I think cruising is the type of holiday you either love or hate - there is very little in between, but not everyone does like the same type of holiday. I can always tell the people who have never set foot on a cruise ship or even really spoken to someone with a lot of experience of them because the statements people come out with are so far removed from my experience of cruise ships.
For the record, I don't like package holidays or busy resorts, I don't like crowded shopping centres, I don't like places too busy and I don't like "organised fun". I like my space, I like freedom to do things I want, I like posh food and I like peace and quiet and getting away from the crowd. Based on many comments on here, I should hate cruises, right?
I LOVE cruises. They are NOT like Butlins or even close. The ones I have been on have been larger ships - lots of people but I have loved every second, and met some amazing people who have become great friends.
I have never struggled to find quiet spots to relax or felt like the volume of people on board was an issue. Trust me - that would be one of the main things that would've put me off. I am keenly aware of when I am surrounded by too many people and too much noise.
The food on the ships I have been on has been amazing - lots of variety, and some Michelin star quality restaurants as well.
The cabins I've had have been lovely and I've had no complaints about them at all.
I have never felt like any of it was "organised fun". Yes, there are activities on board that you can participate in if that is your type of thing, and there is a wide variety too, but unless you actively seek it out and sign up for it, you never notice it. It is literally up to you how much or how little you do on a cruise holiday.
The excursions - I have never booked one or gone with a tour guide. I usually get off at ports that interest me and have a relaxing day doing my own thing, eating in local restaurants and perhaps making my own way via local transport to any "sights" or points of interest that I particularly want to see.
I often view the stops at ports as an opportunity to check out a place and consider if I may want to book a longer holiday to that particular place. There are a few on my list as a result of visiting on a cruise.
There is something for everyone - I'm not one for sitting in the sun, but I usually find myself a relaxing spot and, as someone who finds it hard to relax generally, cruises are the one place I have always ended up managing to properly relax, read loads of books, enjoy some sea breeze and really feel like I've escaped from the world.
If you like to be active, aside from getting off and exploring at the ports, the ships I've been on have had very impressive gyms. There are usually nice spas as well if you enjoy that type of thing.
The cruises I have been on have not been tacky at all (I hate that sort of thing too!) - in fact quite the opposite.
Yes, some cruise lines and ships have different vibes but I'd be the first to admit that my perception of cruises before I went on them was so far removed from the experience. I love them - my favourite type of holiday. Of course, they're not for everyone, but then life would be boring if everyone liked the same things.