Take a Cruise?

We are not a cruising family, no interest at all.

Right now I'm with my daughter in Miami and today was nice just to sit at the beach, soak up some rays and just chill out! We have this same plan for tomorrow!!

I like the beach, listening to the ocean and smelling the ocean air. It does my body good but not so much for my hair ( lol )

I was on a cruise in the Bahamas. The islands are lovely but if I went again it would be via plane. Shortly after the ship left the dock, I learned that I get horrifically seasick even in calm waters. I spent the entire time on board sleeping, throwing up, or wishing I was dead. It was really hard to force myself to re-board after being on land.

Pick a place you've always wanted to see and fly there. Maybe that place isn't somewhere cruises go so you haven't considered it yet.

It depends on what you like to do on your vacations. My DH loves cruises. He is in heaven in a lounge chair on the deck, reading a book, with a drink in hand. I can do this for a day - and then I'm bored. I like to go to new places and see them - rent a car for a day, drive around, eat new foods at local places, see how the people live and what they do. So, are you a relaxer, or a doer?

I really enjoy cruises. I think it's a great way to see different places without having to pack up and make travel plans between cities. The food is usually pretty good - sometimes excellent, depending on the cruise line - and you can eat as much as you want. The spas are great if you enjoy massages, pedicures, etc. Many cruise lines have good evening entertainment, such as broadway-style shows, comedians, magic acts, movies, and more. You can gamble in casinos on many lines and play Bingo on all of them. They have all kinds of classes and lectures, like wine tasting, art, ship tours, and more. they have pools, gyms (often with classes), running tracks, and many have things like basketball, rock climbing, golf, etc. I feel like they have a really good mix of activities for people of all ages.

I've done cruises in the Mediterranean, Alaska, Mexican Riveria (west coast) and Caribbean and I really enjoyed them all.

We did a cruise in 2013 with our kids and it was hands down the best vacation we have EVER taken. DO IT!!! We were so relaxed, connected as a family like we never have before, and stopped at some amazing ports.

I would highly recommend against the Bahama's though. I have yet to meet one person who has gone, who has a desire to go back. In fact, when I am researching future cruises for our family, I specifically look to avoid the Bahama's. Find ports you are seriously interested in visiting and go. Bermuda is a GREAT option - I haven't cruised there, but I lived there for 3 years and it's an amazing island!

My favorite thing about cruises, is not having to cook and clean! You are truly on vacation. Yes, I'd do it again but I'd make sure the ports of call were places I was really interested in. The ones we went on weren't the most exciting destinations...

ETA per Jill K's response: Oh yeah, if you are the type to get seasick, it will be miserable. One of our party got very seasick and had to go to the onboard hospital, so it was lucky that part of the voyage was in the Alaska inner passage where the waters were calm, or she would have been miserable for the whole voyage.

Orig. response: I'm so happy for this question!

I was never a cruise person. When I think of travel, I usually think of a more eclectic experience. However, I went on my first cruise last year, and it was a blast.

I don't think of being on a cruise as real "travel." To me it's not really a way to truly experience foreign places. A cruise is essentially a floating hotel with all the amenities. Think of it as a time to be completely hedonistic. There is non-stop entertainment, some of it goofy -- kind of like the games they play in summer camp -- but if you're into goofy entertainment, it's really fun. There are also musicians, revues, magicians, etc. You can pretty much keep busy all day long, if you want to. Or you can just eat and drink.

It's incredibly relaxing, because you don't have to do anything. Everything you could ever want is provided. The staff were amazing, and I have never felt so pampered and taken care of. I expect there are some crappy cruises, but I was extremely happy with my Princess cruise. I will definitely do it again.

And p.s. We had the interior room, which was much cheaper, but even though it was tiny, it was really nice. Since I wasn't with my husband, I didn't need to spend a lot of time in the room having sex or anything, so there was no need for a balcony. With husband, maybe it would be worth paying the extra for a balcony.

Do it! We love to cruise! There is something for everyone and you can stay busy, or just do nothing. Food is plentiful and the different ports are fun and exciting. You meet other people if that is your thing, or can keep to yourself.
I am a fan of the Bahamas! Love the water and cool, laid back vibe! You can get a day pass to Atlantis and use their facilties or take a cab to Cable Beach if you want to spend time jetskiing/soaking up the sun/gambling. I have even flown to the Bahamas and stayed there and loved the people and atmosphere. The straw market can be hot and over-bearing, but it is an experience.
I like Jamaica for the same reasons, but definitelty recommend booking a tour to the gardens or Falls, and not just walking around town. Did not feel safe there. Grand Cayman is beautiful and parts of Cozumel are fun too. Was not impressed with Belize, but St Thomas and St. Maarten are great.
Would highly recommend Bermuda too.
Or consider an all-inclusive resort. Depends on what you like to do.
Good luck!

I was on a cruise in a smaller vessel on the Mediterranean.sea. I would definitely cruise again if I could afford it. By smaller, I mean a few hundred passengers instead of thousands. Our ship wasn't a small town. It was more like a small village With limited activities. The main attraction for me were the land excursions. I love history. I saw places i'd read about. We spent at least a day in each stop. We were in Rome for 3 days.

Perhaps if you found a cruise that could excite your interests you would be more enthusiatic. perhaps a Bahamian cruise would be similar to where you've vacationed and isn't a big enough change to catch your interest. Or maybe you're not all that interested in the Bahamas. Or you like to do the same vacation and a cruise is too different.I suggest you find out why you're not wanting to cruise and then plan a way that suits your interests or weather desires or size of ship which would then help you get excited. Is it possible you're stuck in a rut or life is boring. If so, find a way to make your life more fun at home. Get excitement going that can carry over to a cruise.

I have been on two and loved them both. However, it seems like in the years since we cruised, there have been lots of mishaps with cruise ships and I've started to think that I probably won't do another one. I consider myself very lucky that all went well on the two we took.

I can't imagine being stuck on a cruise ship with no water, food running low, etc.

i keep thinking i'd like to try it too. but when the rubber meets the road, i always end up coming down on the side of spending more time at the destination and less time getting there.
maybe i should just do a cruise to nowhere.
very interested in reading the responses!
:) khairete
S.

So my family loves going on cruises. It works so well with the kids, although I know that's not what you are looking for here.

The cruises we have been on are great for relaxing and sightseeing both. Usually the cruise will plan to dock in the morning, allowing you to spend the whole day at port - sometimes if it's an especially popular port with lots to do they will dock over night and give you two days. Then they use sleeping time to get to the next stop.

If you have "at sea" days they are usually your first day getting to your first port, or heading home. They are usually welcome to begin your vacation with a down day, and end your vacation with a down day.

Cruises will offer excursions so if you don't want to plan your transportation, directions, destinations, meals while sightseeing they will do it all for you as a group. If you want to get off the boat and do your own thing, that is fine too. One word of advise - reserve any rental cars for any ports well before the cruise. Chances are you won't be able to get off the boat and have a rental car waiting for you w/o a reservation.

We would definitely go again and have it booked already. I'd give it a try.

Yes. And Yes.
A two hour flight from your house to Houston will have you leaving out of Galveston.
We went on a 4 day cruise (my first), it was a blast.

No way! Too many horror stories about everyone getting Norovirus, or being stranded in the middle of nowhere and having to get on lifeboats. No thanks!

Take some Bonine with you! You don't want to be sick over the side of the boat the whole time, or gorked out with Dramamine.

If you go off-boat in a port, make sure that you don't go down side streets away from other people.

Make sure you understand the costs in regards to food and drink and tip. There are people who think that it's all included and get a nasty surprise at the end of the cruise. Better to really understand up front.