Why I'm unlikely to ever "Cruise" (At least on a large ship)

[TheRealTMA]

When I was young and didn't have have enough money to do what I wanted - now I'm old and don't have enough money to do what I want

 

[tgh]

When I was young , I didn't have have enough money to do what I wanted - now I'm old and have enough money to do what I want.. I don't want to do anything much….

 

[TheRealTMA]

When I was young , I didn't have have enough money to do what I wanted - now I'm old and have enough money to do what I want.. I don't want to do anything much….

There’s always wine. (Women and song and travel are optional, or maybe not.)

 

[Seat0B]

I've been pretty firmly in the "nope, never" camp, but am starting to reconsider. Definitely looking for those smaller ships, without shows, gambling, smoking and kids. We will see what the future holds. My recent health issue has knocked a bit of my independent "adventurelust" out of me. So now I am "maybe, but probably not".

 

[tgh]

We were expedition cruising on small ships and I was still off doing some "boy" adventures in our late sixties.
Expedition cruising has been dumbed down enormously by regulation and the genuine eclectic luxury of Silversea et al of old has been replaced by
tightly scripted product in larger ships overseen by "bean aware" corporate management.
The mainstream cruises aka DrRon are not for everyone and I would strongly suggest a toe in the sea before diving…..

 

[RooFlyer]

Just booked a Silver Sea Caribbean cruise for Christmas 2024. SilverSeas Silver Moon, about 550pax. Going to precede it by Christmas markets in Europe.

 

[RooFlyer]

My recent health issue has knocked a bit of my independent "adventurelust" out of me. So now I am "maybe, but probably not".

As a 'see if I like it', consider a cruise down the Kimberley coast. Calm, azure blue seas. Small, expedition vessels. Warm. Fabulous Aboriginal rock art in shore visits. Coral Expeditions and Ponant are probably the two to look at, with CE probably the better.

(No skiing)

 

[Quickstatus]

I thought this thread is all about "WHY IM UNLIKELY TO EVER CRUISE" but it's been hijacked by the usual cruisers

I'm looking for the hidden traps...there must be a catch somewhere.

booking onboard

What's booking onboard

 

[Port Power]

What's booking onboard

When you are currently cruising on a ship, there is usually an offer to save 5% or similar if you book your next cruise while still on board. Possibly other benefits such as on board credit and/or cabin upgrades.

Large ships also have these offers.

 

[RooFlyer]

I thought this thread is all about "WHY IM UNLIKELY TO EVER CRUISE" but it's been hijacked by the usual cruisers

I was in the OP category when the tread started 'unlikely to ever' - now

I'm looking for the hidden traps...there must be a catch somewhere.

Different cruise lines have different policies for many aspects, including inclusions. The more expensive ones tend to have drinks and gratuities included in the fare and better quality restaurants also included.

I'm not nearly as experienced as some here, but the traps I've become aware of are:

* Purchasing 'Better drinks package' - than those included. I did it once, and that was a mistake; very little elevation in quality. If you do want to, but there is only one of you drinking, they will still make both of you in the cabin take the package.

* If you think there might be rough weather, and you may be susceptible to sea sickness, the more expensive cabins are in the centre of the boat (more stable), but the cabins are identical. Although, some of the most expensive cabins are high, and forward.

* Like airfares, there are pricing differentials. Same cabin type will become more expensive as time goes on. I learned this to my detriment when booking my first cruise. Unlike airlines, you can book more than a year out, so the escalation in prices starts much sooner than you'd be used to.

* Fares will be cheaper towards the fa_ end of seasons, if there is a 'season' for the destination. I'd always avoid those.

* I would always recommend enquiring/booking through a cruise specialist Travel Agent. Not just because TAs can do a lot, and save you heaps of time and stress, but because my first looking at cruises - happened to be Silver Sea, about 2018 - I contacted them direct and it was a dreadful experience and put me off for a long time. I posted it here somewhere.

I would respect any experienced cruiser contradicting any of the above!

 

[tgh]

I’m booking those two on S/S for March 2026


Your cruise is pretty much a straight ocean crossing ; the Dawn crossing next March has some ports I have never seen..Cape Verde,Canary Islands, madeira et al.
The linked earlier cruise around the Caribbean is also a bit more immersive , IMnsHO of course
To do this cruise we need a lot of time away ; a few days in frisco on the way and a bit of time in Portugal and Spain post..
I still live in hope that the wind will change and permit this to happen but it's a very long shot...

 

[Disco]

I'm one of the "never" until looking at Norway for next year. Hurtigren seem to do interesting little side cruises up the coast e.g Bergen to Trondheim. I get seasick easily and it's ocean so don't want to go for more than a few days. Plus the trains are good for the interior.

 

[RooFlyer]

Plus the trains are good for the interior.

Don't ignore the coaches as well. Go more along the coast and are co-ordinated with the ferries, so simply roll on first and roll off first (much to the chagrin of the cars behind!)

 

[Disco]

Don't ignore the coaches as well. Go more along the coast and are co-ordinated with the ferries, so simply roll on first and roll off first (much to the chagrin of the cards behind!)

That's helpful, didn't occur to me, thank you. Any other tips other than the usual promulgations from travel sites.

 

[latawiec]

I have noticed that old 2018 forum on cruises is alive again!

The COVID 19 sabotaged all cruising for a couple of years. Some companies like the MSC wind-up, the Marco Polo gone on scrap and a new company arise, like the Ambassador Cruises.

Looking back at this old thread I see many awkward opinions or weird expressions from peoples who probably never done any cruises?

Well, cruises are not for all peoples. Older generation prefers cruises for a convince of floating hotel that takes them to places they want to see.

In this way we have been to many places, like Greenland, Iceland, Spitsbergen, Norwegian fjords, Black Sea ports (now inaccessible because of war), etc..

In February we are taking a cruise from Sydney that will be around New Zealand, because there is no other way to go around...

You don’t have to do anything directed by the cruise line except embark, go to muster, then get off and see on your own ... Sometimes we were taking the organized excursions of value or convenience for us.

Generally, cruising is what you make of it and it is very convenient way of traveling.

When younger we travelled across all America and Europe organized coach tours but these required every early morning to pack your suitcase, get your quick breakfast and rush on time into the coach bus. You may not like such a rush after the age of 60 years..

So, if cruises are not your way then do not rubbish cruises for others who like them.

It is your choice, you may hate them or love them.

And there is a lot of people who love them.

And there is the Ambassador Cruises that we used this year to take us as far as 78 north parallel to Svalbard/Spitsbergen. The Ambassador's Ambience will be visiting Australia early 2024 on the around the world cruise. And we may consider more Ambassador cruises that are loved by the Brittons.

We also do not like oversized ships, but we will not rubbish all cruises. However, I like the exchange of information here particularly on experiences ...

 

[Pushka]

I have noticed that old 2018 forum on cruises is alive again!

The COVID 19 sabotaged all cruising for a couple of years. Some companies like the MSC wind-up, the Marco Polo gone on scrap and a new company arise, like the Ambassador Cruises.

Looking back at this old thread I see many awkward opinions or weird expressions from peoples who probably never done any cruises?

Well, cruises are not for all peoples. Older generation prefers cruises for a convince of floating hotel that takes them to places they want to see.

In this way we have been to many places, like Greenland, Iceland, Spitsbergen, Norwegian fjords, Black Sea ports (now inaccessible because of war), etc..

In February we are taking a cruise from Sydney that will be around New Zealand, because there is no other way to go around...

You don’t have to do anything directed by the cruise line except embark, go to muster, then get off and see on your own ... Sometimes we were taking the organized excursions of value or convenience for us.

Generally, cruising is what you make of it and it is very convenient way of traveling.

When younger we travelled across all America and Europe organized coach tours but these required every early morning to pack your suitcase, get your quick breakfast and rush on time into the coach bus. You may not like such a rush after the age of 60 years..

So, if cruises are not your way then do not rubbish cruises for others who like them.

It is your choice, you may hate them or love them.

And there is a lot of people who love them.

And there is the Ambassador Cruises that we used this year to take us as far as 78 north parallel to Svalbard/Spitsbergen. The Ambassador's Ambience will be visiting Australia early 2024 on the around the world cruise. And we may consider more Ambassador cruises that are loved by the Brittons.

We also do not like oversized ships, but we will not rubbish all cruises. However, I like the exchange of information here particularly on experiences ...

MSC was wound up?

 

[latawiec]

Yes, the MSC was wound-up in early 2020. However, previous owner created a new company the Ambassador Cruises with two ships, the Ambience and the Ambition. And these are very popular in UK.

 

[latawiec]

Sorry Pushka,
My mistake, as I mean CMV not MSC.

My apologies.
The Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) was wound-up in early 2020.

 

[Quickstatus]

In February we are taking a cruise from Sydney that will be around New Zealand, because there is no other way to go around...

Hmm check this out:

 

[Pushka]

Hmm check this out:

View attachment 354729

They did this last year for multiple cruises. I'm guessing they didn't clean the hull in a while.