cruising..right for us?

nevada · June 26, 2006

Hello everyone!

My husband and I have never cruised before and I would really like to try it and see if it suits us. If it's alright with all you "cruise crazies" I would like to give a little background. I'm hoping you can help me decide.

My husband works overseas on a 5 week rotation so we tend to be somewhat selfish with our time together when he is home. To me, cruising seems to be a real social affair and I wonder if we would even fit in. Don't get me wrong, we consider ourselves to be quite friendly people, a little introverted maybe.

I'm a little concerned that our dinner companions may feel slighted or have a less favourable opinion of us if we choose to dine alone in our stateroom at times.

We have had a very busy couple of years and I am looking forward to a relaxing vacation. We had been planning a land trip to Italy but I just do not feel up to running around the country, packing, unpacking etc etc.

I would appreciate your comments.

zebra · June 26, 2006

Hi Nevada, it's so great that you've joined us Crazies!

I fully understand your situation - why don't you just book a table for two in the diningroom? If you do book a larger table, you could book and table for 6 or 8 - that way when you're not there everyone else has each other to chat to. The only problem would be a table for 4 - the other couple would then be on their own. We like to book a table for 6 or 8 and then we skip about half of the dinners and eat elsewhere on the ship those nights - hey cruising is so flexible, whatever suits you!!!

DaCruzNut · June 26, 2006

Cruising can be a 'social affair,' but can also be very private and romantic. Book a nice cabin, with a balcony, and you seldom have to leave. I would suggest, however, dinner in the dining room, even if it's at a table for two. A bottle of wine, and you're all set. Pick a nice line, such as Celebrity, and stay away from Carnival, which I usually suggest for first-time cruisers. Your case is the exception....

JoeyandDavid · June 26, 2006

Hi Nevada...to be honest with you in our opinion it's totally up to you... David and I have been on a crowded ship but were so alone we didn't notice.. It is all about what you want to do... tables for two are a must for us.. we also get the verandah.... the few people we do see or speak to are normally when in line for the dinning room our other foods thru out the day.. the staff it self and occasionally people on the elevator.. so you can be as romantic or as party or any type of attitude or experience you want..its really is up to you! Good Luck and once again I am glad you stopped by CruiseCrazies.. Hope this helps!

joey

zebra · June 26, 2006

Nevada, just another thought. On Celebrity you can order of the diningroom menu in your cabin, at dinner time. They will bring EVERYTHING you want and set it out on your table in the cabin or on your verandah, we love doing this in Europe because we've been so busy during the day in port that we prefer the quiet of our balcony and the sound of the sea.

JoeyandDavid · June 26, 2006

Oh really????? but nah then you don't get the service.. and the ambiance....i'll stick to my table for two...but we may do that one night.. just to see what it was like ..now if we had a suite with a butler .. then now you talking.... :grin:

KeithnRita · June 27, 2006

Nevada,

The only thing we would add is Holland America ships and cruises might be your cup of tea, as well.

We discovered cruising with a rather rowdy bunch on a Carnival ship and it hooked us for life. Since that first cruise we have taken cruises with others and just us. The just us cruises on Celebrity and Holland America are very relaxing and very romantic. A cruise is however you choose to have it.

p.s.

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nevada · June 27, 2006

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your input. Sounds like a cruise can be as flexible as you want it to be. Would you suggest a shorter cruise of 7 days for a first time trip? I would like to take the Alaskan cruise, but with hubbys'schedule it becomes too late in the fall.

What about a Mexican Riveria cruise? Are the ports as undesirable as some people say? What line and ship can you suggest.

A table for two eh? Oops, now you know I'm a cannuck.lol Dinner in your room sounds nice too.

I think it may be nice to dine with others on the days you are at sea and then if we happen to spend a day in a port, instead of getting ready for dinner after a busy day just have a quiet dinner in our room.

I'm sure Ill be back with plenty of other questions and will spend some time reading your forums. Thanks again.

Joanandjoe · June 27, 2006

If DH is abroad most of the time, he may want to be home, rather than on a ship. If he does want to try a ship, why don't you fly to where he is, and take a cruise from there? Then you could fly home together.

Despite the impession that Crazies have of us, we're both shy and introverted, and enjoy cruising very much. Not bad for a half-Canadian (my Mom was from Toronto), eh?

If your DH is in Europe, why not try a cruise in the Med. on the 308 passenger Wind Surf? If he is in Asia, there are some great choices.

KarenUK · June 27, 2006

Hi Nevada - Welcome to Cruise Crazies, if you do decide to cruise you have definately joined the right forum!!

I will just say that the Cruise we did on the Carnival Miracle proved to be great for the 3 of of us - although we hardly saw our son for the amount of time he spent in camp, we were with lots of other people on the excursions & we ate 6 out of the 7 nights in the main dining room, but I have not spent so much time with my husband since we got married than on the cruise - we did have a balcony though so that is a must for spending time in your own company. Hope all this helps & that you have some quality time together regardless of what you decide.