Cruise ships - a captive clientele?

hothothot_3

Certainly not cheap, described as luxurious and relaxing. Yet, once aboard what isnt really made clear is that in order to cope with the immense boredom of staring at water all day, one must pay for all these extra add ons like yoga or massage sessions. If you dont feel like paying more, you are of course, perfectly entitled to meander around shops and have the joys of window shopping - except you could have done this all in your town centre.

I cant get the attraction of why people pay so much for what seems really boring and money draining choice of holiday.

suzy_g

Have you been on one? I know I was thinking of going on one

hothothot_3

suzy_g wrote: »

Have you been on one? I know I was thinking of going on one

I was thinking too, hoping to get some experiences of what exactly the attraction is. I just see it as a hotel on the water with some cinemas, pubs.......basically anything you could do in your local town.

Pete*G_4

The idea is that you get away from it all!! Whether you choose to spend money on yoga etc is up to you, but in all honesty if all you want is some sunbathing, a bit of a splash in the pool, and a bit of luxury, then i can't see what's wrong with a cruise?

Caz3121

immense boredom of staring at water all day
I think it depends on the cruise ship, yes a transatlantic crossing may be as you describe but we are doing one in SE Asia and it was a good way of getting to all the places we want to see without being backpackers, we have 2 days in each place so can see the nightlife as well as the days, Yes we have 3 sea days but will be using them to relax between the ports. Have cruised before in the Caribbean - very few sea days and only sailed in the evenings and never felt the need to fill time and spend money on extras on board
Certainly not cheap
Depends what you are comparing to - I have cruised in the past family of 4 in Caribbean including flights for less than a fortnight in Spain by the time you add on all the eating out etc...obviously any holiday is not as cheap as staying at home

have you had a bad experience?

Heffi1

I have been on two cruises in the past and I can say I was a bit unsure what to expect so went with an open mind. Both cruises were to the Caribbean and I must say we as a family thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The initial cost seems high, but once on board you do not have to spend a penny if that is what you want, unless you wish to purchase alcohol, which I am sure most of us do....trips on the various islands were to be purchased along with any gifts we wanted to buy - souvenirs and the like.

All meals were paid for and there was 24 hour catering of one sort or another, so no need to go hungry. There was an ice rink for people to use along with ice shows, no charge for entering, there were shows in the main theatres, again no charge, I spent most of my days wandering round new islands and seeing the sights, taking in the culture etc. Evenings were always full and we also made lots of new friends,

The other guests ranged in age from newborns, to the very elderly, there was a wedding held on board for one couple, and birthday celebrations - none of these interrupted my experience, but it was lovely to see others celebrating life events.

One thing that stood out the most were the very helpful staff who worked so hard and did not expect to be tipped, this was arranged with the tour company as a one off payment at the end of the trip and was included in the price. My vote has to go to Royal Caribbean for the very best service.

It really depends what you want from a holiday, we found it gave us the opportunity to visit islands and see what they were like before spending a lot of money to go to a place that we may not have enjoyed and been stuck there.

The attraction was also the lovely weather which you have to admit is one of the reasons we try to get away.

cclarke12

We love cruises. A great opportunity to visit lots of places in one holiday (we get bored sat on a beach for a week). But also good if you really do just want to sit and sunbathe and do nothing for a week or two. Being at sea is very calm and relaxing. There are loads of different types of cruises and itineraries, so something to suit everyone. Laid back cruises with lots of ports of call if you go on something like Ocean Village, or if you want formal dining and lots of on board activities (rock climbing, ice skating, mini golf...) then you have Royal Caribbean etc., or if you want very formal and cultural on board entertainment you have got the likes of Cunard. It isn’t that expensive and generally drinks don’t seem any more expensive than pub prices at home. With the poor exchange rate if travelling in Europe they provide good value for money, given you just need to find your money for drinks and trips if you want to do them. Also good for families as many have free kids clubs etc. on board. Some of the big ships are floating resorts in themselves.

We used to do self catering holidays in the med, but to be honest I prefer to go on a cruise now as it is easier – no cooking, cleaning or driving.

lisyloo

Yet, once aboard what isnt really made clear is that in order to cope with the immense boredom of staring at water all day

Well it generally is made VERY clear what you do and don't have to pay for.
But the ideal of "staring at water all day" is quite ridiculous.
Most of the cruises I've been on you are in port most days.
Of course there are different itineraries.
You can choose to go transatlantic if you wish, but many cruises offer ports almost EVERY DAY e.g. carribean, adriatic, mediterranean, baltic.
To say you'd have nothing to do is ridiculous.
There is absolutely TONS to do.

What is usually FREE

All food events (except some specialist restaurants)
Gym
Swimmings pools (both indoor and outdoor)
Jacuzzis, steam room, sauna
Deck games - table tennis etc.
Some exercise classes - e.g. walk a mile
group dance lessons
cinema
planetarium
shows
talks e.g. scarf tying, detox, hair, makeup (often to sell of course but not always)
afternoon tea, coffee at certain times
dancing
music/opera
games e.g. quiz, name that tune
fashion shows/lectures
Library books
Indoor games - quizes jigsaws
kids club

What generally NOT FREE

Specialist restaurants
Drinks (outside of juice, water, tea, cofee)
spa treatments
some gym lessons e.g. yoga, pilates
Gratuities
Having your hair done
Shopping
Money you spend in the casino
Excursions

I cant get the attraction of why people pay so much for what seems really boring and money draining choice of holiday.

When you consider ALL food, some drinks and entertainment and transport between many locations is included, it can work out very good value.
Try travelling around the Hawaiin isalands under your own steam and see how much the transport by plane/boat costs you.

Obviously if it's not your cup of tea, then that's up to you, but I hope I've demonstrated there is a great deal more on offer than just looking at the water.
Sometimes they have speakers of great distinction or stars (like Darren and Lillia from Strictly Come Dancing) sometimes chefs.
Fpr some itineraries (like 8 countries in the baltics) there is no way you could trabel around the different places without spending a small fortune on ships/planes.

We have been to Hawaiian isalnaad, the baltic, canaries, mediterranean, alaska. adriactic etc. and could simply have not have vistied this number of places under our own steam,
We are visting the Carribean in March and visiting about 10 diferent islands in 14 days. To travel between the different places in luxury with all your food and entertainment paid for is just luxurious.

Yes of course they try to make money out of you whilst you are there. The spas and salons can be very expensive, however you don't HAVE toget your hair done on board.
Get if done before you go MSE style. There is plenty to do for free.
Get a massage at home after you;ve beeen lcoally for £25 rather than paying £80 on board.
Simples.

hothothot_3

lisyloo wrote: »

I hope I've demonstrated there is a great deal more on offer than just looking at the water.
......
We have been to Hawaiian isalnaad, the baltic, canaries, mediterranean, alaska. adriactic etc. and could simply have not have vistied this number of places under our own steam,
We are visting the Carribean in March and visiting about 10 diferent islands in 14 days. To travel between the different places in luxury with all your food and entertainment paid for is just luxurious.

You have demonstrated alot more to do, Im guessing that there is many different options as I guess Ive got quite a distinct idea what id like from a cruise, quiet and relaxing with the OH, not too many children running around on board, nice food and a casino (not the slot machine/arcade type). What I see on the holiday channels seems not to be relaxing (wave machines to surf on the deck) for instance. Also not interested in using a gym and yoga lessons, stuff I could do comfortably at home. Would not like long time out at sea, so Caribbean sounds good, a new island every day type thing. Also dont want to spend mega bucks, but if, as you say it can be good value - even better than tailor making own holiday, then im definatly interested. Thanks for the informative post

cclarke12

hothothot wrote: »

You have demonstrated alot more to do, Im guessing that there is many different options as I guess Ive got quite a distinct idea what id like from a cruise, quite and relaxing with the OH, not too many children running around on board, nice food and a casino (not the slot machine/arcade type). What I see on the holiday channels seems not to be relaxing (wave machines to surf on the deck) for instance. Also not interested in using a gym and yoga lessons, stuff I could do comfortably at home. Would not like long time out at sea, so Caribbean sounds good, a new island every day type thing. Also dont want to spend mega bucks, but if, as you say it can be good value - even better than tailor making own holiday, then im definatly interested. Thanks for the informative post

P&O have a couple of adult-only cruise ships which you might like. Cunard also attract fewer children on board. It is just a case of picking the right ship.

hothothot_3

has anyone used the Easy Cruise? Im thinking that if you want to save as much money as you can, and not have all the frills but just want desintations, it would be a great idea?