go to the daily briefing.

The beach photos look nice but then that is what people could be doing for their whole holiday if they were not on a ship in the middle of the sea.

Not everyone wants to spend their entire holiday at the same beach/resort. Not all cruises go from beach to beach. As I'm not into beach holidays, I don't do Caribbean cruises as most lines (MSC included) include at least one day at their own island/resort where all there is is a beach or a bar. It's also usually the only port that isn't a tender port and if I'm getting off a ship I want to go sightsee, not sit on a beach or a bar.

The food looks average and rather boring.

It's MSC, you don't cruise with them for the food. You cruise with them because they're cheaper than other lines on the same route.

Also, MSC are bargain basement. Equivalent of the cheaper end of package holidays. You cruise with them because you can't afford the more expensive lines. They aren't mid market (though they claim to be). For those confused, let me explain:

Lower cost major cruise lines: Costa, MSC, Carnival. Probably a few more, but these are from experience and where I'd put them. Aimed to the lower end of the market, usually large mid to large ships. You'll find a mix of families and young people (think US college age) on these cruises. The quality of the food ranges from abysmal to average at best.

Mid range major lines: P&O (Australian and UK), Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America. These lines cost more, usually have more activities onboard and a mix of mid to large sized ships. The food is (usually) better than the cheaper lines, you won't find abysmal here. Some lines have Broadway quality entertainment. You find a mix of families and people around 30+ on these ships in general.

High/luxury end major lines: Regent, Seabourn, Oceania. These lines have small ships (under 1,000 passengers), you won't find a room category below a suite on these ships. There isn't much in the way of entertainment, though you'll find lectures on various things. As the ships are smaller than other lines they can dock in ports the larger ships can't. The food is (usually) amazing. Also, you'll normally find an older demographic on these lines, think 50+ and you're unlikely to find families with young children as these lines don't offer anything aimed at children.

Cunard ships aren't small enough to really fit in the luxury/high end bracket, however the experience (and some of the pricing) is above mid range, so they kind of have their own little niche of the market. Not expensive enough for luxury, but too luxurious for mid range.

This list is from my own experience (and research) and others might disagree with it.

Wasn't suggesting spending an entire holiday at the same beach or a resort. 🙈😆

I live finding secluded beaches, quiet places, local restaurants. Different places every day.

Nowhere a giant cruise ship could dock though, in major ports and surrounded by the other hundreds or thousands of tourists also disembarking from said enormous ship at the same time.

@EpicGem

Lol, those "daily programmes" sound horrific. Not a single thing on there I'd want to be involved in. And compulsory briefings at 10am?!? On holiday? Nope.

The daily programme only lists what's available that day. None of it is compulsory. The "compulsory daily briefing" is only for those who missed the muster drill on embarkation day. If you were at that, you don't go to the daily briefing.

The beach photos look nice but then that is what people could be doing for their whole holiday if they were not on a ship in the middle of the sea.

Not everyone wants to spend their entire holiday at the same beach/resort. Not all cruises go from beach to beach. As I'm not into beach holidays, I don't do Caribbean cruises as most lines (MSC included) include at least one day at their own island/resort where all there is is a beach or a bar. It's also usually the only port that isn't a tender port and if I'm getting off a ship I want to go sightsee, not sit on a beach or a bar.

The food looks average and rather boring.

It's MSC, you don't cruise with them for the food. You cruise with them because they're cheaper than other lines on the same route.

Also, MSC are bargain basement. Equivalent of the cheaper end of package holidays. You cruise with them because you can't afford the more expensive lines. They aren't mid market (though they claim to be). For those confused, let me explain:

Lower cost major cruise lines: Costa, MSC, Carnival. Probably a few more, but these are from experience and where I'd put them. Aimed to the lower end of the market, usually large mid to large ships. You'll find a mix of families and young people (think US college age) on these cruises. The quality of the food ranges from abysmal to average at best.

Mid range major lines: P&O (Australian and UK), Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America. These lines cost more, usually have more activities onboard and a mix of mid to large sized ships. The food is (usually) better than the cheaper lines, you won't find abysmal here. Some lines have Broadway quality entertainment. You find a mix of families and people around 30+ on these ships in general.

High/luxury end major lines: Regent, Seabourn, Oceania. These lines have small ships (under 1,000 passengers), you won't find a room category below a suite on these ships. There isn't much in the way of entertainment, though you'll find lectures on various things. As the ships are smaller than other lines they can dock in ports the larger ships can't. The food is (usually) amazing. Also, you'll normally find an older demographic on these lines, think 50+ and you're unlikely to find families with young children as these lines don't offer anything aimed at children.

Cunard ships aren't small enough to really fit in the luxury/high end bracket, however the experience (and some of the pricing) is above mid range, so they kind of have their own little niche of the market. Not expensive enough for luxury, but too luxurious for mid range.

This list is from my own experience (and research) and others might disagree with it.

So basically, as someone with children who hates tacky stuff and lile good food, according to your post not a single cruise line could offer us a holiday that both I and my children could enjoy. Reinforcing what I thought! Thanks for the info. Most of it sounds grim.

Baltic cruise on one of the many different mid -budget lines? Most have decent food included in the price imo or you usually can pay a small supplement to eat at a wide variety of different style smaller restaurants on board. Perhaps depends on how old your kids are (and tacky is in the eye of the beholder, so you'd need to research the ships size etc, and things like whether your kids might be interested in stuff like the kids clubs on any sea days or if they would be more into the pools/Jacuzzis/films on show etc).

But it's common to visit places like Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Copenhagen, Oslo etc all on a 2 week Baltic cruise - and all those have lovely, seemingly kid friendly museums, restaurants and parks - as well as clean city beaches/outdoor swimming places where you'd be amongst the locals (we were at least and the city's are big enough imo that you don't feel overwhelmed by ship passengers). And from what I remember we were able to walk into all of them from the ships berth - although with younger kids it might be too far and you might need public transport (but there is often a regular public bus from the dock - again it's a question of research before you go).

I suppose it all depends on whether you'd prefer to spend a week/weekend in one place or visit a new city/town each day - we usually prefer the latter (and then sometimes have a weekend break later in the place if we've loved it and want to see more), but thankfully everyone is different.

@HootOwl I’m not saying there isn’t anything for you and your family. Not all cruise lines are tacky. Food is a difficult one as some people love the food on Carnival, many don’t. From what you’ve said, Holland America is probably a good fit. Most of their ships are medium sized and the consensus from other cruisers is that the food is good. There’s usually speciality restaurants on each ship in most lines and the chance to pre purchase meals at them for less than you’d pay al a carte. For example, Norwegian currently have a “free at sea” package. One of the components is 2 meals at their speciality restaurants per person. A 3 course meal at any of those restaurants can potentially cost more than just the 2 meal package alone.
I’m a fussy eater who likes good food, so the fact I’ve cruised more than once with Norwegian should tell you that the food is good. I also don’t do tacky and never have (my parents had to bribe me with a pony trek to get me to spend one morning at a kids club on a family holiday. I lasted 5 minutes and went back to our accommodation).
As I said, my list is based on my own experiences and research. You can find amazing food on mid range lines. You can equally end up having bad food on a luxury line. You’ll be very, very lucky (lottery winning odds) if you get amazing food on the low cost lines.

Still a no from me, I live by the ocean and am in it pretty much every day, we get dolphins swimming with us paddle boarding, and I think if you saw that and genuinely love the sea and the creatures in it, cruising could never be for you.