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[Joyce]

Do you think cruises are a magnificent way to see the world? I've never been on one, no desire to either. Year we went to Dubrovnik the local hotels were petitioning holiday makers to stop cruise ships. Their reason being that the harbour ports make all the money. Passengers come off & head for nearest shops, without truly seeing the area. St Lucia & the Bahamas were perfect examples. Passengers being herded like cattle to nearest shops. Yes they have visited the countries, but they are not truly seeing them. At St Lucia we saw the ships arriving first thing, then they'd set sail at teatime. 

Not wanting to start an argument, just wondering what the attraction is.

[littleminnie]

I don't fancy a cruise either.  There always seems to be outbreaks of sickness onboard too.

[babyjane]

My husband really wants to go on a cruise but I have told him he will need to find a companion to go with.  I can't contemplate being stuck in the middle of all that ocean with no land in sight.  the very thought makes me shiver!  Also I am too antisocial to be stuck on a boat with all those strangers.

[CLKD]

Venice etc. are suffering from the 'wash' from the cruise ships too!

[Clovie]

I've never fancied a cruise either.
My hubby is dreadfully seasick so perhaps that's just as well.

I know people who absolutely love and bang on about how good they are, especially Disney cruises, but as a firm fan of the Disney Parks even the idea of their cruises leave me cold.

[CLKD]

I did suggest that we cruised to see the Northern Lights but Himself thought that he might be bored 

[ellie]

Yes I do think cruises are a magnificent way to see the world, me and hubby have done abound twelve. We have never been herded around like cattle and never been on a cruise with an outbreak of sickness.
My DH is not the most social of people,  and said he would just do one cruise, but he loved it.
We have never just stayed in the ports, in St Lucia for example, we shared a taxie with another couple and toured the whole island.
    We don't personally like the big cruise ships. We have been to so many places that we would have otherwise have never seen.  What a waste it would be to just stay in the ports and look round the shops..Most ports look just the same anyway...
Oh and yes I was seasick in the Bay of Biscay......But don't knock it till you have tried it is my view.

[Joyce]

Not knocking it Ellie, just wondered about the fascination in them. I have friends who enjoy cruises. We once considered a river cruise, but decided against it. Hubby hated school cruise, as did my brother.

I guess it maybe depends on length of cruise & how long you get to stay onshore.

[Pennyfarthing]

never been tempted to do a cruise but have many friends who love them.  Have also been in many places abroad when cruise ships have come in and enjoyed watching them.

A relative of mine booked a couple on a 300 day cruise around the world. Don't think I'd fancy one that long  but the hubby was recuperating after major surgery and the wife wanted them to relax completely. No expense spared. They were helicoptered out to the ship and had 24 Hour butler service as well as the best suite on board.

[Joyce]

I've read in the past of affluent OAP'S who sell up & cruise till they drop. They are fed, have medical help onboard if needed & get to visit lots of places & meet lots of people. Still, not sure I could ever do it. Maybe if the sea was calm all the time & I could see countries for more than a few hours. Longest time I've been on a boat was a day trip on the River Clyde, when the QE2 was still being built. 

[Noodle]

I agree with Ellie, cruise ships are marvellous.

When I was in my extremely early twenties, I worked on cruise ships for a few years and went round the world 2 or 3 times (albeit on coasts), not something I would have got to do otherwise.  Later on in life I had a hankering to take one as a passenger, but The Man was not so keen.  He wasn't sure about being 'enclosed' and being
 with people he may not like.

Finally persuaded him and we had a ball.  It's like being in the finest hotel, although your actual bedroom might be quite basic to suit your budget, but the rest is fab.  The standard of food is usually outstanding!  And, better than a static holiday, you go to sleep at night and someone changes the scenery for you.  You get to go out to a new garden/ location virtually every day.  What's not to like?

Yes, it's not really "travelling" but really, how many of us can really say we immerse ourselves in a country's culture for our couple of weeks off away every year?  The VFM is absolutely top notch.

[lily]

Going on our first one this year, so will report back 😎

[Dulciana]

I don't like being on the water, so cruises wouldn't be for me.  Otherwise, they sound a great way to get a taste of other countries.  I know several people who have been on-board-pianists for these cruises and they all seem to have had a great time! 

[groundhog]

Morning all,  I been on a cruise and I loved it.  Part. Of the joy for me was being 'at sea' yet it certainly didn't feel like that,  I wasn't really aware of any movement and didn't experience sea sickness or anything like that.  For us it was like being in a 5 star hotel and we enjoyed the deck sunbathing, lovely meals, spa and nightly entertainment without having to walk too far etc.  The accommodation was small but we were rarely in there as lots of areas to relax on the upper decks.
We did do some port visits and yes they were commercialised and we probably didn't get a true taste of the country we were visiting,  but that was ok as health restrictions prevented too much walking and exploring anyway.
We enjoyed it.  The medical facilities on board are limited and with my current problems I wouldn't get insurance but we would go again if circumstances allow. 

[Scampi]

There is no way I would contemplate a cruise!  There's always a chance someone will get seasick, and you read so many reports of norovirus taking hold on cruises.  Certainly not for me, thank you.  I don't even do cross-Channel ferries and you're only on those for less than 2 hours - they build the Tunnel for a reason!!!