Cruising, 8 Likes and 5 Dislikes and 1 Regret
Likes:
1) I don’t have to drive, navigate or find a parking spot or gas pump from arrival to departure. Also, while I don’t recommend over indulging. it is nice that nobody needs to be the designated driver.
2) Easy access to all activities, amenities and dining locations. Everyone can do what they want, eat when an where they like because everything is walking distance.
3) Disconnection. A sense of being truly “away from it all” you can only experience when you look out and only see the ocean. Looking at the vast ocean can make your day to day concerns feel smaller.
4) Multiple destinations, unpack once.
5) Meeting crew members from all over the world and learning about their homes and cultures.
6) It’s easier to meet other people. Even sailing on large cruse ships you see the same people over and over. Occasionally, we have shared a table with strangers in the main dining room. This was something I dreaded, but ended up loving. Not everyone we’ve shared a table with has been a delight, but most have. The others were just okay. No one has made us dread dinner and everyone has broken up the day and taught us new things. Comparing previous cruises, how did their excursion went compared to yours and recommending activities are just a few benefits of sharing a table. The biggest benefit is breaking up the conversation. Usually, you are only assigned table mates when you travel with a small group. If you’ve spent the whole day with one other person you may just need a new topic of conversation. If you are traveling solo you will be seated with other singles if possible. No need to worry about dining alone. The last table share positive is if it doesn’t go well, just see the head waiter about moving you. It’s very unlikely you’ll be stuck in an awkward dining situation.
7) The service is usually great. Most cruise lines provide wonderful customer service. Little things like offering a wet wipe or hand sanitizer as you arrive at a dining location, towel animals, chocolates on your pillow, and a friendly group of crew members checking on you and reminding you to take ID and cruise ID when you leave the ship.
8) The view is unique. Wide open seas, islands in the distance, sailing into ports and the lights from other ships at night are exclusive to sea travel.
Dislikes:
1) Noise and vibration. If you aren’t careful you could accidentally book a cabin with engine noise and vibration. You could also find yourself above or below areas like clubs, bars, dining venues or pool decks. I am very careful about the location of the cabins I book and have been able to avoid these problems.
2) Wish there was more time in ports of call. Unless you are on a very extended cruise, you are usually only in port a few hours.
3) Having to leave the ship early on the last day.
4) If you find yourself on a cruise you don’t enjoy, your kind of stuck. Unless you want to forfeit your cruise fare and fly home you just have to make the best of it.
5) Being disconnected. I know I had this on the plus list too, but it’s a negative if something goes wrong. I’m always sure to provide those at home with the emergency phone number for the ship and my travel insurance information. Internet and cell service at sea can be spotty and expensive. The good news is that more and more lines are upgrading internet service and improving the variety of service packages they offer.
Regret:
1) Not asking questions. As long as you are polite and don’t ask unrelated questions while a crew member is busy, they are a wealth of information. For example, I wouldn’t ask a server what they like to do in the next port while they are serving. They usually have a minute to chit chat at the beginning or end of the meal. Cabin stewards are a great source of information. Finally, on my first cruise I was shy about asking what was included and what was an extra charge. I missed out on a lot just because I didn’t ask.