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What is the Appeal of these mega cruises?

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I was on a cruise once. And, I am NEVER going on one again.

The food is slimey. The people are pretty animalistic. And everything is pretty cramped.

And, if I wanted to see a country, I would just go there. Not hop on/off from a floating bucket of scum.
 
Newell Steamer said:
I was on a cruise once. And, I am NEVER going on one again.

The food is slimey. The people are pretty animalistic. And everything is pretty cramped.

And, if I wanted to see a country, I would just go there. Not hop on/off from a floating bucket of scum.
Click to expand...

What ship?
 
nickbits said:
What ship?
Click to expand...


SS Minnow



boat_minnow.jpg
 
I thought it was about the booze and the sites, but there doesn't seem to be free booze so who knows.
 
My wife and I have been on a few before and we took the kids on our last one and we loved it.

Here's some of the things we enjoyed last time:

pools
Orient Beach, St. Martin
face painting
mini-golf
rock climbing
ice skating
ice show
Hairspray!
Dance show
donut shop
24/7 pizza shop
high diving show
arcade/skee-ball
ping pong
bingo
karaoke

Things I wanted to try but didn't get around to it:

onboard zip-line
flowrider
 
blackdogdeek said:
My wife and I have been on a few before and we took the kids on our last one and we loved it.

Here's some of the things we enjoyed last time:

pools
Orient Beach, St. Martin
face painting
mini-golf
rock climbing
ice skating
ice show
Hairspray!
Dance show
donut shop
24/7 pizza shop
high diving show
arcade/skee-ball
ping pong
bingo
karaoke
Click to expand...
That sounds somewhat painful to me. To each his own I guess. Maybe my little kid would like some of it too, but it doesn't mean I'd be gung ho for it.
 
Think we were on the Explorer of the Seas almost 10 years ago. Indoor skating rink, surfing, rock climbing, and all. Royal is one of the better cruise lines in our experience. Food was great, service excellent. Good time on the Caribbean islands. We had our fill of cruising and haven't been on one in the last 3 years. We took 2 year olds on Norwegian that just wasn't a good experience but it wasn't because of the kids, but because of the ship itself. Choppy waters and a lot of nauseated people too. Room next door to us had some draft making howling noises all night. Also a water leak on our floor somewhere. Ship was older too and didn't have as much amenities.

Generally, cruising is not "crowded" - they often have to sell cabins at much lower rates just to fill them. Don't have to buy a thing in any shop. Yes it's dangerous to let your kids out of sight. People do disappear and you don't know if they're in the ocean. Tourist traps are tourist areas for a reason. Nobody wants to see the slums of Cancun or Grand Cayman. Some places are downright dangerous away from port. And nobody said you had to book at the higher rates on the ship though - you get much better rates if you book yourself after getting there.
 
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Cruises are great for places that have limited attractions, and of course are immediately next to port. Its great for the Caribbean. Most islands you can see enough during the time you do have. European cruises- not so much. Most stuff is a couple hour drive from ports and you really need more time.

So what's great? Lots of good to great food. Getting to see a new place every day. Free live shows. Not having to pack and unpack bags like bus tours. Getting treated very well by staff.

What's not so great? Crowds. Especially on bigger ships there are lines for lots of stuff and you are dumping 4-6k people into a small port. Ships vary a ton. That budget cruise is probably on a 80's ship with 4th rate entertainers. (Carnival especially does this). Upsells all the time. Drinks, photos, tours, etc.

The whole poop cruise thing? It kinda like not ever taking a flight 'cause you're afraid it'll happen. Sure it possible, but its not likely. Just use the hand sanitiser they have all over the ship. You'll be fine.

Avoid anything the cruise line is selling. Its a rip off. Arrange tours ahead of time, or even just get a trip in the port once you arrive.

I'm been on so many cruises I've lost track. They can be a ton of fun. Its a luxury hotel that moves you to places.
 
We seriously considered going on a cruise a few years ago. Somehow that desire has basically disappeared to the point where I don't think you could ever drag me onto one of those boats. Most of them should be renamed "Wal-Mart of the Seas".
 
Newell Steamer said:
I was on a cruise once. And, I am NEVER going on one again.

The food is slimey. The people are pretty animalistic. And everything is pretty cramped.

And, if I wanted to see a country, I would just go there. Not hop on/off from a floating bucket of scum.
Click to expand...

Ship choice matters a lot. If you book one of the $399 week long cruise specials, expect a budget experience. Kinda like booking a $29/night hotel and being surprised that its shitty and in a scary area.
 
Highschool graduation trip was a cruise to the Bahamas. Epic would be an understatement. Booze was unlimited and as soon as we hit international waters it was a free for all.

Co-workers love 'em. Scenic cruises like Alaska are the craze right now. I've been thinking about book one since they were in the news. Bet I could find a real bargain right now.
 
I would say that most of you who say you have zero interest or that it doesn't appeal to you have never been on a cruise.

My cruise from Seattle to Alaska and back to Vancouver was the best vacation I've ever been on.

You guys "doesn't appeal to me" are judging something you've never even tried, or just happened to have a single bad experience. Just like idiots that think Marijuana should be illegal.

Frankly, of all the cruises I've been on (only 3) and all the cruises of everyone I've ever known have been on. No one was ever on one where something like this happened. Fearing this is like fearing a plane crashing or the boat wrecking. Yea there are a few stories of them happening, meanwhile there are 100's of cruise ships on the water at any given time all year long.
 
I used to think "why would I cruise when I can just take a nice vacation someplace." Now that I budget my own money, I'm kind of thinking of doing a cruise. Of course, my gf doesn't like the idea because of all the bad news stories, lol.
 
KlokWyze said:
DUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRP



Cruises are popular because they are CHEAP. It's the cheapest and easiest way to visit so many countries. One round way ticket to Europe (that's no hotel, food, travel expenses) is double the cost alone. TBH, it's never something that appealed to me until lately, due to costs.
Click to expand...

A cruise ticket is like 2 grand. How is that cheap?
 
AMDZen said:
I would say that most of you who say you have zero interest or that it doesn't appeal to you have never been on a cruise.

My cruise from Seattle to Alaska and back to Vancouver was the best vacation I've ever been on.

You guys "doesn't appeal to me" are judging something you've never even tried, or just happened to have a single bad experience. Just like idiots that think Marijuana should be illegal.

Frankly, of all the cruises I've been on (only 3) and all the cruises of everyone I've ever known have been on. No one was ever on one where something like this happened. Fearing this is like fearing a plane crashing or the boat wrecking. Yea there are a few stories of them happening, meanwhile there are 100's of cruise ships on the water at any given time all year long.
Click to expand...

I don't fear anything, I just don't want to be locked on a boat with a bunch of other jerks. I have a family friend who goes on three or four a year and she raves and shows me all of the pictures, but it looks and sounds so unappealing. Maybe when I am old and not able to walk around as well, then I will try a cruise, but until then, I have no interest.

KT

Edit: not that I do not understand why people do it, it just does not work for me and how I like to travel.
 
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Newell Steamer said:
I was on a cruise once. And, I am NEVER going on one again.

The food is slimey. The people are pretty animalistic. And everything is pretty cramped.

And, if I wanted to see a country, I would just go there. Not hop on/off from a floating bucket of scum.
Click to expand...

Yea well if you go for the bear bones cheapest option on Carnival's cheapest ship, that's what you are going to get. Just like with everything else, you get what you pay for. Try an actual decently rated company and pay a bit more and get a lot more.

Guarantee you didn't have that experience on Royal Caribbean or one of the better cruise lines
 
We did a Mediterranean cruise on the Royal Princess last Fall and it was a great experience. Whether or not there's a lot of children on board depends on what time of year you're taking the trip. Since it was right after the school year started, there weren't many. We found it the best way to see a bunch of ports as the cruise went from Barcelona to Venice, hitting various spots across France, Italy, Greece, and Turkey on the way. We would absolutely do it again.
 
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